Hey there. We've hit that one-in-seven chance where the first Thursday of the month is the final day of the calendar week. Did that make sense to you? It's been a long week. 

The point of that, of course, is that there's a new print issue of the Straight out now. 

Pick it up wherever you get your finest free newspapers, and happy reading!

— V.
Senior editor

Emily Hermant brings wires and waves to the Vancouver Art Gallery

Looking at Emily Hermant's sculptures and installations, you probably wouldn't think that they begin their lives as trash. “There are all these different kinds of wires for different purposes, all being former transmission materials," she explains to us ahead of being featured in the inaugural Vancouver Now! exhibition, "and then you cut them up and they kind of take on a different life.”

Our journalism is only possible because of Straight Insiders. 

In a time when technology is taking jobs, the Straight remains what it has always been: a small team of scrappy journalists, doing our best to cover the stories that matter to the city we all love.

For just $8.25 per month—the cost of one fancy latte—you can help support the 60-year legacy of the Georgia Straight. In exchange for your hard-earned money, we've got a huge range of deals, discounts, and free tickets up for grabs—but only for Insiders. 

Right now that includes a foodie bonanza, with deals and drinks at top spots across the city. Minami, Loam Bistro, Pourhouse, Dovetail, Black+Blue, Prophecy, and more are all partnered with us to offer Insiders access to exclusive discounts.

Sign up today to help keep Vancouver weird.

SPONSORED BY THE ARTS CLUB THEATRE COMPANY

Photo by Moonrider Productions for the Arts Club Theatre Company

The BMO Radar: New Works In Progress

The Arts Club Theatre Company’s yearly celebration of new play development is back! From August 24–29, the BMO Radar will bring together playwrights and fans of innovative theatre for a week of discussion, exploration, and the advancement of new works.

With staged readings every night—including The Mildly Alarming Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde(s) and a first look at The Elvis Christmas Comeback Special before it premieres this holiday season—as well as panel discussions, master classes, and the return of the popular Scratch Night, it’s the best time of year to visit the BMO Theatre Centre and be part of the future of Vancouver theatre.

All events are free to attend. Visit artsclub.com to learn more and register today!

KitsFest gets ready to host a skate jam

Comedian and filmmaker Breanne Williamson has found a lot of viral success online, but it all has a single purpose: to persuade people to engage with her art. “If I could just be a nepo baby that got to have access to influence in a cool, mysterious way, that would be awesome," the creator of Basement 51 reflects, "but instead I have to create my own influence to get people to watch cool things.”

• Emerging local designers take the runway at The Vancouver Project

• Theatre Under the Stars presents Broadway musical hits Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, now until August 22, at Stanley Park’s magical Malkin Bowl.*

*sponsored listing

Vines Art Festival embraces sunset in the city

Free arts events can be hard to find—so thank goodness for Vines Art Festival, which is celebrating its tenth year of putting on arts in parks every summer. The event is all about connecting people to each other, and to the land we're supposed to be looking after. "It’s different to see other people and actually be connected to a tree too,” says founder Heather Lamoureux. “Like that’s a bigger relationship circle going on, and so that’s just as important.”

• 30 can't-miss events happening in Vancouver this month

• What's In Your Fridge: Drew Young of Astro Arts Festival

Buddie prepares for an emergency with genre-smashing Glass

Dan Forrest had a conundrum. The musician found himself drawn to two disparate genres of music: the grunge and darkness of Alice in Chains and Nirvana, alongside the goofy pop-rock of Weezer and Third Eye Blind. “Eventually, I had to just admit to myself that I really liked that music,” Forrest admits, “even though it was so corny at the time. So Buddie was about marrying those two things together and seeing if it could work.”

• 30 can't-miss concerts happening this August

• Vancouver metal pioneers Annihilator gets a nod for best heritage album

• Embrace the alliums at Richmond Garlic Festival

• Photos: Nat Bailey Stadium goes to the dogs

• How one Vancouver knitwear designer is fighting boring sweaters

• Free classical music is returning to Jack Poole Plaza

VISUAL ARTS: Kathleen Tonnesen fuses colourful botanicals and aikido in Energy, an exhibition reflecting on her healing after vision loss. (August 7-9 @ The Mole Pop-Up Gallery)

COMEDY: Bard After Dark presents a new improvised cabaret in Sen̓áḵw's stunning surrounds. (August 7-28 @ Douglas Campbell Theatre)

MUSIC: Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival turns 25 with a free festival, featuring Jully Black and TALK. (August 8 @ Deer Lake Park, Vancouver)

FOOD & DRINK: A hot sauce expo called Tears of Joy? It might be worth heading to the 'burbs for. (August 8 @ Langley Riders Society, Langley) 

MUSIC: Pleasant Day Festival takes over Main Street for a full day of music, markets, and community. (August 8 @ Main Street between 16th and King Edward)

LIVING: Light Up Chinatown! fills the neighbourhood with performances, pop-ups, and delicious food. (August 8-9 @ Chinatown locations)

DANCE: An intimate studio showing of El Lobo y La Luna chronicles a new flamenco in progress. (August 9 @ The Dance Centre)

LIVING: The Hycroft Garden Party brings a whimsical afternoon to this Vancouver garden estate. (August 9 @ Hycroft Mansion)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. How was your stat holiday? 

Our newsletter is coming into your inboxes a little later than usual due to the aforementioned day off yesterday. We're working hard on putting together our new print edition as I type this too, so keep your eyes peeled for a brand new newspaper out this Thursday—which, as ever, is made in Vancouver, by people in Vancouver, for people in Vancouver.

— V.
Senior editor

Richmond Garlic Festival gives a kitchen staple its flowers

Red Russian has become one of B.C.'s signature crops, and it's because garlic travelled well. Doukhobor settlers arrived at the end of the 19th century, carrying with them seeds, recipes, traditions—and the pungent, tangy allium. Chef Ben Kiely reflects on the importance of garlic in the kitchen, and shares a pair of recipes that can help show off this oft-overlooked ingredient.

Our journalism is only possible because of Straight Insiders. 

In a time when technology is taking jobs, the Straight remains what it has always been: a small team of scrappy journalists, doing our best to cover the stories that matter to the city we all love.

For just $8.25 per month—the cost of one fancy latte—you can help support the 60-year legacy of the Georgia Straight. In exchange for your hard-earned money, we've got a huge range of deals, discounts, and free tickets up for grabs—but only for Insiders. 

Right now that includes a foodie bonanza, with deals and drinks at top spots across the city. Minami, Loam Bistro, Pourhouse, Dovetail, Black+Blue, Prophecy, and more are all partnered with us to offer Insiders access to exclusive discounts.

Sign up today to help keep Vancouver weird.

SPONSORED BY BUY BC

The Future of BC Fruit

Across B.C., young orchardists are choosing to invest in farming, family, and their communities. Meet the people behind BC's tree fruit industry and learn how they're helping shape a resilient future for local fruit production.

Photos: Dog Day of Summer at the Nat Bailey

Canadians have really gone to the dogs these days—sorry, I mean, the Canadians game really went to the dogs. Dog Day of Summer saw pooches of all stripes (and stripeless) taking over the stands at the baseball. Here's a selection of some of the cutest canines we spotted.

• Knitwear designer Pickyfemme is fighting against beige sweaters

• The Goblins are back to take on Greek theatre! Embrace the 18+ Dionysian degeneracy with Goblin:Oedipus at Bard on the Beach. Tickets start at $30!*

*sponsored listing

Review: Mac DeMarco and the Dip light up Pender Island

Last year, Mac DeMarco delighted audiences when he showed up to a community event and jammed with a high school band. This year, he officially headlined Pender's Mosaic Festival with those same teens. How did the young band hold up against indie royalty? Read on to find out.

• Free waterfront symphony returns to Jack Poole Plaza

• Pleasant Day Festival is here! Join us this Saturday, August 8, for a full day of music, food, drinks, and community right on Main St.*
  

  *sponsored listing

Light Up Chinatown is getting foodie collabs to die for

Clear your schedule this weekend: Light Up Chinatown returns, and the neighbourhood's hottest food spots are using it as an excuse for a crossover event. A daytime snack bar and nighttime five-chef dinner will keep you fed all Saturday long.

• Juke's Justin Tisdall on 10 years of chicken, cocktails, and confidence

• Vancouver Cultural Precinct wants to build four new venues

• How gyotaku helped an artist reconnect with her roots

• Photos: Alabama Shakes take over the Freedom Mobile Arch

• Review: Does Kim Gordon still have the sonic goods?

MUSIC: The Early Music Vancouver Summer Festival wraps this week. (To August 7 @ various venues)

FILM: Naomi Osaka: The Second Set gets a screening, with local director Kathleen Jayme hosting a Q&A afterwards. (August 4 @ Rio Theatre)

FILM: The Vancouver premiere of Armageddon Road sees the director, cast, and crew in attendance for a Q&A. (August 5 @ Rio Theatre)

WORKSHOP: An all-ages art workshop explores the links between Indigenous and Chinese plant knowledge. (August 5 and 12 @ Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden)

MUSIC: Isabel Leong's ISBN ensemble plays intimate jazz on a downtown rooftop. (August 6 @ VPL Central Branch)

MUSEUM: A restored 1893 home in the West End is hosting a Victorian parlour seance, ghosts (maybe) included. (August 6 @ Roedde House Museum)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. We've made it through another month, and we are soon to be rewarded with another stat holiday. 

Have a great long weekend, and enjoy the bounty of things happening in Vancouver this weekend. From Pride events to Powell Street Festival, I hope you spend some time enjoying our beautiful, bustling city.

— V.
Senior editor

How gyotaku spawned a personal journey

Artist Paula Nishikawara discovered gyotaku entirely by chance. But she found herself drawn to the Japanese art of turning fish into ink prints as a way to unearth parts of her own heritage. “The weird thing about my life, as it seems to be unfolding, is that I’ll do something, and then I discover later the connection,” Nishikawara shares, ahead of running a gyotaku workshop at Powell Street Festival this weekend. “I discovered after I started doing gyotaku that I had a great uncle in Japan… he was doing some gyotaku just on his own."

Our journalism is only possible because of Straight Insiders. 

In a time when technology is taking jobs, the Straight remains what it has always been: a small team of scrappy journalists, doing our best to cover the stories that matter to the city we all love.

For just $8.25 per month—the cost of one fancy latte—you can help support the 60-year legacy of the Georgia Straight. In exchange for your hard-earned money, we've got a huge range of deals, discounts, and free tickets up for grabs—but only for Insiders. 

Right now that includes free tickets to Come From Away and The Play That Goes Wrong at the Arts Club; discounts on drinks at Prophecy and Riley's; special deals at Minami and Pourhouse; and much more besides.

Sign up today to help keep Vancouver weird.

SPONSORED BY MALAHAT SKYWALK

There’s Always More to Discover

Just 35 minutes from Victoria, Malahat SkyWalk offers more than breathtaking views.

Experience The Overhang, the world’s first enclosed glass cube extending from an outdoor spiral tower, then discover live music, cultural programming, local food and drinks, family activities, and unforgettable moments in nature all year long.

