September 3 edition: Bear meets bulldog

Hey there. How is your week going so far? 

It’s the final week of my twenties, as I’ll be hitting the big 3-0 on Friday. Unfortunately I’m not going on an all-expenses paid trip to Italy, or chartering a yacht, or throwing a ceilidh, or doing any of the things that I see people on Instagram doing for their birthdays. 

But as I’ve only got a few days left of this decade, got any ideas for how I should round it off, Vancouver-style?

— V. 
Associate Editor

FEATURE

A bear and a bulldog walk into a Coquitlam backyard…

How well would your dog deal with a bear? That’s an unexpected discovery that one Coquitlam resident made last week, when a giant intruder decided to show up in their backyard and test their dog’s derring-do. Is it the setup for a sweet Pixar movie about unlikely animal friends, or a nature documentary about the brutality of the food chain? 

CITY & CULTURE

Five unique first date ideas in Vancouver

Dinner and a movie is fine, but there are better ways to woo a potential partner. Vicki Duong shares some ideas for memorable first dates.

• Greendale Acres announces summer send-off offerings

• BC Hydro’s Ask An Energy Expert will give you advice on how to have a greener and more energy-efficient home at Everything Electric Canada, Sept 6-8 Vancouver Convention Centre.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY ARTS CLUB THEATRE COMPANY

Go behind the scenes with Jersey Boys!

CAUTION: This video contains a song that will get stuck in your head! You can thank us later. Get a sneak preview of the unforgettable music of Jersey Boys in this “Walk Like a Man” rehearsal music video, featuring Jason Sakaki, Elliot Lazar, Darren Martens, and Tanner Zerr. The Arts Club Theatre Company production of this smash-hit show is playing September 5–October 20 at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. Just the beginning of an all-new season of endless possibilities!

ARTS

More than 100 authors are coming to Vancouver Writers Fest

Literary heavyweights including Malcolm Gladwell, Tanya Talaga, and Heather O’Neill are coming for a week of wordy wonder this October as part of the Vancouver Writers Fest.

• Shadbolt Centre for the Arts unveils its fall lineup

• Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival returns to amplify marginalized voices

• Riot Food Here pop-up combines food and art to reflect on racism

• Don’t miss Bard on the Beach’s carnival of fun, Twelfth Night. With original music, pranks, jokes, fights and miracles, it’s both hilarious and profound.*

• VIFF program announced: The lineup of spectacular cinema features more than 150 feature films, along with live performances, talks and more. Explore the program.*

*sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY TOURISM LANGLEY

stɑl'əw̓ Pow Wow in Langley Promotes Inclusivity, September 13-15

All are welcome to attend the third annual stɑl'əw̓ Pow Wow in Langley, a three-day immersive Indigenous event celebrating pow wow culture and tradition with drumming, singing, dancing, regalia and art. Tickets available online or at the door. Venue: Langley Events Centre.

MUSIC

Van Jams: All the Vancouver music you missed in August 2024

There are an almost endless number of talented local musicians in this city. Here is your cheat sheet for all the hot tracks that dropped last month.

• Photos: Salmon Sessions Music Festival rocked out for a good cause

• Veda Hille Sisterhood and P:ano add a second Cultch date

• Ween won’t be touring for the foreseeable future

• Kishi Bashi brings his latest album 'KANTOS' on tour to The Pearl on September 12th with Sweet Loretta. Tickets are over 75% sold out!*

  *sponsored listing

SPONSORED BY TALL TREE HEALTH

When To Try Physiotherapy 

Physiotherapy isn’t only for injury recovery. Whether you’re focused on reducing pain, building strength, increasing mobility, or injury prevention, Tall Tree Health’s team can develop a plan that’s right for your goals.

Experience physiotherapy the way it should be done. Book your appointment today.

FOOD & DRINK

You can score free lunch from downtown Vancouver food trucks in September

On Wednesdays, there is such a thing as a free lunch.

• Jack’s Chowder pop-up brings an East Coast classic out West

• Fraser Valley Distillery and Beer Festival highlights craft booze

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEK

VISUAL ART 
An Opulence of Squander begins its critique of endless growth today. (September 3 @ Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery)

WORKSHOP
Flex your creative muscles in a drawing from life (and death) art class. (September 4 @ Secret Lantern HQ)

VISUAL ART
MFA students from SFU host a reception for their graduating exhibition, Worlds Among Us. (September 4 @ Audain Gallery)

COMEDY 
Yes!? AND?! sees improviser David C. Jones spin out a one-man show. (September 4 to 15 @ Arts Umbrella)

MUSIC
Bedroom pop musician Rocco rocks up. (September 5 @ Rio Theatre)

COMEDY 
Last Comic Standing victor Felipe Esparza rolls into town. (September 5 @ Vogue Theatre)

PERFORMING ARTS 
One of Canada’s biggest oddball festivals returns as the Vancouver Fringe turns 40. (September 5 to 15 @ Granville Island venues)

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

That’s it!

Thanks for reading us today. If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to another Vancouverite.

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 crazy or cool story to share? Drop us an email