Hey there. 

The sustained warm-but-not-hot summer is good news in a lot of ways. It means we're not suffering under heat waves, like those pummelling eastern Canada and western Europe in recent weeks. It means we're using less hydro, so the water restrictions are doing their job of safeguarding supply for emergencies. And it means you can have Kitsilano Pool (almost) all to yourself—so long as you don't mind getting chilly while you dry off.

— V.
Senior editor

Much like a ’90s alt-rock song, Kimmortal is a person of contradictions. They describe themself as “a really silly person—like I’m not very serious, but I am serious.” They stand up for what they believe in, but a recent breakup “revealed a coward.” And while they're excited to play Khatsahlano Street Party this weekend, their eyes are set on connecting with global musicians: "I feel like that’s the best way you can expand your audience outside of your city: collaborating with artists you fuck with in other cities,” they tell us over dim sum. Meet the Straight's July cover star.

Don't miss global sounds, hometown favourites, and three days of music by the beach at the 49th annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival, July 17-19. The Folk Fest is the ultimate summer in the city festival — where musical borders dissolve and the beach becomes the backdrop for the best in music from around the world.

Artists highlights include Hazlett, Billy Bragg, Valerie June, Amistat, Joshua Burnside, Ruby Waters, Aysanabee, Ken Pomeroy, Surf Hat, Luke Wallace, and much more.

All this plus kids' programming, delicious food, local beverages, and an artisan market make it fabulous weekend for the whole family--kids under 12 get in free!

Full weekend passes and single-day tickets available now. 

Canada is one of the most prolific countries for video game development in the world, as well as one of the most-employed in the industry. And yet, we're the only major game hub that doesn't have a permanent video game museum. Ryan Dunnison is hoping to change that, as his project, the Canadian Video Game Museum, is launching an exhibition that opens today at the Museum of Vancouver. "It's surprising how many people don't know about some of the major franchises that started here," Dunnison explains. "What we ultimately want is to create a long-term physical museum here in the city."

Cheer on the Windsor Stags in The Merry Wives of Windsor, running until September 19 at Bard on the Beach! With nonstop laughs, colourful characters, and a playlist that will have you humming all night long, this is Shakespeare reimagined for Vancouver’s summer of soccer. Tickets start at $30! 

You might be familiar with Tarun Nayar's genre-blending band Delhi 2 Dublin, but you might be less aware of his background in biology. His project Modern Biology, which is showing as part of Indian Summer Festival, plugs synthesizers into plants and mushrooms to chart their bioelectric signals. “We’re turning electrical changes into sound,” he explains ahead of his show at, appropriately, the VanDusen Botanical Garden.

*sponsored listing

Mick Tupelo, the co-founder of the Deadcats, died in 2019. But long live the Deadcats, which are reuniting this week for a special show. Allan MacInnis works his way through the band's tangled genealogy, charting the complicated journey of the long-time psychobilly legends.

*sponsored listing

Mateína’s new Zero Sugar line delivers smooth, organic energy from yerba mate — no crash, no weird ingredients. With clean caffeine and theobromine, it supports lasting focus and mental clarity. It’s plant-powered fuel that helps you stay sharp, alert, and energized — without the sugar. Try it out today.

COMEDY: Boy-ish Comedy is a night of queer, trans, and masc-of-centre laughs. (July 10 @ The Closet)

PERFORMING ARTS: It's non-monogamy visibility week, and Vancouver's polyamorous discussion group is hosting a storytelling night and group art show. (July 10 @ Cross & Crows Books)

THEATRE: Simone Says examines the fantastic life of feminist intellectual Simone de Beauvoir. (July 10-19 @ VPS Theatre)

VISUAL ARTS: Influential photographer Greg Girard gets a career-spanning retrospective. (July 10 to October 25 @ Polygon Gallery, North Vancouver)

SHOPPING: Art in the Open is a new outdoor art market featuring local creatives. (July 11 @ Civic Plaza, North Vancouver)

LIVING: The City wants to train you to be part of a sustainable neighbourhood with its Zero Waste Ambassador workshop. (July 11 @ City Hall)

FILM: Chen Baker covers Canto-pop classics before a showing of Wong Kar-Wai's iconic Chungking Express. (July 12 @ VIFF Centre)

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

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.

And before you go, let us know:

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a cool story to share? Drop us an email.