Georgia Straight
Posts
September 18 2025: What does $7 million buy in Vancouver?

September 18 2025: What does $7 million buy in Vancouver?

Plus: Lilith Fair, Rise FC, and an award-winning album

September 18, 2025

Hey there. It was my birthday a couple of weeks ago, and I treated myself to an eReader. I realized that my compulsion to keep buying books was increasingly eating up all the space in our one-bedroom apartment, so it’s time to be more space efficient.

As a bonus, I discovered you can borrow eBooks from the library (though it doesn’t work on Kindles). Yes, I’m behind the times, but I’m finally embracing technology—one rented novel at a time.

— V.
Senior editor

— FEATURE —

A new documentary uncovers the quiet revolution of Lilith Fair

Why doesn’t Lilith Fair get its due? That’s the question at the heart of Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, which landed on CBC Gem this week. Director Ally Pankiw muses that the festival was “sort of trivialized in pop culture”—especially after an attempted 2010 revival flopped—but the original Lilith Fair was very much swimming against the current of ambient ’90s misogyny. “It should be remembered as this massive success, this very cool culture-shifting thing,” she tells the Straight.

Protect Your Rights

Receiving a driving prohibition can have immediate and lasting consequences. Whether it’s a DUI/Immediate Roadside Prohibition, Notice of Intent to Prohibit, or a Driving While Prohibited charge, strict deadlines apply. Missing them can mean losing your licence, increased insurance costs, and limits on your freedom to drive.

Acumen Law Corporation has one of the most experienced driving law teams in British Columbia. Their lawyers have successfully defended thousands of cases, providing drivers with the strongest legal support when it matters most. If your licence is at risk, timely legal advice is critical.

Call Acumen Law at 604-685-8889 today for a free consultation and start your defence.

— LIVING —

Photos: Inside The Nest, the North Van home of Hootsuite founder Ryan Holmes

What’s the best thing about the ultra-rich? Their houses. Snoop through The Nest, and imagine what it would be like to spend nearly $7 million on a North Van mansion.

Rise FC is the best thing in local soccer right now
Embark on a festive outdoor walking performance led by Vancouver youth in Nightwalks with Teenagers (September 25 to October 4, by Théâtre la Seizième).*

*sponsored listing

iSAFF Canada Marks 15th Anniversary with ‘Legacy’ Theme, Exhibiting Bold South Asian Cinema and Storytelling

The International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) proudly announces its milestone 15th edition, taking place from September 24 to 28, 2025, in Surrey, British Columbia. This year’s theme, “Legacy,” is both a tribute to the rich history of South Asian cinema and a celebration of iSAFF’s own journey as a hub for bold, innovative storytelling.

The 2025 program expands on iSAFF’s tradition of showcasing independent and groundbreaking works by offering a diverse lineup of features, shorts, music videos, episodic series, industry events, and content creators. Audiences can expect stories that span past, present, and future — highlighting the cultural legacy of South Asian narratives while spotlighting fresh voices reshaping the landscape of global cinema.

Tickets and passes are available on our website.

iSAFF Red Carpet Gala is to take place on September 26th, 2025.

— ARTS—

Moulin Rouge! The Musical comes to Vancouver on its inaugural North American tour

Baz Luhrmann’s movie musical Moulin Rouge!, depicting turn-of-the-century Paris with its glittering cabaret and doomed love story between Christian and Satine, became a cult hit. Now, the stage music version is heading on tour across North America for the first time—and Vancouver is first in line for the spectacular spectacle.

Mark Your Calendar: Duct Tape’s pop-up gallery opens this week
Meditative dance-theatre production Vacant Lot kicks off the Firehall’s season
Vancouver International Flamenco Festival: September 20-28, 2025. The 35th Anniversary edition features powerful and diverse live performances, masterclasses and workshops with artists from Spain, the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Iran, Morocco, and Canada.*
Just for Laughs New Face of Comedy, Troy Bond, is performing live at the Biltmore Cabaret next week. Don't miss his shows on September 26 & 27!*

*sponsored listing

— PERKS OF THE WEEK —

This week, Insiders can claim free tickets to Science World After Dark: Actually, It Is Rocket Science (September 20), Vancouver Writers Fest events, and Bard on the Beach’s Much Ado About Nothing (until September 20).

On the food front: enjoy 10 per cent off at Minami and Loam Bistro, a complimentary dessert at Desi Indian Lounge, and a free appetizer at B House.

To unlock $100 worth of free stuff every month, become a Straight Insider for just $8.25/month on an annual plan.

— MUSIC —

The Organ wins this year’s Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize

This year’s Polaris Prize might not have had a single B.C. act on the shortlist, but the Organ’s seminal record Grab That Gun received a Hall of Fame-style nod at the recent awards gala.

Cardi B brings the drama to Vancouver in February

— ICYMI —

How to break up with Vancouver
Six movies we can’t wait to see at VIFF
Photos: Barnside Harvest Festival rocked out
Fall Arts Preview 2025: Music critics’ picks

— THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND —

VISUAL ARTS: The Vancouver Street Photography Collective shows off its work in Pavement Poetry. (To September 28 @ Gallery George)

BOOKS: Bestselling author Bob Joseph talks about his new book, 21 Things™ You Need to Know About Indigenous Self-Government. (September 18 @ VPL Central Branch)

MUSIC: DJs, musicians, and artists come together in the RISE fundraiser for prosthetic limbs and land defenders. (September 18 @ Red Gate Arts Society)

DANCE: Site-specific works take over unexpected spots across the city in Pop Up Dances Festival. (September 19-21 @ Granville Island and VPL Central Branch)

CULTURE: Discover free workshops and events across the province with BC Culture Days. (September 19 to October 12 @ various locations)

MUSIC: Vancouver postpunks Slightest Clue blow the amps at their final show. (September 20 @ Rickshaw Theatre)

VISUAL ARTS: SFU’s new art gallery opens its inaugural exhibition, Edge Effects. (September 20 to February 15 @ SFU Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum, Burnaby)

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

That’s it!

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.