July 29 2025: We’re looking for the Best of Vancouver

Plus: The latest Sex//Work column and where to get chicken wings

GEORGIA STRAIGHT

Hey there. It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Best of Vancouver time! 

Nominations are now open for the 29th annual Best of Vancouver awards. Voting takes place over two rounds, with the first being the nomination phase. The nominations are open until August 10 and it’s your job to tell us about the places worth being considered the cream of the crop. We’ll tally up the most-nominated choices, and voting will take place a couple of weeks after that. 

And remember the golden rule: If you don’t nominate something, you can’t get mad that it’s not in the final list for voting. Click here for democracy!

— V.
Associate Editor

FEATURE  

Sex//Work: How to make a statement at a stripping content

Stripping contests aren’t usually the place for grand political statements. But at a recent event in Colorado, Madelaine Horn decided it was time for something radical. Brandishing a bullwhip and swallowing flaming torches, Horn set out to skewer the American patriarchy—on American soil.

LIVING

Vancouver’s inaugural “Costco Marathon” was wholesomely weird

Did you know that five Costcos in the Lower Mainland are exactly 42.2 kilometres apart? That’s a perfect marathon—and even more so when you stop for a hot dog at every big box warehouse. “We had plenty of people honk at us during the run in a friendly way or people taking photos while they were shopping,” organizer Amir Nikravan told us.

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MUSIC

Laura Jane Grace cancels her upcoming tour dates

Bad news for everyone who was looking forward to seeing Laura Jane Grace at the Pearl next month: she’s cancelled all her upcoming tour dates due to a rather turbulent week in her personal life.

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— PERKS OF THE WEEK —

This week’s perks for Straight Insiders:

Free tickets:

  • Modo Live shows to be announced on Thursday, July 31

  • Vancouver Canadians baseball tickets

Member raffles

  • Win a $50 Gift Card for House of Dawn–Random Prize Draw

  • Win a $50 gift card to Sequoia Group (The Teahouse, Seasons in the Park, Cardero’s, The Sandbar) and House of Dawn

Food & drink deals

  • Minami–10 percent discount on food during Happy Hour (3-5 p.m.), from Sunday-Thursday

  • Loam Bistro–10 percent off food & drinks

  • Desi Indian Lounge–Free dessert

To unlock these perks, become a Straight Insider.

— FOOD —

Where to get chicken wings in Vancouver

Today is National Chicken Wing Day. Who decided that? Unclear. But what’s more certain is that it’s the perfect excuse to eat something finger-lickin’ good.

ICYMI

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK


MUSIC: Early Music Vancouver’s summer festival, In Endless Ascent, melds modernity and Mozart. (To August 8 @ various venues)

MUSEUMS: Take a historic look at transportation on the North Shore with Are We There Yet? (To March 1, 2026 @ MONOVA, North Vancouver)

LIVING: Over the Rainbow: Pride Speed Friending is encouraging queer friendships. (July 29 @ Vancouver Public Library Central Branch)

VISUAL ARTS: Check out a group exhibition and an artist talk from Felicia Fraser, Katie So, and Chrissy Arseneau. (July 30 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre)

COMEDY: Toronto comic Jacob Balshin decided to break into the West Coast market by DIYing a show. (July 30 @ Rio Theatre)

MUSIC: Hot Dyke Party and Houseguest bring Pride sounds to downtown Vancouver. (July 31 @ šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7sh)

COMEDY: Improvisers get ready to werk the house down boots, hunty in Pride Race. (July 31 @ the Improv Centre)

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

That’s it!

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