Vancouver finally gets the Orfeo it deserves

Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo wasn't the first opera ever written, but it's the oldest one that still gets regularly performed, as new generations continue to fall in love with its tragic retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice. Now, Early Music Vancouver is bringing it to the Chan Centre for a rare full production—which, it turns out, means finding a very specific talent to play the lead. "You need a voice where someone has great declamation skills, but also great flexibility," explains stage director Guillaume Bernardi. "Those two things don’t usually go so easily together."

• Review: Broadway Across Canada's Clue: Live on Stage is homicidally hilarious

• The Park Theatre in Cambie Village is open under new management! Now showing The Odyssey in 70mm. Visit their website for the full schedule.*

• Theatre Under the Stars presents musical hits Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, now until August 22, at Stanley Park’s magical Malkin Bowl.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Reach 10,000+ steps while supporting PHS’s Vancouver Food Program

Turn your daily steps into meals for Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Join/Donate to Team PHS at the Under Armour Eastside 10K on September 27 and help PHS Community Services Society reach $30,000 to improve food security. PHS's vital food program delivering 3,900+ meals daily.

Use code 26PHS for 10% off registration.

Review: Kim Gordon holds court at the Hollywood Theatre

It's been a hell of a week for live music in Vancouver, not least of which saw former Sonic Youth frontwoman Kim Gordon performing to a sold-out crowd in Kitsilano. Jeff Sanders looks back on her show, her legacy, and what keeps her on top of the game.

• Photos: Of Monsters and Men returns after a six-year hiatus

• Photos: The Freedom Mobile Arch sways for Alabama Shakes

• Photos: Young the Giant takes a big step at the Doug Mitchell

Juke Fried Chicken is partying like it's 2016

Ah, 2016: a simpler time, before COVID, AI hyperscale data centres, and finding out all your favourite musicians are deeply problematic. To celebrate a decade of Juke Fried Chicken, the Chinatown spot is bringing back 2016 prices on its OG Jukebox.

• The Hoagie Half wants to get runners carb-loading

• New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

• Ready to find your ideal workspace? For businesses of all sizes—from startups to enterprises—discover the coworking space that fits your needs. Connect with a WeWork professional today.*

  *sponsored listing

• Is Vancouver going to get four new venues anytime soon?

• How to order five beers in Japanese, and other Japan travel tips

• Maria Celeste flies the flag for Portuguese food

• lululemon brings free weekly yoga classes to North Van

PERFORMING ARTS: Cirque Du Slay brings a queer circus spectacle for Pride weekend. (July30 @ Rio Theatre)

FILM: Bruce McDonald's pseudo-rockumentary Hard Core Logo has a 30-year anniversary screening, followed by a Q&A. (July 30 @ Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema)

COMEDY: Comedy Here Often? hosts a Pride compilation show full of rising and established local merry-makers. (July 30 @ Little Mountain Gallery)

VISUAL ARTS: To Be Black, Is To Be Free shows the works of Simone Chnarakis and Valerie d. Walker in powerful conversation. (July 30 to August 14 @ SUM Gallery)

VISUAL ARTS: A Soft Place to Rest features sibling artists Lindsey and Logan Kenler exploring textiles and ceramics. (July 30 to August 16 @ This Gallery)

PERFORMING ARTS: The Vancouver Beatbox Championships sees competitors vying to be the best mouth musicians. (July 31 to August 1 @ Beaumont Studios)

MUSIC: Early Music Vancouver's Summer Festival looks back at a millenium of music history. (July 31 to August 7 @ various venues)

FOOD & DRINK: Check out a nightshade-forward menu all month long for one restaurant's Tomato Festival. (August 1-31 @ Provence Marinaside)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. Do you like… rain? Do you like… clouds? Do you like… humidity that fills your sinuses and synapses with the crushing weight of low-pressure meteorological systems? Then you might like summer in Vancouver this year!

I was missing the heat until it hit last week, and I found myself unable to concentrate unless I took multiple cold showers per day. So now, actually, I'm pretty into the grey and gloom: it certainly beats fires, smoke, and stinging eyes.

— V.
Senior editor

The Vancouver Cultural Precinct has a plan

We all know Vancouver punches above its weight when it comes to the arts. "Ballet BC is top of the world, selling out houses across Europe; the Vancouver Symphony just went to Salzburg and played in front of full crowds," enthuses Suzanne Anton, chair of the Vancouver Cultural Precinct. But, she says, if we want to keep that level of talent, we need more venues. Check out the plan for Vancouver's potential performing arts district.

Our journalism is only possible because of Straight Insiders. 

In a time when technology is taking jobs, the Straight remains what it has always been: a small team of scrappy journalists, doing our best to cover the stories that matter to the city we all love.

For just $8.25 per month—the cost of one fancy latte—you can help support the 60-year legacy of the Georgia Straight. In exchange for your hard-earned money, we've got a huge range of deals, discounts, and free tickets up for grabs—but only for Insiders. 

Right now that includes a pair of free tickets to Australian star Pete Murray's intimate show at the Biltmore Cabaret; free tickets to Come From Away and The Play That Goes Wrong at the Arts Club; discounts on drinks at Prophecy and Riley's; special deals at Minami and Pourhouse; and much more besides.

Sign up today to help keep Vancouver weird.

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Reach 10,000+ steps while supporting PHS’s Vancouver Food Program

If you’re aiming for 10,000 steps a day, here’s a meaningful way to use them.

A 10K equals approximately 13,514 steps, and on Sunday, September 27, 2026, those steps can help support food security in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

PHS Community Services Society's (PHS) Vancouver Food Program delivers 3,900+ meals every day, including 2,000 hot meals, to extremely vulnerable people experiencing food insecurity.

PHS is raising $30,000 to expand this essential program and they need your help.

Take 10,000+ steps for a good cause—Join Team PHS in the Under Armour Eastside 10K or donate to Team PHS.

Code 26PHS = 10% off registration (not donated to PHS)

lululemon's free outdoor fitness series lands in North Van

Nothing says summer like sweating outside. The frustratingly lower-case lululemon is bringing free yoga and pilates classes every week from today until September 8 at the Burrard Dry Dock Pier, in case you want something new to look at while you downward dog.

• Everyone's going to Japan right now. Here's what to know before you go

• Discover the dark, dystopian world of Macbeth, running until September 18 at Bard on the Beach. Tickets start at $30!*

• Visit the newly re-opened Park Theatre on Cambie Street. Now showing Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY in glorious 70mm for a full run of screenings.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY POWELL STREET FESTIVAL

Celebrate Japanese Canadian Culture and Community at the 50th Powell Street Festival

The 50th Annual Powell Street Festival will be held August 1 & 2, at Oppenheimer Park in Vancouver's historic Paueru Gai neighbourhood. Celebrating Japanese Canadian arts and culture, PSF50 features music, dance, taiko, martial arts, food, and family activities across multiple stages, all events free, all weekend long.

Vancouver mockumentary The Dressing Room goes global

The Dressing Room combines two of our favourite things: it was made in Vancouver (check) and it's about the arts (double check!) as the show follows the cast and crew of a fictional musical. "Although The Dressing Room is set in the theatre," says co-creator Paul Almeida, "it's really about people."

• Bard After Dark brings late-night improv to the beach

• Early Music Vancouver presents Vivaldi's The Four Seasons on August 7 with the "Queen of Baroque Violin" Rachel Podger and Pacific Baroque Orchestra.*

  *sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY MRG LIVE

Pleasant Day Returns Saturday, August 8!

Mount Pleasant brings local talent and the heart of the community straight to Main Street. Catch four live music stages, five beer gardens, a Kids Zone, local artisans, food vendors, Chapman's Chill Zone, and much more!

Main St (16th Ave to King Ed) | 12PM – 8PM (Free entry!)

Maria Celeste wishes you a very Portuguese summer

The Fraserhood just keeps getting cooler as Maria Celeste, the highly anticipated Portuguese tavern from brothers Justin and Cristian Isidro, officially opens this week. “Growing up in Portugal, tascas were where everyone ended up on any given day because they were all about welcoming the whole community,” says Justin ahead of tomorrow's soft launch.

• Fanny Bay's viral chili crisp collab is here
  

• Michael Bublé and Ryan Reynolds both love this Kerrisdale classic

• The "couple of degenerates" behind East Van's Nero Tondo

• Cómo Taperia's team eyes up a new seafood spot

• The Chilliwack Corn Festival is returning this summer

FILM: Son of Sara, a camp CanCon horror, has a showing followed by a filmmaker Q&A. (July 28 @ Rio Theatre)

MUSIC: Willow Avalon's Pink Pocket Pistol tour shoots straight into Vancouver. (July 28 @ Commodore Ballroom)

MUSIC: Chor Leoni gives its first-ever urban outdoor performance, at a plaza in Yaletown. (July 28 @ Helmcken Plaza)

COMEDY: Comedians give book talks on the worst titles they can find in Say Wha?!. (July 28 @ Little Mountain Gallery)

MUSIC: The UBC Opera Ensemble takes to the great outdoors with Opera Al Fresco. (July 29 @ Thunderbird Crescent)

FOOD & DRINK: Learn how to make a Niçoise salad you'll actually love with this cooking workshop from chef Atifa Prinsloo. (July 29 @ Alliance Française)

VISUAL ARTS: Jeff Wall: Inside showcases three decades of the legendary artist's work. (July 29 to October 3 @ West Vancouver Art Museum)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. It's your last chance to nominate something for the Best of Vancouver awards! 

Our annual reader-voted awards are all about recognizing locals' favourite facets of the city. They also only work when you, the public, get involved. If you haven't filled in your ballot yet, then you don't have long left. Nominations close on Sunday, and once they're closed, that's it. Do you want to be the reason your beloved beach or awesome acupuncturist misses its chance in the finals? Only you can prevent that fate!

— V.
Senior editor

The Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival takes a literal village

Fort Langley isn't just cute storefronts, historic recreations, and an uncomfortable reminder of the relationship between early colonizers and displaced First Nations: it's also host to a fantastic summer festival. “Our location is really unique," says Karen Zukas, executive director of Fort Langley's Jazz & Arts Festival. "The free festival is all contained within the village; it’s walkable, and people can move to the different stages and enjoy the free music, art, and culture.” In other words, this weekend's festival is worth the daytrip.

Our journalism is only possible because of Straight Insiders. 

In a time when technology is taking jobs, the Straight remains what it has always been: a small team of scrappy journalists, doing our best to cover the stories that matter to the city we all love.

For just $8.25 per month—the cost of one fancy latte—you can help support the 60-year legacy of the Georgia Straight. In exchange for your hard-earned money, we've got a huge range of deals, discounts, and free tickets up for grabs—but only for Insiders. 

Right now that includes free tickets to Come From Away and The Play That Goes Wrong at the Arts Club; discounts on drinks at Prophecy and Riley's; special deals at Minami and Pourhouse; and much more besides.

Sign up today to help keep Vancouver weird.

