It’s time to go back to school with Story Story Lie on September 5th. You are invited to the Rio Theatre to see if you can spot the liar. If you are not familiar with the premise of this show, it is an interactive show where some of Vancouver’s best entertainers share intimate, funny and often embarrassing stories about themselves. One of them is lying and telling you a tall tale. But which one? The audience gets to take part in the interrogation to reveal who the liar is. And the first audience member to guess the liar, wins the grand prize as well as bragging rights. The contestants for the Back To School Story Story Lie are Jon Bennett (The Moth), Conni Smudge (Drag Queen), John Cullen (Just For Laughs), Andrea Jin (Comedian), Gustavo Ferman (Dancer & Entertainer), Marty Lawton (Irish Actress) and host Jo Dworschak. The Westender calls this show “One of the most inventive events on the Vancouver arts calendar” Tickets are available in advance online at Rio Theatre for $10 online or $12 at the door. Fun gets under way at 7:00 pm and runs till 8:30 pm.
Story Story Lie Goes Back To School September 5th At The Rio Theatre
27 Aug
Nicole Alivojvodic Reviews The Coast Is Queer On Now For Vancouver Queer Film Festival
21 Aug
The Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF), the largest queer arts event in Western Canada, is back on and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! More than just film, the festival hosts performances, workshops, panel discussions, parties and more, facilitating a unique community space for 11 days each August. This past Friday night the York theatre was packed with people eagerly anticipating the festival favourite The Coast is Queer.
This made-in-Vancouver short film program has been showcasing alluring animation, provoking dramas, wonderfully peculiar experimental films, and uplifting documentaries since 2000. This year, 11 diverse films ranging between 1 and 14 minutes long were shown to a captivated audience. As a first time VQFF goer I wasn’t sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by how different each film was from the next. There were serious, dramatic, satirical, sweet and downright hilarious films, which shown back to back gives you a bit of emotional whiplash, but the overall effect left the audience giddy as we funneled out of the theatre to vote for our favourites. To top it off the directors of each film were in the audience as well which gave the local program a personal touch!
By Contributing Writer: Nicole Alivojvodic
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Rumble Theatre Presents Tremors 2018 At The Italian Cultural Centre August 16-25, 2018
15 Aug
In 2007, Rumble Theatre created the Tremors Festival which was originally a two week run of plays created by emerging companies. In 2014, they devised a new model for this festival which focused on providing mentorship to individual emerging artists rather than emerging companies. Tremors is now a vehicle for young emerging artists to build networks, receive professional mentorship, develop their craft and work on exciting plays. Each show is directed, designed, stage managed, and performed by a company of emerging artists working with the guidance of professional mentors. This year, they have are producing 3 contemporary Canadian plays: Selfie by Christine Quintana, Tiny Replicas by Dave Deveau, and Theory by Norman Yeung.
From August 16 to 25, these three plays and their Tremors lounge will be created in different rooms of the Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street. You are invited to stop by and see one show, see a double bill, or take in all three. Admission to all shows is Pay-What-You-Decide. You, the audience members, get to pick what to see and how much to pay. For more information or to purchase advance tickets, visit Tremors 2018.
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What’s On East Van: August 10th Edition
10 Aug
Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out some cool events for the upcoming week. Beyond the week, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.
Free Family Night – Grandview Park – August 10th
This Friday, there will be free family friendly square dance at Grandview Park. No experience required, lessons on the spot to live music. All ages welcome. Fun happens 5:00 to 8:00 pm in Grandview Park.
Friday Night Live – Hastings Racecourse – August 10th
If you want to check out the horse races this summer, you can this Friday night at Hastings Racecourse as well as their casino. Admission is free, races start at 7:00 pm.
Sound Of Music Sing-A-Long – Rio Theatre – August 10th
A few of the folks from Geekenders are hosting a sing-a-long to the Sound of Music tonight at the Rio Theatre. The audience will be lead through a vocal warm up and be given a comprehensive guide to the accompanying actions and use of the interactive funpack/prop bags. Costumes are encouraged. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $18 in advance or $22 at the door.
Summer Savour Festival – River District – August 11th
The folks at River District are hosting another free outdoor event this Saturday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. This is a family friendly event with the Paw Patrol on hand along with balloon animals, face and mural painting, Starbucks will also be on hand with iced coffee samples. To see the full line up, visit Summer Savour Festival.
Vancouver Mural Festival – Celebration Concert – August 11th
As part of the Vancouver Mural Festival, a concert and a host of other family friendly activities happen in Jonathon Rogers Park this Saturday. Event kicks off at Noon until 9:30 pm. The concert line up includes A Tribe Called Red and Charlotte Day Wilson. Tickets are priced at $30, $25 and children under 12 years of age are free when attending with an adult that has purchased a ticket.
Ice Cream Social – Beta 5 Chocolates – August 11th & 12th
Beta 5 Chocolates invites you to “Come As You Are” this weekend. This weekend’s grunge inspired sundae features chocolate cookies n’ cream, peanut butter ice cream, chocolate sour cream doughnut, peanut brittle and a chocolate smiley face graffiti shard, hot fudge and whipped cream. Stop by their shop 413 Industrial Avenue between 1:00 – 5:00 pm this Saturday and Sunday.
