Events

5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (August 9-15)

By Alyssa Hirose /

Credit: Well Rounded

1. Vancouver Queer Film Festival

August 12 to 22

This year’s Vancouver Queer Film Festival has a packed schedule of sixteen feature films, seven short film programs, six spotlight programs, eight special presentations and lots of workshops and industry panels (that equals over 90 films from 20 different countries). The full lineup is available here—look out for Well Rounded, a local documentary spotlighting fat queer folks and featuring interviews with artists and healthcare professionals. Vancouver talent includes style icon Lydia Okello (pictured above).

When: Thursday August 12 to Sunday August 22
Where: Online with select small in-person events
Cost: Varies
More Info: outonscreen.com

Credit: One Hour Photo

2. The Cultch’s From East Van to Edinburgh

August 8 to 28

This across-the-pond theatre extravaganza was just announced last week: The Cultch is participating in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, showcasing five online performances of your favourite East Van shows. Don’t miss 1 Hour Photo, a play written and performed by Tetsuro Shigematsu that’s guaranteed to be the most compelling one-person play you’ve ever seen. Once you purchase tickets for a show, you can watch it at your leisure (so don’t worry about being on Edinburgh time).

When: On now through Saturday August 28
Where: Online
Cost: £12 ($20 ish)
More Info: thecultch.com

Credit: Music on Main

3. Music on Main’s Summer Pop-Up Concerts

August 9 to 31

Here’s a daily event that’s friendly to your ears and wallet. Music on Main’s free pop-up concert series starts today and runs all month long. Audiences can expect a variety of the city’s best musicians (including the Saxophilia Saxophone Quartet, Microcosmos String Quartet, Infamy Too! percussion and more). Bring your own blanket.

When: Monday August 9 to Tuesday August 31, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Mount Pleasant Park
Cost: Free
More Info: musiconmain.ca

Credit: Moe Sasan/Shot Spot Photo Studio Ltd.

4. Pageant: A Musical Comedy Beauty Contest

August 11, 18 & 25

This musical turns pageant norms on their (sparkly) heads. All the contestants are played by male-identifying actors, and the “paternal”—and may we add, historically skeevy—host is played by Rachel Hayward, lately of Disney’s Turner and Hooch. Patriarchy, consider yourself judged.

When: Wednesdays August 11, 18 and 25 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: $25 for adults
More Info: kaymeek.com

Credit: Peacocks in the Palace by Angela Aujla

5. Monsoon Arts Fest

Through August 31

Vancouver’s best South Asian artists come together in the Monsoon Arts Fest, which showcases a variety of music, comedy, and visual arts throughout the month of August. All the online shows are free, and new this year is the Monsoon Marketplace featuring work for sale (like Peacocks in the Palace by Angela Aujla, pictured above). See the full schedule here.

When: Through Tuesday August 31
Where: Online
Cost: Free
More Info: monsoonartsfest.ca

Alyssa Hirose

Alyssa Hirose

Alyssa Hirose is a Vancouver-based writer, editor, illustrator and comic artist. Her work has been featured in Vancouver magazine, Western Living, BCBusiness, Avenue, Serviette, Geist, BCLiving, Nuvo, Montecristo, The Georgia Straight and more. Her beats are food, travel, arts and culture, style, interior design and anything dog-related. She publishes a daily autobiographical comic on Instagram at @hialyssacomics.