SPONSORED BY EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVER

Rising Opera Star Marc Mauillon Leads Landmark Production of Monteverdi's Orfeo July 31 & August 2

Hailed as a "sensitive" and "extraordinarily agile" performer, Early Music Vancouver's Artist-in-Residence Marc Mauillon has his B.C. debut starring as Orfeo in Monteverdi's groundbreaking operatic masterpiece. He will be supported by an orchestra of rarely heard baroque and renaissance instruments played by historical music experts, as well as a cast of 12, including EMV favourite Bahareh Poureslami as Euridice.

Experience one of the first—and greatest—operas in history brought to new life in EMV's production of Orfeo at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on July 31 and August 2.

Greendale Acres unveils summer lineup featuring a new corn maze

Corn mazes aren't just for fall. Greendale Acres is feeling extra corny this summer, setting up new attractions ahead of the return of the Chilliwack Corn Festival this August.

• High heels, high altitudes: Flyover's drag series is back

• Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY is now showing in glorious 70mm for a full run of screenings at the newly re-opened Park Theatre on Cambie Street.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY BARD ON THE BEACH

Goblins Take on Sophocles' Oedipus the King with Chaos and Hilarity

The Goblins are back at Bard, and this time, they’re setting their sights on Oedipus the King in a riotous reinvention chock-full of Dionysian degeneracy. It’s an adults-only cautionary tale about fate, free will, and, well, family matters. Goblin:Oedipus runs until September 19—tickets start at $30!

Blue Moon Marquee is shaking up a stagnant scene

Blue Moon Marquee's married members aren't afraid to rustle some feathers, even while they get you shaking yours. "With certain genres, the blues being one of them, the gatekeeping is strong," says bassist Jasmine Colette, ahead of the band's set at the Mission Folk Festival this weekend. "It’s a lot of balding, pony-tailed, old white men thinking that they have, sorry, a fucking death-grip clutch on who gets what."

• Five acts you need to see at Mission Folk Music Festival

• AC/DC's merch store is getting a whole damn pop-up

• On Our Radar: Cameron Whitcomb's retroriffic "Kingdom of Fear"

SPONSORED BY MATEINA YERBA MATE

Energy that hits different.

Mateína’s new Zero Sugar line delivers smooth, organic energy from yerba mate — no crash, no weird ingredients. With clean caffeine and theobromine, it supports lasting focus and mental clarity. It’s plant-powered fuel that helps you stay sharp, alert, and energized — without the sugar. Try it out today.

East Vancouver's Nero Tondo showcases kitchen magic

While we'll never forget Elephant, which closed last February, the chefs who've taken over the room are cooking up something special. Lucas Johnston and Devon Latté, a self-described "couple of degenerates", are doing their best to show off B.C.'s bounty and give diners a glimpse into their work in the kitchen. “What’s possible in British Columbia, compared to a lot of other areas in Canada, is astronomical,” Latté tells us. “We’re just putting that on display.”

• Spain's still winning: The Cómo Taperia team is opening a seafood spot

• Ready to find your ideal workspace? For businesses of all sizes—from startups to enterprises—discover the coworking space that fits your needs. Connect with a WeWork professional today.*

  *sponsored listing

• Michael Bublé and Ryan Reynolds love this Kerrisdale classic

• Inside Touk, a contemporary Cambodian standout

• We Tried It: Savio Volpe is wild about B.C. salmon

• Photos: David Lee Roth tears up the Vogue Theatre

FOOD & DRINK: French sommelier and wine importer Evelyne Quinti explains the good and the grapes. (July 23 @ Alliance Française)

MUSIC: Reid Jamieson—who despite the name is a duo—plays a free songwriter session. (July 23 @ Irish Heather)

PERFORMING ARTS: Ionesco's Cabaret promises a double-bill of theatre plus the premiere of an audiovisual novel… whatever that means. (July 23-25 @ Progress Lab)

LIVING: Grouse Mountain itself isn't turning 100, but recreational access to it is! (July 23 to August 3 @ Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver)

DANCE: New Works' All Over the Map series brings cultural dance to the downtown VPL and Granville Island. (July 24 to August 16 @ various locations)

LIVING: Strathcona Blocks Party turns East Hastings into a people-first festival. (July 25 @ 600 to 900 East Hastings Street)

VISUAL ARTS: Contemporary Japanese artists create site-specific works in Ongoing / Pacific Crossings. (July 25 to October 4 @ Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. The World Cup is finally over—for real, this time! It feels like it's been ending in degrees, though. Canada got knocked out; then Vancouver hosted its final game; and, following that, England also bowed out (though the Three Lions did put up a magnificent game for third place against France).

Now it's actually, properly, over for another four years, though we're keeping some of the good bits—namely Science World's sporty sphere and Granville Street's pedestrianization pilot—for a little bit longer. 

And if that wasn't enough, we've made a few tweaks to the visuals of our newsletter. New look, same great content.

— V.
Senior editor

Now the soccer is over, we can get back to hockey

In a return to our regularly scheduled programming, we're thinking about the Canucks. Seattle’s  Shane Wright reportedly wants to head over the border to the 604, but Nathan Caddell isn't certain about his chances. Check out his thought experiment in the latest edition of the Vancouver Canucks Trade Generator.

Our journalism is only possible because of Straight Insiders. 

In a time when technology is taking jobs, the Straight remains what it has always been: a small team of scrappy journalists, doing our best to cover the stories that matter to the city we all love.

For just $8.25 per month—the cost of one fancy latte—you can help support the 60-year legacy of the Georgia Straight. In exchange for your hard-earned money, we've got a huge range of deals, discounts, and free tickets up for grabs—but only for Insiders. 

Right now that includes free tickets for Amy Miller's Vancouver is Funny show; free tickets to Come From Away at the Arts Club; discounts on drinks at Prophecy and Riley's; special deals at Minami and Pourhouse; and much more besides.

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SPONSORED BY THE PARK THEATRE

A Cinematic Experience Awaits at The Park

With a new state-of-the-art sound system and digital 4K projector, The Park Theatre in Cambie Village is a movie-buff's haven!

Breanne Williamson shares the good, the bad, and the cringe

Comedian and filmmaker Breanne Williamson has found a lot of viral success online, but it all has a single purpose: to persuade people to engage with her art. “If I could just be a nepo baby that got to have access to influence in a cool, mysterious way, that would be awesome," the creator of Basement 51 reflects, "but instead I have to create my own influence to get people to watch cool things.”

• Tara Pople paints her way through the Eastside Arts Festival

• Seniors and their families are thinking ahead about a home’s long-term fit for aging in place. This free screening guide helps with the process.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY MATEINA YERBA MATE

Energy that hits different

Mateína’s new Zero Sugar line delivers smooth, organic energy from yerba mate — no crash, no weird ingredients. With clean caffeine and theobromine, it supports lasting focus and mental clarity. It’s plant-powered fuel that helps you stay sharp, alert, and energized — without the sugar. Try it out today.

Photos: David Lee Roth has some fun at the Vogue Theatre

David Lee Roth is an entertainer through and through—playing guitar, radiating charm, and leading a band through an array of gold-star bangers. Check out Tom Paille's pics from the show.

• Review: Jimmy Eat World leads a dizzy dance at the Doug Mitchell

Inside Touk, Vancouver's contemporary Cambodian standout

It's not just critics who think that Touk is one of Vancouver's best new restaurants: it picked up a top three spot for the category in this year's Golden Plates Awards, too. Chef Chanthy Yen's Alberni Street space didn't do it the traditional way, though. "I wanted something that I could build out of my own funds," he tells us. "I didn't want to owe anyone anything, and I wanted this to be my brainchild." And the result? A celebration of Cambodia's stories, told through food.

• Michael Bublé escaped his Christmas prison to visit a Kerrisdale institution

• We Tried It: Savio Volpe is wild about B.C. salmon

• We need you to fill out your Best of Vancouver nominations

• How to enjoy B.C.'s Dungeness crab season

• Brunch is back on the menu at Fanny Bay

• Richmond is asking drivers to pump the brakes

MUSIC: Indie rock outfit Vacation Manor gets into the getaway spirit. (July 22 @ Fox Cabaret)

LIVING: The Gender Blender meet-up encourages trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse folks to come make new friends. (July 22 @ the Waldorf)

FILM: New documentary Antidiva traces Carole Pope's pioneering career, and this special screening includes both a performance and a Q&A. (July 22-23 @ Rio Theatre)

LIVING: Science World's latest After Dark embraces outdoor science experiences and interactive performances. (July 23 @ Science World)

FOOD & DRINK: Nespresso hosts a limited-time pop-up with exclusive ice coffees and mindful moments. (July 23-26 @ 101-107 East 3rd Avenue)

MUSIC: Fort Langley Jazz and Arts Festival gets ready to shake up the Village. (July 23-26 @ various locations, Fort Langley)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Who needs a city council? Apparently not Vancouver!

After taking a five-week break due to the World Cup (during which I'm sure they did lots of hard work and definitely didn't just run AI agents or go golfing in Kelowna), Vancouver's erstwhile politicians decided to use their council meeting this week to cancel the only other planned meeting of the quarter. The July 29 council meeting has been nixed, and there isn't another one in the books until October 27—after the upcoming municipal election. 

Council meetings are far from the only thing that city councillors do… but man, it's not a great look to have had a single meeting between June and October. Is this really the better city we were promised?

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

Editors' picks: Six acts you need to see at the 2026 Vancouver Folk Music Fest

Can you think of a summer day better than one filled with good weather, great music, and gorgeous surroundings? While the Vancouver Folk Music Festival can't control the first, the second and third are always on lock at the yearly hootenanny. We asked the team which artists they can't wait to see at this weekend's beach-based bash.

SPONSORED BY EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVER

Rising Opera Star Marc Mauillon Leads Landmark Production of Monteverdi's Orfeo July 31 & August 2

Hailed as a "sensitive" and "extraordinarily agile" performer, Early Music Vancouver's Artist-in-Residence Marc Mauillon stars as Orfeo in Monteverdi's groundbreaking operatic masterpiece. Experience the role that has earned Mauillon international acclaim when Orfeo comes to the Chan Centre on July 31 and August 2.

— LIVING —

Richmond is asking drivers to pump the brakes

Heads up, speed demons: Richmond wants you to slow down. The city is rolling out a new, slower speed limit on around 500 kilometres of residential roadways across the city.

• Science World is keeping the ball rolling a little longer

• Ready to find your ideal workspace? For businesses of all sizes—from startups to enterprises—discover the coworking space that fits your needs. Connect with a WeWork professional today.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY CITY OF RICHMOND

Catch the soccer final on the big screen

Richmond Celebrates Soccer closes out the world's largest sporting event with a watch party of the final match-up on July 19. Come for the big screen, stay for the live music by Uncle Strut, soccer played on stilts, and games for all ages. See you at Aberdeen Neighbourhood Park!

— MUSIC —

Don't write Jimmy Eat World off yet

If you liked alternative music of any kind 25 years ago, chances are you stumbled upon Jimmy Eat World's Bleed American. The band's silver anniversary tour rolls into Vancouver on Sunday, and drummer Zach Lind is feeling the love. "As you get older, it's easier to tap into the gratitude of the moment," he tells the Straight.

