Georgia Straight
Posts
July 15 2025: Everybody’s talking about Peya

July 15 2025: Everybody’s talking about Peya

Plus: Drag kings, Tom Morello, and Canucks trade grades

July 15, 2025

Hey there. It’s somehow the middle of July already.

The passage of time is a terrifying reminder of our own mortality, but there is still plenty of time left to make amazing memories this summer. Festivals! Pride! Frosty cold ones in the park! Taking your shoes off to walk on the beach because you want to feel the sand between your toes but forgetting quite how hot it gets and doing a little wince with every step!

Stay sunscreened, stay hydrated, and stay awesome.

— V.
Associate editor

— FEATURE —

It’s a king thing: Meet Vancouver’s new drag royalty

Drag is everywhere—and drag kings in Vancouver are flourishing. Our print cover stars Rose Butch, Yuen Young, Velvet Ryder, and Percy Pegg spill the royal tea on what’s going on with the city’s coolest kings, things, and monarchs. “It’s important for performers and our audiences and people to see different kinds of drag and expressions of drag,” says long-time performer Butch, “especially different from what they see on TV.”

— CITY & CULTURE —

Vancouver Canucks Trade Grades: A little more than nothing for Arturs Silovs

The Canucks traded goaltender Arturs Silvos to the Penguins in exchange for Chase Stillman (and a fourth-round pick in 2027). Nathan Caddell evaluates whether this deal deserves top marks or fails the class.

Antisocial Skate Shop has shut its Main Street store
Here is what’s happening at Greendale Acres this summer
Join the VSO for a sizzling summer movie with Barbie and Encanto Live in Concert! Watch the movie as the orchestra plays the score live to picture.*
*sponsored listing

Chilliwack Mural Festival Returns Aug 7-17

Get ready for 10 days of art, music, and community at the Chilliwack Mural Festival in Downtown Chilliwack!

Explore colourful mural tours, artist talks, graffiti workshops, and intimate alley concerts, plus don’t miss the Street Party on August 15 & 16, featuring live music, dance performances, live art, mural cube, a LEGO mural, graffiti wall, kids crafts, tasty food trucks, and the Sidekick Bevi Garden. All free!

🎨 View the festival schedule here.

— MUSIC —

Photos: Tom Morello shreds alongside his son at the Commodore

Fresh off an appearance at the official Ozzy Osbourne farewell show in London, Tom Morello brought his act to Vancouver for two sold-out shows of blistering guitar anthems and a ton of rocking fun.

Five cover songs that make a road-trip fly by
Come Find Your Folk! Mission Folk Music Festival, July 25-27, Fraser River Heritage Park. Experience a weekend bursting with fun, friendship, brilliant music and more!*
Vancouver Folk Music Festival is the ultimate summer escape in the city to experience the best in contemporary folk music, July 18-20.*
*sponsored listing

Celebrate Japanese Canadian Culture at Powell Street Festival

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavours of Japanese Canadian culture at the 49th Annual Powell Street Festival, August 2–3 in Vancouver’s historic Paueru-Gai (Powell Street area). Enjoy free performances, delicious food, martial arts, crafts, and more in this lively, family-friendly celebration of community, history, and tradition.

— FOOD & DRINK —

Peya’s French-Indian fusion stays true to its diverse roots

If you’ve ever doubted whether Vancouver can still surprise you, head to Peya. The understated brasserie is doing something you won’t find anywhere else in the city: French-Indian cuisine, rooted in technique and built on memory.

Loam Bistro’s pasta pop-up will brighten up your summer evenings
Here’s everyone participating in the inaugural Koolfest
Get ready for Pleasant Day Festival on August 9! Featuring 25+ BC music acts, local artists, delicious food from Main Street, and refreshing beer gardens. You won't want to miss it!*
*sponsored listing

One of North America's top kinky festivals kicks off in Vancouver July 24! Want to know more?

Ready to let out your wild side? Head out to one of the many pervy, provocative and body-positive events happening at Vancouver Fetish Weekend, July 24-28, including the world famous VIP Fetish Cruise! Epic night-time club events, daytime social meetups, with attendees from all over the world celebrating sexy self-expression!

— ICYMI —

We Tried It: Kobo Ice Cream enters the scoop wars
Honey Salt’s summer menu returns
East Van’s biggest art party starts this week
A History of Motown will be back at the Firehall Arts Centre
Fitness is a Drag marks five years of giving back

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

FOOD & DRINK: Have a few pints for a good cause at this fundraiser for PACE Society. (July 15 @ Container Brewing)

MUSIC: The Vancouver Classical Guitar Festival has an opening concert at the downtown VPL before moving to North Van. (July 16-20 @ BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, North Vancouver)

VISUAL ARTS: Vital Signs artists Kwiis Hamilton, Jade Baxter, Jasper Berehulke, and Sage Nowak come together for a panel discussion. (July 17 @ Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art)

TALKS: Hastings Crossing BIA executive director Landon Hoyt ponders how BIAs shape Vancouver. (July 17 @ Bean Around the World West Hastings)

COMEDY: Little Mountain Gallery’s standup competition stakes out its semi-finalists. (July 17 @ Little Mountain Gallery, Vancouver)

VISUAL ARTS: Local artists, plein air painting, and live music come together for Art Downtown. (July 17 @ Lot 19)

—

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

That’s it!

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.