Hey there.
I hope you had a lovely long weekend. All of my electronic devices have decided to start failing at once, which is a disconcerting reminder of how reliant I am on flimsy charging cables and lithium batteries that might catch fire. At least they haven't yet!
— V.
Senior editor
— FEATURE —
Mount Pleasant's Gather loves a second life
Vintage shopping doesn't have to be overwhelming. At Gather, Lauren Lee's tightly curated collection is all about letting pieces stay relevant for longer, turning old favourites into new statements. “I don’t sell any fast-fashion brands,” she says. “I try to have nicer materials, such as silks, linens, and wools. And then people can get multiple lives out of pieces.”
SPONSORED BY ARTS UMBRELLA
Arts Umbrella Closes the Season with Memento Mori
Experience the breathtaking finale of Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s 2026 season with Memento Mori, A Season Finale Performance, a powerful group of works taking the stage at the Vancouver Playhouse from May 21–23.
Featuring works by more than 15 internationally acclaimed choreographers, including Crystal Pite, Sharon Eyal, and Marcos Morau, this unforgettable production is a moving celebration of presence, memory, and transformation. Don’t miss this extraordinary showcase of world-class contemporary dance.
Season Finale is generously supported by RBC and the Wesik Family Foundation.
— LIVING —
Yaletown gears up for weeks of World Cup festivities
Much like the Vengabus of the Vengaboys' 1998 Eurodance hit "We Like to Party", FIFA is coming (and everybody's jumping). Yaletown is gearing up to turn into patio central for the summer.
The Straight's latest crossword is here
SPONSORED BY ART VANCOUVER
A Weekend of Contemporary Art in Vancouver
Art Vancouver’s 10th edition takes place May 28–31 at the Vancouver Convention Centre East, bringing together Canadian and international contemporary art alongside live demonstrations, talks, workshops, and an art competition. The fair offers a weekend of art, culture, and curated programming in the heart of Vancouver.
— ARTS —
Vancouver Youth Choir eyes up its biggest concert
Vancouver Youth Choir might be marshalling more than 600 singers onto the Orpheum stage this weekend. But for artistic director Carrie Tennant, there's more to choir than just singing. "We've grown really quickly and really consistently," she says. "Folks are looking for human connection in their lives."
The Improv Centre is teaching East Van kids how to yes-and
The Park Theatre has reopened in Cambie Village! Screening new releases, indies, anime, classics and more. Visit their website for the full schedule.*
May 29 & 30: Writer, director, actor, JAMES FRANCO, performs live on the Rio stage in the debut of his new play, DESERT FILMS.*
*sponsored listing
SPONSORED BY FORT LANGLEY JAZZ & ARTS FESTIVAL
Eight Headliners. Two Nights. One Incredible Blues Experience. It's @fortlangleyjazzfest
Enjoy two nights of blues in a beautiful park venue surrounded by delicious food, drink, and more.
This is an outdoor blues festival you don't want to miss!
— MUSIC —
Review: Ian Bostridge and Wenwen Du triumph at the Playhouse
Classical music has endured, perhaps because there is something transcendent to it. "If there is an argument to be made for the significance of real human culture," writes Hadani Ditmars, "it was found in the wondrous work of Ian Bostridge and Wenwen Du."
Photos: Kevin Morby entertains a rowdy crowd at the Commodore
— ICYMI —
Former Canucks owner Arthur Griffiths may be interested in the Whitecaps
ABC's park board commissioners can't run again… right?
Future Geographies brings different worlds to the Vancouver Art Gallery
Salt, lime, repeat: Tequila and Agave Festival returns
— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —
FILM: Vancouver Island-set drama Blue Heron tells a beautiful story of memory and grief. (To May 21 @ VIFF Centre)
MUSEUM: Get into the science of soccer with exhibits from the FIFA Museum. (To September 7 @ Science World)
FOOD & DRINK: Learn to make authentically French mini pork terrines with Rochelle Food. (May 19 @ Alliance Francaise)
BOOKS: Four short story writers join author Jen Currin to discuss flash fiction and tiny tales. (May 19 @ VPL Central Branch)
THEATRE: Experience "anti-theatre" at the unpredictable Offending the Audience. (May 20-24 @ Tyrant Studios)
BOOKS: Jules Koostachin's film Angela's Shadow gets its release as a hardcover screenplay. (May 21 @ Forecast Coffee)
THEATRE: Kevin explores how school can fail its students, performed in French with English surtitles. (May 21-23 @ Waterfront Theatre)
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