• Aysanabee is charting a new Canadiana course

• ANTIDIVA: THE CAROLE POPE CONFESSIONS, a queer rock icon reclaiming her rightful place in music history. With LIVE Q&A, July 22 & 23.*

• Don't miss the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, on now until Sunday! Single day and evening tickets still available for the summer's best weekend!*

*sponsored listing

— FOOD & DRINK —

How to make the most of B.C.'s dungeness crab season

False Creek Crab Fest returns this summer, and chef Ben Kiely is all about embracing every inch of the decapod crustaceans. Check out his recipes for two seafood-forward dishes you can make at home.

• Fanny Bay Oyster Bar is getting back into the brunch biz

• New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

*sponsored listing

— ICYMI —

• Have you done your Best of Vancouver nominations yet?

• 6 things we learned from Vancouver's World Cup experience

• The Chan Centre is getting literary—literally

• Earnest Ice Cream scoops up a new Granville Island spot

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

MUSIC: One of Canada's blues greats, Sue Foley, brings back her axe. (July 16 @ Rio Theatre)

VISUAL ARTS: Weaver Khim Mata Hipol explores invisible Filipino labour in Afterhours: Who is Cleaning It? (July 16 to September 14 @ Amelia Douglas Art Gallery, New Westminster)

WORKSHOPS: The Culture Table invites people to connect over free art workshops. (July 17 @ Punjabi Market Plaza)

FILM: Gulf Island filmmaker Avalon Fast plays with teen witch tropes in Camp. (July 17-22 @ VIFF Centre)

LIVING: The Eastside Arts Festival turns six with an expanded mix of artsy events and workshops. (July 17-26 @ various locations) 

CULTURE: Surrey Fusion Festival's "One World, One Game" theme brings the excitement of soccer to the diverse cultural pavilions. (July 18-19 @ Holland Park, Surrey)

SHOPPING: The local animation union is hosting an art market (plus free portfolio reviews, for any aspiring animators). (July 19 @ Russian Hall)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. 

It's the last week of the World Cup, which means it's the final week of being able to use the quadrennial footie fight as a catch-all conversational crutch. That's terrible news for my social anxiety, and also my job in finding something to fill all these introductions twice a week. I can only talk about the weather for so long!

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

Nominations are now open for the 30th annual Best of Vancouver awards

In 1996, the Georgia Straight decided to do something simple: find out what our readers loved about Vancouver. Unfortunately, in those days, the only way to do it was by hand—so people had to fill in newspaper surveys and mail them back to the paper, and reporters had to decipher thousands of strangers' handwritten scribbles. Nowadays, we can do it all digitally. So you've got no excuse for not nominating your favourite local loves in this year's annual Best of Vancouver awards.

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Help PHS Community Services Society receive a $500K Matching Grant today

PHS Community Services Society is working to launch a life-changing commissary kitchen by matching a $500,000 grant from the Al Roadburg Foundation, and they need your help. 

After a two-year search, PHS secured a former restaurant that now requires seismic, building, and operational upgrades. This new facility will expand PHS’s Food Program, which already prepares and delivers over 3,900 meals daily, including 2,000 hot meals in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. 

The current kitchen was designed for just 200 meals, creating urgent safety and capacity challenges. A purpose-built facility will increase meal production, expand storage, and ensure uninterrupted service for thousands who face poverty, food insecurity, and complex health challenges. 

This is more than a building—it’s a lifeline.

Click here to donate today and double your impact.

— LIVING —

What have we learned from Vancouver's World Cup experience?

When the world comes to Vancouver, locals are always suspicious. We also love to protest, and FIFA is hardly a faultless organization with an unimpeachable record. But, Mike Usinger argues, something shifted while the World Cup was in town. Here are his six biggest takeaways.

• The Straight's July 2026 crossword

• Vancouver World Cup Watch Party Rating: Granville Island bridges the gap

• Pleasant Day Festival is back! Join us Saturday, August 8th, as Main Street transforms into a vibrant street party full of music, community, and food.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY BARD ON THE BEACH

Dystopian Macbeth Interrogates Power and Prophecy

Step into the dark, dystopian world of Stephen Drover’s Macbeth—but beware. Here, the dead walk among us.

Running until September 18 at Bard on the Beach, this bold adaptation of Shakespeare’s bloodiest tragedy will “leave you stunned in the best way.” Tickets start at $30!

— ARTS —

The Chan Centre adds even more talent to its upcoming season

Trauma specialist Gabor Maté is just one of the writers who'll be taking to the Chan Centre's stage this season. Fellow authors Ta-Nehisi Coates and Ocean Vuong will also be appearing, while the classical music offerings are also expanding. Check out the lineup's new additions here.

• Review: Come From Away broke records for the Arts Club (for good reason)
  

— FOOD & DRINK —

This might be Vancouver's fanciest dim sum reservation

The Chinese Restaurant Awards is turning 17 with a one-night-only dim sum gala at the Fairmont Pacific Rim this September—with a veritable smorgasbord of talented chefs cooking up a storm in the (presumably glorious) kitchen.

• We Tried It: Apparently 54-40 has a beer now

• Earnest Ice Cream announces new Granville Island location
  

— ICYMI —

• The Canadian Video Game Museum is levelling up

• Indian Summer Festival grows its roots

• Deer Lake Park has a free opera night this weekend

• Vancouver star Kimmortal is going global

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

SPORTS: The Jerome Classic, an official World Athletics Label meet, brings global sports talent to the 604. (July 14 @ Swangard Stadium, Burnaby)

FILM: Emergence: Women of the Storm gets a screening, along with a mini-climate fair promoting environmental causes. (July 14 @ VPL Central Branch)

SPORTS: It's the final week of the World Cup! Catch it on screens around town, such as at the Rio. (July 14-19 @ Rio Theatre)

MUSIC: Free live music is filling the park thanks to the Summer Stages. (July 14 to August 27 @ Confederation Park, Burnaby)

COMEDY: Must-Riff TV turns a cheesy '70s show into something much, much sillier. (July 15 @ Little Mountain Gallery)

PERFORMING ARTS: Why We Work Out examines the role of exercise in our lives. (July 15-18 @ The Fishbowl)

THEATRE: Eco-drama The Apiary considers the role of bees in a future dystopia. (July 16-25 @ Vines Den)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. 

The sustained warm-but-not-hot summer is good news in a lot of ways. It means we're not suffering under heat waves, like those pummelling eastern Canada and western Europe in recent weeks. It means we're using less hydro, so the water restrictions are doing their job of safeguarding supply for emergencies. And it means you can have Kitsilano Pool (almost) all to yourself—so long as you don't mind getting chilly while you dry off.

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

Welcome to Kimmortal's world

Much like a ’90s alt-rock song, Kimmortal is a person of contradictions. They describe themself as “a really silly person—like I’m not very serious, but I am serious.” They stand up for what they believe in, but a recent breakup “revealed a coward.” And while they're excited to play Khatsahlano Street Party this weekend, their eyes are set on connecting with global musicians: "I feel like that’s the best way you can expand your audience outside of your city: collaborating with artists you fuck with in other cities,” they tell us over dim sum. Meet the Straight's July cover star.

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is Back!

Don't miss global sounds, hometown favourites, and three days of music by the beach at the 49th annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival, July 17-19. The Folk Fest is the ultimate summer in the city festival — where musical borders dissolve and the beach becomes the backdrop for the best in music from around the world.

Artists highlights include Hazlett, Billy Bragg, Valerie June, Amistat, Joshua Burnside, Ruby Waters, Aysanabee, Ken Pomeroy, Surf Hat, Luke Wallace, and much more.

All this plus kids' programming, delicious food, local beverages, and an artisan market make it fabulous weekend for the whole family--kids under 12 get in free!

Full weekend passes and single-day tickets available now. 

— LIVING —

The Canadian Video Game Museum presses start

Canada is one of the most prolific countries for video game development in the world, as well as one of the most-employed in the industry. And yet, we're the only major game hub that doesn't have a permanent video game museum. Ryan Dunnison is hoping to change that, as his project, the Canadian Video Game Museum, is launching an exhibition that opens today at the Museum of Vancouver. "It's surprising how many people don't know about some of the major franchises that started here," Dunnison explains. "What we ultimately want is to create a long-term physical museum here in the city."

• Queero Salsa is bringing inclusive joy to Afro-Latin dance

SPONSORED BY BARD ON THE BEACH

Kick off the Summer with The Merry Wives of Windsor

Cheer on the Windsor Stags in The Merry Wives of Windsor, running until September 19 at Bard on the Beach! With nonstop laughs, colourful characters, and a playlist that will have you humming all night long, this is Shakespeare reimagined for Vancouver’s summer of soccer. Tickets start at $30! 

— ARTS —

Indian Summer Festival merges music and mycology

You might be familiar with Tarun Nayar's genre-blending band Delhi 2 Dublin, but you might be less aware of his background in biology. His project Modern Biology, which is showing as part of Indian Summer Festival, plugs synthesizers into plants and mushrooms to chart their bioelectric signals. “We’re turning electrical changes into sound,” he explains ahead of his show at, appropriately, the VanDusen Botanical Garden.

• Free opera returns to Deer Lake Park

• Early Music Vancouver presents Vivaldi's The Four Seasons on August 7 with the "Queen of Baroque Violin" Rachel Podger and Pacific Baroque Orchestra.*

• Eastside Arts Festival: Art workshops, music, walking tours, dance, and more, all in the Eastside Arts District! Free music 3-8PM, July 25, MacLean Park!*

• Come Find Your Folk at the 39th Mission Folk Music Festival, July 24-26 in beautiful Fraser River Heritage Park. For lineup, schedule, tickets, click here!*

*sponsored listing

— MUSIC —

Will the real Deadcats please stand up?

Mick Tupelo, the co-founder of the Deadcats, died in 2019. But long live the Deadcats, which are reuniting this week for a special show. Allan MacInnis works his way through the band's tangled genealogy, charting the complicated journey of the long-time psychobilly legends.

• Editors' picks: Six under-the-radar acts to catch at Khatsahlano Street Party

• Ready to find your ideal workspace? For businesses of all sizes—from startups to enterprises—discover the coworking space that fits your needs. Connect with a WeWork professional today.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY MATEINA YERBA MATE

Energy that hits different.

Mateína’s new Zero Sugar line delivers smooth, organic energy from yerba mate — no crash, no weird ingredients. With clean caffeine and theobromine, it supports lasting focus and mental clarity. It’s plant-powered fuel that helps you stay sharp, alert, and energized — without the sugar. Try it out today.

