September 24 edition: Gord Downie immortalized

Plus: Basketball barbers, Kacey Musgraves, and Utah cringe

September 24, 2024

Hey there. I hope you had a lovely weekend and first day of the week. It’s officially rolled over into fall now, which means the summer cyclists are dwindling.

Now, if you see someone biking, you know they’re serious about pedal power. They’re the ones who have full rain gear, jacked thighs, and will not load their precious bike onto a bus, no matter what the elements throw at them. Ride on, brave souls of the 10th Avenue bike line…and ride on, everyone who’s trying out e-scooters in autumn.

— V. 
Associate Editor

FEATURE

The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal dives deep into the story of Canada’s greatest-ever band

Filmmaker Mike Downie knew that telling the tale of the Tragically Hip was going to be hard. It wasn’t just that the band was an icon of Canadian culture, with a history that spans decades and a legion of loyal fans; it was also the story of his younger brother’s too-short life. “Even talking to you right now,” Downie explains, “it’s kind of hard to talk about it because my brother died as part of this story.”

CITY & CULTURE

Knowledge Barbers has home court advantage

What do the Knowledge Barbers team and the ’96 Chicago Bulls have in common? A lot, it turns out.

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

VIFF Starts Thursday! Go Behind the Scenes with Filmmaker Q&As

The Vancouver International Film Festival's opening days feature a number of prominent Canadian and Indigenous filmmakers presenting their latest work.

Karen Chapman’s sensitive debut feature Village Keeper delves into the beauty of rediscovering life’s little joys in the wake of trauma. Q&A: Sept 27 & 28

Kazik Radwanski's propulsive, naturalistic film Matt and Mara, features terrific performances from Deragh Campbell and BlackBerry’s Matt Johnson. Q&A: Sept 28

Sofia Bohdanowicz's Measures for a Funeral follows a young academic who discovers a personal link to influential violinist Kathleen Parlow. Q&A: Sept 30, Oct 1

Neil Diamond and Joanne Robertson's So Surreal: Behind the Masks explores the astonishing connections between Yup’ik and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw ceremonial masks and surrealist art. Q&A: Sept 29, Oct 1

ARTS

To Perfection aims to bridge the “genderation” gap

In familial comedy To Perfection, retired TV chef Gloria has no idea what to do when her grandchild Alex comes out as non-binary. “A comedy about the issues of family and non-binary identity is a way to bridge the gap,” explains director Renee Iaci, “and say, ‘Hey, this is really what it is, and let’s talk.’”

  • Want a chance to see your art on the new Grouse Mountain gondola?

  • Here’s what’s on at this year’s Heart of the City Festival

  • Bard on the Beach plans a lighthearted 2025 season

  • French-Algerian artist Salim Djaferi takes us, with finesse and plasticity, on a semantic quest exploring violence and colonization in Koulounisation (25-28 Sept at Studio 16).*

  • September 26-29, the Interior Design Show Vancouver returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Enjoy new products, designers, and cutting-edge concepts. Plan your visit today!*

  • Disney Pixar's Coco in Concert with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is coming to the Orpheum on September 28 and 29. Get your tickets!*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY THE DANCE CENTRE

The Dance Centre presents the world premiere of Anusha Fernando’s Sky Dancers

Sky Dancers is a spellbinding new work directed by Anusha Fernando/Shakti Dance, which brings together five outstanding Bharata Natyam artists with musicians and chanters in a performance inspired by the Dakini (Sky Dancer), a Buddhist symbol of the dynamic play of energy in the universe.

October 4-6 at Scotiabank Dance Centre: get your tickets here.

MUSIC

Review: Kacey Musgraves brought her accessible country crooning to Rogers

Seven-time Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves stopped by Vancouver on her Deeper Well tour, and we were there.

  • On Our Radar: Muff Ucken’s fucked up protest song “Carried Away” 

  • Photos: The Cult rolls through for its 40th anniversary tour

  • Invictus Games announces Noah Kahan and Nelly Furtado for its opening ceremony

  • You Nearly Missed: Hardcore band Fucked Up takes over The Pearl

  • NYC's experimental instrumental music trio City Of The Sun take over The Pearl this Thursday September 26th. Don't miss out - get your tickets now!*

  • 3-time Juno Award Winners- Bear Witness and Tim “2oolman” Hill of A Tribe Called Red reintroduced themselves as The Halluci Nation. Playing at the Rickshaw Theatre September 26.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY THE HEALING TREE

Massage Therapy for Every Body!

Whether you’re a desk worker, weekend warrior, expectant parent, recovering from injury or surgery, Massage Therapy can help your body feel its best!

Healing Tree has a talented team of RMT’s ready to help you attain your goals of health and wellness. Direct billing available. Book your appointment today! 

Book your appointment today!

FOOD & DRINK

Strathcona Beer is expanding to the North Shore

It’s not just an East Van favourite anymore.

*sponsored listing

ICYMI

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

COMEDY 
Jon Dore and Dave Meherje headline the Comedy Here, There & Everywhere tour. (September 24 @ Hollywood Theatre) 

MUSEUM 
Take in an Afternoon Tea Tour, complete with tea, scones, and a curators talk. (September 24 @ Mackin Heritage Home and Toy Museum, Coquitlam)

MUSIC
SongBird North hosts Dawn Pemberton, Leeroy Stagger, and Suzie Ungerleider in its writers round. (September 24 @ Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre)

THEATRE 
As You Like It or The Land Acknowledgement asks deep questions about reconciliation. (September 25 to 29 @ York Theatre)

BOOKS
Norman Nawrocki reads from his new novella, Vancouvered Out. (September 26 @ Cross & Crows Books)

TALKS 
Jaclyn Seto and Ray Clark provide insight into writing for video games. (September 26 @ Vancouver Public Library Central Branch)

MUSIC
Myspace pop girlie Sky Ferreira has returned to music. (September 26 @ Vogue Theatre)

FILM
The Vancouver International Film Festival begins. (September 26 to October 6 @ various venues)

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

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