March 30, 2023 edition - Spring cocktails are in

TOGETHER WITH

Golden Plate nominations are officially closed. We would like to thank the hundreds of folks who submitted a whopping 5000+ nominations for this year’s awards season. Y’all rock.

But the fun isn’t over yet. As of Monday, April 3, voting will begin on our Golden Plates page, so check out the nominees in each category, and vote for the best that Vancouver’s food and beverage scene has to offer.

Plus the nominations make for a pretty good checklist if you’re looking for some new spots to hit up in this spring sunshine. Just sayin’.

You might've missed:

• Vancouver tour dates announced this week include Amanda Marshall, Avenged Sevenfold and Alexisonfire, Collective Soul.

• Pixies and Modest Mouse announced for Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre on Sept. 9.

• ‘Stupid F*cking Bird’ brings a spin on Chekhov classic to the Cultch.

• Ever-elusive Elvis Costello plays Vancouver on June 7 as part of We’re All Going On A Summer Holiday tour.

• boygenius announce 2023 tour, to perform in Vancouver on July 28.

FEATURE

The best comedy in Vancouver isn’t standup

When it comes to entertainment, Vancouver is one of the richest cities in Canada. With multiple shows to be found around town on pretty much any night of the week, if you want to relax and have some laughs after work, you’re absolutely spoiled for choice.

But while the glittering stars of Vancouver’s comedy scene may be the standups, dig a little deeper into Vancouver’s comedic offerings and you’ll discover the most bizarre shows you’ll ever see—and they’ll be some of the funniest, too.

Eleanor Tremeer dives into some of the most innovative comedy shows in the city.

TOGETHER WITH VANCOUVER CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Celebrate the arrival of spring!

The 2023 Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival runs from Apr. 1 to 23. An opportunity to pause and take in the beauty all around us and to imagine the world we can create together.

A series of outdoor events to bring us together under the wondrous cherry blossoms to imagine a better tomorrow. The festival kicks off with the free Big Picnic this Saturday, Apr. 1.

NEWS

Activists across BC call to end fracking

Environmental organizers in dozens of communities across BC are asking the government to frack off.

Local activists with Frack Free BC hung banners in Stanley Park and by Waterfront Station and pasted posters across town on Monday. Similar actions took place from Surrey and Squamish to Victoria and the Comox Valley.

Here’s why the campaign is calling on the government to stop issuing fracking permits, and ultimately wind down the industry as part of the transition to a just green economy.

ARTS

What's In Your Fridge: Androsia Wilde of the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival

What’s In Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

On the Grill this week? The new artistic director of the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, and instructor at the Vancouver Burlesque Co., Androsia Wilde: The Bahama Mama of Burlesque!

Featured arts listings

• Home Truths: Until Branches Bend: Vancouver’s own Sophie Jarvis premiered her debut feature, Until Branches Bend, at the Toronto International Film Festival last year—and now it’s hitting cinemas across the country, including at Vancouver’s Vancity Theatre. | To April 2 | $15 | Vancity Theatre

• Rubaboo: A Michif word meaning “big pot” or “leftover stew,” Rubaboo dives into Métis culture through the lyrical voice of Andrea Menard in a musical journey of reconciliation, resilience, love, and much more. | March 30 to April 30 | $29+ | Granville Island Stage

• Start with Art: This exhibition encourages youth to get involved with art, including a special list price for those 16 and under. Artists include Kristian Adam, Jennifer Barr, Helen Baxter, Kirsten Chursinoff, and Hope Forstenzer, among others. | To May 13 | 10am to 5pm | Free | Seymour Art Gallery

• A musical celebration of Canadian civil rights hero Viola Desmond—the fearless woman on Canada’s $10 bill. Don’t miss Hey Viola! at Gateway Theatre.*

• We Love Arabs: The Dance Centre and Théâtre la Seizième present Israeli choreographer Hillel Kogan’s provocative, hilarious take on power dynamics and misplaced good intentions. Apr. 13-15 at Scotiabank Dance Centre.*

*Sponsored Listing

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VANCOUVER POETRY HOUSE

Celebrate the transformative power of language at Verses Festival of Words, Apr. 20-29.

Join the masterful spoken word poets, storytellers, singer-songwriters, and improvisers Sheri-D Wilson, Louise B. Halfe, Randell Adjei, Anto Chan, Moe Clark, and many more. Visit VersesFestival.ca.

MUSIC

MAUVEY keeps the vision alive with a forthcoming mixtape, international tour, and overarching message of love

Hot on the heels of recent high-profile performances at JUNOFest, SXSW, and Treefort Music Fest, MAUVEY is set to release a new mixtape, BEFORE THE ALBUM 2: a brief overview, on April 14 via 604 Records.

The Vancouver-based experimental alt-pop artist and songwriter has already shared a double A-side single, “I DARE YOU TO BREAK” and “ON THE 14TH,” a pair of songs that perfectly exemplifies his wide-ranging musical palette.

Here’s what else to expect from the artist in the near future.

Featured music events

• PIGS - Canada’s Pink Floyd tribute band: The touring tribute band is bringing an authentic recreation of 1970s Pink Floyd to Surrey this Sunday. | 7pm | April 2 | $55 | Bell Performing Arts Centre

• Chiiild: The Canadian experimental soul artist Chiiild is performing at the Hollywood Theatre for the Better Luck in the Next Life Tour. | 7pm | April 7 | $22.50 | Hollywood Theatre

• Pink Mountaintops: The shapeshifting alternative experimentalists led by Stephen McBean are coming to the Cobalt for a show on April 8. | April 8 | 7pm | $25 | Cobalt

• Early bird weekend passes for the Fort Langley Jazz Fest Cool Blues Show, July 21-22, are available for a limited time at $100. Get your tickets now!*

*Sponsored Listing

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VANCOUVER FARMERS MARKETS

Vancouver Farmers Markets - Summer Season is back!

Riley Park and Trout Lake start this weekend. Start planning your weekends—the shopping list and the day with your partner! The amazingly happy market vibes are just the experience you need!

THE REST

Liquor Nerd: With spring upon us, now is the time to freshen up with light and bright sparkling wine cocktails

Welcome to spring: the season where you have to work a little harder to stay seasonally depressed, and where your drinking habits suddenly swing away from the heavy-hitting cocktails­—booze-forward Manhattans, Negronis, and olive-splashed Martinis—that got you through the long and cold winter.

Mike Usinger has the Liquor Nerd word on which direction those drinking habits should be swinging toward with the fresh new season. Spoiler alert: it’s a lot of bubbly-based concoctions.

The Rest of the events

• Expansion Seminar - The Science of Microdosing: Ever wanted to learn about microdosing? Here’s your chance, as Nemesis Coffee will be hosting a panel of speakers to discuss the emerging science behind microdosing psychedelics. | Mar. 25 and 26 | 6:30 to 9:30pm | $35 | Nemesis Coffee

• Over the Rainbow: Pride Speed Friending: Bring your favourite book, podcast, blog, zine, or other piece of media to kickstart conversation at this speed friending event. Lightning rounds of six minutes will keep conversations moving and you might just meet your next bestie. | April 1 | 11am to 1pm | Free | Vancouver Public Library Central Branch

• Partner Massage Workshop: Learn therapeutic massage techniques in this hands-on workshop alongside a partner. | April 2 | $130/pair | Trikinetic Massage Therapy

• Celebrate the arrival of spring at the 2023 Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, April 1-23. Honour nature, creativity, and the cultures that make Vancouver so special!*

*Sponsored Listing