Hey there. I hope you enjoyed the rare occurrence of the middle-of-the-week holiday that we got yesterday. I thought about my grandfather, who served in World War II, a lot. In my family, he was given the really nice and kind grandparent nickname of “Grumpy” to us. 

Apparently, he was completely on board with it. And, to be honest, from my memories of him, it wasn’t like it didn’t suit him. His wife, my grandmother, got “Duckie”. Neither of these monikers are at all close to their actual names, by the way. 

Hopefully I live long enough to completely arbitrarily decide on a grandparent nickname for myself that somewhat suits my personality. Any suggestions? Be kind, please. And enjoy today’s newsletter.

— Nathan
Editor in Chief

Our fair city has enough rental horror stories to fill several books. Everyone has that typical tale of a predatory landlord, useless building manager, or heavy-stepping neighbour (human or rodent variety). But local author Kevin Spenst’s Stanley Park Manor: A Collective History isn’t that kind of story. 

When Spenst moved into the building, a 144-unit, nearly century-old apartment landmark in the West End, he became part of a history—and community—he didn’t know existed. “I really wanted to respect the many people who have lived in the manor—a book that would have as many voices, in as authentic a medium, as possible,” Spenst tells the Straight.

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Right now, that includes free tickets for the Arts Club’s Elf: The Musical and much more.

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Brad Bird, the Academy Award winner behind THE INCREDIBLES, steps into 1939’s vision of the future with RAY GUNN. Sam Rockwell plays a private eye whose case involves aliens, murder, and Scarlett Johansson’s Venus Nova. Glorious 70mm projection, at the Park Theatre, Dec 4-6.

Some 18 years after Kevin Loring first premiered his play Where the Blood Mixes in Vancouver (on the same day that former prime minister Stephen Harper apologized for residential schools in the House of Commons), he is directing the show for the first time. “I don’t know if it’s going to be super different than any of the other productions,” he tells the Straight. “It’s just…it’s going to be…it’s going to be mine.”

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Our latest Van Jams column comes bearing some legitimate heavy hitters in the city’s music scene, including new releases from Dan Mangan, Tommy Lefroy, and Bif Naked.

Vancouver Farmers Market executive director Laura Smit makes that argument in a commentary piece. “Vancouver doesn’t need to start from scratch. It already has market operators connected to international networks, Michelin-starred chefs, culturally relevant food retail, and a wealth of neighbourhood assets to build on,” writes Smit.

THEATRE: A spirit bear gives a young boy powers in Jordan. (November 12-15 @ The Cultch)

FILM: The European Union Film Festival rolls into town. (November 12-26 @ The Cinematique)

THEATRE: Are you ready for some Christmas cheer (and some ill-advised eating habits)? Elf: The Musical sure is. (November 12 to December 27 @ Stanley BFL CANADA Stage)

FILM: The award-winning Akashi screens with a Q&A. (November 13-19 @ VIFF Centre)

MUSIC: Polyrhythmics find the rhythm. (November 14 @ Rickshaw Theatre)

MUSIC: Australian electro-pop pro Alex Cameron takes East Van. (November 14 @ The Cobalt)

COMEDY: Can you figure out a murder mystery in which the suspects are all drag performers? (November 15 @ The Improv Centre)

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

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