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August 26 2025: Will Ottawa help the DTES?

August 26 2025: Will Ottawa help the DTES?

Plus: Best of Vancouver voting is now open!

August 26, 2025

Hey there. Welcome to another Tuesday.

If you trust the weather forecast, we might be getting to the end of the balmy summer weather—so enjoy it while it lasts. And if you don’t trust the weather forecast, it’s kind of fun to live in a state of constant surprise at the state of the sky. Though you do have to commit to taking an umbrella out every single day… just in case.

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE —

Voting is open for the 29th annual Best of Vancouver awards

Sure, the Elton John–penned songs and Disney branding contribute to the appeal of The Lion King, but the iconic musical has another factor that has long entranced audiences: puppets. We went behind the scenes with puppet supervisor Michael Reilly to find out how the show brings the savannah to the stage. “We all grew up with puppets, whether it was Kermit or Howdy Doody,” Reilly explains. “We all treat them like they’re real.”

— CITY & CULTURE —

Jean Swanson: An open letter to housing minister Gregor Robertson

When Gregor Robertson ran for mayor of Vancouver in 2008, one of his key points was ending street homelessness. That didn’t happen—but Robertson has gained new powers as the federal housing minister. Jean Swanson reminds the man of promises he has yet to keep.

Visiting Vimy Ridge, with a mission
Experience the Chef’s Tasting Menu at the Terrace Restaurant at Mission Hill, where seasonal and locally sourced ingredients are thoughtfully prepared to showcase their character and celebrate the bounty of the Okanagan Valley.*

*Sponsored Listing

Get More Fringe!

Did you hear about Fringe+? The new way to get the most out of your Fringe. This add-on is packed with perks, including half-price tickets to select shows, and discount on merch. Best of all, Fringe+ includes a 100% free ticket to bring a friend to their first-ever Fringe show - because live theatre is even better when shared.

Whether you’re a seasoned Fringer or just getting started, Fringe+ is designed to help you see more, save more, and share the fun. It’s an easy way to get more out of your festival experience without stretching your budget.

Add Fringe+ to your plans this year and unlock a little extra of everything you love about Fringe.

— ARTS —

Splash 2025 offers public exhibition ahead of fundraiser

Arts Umbrella’s signature art fundraiser is back for its 43rd year, raising money to help young people access creative training. Bigwigs can bid on beautiful works—and, uh, regularwigs can check out everything for sale at a free exhibition.

Two local artists are encouraging kids to get creative with Tombolo House
The Improv Centre's I Know What You Did Last Weekend is a live, fully improvised slasher movie spoof coming to Granville Island this September.*

*Sponsored Listing

Can you help PHS Community Services Society?

CALL TO ACTION: Only three weeks until the Under Armour Eastside 10K and PHS Community Services Society needs your help to raise another 50% of their $25,000 target to support their critical frontline services.

Can you donate to the PHS Run Team today?

Join or donate to Team PHS here.

— PERKS OF THE WEEK —

This week’s perks for Straight Insiders include:

Free tickets:

New shows announced at the Hollywood Theatre including Superbad & Booksmart (Back to School Double Feature), Indie Night, and Sabrina Carpenter Man's Best Friend Album Listening Party

Food & drink deals:

NEW: B House: Complimentary appetizers
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 (worth $50-100 worth of tickets a month) become a Straight Insider for just $8.25 on an annual plan.

— MUSIC —

Review: Horsegirl brought precise indie minimalism to the Pearl

Sometimes, all you need for a perfect indie rock show is three women from Chicago and one very excited crowd. Nathan Caddell reviews Horsegirl’s only Canadian show.

Review: Deftones made some noise at Rogers Arena

— ICYMI —

How to spend a Friday night in the Okanagan
Asog’s real happy ending is the change it created
BC Culture Days focuses on creativity and mental health
Sounds Good: the “Taylor Swift luxury space capitalism” edition
St. Lawrence embraces the flavours of rural Quebec

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

THEATRE: Catch The Play That Goes Wrong before the stage falls apart. (To August 30 @ Waterfront Theatre)

MUSIC: Blues musician Sue Foley tours her Grammy-nominated tunes. (August 26 @ Rio Theatre)

FILM: Nechako: It Will Be a Big River Again follows the Stellat’en Nation’s environmental advocacy. (August 27 @ the Cinematheque)

FILM: It’s the final Sunset Cinema screening. On the big screen: Mean Girls. (August 27 @ šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn)

VISUAL ARTS: Ceramics artist Julia Chang gives a talk on her rock foraging and firing practice. (August 28 @ Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, Burnaby)

DANCE: Choreographers from the SummerSpace program informally show their works in progress. (August 28 @ Scotiabank Dance Centre)

PERFORMING ARTS: Nebula Performances Society puts on its own dramatic adaptation of Carmen. (August 28 to September 7 @ 9205 Shaughnessy St.)

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

That’s it!

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