April 3 2025 edition: Golden Plates nominations are now open

Hey there. We’ve got so much news for you today. 

Firstly: the Golden Plates Awards have begun! Now in its 28th iteration, the annual reader-voted competition is a chance for you to have your say on the best restaurants in the city. Find all the information and get nominating here. Nominations are open for two weeks.

Secondly: our monthly print edition hits newsstands today! It’s another banger. We hope you’ll like it. 

Thanks for picking it up—and thanks, as ever, for reading. We couldn’t do this without you.

— V.
Associate Editor

— FEATURE — 

Vancouver byelection candidates are getting out the vote

There’s a municipal byelection this week, as two candidates will be selected to fill the seats vacated by Christine Boyle and Adriane Carr. Nathan Caddell followed three of the hopefuls around town to find out how they’re pleading their cases to voters—from drinking at bars to visiting small businesses to hopping on stage at concerts. The last byelection only had 11 percent of voters turn out; will this one be any better?

SPONSORED BY ROYAL CITY MUSICAL THEATRE

Royal City Musical Theatre presents Dolly Parton's 9 to 5: The Musical

The cult classic film of friendship and revenge leaps to the stage April 25 to May 11 at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster.

Pushed to the boiling point, three female coworkers—office manager Violet, frazzled divorcée Judy, and sultry secretary Doralee—concoct a plan to get even with the “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” they call their boss.

In a hilarious turn of events, the ladies live out their wildest fantasy—giving their boss the boot, their workplace a dream makeover, and taking control of the company that had always kept them down.

The Tony Award-winning audience favourite is bursting with gut-busting humour, spectacular dance numbers, and the toe-tapping tunes of Dolly Parton!

— LIVING —

Sex//Work: Couples sessions are about more than just ménage á trois

Lexci Lust continues to demystify sex work by taking on the tricky task of discussing couples sessions. It turns out that there’s much more than just threesomes going on.

• Art and appetite collide at Honey Salt

• Whether you're an established enterprise or a scaling startup, find a coworking space that's right for you. Connect with a WeWork expert today.*

• The full lineup is out for the 38th Mission Folk Music Festival, July 25-27 in Fraser River Heritage Park. Come Find Your Folk!*

  *sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY CHOR LEONI

The Big Roar

Experience a joyous celebration of a singing community at a choral event unlike any other in Canada, featuring five choirs from the Chor Leoni organization and over 200 singers on stage at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on May 3.

— ARTS —

Ins Choi is back in his happy place with Son of a Preacherman

The Kim’s Convenience creator debuts a new concert-slash-show in Vancouver this week. “It may crash and burn here,” Ins Choi tells us in our cover story. “It might be a trainwreck.”

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

• April 19 - Black and white film fanatics, THE INVINCIBLE CZARS present a Double-Bill of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: 100th Anniversary and THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI with LIVE score!*

• Join the joyful resistance at the Warrior Festival, on stage at The Cultch in East Vancouver from April 16–May 11. Five fierce, funny works of comedy, theatre, and circus!*

• Explore the festivities of the Renaissance with music and dance by ensemble Doulce Memoire! Travel through Italy, France, and Germany with the stylish and fanciful masquerades and balls of the time, realized onstage.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Blossoms After Dark

Join in for a magical promenade through illuminated cherry blossoms at David Lam Park.

This year, Blossoms After Dark will be bigger than ever with an expanded footprint, lighting around the entire perimeter of the park, more food offerings and a licensed lounge.

— MUSIC —

The History of Motown is inspired by more than just the music

Part concert and part play, Krystle Dos Santos’ A History of Motown sheds light on a genre that helped reshape the fabric of America. “You couldn’t deny the power of that,” she tells us. “I think that was even a stronger fight than yelling from the rooftops.”

• 30 can’t-miss Vancouver concerts for April

• Van Jams: New Vancouver music from March that you might have missed

— ICYMI —

• Here’s who won big at the Juno Awards

• From the archives: That time we hung out with bbno$

• A very busy Friday night at JunoFest

• Mèreon brings a fresh twist to French fare

• What’s In Your Fridge: Rich Hope

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

MUSIC: Musicians turn out to raise money for mutual aid network Distro Disco. (April 3 @ The Cobalt) 

VISUAL ARTS: The Gallery George hosts a street photography exhibition, On My Way. (April 3 to 13 @ Gallery George)

FOOD & DRINK: Chef Ned Bell curates a 12-night locally-sourced pop-up. (April 3 to 26 @ Gray Olive, Burnaby)

VISUAL ARTS: This Gallery hosts Jess MacCormack’s new show, Look What the Clown Dragged In. (April 4 to 22 @ This Gallery)

THEATRE: Arsenic and Old Lace begins its dark romp at Metro Theatre. (April 4 to 26 @ Metro Theatre)

MUSIC: The Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House celebrates turning 20 with a shindig. (April 5 @ Rickshaw Theatre)

POLITICS: Vancouverites, remember to vote in the municipal byelection. (April 5 @ various polling station)

FAMILY: Aspiring soccer stars under 8 take over BC Place. (April 6 @ BC Place) 

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

That’s it!

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