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- May 9 edition: An East Van icon turns 15
May 9 edition: An East Van icon turns 15
Plus: Mike Usinger’s take on the Kendrick-Drake beef
Hello! It feels like every week at the moment, we find out that another iconic Vancouver venture is celebrating a landmark anniversary. That’s 15 years for you, 20 years for you, 30 years for you!
It’s a tough old world out there. Especially for arts, entertainment, or music businesses. Where else would we get to see rowdy movies, or upcoming local musicians, or funky dance parties, or performance art that makes you go “...huh?” We’re thankful for the places that make our lives—and our city—that much brighter.
— V.
Associate Editor
FEATURE
The Rio celebrates 15 years of its “adapt or die” attitude
In some ways, it’s hard to believe the Rio Theatre we know and love has only existed in its current form for 15 years. The indie cinema and live event venue has been home to some of the city’s most iconic cultural moments since 2009—even as it’s had to survive an ever-changing series of obstacles. “In this season: we have to save the Rio from developers. Next season: Covid,” reflects senior programmer Rachel Fox. “It’s just its own kind of weird serial.”
CITY & CULTURE
Are private parking companies taking Vancouverites for a ride?
It’s hard enough to have a car in Vancouver without having to deal with parking woes. Maybe that explains why private parking companies in the city are squeezing drivers so hard. Harvin Bhathal explores the dark side of parking—from unfair fines to financial harassment—and how we can fix it.
Commentary: Unapologetically taking up space on the North Shore’s biking trails
You can legally drink on Vancouver beaches again this year
Stay & Play Golf Package incudes one night accommodation and one round of golf at Big Sky Golf Club. Starting at $230 per person.*
*sponsored listing
SPONSORED BY EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVER
EMV's 2024 Summer Festival: BACH UNTAMED
Early Music Vancouver’s annual Summer Festival returns with BACH UNTAMED!
We invites you to discover new arrangements of Bach’s music mixed with distant vocal traditions and music by Vivaldi, Beethoven, and more.
Canadian and international soloists on mandolin, cello, piano, and voice star in ten concerts over two weeks. Audiences are sure to recognize Vancouver favourite Shruti Ramani (Ragaaverse) and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra.
Venues include Fox Cabaret, Christ Church Cathedral, the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, and Congregation Beth Israel.
With signature pieces like the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 and beloved Bach works alongside musical traditions from India and the Middle East, the 2024 Festival has something for everyone.
ARTS
Copy Machine Manifestos dives into zine culture
Zines exist in their own world: they’re paper booklets that anyone can make, about anything, distributed or swapped through grassroots networks. Copy Machine Manifestos, opening this week at the Vancouver Art Gallery, presents a deep, wide dive into the countercultural medium. “A zine can be so many things,” says VAG deputy director Eva Respini. “That real range of individual expression is shown in the exhibition, but is also at the heart of the medium itself.”
The Papa Penguin Play spotlights queer family joy
Firehall Arts Centre’s Paddle Song celebrates Mohawk poet E. Pauline Johnson
White Rock and South Surrey are getting a new comedy festival
More Than A Movie at BC Place on Sunday, June 2. Tickets include on field activities, the movie Trolls Band Together and more!*
*sponsored listing
MUSIC
Pop Eye: With shots fired, Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s diss war suddenly doesn’t seem so funny
The Kendrick/Drake beef was supposed to be funny, muses Mike Usinger. Certainly, huge numbers of column inches have already been dedicated to unravelling whatever is going on between the two rappers, whose diss tracks are getting in plenty of headshots (plus a few below the belt). But after a security guard at Drake’s mansion was seriously injured last night, perhaps it’s time to focus instead on someone we can all hate.
Hot off her Junos hosting duties, Nelly Furtado drops a new single
Whistler Summer Concert Series has announced its lineup of free shows
Sound of Dragon Music Festival showcases diverse Chinese music
SPONSORED BY ARTS UMBRELLA
Season Finale 2024
Arts Umbrella Dance Company’s Season Finale showcases a diverse and accomplished group of dancers and choreographers. Celebrate the art of dance from May 23-25 at the Vancouver Playhouse. Season Finale, generously supported by the Wesik Family Foundation, is part of Expressions Festival. Expressions Festival is presented by RBC.
FOOD & DRINK
Phnom Penh’s success is a testament to the power of family
Phnom Penh won the 2024 Golden Plates Award for Best Chinatown Restaurant and Best Chicken Wings. The Michelin-recommended restaurant is a foodie favourite for a reason: delicious Vietnamese and Cambodian food, served up by an extended family, in cozy surroundings. Mike Usinger traces the generational story of the people behind the phenomenal food.
Shira Astra (The Acorn) and Meeru Dhalwala (Vij’s) are opening a contemporary Indian concept together
Lemonade Gluten Free Bakery ushers in a new era
Chef’s picks: Doug Stephen, co-owner of The DownLow Chicken Shack
Monarch Burger is opening a standalone location on Main Street
SPONSORED BY ACUMEN LAW CORPORATION
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THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND
DANCE
Experimental street, club, and social dance experiences emerge in Grand Saut. (May 9 to 11 @ Left of Main)
MUSIC
Post-punk and darkwave takes over town for the Verboden Festival. (May 9 to 12 @ various venues)
BOOKS
Gary Kinsman and A.J. Withers present their new titles in a double book launch. (May 10 @ World Art Centre)
MUSIC
Chor Leoni presents two world premieres in Earth & Aether: The archeology of soul and sky. (May 10 to 11 @ St. Andrew's–Wesley United Church)
LIVING
Ruffle some feathers with the Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration. (May 10 to 26 @ Stanley Park Nature House)
THEATRE
Catch a fully staged reading of Hilda’s Yard, where the cast figure it out as they go. (May 10 to 12 @ Pal Studio Theatre)
VISUAL ART
Emily Carr University’s annual The Show showcases students’ art, media, and design. (May 10 to 23 @ Emily Carr University)
SHOPPING
The Spring Bazaar is selling Japanese items, spring plants, and Nikkei food. (May 11 @ Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre, Burnaby)
COMEDY
Mommy Dearest: a show for people with dead or dead-to-you moms. (May 12 @ The Pleasant)
Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.
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