5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (July 19-25)

Credit: Lindsay Elliot / @lindsaytakesphotos

1. Work Out and Drink Beer

July 24 and 25

Beer drinking and exercise don’t often go hand in hand, but life is all about balance. The folks at Granville Island Brewing are hosting a series of workout sessions by local fitness studios—think Common Ground YVR, Jaybird, YYoga, F45 Beach District, Open Door Yoga, and Feel Good Everyday—this weekend, and each has a post-workout cooldown station with GIB’s new beer. The refreshing new sip is a hazy amber light lager called California Common Brew. All the proceeds from the event (called Sweat with Granville, ew) go back to the participating fitness studios, many of which have been struggling during the pandemic.

When: Saturday July 24 and Sunday July 25
Where: Jack Poole Plaza
Cost: $20
More Info: sweat.gib.ca

2. See a Natural Light Mural

Now Open

You’ve really got to give props to whatever marketing team named the new and improved Brentwood mall “The Amazing Brentwood”—though the title does set expectations pretty high. They just unveiled what they’re calling the largest natural light mural of its kind in Western Canada. Spoilers: it’s basically glass and vinyl panels, but it does look pretty cool when the light hits it. “Aura” is a pandemic-inspired art piece that aims to reconnect us with light and colour (and in-person shopping, obviously), post-isolation.

Where: The Amazing Brentwood
Cost: Free
More Info: theamazingbrentwood.com

3. Eat a Cajun Fried Chicken Sandwich at Popina Canteen

July 22 to 25

To celebrate 3 years at Granville Island, Popina Canteen is hosting guest chefs every weekend this summer. Up this week is chef Hamid Salimian, who is serving up a hulking Cajun fried chicken sandwich that’s definitely a two-hander.

When: Thursday July 22 to Sunday July 25
Where: Popina Canteen
More Info: popinacanteen.com

4. A Clothing-Optional Butoh Performance

July 24 and 25

Kokoro Dance is holding their 27th annual Wreck Beach Butoh performance this weekend, following a 2-week intensive workshop where artists created a dance inspired by the land. The set (and costumes) are “provided by Mother Nature,” so any photography is prohibited—if you want to experience the show, you’ve got to get down there yourself.

When: Saturday July 24 at 12:00 p.m. and Sunday July 25 at 12:45 p.m.
Where: Wreck Beach at the foot of #4 trail, west of MOA
Cost: By donation, $5 to $10 suggested
More Info: kokoro.ca

5. Tune in to the Mission Folk Music Festival

July 23 to 25

No road trip required for this year’s MFMF: it’s all online. Artists from across the country are showcasing their music on the virtual stage. Included in the local lineup is the Kara-Kata Afrobeat Group, 14-year-old blues singer Liam Docherty and Victoria folk trio West My Friend.

When: Friday July 23 to Sunday July 25
Where: Online
Cost: Free
More Info: missionfolkmusicfestival.ca