August 17, 2023 edition - Culture doesn’t have to be costly

Who says that going out to a show in Vancouver has to be expensive?

Sure, if T-Swift does manage to make her way out west, you’d better believe those tickets are going to cost an arm and a leg AKA around one month’s rent, but there are ways to engage in Vancouver’s cultural scenes without going broke.

Our feature story today is about how valuable (and hilarious, and easy to access) this city’s indie comedy scene truly is. We’ve also got a review of a $10 show featuring a whopping 10 bands, as well as some inspired ways to make the most of that back-of-the-cabinet booze. And hey, a free something or other is always easy on the wallet, too.

P.S. We made some tweaks to the look of today’s edition! Let us know what you think through the poll at the bottom.

FEATURE

Indie comedy is stepping up to the mic

Nothing beats the feeling of sitting in a packed comedy club, laughing until your face and stomach hurt. The stress of the day melts away; your phone is on silent; and for an hour or so, cackling with a bunch of friends (and strangers) is all that matters. That’s the sensation Mike Greenwood was chasing when he decided to launch Comedy Underground.

CITY & CULTURE

Why are there so many strikes these days?

From ports, universities, docks, and hotels to long-term care facilities and even Coca-Cola plants, BC workers have participated in almost a dozen strikes this summer alone. And while it may seem like there are more strikes here than ever before, assistant professor of labour studies at the University of Manitoba Adam D.K. King says that’s not actually the case.

• After being dark for a year, Science World lights up again
  

• A timeline of us becoming chill
  

• New satellite technology sheds light on old-growth logging in BC
  

• How a Vancouver neighbourhood fought, and defeated, a daycare (Vancouver Sun)

SPONSORED BY GREAT OUTDOORS COMEDY FEST

Vancouver’s First Outdoor Comedy Festival

Stanley Park’s trees are bristling with anticipation because the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival is coming to Vancouver’s largest and best-loved park.

First, Russell Peters, Reggie Watts and Steph Tolev are gracing the beautiful grounds on Friday, September 15. Next, see the legendary Kevin Hart and friends on Saturday, September 16.

The festival not only brings together the biggest names in comedy, but also brings together the community with a portion of the proceeds supporting Talaysay Tours: Authentic Indigenous Cultural & Eco Experiences and 50/50 proceeds in support of the Stanley Park Ecology Society. The event also features VIP table service with locally-crafted drinks, food trucks and a cannabis garden.

Both General Admission and VIP Reserved tickets are on sale now.

ARTS

Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts puts spotlight on South Asian art

In celebration of South Asian culture, the Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts will turn the spotlight on prominent as well as up-and-coming dancers, singers, comedians, playwrights, actors, writers, and journalists. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming festivities.

• Improv creates a community of like-minded weirdos
  

• CIRCLES festival creates a safe space for Indigenous expression
  

• African Descent Festival makes the move to a spiritual home of Vancouver’s Black community

• Theatre Under the Stars returns to Stanley Park from Jul. 6 until Aug. 26 with Broadway blockbusters The Prom and Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical.*

• How did Hollywood animation recover so spectacularly from the brink of collapse? Who Framed Roger Rabbit? and the American Animation Renaissance, tomorrow at VIFF Centre.*

*Sponsored Listing

MUSIC

Yaris Paris ponders incomparable grief and existing in Vancouver on Maximize Comfort

As his own producer, designer, and agent, the world Yaris Paris builds on Maximize Comfort, his fourth home-studio album, is resolute from opening to closing track. On it, the artist endeavours to process incomparable grief, global travels, and existing in Vancouver in 2023.

• A-Whole-Lotto-Jams shows a whole lotto love to a whole lotto bands
  

• Madonna announces rescheduled Vancouver date for her Celebration Tour
  

• On Our Radar: Phuture Memoriez’s “Balloon Dog” reconfirms the world is wild at heart and weird on top

• Looking for some weekend fun? Vancouver's best cover bands take the Biltmore stage every Friday & Saturday night. Come join the party for only $10.*

  
  *Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER LATIN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL

21st Vancouver Latin American Film Festival

The 21st edition of the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival is back in theater! It will take place from September 7-17, 2022.

More than 60 films from 17 countries (always with English subtitles) will be showing in one of the largest and longest running Latin American film festivals in North America.

FOOD & DRINK

Liquor Nerd: Make an effort, and your forgotten wintery whisky can indeed taste like summer

It’s time to change the summer-cocktail narrative. That means reaching for the bottles that have been gathering dust since the first days of June. Here’s how to turn those winter whiskey bottles into summery sippables.

• Taste of Abby food festival back for a second delicious year
  

• First-ever Sports Illustrated Clubhouse restaurant opens at UBC
  

• Wined Up: Bold Chronos Syrah 2020 guaranteed to be standing tall at the final curtain call

SPONSORED BY PARQ VANCOUVER

The Party & The After Party

Parq Casino Resort is where Vancouver plays on any game day or concert night. Show your stadium ticket to Guest Services for a chance to win $5,000 with a U-SPIN! And, daily happy hour is on until 8:30pm. Must be 19+. If you gamble, use your GameSense.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts at various locations | August 17-31

Celebrate South Asian culture at various venues throughout Vancouver and Surrey, featuring music performances, dance lessons, live podcasts, a street festival, and more. [Price varies]

Redwoods at Rickshaw Theatre | August 18 | 7:30pm

Vancouver-based rockers Redwoods play the Rickshaw with guests Chase The Bear, Cam Blake, and Road Waves. [$20]

Ambleside Music Festival at Ambleside Park | August 19, 20 | 1pm

Ambleside Music Festival has an impressive lineup of artist plus delicious beverage offerings. [$80+]

Vintage Assembly at Heritage Hall | August 20 | 10:30am-4pm

Find your newest vintage treasure at this curated market featuring 35 local vendors and collectors. [$5]

The PNE Fair at Hastings Park | August 19 - September 4 | 11am-11pm

Introducing the “Forever Young” gate pass! The “Forever Young” gate pass will allow all ages to get into the PNE Fair for the price of a child’s gate pass! This offer is only valid before 1PM on Saturday (August 19) and Sunday (August 20). [$7+]*

Chai with T: Monsoon Festival at Surrey Arts Centre Studio Theatre | August 19 | 7-9pm

Catch a live recording of popular podcast, Chai with T, hosted by Tarannum Thind. Guests: Amreen Gill aka Bhangralicious, Swarndeep Gill. [$20]*

School of Rock at Grouse Mountain | August 18 | 7pm

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind outdoor movie-viewing experience at Grouse Mountain. Watch School of Rock with stunning mountain views. [$25]*

*Sponsored Listing

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our Events Listings.

*sponsored listing

POST OF THE WEEK

Absolutely still worth the read, three years later 👀

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