Hey there! It’s cliche to start any conversation (even a one-sided one) with the weather, but no, I did not think I’d be opting for shorts in October. Here we are, though!

Another thing I wasn’t sure that I’d be doing this October: sitting down for a one-on-one with Mayor Ken Sim. (I know, what a segue.) 

If you’ve regularly read this newsletter and the Straight, you’ll know that I haven’t been shy in calling out Sim and his ABC council when I’ve felt it’s warranted. We also have a kickass panel featuring experts from the business, food and beverage, and arts industries.

I hope you’ll join me and the rest of the Straight team on October 17. 

— Nathan
Editor in Chief

The East Van Cross swept to an easy win in the Best Public Art Installation category in our Best of Vancouver issue. But developments around the work have spurred some debate. Mike Usinger takes us into the piece’s past and its future.

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.

VIFF | Until Oct 11 | Book Now

Ana, En Passant
A lyrical animated drama about a young Black woman returning to her late grandmother’s native town in Brazil in search of family roots.

Gymnatsts of Fisherman Colony
Follows a group of young female gymnasts in Pakistan, documenting a celebration of girlhood, resilience, and self-expression.

Nitassinan
Innu poet Joséphine Bacon and filmmaker Kim O’Bomsawin weave poetry and observation in Nitassinan, a lyrical portrait of the Innu people’s enduring bond with their ancestral land.

The Wind's Thirst
Three Indigenous Wayuu guardians confront corporations exploiting Colombia to defend their water, sacred sites, and right to remain.

WOLF
Narrated by Tilda Swinton, WOLF is an inspirational, intimate portrait of musician Patrick Wolf overcoming his demons.

In advance of his VIFF concert tonight, the Devo founder and longtime score composer talked to the Straight about working with directors, including his time collaborating on Wes Anderson’s first four films. “Wes himself does say that Mark Mothersbaugh created the sound of Wes Anderson,” says Mothersbaugh. “That’s how he feels. And I watched him mature as an artist. His interest in sound evolved too.”

*sponsored listing

Guided by the theme Belonging, the Festival features over 100 arts and culture events throughout the Downtown Eastside. Join us at the DTES Heart of the City Festival, where we gather to share music, poetry, theatre, ceremony, films, dance, readings, forums, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibits, art talks, and history tours.

For years, there has been a mystery around the punk rock drummer known as Chuck Biscuits: namely, what the heck happened to the endlessly creative powerhouse behind the kit for the classic lineup of D.O.A.? Well, wonder no more.

Rockytober is a Rio rite of passage. THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW screens Oct 23, 24, 30 and twice on Halloween, with hosts, costume contests and prop bags included. Come as a virgin, leave a veteran. No rice, no confetti. Tickets at riotheatre.ca.

AnnaLena up, Barbara off: Those were the main learnings from the Michelin Guide’s latest foray into our fair city. But Straight food writer William Johnson dug in a little bit deeper to investigate what else the tire company had to say about our dining scene. 

THEATRE: Two humans venture into a land of the birds in Aristophanes’ classic The Birds. (October 8-18 @ Studio 58)

THEATRE: Six Palestinian comedians get decidedly dark in Palestine Comedy Club. (October 9-10 @ York Theatre)

ARTS: Kyla Bourgh’s French Ending explores the experience of living between languages (October 9-18 @ THIS Gallery)

MUSIC: Aren’t the Wolves of Glendale the guys who moved the Arizona Coyotes? (October 10 @ Fortune Sound Club)

COMEDY: Former SNLer Emil Wakim takes to East Van (October 11 @ Biltmore Cabaret)

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

You made it all the way to the bottom, and we love you for it! Readers like you are what keep us going. If you want to support free arts and culture journalism, send this newsletter to a friend.

And before you go, let us know:

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

• Want to advertise to locals? Contact our team.

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