July 27, 2023 edition - The Storm Brewing mural is staying put!

TOGETHER WITH

Hear ye! Hear ye! We’ve got some super important announcements to make.

As you likely know from the special email we sent you on Monday, voting is now LIVE for this year’s Best of Vancouver Awards! That’s over 150 categories covering everything from your favourite yoga spot to the best local hike.

A big thanks to those of you who have participated so far. To those of you who haven’t, we suggest getting on it sooner rather than later, because voting closes August 6.

Speaking of special emails, we’ll be sending a dedicated Pride newsletter your way this Saturday filled with news, commentary, events, and so much more. We know, we know; it’s the weekend—but we can assure you that checking your email on a Saturday morning will be well worth it.

You might've missed:

• Meet the just-announced participating artists in this year’s Vancouver Mural Fest

• On Our Radar: Colleen Rennison honours an inspirationally enduring Vancouver ‘hood with “I Do”

• Voting now open for Best of Vancouver 2023

• What’s In Your Fridge: Imogen Moon

• Theatre Under the Stars returns to Stanley Park from Jul. 6 until Aug. 26 with Broadway blockbusters The Prom and Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical.*

• Caribbean Days Festival is back July 29-30 at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park. Two days of tropical rhythms, carnival, cuisine, and culture. All ages, free of charge.*

*Sponsored Listing

FEATURE

Storm mural isn’t going anywhere after city council votes to look at outdated bylaw

On Tuesday, a motion by ABC Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung to save the beloved Storm Brewing mural was passed unanimously by council. Maybe we can have nice things.

SPONSORED BY POWELL STREET FESTIVAL

Discover wacky to sublime Japanese Canadian culture

This summer’s 47th Annual Powell Street Festival is a FREE celebration of Japanese Canadian art and culture on August 5 & 6. There’s something for everyone including live performances, a handmade craft and Japanese food marketplace, workshops and participatory activities, children’s events, a sumo tournament, and more.

See you this BC Day Long Weekend in Oppenheimer Park and Paueru Gai—Vancouver’s historic Japanese Canadian neighbourhood, today known as the Downtown Eastside.

NEWS

Commentary: Myth-busting the origins of anti-trans hate in Canada

There are more Pride events and shows and community than ever before. But it’s all backgrounded with the knowledge that anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate has been surging: in Canada, in the US, in the UK, and around the world.

Read commentary by our associate editor V. S. Wells on myths surrounding the origins of trans hate.

ARTS

In the Presence of Ancestors brings lasting Indigenous presence to Port Moody

When the project In the Presence of Ancestors is complete, five specially-carved house posts will be ceremoniously raised along Rocky Point Park in what we now call Port Moody—a sign of pride for Indigeneity, a small but important step in reconciliation, and a call to action for us all to adopt earth-honouring Indigenous values.

We spoke with Coast Salish artist Tasha Faye Evans, who founded the project, about how the teachings of the ancestors are at the core of Coast Salish art and design.

SPONSORED BY PACIFIC NATIONAL EXHIBITION

The PNE Fair is back for 2023!

With more to see and do, the PNE is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The Fair runs August 19-September 4.

This year, they have also introduced a new under $10 menu titled The Taste of Fair.

MUSIC

The viral rise of Tiny Habits

It’s only been a year and a half since Tiny Habits—made up of members Cinya Khan, Judah Mayowa, and Vancouver’s own Maya Rae—began sharing their exquisite harmonies on social media.

From the stairwells of their dormitory at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Tiny Habits quickly earned a following on TikTok and Instagram, with their videos racking up views into the millions.

Now, just a short time later, they find themselves touring the world—including recently playing the Vancouver Folk Music Festival.

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER PRIDE SOCIETY

Get ready for an amazing time at Vancouver Pride Festival, starting July 28!

Enjoy six days of citywide programming, featuring VanPrideFest on August 5 and 6, and the annual Vancouver Pride Parade with a brand new route.

THE REST

“Looking for Champion trees is like trying to count toddlers in a ball pit”

“These fucking trees.”

