25th Vancouver Queer Film Festival (August 15 to 25)
For 11 days every August, this colourful festival takes over theatres throughout the city featuring the best independent selection of queer cinema. It’s Vancouver’s second largest film fest, and the largest queer arts festival in Western Canada with workshops, discussions parties and plenty more. Be sure to grab tickets to festival favorites, gala events and learn more about the line up of entertaining options here.
Dumpling Cook Off at the Chinatown Night Market (August 16th next to The Keefer Bar)
Fill your belly and be sure to head down to enjoy a summer night at Vancouver’s Chinatown Night Market. With nine chefs vying for a specially designed dumpling trophy, it’s guaranteed to be a great time. 2700 dumplings are expected to be prepped with a discerning panel of judges ready to nosh the night away. Purchase your own dumpling passport to join in the fun for only $12. Hungry for more info? Click here.
Canadian Cheese Rolling Contest (August 17th in Whistler Village)
One of the most fun, albeit cheesiest, events of the year takes place this Saturday in Whistler’s Upper Village and is celebrating its 6th year. Try your hand at chasing down the hill after an 11-pound wheel of Canadian cheddar for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate. There will be tasting demos, cheese pairing seminars and plenty more. For more info visit: www.canadiancheeserolling.ca.
PNE Summer Concert Series (August 17 to September 3, Pacific National Exhibition)
Back for another bigger and better year (with a larger venue offering reserved seating) is the Summer Night Concert series. A sure sign of summer, catch a rotating mix of local and international talents each night at this favourite outdoor space. Melissa Etheridge gets things started this Saturday with the likes of Great Big Sea, Dean Brody, Sam Roberts, Big Wreck, Colin James, Lights and more set to play the WestJet Concert Stage. Concerts are free with admission to the fair. Learn more here.
The Black Lodge (630 Kingsway)
If you were a fan of the show Twin Peaks, you know what the name refers to already. A Twin Peaks-themed bar has recently opened its rustic doors in Vancouver and pays homage to the show’s eclectic cast of characters (look for a prominent photo of Laura Palmer upon entry). Park yourself at one of the wood slab tables and take in the faux Douglas Fir cabin feel while you sip a pint of Northwest suds and nosh on quality vegan-friendly comfort food.
Zombiewalk (August 17, departing from the Vancouver Art Gallery steps
Starting at 4 o’clock, steal a page from The Walking Dead and gear up in all that frightful garb you’ve been saving for Halloween and head over to the Art Gallery steps alongside hundreds of others for a ghoulish trek through the heart of downtown. Post walk, head over to The Waldorf Hotel where you’ll find multiple rooms of terror, a Zombikini Contest, Zombie Burlesque and more. For tickets and info, click here.
Photo courtesy Chinatown Night Market