Hey there. It's your last chance to nominate something for the Best of Vancouver awards! 

Our annual reader-voted awards are all about recognizing locals' favourite facets of the city. They also only work when you, the public, get involved. If you haven't filled in your ballot yet, then you don't have long left. Nominations close on Sunday, and once they're closed, that's it. Do you want to be the reason your beloved beach or awesome acupuncturist misses its chance in the finals? Only you can prevent that fate!

— V.
Senior editor

Fort Langley isn't just cute storefronts, historic recreations, and an uncomfortable reminder of the relationship between early colonizers and displaced First Nations: it's also host to a fantastic summer festival. “Our location is really unique," says Karen Zukas, executive director of Fort Langley's Jazz & Arts Festival. "The free festival is all contained within the village; it’s walkable, and people can move to the different stages and enjoy the free music, art, and culture.” In other words, this weekend's festival is worth the daytrip.

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Hailed as a "sensitive" and "extraordinarily agile" performer, Early Music Vancouver's Artist-in-Residence Marc Mauillon has his B.C. debut starring as Orfeo in Monteverdi's groundbreaking operatic masterpiece. He will be supported by an orchestra of rarely heard baroque and renaissance instruments played by historical music experts, as well as a cast of 12, including EMV favourite Bahareh Poureslami as Euridice.

Experience one of the first—and greatest—operas in history brought to new life in EMV's production of Orfeo at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts on July 31 and August 2.

Corn mazes aren't just for fall. Greendale Acres is feeling extra corny this summer, setting up new attractions ahead of the return of the Chilliwack Corn Festival this August.

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The Goblins are back at Bard, and this time, they’re setting their sights on Oedipus the King in a riotous reinvention chock-full of Dionysian degeneracy. It’s an adults-only cautionary tale about fate, free will, and, well, family matters. Goblin:Oedipus runs until September 19—tickets start at $30!

Blue Moon Marquee's married members aren't afraid to rustle some feathers, even while they get you shaking yours. "With certain genres, the blues being one of them, the gatekeeping is strong," says bassist Jasmine Colette, ahead of the band's set at the Mission Folk Festival this weekend. "It’s a lot of balding, pony-tailed, old white men thinking that they have, sorry, a fucking death-grip clutch on who gets what."

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While we'll never forget Elephant, which closed last February, the chefs who've taken over the room are cooking up something special. Lucas Johnston and Devon Latté, a self-described "couple of degenerates", are doing their best to show off B.C.'s bounty and give diners a glimpse into their work in the kitchen. “What’s possible in British Columbia, compared to a lot of other areas in Canada, is astronomical,” Latté tells us. “We’re just putting that on display.”

FOOD & DRINK: French sommelier and wine importer Evelyne Quinti explains the good and the grapes. (July 23 @ Alliance Française)

MUSIC: Reid Jamieson—who despite the name is a duo—plays a free songwriter session. (July 23 @ Irish Heather)

PERFORMING ARTS: Ionesco's Cabaret promises a double-bill of theatre plus the premiere of an audiovisual novel… whatever that means. (July 23-25 @ Progress Lab)

LIVING: Grouse Mountain itself isn't turning 100, but recreational access to it is! (July 23 to August 3 @ Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver)

DANCE: New Works' All Over the Map series brings cultural dance to the downtown VPL and Granville Island. (July 24 to August 16 @ various locations)

LIVING: Strathcona Blocks Party turns East Hastings into a people-first festival. (July 25 @ 600 to 900 East Hastings Street)

VISUAL ARTS: Contemporary Japanese artists create site-specific works in Ongoing / Pacific Crossings. (July 25 to October 4 @ Richmond Art Gallery, Richmond)

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

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