June 12 2025: All roads lead to June

Hey there. It’s almost the weekend, if you pretend Friday doesn’t exist.

As a reminder, we’re still running a survey to find out what you’d want out of our new Straight Insiders program. We’re not going to introduce paywalls or make less of the free content you know and love; we’re finding out what perks you’d want out of a paid membership. Do us a favour and fill it out.

— V.
Associate Editor

— FEATURE — 

Your very Vancouver June 2025 horoscopes

Happy birthday, Gemini! Chasing love is like renting an Olympic Village condo that you can’t really afford. You might regret it later, but just close your eyes and sign the lease: it could work out! Not-an-astrologer Rachel Burns has horoscopes for all the signs this month in her latest edition of ultra-local horoscopes.

— ARTS —

The Two Gentlemen of Verona gets totally tubular

Why is Bard on the Beach putting on an ’80s version of a Shakespeare classic? “We were looking for something that would connect with audiences,” says director Dean Paul Gibson. And so, nostalgia-core it is—with a dog, for good measure.

• Donna Spencer reflects on 37 years of Dancing on the Edge

• Whether you're an established enterprise or a scaling startup, find a coworking space that's right for you. Connect with a WeWork expert today.*

• Theatre Under the Stars presents Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Legally Blonde: The Musical. June 27 to August 16 in Stanley Park!*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY THE HARRISON FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

The Harrison Festival returns with an impressive lineup

From July 11-20, the Harrison Festival will be celebrating its 46th edition. The festival includes two music stages, an evening of theatre, a renowned artisan market, an art exhibit, and a Children’s Day midweek. With an intimate and laid-back atmosphere, the event will showcase the best in roots music from Canada and around the world.          

Come listen to artists like Bentall Taylor Ulrich, Five Alarm Funk, and Kobo Town who have all wowed BC audiences for years. Other acts from near and far like Chilliwack's own Bawah and the Chilliwack Rock Choir, as well as Grammy winner Ruthie Foster, the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio and over a dozen more. Most performances are free and open to all ages. Come support Canadian artists in Harrison this July!

— MUSIC —

The Polaris Music Prize drops its 2025 long list

A handful of B.C. artists have made it onto the Polaris long list this year, a collection of the 40 best albums as voted for by a jury (including yours truly). Check out all the long-listed albums here.

• What’s In Your Fridge: The History of Gunpowder

• On Our Radar: Mother Mother’s heartfelt 10th album Nostalgia

• Celebrate the best in contemporary folk from around the globe at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival at ʔəy̓alməxʷ / Iy̓ál̓mexw Jericho Beach Park, July 18-20.*

• Dancing on the Edge brings a vast and varied lineup of thought-provoking, boundary-pushing contemporary dance to Vancouver - June 12 to 21!*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY CONCORD PACIFIC DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL

Lights and Felix Cartal headline the summer's best free festival next weekend in False Creek!

• The continent's biggest dragon boat race? = ✅ 

• An entirely local music lineup including Lights and Felix Cartal on the TD Main Stage? = ✅ 

• Local food trucks, vendors, and culture - on the city's biggest waterfront patio? = ✅ 

The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival's kicking off summer June 20-22- and it's all FREE!

— FOOD & DRINK —

Golden Plates 2025: June bursts onto the scene

Readers voted June one of the best new restaurants in the city this year—and it’s definitely one of the coolest. William Johnson digs into the team behind the new hot spot.

• Where to dine this Father’s Day

• Nemesis Coffee branches out with Dope Bakehouse

• Ditch the energy rollercoaster! Mateina's Yerba Mate delivers smooth, crash-free energy that keeps you buzzing—not jittering. Low-sugar magic in every sip! ENERGIZE SMARTER! Grab 15% OFF Energy Brews now before they're gone!*

• Thierry - a renowned patisserie, chocolaterie, and cafe offering exquisite desserts, handcrafted chocolates, and expertly made coffee in three Vancouver locations.*

• Craig Gingras turned his love of foraging into Sea to Sky Mushrooms, part of a new wave of young B.C. farmers growing food with purpose. Read more here.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Run for community

Help PHS Community Services Society reach their $25,000 fundraising goal in the Under Armour Eastside 10K. Your support is needed. Join or donate to Team PHS here.

Use the code 25PHS for 10% off your registration. 

PHS provides supportive housing, meals and harm reduction serves to thousands of marginalized people every day.

— ICYMI —

• Check out all our Golden Plates winners

• Is Vancouver ready for the “Big One”?

• Mark Carney and David Eby cosy up

• Science World is going on a LEGO-powered space adventure

• Dan Mangan tells us about his latest album

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

PERFORMING ARTS: Three spy teams seek the same prize in cabaret dance revue Stardust. (June 12 @ Historic Theatre)

MUSIC: Actor Finn Wolfhard stakes his claim to musical glory with two nights in his hometown. (June 12-13 @ Rickshaw Theatre)

FOOD & DRINK: Want to learn about natural wine? This tasting class is a great place to start. (June 12-14 @ Everything Wine River District)

THEATRE: In Waitress, Jenna is just a small-town girl with big pie-based dreams. (June 12 to August 3 @ Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage)

LIVING: Rock jams soundtrack a planetarium show. (June 14 @ BCIT Planetarium, Burnaby)

VISUAL ARTS: Local LGBTQ2S+ artists collaborate for the Queer Arts Festival community art show. (June 14-28 @ SUM Gallery)

LIVING: Persuade your dad he needs a new furry child with RAPS’ Father’s Day events. (June 14-15 @ RAPS Cat Sanctuary, Richmond)

—

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

That’s it!

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