FESTIVALS
Aug 24-28th – Pop, Pop, Pop! It’s all grown up at the International Pop Overthrow Weekend Festival! Featuring sweet, poppy sounds from the lower mainland and all over Canada, it’s $10 a night exclusively at the Railway Club. With Laurie Biagini on Wednesday, and The Light Machines and Luna Riot on Thursday, it’s sure to be a mind-popping experience. http://www.internationalpopoverthrow.com/Schedule-Vancouver-2010.htm

FILM
Sunday – 6:30pm; Hugh Hefner – Playboy, Activist and Rebel. Slip into your silk robe or bunny tail and take in a bit of the international bad boy’s life story, including waging war with the Church and State, advocating for human rights and battling militant feminists, while playing entrepreneur over his own pornographic empire. Fifth Avenue Cinemas @ 2110 Burrard Street www.hughhefnerplayboyactivistrebel.com

SHOPPING/FASHION
Saturday – African Market, held by CNIS, is a free event that offers a taste of the many flavors of Africa, with jewelry, clothing, homemade foods, decadent dessert and other artisan products straight from the source. Get some last minute use out of that sun hat! Noon to 6pm; 1985 West Broadway @ Maple (http://www.cnis.ca/what-we-do/public-engagement-in-canada/african-market/)

Sunday – $2 entrance, Portobello West Fashion and Art Market, local artists offer up their crafty creations and fashion designers showcase their newest threads at the Rocky Mountaineer Station 1775 Cottrell Street

Aug 20-29th – READ Books Summer Sale at Charles H. Scott Gallery at Emily Carr University. Up to 70% off on artists’ books, monographs, exhibition catalogues and more serious art stuff. 10-5 on the weekend, 1399 Johnston Street @ Granville Island

MUSIC
Friday – 9pm, Happy Ending Fridays @ Fortune Sound Club, steaming hot spins by Paul Devro alongside Rico Uno & Butter, plus a Livestock room full of My!Gay!Husband!’s booty-manipulating terns with Genie for Culture Club. 147 East Pender Street

Saturday – 7pm, Vampire Weekend with Beach House and Dum Dum Girls at the Malkin Bowl is guaranteed to be a great time. VW’s showmanship and academic generosity to the crowd ensures a feel good night with a wicked amount of dancing, after generating a warm glow from basking in Beach Houses’ room full of sound. Stanely Park. Tix: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/110044AEA8CCB7E3?brand=eventful&camefrom=CFC_CABUYAT_eventful

EVENTS
Saturday – It’s City Chase time! Part obstacle course, part scavenger hunt. Register online, if you’ve got $150 bucks, or keep an eye out for competitors in 2-person teams attempting feats of the mind, body and soul to finalize for the Canadian Championships where the winners get an All-New 2011 Mitsubishi. 9 to 4pm http://www.mitsubishicitychase.com/en_site.asp

Anyday – Get a Motorboat! Rent a sweet ride from Jerry’s Boat Rental on Granville Island – they have 7 seaters, so pack all your friends in; their rates are especially reasonable if you bring on your own picnic and bevies from Granville Market. Just make sure one of you knows how to drive in the water (it can get choppy!) http://www.yelp.ca/biz/jerrys-boat-rentals-vancouver