— ICYMI —

• Inside BC Place's World Cup glow-up

• Blood Lines took blood, sweat, and 25 years to make

• 30 vibrant Vancouver events happening this month

• And 30 cool concerts to keep your ears happy

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

COMEDY: Boy-ish Comedy is a night of queer, trans, and masc-of-centre laughs. (July 10 @ The Closet)

PERFORMING ARTS: It's non-monogamy visibility week, and Vancouver's polyamorous discussion group is hosting a storytelling night and group art show. (July 10 @ Cross & Crows Books)

THEATRE: Simone Says examines the fantastic life of feminist intellectual Simone de Beauvoir. (July 10-19 @ VPS Theatre)

VISUAL ARTS: Influential photographer Greg Girard gets a career-spanning retrospective. (July 10 to October 25 @ Polygon Gallery, North Vancouver)

SHOPPING: Art in the Open is a new outdoor art market featuring local creatives. (July 11 @ Civic Plaza, North Vancouver)

LIVING: The City wants to train you to be part of a sustainable neighbourhood with its Zero Waste Ambassador workshop. (July 11 @ City Hall)

FILM: Chen Baker covers Canto-pop classics before a showing of Wong Kar-Wai's iconic Chungking Express. (July 12 @ VIFF Centre)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. 

Well, all good things come to an end, and Canada's historic World Cup run has finally run out of gas. However, the Straight office still has some horses left in the race: editor in chief Nathan Caddell's arbitrarily chosen team of choice is England, which happens to be my home nation. Cheering for England is unfortunately a bit cringe, but if you squint, the St. George's cross kind of resembles a badly drawn maple leaf.

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

Behind the scenes of BC Place's World Cup glow-up

Switzerland faces off against Colombia at 1 p.m. today, the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be held at BC Place. But it was a long road to get the stadium ready for its few weeks in the global spotlight—one traversed with Vancouver's best interests in mind. “We had to renovate to create more hospitality space," explains BC Place general manager Chris May, "but our job was to understand what FIFA said their requirement was, and then figure out what BC Place needed for the next 15 years."

SPONSORED BY THE MISSION FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

Come Find Your Folk in Mission!

Are you ready for a sublime summer weekend full of brilliant music and cool vibes? Come Find Your Folk at the 39th Mission Folk Music Festival, July 24-26 in Mission’s beautiful Fraser River Heritage Park – just a short drive from Greater Vancouver. Hear everything from indie folk and Celtic tunes to Ukrainian soul, vintage bluegrass, fiery Métis fiddling, a dance-inducing brass band, and so much more.

With over 25 acts on 5 stages (many shaded), there’s something for every ear plus the Festival Choir, Wee Folks activities, jams, dances, participatory workshops, the Artisan Market, Food Court, and the Festival Bistro beer garden. There’s on-site camping and easy parking, too. It’s affordable and fun for the whole family – click here to find out more!

— LIVING —

Granville Street is staying car-free until Labour Day

Patios, pints, and pop-ups aplenty will continue to adorn Granville Street this summer. City Council has voted to keep the public space corridor in place until the fall—though past that, the future of a pedestrianized downtown is less clear.

• Vancouver Art Gallery's Pride singles mixer returns this July

• Check out Khatsahlano Wonderland on Saturday, July 11! West 4th transforms into Vancouver’s biggest free festival with block-to-block local music, food trucks, and interactive art.*

  *sponsored listing

— ARTS —

Blood Lines finally comes to fruition

Actor and director Gail Maurice has been waiting to make Blood Lines for much of her career. “It’s been with me for a very long time, over 25 years,” she tells the Straight. “It was a very different film… it was really gritty and dark.” A quarter of a century and several awards later, the Métis filmmaker finally got to make the movie she'd been dreaming of.

• Gastown's car-free Sundays get a comedy nightcap

• Celebrate the diversity of performing and visual arts in Vancouver’s Eastside Arts District! Art workshops, live music, public art, walking tours and more!*

*sponsored listing

— MUSIC —

Can't-miss Vancouver concerts for July 2026

Summer is here, and with it the endless tumble of outdoor festivals, community stages, and even some big-name touring acts to boot. Check out our pick for what shows to catch this month.

• Van Jams: New Vancouver music you might have missed

• Review: Kurt Vile has Runner Ups at the Commodore

SPONSORED BY THE VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

The Best Weekend of the Summer!

Summer's most iconic festival, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, is back at Jericho Beach Park July 17-19.

Headliners include Hazlett, Billy Bragg, Valerie June, Ruby Waters, Tami Neilson, Aysanabee, plus tons of other great music to discover. Great food, beverages, free kids' admission and programming, all at a spectacular location.

— ICYMI —

• The Via Tevere team is opening a new osteria

• Chinatown's Pony Room is hot to trot

• 30 can't-miss Vancouver events happening this month

• Were we too optimistic about Canada's chances vs. Morocco?

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

LIVING: Knitters, crocheters, and cross-stitchers assemble for a fibre arts social. (July 7 @ Vancouver Public Library Mount Pleasant Branch)

LIVING: Take a walking tour through Ambleside to discover West Vancouver's unique architectural identity as part of West Coast Modern Week. (July 7-12 @ West Vancouver Municipal Hall, West Vancouver)

TALKS: Local expert Alex Douglas discusses the history of Mount Seymour. (July 8 @ MONOVA, North Vancouver)

TALKS: Julian Brave NoiseCat joins climate scientist Janna Wale and fashion designer Rebecca Baker-Grenier for a night of Indigenous change-making. (July 8 @ online)

PERFORMING ARTS: Indian Summer Festival kicks off 10 days of celebrating South Asian arts. (July 9-19 @ various venues)

PERFORMING ARTS: Experimental sound art series Why Whisper explores the power of audio. (July 9 to August 27 @ What Lab)

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

It’s the first Thursday of the month, and I know you know what that means. You woke up today, and the very first thing you said to yourself was, “It’s Georgia Straight publication day.”

You were (mostly) right. Our Pride Issue goes live today, and we were more than fortunate to feature the incredible Kimmortal on our cover ahead of their Khatsahlano Street Party show.

The thing you got wrong is that, for one month, we are the Georgia Gay. I hope you enjoy this issue as much as we loved putting it together. Pick it up at a box near you today!

Now, on to the newsletter, which we ALSO loved putting together and which includes everything from the World Cup and Canucks trades to the opening of a new queer events space and the local staging of a 1992 Whoopi Goldberg classic. We contain multitudes, after all. 

— Nathan
Editor in chief

— FEATURE — 

How does Canada match up against Morocco?

If you haven’t heard, there’s a little thing called the World Cup going on. Though Canada is done playing games on home soil, it’s not done in the tournament. This weekend, Les Rouges take on the Atlas Lions (an admittedly very cool nickname that Morocco has for its soccer team) in Houston. Here’s how the two teams stack up.

SPONSORED BY THE ARTS CLUB THEATRE COMPANY

THE GUT-BUSTING INTERNATIONAL HIT

It’s opening night of the Cornley Drama Society’s new production of 'The Murder at Haversham Manor', and after months of rehearsal, the cast and crew are ready for a perfect performance. Surely, everything will go according to plan, right? Wrong. Things will go very wrong in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong, on now until August 16 at the Lindsay Family Stage at Granville Island. Props fail and cues are missed in this chaotic comedy sensation, but these accident-prone thespians push through to deliver a 1920s whodunnit like you’ve never seen.

Tickets are on sale here from $39, and going fast—don’t miss this chance to catch the international sensation live!

— FOOD & DRINK —

The Pony Room is hot to trot

It takes some courage to open up a hospitality business right now. Opening one in a Chinatown location that’s been through a couple different tenants in the last several years, when you’ve already been at odds with city officials over the other business that you run, is even more of a leap of faith. But the founders of Pony Room, a new queer events and restaurant space, are undaunted.

• The family behind some of Vancouver’s favourite Italian spots is opening a new osteria

• New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

• Eastside Arts Society’s 6th Eastside Arts Festival returns July 17–26 with walking tours, art workshops, public art, performance, and free live music.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY KHATSAHLANO STREET PARTY

Khatsahlano Wonderland July 11. Don't be late, save the date!

Vancouver's largest free festival is back! Khatsahlano Street Party returns to West 4th Avenue on July 11, with a Wonderland theme, transforming 10 blocks into a fantastical dreamscape. Enjoy live music from headliners Uncle Strut and Art d'Ecco, 300 local vendors, food trucks, and vibrant beverage gardens. #WanderIntoTheWonder

— ARTS —

Theatre Under the Stars’ Sister Act is faithful to its source material

Nostalgia factor aside, there aren’t many 1992 comedies that hit the same way in 2026. The Whoopi Goldberg vehicle Sister Act—about a lounge singer who is forced into witness protection where she’s disguised as a nun and attempts to blend into a convent—is one of them. The film was adapted into a musical in 2009, and this weekend, it hits the Theatre Under the Stars stage with East Van’s Kat Reynolds in the main role. “Seeing a hero’s journey from the point of view of a Black woman is very rare, especially in this city,” she says.

• 30 can’t-miss Vancouver arts events this month

• Theatre Under the Stars presents musical hits Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, July 3 - August 22, at Stanley Park’s magical Malkin Bowl.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER FETISH WEEKEND

One of North America's top kinky festivals kicks off in Vancouver July 23! Want to know more?

Ready to let out your wild side?  Head to one of the many pervy, provocative and body-positive events happening at Vancouver Fetish Weekend, July 23-27, including the world famous VIP Fetish Cruise!  Epic night-time club events, daytime social meetups, with attendees from all over the world celebrating sexy self-expression!

— CITY & CULTURE —

Can Brendan Gallagher be Lawful Good Evander Kane?

The Vancouver Canucks brought in a local boy this week, trading for longtime Montreal Canadiens veteran (and former Vancouver Giants star) Brendan Gallagher. Hopefully, this one goes a bit better than when they brought in a different local boy (and former Vancouver Giants star) last year. Here are our thoughts on the move.

• We also had some (less charitable) thoughts on the team trading Nils Höglander. 

• Summer's most iconic festival, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, returns to Jericho Beach Park July 17-19, with Hazlett, Billy Bragg, Valerie June and more!*

• Experience the opera that invented a genre! Monteverdi's groundbreaking masterpiece Orfeo with Marc Mauillon in the title role – July 31 and August 2.*

*Sponsored Listing

— ICYMI —

• Dude Chilling Park is hosting a free festival

• The Canucks drafted the coach’s son

• The Police's former drummer Stewart Copeland hit up the Hollywood

• Bard on the Beach mounts Macbeth in all its gory

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. 

I hope you're gearing up to celebrate Canada Day, despite its awkward mid-week appearance.

On a personal note, I just received my permanent residency this week—so I'll be spending the day feeling very blessed to be able to stay on these lands. Watch out for a citizenship update in two to four years.

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

What bloody man is Macbeth?

The thing about Macbeth is that, when you strip away the archaic language and poetry, it's a pretty vicious story: full of murder and betrayal and blood. Lots of blood. "If you're doing a play like Macbeth, you have to own that, and part of that is recognizing how brutal it is,” says director Stephen Drover. "I’m not that terribly attracted to gore or blood or violence, but I am interested in doing the play that we have, which is a very violent one.”

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Donate today and help PHS match a $500K grant

PHS Community Services Society needs your help to match a $500,000 grant from the AI Roadburg Foundation.  

Your donations will support a new commissary kitchen to safely expand their Vancouver daily meal production to community members facing food insecurity.  

Donate today and double your impact and strengthen this critical lifeline. 

