Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out some cool events for the upcoming weekend. Beyond the weekend, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.
Vancouver Mural Festival – August 1 to 10, 2019
The Vancouver Mural Festival kicked off August 1st and continues to August 10th. This is a great opportunity to check out some amazing murals around Vancouver. We understand there are at least 25 new ones popping up around the City. The Festival also features a variety of events during the festival with a Pride Special happening this Sunday at 7 ½ Lane from 2:00 pm till the wee hours of the morning. There are also some opportunities to run the murals. To see a full run down of events, visit Vancouver Mural Festival.
Playland – Now Open Every Day
If you are looking to entertain the kids, Playland is now open every day from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm until The PNE Fair starts on August 17th. To learn more, visit Playland.
Outdoor Summer Movie – Gaston Park – August 2nd
Collingwood Policing Centre is featuring another outdoor movie tonight this Friday night at Gaston Park located just a couple of blocks from the Joyce – Collingwood Skytrain Station. They will be showing Monster in Paris and the movie gets under way at dusk approximately 9:00 pm. Note, rain does cancel these events.
The Muppet Movie – Rio Theatre – August 3rd
Looking for something to entertain the kids this weekend? The Muppet Movie is showing at 1:00 pm at the Rio Theatre this Saturday.
43rd Annual Powell Street Festival – August 3rd & 4th
This weekend you are invited to celebrate Japanese-Canadian heritage at the 43rd Annual Powell Street Festival happening Saturday and Sunday. The event happens on Powell Street near Jackson from 11:30 am to 7:00 pm both days. For more info, visit Powell Street Festival.
Soul Folk Sunday – Café Deux Soleils – August 4th
James Villa and Hayley Lynn make their way up from Portland, Oregon for Soul Folk Sunday at Café Deux Soleils. Great way to spend a Sunday evening if you are staying in town for the long weekend. Doors open at 8:00 pm, music gets under way at 9:00 pm.
Buena Vista Social Club – Rio Theatre – August 5th
The Oscar nominated documentary about an American guitarist bringing together the Cuban folk musicians now in their 90s to record a Grammy Award winning CD in their native city of Havana. We hear there is amazing concert footage and features gigs in Amsterdam and New York. The film not only features the music, but the life stories of the musicians of the Buena Vista Social Club. Movie shows at 6:20 pm Monday, August 5th.
Comedy, Music & Entertainment & More
Do you love cartoons? Miss those Saturday morning cartoons you used to watch as a kid. Do you know Storm Crow Tavern offers cartoons Saturday morning from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm whilst you enjoy breakfast/brunch?
Also 7 days a week, you will find live music at the Libra Room on The Drive. Tangent Café hosts live jazz Sunday nights from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Saturday, Pat’s Pub has live jazz Saturday afternoons from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, no cover.
Looking to shop and support local? Be sure to check out one of the farmer markets happening this weekend. Saturday is Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10 am – 2 pm and Trout Lake Farmers Market from 9 am – 2 pm at John Hendry Park. Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is back in Dude Chilling Park from 10:00 am – 2 pm. To see more of What’s On in East Vancouver, check our Event Listing. We also have a separate listing of Free Events for those on a budget and in Vancouver, who isn’t.
Image Credit: June Hunter
Artful Sundays return to the Napier Greenway 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. It happens in a great community space by the Britannia Community Centre located at Commercial Drive & Napier Street. The first event kicks off Sunday, August 11th from Noon to 5:00 pm and for the next 3 Sundays following. We do know that a couple of personal favourites artisans will be at the August 11th event, BagItUpBy Kate to help you reduce plastic use while shopping and 
The 17th Annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival happens September 14th. In advance of that, they have put out a call for artists who have an idea for an illuminated art installation. They are looking to expand and diversify the art that is displayed at the 17th Annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. The event celebrates the full moon and equinox. They are accepting proposals for art installations including lantern art, electronic art, land art and eco-art. No experience with outdoor installations necessary. They are encouraging people from a variety of backgrounds to participate. To learn more about their hopes and requirements for the event, visit 
Some wicked comedy is coming to The Biltmore Cabaret aptly named The Wrong Show. If you are looking for politically correct, this show will not be it. The Wrong Show features a swack of local talent including Watermelon (also known as a weed diva, licorice hustler and hula hoop queen). We learnt Watermelon actually did quite a bit of stand up comedy, so she’s taking the stage again in good company with cabaret queen Burgundy Brixx, Sandra Sanders. They are joined by Bonnie Kilroe, Velvet Steele and Shaboobie Boobarella for what we expect will be an epic night filled with sketch comedy, music, physical and stand up comedy with women who have a lot of life experience to bring to the stage. The Wrong Show happens Sunday, August 11th at 9:00 pm, doors open at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $14.20 and available through 
ILiveInEastVan.com 