March 19 edition: Golden Plates voting is now open! 🎉

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

FEATURE

A Q&A with The Penthouse sign guy

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”.

CITY & CULTURE

Commentary: You’re taking the media for granted

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.”

• Jane’s Walk Festival Vancouver wants you to lead a walking tour

• It’s been 65 years since the murder that led to BC’s final execution

• Spring is here and Botanica Tulip Festival is set to bloom 1.5 million tulips. Season passes are now available, daily tickets go live this weekend!*

• Over 20 cycling leaders were celebrated at HUB Cycling’s 11th Annual Bike Awards for making biking better across Metro Vancouver. View the complete list of winners here.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY MRG LIVE

MRG Live Presents: Faye Webster live at the Orpheum

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!

ARTS

Under The Bridge details one of BC’s most haunting murders

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.

• Bill Reid Gallery exhibition XIÁM tells Indigenous stories through comics

• Arts Club’s Sexy Laundry brings the rom-com energy

• Beloved local choir Chor Leoni has officially changed its name

• Experience Ukraine's Indie-World-Folk Icons DAKHABRAKHA powerful "Ethno-Chaos" Music and Multimedia show at Massey Theatre on March 29th. Tickets going fast!*

*sponsored listing

MUSIC

Rickshaw Theatre celebrates its 15th year with a Vancouver-heavy party

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.

• Neil Young & Crazy Horse has added a second Burnaby show

• Electric Light Orchestra’s final tour will stop off at Rogers

• On Our Radar: Trust This Mechanism’s “Collider” brings big beat back

SPONSORED BY GATEWAY THEATRE

April 11-20: Gateway Theatre presents Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery

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.

FOOD & DRINK

Salmon n’ Bannock nabs national culinary award

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.”

• BC Liquor is balloting off the right to buy a $142,000 bottle of Scottish single malt

• Taste the spring with these sakura eats and treats

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

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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