— CITY & CULTURE —

It's NHL Draft Season, now with a little hint of nepotism

Despite a monumentally awful season, the Canucks still couldn't manage better draft luck than third pick. And they went with… Caleb Malhotra, the son of coach Manny Malhotra. Was the centre worth such a high ranking, or is there some father-son favouritism at play? Nathan Caddell dives in.

• And the team doubled-down on big and fast with Adam Novotný

• Celebrate Canada Day tomorrow at the 79th annual Steveston Salmon Festival! This family-friendly, community-driven event features live music, delicious food, and fun sports demos.*

*Sponsored Listing

— ARTS —

Vancouver Art Gallery takes its climate conversation outside

Fuelled by a duo of ecological exhibitions, Emily Carr's lush landscapes and wide-ranging show Future Geographies, the Vancouver Art Gallery is working on sustainability—and running summer initiatives to get visitors thinking about the environment, too.

• Bard on the Beach founder Christopher Gaze receives the Order of Canada

• Theatre Under the Stars presents musical hits Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, July 3 to August 22, at Stanley Park’s magical Malkin Bowl.*

*Sponsored Listing

— MUSIC —

Dude Chilling Park is hosting a free festival

Chillin' in the Park turns five this year, a fun reminder that the socially distanced outdoors events we all attended during the pandemic can actually be sustained as lasting community get-togethers. Balkan Shmalkan, Mivule, and more are set to play.

• Review: Charlotte Cornfield made the WISE Hall swoon

• Photos: The Police's former drummer Stewart Copeland hit up the Hollywood

— ICYMI —

• There's a free Strumbellas show happening for Canada Day

• Canada made it through to the Round of 16, even after losing to Switzerland

• Did you find one of Fanny Bay's hidden seafood platters?

• New Goldeneye KK Harvey is eager to spread her wings

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. 

Summer is doing the hokey pokey at the moment. Put the warm weather in! Take the warm weather out! In, out, in, out! Do you commit to wearing shorts even when it suddenly starts raining, or just carry an umbrella you can double-up as a parasol? 

The good news is that cooler weather should help Metro Vancouver stay below the water usage goal of 1.4 billion litres per day—a figure that makes you go "damn, we really use 1.4 billion litres of water per day?"

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

KK Harvey slides into the Goldeneyes roster

The Goldeneyes got the first pick in the PWHL draft, and they wasted no time in choosing the impossibly talented rearguard Caroline "KK" Harvey. Harvey, for her part, is excited to head to the 604. "I was really hoping it would work out the way it did," she tells the Straight, "because this is definitely a place I want to call my home for years to come.”

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Looking for a meaningful way to support food security?

Every donation helps put meals on the table.

Join the PHS Run Team at the Under Armour Eastside 10K—or make a donation to support these runners—as they work toward a $30,000 fundraising goal for PHS’s Vancouver Food Program.

This program delivers 3,900+ meals daily to people who often lack access to kitchens, cold storage, or food preparation space.

However you participate, you’re helping PHS provide 3,900+ meals daily to people who need our help the most.

Support food security by joining Team PHS or donating to the PHS Run Team.

Code 26PHS = 10% off registration (not donated to PHS)

— LIVING —

10 takeaways from Canada vs. Switzerland at the World Cup

More sports! Editor in chief Nathan Caddell was at BC Place to watch Canada play Switzerland in the home team’s final group stage match. Here are his takeaways from the match and why the result might come with a silver lining.

• Canada Day has a free concert from the Strumbellas and an Expo 86 throwback

• Theatre Under the Stars presents a fabulous and fantastical summer season with Sister Act and Disney’s The Little Mermaid, July 3 to August 22.*

• Ready to find your ideal workspace? For businesses of all sizes—from startups to enterprises—discover the coworking space that fits your needs. Connect with a WeWork professional today.*

*Sponsored Listing

— ARTS —

Ryver’s House finds some good grief with You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

Peanuts might be best-known as a comic strip and a 1985 animated TV special, but the latter was originally a musical in 1967. Not that any of the cast of the Vancouver version would have been alive to contemporaneously experience any of that content, as the Charlie Brown kids are all played by child actors. “When I had kids come in and I saw their youthfulness, I was like, nobody else can portray kids better than kids," says director Ryver Santos Cegnar. "The amount of talent that these kids have is just astonishing."

• Little Mountain Gallery is turning stand-up into a spectator sport

• Richmond Art Gallery explores the connection between Japan and Canada

• Summer's most iconic festival, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, returns to Jericho Beach Park July 17-19, with Hazlett, Billy Bragg, Valerie June and more!*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVER

Experience the best in Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Music | July 31 – August 7

From Monteverdi's groundbreaking opera Orfeo to Vivaldi's timeless The Four Seasons, Early Music Vancouver presents the finest in Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque music with their annual Summer Festival (July 31 – August 7, 2026). Artist Include: Marc Mauillon, Rachel Podger, Idan Cohen, Jaap ter Linden, Myriam Leblanc, and many more!

— FOOD & DRINK —

Fanny Bay is hiding free seafood platters across Vancouver

Remember when you were a kid and you gave everyone a party bag as a thank-you for attending your birthday? Fanny Bay is doing the same thing for its 10th anniversary—except there's a treasure hunt involved to get it.

• Pocket Flask: Copperpenny's Ember Smoked Gin tastes like B.C.

SPONSORED BY CITY OF RICHMOND

Canada's "biggest little birthday party" returns

Celebrate July 1 at one of the country's most cherished Canada Day events! The 79th annual Steveston Salmon Festival features a show-stopping parade, live music across three stages — including headliners Barney Bentall & The Legendary Hearts — sports demos, and delicious food like the iconic wood-fired Salmon Bake.

— ICYMI —

• The Vancouver Warehouse Sale is happening this weekend

• Vancouver World Cup Watch Party Rating: The Shipyards set sail

• What we learned from Canada's match vs. Qatar

• Emeri Matcha Bar goes from pop-up to permanent

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. I hope you had a lovely weekend.

With the solstice officially in the rearview mirror and summer stretching out ahead of us, now is the time to get excited about what the warm months have in store. Whether it's overseas vacations, weekend trips to the Sunshine Coast, or just grabbing a bike to cycle somewhere new, I hope you find the time to have a break. Just remember that, if you're planning on falling asleep on a beach, SPF 60 is your best friend.

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

Inside the stadium for Canada's first men's World Cup win

Les Rouges are playing their final group stage match tomorrow versus Switzerland, but a huge performance against Qatar all but solidified the team's ability to get out of the group stage. Nathan Caddell was inside BC Place for the team's dominant performance, and wondered if it was actually the most Canadian World Cup game that had ever been played.

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Run with purpose, give hope by supporting PHS

On Sunday, September 27, the Under Armour Eastside 10K returns—and the PHS Run Team is ready to make every step count. This isn’t just a race; it’s a chance to support PHS's crucial Vancouver Food Program, which delivers thousands of meals each day to people facing homelessness and poverty.

Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, joining the PHS team means becoming part of something powerful. Set a goal, invite friends, and help PHS reach its fundraising goal of $30,000 to expand this life-changing food program.

Can’t participate? Your donation still fuels hope. Help PHS ensure no one is left behind—one kilometre, one meal, one life at a time.

— LIVING —

Vancouver World Cup Watch Party Rating: Shipyards set sail

With so much footie happening, communities across Vancouver have organized places to go catch the games on big screens. Venture across the water to North Vancouver, and you'll find a large space being put to good use in intriguing ways.

• The Vancouver Warehouse Sale brings five homegrown brands together

— MUSIC —

Dutch experimentalists the Ex continue to stir shit up

The Ex has been kicking around ever since 1979, but the avant-punks are far from done with rabble-rousing. The Dutch band's latest album takes sharp aim at the uselessness of world leaders in stopping the climate crisis, acting like constant emergencies are normal. "Here in the Netherlands the chance of serious sea-level rising is huge and will be a catastrophe," frontman Arnold de Boer observes, ahead of the band's show this week as part of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

• Photos: Ne-Yo and Akon bring the 2000s to Rogers Arena

• Music historian Chris Walter chronicles punk in new book Born Too Loose

• Discover Fort Langley’s Jazz & Arts Festival July 23-26. Enjoy the Cool Blues Show, Amy Winehouse tribute, and jazz headliner Laila Biali.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY ASK FOR LUIGI

Grazie, Vancouver.

Every plate of pasta, every bottle of wine, every celebration around our tables is made possible by this community. Thank you for making Ask for Luigi part of yours.

— FOOD & DRINK —

Emeri Matcha Bar finds its permanent home in Mount Pleasant

Who needs to do it all when you can do one thing well? After a successful pop-up last year, Emeri Matcha Bar has opened a permanent spot on Main Street, serving carefully curated matcha, hojicha, and matcha soft serve, sourced straight from Japanese tea farms.

• Uchu's new omakase charts an ambitious course

SPONSORED BY CHAN CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Culture critic Fran Lebowitz, UK band Palace, and author Zadie Smith lead Chan Centre's 29th Season

Tickets are now available to see global cultural icons at Vancouver's premier performing arts venue. With artists ranging from jazz luminaries Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves to Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, the Chan Centre is bringing the world’s best to the city. See all the artists coming this season.

— ICYMI —

• Our new Straight Insiders portal just launched at straightinsiders.ca

• World Cup Watch Party Rating: South Flats kinda slaps

• What are Ken Sim's 11 AI agents up to?

• Free outdoor concerts are coming to Robson Street

• Everything falls apart in The Play That Goes Wrong

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there.

After missing the hottest day of the year so far, Kitsilano Pool is finally open for business. Yes, it might be old and leaking and on its last legs, but there's a bit of life left in the old tank yet.

The future of the iconic aqua installation remains uncertain: Park Board staff have outlined three potential plans, ranging from fixing the worst of the problems, to a renovation of the facility, to a full replacement. Expect to see more about it come budget season—but for now, we can still enjoy North America's longest outdoor pool.

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

What it's really like at an Overdose Prevention Site

A decade after B.C. officially announced a state of emergency over toxic drug deaths, people in the province continue to die in staggering numbers from unregulated street substances all across the city—and yet services mostly remain in a small area of the Downtown Eastside. “I worry more about the way that this emergency that we find ourselves in is becoming normalized,” reflects Simon Goodspeed, senior manager at the PHS Community Services Society. "Or that there are people deciding that they're not really interested in doing much about it."

SPONSORED BY THE MISSION FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

Early Bird tickets for the Mission Folk Music Festival on sale now to June 22!

Are you ready for a sublime Fraser Valley summer weekend full of brilliant music and friendly vibes? Come find your folk at the 39th Mission Folk Music Festival, July 24-26 in beautiful Fraser River Heritage Park. The full weekend schedule is online featuring everything from indie folk and a dance-inducing brass band to Celtic tunes, Ukrainian soul, vintage bluegrass, fiery Métis fiddling and so much more!

Come enjoy 25+ acts on 5 stages plus the Festival Choir, Wee Folks activities, jams, dances, participatory workshops, an Artisan Market, Food Court, and beer garden. There’s easy parking and on-site camping, too – it’s affordable and fun for the whole family! Get your Early Bird evening, day, weekend and weekend + camping passes by June 22 and save!

