February 13 edition: Diving into dating red flags

Plus: David Suzuki speaks from the heart

February 13, 2024

Hey there. It’s that time of year again: Valentine’s Day. Corporate pink marketing is in full swing, florists are rushed off their feet, and restaurants are packed out with happy couples. Well, it’s Vancouver; there are definitely some throuples and polycules getting in on the romance, too.

Arguably, the best part of V-Day is the day after, when drug stores slash the price on all those leftover chocolates. What better celebration of love is there than discount Shoppers candy?

— V.
Associate Editor

FEATURE

Dating in Vancouver: Is it really that bad? We asked eight singles

Two people lie on their back in a grassy field

You’ve probably heard people complaining about how cliquey Vancouver is, and how hard it is to date in a city full of cold-hearted snobs. But is it really that hard to find a new boo? Our relationship columnist Amy Chan quizzed eight local singles about the dating scene to find out.

CITY & CULTURE

Co-ops can help our housing crisis

A landscape photo of high rise towars in the distant, behind a grassy area.

Co-ops are often touted as a way to improve housing affordability. But they’re still few and far between in Vancouver; many were built several decades ago, with few new developments since. Helen Lui dives into the ins and outs of co-ops, why they might not be for everyone, and how we can build more.

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ARTS

What You Won’t Do For Love explores David Suzuki and Tara Cullis’ life and love

David Suzuki and Tara Cullis sit at a table on stage, joined by two other people as part of a production of What You Won't Do For Love.

What You Won’t Do For Love puts some familiar faces on stage in a whole new light. Best known for their environmental activism, David Suzuki and Tara Cullis explore their 52-year partnership in this stage show, which asks: can our devotion to each other inspire us to save the world? The duo tell all on how art is helping them share their message.

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MUSIC

Yeah, Usher is coming to Rogers Arena

Usher performers on stage, hearing a head mic and backed by blue and green lights

Wowing the crowd at this weekend’s Super Bowl Halftime Show is just the beginning of a busy year for Usher. The R&B legend is setting off on a mammoth 51-date tour in support of his ninth album, Coming Home. And he’s just announced a handful of new dates to keep the good times going even longer—including a show at Rogers Arena.

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SPONSORED BY GATEWAY THEATRE

March 6-17: Jade Circle at Gateway Theatre

Don't miss the highly anticipated world premiere of Jade Circle. After her grandmother's death, Jasmine recalls Taiwanese children’s songs she was taught as a child. Feeling the loss of being unable to connect with her grandmother, Jasmine begins her journey of relearning Mandarin and the past.

FOOD & DRINK

No Reservations: The Flamingo Room’s cozy craft cocktails

The interior of a low-lit bar, with leather couches, cream archways, and a stacked bar-back

The Flamingo Room brings Miami cool to East Van—serving Yaletown-style cocktails at Commercial Drive prices. We caught up with co-owner Reuben Major to get the low-down on what he calls “the after-dark, moodier big sister of Havana”: a place to unwind with small plates, Latin tunes, and an exquisitely made drink or two.

  • The Mensch Deli is doing a pop-up for one night only 

  • Le Crocodile ushers in a new era as head chef Michel Jacob retires

  • Taste the world at the Vancouver International Wine Festival, February 24 - March 3. Discover Italy and more at a full week of lunches, dinners, seminars, and tastings.*

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THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

VISUAL ART 🖼️
Megan Kwan and Jeremy Jude Lee’s Where I’m From is an immersive, nostalgic installation. (To March 9 @ Gallery 881)

MUSIC 🎤
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a wide variety of music at the 2024 LunarFest Concert. (Feb. 13 @ Orpheum Theatre)

THEATRE 🎭
Blackout Art Society premieres Echoes from Far Away Cities, exploring acid attacks in Iran. (Feb. 13 to 17 @ Evergreen Cultural Centre) 

BOOKS 📖
Celebrate the launch of Drew Hayden Taylor’s new book, Cold. Hosted by local crime author Sam Wiebe. (Feb. 14 @ Massy Books)

MUSIC 🎤
Local indie rockers Slightest Clue release their EP, Carousel. (Feb. 16 @ Fox Cabaret)

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

FROM OUR INSTA

Amy Chan hit the streets to find out how singles feel.

That’s it!

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