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August 7 2025: Colin Mochrie gets the last laugh

August 7 2025: Colin Mochrie gets the last laugh

Plus: The Whitecaps sign a star, and Surf Hat swims for the mainstream

August 07, 2025

Hey there. Happy Thursday. We’ve got two items on the docket today.

First up, there’s a new print edition out today! We profile the Cobalt’s revival for our cover feature, getting deep into Vancouver’s legendary punk bar. Pick it up at a Georgia Straight box near you.

Secondly, it’s your last chance to get your nominations into the Best of Vancouver awards! This is really, seriously important: if you want the nominees to reflect your tastes, you’ve gotta fill in the boxes. You can do this. I believe in you. Your hair looks great today.

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE —

Colin Mochrie is ready to save his ass at the Arts Club

Colin Mochrie is undoubtedly a celebrity. Even if he doesn’t quite believe it. “It always amazes me that we still get recognized,” the Killarney Secondary School graduate and international man of Mochrie tells us, ahead of his appearance at the Arts Club this weekend.

— LIVING —

In a huge coup, the Whitecaps sign Thomas Müller

The former Bayern Munich soccer player is definitely the biggest signing in Whitecaps history—and maybe the most famous athlete signed by a Vancouver sports team, period.

Shucks yeah: Chilliwack Corn Festival gets a bonus round

Take a wild romp through Shakespeare's canon!

In an unused tent teeming with old props and set pieces, three unsuspecting performers must prove their chops by acting out all of 37(ish) of Shakespeare’s plays—or else. Don’t miss The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again], running until September 20 at Bard on the Beach!

— ARTS —

Mount Pleasant's new Astro Fest channels an iconic art party

Ask Astro Arts Festival co-founders Drew Young and Steff Love what their hopes are for the inaugural edition of the Mount Pleasant-based arts bash, and you get two answers. Love wants to draw attention to Vancouver’s art community; and Young just wants people to have fun: “They’ll tell their friends that we’re cool.”

30 can’t-miss local arts and city events this month
Aug 10 - Don't miss out on your chance to see Rio Theatre funny-man favourite SAMMY OBEID - Hurry, tickets over 75% sold out!*
Chilliwack Mural Festival returns Aug 7–17 with free mural tours, workshops and a Street Party Aug 15–16 ft. live music, art, and community!*

*sponsored listing

— PERKS OF THE WEEK —

This week’s perks for Straight Insiders:

Free tickets:

Tickets to 18 shows including Wild Pink, Enny, Lucy Dacus, Kyle Mooney, Our Last Night, Horsegirl, Clan of Xymox, The Budos Band, and more
Vancouver Canadians baseball tickets

Member raffles

Win a $50 Gift Card for House of Dawn: random prize draw

Food & drink deals

Minami: 10 percent discount on food during Happy Hour (3-5 p.m.), from Sunday to Thursday
Loam Bistro: 10 percent off food and drinks
Desi Indian Lounge: Free dessert

To unlock these perks, become a Straight Insider.

— MUSIC —

Surf Hat is cresting the wave of good vibes

Even the members of Surf Hat are a little surprised at how much the band has blown up. “It’s always come from an honest place of just having fun,” reflects singer and guitarist Jon Camm. “It was never supposed to be this serious thing.”

Space Queen matches harmonies with heaviness
30 can’t-miss Vancouver concerts this month
Indulge in a two-course wine-paired lunch at Mission Hill. Set against stunning vineyard, mountain, and lake views, each dish highlights fresh, seasonal flavours.*

*sponsored listing

— ICYMI —

The developer of Kingsway and Fraser makes his case
Here’s what’s happening at Pleasant Day Festival
Abbotsford Airshow returns with a full-throttle lineup
Beaucoup Bakery rolls into Britannia Beach
Pop Eye: A new video for Nick Cave’s “Tupelo” examines AI art

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

LIVING: Dangle your legs into Icelandic volcanoes and glaciers. (From August 7 @ FlyOver Canada)

TALKS: Learn about the upcoming Perseid Meteor Shower at this astrology talk. (August 8 @ H.R. MacMillan Space Centre)

PERFORMING ARTS: Technology and spirits face off in Spirit Box: The Psychic Experience. (August 8 @ The Nest)

LIVING: Bring your feline to the park for International Cat Day. (August 8 @ Springer Park, Burnaby)

COMEDY: Comics Madeleine Humeny and Ivy Padmos start a monthly variety show, The Maddie and Ivy Hour. (August 8 @ Little Mountain Gallery)

FAMILY: Mackin House is running day-long camps for kids all month. (August 8-29 @ Mackin Heritage Home, Coquitlam)

MUSIC: The All Femme Fronted concert series continues with a show featuring JOEY, Like Whatever, Anna Isabella, and The Paranoids. (August 10 @ Take Your Time)

WORKSHOP: Learn about Hakka kirin (Chinese unicorn) dance and explore hidden histories at a living library. (August 10 @ Chinatown Memorial Plaza)

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

That’s it!

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