— CITY & CULTURE —

A totally serious investigation into what Mayor Ken Sim’s 11 AI agents are doing

Does Vancouver have a mayor, or merely a dozen chatbots in a trench coat? It's a question we've been asking ourselves since Ken Sim revealed he has a hendecad of AI agents doing "a lot of my work in the background". We put on our thinking caps to figure out what those agents could possibly be doing.

• Vancouver World Cup Watch Party Rating: South Flats kinda slaps

• Gastown is going car-free again for Sundays this summer

• Ready to find your ideal workspace? For businesses of all sizes—from startups to enterprises—discover the coworking space that fits your needs. Connect with a WeWork professional today.*

*Sponsored Listing

— ARTS —

Things fall apart in The Play That Goes Wrong

It is an old theatre maxim that the show must go on—even if the props are broken, the actors can't remember their lines, and the director can't get things back on track. The Arts Club's production of The Play That Goes Wrong opens this week with a dose of carefully planned chaos.

• The Vancouver Art Gallery's summer programming embraces the World Cup

• FakeKnot’s MY HOUSE is a bold new work by queer choreographer Ralph Escamillan which celebrates Ballroom culture. Presented by The Dance Centre June 19-20.*

• Kick off the summer with The Merry Wives of Windsor, running until September 19 at Bard on the Beach! Tickets start at $30.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY THE PARK THEATRE

BACKROOMS and more at The Park Theatre on Cambie

Upgraded with a brand new state-of-the-art sound system and digital 4K projector, The Park Theatre in Vancouver's Cambie Village is showing the highly anticipated thriller BACKROOMS amongst other great films. Check out their current attractions online and stop by for a movie soon!

— MUSIC —

On Our Radar: True Mountain Laurel's "Angel So Bad" hits hard

The Vancouver superduo of Sam Lynch and Haley Blais has finally released its long-awaited debut single. "Angel So Bad", the title track off the pair's upcoming album, is exactly what you'd hope for from two accomplished musicians: lush, intricate, and transportive.

• Free outdoor concerts are coming to Robson Street this summer

• Nirvana’s music transcends genre. In this stylized concert, Smells Like Teen Spirit brings you the songs you know in a way you’ve never imagined.*

• New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY GROUSE MOUNTAIN

Dinner at new heights: The Observatory

The Observatory at Grouse Mountain offers one of the most distinctive dining experiences in the Lower Mainland. Three-course dining is available for $84 per person, while four-course dining is offered at $104 per person. Complimentary mountain access is included with advance reservations.

Explore the seasonal menu and book your reservation.

— ICYMI —

• Our new Straight Insiders portal just launched at straightinsiders.ca

• 10 takeaways from the first Men's World Cup match in Vancouver

• Decade Studio designs durable denim

• Mortadella is a little slice of happiness

• Summer doesn't mean you need to stop drinking red wine

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. Summer might officially start on Sunday, but it sure feels like it's already here. 

I've had my first beach swim of the season, my first sunburn of the season, and my first frozen oat chai latte popsicle of the season. Whoever decided to put barista drinks in the freezer is a genius: it brings a whole new meaning to iced coffee.

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

10 takeaways from the first-ever FIFA Men's World Cup match in Vancouver

A reported 52,497 fans filled BC Place to watch Australia beat Türkiye 2-0 this week. Editor in chief Nathan Caddell was there to witness the beautiful game in action. Here are his 10 takeaways from the match, from the state of the roof to the quality of the playlist.

SPONSORED BY CITY OF RICHMOND

Strategize your next game day plan

Looking for a welcoming crowd, big screen, and fellow soccer fans to celebrate the beautiful game this summer?

Come to Richmond for family-friendly, community-focused watch parties. Through July 19, the city's community centres will each host a public party for the world's largest soccer tournament. Whether you're a resident or not, Richmond is open to all and there's something for everyone: soccer skill challenges, live entertainment, art activations, dance parties, and more.

One community. Many cultures. Game on.

— LIVING —

Decade Studio's denim is built to last

Molly Spittal isn't a jack of all trades—she's a master of one. "I design really, really good jeans," she says plainly. And the loyal fans of Decade Studio's ethically made, small-ish batch pieces would agree: “The people coming to me are replacing jeans they’ve had for eight years with jeans they hope to wear for another eight.”

• The Straight's June 2026 crossword

— MUSIC —

B.C. didn't make a splash on the Polaris longlist. Now what?

The Polaris Music Prize announced the 40 albums that are in contention for the title of the best Canadian record released this year. And B.C. is notably under-represented. I crunched the numbers to figure out what's going on—and what comes next—for B.C.'s musical community.

• On Our Radar: Jia's dreamy "Hotel Swimming Pool"

• Photos: Bailey Zimmerman rocks Rogers Forum

• June 30 - ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW hosted by Dandy with a raucous Rio Theatre audience who are just as into it as you are!*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY THE VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

The highlight of Summer!

Summer's most iconic festival, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, is back at Jericho Beach Park July 17-19.

Headliners include Hazlett, Billy Bragg, Valerie June, Ruby Waters, Tami Neilson, Aysanabee, and tons of other great music to discover. Plus great food, beverages, free kids' admission and programming, all at a spectacular location.

— FOOD & DRINK —

Main Street's Mortadella puts it all together

For there to be a most-popular "hidden gem" is something of an oxymoron—how can anything popular still be a secret? But Mortadella certainly fits the bill: a cozy deli in a building that's slated for demolition sometime soon. “It could be three years from now; it could be five or six,” explains owner Stephen Wiese. “We spend money on the brand and, if we need to, we can move the brand somewhere else.”

• Two red wines for rosé season

• Liquor Nerd: In defence of Cognac

SPONSORED BY SIDNEY AND GERTRUDE ZACK GALLERY

LILITH RETURNING | Through June 29

Lilian Broca’s Lilith embodies the assertive, courageous, and independent part of a contemporary woman. Inspired by the ancient version of creation wherein man and woman were created equal, the artist depicts Lilith as a woman of power, justice and vision, a guide into the future for all. Until June 29.

— ICYMI —

• Where to eat, drink, and watch the World Cup in Vancouver

• What to catch at the FIFA Fan Festival

• Golden Plates 2026: Fraserhood is heating up

• RIPlandia to Rifflandia Festival

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. 

We've got a new series starting on our Instagram this week. Give It To Me Straight is collecting hot takes from Straight staff, contributors, people we interview, and maybe one day random Vancouverites. 

First up is, unfortunately, me. My hot take is that we should end the tyranny of letting drivers turn right on red lights, because I'm sick of nearly being run over outside my apartment. Agree? Disagree? Get in the comments!

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

How Fraserhood became Flavourhood

What do Chez Céline, Earnest Ice Cream, Nammos Estiatorio, and Between 2 Buns all have in common? It's not just serving award-winning food; it's also their location, clustered between 24th and 29th avenues on Fraser Street. “The people are so friendly and so nice here,” says Margaux Herder, chef at Vancouver's hottest new restaurant Chez Céline. “Our neighbours are amazing. It really feels like community."

SPONSORED BY BARD ON THE BEACH

Summer is on at Bard on the Beach

Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival's 37th Season is on now! Enjoy an evening or matinee performance in modern theatre tents with a glass of your beverage of choice, and take in outstanding theatre with a spectacular ocean backdrop in Sen̓áḵw/Vanier Park.

On the BMO Mainstage, The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by Rebecca Northan, is a lively music-filled comedy set in a soccer-obsessed community centre, while a haunting dystopian Macbeth, directed by Stephen Drover, provides a stark and bloody counterpoint.

The Douglas Campbell Theatre features the riotous 18+ escapade of Goblin:Oedipus, created by Spontaneous Theatre that plays alongside a contemporary take on the tragedy of Antigone.  

— LIVING —

Where to eat, drink, and watch the World Cup in Vancouver

Let's be real: most of the residents of Vancouver are not going to be shelling out thousands of dollars to watch matches in the flesh at BC Place. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the festivities. William Johnson has put together a list of everywhere offering World Cup specials during the tournament and will be updating it as more information comes in. Check out all the sporty spots here.

• A W for the L: New B.C. drivers can now take knowledge test online

• New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

• Ready to find your ideal workspace? For businesses of all sizes—from startups to enterprises—discover the coworking space that fits your needs. Connect with a WeWork professional today.*

*Sponsored Listing

— ARTS —

Sophie's Surprise 29th is packed with party tricks

What do you get when circus, comedy, and cabaret come together? A party. The show is now a veritable globe-trotting phenomenon that's playing at the York Theatre this week, but it grew out of a very DIY beginning in London, England. "We had no budget," co-creator Katharine Arnold says of the very first show. "We bought some stuff ourselves; we did it for 200 quid.”

• Eastside Arts Festival returns this July

• The highly-anticipated thriller Backrooms is at The Park Theatre on Cambie for a full run of screenings. Full schedule on their website.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY THE DANCE CENTRE

FakeKnot brings the Ball to the stage in MY HOUSE, June 19 and 20

MY HOUSE is a bold new work by the award-winning queer choreographer Ralph Escamillan (aka Kiki Legend OA Mother Posh Gvasalia and Canadian Mother Posh Basquiat) which celebrates Ballroom culture - and the liberating truth of being fully oneself on the floor.

Presented by The Dance Centre: get tickets here.

— MUSIC —

Our 6 picks for the FIFA Fan Festival

If you're not into sports, good news: the FIFA Fan Festival is also playing host to a dizzying array of musical artists. We scoured the lineup to find the days when it'll be most worth schlepping down to the PNE and getting sunburnt in the name of entertaining your ears.

• On Our Radar: cherry pick's stripped-down "asleep with the fishes"

• Rifflandia announces its immediate cancellation

• You’re invited to a birthday celebration like no other! Sophie’s Surprise 29th will dazzle with world-renowned circus feats, disguised as a 90s house party.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY FORT LANGLEY JAZZ & ARTS FESTIVAL

Jazz, Blues, and historic charm: the ultimate fort Langley summer destination

Your perfect summer getaway starts at the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival, July 23 - 26! Grab a Full Festival Pass or single tickets for Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra, Amy Winehouse tribute, Laila Biali, and the Cool Blues Show. Plus, enjoy two days of free jazz throughout the Village.

— ICYMI —

• Photos: The Freedom Mobile Arch is finally here

• Rethinking pub(lic) spaces in Vancouver

• Indian Summer Festival reveals its sparkling lineup

• Director Sophy Romvari spreads her wings with Blue Heron

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there. 

You might not think it's very summery due to the whole "grey and foreboding" thing the weather has been doing, but it's actually more summer than ever. Stage 3 watering restrictions have hit Metro Vancouver, meaning it's time to let all the grass go brown. 

The new restrictions mean you can't water lawns, use sprinklers, top up your water features, or fill your hot tubs. Some uses are still permitted, though, like watering vegetable gardens or spot-cleaning vehicles. You can check out the full restrictions here.

