We all know that nothing beats the feeling turning the page of a magazine—the shine of a glossy page, the crack of a fresh binding, the naughty thrill of a potential paper cut—but if we had to pick another medium of creative nonficton, it would have to be Pop-Up Magazine.

Okay, so we’re a little jealous. Pop-Up Magazine is a live magazine made up of storytelling, comedy, podcasting, art, and live music. The show has been running since 2009 but is stopping in Vancouver for the first time this weekend (big deal—other publications have stood faithfully by your side for 50+ years). 

Envy aside, this show is less like a magazine and more like a sensory smorgasbord. Writers, filmmakers, podcasters, and comedians all work together to create non-fiction stories that are presented live, with commissioned original photography and original music played by a house band. The producers hunt for contributors from all over the world. “It’s an immersive, multimedia, engaging night of storytelling,” says the show’s Executive Editor and co-host, Anita Badejo.

Vancouver’s show is part of the Escape Tour, a series of images, stories and music that centre around the topic of escape. “There are big, heavy, weighty stories and small, fun, lighthearted stories,” says Badejo. The show is produced in collaboration with The California Sunday Magazine and features all-star contributors including comedian Jordan Carlos, poet Sarah Kay, musician Left at London, and photographer Lucas Foglia. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll write in to our mag begging for a similar performance (we think our food and wine editor could give a pretty entertaining TED Talk on sabring).

Sure, you can’t leave it on your coffee table to show your houseguests how cool (and literate) you are—but it does seem like a pretty great way to spend a Saturday night.

Pop-Up Magazine’s Escape Tour

Saturday, September 28 7:30 p.m.
Vogue Theatre
popupmagazine.com