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December 17 edition: Overcoming trauma with BDSM

December 17 edition: Overcoming trauma with BDSM

Plus: Jagmeet Singh and our huge Instagram giveaway

December 17, 2024

Hey there. It’s the final week of the year here at Straight headquarters, so we’re working hard to get everything wrapped up before we take a little holiday break. That means this is our second-last newsletter of the year (we’ll remind you about this on Thursday, too).

To really get your merry-making on, make sure you enter our 12 Days of Giveaways contests. One of the massive prizes on the line this week? That would be $750 worth of goodies from the folks behind Anh & Chi and The Good Thief. Check out the delicious details below.

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— V.
Associate Editor

— FEATURE —

What’s In Your Fridge: Jagmeet Singh

Jagmeet Singh isn’t just the leader of the federal NDP. He’s also a dad, a live music fan, and—as evidenced by his love of Mister Artisan Ice Cream and Deep Cove—a fellow lover of snacks and hikes. Politicians: they’re just like us! Find out what his first concert was, what his favourite music video is—and yes, what’s lurking in the back of his fridge.

— LIVING —

Sex//Work: How BDSM helped me heal from my traumas

Why did being whipped fill Madelaine Horn with a profound sense of catharsis? The stripper and dominatrix explains the power and pleasure of consensual pain.

The Stanley Park Train is choo-choo-closed for the season, so we rounded up some festive activities to check out instead
Dine Out Vancouver’s World Chef Exchange returns for 2025 with heavyweights from Sydney, Mexico City, San Diego, and Chicago
Rogers Arena will host the WNBA’s first-ever regular-season game outside of the USA
North Vancouver Recreation & Culture is seeking performing, visual & multidisciplinary artists to be part of its 2025 events season. Apply by January 6, 2025.*
Discover The Nordic Spa at Fairmont Pacific Rim, an outdoor thermal spa with harbour and mountain views offering ultimate relaxation in the heart of Vancouver.*

*sponsored listing

— ARTS—

Winter Arts Festival is bringing immersive art to Gastown

Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood will turn into a free arts hub in February.

Vancouver-set rom-com Someone Like You is going on a Lower Mainland tour
Richmond Art Gallery opens 2025 by highlighting climate and plastic issues
Grandma. Gangsta. Guerrilla. has its world premiere in North Vancouver and Burnaby in February
With 3 shows on NYE to laugh your way into 2025, don't improvise your new year plans; let The Improv Centre do the improvising for you.*
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl opens tomorrow at VIFF Centre. Certified 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, the return of the claymation odd couple is a constant delight. $10 Youth Tickets available!*
Ready to laugh? Don’t miss world-class comedy and unforgettable performances at Just For Laughs VANCOUVER 2025! Tickets go on sale at 10 AM!*
*sponsored listing

Give the Gift of Live Music

Give the gift of live music with tickets to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the Orpheum! With over 60 concerts to choose from, there's something for everyone on your list! Beethoven’s Ninth, Skyfall, Superman, Harry Potter, Hollywood Rocks, and more! Tickets and online gift certificates make the perfect last-minute gift!

— MUSIC —

ZZ Top is coming to Coquitlam and Richmond

The long-time blues rockers are rolling by the Lower Mainland next August.

The Invictus Games will host free concerts in Whistler, including Five Alarm Funk and Hey Ocean!
The Creed reunion tour includes a stop in Vancouver
Celebrate the holiday season with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and music by J.S. Bach in Festive Cantatas: Bach & Zelenka on Dec. 22.*

*sponsored listing

Echo, the new spectacular!

ECHO follows a curious young woman named Future and her dog Ewai as they explore the symbiotic bond between humans and the animal kingdom. This stunning spectacle captivates audiences with breathtaking acrobatics and vibrant visuals, inviting them to celebrate the beauty of life and connection to nature.

— ICYMI —

Elem might have the best fried rice in Vancouver
Jay Nok Modern Thai continues Sala Thai’s legacy
New Kerrisdale cafe Toña brings tasty treats to a sleepy ‘hood
Here is the full Just for Laughs Vancouver 2025 lineup
Is Vancouver really about to invest in Bitcoin?
Game on: The Rec Room opens on Granville Street

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

FILM: Earth Matters: Storytelling Through Film discusses how documentaries can be a force for ecological good. (December 17 @ Science World)

DANCE: Ballet Victoria presents a classic winter show, The Gift of the Nutcracker. (December 17 to 19 @ Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam)

NIGHTLIFE: The first-ever Sober, Safe & Sexy dance party has fun without substances. (December 18 @ FriendsQuarters)

MAGIC: The Parlour Magic Holiday Show puts a festive spin on variety and close-up tricks. (December 18 @ The Show Cellar)

COMEDY: The long-running improvised Dungeons and Dragons game continues with The Critical Hit Show: The Extra Special Holiday Special. (December 18 @ Rio Theatre)

FILM: Catch the new Wallace & Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl, from the OG claymation studio. (December 18 to January 2 @ VIFF Centre)

MUSIC: Classical choral tones abound in Christmas with Chor Leoni. (December 19 to 21 @ St. Andrew’s-Wesley United)

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

That’s it!

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