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August 14 2025: A new chapter for the Cobalt

August 14 2025: A new chapter for the Cobalt

Plus: A brand new art gallery, and events for your weekend

August 14, 2025

Hey there. How’s your Thursday going?

I’ve been combing through the nominations for the Best of Vancouver awards this week, and I’m nowhere near done. It turns out that asking for people’s favourite public artworks means you then have to manually note that “cars on a tree”, “the stacked cars”, and “tower of Trans Ams” all mean the same thing: Marcus Bowcott and Helene Aspinall’s Trans Am Rapture (which has been in the news after a condo owner complained about its planned new home).

Although it’s not a perfect system, real OGs remember back in the day when the Straight printed a form that people filled in by hand and mailed back. At least we don’t have to decipher thousands of strangers’ handwriting!

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE —

The Cobalt returns to its legendary punk roots

It’s no exaggeration to say that the Cobalt has one of the most colourful histories in Vancouver. From hosting acts too outrageous to write about to almost shutting down, the new team at the helm of the venue has a clear vision to continue the club’s true-blue legacy. “I’m not trying to shit-talk other places in Vancouver,” says the one-name-only Tony, “but I’d like to define ourselves as an independent music venue that’s really trying to keep live music alive.”

— LIVING —

Richmond Sunflower Festival is in full bloom

Ignore your existential panic about August already being halfway over. Instead, embrace the beauty of acres of sunflowers!

Word Vancouver returns for its 30th year of free literary events

Future Makers: Redefining Design with Forgotten Materials

In collaboration with Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Wilson School of Design (KPU) and the Museum of Vancouver (MOV), Future Makers: Chairs by New Designers merges sustainability, innovation, and reflection on everyday materials.

MOV challenged designers to transform decades-old marine-grade mahogany, once used by Vancouver's marine industry, into functional chairs. After years of sitting unused, the wood was donated to MOV. KPU embraced this challenge by creating an entire curriculum dedicated to reimagining this forgotten material for a new era.

Explore how design reimagines Vancouver's maritime history, transforming forgotten materials into sustainable, functional art—chairs that tell a story of the past and future.

View Future Makers at the MOV now through January 2026.

— ARTS —

Photos: SFU unveils the Gibson Art Museum

Metro Van is getting a new gallery space when the Gibson Art Museum opens on SFU’s Burnaby campus next month. Check out the space here.

Rent comes to Metro Theatre this September
Step outside of reality with the Vancouver Fringe Festival. 87 unforgettable performances, free programming for children at the Kids Fringe and a brand-new comedy series. September 4th to 14th, now on sale.*

*sponsored listing

Run for community

There’s just five weeks to go until the Under Armour Eastside 10K fun run, on Sunday, Sept. 21.

Can you help PHS Community Services Society meet their $25,000 target?

Join or donate to Team PHS here.

(Use 25PHS for 10% off registration.)

PHS provides supportive housing for marginalized people.

— PERKS OF THE WEEK —

This week’s perks for Straight Insiders:

Free tickets:

Tickets to shows all month including The Mousetrap at Granville Island Stage, One More Time: A Tribute to Daft Punk, Chaska Fake Shaadi, Sun Kil Moon, Kyle Mooney, Our Last Night, Horsegirl, Clan of Xymox, The Budos Band, Madrass Party, and more

Member raffles

Win tickets Science World After Dark: Sparks & Rec: Summer Party Edition

Food & drink deals

Loam Bistro: 10 percent off food and drinks
Desi Indian Lounge: Free dessert (with a meal)
Minami: 10 percent discount on food during Happy Hour (3-5 p.m.), from Sunday to Thursday

To unlock these perks, become a Straight Insider.

— FOOD & DRINK —

We Tried It: The 1983 Creamy Espresso Martini in a can

How do you feel about a 15% ABV cocktail in a can? If the answer is “good”, you’ll love North Van-based Pilothouse Brands’ take on an espresso martini—or, if you’re British, an espresso mar-tinnie.

Vinícola Portugal returns with a bigger pour for year four
We Tried It: Desi Indian Lounge’s food tastes as good as it looks

Canada’s Boldest Pleasure Boutique

Esmerelda is Canada’s woman-owned online boutique turning curiosity into confidence. Discover curated, body-safe toys paired with short, honest videos from real sex educators—no shame, no guesswork.

The Hits Everyone Loves -

Charlotte: Quiet, smooth, discreet—with three swappable heads for endless ways to play.

Pleasure Pack: Two beginner-friendly vibes plus a full-size lube—everything you need in one box.

Take the quiz, find your match, and explore now →

— ICYMI —

Straight Drafts: The best pizza in Vancouver
Your very Vancouver horoscopes for August
We caught up with Lucy Dacus (before she postponed her Vancouver shows)
The Arts Club kicks off fall with A Doll’s House

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

LIVING: Meet Me in Gastown offers a night of food, music, and cocktails. (August 14 @ Maple Tree Square)

VISUAL ARTS: Shannon Pawliw, Charlene Vickers, and Jean Paul Langlois collaborate on colourful exhibition A Bright Mark Left. (August 15 to September 7)

LIVING: Richmond Garlic Festival is an allium-inclusive, family-friendly day out. (August 16 @ The Sharing Farm, Richmond)

BOOKS: Chinatown Together hosts a mini-block party for the Chinese Community Library. (August 16 @ Chinese Community Library Services Association)

LIVING: Light Up Chinatown! returns for the fifth annual weekend celebration. (August 16-17 @ Chinatown)

SHOPPING: More than 50 small businesses and makers hawk their wares at the Made in the 604 pop-up market. (August 17 @ Heritage Hall)

MUSEUM: Painter Christina Morrison is immortalizing all 575 tugboats currently working in B.C. (August 17 to September 27 @ Fraser River Discovery Centre, New Westminster)

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

That’s it!

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