Hey there. It's Thursday again!
If it feels like you've been going to a lot of birthday parties recently… you're probably right. September is the most common month for birthdays, and a large-ranging survey of birthdates using (obviously) American data found that September 9 was the single most common birthday for kids born between 1994 to 2014.
Besides all the birthdays (mine was on Sunday), this week also marks the formal deadline for municipal candidates to be on the ballot paper—so, if anyone is still on the fence, just make sure your paperwork is done by September 11! You could be the next Roller Girl!
— V.
Senior editor
Vancouver musicians vie for the sound of the summer
Maybe it's due to COVID (it's always COVID), but recent years have really lacked a defining song of the summer. That remains true in 2026—are you coming to bat for, what, "Choosing Texas"?—but that's not stopping artists from releasing new music. In our latest Van Jams, we check out local standouts from acts big and small, from Dirty Aesthetic to Bryan Adams.
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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 to see our September comedy cover stars in action (Emily Woods, Mark Thomson, Jess Lupini, and Sean McDonnell), as well as our ongoing dining deals with restaurants like Minami, Pourhouse, Dovetail, and Prophecy.
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Loghan Paylor is the VPL's Writer in Residence this fall
Chilliwack-based author Loghan Paylor is taking up the mantle of the VPL's Writer in Residence. While they might be best-known for winning Canada Reads this year with their debut novel The Cure For Drowning, we profiled them last February—so we know library patrons are in for a treat.Tara Pople paints her way through the Eastside Arts Festival
Fall at the Farm returns with five acres of pumpkins
Vancouver Flamenco Festival from September 19-27 features powerful and diverse live performances, masterclasses and workshops with a vibrant lineup of local, national, and international artists.*
*sponsored listing
Chutzpah! announces the lineup for its 26th festival
The 26th annual Chutzpah! Festival returns to Vancouver in November, showcasing Jewish performers across a huge variety of genres, media, and perspectives. Check out some of the highlights from the announcement as Chutzpah! eyes up its second quarter-century.
Fall Arts Preview: We've collected all the comedy chucklefests, daring dance works, and thoughtful theatre you need to see this season
Josh Thomas (Please Like Me) performs at the Vogue Theatre on September 20. He promises an hour of dumb, happy, in no way *important* stand-up.*
*sponsored listing
A very successful first date inspired this wine pop-up
Lauren Sundstrom and Erik Mercier's first date took place over two bottles of wine. Now, the couple are engaged—and bringing their love of tipple to more people. The all-lowercase pop-up drunk, in love features pours from their own supply, charcuterie, snacks, and more—perfect for any first dates you might have coming up yourself.
Beaucoup Bakery welcomes fall with mooncakes and more
There wasn't a progressive primary, but Pete Fry still won
Little Mountain Gallery is no joke
Five local comedians walk into a Straight cover shoot…
Fable launches a fundraiser for longtime staff
MUSIC: Honeybear, the Band throws Honeybear, the Album Party to celebrate releasing The Cure. (September 10 @ Hollywood Theatre)
VISUAL ARTS: Painter Emily Cowan reflects on development and displacement in Signs of Things to Come. (September 10-20 @ THIS Gallery)
SHOPPING: Matterhorn Records hosts the East Van Vinyl Dig to help you find something new to spin. (September 11 @ Heritage Hall)
DANCE: Ballet Vancouver kicks off its inaugural season with Apollo, en pointe. (September 11-12 @ Vancouver Playhouse)
FILM: The first-ever Vancouver Japanese Film Festival celebrates cinema from an acclaimed movie-making nation. (September 11-13 @ VIFF Centre)
LIVING: If you're a fermentation fiend, then Picklefest is the place for you. (September 12 @ City Centre Artist Lodge)
VISUAL ARTS: Cradled Origins puts eight emerging and mid-career Indigenous artists into conversation. (September 12 to January 17 @ Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art)
Want to know what else is happening in Vancouver? Check out our events listings.
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