Summer Pie Workshop – The Pie Shoppe – August 12th
Want to learn how to make the perfect pie? If so, this hands on class at The Pie Shoppe on Powell Street will be sure to teach you all their tricks. And these ladies now how to make pie. Cost is $95. To register, visit The Pie Shoppe.
Artful Sunday – Napier Greenway – August 12th
Artful Sundays kicks off this Sunday in the Napier Greenway by the Britannia Community Centre. This outdoor visual art market features local artists, workshops, artist demonstrations, live music and more. Stop by between Noon – 5:00 pm.
Ilhan Saferali Quartet – Café Deux Soleils – August 12th
This Sunday, young jazz musician Ihan Saferali will be performing at Café Deux Soleils. He plays trumpet and piano and is already starting to establish a name for himself. To catch this young star in the making, stop by Café Deux Soleils Sunday night 8:00 – 11:00 pm.
Live Music, Comedy & Entertainment
Looking to take in some comedy, East Van Improv League is at Havana Theatre Sunday night at 7:30 pm and Graham Clark’s Laugh Gallery is Monday night at Havana Theatre 9 pm. If you are looking to keep the kids entertained, big or small, Playland is now open daily from 10 am – 7 pm. Three Farmer Markets happening this weekend – Saturday it’s Riley Park (10 am – 2 pm) and Trout Lake (9 am – 2 pm) and Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market in Dude Chilling Park from 10 am – 2 pm. To see more of what’s on in East Vancouver, check our Event Listing.
Image Credit: June Hunter
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Vancouver Queer Film Festival August 9 – 19, 2018
7 AugThe Vancouver Queer Film Festival marks its 30th anniversary this year. The event opens at the Vancouver Playhouse Thursday, August 9th with the Canadian premiere of Yen Tan’s 1985. The film is shot in black and white and set in Texas in the first wave of the AIDS crisis. Indie Wire calls it “a fine piece of cinematic craftsmanship … It is a haunting elegy for a generation of gay men.” Not heading downtown, no problem. There are a number of films showing at The York Theatre including Festival favourite The Coast Is Queer on August 17th at 9:00 pm. We’ve set out a few other films that will be screening at the York Theatre. For tickets and/or more information, we invite you to check out Queer Film Festival:
We Are the Vancouver Men’s Chorus – Friday, August 17th at 7:00 pm
“In 1981, the Vancouver Men’s Chorus and broke ground and became Canada’s first gay chorus. Over the next thirty-eight years, they’ve grown into a nationally acclaimed and internationally recognized chorus.” Director Mark Halliday has created a documentary that takes you behind scenes of this celebrated group of men.
Indigiqueer Shorts from Turtle Island & Aotearoa – Saturday, August 18th at 7:00 pm
“Coined in 2004 by Thirza Cuthand, the term Indigiqueer is a way for queer Indigenous folks to identify themselves and their queerness. This cinematic collection showcases how versatile two-spirit/Indigiqueer life is.”
Deep Inside Clint Star – Saturday, August 18th at 9:30 pm
You are invited to a FREE screening of Deep Inside Clint Star which documents the travels of filmmaker Clint Alberta across Canada. This film features candid conversations with Indigenous youth and those often marginalized. It is powerful production that gives voice to people that often aren’t heard.
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Artful Sundays Happen In The Napier Greenway August 12th to September 2nd
1 Aug
Artful Sundays return to the Britannia Community Centre this summer. If you aren’t familiar with this event, it is weekly outdoor visual art market which happens over 4 Sundays in the Napier Greenway. The first event kicks off Sunday, August 12th from Noon to 5:00 pm and for the next 3 Sundays following. Each Artful Sunday brings a variety of local artists, workshops, artist demonstrations, live music and more. We see Clara Shandler, the Sidewalk Cellist will be on hand as will Wonky Clay Pots. Lots to do and see and it’s free to wander and take in the art that surrounds us. The event takes place in the Napier Greenway at Napier Street & Commercial Drive from Noon – 5:00 pm each Sunday from August 12th to September 2nd.
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Vancouver Mural Festival August 6 – 11, 2018
30 Jul
The 3rd Annual Vancouver Mural Festival is back in various locations in East Vancouver August 6 – 11, 2018. The event is organized by Create Vancouver Society which is dedicated to artistic and cultural development in Metro Vancouver. The permanent large-scale public murals created as part of this festival will form a part of the City’s cultural legacy. And honestly the ones we’ve seen to date, are pretty spectacular. This year’s event is slated to be even bigger and better and will include a Celebration Concert on Saturday, August 11st in Jonathan Rogers Park. This is a large park located at West 8th Avenue and Manitoba Street in Mount Pleasant which will host the outdoor concert. The venue for the concert will be open from Noon to 9:30 pm which will include an afternoon program featuring various activities with the concert being held in the evening between 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm. The concert line up includes A Tribe Called Red and Charlotte Day Wilson. Tickets are priced at $30, $25 and children under 12 years of age are free when attending with an adult that has purchased a ticket. You can purchase tickets through Live Nation or at Red Cat Records. We encourage you to stop by and check out the artistic talent for this year’s Vancouver Mural Festival. You can check out each artist in advance online which also has a great map indicating where the murals will be. Visit Vancouver Mural Festival for more details. If you missed last year’s mural festival, we’ve set out below some of our favourite pics.
