August 8 edition: Is this Vancouver’s suavest cocktail bar?

Hey there. How is the week treating you? Although most sports hold no interest for me, I deeply love watching the Olympics and losing hours of my life becoming an armchair expert in an event I’ve never seen before. 

Both of the gold medal winners in the hammer throw this year are from BC (Richmond’s Camryn Rogers and Nanaimo’s Ethan Katzberg), which I think means we as a province need to do more to cheer on people who are good at flinging stuff. We’re the best at yeeting!

— V. 
Associate Editor

FEATURE

Himikalas Pamela Baker has more to show us

Designer Himikalas Pamela Baker has been working in fashion for 35 years—but her start was almost accidental. When she was organizing fashion shows, “A lot of times designers would drop out, and then I’d be left high and dry,” she recalls. So, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Kwakiutl, and Tlingit artist took matters into her own hands—and has been creating wearable works of art inspired by her heritage ever since. Catch Baker’s latest collection on the runway tonight in West Vancouver as part of the Harmony Arts Festival. 

LIVING

Rooftop Remix brings library lovers together in support of the VPL

If libraries got pitched these days, there’s no way they would exist. You mean it’s a place we can go to and get books, or DVDs, or craft supplies, or air conditioning, or almost anything else you can think of… for free? In support of our glorious knowledge repositories, the VPL is hosting a fundraiser on its downtown Vancouver location’s rooftop garden. Just remember not to spill your vodka soda on any borrowed books.

• Richmond Maritime Festival returns to Britannia Shipyards

• Visit the Museum of Anthropology this summer! Bask in the iconic Great Hall, enjoy revitalized displays of Pacific Northwest Coast art and new feature exhibitions.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY WHISTLER SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Whistler's free summer concert series

Whistler Summer Concert Series is free, and it's awesome. From headlining acts including Colin James, Gone Gone Beyond and Drag in the Mountains to trending artists Ocie Elliott, Boy & Bear and Fort Knox Five, Whistler has your summer playlist ready to roll.

• Thursday, August 8 - Astrocolor

• Friday, August 9 - The Suffers

• Thursday, August 15 - Fort Knox Five

• Friday, August 16 - Colin James

• Thursday, August 22 - Trans-Canada Highwaymen

• Friday, August 23 - Ocie Elliott

• Thursday, August 29 - Drag in the Mountains

• Friday, August 30 - Boy & Bear with special guest Boo Seeka

• Sunday, September 1 - Sunday Sessions with Little Biggs Band, JennaMae and The Groove Section, Cat Madden, Kim Churchill

ARTS

Vines Art Festival celebrates a decade of bringing art to the people

It’s quite the accomplishment to nurture any artistic venture in Vancouver through a decade of survival. For a grassroots event like Vines Art Festival, that staying power is doubly impressive—and a testament to what artists and audiences alike get out of it. Not everybody in this city is on the same social media algorithm,” says artistic director Heather Lamoureux, “so it’s an opportunity for us…to be in these populated public spaces and bring art to people.”

• Third-annual Richmond Art Walk highlights local artists and coffee spots

• Aug 10 - First see the film, then experience them live: NEGATIVLAND, 'STAND BY FOR FAILURE' feature documentary & LIVE concert with Meow Wolf's, SUE-C!*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY TALL TREE HEALTH

This is the best metric to improve if you want to live longer.

Measure and track your cardiovascular fitness level with a VO2 max test. VO2 max is one of the most powerful predictors of health and longevity. It’s the best metric to improve if you want to live longer. And the best part of VO2 max? It’s a trainable metric, which means you can improve your score and your fitness level with training. 

This is precision testing at its finest. Book now at Tall Tree Health (bonus: book with a friend and get 20% off your VO2 max tests).

MUSIC

Rock Beats Cancer reunites Canadian icons for a good cause

Are you ready to rock out for charity? It’s the third annual instalment of Rock Beats Cancer, which sees Canadian acts from eras past and present come together for the most leather-clad benefit you can imagine. Loverboy, Chilliwack, Trooper’s Hot Shots, and more are hoping to add to the $600,000 raised by the concerts so far. Read more about the event’s history and this year’s extra-poignant iteration.

• Review: Happyland delivered good vibes with the song of the summer

• Kamran & Hooman announce Vancouver date for Evolution tour

• Amen Dunes (aka Damon McMahon) brings his latest release 'Death Jokes' on tour, including a stop to The Pearl on Friday August 16 with Hyperdawn.*

• "A vibrant mix of raw blues, Prince-like funk and Stones rock ’n’ roll." Don't miss Grammy award winner Fantastic Negrito at the Biltmore Cabaret, August 13th with Brass Camel.*

• Enjoy eight days full of thoughtful, breathtaking art for us to share with you all at the Vines Art Festival. All events are free!*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY MONSOON FESTIVAL

9th Annual Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts returns Aug 10-18!

The 9th Annual Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts returns Aug 10-18, kicking off with RAAHI Mehfil, a night of live music featuring Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s melodies! Join the artistic process with dance lessons, a writing workshop, and a panel discussion about a new, immersive theatre production.

FOOD

No Reservations: Prophecy serves up innovation with a splash of history

Prophecy is a promise of something old and new. The bar, now occupying the lower level of Hotel Georgia, is the latest watering hole to operate out of the storied building. “It’s not every day that a space like the basement of the Hotel Georgia becomes available for you to take on,” co-owner Ted Wilkie tells us. “We hope to pay homage to the history of the space, while bringing that history into the future with modern technologies, techniques and offerings.”

• You Nearly Missed: Bastid’s BBQ at the Birdhouse

• Black Lagoon cocktail pop-up makes an early bid for your Halloween plans

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

MUSIC
Experimental art-pop darling Wallgrin plays a sweaty vinyl release show. (August 9 @ Green Auto)

COMEDY 
Colin Cowan hosts another edition of Comedy World, headlined by Dino Archie. (August 9 @ China Cloud)

VISUAL ARTS
Self-taught artist Jamie Bizness mixes media in Growing is Forever. (August 9 to 18 @ Fingerprint Gallery)

VISUAL ARTS
Local painter Summer Xia opens a new exhibition of works, Mellow Reapproached. (August 9 to September 29 @ Van Cha, West Vancouver)

FILM
The Cinematheque opens its doors for audiences to go behind the scenes. (August 10 @ The Cinematheque) 

WORKSHOP
Emily Black leads an introduction to butterflies and moths for the lepidoptery-curious. (August 10 @ Van Dusen Botanical Gardens)

MUSIC
Summerlight Festival showcases indie music and arts in the sun, organized by Light Organ Records. (August 10 @ Maker Labs Parking Lot)

SPORTS
Giddy up for the West Coast Polo Fest. (August 10 to 11 @ Vancouver Polo Club, Delta)

THEATRE
A kid-friendly performance of Naomi’s Tree, based on the Joy Kogawa picture book. (August 11 @ Vancouver Japanese Language School) 

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

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