Hey there. Big news. We’ve pored through the Golden Plates nominations (don’t ask me how long I spent looking at spreadsheets last week) and the semi-finalists are here! 

Now’s the time to exercise your democratic right to vote for the winners. From best Burnaby eatery to your favourite sushi spot, it’s up to you to crown the victors in our 27th annual eaters’ choice awards. 

There are more than a hundred categories to vote on, so remember to pace yourself. Stay hydrated. Or just pick the ones that matter to you. Every vote matters, no matter how many or few you want to submit. 

Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your nemesis. It’s time to make your voice heard.

— V.
Associate Editor

If you’ve ever walked past The Penthouse on Seymour, you’ve probably craned your neck up to see what’s on the marquee. In 40 characters or less, cheeky jokes abound. But that got us wondering—who’s behind the banter? We caught up with the comedic mastermind behind such quips as “BRALESS SINCE 1947 STRAWLESS SINCE 2018”, “STRIPPING PROBABLE ACCORDING TO POLE”, and “THE WRECK BEACH OF NIGHT CLUBS”.

Hot take alert! If you’re signed up to this newsletter, you probably appreciate the media in some vague way—or, at least, appreciate our events listings. Our very own editor-in-chief Sara Harowitz knows that it takes a whole lot more than just good will to keep things running, though. “The media is a crucial part of any healthy community,” she writes, “and you’ve been taking it for granted.”

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Faye Webster is returning to Vancouver this fall to tour her brand new album 'Underdressed at the Symphony!'. Pitchfork said the album "emphasizes the naturalism of her songwriting" with acoustic jam-session vibes. Get tickets to see her show at the Orpheum on September 30th, on sale now!

In 1997, Saanich teen Reena Virk went missing. Her disappearance—and death—became a media firestorm, with a highly publicized trial that convicted several teenage girls of her murder. A new Hulu series is diving deeper into the dark story, based on a book of the same name by Rebecca Godfrey. Whatever your thoughts on the morality of turning true crime into entertainment, it’s hard to deny the draw.

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The East Hastings venue has survived 15 years of turbulent times in a city that sometimes seems like it’s trying to actively sabotage our local music scene. To celebrate, the Rickshaw is putting on a massive four-day party in June, with headliners hand-picked from Vancouver’s finest. Long-time sludge metal outfit Bison! Prog indie powerhouse Bend Sinister! Post-post-punk rockers Actors! Find out everyone on the bill here.

Gateway Theatre presents Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, an uproarious comedy with a lively take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. From the award-winning master of mayhem, Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, ) this production promises a rollercoaster of laughter, suspense, and wit. Tickets from $35.

Salmon n’ Bannock became Vancouver’s only Indigenous restaurant when it opened its doors in 2010. It’s still going strong 14 years later, and recently scooped the Indigenous Culinary Tourism Award. “It’s so nice to be recognized on a national platform, and it’s so nice for my growing team,” founder Inez Cook tells us over a video call. “There aren’t a lot of Indigenous restaurants across the country—but there are more and more growing, for sure.”

THEATRE 🎭
Toe-tap along to the world premiere of new musical Sigma Acapella. (March 18 to 29 @ The Jack & Darlene Poole Theatre)

FILM 📽️
Explore incredible anime movies beyond Studio Ghibli—including the stunning Suzume. (March 18 to 30 @ Vancity Theatre) 

MUSIC 🎤
Digi-dream band Video Age is coming, presumably to kill the radio star. (March 19 @ The Pearl) 

THEATRE 🎭
Brave New Play Rites Festival shows off what UBC’s finest playwrights are crafting. (March 19 to 22 @ Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre)

BOOKS 📖
Prolific writer Norman Nawrocki releases his new title Vancouvered Out. (March 20 @ Spartacus Books)

CONVENTION 🤖
Vancouver International Auto Show vrooms into town. (March 20 to 24 @ Vancouver Convention Centre)

TALKS 🗣️
Climate activist and hip-hop artist X Martinez dazzles as the latest Phil Lind Initiative talk. (March 21 @ Chan Centre for the Performing Arts) 

THEATRE 🎭
Red Velvet tells the sensational story of Ira Aldridge, the first Black actor to star in Othello. (March 21 to April 21 @ Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage)

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

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