July 11 edition: The art of water tasting

Plus: Fruit sharing, swimming spots, and scorching weekend events

July 11, 2024

Good morning! Well—morning, at least.

I’m hesitant to say it’s a good one here at the Straight, because we’ve just found out that our Instagram and Facebook pages are now blocked in Canada thanks to Bill C-18. The Online News Act requires big-tech companies like Google and Meta to pay Canadian media outlets in order to keep housing their content—and while a deal has been reached with Google, the same can’t be said for Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.

Since your friends and family won’t be able to find our content on those social platforms anymore, we’d greatly appreciate you telling them about this newsletter. Forward it to your buddies, your coworkers, your parents, your grandparents, your kids, your kids’ teachers, your kids’ teachers’ grandparents, and your neighbours’ kids’ teachers’ grandparents—there’s a link at the bottom that they can use to sign up.

Your support means everything, so thank you.

— Sara 
Editor-in-Chief

FEATURE

Five swimming holes to visit in BC as the weather heats up

A photograph of Buntzen Lake with trees and mountains in the background

What does 30 degree weather mean? It’s swimming time, baby. Kits Pool is still shut for a little while longer, and the ocean is full of E. coli again—so why not head to a lake? We round up some of the best spots where you can cool off in the refreshing embrace of cold water. Boats optional.

LIVING

Vancouver Fruit Tree Project celebrates 25 years of sharing the bounty

Two white women smile in front of a fig tree

What would you do if your new home had grape vines that produced a hundred pounds of fruit? That’s the problem that Jennifer Durham encountered in 2018. Luckily, the Vancouver Fruit Tree Project was there to help—and still is. The non-profit collects produce “that is growing in abundance that the homeowner wants support to help pick,” explains president Sarah Thomas—and distributes it to local causes.

SPONSORED BY BARD ON THE BEACH SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

The reviews are in!

Twelfth Night is a hit!

Bard on the Beach's production is a "bold, sensory feast," with "an amazing amount of talent on stage." Don't miss this "wonderfully entertaining piece of theatre" directed by Diana Donnelly and featuring original music by Vancouver treasure Veda Hille, and a circus inspired setting created by an all-female design team. It's a "bright, absurd, carnivalesque love comedy" that's fun for all ages. On now until September 21.

ARTS

In Anti-Icon: Apokalypsis, Martine Gutierrez models the malleability of self

A black and white photo of a woman looking at the camera, wearing a metallic-seeming dress and headscarf

Multidisciplinary artist Martine Gutierrez’s first major solo exhibition in Canada opens this week at The Polygon Gallery. In Anti-Icon: Apokalypsis, a series of self-portraits that see her transform into 17 different historical and cultural figures, she explores the shifting tides of identity. “If we really take ‘icon’ back to its root in the history of visual culture,” says curator Elliott Ramsey, “icons were how you could depict a saint or a deity or an angel without it being blasphemous.” Gutierrez explores the significance of a trans, Indigenous, Guatemalan-American artist embodying these icons—or inverting them, as anti-icons.

  • Comedy and arts venue The MOTN is closing due to a rent hike (boo!!)

  • Harmony Arts Festival brings music and art to West Van

  • The Jinkx and DeLa Holiday Show will be back in Vancouver this December

  • The Vines Art Festival is BACK for the tenth year! Witness Vancouver's Diverse arts scene at local parks Aug 7-17th. Events are free for all!*

  • Comedian, writer and filmmaker, Joe Pera, is coming to The Rio on July 18th! Late show tickets available now.*

*sponsored listing

MUSIC

New Breed Brass Band is a testimony to the importance of family

A black and white photo of a seven-piece band, all holding instruments

Much like Vin Diesel in Fast & Furious, New Breed Brass Band is all about family. Theirs is extremely literal: of the New Orleans seven-piece, three members are cousins. “When we’re on the road, that really helps,” says trombonist Revon Andrews. The band’s hive-mind connection is so deep that it reflects in their sound: clean, tight, and effortlessly expansive, it’s a reflection of New Orleans’ incredible music scene that will soon be charming audiences in Whistler.

  • Photos: Orville Peck’s country-punk swagger shined at Doug Mitchell Arena 

  • Gastown’s free summer events include Thursday night concerts

  • Check out the star-studded lineup of world-renowned blues bands at the 2024 Cool Blues Show, on Friday, July 26 at Fort Langley Community Park.*

  • Are you "Cool Like Dat"? Don't miss legendary hip hop trio Digable Planets, live at Vogue Theatre on July 16 with a live band and special guest Mauvey!*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY MODO-LIVE

Alejandro Escovedo Live in Vancouver!

American rock musician, songwriter, and singer, Alejandro Escovedo returns to Vancouver on Saturday July 28th with special guests James Mastro. Touring his latest album 'Echo Dancing' along with his wide-spanning discography, you won't want to miss this legendary set at The Pearl. Get your tickets today!

FOOD & DRINK

The art of water tasting (yes, it’s a thing)

A glass of water against a dark background

Anastasia Chovan, a certified water sommelier at Vivreau, doesn’t just want you to stay hydrated. She also wants you to appreciate the diversity of flavours in your H2O. “Just as wines vary in flavour, each with distinct profiles discernible to a refined palate, water differs in composition, acidity, and taste from one glass to another,” she explains, giving us tips on how to better enjoy our aqua.

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY EASTSIDE ARTS SOCIETY

Summer park vibes bring art, beer, and music together July 27th in Strathcona Park

Explore your creative side in sunny Strathcona Park on Saturday, July 27th with the Create! Eastside Arts Festival! Art workshops for all ages and abilities, FREE live music concert, public art, art shop, food trucks and beer garden. Tour Eastside breweries + Create! festival site with our Art! Bike! Beer! Crawl.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

THEATRE 
Alison Ward presents their autobiographical solo show, No Gold Stars. (July 12 @ The Birdhouse)

MUSIC 
Canadian classical guitarist Jeffrey McFadden plucks the strings. (July 12 @ BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, North Vancouver) 

LIVING 
Fridays on Front hosts a Bollywood night at its pop-up market. (July 12 @ Front Street Mews, New Westminster)

PERFORMING ARTS
Fables and Folklore Festival spans three nights of spellbinding storytelling. (July 12 to 14 @ QuestCoast Studios, Richmond)

MUSIC 
Los Angeles dream pop artist Hana Vu heads up the coast. (July 13 @ WISE Hall)

VISUAL ART
Filipina-Australian artist Bhenji Ra presents a 30-minute film work, Biraddali Dancing on the Horizon. (July 13 to August 10 @ Western Front)

SPORTS 
The Rotary Ride for Hearing cycling fundraiser returns. (July 14 @ Spanish Banks)

MUSIC
Biologist and musician Modern Biology plays tunes for plants in the Sweet Sounds of Summer concert series. (July 14 @ VanDusen Botanical Garden)

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

That’s it!

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