November 21 edition: How to make Vancouver less lonely

Hey there. Are you ready to get all your holiday gift purchasing done in one fell swoop? 

In amidst all the Black Friday haze, make sure to check out these local brands offering some fun deals. After all, what’s better than shopping? Shopping local. 

— V.
Associate Editor

— FEATURE — 

Welcome to the friend club boom

The stereotype of Vancouver as cliquish and cold is, unfortunately, kind of true. “People are just more insular here,” says Maude Sips founder Martina Maude. But that’s where friend clubs come in. These meet-up groups were designed to help you mingle with new people, do an activity, and maybe make some new pals. Here, Adrienne Matei chats with some of the people trying to make Lotusland less lonely.  

— CITY & CULTURE —

Commentary: Evicted CRAB Park tenants don’t need charity—they need justice

After the CRAB Park decampment last year, 60 residents were given just 15 tents. “Those who didn’t qualify for these meagre shelters were left to fend for themselves,” writes former resident Ryan Exner, “discarded by a system that deemed them unworthy of basic care.”

• SapphKink Salon isn’t just about BDSM

• 90,000 people on Vancouver Island lost power in the bomb cyclone

• Canucks forward J.T. Miller is taking a break for personal reasons

• Visit the Museum of Anthropology at UBC to catch the popular exhibition before it closes: “in Pursuit of Venus [infected]” by Māori artist Lisa Reihana.*

• Homes For The Holidays is Vancouver’s quintessential festive event from November 23-24. There’s still time to purchase your ticket and support youth mental health!*

• Acumen Law provides an exceptional legal defence for DUI/IRP and driving prohibitions, ensuring your rights are protected and you stay on the road.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY CHOR LEONI

Christmas with Chor Leoni

Experience one of Vancouver’s most popular holiday offerings this Dec 19-21 as Chor Leoni’s classic choral blend meets the illuminated architecture and soaring acoustics of Saint Andrew’s-Wesley United. Enjoy candlelit carols, boisterous winter songs, and reimagined folk classics, and let music fill your soul with the spirit of the season.

— ARTS —

The Improv Centre’s Merry/Happy/Jolly lets you choose your own Christmas adventure

“How do we honour what people love most about holiday specials,” muses artistic director Jalen Saip, “when we don’t know what the elements are going to be?” Answer: get creative on the fly.

• Music on Main’s seasonal showcase Music for the Winter Solstice returns

• Horror in Seconds film festival uplifts BIPOC horror creators

• Elektra’s opening concerts have completely sold out! Act fast and secure your tickets for the rest of their season to experience unforgettable musical magic.*

• Nov 21-24 | RIO GRIND FILM FESTIVAL, delivers an eclectic lineup of horror, action, sci-fi & off-the-wall feature films & shorts from innovative storytellers across the globe. See Full Calendar of Events.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY OF ART + DESIGN

The Student Art Sale is back starting today!

The Student Art Sale, now partnered with the Indigenous Winter Market, is your chance to score one-of-a-kind pieces from over 250 emerging artists and designers! 

Discover thousands of original works, including paintings, photographs, prints, ceramics, sculptures, housewares, jewelry and more. 

Shop the Student Art Sale from November 21 to 23!

— MUSIC —

Sarah McLachlan cancels her Fumbling Towards Ecstasy tour

Persistent vocal problems mean the Vancouver singer is taking a break—and nobody knows how long for.

• Sounds Good: The “coping mechanisms” edition

• Photos: Owen Riegling rocked a packed Hollywood Theatre

• On Our Radar: Art d’ECCO’s darkly inspiring “Serene Demon”

• Celebrate the holiday season with the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Vancouver Chamber Choir, and soloists in Bach's festive Gloria cantata. December 22 at 3pm at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.*

*sponsored listing

— ICYMI —

• This Port Moody pizzeria was named the best in Canada

• Check out these BC advent calendars

• Prince Harry met with local schoolkids

• Remembering John Horgan

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

MUSIC: Rat Silo headlines a Bands & Booze show. (November 21 @ secret East Van venue)

WORKSHOP: Make your own vermouth in this low-cost, hands-on session. (November 21 @ Creekside Community Centre)

TALKS: Learn about Cascadia modernism as it pertains to design and architecture. (November 21 @ Vancouver Special)

FILM: Get beyond Anatolia in the 11th-annual Turkish Film Festival. (November 21 to 24 @ Vancity Theatre)

THEATRE: Santa has a lot of work to do in Miracle on 34th Street. (November 21 to December 29 @ Granville Island Stage)

DANCE: Les Jolies Choses challenges the system. (November 22 to 23 @ Vancouver Playhouse)

VISUAL ART: Laurie M. Landry’s Cramped looks at sizeism. (November 22 to 30 @ This Gallery)

LIVING: Canyon Lights illuminates a Vancouver landmark. (November 22 to January 19 @ Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, North Vancouver)

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

That’s it!

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