Live & Work

THINGS TO CHECK OUT THIS WEEK IN GASTOWN

What's happening in Gastown? Here's a non-exclusive list of events to keep on your radar.

This week we’re dressing up before taking it all off and we’ve only got five days to get organized. Saturday is Halloween, putting costumes and cocktails at the forefront. Keep reading for some last minute ideas on outfits and events. Then, on Sunday, it’s time for the annual shave down as dudes get set for Movember.

FIND INSPIRATION ON INSTAGRAM

If you’re still looking for costume ideas, the John Cassablancas Institute is rolling out their top seven. The contest, JCI Trick or Treat, is pulling together looks from recent grads and posting them to Instagram for followers to like. The top pic will earn a prize, but we’re more excited about gleaning a few tips from the pros. The first finalists (below) delivered a split skull and a Tim Burton inspired character. The rest will roll out through the week so be sure to check them all out here!

GET SCARED SMART

Looking to kick things up a notch? Solve a ghostly mystery or escape from a serial killer’s basement. They’re just two of the escape rooms you can book at Smarty Pantz on Abbott Street. It’s a chance to break out of your regular Halloween routine and become part of the story. The Gastown biz is among BC Living’s picks for ‘escape rooms to try this Halloween‘.

PLAY DRESS UP

The Portside is hosting a two-part party on Friday & Saturday night. The marine inspired nightspot will be tranformed into a haunted ghost ship for Halloween weekend with mermaids, sailors and pirates (dead or alive). There will be prizes for best male / female costumes and tunes by DJ Nick Bike / Relly Rels on Friday and on Saturday it’s Relly Rels with The Stuntman.

Over at The Blarney Stone, there’s a costume contest on Saturday night with prizes for scariest, funniest and best overall outfits. Expect themed bevvies and maybe a little Monster Mash.

And if gearing up isn’t your thing, go deep at MIA. Saturday’s lineup includes Deep Down Inside residents Joel Armstrong, Aly Abji, Jared Love & Derrick Vnuk.

TAKE IT ALL OFF

Once Halloween is over, it’s time to go bare. Sunday marks a new month – MOVEMBER. This annual event raises awareness and cash for prosate cancer and you’ve got to start clean. That means a shave down on November 1st. 18th Amendment on Cordova will be in on the action and you can expect to see events happening at FortKnight Barbers, JD’s Barbershop and Barber & Co.