August 1 edition: A trailblazer remembered

Plus: Vancouver backpedals on climate policy and metalheads call for unity

August 01, 2024

Hey there. It’s the first day of a new month—the first Thursday, in fact—which means our new print edition is out now. What says summer more than leafing through a free paper on the beach?

As ever, it’s stuffed with the latest local arts, music, food, culture, and must-see events. Head to newsstands now to pick up your copy. 

Happy paper day, happy long weekend—and happy Pride.

— V. 
Associate Editor

FEATURE

Cindy Mochizuki celebrates a legend with Between Pictures: The Lens of Tamio Wakayama

A Japanese Canadian woman holds a camera in an outdoor park, with green leaf blurring the edge of the camera

Multidisciplinary artist Cindy Mochizuki never met Tamio Wakayama. But she swam in the same circles as the photographer; and after he died in 2018, she became more and more entranced with his legacy as a documenter of both the civil rights movement south of the border, and the Japanese Canadian community in Vancouver. “It’s a great time to revisit his work,” Mochizuki tells us, ahead of her Wakayama documentary screening this weekend as part of the Powell Street Festival. “The space has been made there now for this kind of work to be brought into the light.”

CITY & CULTURE

Why did Vancouver just end its most effective climate policy?

A gas burner on a stovetop

Since ABC swept to majority control of Vancouver City Council (and the School Board, and still-existing-for-now Park Board) in 2022, the party has been the driving force behind a number of eyebrow-raising decisions: from jacking up police budgets and cutting bike lanes to slashing its living wage commitments and turning a boardroom into a private gym. Now, Peter McCartney writes, the council’s decision to roll back a policy banning fracked gas in new builds won’t make housing cheaper: so why are our elected officials “taking fossil fuel lobbyists at their word”?

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY RIO THEATRE

Dandy’s Big Gay Cabaret & IDOL WORSHIP

Friday, August 2 - 8:00 pm

Celebrate Vancouver & Canada Pride at the most anticipated show of the year: Dandy's BIG GAY CABARET!

Runner up in Georgia Straight’s BEST OF VANCOUVER 2023 and host of the year 2024, DANDY (tiktok star @dandyandfriends) curates a cabinet of charismatic, Queer, cabaret creators. Live singing, dance, death defying circus feats, drag, burlesque and some fun surprises. Straight people welcome!

Saturday, August 3 - 7:00 pm

Join living legend and cult film icon Mink Stole alongside San Francisco drag impresario, filmmaker Peaches Christ for IDOL WORSHIP

Mink and Peaches would like you to join them for an evening of storytelling, film clips and live song in a wildly entertaining and uncensored exposé that is as hilarious as it is revealing. If you’re a fan of John Waters’ films, Divine, drag history, or cult movies, you don’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind event.

ARTS

Novels that take place in BC

A photograph of a river winding through fir strees with mountains in the background

Filmmakers know that BC has the vibe for whatever kind of story you want to tell: majestic mountains and rugged coast can be the backdrop for anything from beachy romance reads to dramatic thrillers. Novelists certainly know it too, with authors both from our province and elsewhere leaning into the West Coast wilderness in their writing. Find your next locally-located read in our list.

  • Arts Club’s Ring of Fire extends its run by two weeks 

  • South Rock Comedy Festival announces new additions to its inaugural lineup

  • Theatre Under the Stars presents a pair of Broadway blockbusters - CATS and School of Rock - until August 24 in Stanley Park!*

  • Watch buildings transform from blank canvases to Urban Art. Chilliwack Mural Festival returns to Downtown Chilliwack from August 15-17.*

  • Don’t miss Bard on the Beach’s carnival of fun, Twelfth Night. With original music, pranks, jokes, fights and miracles, it’s both hilarious and profound.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER PRIDE SOCIETY

Canada Pride 2024 has arrived in Vancouver!

FCanada Pride 2024 is here! VanPrideFest takes over Concord Pacific Place all weekend for a free festival with a stellar lineup, the Vancouver Pride Parade paints the city rainbow on August 4, and the Bubly Davie St. and Granville Island Lounges keep the party going until Sunday night.

MUSIC

Thirteen Goats offers a head-banging call for unity

A desaturated photo of four people wearing animal masks in the foods, around a goat skull

Capricorn Rising, the new album from local metal band Thirteen Goats, is something rare in today’s music world: a concept album designed to be listened to in sequence. Telling the tale of Shepherd, a man who sells his soul to be able to talk to animals and lead them against human excess, it’s a dark tale of rebellion—but comes with an unlikely message of togetherness. “We live in a very divided society where people can’t have civil conversations,” explains frontman Graham K. Miles, “where anyone who isn’t like you is an enemy.” Heavy stuff—over heavy shredding.

*sponsored listing

LIVING

Your very Vancouver August horoscopes

Wreck Beach, a sandy expanse with mountains visible across the water

Ready to find out what the planets have in store for you this month? Rachel Burns is not an astrologer—but she is a Virgo. Check out her hyper-local predictions for the month ahead—and learn which beaches you should steer clear of based on your birthday.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

SPORTS 
Watching the Olympics is more fun with people. UBC Live is hosting free viewing parties for Team Canada. (To August 11 @ Wesbrook Village)

LIVING 
BC Place is turning into a summer patio for the long weekend. (August 2 to 5 @ BC Place)

PERFORMING ARTS
Birthday queen Phyllis Hull hosts a night of drag and revelry with The CinderFella Ball party. (August 3 @ The Legion on the Drive)

SPORTS
Olympic medal-winning swimmer Brent Hayden gives an inspirational talk. (August 3 @ BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum)

PERFORMING ARTS 
It’s lucha libre time! Mariachi and food trucks will be onsite for a weekend of luchadore chaos. (August 3 to 4 @ Hotel at the Waldorf)

MUSIC 
Nobody can match Tinashe’s freak, but everyone at Happyland is going to try. (August 4 @ PNE Playland)

VISUAL ARTS 
Designer Himikalas Pamela Baker’s fashions are on display in Touch of Culture: Spirit of the West Coast. (August 2 to September 1 @ Ferry Building Gallery, West Vancouver)

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

That’s it!

Thanks for reading us today. If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Vancouverite.

And before you go, let us know:

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

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

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

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