August is coming to an end, and this weekend is your last chance to catch a couple of these events before summer's over. Local residents can learn how to make ice cream, check out some amazing conceptual art, catch a free music show outdoors or attend the massive Matsuri festival at the Nikkei Centre. Check out our Top 5 events for the weekend of Aug. 30 and 31.
1 Check out Nikkei Matsuri, a massive annual Japanese festival at Burnaby's Nikkei Centre this Saturday and Sunday. Last year's festival, the first-ever for B.C., brought in more than 8,000 people, so expect this year's to be even more popular. The headlining performer is Hiroshi Yamaguchi, a young tsugaru shamisen performer who happens to be among the top in Japan. (The tsugaru shamisen is a stringed, traditional Japanese instrument.) There will also be vendors, a game zone, food and more performances. Nikkei Matsuri is on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Check out the local acts at Nikkei's Got Talent - on all weekend as well. The semifinals run Saturday, and the finals are on Sunday.
The centre is at 6688 Southoaks Cres. in Burnaby. Parking is limited, so you may want to take advantage of the free shuttle from Edmonds Skytrain Station that runs every 30 minutes, starting at 11 a.m. For more info, go to nikkeimatsuri.nikkeiplace.org.
2 Swing by the summer farmers' market, on from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the city hall parking lot, at 4949 Canada Way. The market sells locally grown conventional and organic produce, prepared foods and crafts every Saturday until Oct. 25. There's also a play tent for kids, entertainers, a used-book exchange and a sitting area where you can peruse your local newspapers. Bring your own shopping bags.
3 Do not miss the final event of the season for Music in the Park, the free summer entertainment series put on by EPIC, the Edmonds residents' group. The last show is on Sunday. Aug. 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Edmonds Park Plaza, behind the new Edmonds Community Centre at 7433 Edmonds St. The lineup, which always features local talent, includes The Daisy Chains, Vaughn, Michelle Kwan on the Chinese harp, and January's Answer. People can bring their own chairs, or spread out a blanket on the grassy area and have a picnic.
4 If you haven't seen Gathie Falk's show at the Burnaby Art Gallery, drop by this weekend to check it out before it's over. Falk is a prominent, widely collected B.C. artist, who works in a variety of mediums. "Gathie Falk: paperworks" features some of her latest conceptual work, including papier-maché sculptural pieces. The exhibit runs until Aug. 24. The gallery is at 6344 Deer Lake Ave. and is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is by donation.
5 Learn how to make ice cream the old-fashioned way at the Burnaby Village Museum on Saturday Aug. 30. There are two workshops in the farmhouse kitchen, and participants will take turns churning the old-fashioned ice-cream maker. The best part, of course, is you get to eat the fresh ice cream afterwards. The cost is $8.85, which includes a free ride on the vintage carousel. Pre-register by calling 604-297-4565. The first workshop is 10 to 11:30 a.m.; the second is from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This is the last ice-cream workshop the museum is hosting this summer.
