Hey there. Despite being an entire week into May, it is the first Thursday in May! That means there's a new copy of the Straight ready to be picked up and taken home with you, for the grand price of nothing. 

This month, we got five of Vancouver’s most loved musicians to tell us what local acts we should be paying attention to, with indie rockers Concrete Vehicles gracing the cover. Check it out!

— V.
Senior editor

In Christopher Cheung's first week as a journalism teacher, he inherited a class of senior students. A hand shot up. “You’re the first journalist of colour we’ve had as an instructor,” said the student. “What’s that like?” Ah! It happened again! He had become the First Asian Person to Be Seen Doing a Thing. For Asian Heritage Month, Cheung explores the ups and downs of breaking boundaries—and the preconceived notions Asian Canadians still have to contend with.

The Arts Club Theatre Company’s 2026–2027 season brings diverse storytelling to three stages! For a fast-paced classic turned farce, check out Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, or find your new favourite Canadian play with Big Stuff and Little Darlin’. Get your heart racing with the crime caper Heist or John Proctor Is the Villain, the blistering coming-of-age comedy. Elf: The Musical returns for more holiday fun, and in summer 2027, thrill to the brand-new production of the epic musical phenomenon, Les Misérables.

This dynamite variety plus more shows will kick off in September, but you'll want to secure the best seats now! Subscribe to a series or mix and match with a Choose-Your-Own package today at artsclub.com.

Rodney DeCroo has long been enamoured with taking photos of everyday people, but getting good on the mean streets of East Van took work. Here, he reflects on the draw of the street, accompanied by a photo essay chronicling Downtown Vancouver.

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For choreography duo and contemporary dance power couple Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber, Philip Glass is simply part of life’s soundtrack. So it made sense that they would want his work to soundtrack their latest piece, For Glass, set to premiere at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre this week. “I’m moved by how much he has shaped dance, choreographers, and dancers,” says Smith. "The work never stops."

May is full of fab shows. From Arkells taking the stage in some intimate rooms to Lucy Dacus playing her delayed Queen Elizabeth Theatre gig, there's plenty to wrap your ears around.

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