March 28 edition: Timmy's goes retro

Plus: Indie video games, summer festivals, and a new luxe bar

Hey there. I hope your early spring is going swimmingly, your plants are flourishing, and your allergies are minimal. 

It’s your last chance to vote in the Golden Plates awards before they close on Sunday. We’ll be revealing the winners in our May print edition.

— V.
Associate Editor

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FEATURE

How Vancouver became an indie video game boomtown

Key art from upcoming indie game Beastieball.

“Vancouver might be the biggest indie game city on the planet,” says developer Greg Lobanov. Over the last decade, Rain City has become one of the leading lights in the global indie game scene, producing a disproportionate number of heavy-hitting titles, and even attracting big names from elsewhere to move here. Press START to dive into the city’s incredible indie scene.

CITY & CULTURE

Commentary: Finding Cmmn Grnd helped me find myself

A woman leads an outdoor spin class

Inclusive Mt. Pleasant gym Cmmn Grnd is closing its doors for the last time at the end of this week. Spin instructor Jess Lupini reflects on how exercise helped her during her transition—and what the studio meant to her. “During the time I taught at Cmmn Grnd,” she writes, “I found myself growing from an anxious and tentative, early-tran to a confident, optimistic, life-loving trans woman.”

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SPONSORED BY LITTE MOUNTAIN GALLERY

Gastown’s First Comedy Club Opens

A beacon of laughter rises from the ashes! Little Mountain Gallery, the beloved comedy venue, finally reopens its doors and reclaims its place in the Vancouver comedy scene. 

Since bidding a bitter farewell to its long-time home in Mount Pleasant three years ago due to redevelopment, the award-winning venue has worked tirelessly to pave a path for its return as Gastown’s first-ever comedy club.

Little Mountain Gallery extends beyond entertainment – it’s about uplifting local comedic talent in the face of post-pandemic shutdowns. The space will feature the city’s best stand-up comedians, improv, sketch, and variety shows. Open Monday to Friday, it promises to be a cornerstone of Vancouver nightlife once again.

Things kick off April 12 with a 24-hour fundraiser. Regular programming begins April 19. 

ARTS

There’s a digital graffiti workshop happening in Vancouver

People paint on digital walls

Ever wanted to try your hand at graffiti, but too polite (or chicken) to do some petty vandalism? Good news: there’s a workshop for that. Tangible Studio is hosting a digital doodling event where you can tag to your heart’s content—and wipe it all away if your bubble writing isn’t up to scratch.

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MUSIC

Westward Music Festival returns to City Centre Artist Lodge

The City Centre Artist Lodge sign agaist a blue sky

Summer is music festival season, and things are starting to spin up. MRG Live has announced the latest run of its Westward Music Festival—with a 1,000-capacity outdoor stage at the City Centre Artist Lodge, plus evening shows at the Fox Cabaret, Biltmore Cabaret, and Red Gate Arts Society. Find out who’s headlining the two-day June event.

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SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

Enchanted stroll through illuminated blossoms

For three nights, (March 29, 30, 31) stroll through David Lam Park and be captivated by the mesmerizing beauty of illuminated blossom trees. Serenade your senses with ambient musicians while marvelling at mystical bubble performances and graceful flow dancers. Indulge in glow cotton candy, pink popcorn, and endless photo opportunities.

FOOD & DRINK

High-end cocktail bar Prophecy to open at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia

A digital rendering of a cocktil bar with suede booths, big lants, and gold accents.

If you still mourn the loss of Prohibition underneath the Rosewood—you’re not alone. But there’s now a new luxe cocktail bar coming to take its place. With a drinks menu from Botanist mixologist Jeff Savage and a general manager who cut his teeth at The Parlour, Ancora, and Glowbal, we’ve got a premonition that Prophecy will bring the goods.

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BURLESQUE FESTIVAL

VIBF is just a week away! ✨ 

The glitz and glamour is just around the corner for Vancouver International Burlesque Festival, uniting performers, fans, and industry legends from April 2-6. A virtual showcase on the 7th invites you to enjoy the opulence from anywhere, bringing classic, comedy, neo, and more. Save your spot while tickets last!

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

FOOD AND DRINK 🍽️
Hero’s Welcome throws a party to celebrate its second birthday. (March 28 @ Hero’s Welcome)

CULTURE 🌎
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival begins its slate of sakura events. (March 29 to April 27)

MUSIC 🎤 
Multi-instrumentalist Clay Orange plays an album release show. (March 29 @ China Cloud Studio)

MAGIC 🪄
Conjurers compete for the Children’s Magician of the Year title. But are the magicians entertaining children, or children themselves? (March 30 @ Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy, New Westminster)

MUSIC 🎤
Local mainstays Van Django bring vintage jazz mash-ups for the long weekend. (March 30 @ Mel Lehan Hall at St James Community Square)

SHOPPING 🛍️
First Pick Handmade Spring Market offers goods from 33 local makers. (March 31 @ Heritage Hall)

ANIMALS 🐈
Meet the real Easter bunnies at the Rabbitats Easter Bunnyfest petting event and fundraiser. (March 31 @ Lulu Island Winery, Richmond)

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

That’s it!

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