1. Run, walk or pedal your way around Bear Creek Park this Sunday morning (Oct. 2) during the fourth annual CIBC Run for the Cure, which involves opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and “Survivor Parade” at 10 a.m. sharp. Teams signed up for the Surrey event, among nine in B.C., include “Sensational Sisters,” “Tracy’s Team of Hope” and “The Tumornators” – strong reminders that the event is a key fundraiser for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Look for event details at Cibcrunforthecure.ca. “Whether it’s your first time, or you’ve participated for years, we look forward to having you join the movement and make this year’s event inspirational, memorable, and bring us closer to a future without breast cancer,” reads a post on the website.
2. Born in Strasbourg, France and now based in New York City, violinist Arnaud Sussmann is in the spotlight for some “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the title of Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s season-opening concert at Bell Performing Arts Centre. On Sunday evening (Oct. 2), the VSO will tune up to perform music composed by Dvořák (“Carnival Overture”), Brahms (“Violin Concerto in D Major”) and Enescu (“Symphony No. 1 in E-flat Major”), with Cristian Macelaru holding the conductor’s baton. For ticket and event details, visit Vancouversymphony.ca or call 604-876-3434. Looking ahead, the orchestra’s five-concert “Surrey Nights” series for 2016-17 also features “The Music of Tchaikovsky and Bruch” (on Dec. 5), “Symphonic Dances, with Otto Tausk” (Jan. 15), “Alessio Bax with the VSO” (March 13) and, finally, “Elvira Madigan: Jonathan Biss plays Mozart” (May 21).
3. Also on Sunday, an inaugural Pet Blessing Service will be held at Fleetwood’s Northwood United Church, starting at 4 p.m. The by-donation event, a fundraiser for the local SPCA, welcomes blessings for pets and memorials for those no longer living, according to Scott Turnbrook, the new minister at the church, located at 8855 156th St., Surrey. The service celebrates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the Catholic church’s patron saint of animals. For more info, call 604-581-8454.
