• Georgia Straight
  • Posts
  • November 21 edition: Keeping Shaughnessy for the uber-rich

November 21 edition: Keeping Shaughnessy for the uber-rich

Plus: A Vancouver bar is exclusively serving Scotland’s oldest distillery

November 21, 2023

It’s respiratory illness season! Remember to get your shots. A sore arm and a brief sniffle is a low price to pay for the ability to sand off the worst edges of Covid or the flu. Or at least, that’s what this writer is reminding themself as they deal with some very stiff shoulders.

It’s deeply unsexy to remind people we’re still in a pandemic, and yet here we are. People are still going to hospital or getting long-term side effects from Covid, even though we don’t really talk about it anymore. Maybe wear a mask in crowds or on public transit. Or keep your kid home from school if they’re not feeling well. That’s harm reduction, baby.

FEATURE

Commentary: Why did City Council vote to keep Shaughnessy for the mansion-owning elite?

A photograph of Vancover City Hall agaist a bright blue sky.

Shaughnessy has its own building regulations that exclusively encourage mansions. And guess what: the City has voted to keep it that way.

CITY & CULTURE

Commentary: Why is BC restricting access to long-acting HIV treatment?

A red HIV awareess ribbon is pinned to someoe's white jacket.

People living with HIV in BC have to specially apply if they want long-acting treatment. That’s not the case elsewhere in Canada.

SPONSORED BY INDIG-E GIRL COMEDY

Brilliant Indigenous Stand Up Comedy Goes Live in Vancouver

On November 28, the Indige-Girl Comedy series brings their wildly popular stand up comedy series to the Biltmore Cabaret for two shows in Vancouver. The Airing of Grievances features a brilliant all-Indigenous cast of female and Two-Spirit comedians including Canada’s Drag Race star, Chelazon Leroux. The Indige-Girl Comedy series continues to skyrocket in popularity following six sold-out tour dates across Canada since the series’ debut in Toronto. 

"Our aim is to illuminate the enduring joy, laughter, and humour that have always enriched Indigenous culture," shares Debbie Courchene, the visionary behind Indige-Girl Comedy and Miskoway Productions.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Show times at 7PM and 9PM
Doors at 6:30 PM

ARTS

Playwright Pippa Mackie takes a positive approach to climate change with Hurricane Mona

A headshot of a blond woman wearing a white colared shrt and green tweed jacket.

Everyone in Hurricane Mona agrees the climate crisis is bad. The sticking point is what they all do about it.

*sponsored listing

MUSIC

Review: Charlotte Cardin brings her beltable pop to a sold-out Commodore

A woman ith a ponytil sits onstage at a grand piano.

Cardin’s appeal lies at the intersection of great danceable beats and deeply relatable lyrics.

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY MODO-LIVE

Next Wednesday! The Slackers take over Rickshaw Theatre

For 32 years, the NYC-based and critically acclaimed Slackers have been touring the world with their blend of Ska, Reggae, and Soul. Don't miss their upcoming show in Vancouver next Wednesday Nov 29th with special guests Los Mal Hablados, Kownterpoint & Brasser! Tickets are selling fast, get yours now.

FOOD & DRINK

No Reservations: The Watson bridges two worlds in Mount Pleasant

A man with a moustache and ponytailstads in front of a display of alcohol bottles.

SPONSORED BY FIREHALL THEATRE

Firehall Arts Centre brings back family musical Reflections on Crooked Walking

See the crowd-favourite musical Reflections on Crooked Walking live on stage from December 2-24. The Juno Award-nominated show tells the tale of four people whose journey to find a cure for a mysterious sleeping sickness leads them down a surprising path of deeper self-awareness.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

Knuckle Puck and Real Friends at Rickshaw Theatre | November 21 | 6pm 

See you in the pit for pop punk bangers. [$34.50]

Blue Stockings at Freedom Hall | November 21 to December 2 | 7:30pm 

Jessica Swale’s play follows a group of women seeking the right to graduate from Girton College, Cambridge in 1896. [$8.79+] 

East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast at York Theatre | November 22 to January 7 | Various times 

Business-minded Belle becomes imprisoned in a specialty grocery store in the annual neighbourhood pantomime. [$39+]

The Secrets of the Penthouse at Penthouse Nightclub | November 22 | 6:30pm 

Forbidden Vancouver takes you through the backstage story at Vancouver’s infamous venue, with mobsters, jazz bands, Rat Pack parties, and Italian food. [$70] 

Suicide Club: Round 8 reading at Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre | November 22 | 7pm 

What might happen if a group of people are thrust together for their final days to compete in a suicide game that can only end when the winner dies? A reading of a new play by Jennifer Copping and Robyn Ross. [$20]

Concord Floral at Frederic Wood Theatre | November 22 | 7:30pm 

Loosely inspired by Boccaccio’s Decameron and infused with supernatural undertones, Concord Floral delves headfirst into the complexities of adolescence. [$13+]

Native Comedy at Underground Comedy Club | November 22 | 8pm 

Headlined by Keith Nahanee from Winnipeg Comedy Fest and comedy inVasion, enjoy a night of incredible Indigenous comedians at an intimate venue. [$15]

Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our Events Listings.

That’s it!

Thanks for reading the Straight today!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Vancouverite.

And before you go, let us know:

What did you think of today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

• Did a friend share this with you? Sign up for free.

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

• Have a crazy or cool story to share? Drop us an email.