Arts and Culture

5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (August 5-11)

A mural festival and street party, an outdoor screening of "Barbie" under the stars and an 'Avenger' star comes to town.

By Kerri Donaldson /

Here’s your weekly roundup of the top events in the city, including art exhibitions, local theatre, restaurant openings, concerts, film, markets and other to-dos we think you’ll love. If you have a Vancouver event you’d like to submit for consideration, add it to our ongoing Vancouver events calendar here!

1. Get Outside and Support the Arts at the Vancouver Mural Festival (VMF)

August 7-11

Our city’s dullest buildings are getting an artsy makeover. The Vancouver Mural Festival (VMF) returns with 40 artists transforming areas like Mount Pleasant, Gastown and Hastings Sunrise with cool new murals and installations for us to enjoy. Also for us to enjoy: live music, street parties, pop-up events including an Artist Talk and Tunes on August 7, the free all-ages Mount Pleasant Street Party going on from August 8-11, and After Dark events on August 9-10. Come party and support the arts at Vancouver’s favourite motel-turned-art-studio HQ.

When: August 7-11
Where: City Centre Artist Lodge
Cost: Free
More info: vanmuralfest.ca

2. The Return of DJ-and-Whiskey Collab ‘Bastid’s BBQ’ at the Birdhouse

August 11

Attention grill seekers! The ultimate (and only!) BBQ-whiskey-DJ party is going down this Sunday at the Birdhouse. Bastid’s BBQ tour is back with Monkey Shoulder Whisky cocktails, DJ Skratch Bastid‘s beats, and, of course, barbecue. Kicking off at 3 p.m. (’til late), last year’s tour featured DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Premier, and this year has all the makings to be just as epic. Bring your Wetnaps, your best dancing Birkenstocks and I’ll meet you at the front of the BBQ line.

When: August 11
Where: The Birdhouse
Cost: From $35.15
More info: bastidsbbq.com

 

3. Watch the Sunset Then Barbie at the Sunset Cinema’s Free Outdoor Movie Night

August 7

Starting at dusk, come enjoy a hit movie on a huge inflatable screen under the stars. Bring your blankets, chairs and pillows, and they’ll provide the movies (popcorn not included).

When: August 7
Where: šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn
Cost: Free
More info: vancouvercivictheatres.com

 

4. Watch Some Gravity-Defying Dance

August 8

Instead of staring at that boring old steam clock (sorry to you steamclock heads out there!) look UP and experience Aeriosa’s anti-gravity aerial performances as dancers turn walls, ledges and even rooftops into their own stage in Gastown.

When: August 8
Where: 21 Water Street
Cost: Free
More info: gastown.org

5. Celebrate Please Beverage Co.’s First Anniversary With Avengers Star Cobie Smulders

August 8

It’s canned cocktail cutie Please! Beverage Co.‘s first birthday and they’re throwing a party that’s a Marvel to behold. Special guest (besides you!) is brand ambassador and fellow Vancouverite Cobie Smulders (of How I Met Your Mother and Avengers fame) coming to wish a happy first birthday at Please’s tasting house in Mount Pleasant this Thursday. Smulders will be hanging out from 6 to 11 p.m. to greet fans and sign autographs at the party and will make another appearance at a Please pop-up tasting at Olympic Village’s Legacy Liquor Store (1633 Manitoba Street) on Friday, August 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. Come say “hi” to an Avenger… but please, don’t make it weird.

When: August 8
Where: 222 W 5 Avenue
Cost: Free
More info: pleasebevco.ca

Kerri Donaldson

Kerri Donaldson

Kerri Donaldson is an assistant editor for Vancouver magazine (and sister mag Western Living) and covers arts and culture, including VanMag’s So Fun City. She’s also a comedian and will proudly overthink almost everything for your benefit. Send her pitches or riff bits at [email protected]