June 29, 2023 edition - Free Tegan and Sara concert, anyone?

TOGETHER WITH

Hey! Remember a week ago, when we said all that stuff about how we’re launching this year’s Best of Vancouver, and that in a week’s time we would have a link where our newsletter subscribers will be able to nominate their favourite businesses, bands, hikes, etc. of Vancouver?

Well, of course you do, because you religiously read every single word of every single newsletter we send out to that inbox of yours! Buuuuut just in case you might’ve missed last week’s note, we are, in fact, asking our readers to nominate their favourite businesses, bands, hikes, etc. of Vancouver.

Here’s that link. Have at it.

You might've missed:

• Vancouver Film School offering $162,000 in scholarship money for Indigenous students

• Nickelback joins Granville's StarWalk, and we'll fight anyone who says they don't deserve it

• Downlow Chicken celebrates five years on the Drive by rolling out new menu items

• Shakey Graves to play Vancouver's Queen E Theatre on October 11

• Food Notes: Fresh Roots fundraising dinner down to the wire, Nuba turns 20, Absolut embraces a distinctly-Vancouver form of AI

• As You Like It, Julius Caesar and Henry V—It's summer at Bard on the Beach! Under the tents at Senakw/Vanier Park, on now until Sept. 30. Check out the full schedule!*

• Full Circle presents the 22nd annual Talking Stick Festival 2023: Summer Reverb. It celebrates and honours National Indigenous History Month.*

*Sponsored Listing

FEATURE

As I Bificus turns 25, Bif Naked reflects on the “special, crazy, magical” experience of recording her landmark album

Bif Naked remembers, clearly, the photo shoot for the cover of I Bificus, her landmark 1998 sophomore album.

The striking, steel-tinted portrait of her—sitting on a curb, wearing a jewel-encrusted crown, lip ring, and delicate black slip dress detailed with flowers—was taken by Seattle photographer Karen Moskowitz, the lens behind some of the most iconic shots of grunge pioneers Alice in Chains and Temple of the Dog.

At that point, Naked was in her mid-20s and had only released her 1994 self-titled debut. She also, of course, fronted bands Gorilla Gorilla and Chrome Dog in Vancouver’s punk underground.

But recording I Bificus—the 25th anniversary of which she’s celebrating this week with a special show at the Rickshaw Theatre—was, she describes, “labour intensive,” and she had to sing some lines “probably 100 times.”

SPONSORED BY DANCING ON THE EDGE

The Dancing on the Edge festival of contemporary dance returns for its 35th landmark year

One of the most eagerly anticipated events in British Columbia’s contemporary dance scene, the Dancing on the Edge festival returns July 6-15. This year’s edition will once again deliver high calibre, challenging, and gorgeous dances, bringing innovative and spell-binding works. DOTE will include a presentation of over thirty extraordinary indoor and outdoor live performances for eagerly awaiting audiences.

Showcases include world premieres, North American and Western Canadian debuts, and works-in-progress from some of the most sought-after contemporary Canadian choreographers.

Visit DancingOnTheEdge.org for tickets and more information.

NEWS

Happy Pride, Bimini's is a queer bar now

You may know Bimini’s on West 4th as a Donnelly Group bar full of pinball machines, UBC students, and sports bros.

But new owner Shae Lamba is here to change all that, as she’s rebranding the neighbourhood watering hole into a queer bar.

The lack of dedicated queer spaces in Vancouver was a “shock,” Shae tells the Straight in an interview upstairs at the bar. A Progress Pride flag is visible out the window, hanging on the pub’s exterior.

“That was the reason I [made] a decision to make a safe space for us, because we people need some space. Someone has to do it, so why not me?”

ARTS

The Cultch's 50th anniversary season promises world premieres, special parties, and a beastly Panto

The Cultch has announced its 50th anniversary season, with programming including an ambitious mix of in-person shows, digital presentations on its RE/PLAY platform, and special celebratory events to mark a half-century of the Vancouver arts scene.

“As we look forward, we have had to look back and remember what the live arts bring to the human spirit. We bring everyone together to celebrate our own and each other’s stories,” said Cultch executive director Heather Redfern.

“We put messages of empathy, tolerance and hope into plays, dances, circus, music, puppets, storytelling and send it out into the universe for each person to find in themselves and to share with their communities. We are rebuilding and celebrating together.”

Here’s a list of what to expect from this 50th anniversary season.

SPONSORED BY KHATSAHLANO STREET PARTY

Vancouver's largest free music and arts festival Khatsahlano Street Party returns on Saturday, July 8 to West 4th Ave.

Featuring over 50 of Vancouver's top musical performers including Yukon Blonde and Pink Mountaintops, food trucks, beer gardens, local artisans, and street performers.

