Events

5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (August 3-8)

By Alyssa Hirose /

Credit: Kim Collier

1. The Magic Hour

August 3 to 22

The Magic Hour is a super unique theatre experience that uses light and sound for storytelling—it’s a walk-through show designed to be explored by one audience member at a time (or two, which they call tandem). Audiences are guided through 12 different audio-visual scenes that mix the physical and the digital world together, and the show has a (rare) hopeful take on the future.

When: Tuesday August 3 to Sunday August 22
Where: Presentation House Theatre
Cost: $27 for one, $44 for tandem
More Info: electriccompanytheatre.com

Credit: Shipyards Night Market

2. Shipyards Live Festival

Every Friday and Saturday

This festival has you covered for weekend plans. Shipyards live has a splash park, big patio, artisan vendors, food trucks and obviously, live music. Catch cover band the Millennials, Motown musician Krystle Dos Santos and the Mike Cody duo this Saturday and Sunday (full schedule here).

When: Every Friday and Saturday through September 18
Where: Shipbuilder’s Square
Cost: Free
More Info: shipyardslive.ca

Credit: Vancouver Mural Fest

3. The Vancouver Mural Fest

Beginning August 4

Vancouver’s annual cheapest-and-coolest-date event is back, with over 50 murals plastered all over the city for your perusal. New this year is Katie So’s 180 ft masterpiece (pictured above) on Kingsway and Dumfries.

When: Starting August 4
Where: All over the city
Cost: Free
More Info: vanmuralfest.ca

Credit: Shane Ward

4. Happy Hour and Live Music at Kafka’s

Fridays and Saturdays

From 3 to 5 on Fridays and Saturdays, this coffee shop is switching from beans to brew—with live music to boot. All wine and beer is on for $6, and the musical guests (curated by co-artistic director of the Vancouver World Music Festival, Robin Layne) range in genre from jazz to world to roots.

When: Fridays and Saturdays throughout August
Where: Kafka’s Great Northern Way
More Info: kafkascoffee.ca

Credit: Early Music Vancouver

5. The Vancouver Bach Festival

On now through August 6

Bach is back. Early Music Vancouver’s Bach festival is in full swing until this Friday, with limited capacity in-person events and plenty of online concerts, too. One of the digital films on offer is Barbara Strozzi: Tears to Laughter, a tribute to the Venetian composer with many takes on both singing and crying, and which is the more powerful act of love. For example: “I would not have received the honor of your presence at our last session had I invited you to see me cry and not to hear me sing.”

When: On now through Friday, August 6
Where: Various venues and online
Cost: Prices vary (see link below)
More Info: earlymusic.bc.ca