July 8 2025: Vancouver’s Mother Mother on global stardom

Plus: Your ultra-local July horoscopes, Vivek Shraya, and foodie recommendations

SANDHILL URBAN WINERY

Hey there. How’s your Tuesday going?

It’s another lovely summer day in Vancouver, perfect for drinking in a park, or a sunset swim in Kits Pool, or a hike that you haven’t done quite enough preparation for. What’s the worst that could happen, besides an embarrassing helicopter rescue?

— V.
Associate editor

FEATURE  

Mother Mother leans into Nostalgia

There was a time when only Canadians knew how cool Mother Mother was. That all changed when the Vancouver-based group blew up on TikTok, racking up millions of fans overnight and introducing the world to what the band can do. But the newfound fame hasn’t gone to frontman Ryan Guldemond’s head. “I’ll eat red beans and sleep on a couch,” he reflects, as long as he gets to play music. “This is a finer experience than all the rest.”

LIVING

MEC is back in Canadian hands. Can it rebuild its reputation?

MEC has had a turbulent few years since it was sold off to an American private equity firm in 2020. But Chris Speyer, the new chief merchandising officer and partner, has a vision. “Maybe I'm a hopeless optimist,” he says, “but the outdoors matters a lot during periods of uncertainty.”

SPONSORED BY SANDHILL URBAN WINERY

Stay awhile at Sandhill Urban Winery – Downtown Kelowna’s wine destination

Elevate your weekend with a visit to Sandhill Urban Winery — the ultimate downtown Kelowna destination. Since 1997, Sandhill has crafted award-winning wines from six select vineyards across the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. Visit the stylish urban tasting room for signature wine flights, weekly events, and daily happy hour from 3pm to close, featuring wines by the glass and curated small bites.

Whether you’re wine touring with friends or planning a foodie getaway, Sandhill is a must stop destination. Escape the city — and discover Kelowna’s boldest wine experience at Sandhill Urban Winery. Plan your visit today.

ARTS

There’s no such thing as too much Vivek Shraya

Vivek Shraya’s How to Fail as a Popstar certainly made it sound like the multidisciplinary artist wasn’t going to succeed. But that’s far from the truth, as she embraces excess on her latest album. We chatted with the star ahead of her appearance at Indian Summer Festival this week.

FOOD & DRINK

Chef’s picks: The Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Kate Siegel

Pastry chef extraordinaire Kate Siegel dishes on her favourite dessert spot, guilty pleasure cocktail, and where to find the best fried eggplant.

  • Belgard Kitchen hosts a one-night dinner with Modern Perogie

  • Mister and Paragon are a matcha-made in heaven

  • To accompany this season’s endless evenings, check out this selection of sunkissed whites and rosés from some of British Columbia’s most talented winemakers, so you can taste summer with every sip.*

    *sponsored listing

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ICYMI

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

VISUAL ARTS: Hank Bull’s reflective Message from the Forest opened yesterday. (To September 5 @ Pendulum Gallery)

WORKSHOP: Create poetry and prose based on random junk at this drop-in class series. (July 8 to August 26 @ Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre)

SPORTS: The Gastown Grand Prix brings bikes to the cobblestone streets. (July 9 @ Gastown)

BOOKS: Writers Samantha Nock and Rachael Moorthy discuss in-between places. (July 9 @ Enabling Arts)

COMEDY: In improvised variety show Gravy Pool, Ivy and Maddie take up wrestling. (July 10 @ Chill x Studio)

VISUAL ARTS: Vancouver-based artist Corina Hanson displays two collections in Not, about nothing. (July 10 to August 27 @ Amelia Douglas Gallery, New Westminster)

MUSIC: Parks in Burnaby are full of music on Thursday and Friday nights now. (July 10 to August 29 @ parks in Burnaby)

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

That’s it!

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