Local author Amanda Lewis wrote a book all about her obsession with chasing BC’s giant trees—and we’ve got an excerpt.

🗓 Events & things to do

Ongoing

• Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival: Celebrate the summer with lavender fields, acres of sunflowers, and a meadow full of phacelia pastels at the Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival. | To Sept. 4 | $10 | 3663 Marion Rd., Abbotsford

• Salsa Dancing at The Amazing Brentwood: Get your salsa on at The Amazing Brentwood as part of its summer programming on its outdoor plaza. | Wednesdays from July 12 to Aug. 2 | Free | The Amazing Brentwood Plaza

• Summer Music Series 2023: Head to West Vancouver Memorial Library’s rooftop garden for a series of free performances. | Wednesdays from July 12 to Aug. 2 | Free | West Vancouver Memorial Library

• Reclaim + Repair: The Mahogany Project, a feature exhibition now on view at Museum of Vancouver, celebrates the creativity and craft of Vancouver’s design community.*

• VIFF continues its journey Back to the 80s. Expect Ghostbusters and A Nightmare on Elm Street and a special audio tour of 80s synth scores.*

• VCT’s Free Summer Programs: Dance Dance Dance and Sunset Cinema return for the summer! Join us for outdoor Latin dance classes July 28-Aug 18 and movie screenings Aug 2-30. | To Aug 30 | Free | Vancouver Civic Theatres*

This week/weekend

• Cover Me Live: From ’70s rock to today’s pop performed by some of Vancouver’s best cover bands, this party is the kind of weekend night that you do not want to miss. | July 28 | $10 | Biltmore Cabaret

• Lime Cordiale: Pop-rock group Lime Cordiale is performing at the Commodore Ballroom this weekend on the heels of their recently-released single “Imposter Syndrome.” | July 28 | $95 | Commodore Ballroom

• Drag Brunch in Stanley Park: A one-of-a-kind drag brunch at Stanley Park Brewing, featuring performances by iconic drag performer Jerrilynn Spears and friends, and all in support of the Vancouver Pride Bursary Fund. | July 29 | $40 | Stanley Park Brewpub

• Sir Chloe: The indie rock band featuring songwriter/vocalist/guitarist Dana Foote is at the Cobalt later this month for what’s sure to be a high-energy show. | July 30 | $20 | Cobalt

Next week

• Sunset Cinema: On Wednesday evenings in August, Head to the šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for five hit films on a huge inflatable screen under the stars. | Wednesdays in Aug. | Free | Queen Elizabeth Plaza

• Drag Queen Karaoke: Celebrate the power of Pride by singing in the spotlight or taking in the tunes while enjoying light refreshments. | Aug. 5 | Free, registration required | East Richmond Community Hall

• Celebrate BC Day at Parq Casino Resort. Free hot dog giveaway, E-Scooter giveaway, and a Prime Rib Special! Plus Happy Hour until 8:30pm!*

• Make a splash at Vancouver Aquarium’s larger-than-life 19+ Pride edition of Fish+Sips, their after-hours summer socials, featuring crab-ulous drinks, animal programs, live music, and drag performances!*

Later this month

• 47th Annual Powell Street Festival: Celebrate Japanese Canadian art and culture at this free two-day event with live performances, a Japanese food and craft marketplace, panels and workshops, martial arts demos, children’s activities, and much more. | Aug. 5 to 6 | Free | Oppenheimer Park

• Madeline Kenney: American indie rock singer-songwriter is at the WISE Hall this August for a 19+ show. | Aug. 13 | $16 | WISE Hall

• Ignite your trade potential at the Pakistan Expo Vancouver 2023! Join us at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver to explore premium manufacturers, textiles, home essentials, and sports goods from Pakistan!*

Next month

• The Dead Daisies: The Australian-American rock supergroup are in town this September and will be performing with guests The Wild and La Chinga. | Sept. 2 | $35 | Hollywood Theatre

Find more things to do around the city in our events listings.

*Sponsored Listing

Tweet of the week

And yes, we know it’s a “toque.”