At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, which open this Friday, February 12, the action isn’t all on the snow or ice.

The region is also hosting the 2010 Cultural Olympiad — a massive cultural festival with roughly 600 theatrical performances, concerts, art shows, dance events, digital media showcases, and other cultural events taking place over a 60-day period.

The Cultural Olympiad kicked off in late January, but there’s still plenty of time to check it out. Performances continue through the end of March.

Upcoming highlights include:

Dance Canada Dance, featuring the National Ballet of Canada and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, February 13 and 14

Singer-songwriter Feist, performing one show only, February 17

Laurie Anderson: Delusion, the world premiere of a new work by this quirky performance artist, February 16 to 21

K’NAAN, a Somali-Canadian rapper and musician performing with African blues-rock group Tinariwen, one show only, February 25

The Blue Dragon, a theatrical event created by Canadian director Robert Lepage, ongoing through February 27

The Talking Stick Festival of aboriginal arts, February 21 to 28

Compagnie Marie Chouinard, a world premiere from this notable Canadian contemporary dancer and choreographer, March 12 and 13

Body & Soul, with 14 Canadian woman sharing stories about their bodies and about life after age 45, March 11 to 17

The National Arts Centre’s Made in Canada, a concert of Canadian music, dance, and song, one show only, March 15

Cirque Éloize: Rain, performance by this noted Montreal-based circus company, March 18 to 20

And many, many more. Get the complete schedule and ticket information from the Cultural Olympiad website.

María Pagés: Flamenco Republic Photo © VANOC/COVAN