— V.`
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

The Road to Bard follows the man who brought Shakespeare to the beach

Christopher Gaze founded Bard on the Beach nearly 40 years ago—but the veteran artistic director has plenty more to his story than just performing Shakespeare in Sen̓áḵw (Vanier Park). In The Road to Bard, Gaze traces how he got to Vancouver. "I came here as a young adventurer,” Gaze tells us. “It seemed to be a place where there were endless possibilities for people with enthusiasm and ambition to make things happen."

SPONSORED BY CHAN CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Zadie Smith, Angélique Kidjo, and Fran Lebowitz lead Chan Centre's 29th Season

Cultural icons are coming to Vancouver’s premier arts venue! See the very best in global artistic excellence. Jazz masters Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves celebrate the centenary of John Coltrane, violinist Christian Li, the youngest-ever winner of the Menuhin Competition, performs a recital of Brahms and more, and Pachinko author Min Jin Lee speaks at her first literary event in Canada.

National Geographic explorers will illuminate the natural world around us in family-friendly shows while BC’s very own Chani Nicholas, who has read the astrological charts of Amy Poehler and Keke Palmer, analyzes what the future may hold.

Chan Centre Members get up to 20% off, plus more perks. Check out what the Chan Centre has to offer today!

— LIVING —

Little Sister's just got its own Canada Post stamp

For Pride Month, Canada Post just revealed its new Places of Pride stamps honouring locations of queer history from across Canada—and Little Sister's was honoured with one, showing its founders Jim Deva and Bruce Smyth alongside longtime manager Janine Fuller. "Forty years ago, this place was being targeted by the government," reflects current owner Parmjot Gill, "and now we're being recognized on a stamp."

• What's Vancouver missing? Pubs. Let's license them

• Celebrate your love for the beautiful game this summer at Richmond Celebrates Soccer, a series of free community watch parties taking place June 12–July 19!*

*Sponsored Listing

— ARTS —

How director Sophy Romvari spread her wings with Blue Heron

Since its release earlier this year, Blue Heron has become one of the most-hyped Canadian films of the year. Director Sophy Romvari's first feature-length film follows a fictionalized version of her childhood on Vancouver Island, and its reception has been a blessing. “When you make a film that’s personal, and when you make a film that’s exactly the film you wanted to make," she tells us, "to have people really receive it as I intended is such a high level of artistic satisfaction."

• Indian Summer Festival unveils its wide-ranging lineup

• Bard on the Beach’s 2026 Season kicks off June 9! Tickets start at $30. For a limited time only, save more with Previews!*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY THE CULTCH

One-of-a-kind circus party at The Cultch

Sophie’s Surprise 29th is circus, comedy, and chaos! Disguised as a 90s nostalgia house party, world-class performers from Cirque du Soleil, La Clique, The 7 Fingers, and more deliver death-defying circus and cabaret feats. Come and join the party! Just don’t tell Sophie…

— MUSIC —

Photos: A first look at the Freedom Mobile Arch

After years of upgrades, the PNE Amphitheatre is finally ready to show off its new look. Take a peek at the new venue before it plays host to the FIFA Fan Festival.

• Review: Rostam finds a small but mighty crowd at Fortune Sound Club

• June 12 - YOU'RE THE TOP! The Cole Porter Songbook On Film & Live With The Laura Crema Sextet Presented by Michael van den Bos. Get your tickets today.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY SIDNEY AND GERTRUDE ZACK GALLERY

LILITH RETURNING | Through June 29

LILIAN BROCA reclaims the myth of Lilith, Adam’s first wife, with powerful symbolic intensity. She reimagines Lilith not as a demonized outcast in biblical literature, but as a potent symbol of independence, challenging origin stories by presenting a woman who refuses submission and asserts autonomy. See Lilith, now on display.

— ICYMI —

• The winners of the 29th annual Golden Plates Awards are…

• Your very Vancouver horoscopes for this month

• What does South Granville have planned for summer?

• Come From Away is a Canadian classic for a reason

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

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Hey there. 

As you might be able to guess from the subject line of this newsletter, the big news around here is that it's Golden Plates time! Our new print edition just dropped, and with it our annual exploration of the city's culinary landscape.

Pick it up wherever you find your local free alt-monthly, or check the map here if you're not sure where the closest location to you is. Bon appetite!

— V.`
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

Our guide to the 29th annual Golden Plates Awards

Vancouverites love to have strong opinions about food. And finally, our Golden Plates Awards are here and ready to prove what you've always known: that you, yes you, have the best taste in food there is. We've compiled all the reader-voted winners from across dozens of categories. Check them all out here and see if your favourites nabbed the top spot—or find somewhere new to try out for date night.

SPONSORED BY THE ARTS CLUB THEATRE COMPANY

The homegrown musical phenomenon

Clap along with the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of Come From Away, on now at the Stanley BFL CANADA Stage until August 16. On one day in 2001, the population of Gander, Newfoundland, doubled. Inspired by the true events of September 11, this Tony-nominated musical tells the story of 7,000 stranded airplane passengers and the tiny town that welcomed them into their hearts and homes. Filled with undeniable Canadian charm and memorable songs, Come From Away has delighted audiences across Canada and around the world with its resonant themes of hope and community in dark times, and speaks to the inherent goodness in all of us.

Tickets are on sale from $39 here and going fast—don’t miss this beloved homegrown show!

— LIVING —

Your Very Vancouver June 2026 horoscopes

It's Gemini season! What do the stars have in store for us this month? Our not-an-astrologer Rachel Burns tries to divine what might be heading your way regarding FIFA, matcha, and micro-mobility.

• South Granville is putting its patios to good use this summer

• New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

• Ready to find your ideal workspace? For businesses of all sizes—from startups to enterprises—discover the coworking space that fits your needs. Connect with a WeWork professional today.*

*Sponsored Listing

— ARTS —

Come From Away welcomes you to the Rock

A decade ago, Arts Club artistic director Ashlie Corcoran was in Toronto and looking for something to do on Christmas Eve. “You could not get a ticket for Come From Away at the time—it was a big hit,” she recalls. But there was a single seat, and the show turned out to be worth the hype. “I was clapping and crying and stomping my feet and laughing—it’s an incredibly moving piece,” says Corcoran, who is now directing the same show at the Stanley BFL CANADA Stage.

• Dancing on the Edge is about being open to moving experiences

• Sketch comedy troupe Her Ladyship isn't slowing down

• 30 can't-miss Vancouver events happening in June

• The highly-anticipated thriller BACKROOMS opens May 29 at The Park Theatre on Cambie for a full run of screenings. Full schedule on their website.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY COCKNEY KINGS FISH & CHIPS

Vancouver has spoken: Cockney Kings Fish & Chips takes the crown

For more than sixty years, Cockney Kings has been proudly serving classic, British-style fish and chips to communities across Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster. What began as a small family shop has grown into a local favourite known for warm hospitality, quality ingredients and a commitment to honest, comforting food.

— MUSIC —

Van Jams: New Vancouver music you might have missed

As Madonna once said, music makes the people come together. Vancouver has no end of endlessly talented singers, producers, and bands putting out new tracks. From dream-pop to indie folk to big-band rock, we've gathered up some of the best recent releases and given them a spin.

• 30 can't-miss Vancouver concerts to catch this month

• Summer's most iconic festival, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, returns to Jericho Beach Park July 17-19, with Hazlett, Billy Bragg, Valerie June and more!*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY LEE’S DONUTS

Vancouver icon celebrates National Donut Day

Since 1979, Lee’s Donuts has built a Vancouver favourite around handcrafted classic donuts — and now, the local icon has its sights set on expanding across Canada.

Take a bite of nostalgia or discover the hype on National Donut Day, June 5, featuring throwback pricing and free coffee all day.

— ICYMI —

• Which three B.C. restaurants made North America's top 50 list?

• A Paris-inspired boutique is opening in Kitsilano

• Artopia is unlocking creative spaces across the city

• The Vancouver Maritime Museum wants you to set sail

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.

Hey there.

This newsletter is brought to you by the anti-leaf blower lobby.

It's June. What leaves are there to blow? Have you considered not using a leaf blower? For a cool alternative, we suggest rakes. Now get out there and rake up those leaves in blissful silence. Your neighbours will thank you.

— V.`
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

These three B.C. restaurants rank in North America’s top 50

North America's 50 Best Restaurants list dropped late last week, and with it comes a fresh wave of acclaim for British Columbia's fine dining scene. With a combined population of 381 million across the U.S. and Canada, it's pretty impressive that our province of around 5.7 million—just 1.5 percent—makes up 6 percent of the top restaurants.

SPONSORED BY SUNSHINE COAST TOURISM

So close, yet worlds away

Breakaway from the crowds this June and July with a trip to BC’s Sunshine Coast. ⚽

Trade the city for small-town coastal charm, ocean breezes, and breathtaking scenery on the Sunshine Coast. Summer days unfold at a slower pace—ideal for visitors seeking time away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. 

Wander through art-filled towns, quiet beaches, and forest trails. Fill up on local flavours at vibrant eateries, craft breweries, and cideries. Or make the most of the season with festivals and events celebrating every facet of life on the Sunshine Coast.

From Gibsons to Lund, there’s room to explore, and time to simply…be.

— LIVING —

The Vancouver Maritime Museum takes its stories to the sea

What's better than learning about ships? Being on a ship! The Maritime Museum's new experience takes visitors from the galleries to the places where history happened.

• Nourish Whistler returns for a choose-your-own wellness adventure

• A new Paris-inspired boutique is opening in Kitsilano

— ARTS —

Artopia is turning empty buildings into creative spaces

David Duprey is a familiar face when it comes to using Vancouver's spaces in unconventional ways. His latest project, Artopia, is a formal recognition of that: an organized umbrella for his network of 10 buildings that have so far given artists 170,000 square feet of studio space. “There are so many empty buildings out there all over the place,” Duprey tells us. “There are tens of thousands of square feet of empty buildings that I would love to activate.”

• What's In Your Fridge: Alexander Kelley of Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra

SPONSORED BY DANCING ON THE EDGE FESTIVAL

Dancing on the Edge returns with 10 days of unforgettable contemporary dance | July 4–13 | Vancouver

The Dancing on the Edge Festival returns with 10 days of boundary-pushing contemporary dance, showcasing some of Canada’s most provocative dance artists. From intimate solos to bold ensemble works, the festival celebrates innovation, daring performance, and the electric energy of live dance in the heart of Vancouver. July 4-13.

— MUSIC —

Worlds collide (and combat) at Beatdapp’s Battle of the Bands

Beatdapp’s third annual Battle of the Bands is designed to get more people listening to local artists through some good ol’ fashioned competition. “It’s such a collaborative thing, because everybody’s part of it and it’s happening in real time,” enthuses Beatdapp marketing and events manager Niamh MacGinty. “The energy builds and builds until the end of the night.”

• Review: Alestorm sails the seven seas of silliness at the Commodore

— ICYMI —

• Folk Fest unveils its full schedule and stage splits

• Horror movie Backrooms built a labyrinth in Richmond

• Vegan sushi spot COFU marries restraint and revelry

• The Canadian animation industry stars in Inbetweens

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.