May 7 edition: Vancouver's best patios ☀️

Plus: Remembering grassroots organizers and a community theatre legend

May 07, 2024

Hello! How does this fine Tuesday find you? 

I thought I’d escaped springtime allergies this year, but no: it turns out I just had to wait for May to roll around to be blessed with streaming eyes and stuffy sinuses. The plus side is allergy meds double up great as sleeping pills. Cheers to being well rested all spring long!

— V.
Associate Editor

FEATURE

Dovetail’s Southern Cali charm scores big

Two men and a woman smile at each other inside a light and airy restaurant

Dovetail arrived on the Yaletown restaurant scene not quite six months ago, offering Vancouverites a distinctly Californian vibe. It’s all light wood and modern beach simplicity, complementing a playful menu. The mix of airy ambience and serious dining has already won it fans far and wide, with the eatery scooping the title of best new restaurant at this year’s Golden Plates Awards.

CITY & CULTURE

Remembering East Van’s Militant Mothers of Raymur

Looking north from an overpass, with the railway line below and houses to either side.

Today marks Militant Mothers of Raymur Day, which honours a stunning community victory from over 50 years ago. In 1971, a group of mostly single mothers in the Raymur housing project got sick of their kids crossing train tracks on their way to school every day—so they took on the railways. And won.

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SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER BACH FAMILY OF CHOIRS

Inter-Cultural Choral Concert: World of Music!

Experience a cultural fusion at our season with The Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs and the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra. World of Music will take place May 18th 2024 at 7:30 pm at the Vancouver Playhouse.

Featuring Iranian-Canadian tenor, Jamal Kurdistani, and tabla player, Niel Golden! Conductor Leslie Dala will lead both ensembles in a harmonious celebration of diverse musical traditions. Audience members are in for an unforgettable evening of contemporary world music.

ARTS

Remembering the great Jay Hamburger, founder of Theatre in the Raw

A man with white hair and beard, in a colourful vest and tie, stands in front of a red theatre curtain and speaks into a microphone, book open.

Poet, theatre director, and radio host Jay Hamburger died at the end of March, after spending decades of his life dedicated to creating art that celebrates Vancouver’s east side. Hamburger’s son Sylvan delivers a touching tribute to a pillar of the Vancouver arts scene.

SPONSORED BY MODO-LIVE

Johnny Marr & James announce Vancouver show

Legendary guitarist and co-songwriter of The Smiths, Johnny Marr teams up with 90s English rock band James for a September co-headline tour! Don't miss them at Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Friday September 20th.

Use pre-sale code 'MODO' this Thursday at 10am for early access to tickets! Public on-sale Friday at 10am.

MUSIC

Live Nation’s Concert Week has $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

A crowd attend a concert. The stage is bathed in orange and red and has an array of spotlights on the backdrop

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a music connoisseur, in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of gig tickets. Although these days it feels like you need a fortune to afford anything! Luckily, Live Nation is helping you out this week. Between May 8 and 14, there’s a whole host of shows that you can scoop tickets to for a cool $25.

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SPONSORED BY THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY

Find out how you can change the world with TRU’s Master of Arts in Human Rights and Social Justice

Register now for the May 14 virtual info session. Get your questions answered in real-time and learn everything you need to set yourself up for success when you apply. Discover the value of the program and the rewarding career opportunities such as becoming an activist, policy analyst or researcher. It’s not too late to register. 

FOOD & DRINK

Vancouver’s best patios, by neighbourhood

A woman holds a tray with three lime cocktails on it

Look, Vancouver has a lot of patios—and even more since 2020 and the rise of social distancing led us to realize that actually, it is cool to drink and dine outdoors. Here are our picks for some of the best spots to soak up the rays with a fun beverage in hand.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

WORKSHOP
Learn how to use naloxone in this online talk from Richmond Public Library. (May 7 @ online)

FILM
Filmmaker Shelley Niro attends a screening of her based-on-true-events historical drama Café Daughter. (May 7 @ Reliance Theatre)

DANCE
Eunoia adapts conceptual poetry into powerful movement. (May 8 to 11 @ Firehall Arts Centre)

FILM 
Join the director and writer of Golden Delicious at a screening of their award-winning queer romance. (May 8 @ Vancouver Public Library Central Branch)

MUSIC 
Former Vancouverite Tei Shi makes melodic music for mermaids. (May 8 @ Fox Cabaret)

COMEDY 
Katie-Ellen Humphries’ No Worries If Not proves she is very worried, actually. Just like the rest of us! (May 9 @ Little Mountain Gallery)  

BOOKS 
Gabor Maté sits down with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau to discuss her debut memoir, Closer Together. (May 9 @ Frederic Wood Theatre, UBC) 

DANCE 
Ballet BC ends its stunning season with premiere-packed For Ever. (May 9 to 11 @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre)

THEATRE 
Realwheels Theatre showcases three scripts in development with Zombies, Mannequins, and Talking Heads. (May 9 to 11 @ Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre)

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

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