MUSIC

Tegan and Sara to play free Canada Day show

The pop duo are on the road in support of the many projects they’ve got on the go—including last year’s album, Crybaby; a graphic novel, Junior High; and High School, the television adaptation of their critically-acclaimed memoir—and now the talented twins are stopping in at their homebase for a free show.

The headlining performance is part of Vancouver’s Canada Day celebrations.

Find details on that, and other bands announcing Vancouver tour dates, here.

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL

From the heartbeat of powwow drums to captivating dance tunes from Italy, and quiet inspiring ballads to rocking kora—the Vancouver Folk Music Festival presents a brilliant slice of global music and culture. Check it out July 14-16 at Jericho Beach Park.

Get your tickets today for the best weekend of your summer!

THE REST

Metro Vancouver’s last drive-in movie theatre is shutting down

To say it’s the end of an era would be an understatement.

Twilight Drive-In, beloved as Metro Vancouver’s only remaining drive-in movie theatre, announced earlier this month that 2023 and 2024 would be its final two seasons.

A Facebook post from the Twilight Drive-In’s page notes that 2024 marks the end of the road for the landmark—the result of a 260 per cent property tax increase over the last three years, 72 per cent of that coming in 2023 alone.

🗓 Events & things to do

Ongoing

• Challenging the Deep: Be immersed in a deep-sea environment in this new Science World exhibition and see the innovative technologies that have driven the creative passions of legendary filmmaker and explorer James Cameron. | Until Jan. 1 | $33 | Science World

• Tall Tales: The Quest Is Up To You: Inspired by beloved fantasy classics like The Princess Bride, Labyrinth and Lord of the Rings, the improv show Tall Tales: The Quest Is Up To You! whisks audiences off to a faraway land where laughs and larks abound. | To Aug. 19 | $26.50 | The Improv Centre

• In Szepty/Whispers, a neurodivergent artist probes their family’s silence around mental health, sifting through traces of the past. Watch the free recorded performance!*

This week/weekend

• Canada Together: Five city blocks at Canada Place will feature food trucks, a Kids' Zone, World Zone and a main stage with a diverse lineup of entertainment, including headliners Tegan and Sara. | July 1 | Free | Canada Place

• Seven Samurai: Catch the cinematic masterpiece that is Akira Kurosawa’s epic Seven Samurai at the Cinematheque after an open house with free admission and free popcorn. | July 1 | Free | The Cinematheque

• Cover Me Hip!: Cover Me Hip! is a live music experience, featuring The Tragically Hip covers performed by Gift Shop, one of Vancouver's best cover bands. | July 1 | $10 in advance, $15 at the door | Biltmore Cabaret

• Kick off summer with the Vancouver International Jazz Festival now until Jul. 2. Enjoy more than 140 shows, including 50 free performances.*

Next week

• La bulle: Charming and magical, La bulle features a life-sized, one-of-a-kind bubble tent and its sole inhabitant: Pierrot. You'll be captivated as you marvel at his transparent life. | July 5 to 9 | $10 to $35 | The Glade Woodland Garden

• 35th Annual Dancing on the Edge Festival: The festival will include a presentation of over 30 extraordinary dance productions in live stage performances showcasing artists from across Canada. | July 6 to 15 | $20 to $40 PWYC | Firehall Arts Centre

• Watercolour Workshop for Beginners: Join Ferry Building Gallery exhibiting artist Daniela Ocaña for a watercolour workshop for beginners. | July 6 | $10 | Ferry Building Gallery

• Canada Bubble Tea Festival is coming up July 7-9. Offering 1-day and 3-Day passes this year. Learn more and get yours today!*

• Swim and resort wear sale! Featuring brands Seafolly, Jets, Becca, Maaji, and Lucky at huge savings! With wide range of fits and cup sizes. July 8-9 | 11am-5pm | #101 2245 West Broadway*

• Join RAVEN for Festival Afloat July 9-21, with Desiree Dawson! Paddle up to the sailboat stage, or spread a blanket at Jericho to support Heiltsuk ocean protection. Get your tickets today!*

Later this month

• Theatre Under the Stars presents The Prom and Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical: Theatre Under the Stars invites audiences to witness the magic that comes from taking risks, celebrating differences, and accepting others for who they are with The Prom and Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical. | July 6 to 26 | $30+ | Malkin Bowl

• Vancouver Story Slam: Ten storytellers share unique, original short stories, with prizes awarded by audience vote. New participants are always welcome. | July 13 | $6 cash | Hero’s Welcome

Next month

• Big Thief & Lucinda Williams: This co-headlining show will see indie folk band Big Thief team up with American singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams for a performance at Orpheum Theatre. | Aug. 3 | $85+ | Orpheum Theatre

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

*Sponsored Listing

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