March 18 2025 edition: Vancouver’s true crime story

Hey there. Sources tell me that it’s currently spring break! Those sources are the Spring Break Camps currently filling up the Straight event calendar. From film school to improv classes to hands-on hydrology, whatever your kid dreams of doing when they’re older, there’s probably a camp for them to try it out now.

And if you don’t have kids—well, maybe it’s not the best week to dust off your aquarium membership. Try again in April.

— V.
Associate Editor

— FEATURE — 

Remembering Janet Smith, 100 years on

In 1924, Janet Smith was found dead in her wealthy employer’s house. In March 1925—100 years ago this month—houseboy Wong Foon Sing was kidnapped by a group of men in Ku Klux Klan robes. The ensuing furore unearthed a conspiracy that went all the way to the top, and has had an impact on Vancouver ever since.

— ARTS —

Twins Comedy is sharing the stage

Nancy Ho was still a newcomer to standup when comedian Arash Narchi asked her to start producing shows together. “I was like, ‘I’m so new at this, I don’t even know what I’m doing,’” Ho recalls. “And he’s like, ‘You seem like you have your shit together.’ Good instincts!”

• Universus world premiere explores humanity’s fragile balance

• Mary Sui Yee Wong gets a retrospective at Richmond Art Gallery

• Vancouver Art Gallery announces its spring/summer programming

• The Improv Centre has hilarious shows on all week long — so you can support live theatre and laugh your butt off doing it!*

• Get your tickets to Sakura Days Japan Fair! This event celebrates all things Japan - food, arts, culture and heritage.*

  *sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Bringing people in from the cold

Low-barrier supportive housing and sheltering are an immediate response to street homelessness, bringing people in from the cold and rain.

Since 1993, Vancouver’s PHS Community Services Society has been housing, feeding and helping people who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness. 

Their community supports have grown over the decades to include Insite and other safer consumption services, harm reduction supports, recovery programs, Indigenous health programs, affordable dentistry and low-barrier banking.

Supportive housing brings people who are in crisis back indoors, back to living with stability, hope and dignity.

Harm reduction saves lives and reduces infectious diseases throughout the community.

Your donations help PHS care for people in desperate need who urgently need a path back to independence. Please donate to PHS today.

— MUSIC —

The Juno Block Party promises free music from Canadian artists

Snotty Nose Red Kids, Swollen Members, Priyanka, Tia Wood, and more will be making some noise at a series of free music events downtown.

• Van Jams: New music from local artists released so far this year

• Mark Your Calendar: Judy Collins brings back the golden age of folk

• Global music fans: BlueShore at CapU presents jazz-folk virtuosos Sissoko Segal Parisien Peirani: Les Égarés, from Africa and France, March 31, and Afrofunk Grammy-winner Dobet Gnahoré May 11.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY WEWORK

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— FOOD —

PSA: You can get half-price B.C. wines at Belgard Kitchen

The Railtown favourite is making it cheaper to enjoy great wine (and helping you support local, to boot).

— ICYMI —

• In Vancouver (and everywhere), board games are booming

• Lucy Maloney: Let’s actually enforce renter protections

• Burning Mom brings a wild road trip to town

• Five Canadian booze brands to enjoy

• Mon Paris Pâtisserie is opening an Olympic Village store

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

TALKS: Playwright Anosh Irano discusses Behind the Moon, currently showing in North Van. (March 18 @ Vancouver Public Library Central Branch)

COMEDY: Bechdel Babes & Friends promises improv about anything but men. (March 18 @ Little Mountain Gallery)

MUSIC: Killswitch Engage gets ready to shred. (March 19 @ PNE Forum)

PERFORMING ARTS: Chutzpah! launches its spring edition. (March 19 to 23 @ Norman Rothstein Theatre)

FILM: Get swept away by Oscar-winning animated movie Flow. (March 19 to 27 @ VIFF Centre)

THEATRE: The Last of the Pelican Daughters is a darkly funny family drama. (March 19 to 29 @ Frederic Wood Theatre)

LIVING: Unleash your inner child in Rock, Paper, Science. (March 20 @ Science World)

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

That’s it!

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