November 4, 2025: How art can Transform Vancouver

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— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE — 

Transform Festival has so many stories to tell

“What if we could investigate our trauma in the same way that we investigate for signs of deer?” ruminates Cheyenne Scott, the playwright and director of Wolf Cull. The play’s work-in-progress showing is one of the many Indigenous-led performances coming to the Vancouver Playhouse this week as part of Transform Festival. “At Transform Festival, we get one night to be able to try all of that on its feet and then make all of our mistakes.”

SPONSORED BY MUSIC ON MAIN

2025 Modulus Festival - Reimagining the future of sound.

From November 7 to 10 at the ANNEX and Roundhouse, the 2025 Modulus Festival invites audiences to explore the future of music through four days of performances, art installations, workshops, and social gatherings.

This year’s festival embraces slow art, storytelling, and reinvention, creating a space where audiences and artists come together to reimagine sound in community. Featuring music made from decommissioned weapons transformed into instruments, textile-based installations, and performances by some of Vancouver’s most compelling artists, Modulus blurs the boundaries between art, craft, and performance. Rooted in care, creativity, and connection, the festival celebrates collective imagination and the shared experience of listening together.

Presented by Music on Main, the Modulus Festival invites everyone to discover the beauty of sound made and remade by hand.

— LIVING —

How former Vancouver Canadians performed for the Blue Jays in the World Series

Well, it wasn’t the World Series result we hoped for—but, as Nathan Caddell points out, a surprising number of former Vancouver Canadians made it into the biggest of the big leagues.

• Got Craft Holiday Market returns to East Van

• SAVE THE DATE! The Eastside Culture Crawl returns November 20-23, 2025. Visit artists and craftspeople in their studios throughout the Eastside Arts District. It's free!*

• Experience the National Women’s Show Nov 8–9 at Vancouver Convention Centre — indulge in shopping, beauty, food, and fun with your besties! Click for tickets.*

• Burnout Paradise is a hilarious spectacle! Four performers sprint on treadmills while tackling a chaotic to-do list—a wild send-up of modern hustle culture.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY H.R. MACMILLAN SPACE CENTRE

Don’t Miss Vancouver’s 360° Space Adventure!

Your journey across the stars begins here!

H.R. Macmillan Space Centre's upgraded 360° planetarium brings galaxies, stars, and cosmic wonders to life in a stunning immersive experience. Make it a night out with friends or a family adventure.

Seats are limited - Visit today!

— ARTS —

PuSh Festival sets the stage for 2026

Audiences can expect more than two dozen performances from across genres, perspectives, and countries when PuSh Festival returns next January. 

• Lumière Festival says let there be light (installations)

• The Songs Will Remain: This Remembrance Day, take time to remember the fallen and envision a better world through the luminous voices of Chor Leoni.*

• 10 award-winning flamenco dancers and musicians share the stage in Oscar, an incendiary tribute to Vancouver's rebel maestro of flamenco: Oscar Nieto.*

*sponsored listing

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 PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Responding to the housing crisis

The cold and wet weather brings misery for people experiencing homelessness in Vancouver.

The housing crisis is a humanitarian emergency that urgently needs your help.

Please donate to PHS Community Services Society so they can provide supportive housing, meals and community supports for vulnerable people.

Please donate to PHS today.

— MUSIC —

Gordon Grdina’s RU’YA is all about the magic of vision

Vancouver-based avant-garde composer Gordon Grdina is chronically unable to sit still. His latest project, RU’YA, fuses Arabic poetry with strings, percussion, and piano. We caught up with the ringleader before the band’s debut performance tonight.

• Sounds Good: The “just one subwoofer” edition

• Photos: Gwar put on a bloody good spectacle

• 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.*

*sponsored listing

— ICYMI —

• Pinche Taco Shop makes its comeback

• Bar Tartare is hosting a Filipino pop-up

• Heart of the City Festival uplifts the DTES

• The East Van Panto digs into neighbourhood rivalries

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK —

FOOD & DRINK: Catch the Freaky Tiki pop-up before it’s laid to rest. (To November 9 @ Greta)

TALKS: As an anti-lawn truther, I’m intrigued by this Grow Less Lawn workshop from UBC Farm. (November 4 @ online)

BOOKS: Kawika Guillermo discusses their new video game-influenced essay collection, Of Floating Isles. (November 5 @ VPL Central Branch)

MUSIC: Jade Music Fest celebrates Chinese music in a wealth of languages and dialects. (November 5-8 @ various venies)

FILM: Architecture and Design Film Festival shines a light on our built world. (November 5-9 @ various venues)

DANCE: Oscar pays tribute to rebellious flamenco choreographer Oscar Nieto. (November 6-9 @ Historic Theatre)

THEATRE: The Best Restaurant in the World. Ever.has its first premiere in the world. Ever. (November 6-16 @ Jericho Arts Centre)

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

That’s it!

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