March 7 edition: How to not be bored this spring

Hey there. We’ve got a couple of pieces of housekeeping to do.

Firstly—wow, amazing, there’s a new print edition of the Straight out this week! Make sure you pick up our guide to all the hottest spring happenings in the city. You can find a map of all our physical locations here.

Secondly—Golden Plates nominations end this weekend. This is your last chance to make sure your beloved restaurants make the cut. People can only vote for the places that get nominated, so really, this is the most important part of the whole process! Tell us your favourite food spots here.

— V.
Associate Editor

FEATURE

How to not be bored this spring

Have you wondered what’s going on in the city this spring? Well, wonder no more. We’ve got a listings bonanza for you: a cavalcade of ways to entertain yourself as the weather warms up. With arts, music, food, and free events all covered, there’s something for everyone in this bumper crop of events.

CITY & CULTURE

Big upgrades are coming to Rogers Arena

The Canucks’ home rink is finally getting some much-needed improvements. New seats and cupholders are set to roll out in the arena—but not until next year. So you’ll be stuck sitting on those thin red seats with nowhere to put your beer for a little while longer yet.

• Andrea Reimer and Christine Boyle are vying for the same BC NDP nomination

• Commentary: BC’s primary care pharmacists are a vital part of the healthcare system

• CelticFest Vancouver is back March 16 for a Paddy’s Day party. The free, downtown festival offers live music, beer, food, dancing, markets and family zone.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY ARTS CLUB

Discover Arts Club's 2024–2025 season

The Arts Club Theatre Company has announced their 2024–2025 season of endless possibilities! Now’s your chance to fill the year ahead with creative, joyful, and hopeful shared experiences.

Stanley Series
Jersey Boys
The Three Musketeers
Cambodian Rock Band
Casey and Diana
Waitress

Granville Island Series
Miracle on 34th Street
Primary Trust
Burning Mom
The Mousetrap

Returning Hits
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
The Gingerbread Men: A(nother) Holiday Cabaret

Find the package that’s right for you and revel in the myriad ways that live theatre inspires and connects us. Come feel it all! Get $25 off premium seat packages at both the Stanley and Granville Island Stages when you subscribe by April 1—no fooling!

ARTS

This Is How We Got Here explores grief, trauma, and the power of family

Métis playwright Keith Barker is grappling with the hard questions in This Is How We Got Here. The drama, which explores how to deal with a loved one’s sudden loss, is coming to the Firehall in April. Get the tissues ready.

• Verses Festival of Words returns in April

• Review: Father Tartuffe uses comedy to help us heal

• Arts Umbrella Dance Company returns to the Vancouver Playhouse March 15-16 for Midseason, a program featuring world-class repertoire and new works by leading contemporary choreographers.*

*sponsored listing

MUSIC

Sleepy Gonzales is Surrey’s gift to the indie scene

The Surrey upstarts are putting BC’s second-biggest city on the indie map. Part dream-pop, part shoegaze, part punk—Sleepy Gonzales pulls from a wide roster of genres to create its fuzz-laden sound. “We used to be a single organism,” says drummer Beni Hobson-Dimas, “and now somehow, it feels more like individuals.” They’re all grown up—and rocking out.

• Review: Ministry gives the Commodore a rapturously delivered service

• On Our Radar: Toddy’s devastating debut single

• AIR is playing Moon Safari in full at the Queen E

• Join the Vancouver Bach Choir to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Bach's St. John Passion. Orpheum, March 30, 2024, 7:30pm! Tickets: $20-$65.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY THE DANCE CENTRE

Dance, music and light: The Dance Centre presents If You Could See Me Now, March 14-16

Incessant movement, propulsive music, stunning light: award-winning Dutch choreographer Arno Schuitemaker’s If You Could See Me Now takes a chilled-out club dance and reinvents it, in a mesmerising exploration of how we respond to change, and keep going. 

Three shows only, at Scotiabank Dance Centre: get your tickets here.

LIVING

Legions keep the human connection alive in our neighbourhoods

“Legions are non-profit, so the money that we make, we put back into the community,” explains Danielle Eastveld, office administrator and a bartender at the Commercial Drive legion. The six unassuming spaces in Vancouver serve as part veterans clubs, part neighbourhood hangouts, and part cheap boozing spots—connecting people young and old.

• Vintage little black dresses are on display at Hudson’s Bay Vancouver

• Nine unique dog-friendly things to do in Vancouver

• Chilliwack Tulip Festival has moved to Harrison

SPONSORED BY DAVE NICHOLSON

Independent Investment Advice - The way to your future

Free weekly email newsletter full of investment suggestions along with estate and retirement planning ideas published by Dave Nicholson. Regulated by CIRO and a member of CIPF.

"Solid work Dave! For anyone who doesn't know Dave is a honest guy. If you're anything like me you care about that" - Ben Sarma

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

DANCE  💃
Crystal Pite’s The Statement forms part of the all-West Coast program at Ballet BC’s Now. (March 7 to 9 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre)

THEATRE 🎭
Family-friendly puppet show Frog Belly Rat Bone tells a touching treasure tale. (March 8 to 9 @ Anvil Centre)

FOOD & DRINK 🍽️
Vancouver Cocktail Week closes with its signature Green Garden Gala. (March 9 @ Sutton Place Hotel)

MARKET 🛍️
A curated artisan market dedicated to Taylor Swift? Gorgeous. (March 9 @ Fort Langley Golf Course)

WORKSHOP 🎨
Chinatown elder and activist Mrs Ma hosts a free Tai Chi workshop. (March 9 @ Sun Yat Sen courtyard)

COMEDY 🤣
Illinois comedian Pinky Patel brings her viral content on tour. (March 9 @ Vogue Theatre)

FILM 📽️
It’s Oscars time! Trivia, fun, and games abound at this watch party. (March 10 @ Vancity Theatre)

MUSIC 🎤
Blues-meister Coco Montoya brings his musical stylings to town. (March 10 @ Rickshaw Theatre)

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

That’s it!

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