The first Thursday of the month, aka Georgia Straight print day, went down yesterday without our usual newsletter. Because it also so conveniently happened to fall on the first DAY of the month right after a holiday, we’re sending it today instead. Not that we’ve been at all overloaded with the election(s), VIFF, and the new Canucks season or anything like that.

For the 30th annual Best of Vancouver issue, it just made sense to feature Local Hero finalist and city councillor Sean Orr, given that Vancouverites go to the polls on October 17.

The cover was beautifully designed (I’m not biased or anything) by another BOV finalist, artist Puppyteeth, and features a handful of other nods to Vancouver’s favourite things on the cover. Get it at a Straight box near you!

— Nathan
Editor in Chief

If you were quietly wondering to yourself, “Hey, the VIFF lineup looks pretty sick this year”, you're not alone. Spurred by some big international releases as well as an incredibly solid lineup of homegrown Canadian and B.C. films, this year's Vancouver International Film Festival (which starts today and runs until October 11) has some serious juice. We highlight some of the films on offer at the festival in our guide, which will continue to be updated, but we also encourage you to use this as a starting point for the many wonderful treasures that are yours to find across the city.

Our journalism is only possible because of Straight Insiders. 

In a time when technology is taking jobs, the Straight remains what it has always been: a small team of scrappy journalists, doing our best to cover the stories that matter to the city we all love.

For just $8.25 per month—the cost of one fancy latte—you can help support the 60-year legacy of the Georgia Straight. In exchange for your hard-earned money, we've got a huge range of deals, discounts, and free tickets up for grabs—but only for Insiders. 

Right now that includes free tickets for Amy Miller's Vancouver is Funny show; free tickets to Come From Away at the Arts Club; discounts on drinks at Prophecy and Riley's; special deals at Minami and Pourhouse; and much more besides.

Sign up today to help keep Vancouver weird.

Malahat SkyWalk invites visitors to experience fall from above the forest. 35 minutes from Victoria, guests walk a step-free route through the treetops, then ascend the Spiral Tower for 360° views over the Salish Sea and Gulf Islands. Crisp air and golden light make fall a gorgeous time to visit.

Don't think too hard about & Juliet, the jukebox musical that decides to pair a meta-narrative about William Shakespeare (played with scoundrelish charm by CJ Eldred) and his wife Anne Hathaway (a grounded Crystal Kellogg) arguing over the plot of Romeo and Juliet, soundtracked by the music of pop hitmaker Max Martin. Just feel the vibes.

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Thursday night at Malkin Bowl, Big Thief graced Vancouver with a stop during their Somersault Slide 360 Tour. The weather gods concurrently blessed us with unrelenting rain—that, for a less engaging band, might have tainted the night. But a Big Thief show is so transporting that the rain merely felt like part of the act, matching the outpouring of emotion from the musicians on stage.

Will the first two games of the Vancouver Canucks’ 2026-27 season also be the most exciting? Probably not, just based on the odds. But also, these two are going to be tough to beat.

COMEDY: The trials and tribulations that Little Mountain Gallery has gone through in 10 years should make you laugh (and cry). (October 2 @ Little Mountain Gallery)

DANCE: Tasha Faye Evans and her ensemble call upon Cedar Woman—a prayer in a long line of prayers. (October 2-3 @ Scotiabank Dance Centre.

THEATRE: Thirteen suspects are of interest in the killing of a novellist in Murder for Two. (Oct 2-4 @ Anvil Theatre, New Westminster)

FILM: Editor Matthew Hannam (White Noise, The Iron Claw) talks through his process and collaborative approach. (October 3 @ VIFF Centre)

ARTS: Arts Umbrella’s Splash Auction returns with another wave. (October 3-4 @ Fairmont Hotel Vancouver)

ARTS: Ruh roh. It’s a Scooby Doo-themed drag brunch. (October 4 @ The Waldorf)

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

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