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What’s On East Van: July 20th Edition
20 Jul
Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out some cool events for the upcoming week. Beyond the week, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.
Movie Night In the Park – Trout Lake – July 20th
Collingwood Community Policing is hosting another movie night in the park Friday, July 20th at Trout Lake/John Hendry Park. Movie gets under way at dusk. Note, this event is weather permitting. If it rains, the movie night will be postponed.
Summer Savour Festival – River District Town Centre – July 21st
River District and Wesgroup Properties are hosting 4 free summer events starting this Saturday, July 21st. This first event features wine and cheese samples from Everything Wine, local vendors, a few food trucks and music by Grooveport at 4:00 pm and The Booms hitting the stage at 7:00 pm. For more information on their upcoming dates, visit Summer Savour Festival.
Bakery Pop Up – les amis du fromage – July 21st
Les amis du fromage’s East Van location at 843 East Hastings is again hosting a Bakery Pop Up this Saturday from Noon to 5:00 pm. Two Bald Bakers will be on hand with fresh bread from Noon until they run out.
Vancouver Bonfire Sessions – Hastings Park Lagoon – July 21st
Jansport presents Bands and Bonfire Under The Night Sky. This is a free event happening in Hastings Park from 6:00 – 10:00 pm this Saturday. To register for the event, visit Eventbrite.
Introduction to Organic Gardening – Hastings Community Centre – July 21st
Village Vancouver is hosting a workshop this Saturday which covers the basics of planning and starting a food garden. Rhiannon Johnson leads the class in which you learn the simple technique of starting a plant indoors and then moving it outdoors into your garden space. The cost is $18 and the reward is fresh veggies. To register, email seasonoffoodhcc@gmail.com or call T: 604.718.6230.
Fiesta With Flamenco Music & Dance – Grandview Park – July 22nd
You are invited to Grandview Park to experience some beautiful flamenco music and dance this Sunday, July 22nd from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. You are encouraged to bring a picnic basket with your favourite things and come down to enjoy the music and dance. This is a free event. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Made In The 604 – Heritage Hall – July 22nd
Made In The 604 is hosting a pop up market this Sunday, July 22nd at Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street. As you might expect by the name, locally made products will be available. Tickets are $3.00 at the door with proceeds for admission going to Covenant House BC. This summer market happens from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. A couple of fav vendors will be on hand including Sriracha Revolver and Il Fioraio Florist, but there are many new names to us. For a full list of vendors, visit, Made In The 604.
Live Music, Comedy & Entertainment
Looking for live music, David Blair is back from a tour in Europe and performing at Café Deux Soleils this Sunday at 8:00 pm. Cover is $10. For fun and laughs, the Geekenders are hosting The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Rio Theatre Saturday night at 11:15 pm. Three farmer markets are happening this weekend. Saturday it’s Riley Park (10 am – 2 pm) and Trout Lake (9 am – 2 pm) and Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is back and it’s Berry Festival this Sunday and we expect that the winner of the BC Berry Pie Bake Off will be announced. Event happens at Dude Chilling Park 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. To see more of what’s on in East Vancouver, check our Event Listing.
Image Credit: June Hunter
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Fiesta With Flamenco Music & Dance In Grandview Park Sunday, July 22nd
18 Jul
This Sunday, July 22nd, you are invited to Grandview Park to enjoy flamenco music and dance. If you have not experienced this, you are truly missing out. Flamenco is an “art form based on the folkloric music traditions of Southern Spain”. The music, the rhythm, the passion, the focus, the songs, it’s filled with emotion and life experience, truly something to see and hear . This Sunday you are invited to bring your blanket and picnic and sit back and enjoy this free event. Event happens between 2:00 and 4:00 pm and is brought to you by the Britannia Artist Grant Program.
Photo Credit: Tim Mossholder
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This There Continues At The Cultch July 25-28, 2018
16 Jul
What does it mean to live? Big question right? Everyone’s definition will be different. This There asks the big question in this production coming to The Cultch. Follow Alison and Maddie who are at a crossroads in life. Alison is a disenchanted actress and isn’t sure she wishes to continue in her chosen profession. Maddie on the other hand is an entrepreneur who is the verge of selling her catering business she’s worked hard to build up over many years. The couple take a trip to the West Coast for a quiet vacation and change of scenery and to visit Alison’s father. All with demanding careers in their own right, the trip brings things into focus for them all. This There continues at The Cultch July 25-28. Tickets are $30 with $20 tickets available for artist, low income and students.
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