August 29 edition: Is this Canada’s best whisky bar?

Hey there. For those of us lucky enough to get statutory holidays off—are you ready for another long weekend? 

I’m ready to cat-sit some fur babies, hit up the beach, and head to one of the many festivals occurring. Scroll to the bottom if you want a taste of all the great things happening in Vancouver this Labour Day weekend.

— V. 
Associate Editor

FEATURE

Vancouver’s new women’s soccer team is ready to Rise

It’s been over a decade since Vancouver last had a women’s soccer team—but that’s about to change, and soon. This week, Vancouver Rise announced Lotusland’s new club that will be joining the six-team Northern Super League when it launches next April. “It’s time this city has a team of their own,” says former Team Canada goalie Stephanie Labbé, who won two Olympic medals. “Vancouver is ready.”

CITY & CULTURE

Vancouver’s gold-medal breakdancer Phil “Wizard” Kim to perform at the PNE

Hot off winning the first-ever (and maybe only!) Olympic title in men’s breaking, hometown hero Phil Wizard is going to show off his skills at the PNE this weekend—with his gold medal in tow.

• You Nearly Missed: Dutch Street Market returns for the weekend

• Well Read: Wren Handman, author of A Midnight So Deadly

• TLC's Long Island Medium Theresa Caputo brings her live show to Queen Elizabeth Theatre next week on Sept 4 & 5. Tickets selling fast!*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY BC HYDRO

Everything Electric Vancouver Sept 6-8

There will be hundreds of Test Drives available each day giving you the opportunity to get behind the wheel and try an electric car for yourself! Top brands including Tesla, Genesis, Polestar and Nissan will be on hand with electric cars to try and teams to answer any questions. 

A day of fun for all the family, your children (who can attend for free) can also test out the range of electric two-wheelers in the M1CRO MACH1NES area, including e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards

Children can head over to the kid's zone, where they can build a sustainable Lego city and learn circus skills and other activities.

With over 40 live sessions held over two theatres, featuring presenters from the Fully Charged Show, expert panellists and special guests.

ARTS

VIFF presses play on stacked 2024 lineup

With more than 350 movies on the slate, this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. We’ve rounded up some of the highlights.

• Scotiabank Dance Centre’s Open House features free workshops and performances

• Vancouver Art Gallery expands collection with over 300 new pieces

• As You Like It or The Land Acknowledgement comes to The Cultch

• Vancouver Fringe Festival is back for its 40th year of unconventional and unforgettable fun! Find 70+ shows on Granville Island from September 5-15.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY CENTURY GROUP

Homes, Farm & Community, By the Bay

Southlands Tsawwassen is a beach community rooted in farming and food. If you value farm-to-table eating, harvest celebrations, beach walks after dinner, and nature trails that meander through wide open spaces, you will discover that Southlands is more than a place to live. This is a place to make a life.

MUSIC

Sounds Good: The “late to the party” edition

In this month’s Sounds Good, the Straight team reveals what’s been entertaining our ears—even if it’s months (or years) out of vogue.

• Public Disco reveals lineup for free Downtown Block Party

• Legendary Brazilian jazz-funk trio Azymuth takes over The Pearl on September 10th with special guests Brainstory. Get your tickets now!*

*sponsored listing

FOOD & DRINK

This Surrey bar has Canada’s largest whisky collection

If you’re a fan of the strong stuff, then Skye Avenue Kitchen and Lounge might be for you. There are more than 1,300 unique global whiskies to sample at this luxe Surrey spot.

• Halal Ribfest makes a stop in Surrey this weekend

• Taves Family Farms reopens its grounds (and cidery) for fall

THINGS TO DO THIS LONG WEEKEND

VISUAL ART
Western Canadian artists show their works at The West Fine Art Show. (August 29 to 21 @ Coast Langley City Hotel & Convention Centre, Langley)

WORKSHOP
Kids aged seven to 10 can explore the VAG at this one-day art camp. (August 30 @ Vancouver Art Gallery)

MUSIC
Former Sonic Youth musician Kim Gordon is still rocking. (August 30 @ Commodore Ballroom)

LIVING
Tatus Festival highlights Indigenous foods, performance, and artistry. (August 30 to 31 @ PNE Festival Grounds)

CULTURE
Nikkei Matsuri celebrates Japanese culture with the Mikoshi procession, Bon Odori dancing, and more. (August 30 to September 1 @ Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, Burnaby)

LIVING
BC Place transforms into a huge patio party with entertainment, refreshments, and a chance to win Taylor Swift tickets. (August 30 to September 2 @ BC Place)

COMEDY
Punchy standup comic Brad Williams makes a stop in Vancouver. (August 31 @ Vogue Theatre) 

CULTURE
TAIWANfest highlights Taiwanese culture with documentaries, exhibitions, and craft workshops. (August 31 to September 2 @ šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square, Vancouver Art Gallery)

MUSIC
Last Day of Summer Fest caps off the season with performances from Fionn and Tiger Really. (September 1 @ Container Brewing Ltd.)

TALKS
Bill Reid Gallery hosts a panel discussion on Indigeneity and Blackness. (September 1 @ Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art)

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

That’s it!

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