Hey there. I promised more Whitecaps talk, but after that crushing loss last night (I hate you, VAR), I don’t think I can do it. So instead, how about something that I know everyone loves talking about—voting!

Don’t worry, I won’t ask you who you’re thinking about voting for in the upcoming municipal election (though I am curious, and if you wanted to tell me, feel free to hit the inbox…). But no, I’m talking about our Best of Vancouver voting, which is open until this Sunday. There are some really interesting races at the moment that definitely need you to decide them.

Happy voting! Just don’t vote for more VAR. 

— Nathan
Editor in chief

Firehall Arts Centre is heading into its 44th season with a lineup that swings from dark comedy and contemporary dance to holiday music, family history, and, eventually, a Dumpster Fire. The 2026-27 season runs from October through May, with 10 productions touching on immigration, identity, grief, belonging, and the complicated business of figuring out where you come from. Those include opener Red Demon, about a mysterious creature who washes up on the shore of a small town, and Where the Blood Mixes, a painful but also witty take on the impact of residential schools.

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.

Sign up today to help keep Vancouver weird.

The PHS Run Team is taking on the 2026 Under Armour Eastside 10K with a goal of raising $30,000 to build a purpose-built kitchen and expand the PHS Vancouver Food Program. 

So far, PHS has raised $8,000, but there's still a long way to go. 

Every day, PHS provides more than 3,900 meals, including over 2,000 hot meals, to people living in supportive housing, shelters, and community programs. As food costs continue to rise, so does the need. This program is vital for people who don’t have access to a kitchen or cold storage.  

 Your support helps ensure vulnerable community members have access to reliable, nutritious food every single day. 

Donate, share, or support a runner today. 

It’s been a long road, but Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman are finally back as the Guess Who after a long legal battle. The duo and the rest of their band touch down in Vancouver this weekend for the first time in awhile. “I’ve played in Vancouver more times than I can count—we used to be very nervous going there because it was a bigger city and we were Winnipeg boys, and they kind of looked at us like hicks,” Cummings tells the Straight.

Haitian-born, NYC-based comedian T.J. brings his laid-back wit and razor-sharp takes on love, death, grief, and immigration to the Rio Theatre. A Comedy Cellar regular who's opened for Colin Quinn and Maria Bamford, don't miss this one-night-only stop on his THE ALIEN EVERYWHERE tour. Monday, August 27. Tickets here.

OneCity Vancouver mayoral nominee William Azaroff isn’t worried about unflattering polls or a looming deadline to declare his candidacy. The party announced its platform for businesses this week, and Azaroff has liked a lot of what he’s heard at the 1,000 or so doors he’s personally knocked on.

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.

The plant-based Japanese restaurant COFU will wind down its original location at 1833 Anderson Street near Granville Island in September, with its signature pressed sushi moving across town to COFU Chinatown. Fans shouldn't worry though, as owner Akiko Gulkison said she's already working on an entirely new concept for the Anderson Street space, with more details expected this fall. “We want our plant-based pressed sushi to continue growing with us,” Gulkison said in an announcement.

FILM: Experience the chaos of the Blair Witch Project. (August 21 to 23 @ VIFF Centre)

ART: Love Letters to Turbulence explores the lived experience of trauma through materials. (August 21 to 30 @ THIS Gallery)

MUSIC: Maryland R&B singer Gallant gallops into town. (August 22 @ Hollywood Theatre)

THEATRE: In Fat Cat Killers, Steve and Michael construct a very poorly thought-out plan to kidnap their boss. (August 22-23 @ What Lab)

LIVING: The Richmond Maritime Festival docks. (August 22-23 @ Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, Steveston)

MUSIC: Montana indie rockers Silkworm slide into town. (August 23 @ Rickshaw Theatre)

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

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