March 13 2025 edition: No U.S. booze? No problem!

Hey there. How’s the looming trade war going for you? 

My fiancée isn’t on social media these days, so every day I summarize the latest tariff news for her. And she responds by telling me about the latest chapter of manga she’s read. May we all find time to put down our devices and be so blissfully offline.

— V.
Associate Editor

— FEATURE — 

Ziwe on satire, identity, and why she’s excited to visit Vancouver

Chances are you’ve seen a Ziwe interview. The comedian and writer has made a career out of making people squirm—from disgraced former congressman George Santos to comedian Caleb Hearon to fraudster Anna Delvey—and, unsurprisingly, she loves a bit of drama. “I love it when someone gets in trouble for doing something problematic,” she tells the Straight ahead of her talk at UBC this week.

— LIVING —

At Terminal City Tabletop Convention, board games are booming

Board games are having a resurgence, and the managing director of Western Canada’s biggest tabletop convention has a theory why.  “There’s definitely interest in disconnecting from being on our phones and our computers and technology,” says Andrea Driedger, ahead of Terminal City Tabletop Convention taking place this weekend.

• Lucy Maloney: Vancouver has renter protections—now let’s enforce them

• Keep your licence. The experienced lawyers at Acumen Law Corporation will give you the strongest legal defence to keep you in the driver’s seat.*

  *sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BURLESQUE FESTIVAL

VIBF: Celebrating Burlesque’s Legacy and Future

The Vancouver International Burlesque Festival (VIBF) returns April 2–6, 2025 for five days of glamour, artistry, and unapologetic celebration. This year’s festival features an all-BIPOC headliner and feature lineup: Scarlet Delirium (Port Coquitlam, BC), founding member of Virago Nation and featured designer at the 2024 Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week; Bee Bee Sanchez (Portland, OR), fresh off her appearance at the 2024 Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender; and Queerly Femmetastic (New York, NY), winner of “Grand Master Funk” at the 2024 What The Funk?! Festival and “Entertainer of the Year” at the 2025 Silver Tusk Awards.

The festival’s two-night showcase at the Vancouver Playhouse includes The Glamorama Gala on April 4 and The Showpony Soiree on April 5. Tickets available now.

— ARTS —

Spring Arts Preview 2025: Theatre critics’ picks

Vancouver’s theatre scene is surprisingly diverse. From one-off touring shows to long runs of hit shows, here is our pick of productions gracing Rain City’s stages this spring.

• Spring Arts Preview 2025: Dance critics’ picks

• Burning Mom brings a wild road trip to Granville Island

• Come and be a part of the Warrior Festival at The Cultch. Five fierce, funny works. Comedy. Theatre. Circus. Tickets and festival pass on sale now!*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY THE DANCE CENTRE

The Dance Centre presents a world premiere from Kathak artist Gaurav Bhatti

Gaurav Bhatti’s mesmerizing new solo Bulleh Shah: Seeker of Light blends Kathak with contemporary and folk dance influences to bring to life the poetry and legacy of the 18th-century Sufi mystic Bulleh Shah.

Presented with New Works. Two nights only, March 28 & 29: get your tickets here.

— FOOD —

Five Canadian booze brands to enjoy now that BCL won't sell you anything American

You might not be able to get your hands on Jack Daniel’s at the BCL anymore, but there are plenty of alcoholic options that are made in Canada.

• Mon Paris Pâtisserie is opening an Olympic Village location

• 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.*

*sponsored listing

— ICYMI —

• Straight Up Style: Local creators model Canadian fits

• Donut Shaped Hole captures Cartems’ last moments 

• Vancouver entrepreneurs can help you find Canadian products

• Your very Vancouver March horoscopes

• Can’t-miss Vancouver concerts this month

• Aqua is bringing its plastic fantastic pop to Vancouver

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

FILM: The fourth annual Vancouver Greek Film Festival coincides with Greek Independence Day on March 25. (To April 2 @ The Cinematheque)

VISUAL ARTS: Vessels — Art of the Feminine examines femininity through textiles. (To April 24 @ Craft Council of B.C. Gallery)

MUSIC: Wake Up! Festival combines local music and social justice. (March 13 @ Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey)

COMEDY: American comedian Trevor Wallace needs to be 25 percent funnier now. (March 13 @ Vogue Theatre) 

LIVING: Get green around the gills at the St. Patrick’s Day-themed Fish + Sips. (March 14 @ Vancouver Aquarium)

MUSIC: Composers showcase creative works at the Sonic Boom Festival of New Music. (March 14 to 15 @ Pyatt Hall)

THEATRE: Catch a double-bill of staged readings: The Marriage Proposal and Overruled. (March 14 to 16 @ Pal Studio Theatre)

FOOD & DRINK: It’s sakura season: the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Food Festival kicks off. (March 14 to April 27 @ various locations)

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

That’s it!

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