November 20, 2025: ’Tis the Sitcom creates a Kramer every night

It hasn’t even been that cold this week, and yet I caught a brutal cold. I say this every time, but I think this may have been the worst one in my long and undistinguished career of catching them. I’m not the only person I know that was hit, either—I hope you managed to avoid whatever’s been going through the city. 

Secretly, I’m blaming the sickness on going to a rehearsal of Mixed Nuts at Arts Umbrella last week. No, I don’t think I caught anything there. But my body took one look at the movements the cast members were doing and decided that I needed to be in bed for three days.

But this city doesn’t slow down for anyone, and neither does this newsletter, gosh darnit! Hope you enjoy reading. 

—Nathan
Editor-in-Chief

— FEATURE — 

Indigenous Fashion Week breathes its values deep

“I grew up in resilience, holding on to my culture as much as I could,” says Caroline Phelps (QwAACWA), who is of Nuu-chah-nulth, Stó:lō, and Hawaiian descent. “And because I held on to that resilience, I was able to open these doors for artists.” Those artists are at the forefront of Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week, where Phelps serves as general manager.

SPONSORED BY ART WORKS GALLERY

Art Works Gallery new exhibition MASTERCLASS. A Lifetime of Practice. A Moment of Wonder.

Experience MASTERCLASS, where a lifetime of practice converges in a single, resonant moment. The exhibition honours six artists—Sharon Quirke, Ken Prescott, Deryk Houston, Markian Olynyk, Vern Simpson, and Joyce Kamikura—whose decades with the gallery have quietly shaped its identity. Their works, distinct in voice yet unified by endurance, mark a lineage of creators who have influenced Vancouver’s cultural landscape through example rather than declaration.

In this gathering, the gallery offers more than an exhibition; it offers a meditation on mastery itself—how it accumulates in layers, how it is sustained by community, and how it reveals its depth only with time. Visitors leave aware that they have witnessed not just art, but the long arc of devotion behind it. Find the art that works for you.

— ARTS —

The Improv Centre’s ’Tis the Sitcom promises a hit of nostalgia

The Improv Centre’s ’Tis the Sitcom features actors improvising a different sitcom-style TV show every night—complete with memorable characters, punch lines, and commercial breaks—all based on audience suggestions. “Some of my favourite holiday entertainment is the Christmas episodes our favourite TV shows are forced to shoehorn in,” says the Centre’s artistic associate Jacki Gunn.

• Six artists you need to catch at the Eastside Culture Crawl this week.

• A fresh take on Little Women hits Granville Island via the Arts Club.

• Opens tonight and runs all weekend! Don't miss the iconic, FREE, Eastside Culture Crawl. Visit artists and craftspeople in their studios throughout East Van!*

• Three vibrantly illustrated stories journey through BC’s wilderness to discover native plants and animals, making lasting friendships along the way. Discover our Early Readers book box. The perfect gift for the budding reader.*

• Keep your licence. The experienced lawyers at Acumen Law Corporation will give you the strongest legal defence to keep you in the driver’s seat.*

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Find Multi-Mushroom Full Spectrum at your local health food store today.

— LIVING —

Our guide to Black Friday savings in Vancouver

Black Friday may be best known for major brand blowouts, but it’s also a prime moment to stock up on holiday gifts from Vancouver retailers and locally grown brands. Our own Vicki Duong dials up a list of stellar local products on sale.

• Read Local BC’s book boxes have something for everyone.

• Peak of Christmas returns to Grouse Mountain.

• A hilariously hyper-local holiday romp, Theatre Replacement's East Van Panto: West Van Story delivers big laughs, bold characters, and East-Van flair for all-ages!*

• This holiday season, experience artistry, elegance, and wonder, as Goh Ballet’s The Nutcracker returns to captivate Vancouver. On stage Dec 18-21 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.*

*sponsored listing

— PERKS OF THE WEEK —

Our Insiders get access to exclusive giveaways and concert tickets all season long — and this week’s lineup is stacked.

Join the epic Queen sing-along with Choir! Choir! Choir! at the Orpheum on Oct 28, or catch Paula Cole & Sophie B. Hawkins at the Vancouver Playhouse on Oct 29. Looking ahead, groove with Poison Girl Friend (Nov 4, Rickshaw Theatre), Psychedelic Porn Crumpets (Nov 5, Commodore Ballroom), and Lady Wray (Nov 12, The Pearl). Families can also mark their calendars for Gabby’s Dollhouse Live at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Mar 15.

Plus, as always: enjoy 10 per cent off at Minami and Loam Bistro, a complimentary dessert at Desi Indian Lounge, a free appetizer at B House, and much more.

To unlock up to $100 worth of free stuff every month, become a Straight Insider for just $8.25/month on an annual plan.

SPONSORED BY UBC MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY

Entangled Territories opens at MOA

Entangled Territories: Tibet Through Images reimagines Tibet by contrasting how it has historically been represented by outsiders with how Tibetans themselves now present and talk about Tibet. Developed in collaboration with Tibetan Canadian community members and artists, the exhibition showcases Tibet and Tibetans through their own lenses and voices.

— CITY & CULTURE —

Vancouver’s favourite oddball shopping celebration is back

Where else could you dream of such delicacies as a life-sized—and edible—recreation of the Mona Lisa, made out of crumbled Twinkies, melted Wagon Wheels, and crushed dollar-store candy canes, other than at the annual Weirdos Holiday Market? Its fans will be delighted to know that it will return for two weekends (December 5-7 and December 12-14) at Russian Hall in Strathcona. And sorry, the Mona List thing doesn’t exist… yet.

• Q&A: Filmmaker Michael Pohorly on creating the Vancouver Canucks’ opening video.

• BIMBO returns to Vancouver with slumber party theme.

• New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean, balanced energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

• Ready to find your ideal workspace? For businesses of all sizes—from startups to enterprises—discover the coworking space that fits your needs. Connect with a WeWork professional today.*

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— ICYMI —

• Colin Mochrie tells us what’s in his fridge.

• 6 shows to see in Vancouver this holiday season.

• Check out our November 2025 crossword.

• Crips for eSims for Gaza helps keep Palestine connected.

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

MUSIC: Toronto musician Jane Siberry continues to write her own rulebook. (November 20 @ Rickshaw Theatre)

THEATRE: Langara’s Studio 58 stages a modern take on Romeo & Juliet. (November 20-30 @ Studio 58)

ARTS: The 29th annual Eastside Culture Crawl will see more than 500 artists this weekend. (November 20-23 @ various locations)

COMEDY: Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood bring their Asking for Trouble show to Vancouver. (November 21 @ The Centre)

FILM: Oscar hopeful and George Clooney vehicle Jay Kelly starts a run at the VIFF Centre. (November 21-December 4 @ VIFF Centre)

MUSIC: Venezuelan Grammy-winning musician and singer-songwriter Lasso will rope you in. (November 23 @ Rickshaw Theatre)

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

That’s it!

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