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August 21 2025: This Vancouver director took on a real estate giant—and won

August 21 2025: This Vancouver director took on a real estate giant—and won

Plus: Taylor Swift songs, BC Culture Days, and a night in wine country

August 21, 2025

Hey there. It’s Thursday again.

This week my building tested all the fire alarms, which would have made it extra ironic if it was the day there was actually a fire. Consider this your reminder to check the various alarms that beep in your house.

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE —

How docufiction Asog created a real-life happy ending

When Vancouver filmmaker and comedian Seán Devlin set out to make Asog, he wanted to shine a humourous light on a grave injustice: hundreds of families on Sicogon Island had had their land stolen by the Philippines' biggest real estate company. Now, two years after its premiere, the movie has affected real change—forcing the company to pay up. “Our opinion is that the movie’s ending has gotten happier and happier over the last two years,” Devlin tells us, ahead of Asog’s cinematic release this weekend.

— ARTS —

BC Culture Days wants you to get creative about mental health

Last year, more than 700,000 B.C. residents attended nearly 700 Culture Days events across the province—and this year, the organizers want to encourage all those attendees to see the link between creativity and positive mental health.

Arts Umbrella's School of Dance is the perfect place for young people to express themselves through movement and creativity. Learn more and register today!*
Introducing the all-new Kids Fringe at Vancouver Fringe Festival! These participatory shows and workshops are created for young ones and accompanying adults. Join us and get ready to make, move and play!*

*sponsored listing

— MUSIC —

Sounds Good: the “Taylor Swift luxury space capitalism” edition

It’s time for another round of “What is the Straight team listening to?” This time, our conversation got immediately derailed by the news that the biggest pop star in the world had dropped a countdown for… something.

Photos: Rocco softly rocks the Hollywood Theatre
Freakout Festival drops second wave of artist announcements

— 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, Chaska Fake Shaadi, Sun Kil Moon, Horsegirl, Clan of Xymox, The Budos Band, Madrass Party, and more

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 —

Sipping your way through wine country on a Friday night

Well, maybe it was a Wednesday night—but when you’re in wine country, every evening is a chance to sample delicious wine with a minimum of guilt. Dean Broughton takes us along for his tour of South Okanagan’s beautiful wineries.

St. Lawrence turns eight with a taste of Quebec’s countryside

— ICYMI —

Meet the man behind The Lion King’s puppets
Here’s what’s happening at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival
Get an inside look at the wonderfully weird world of art collectors
B.C. beer and wine get a lot of love, but what about cider?
Wined Up: We get into Blasted Church Rosé Grenache

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

LIVING: Appreciate the approach of fall with fields of sunflowers. (August 21 to September 11 @ Taves Farm, Abbotsford)

BOOKS: Support the VPL with a book swap, auction, music, and more. (August 22 @ Vancouver Public Library Central Branch)

COMEDY: Colin Cowan hosts Comedy World, featuring Patrick Maliha, Amar Singh, and Cass Furman. (August 22 @ China Cloud)

VISUAL ARTS: Bill Reid Gallery hosts a free open house. (August 23 @ Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art)

LIVING: Come to a skyline silent disco and dance the summer night away at Rooftop Rhythms. (August 23 @ Fairmont Waterfont)

MUSIC: Postpunk powerhouse Aversions hosts a release party ahead of its new album, Empty Century. (August 23 @ Rickshaw Theatre)

VISUAL ARTS: Anna Vagramova considers nature and Ukrainian embroidery in Moss Affair. (August 23 to September 2 @ Craft Council of B.C. Gallery)

LIVING: Day of the Dog promises a party for canines and their companions. (August 24 @ 1100 Mainland Street)

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

That’s it!

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