Whether you’re looking to laugh, cry, dance, or exercise, there is something for you to check out in Vancouver this week.

We’ve put together a list of 11 highlights from our extensive events list, which can be found on here.

Music on Main 2023

Head to Mount Pleasant Park for free pop-up concerts this August. This week has Raincity Quartet on Monday, Saaz o Raaz on Tuesday, and The Marko-Paolo Quartet on Wednesday. All performances start at 6:30pm. 

When: August 14, 15, and 16, 6:30pm

Where: Mount Pleasant Park

Admission: Free

Francine Cunningham with Guests

Join Massy Arts, Massy Books, and Invisible Publishing for an appearance from award-winning Indigenous writer Francine Cunningham with guests Jónína Kirton, Nadine Bachan, and Jennifer B.S. Williams.

When: August 15, 6pm

Where: Massy Arts

Admission: Free, registration required

Bagel and Bao Comedy Tour

Ronen Geisler, a Jewish comedian, and Sai Kit, a Hong Kong comedian, team up for a night of comedy at The MOTN.

When: August 15, 7pm

Where: The MOTN

Admission: $25

Steve Vai Inviolate Tour

Steve Vai is bringing his award-winning guitar skills to the Rickshaw Theatre to support his most recent studio album, Inviolate. 

When: August 15, 7pm

Where: Rickshaw Theatre

Admission: $70

Secret Sessions

Experience the thrill of discovering new talent in unique and intimate settings, with the location only being announced 24 hours before the show is scheduled to start. 

When: August 16, 7pm

Where: TBA (that is the fun of it!)

Admission: $25

Sunset Cinema

Catch a free showing of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish at šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl'a7shn by the Queen Elizabeth Theatre as part of the Sunset Cinema’s free movie lineup. 

When: August 12, 2 to 10pm

Where: šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl'a7shn by the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Admission: Free

The Big Superhero Run 2023

Join in on a 5km or 10km run/walk at the Richmond Olympic Oval and check out vendors while raising funds for the Richmond Hospital Foundation. Costumes are absolutely encouraged. 

When: August 16, 4:30pm

Where: Richmond Olympic Oval

Admission: $46

Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts

Celebrate South Asian culture at various venues throughout Vancouver and Surrey, featuring music performances, dance lessons, live podcasts, a street festival, and more. 

When: August 17 to 31

Where: Various locations

Admission: Varies

The Listening Circle - Poetry & Storytelling

These circles are an invitation for artists who would like to share their poetry as well as for storytellers. They take place every Thursday. 

When: August 17, 5pm

Where: Banyen Books and Sound

Admission: Free

Blueridge Chamber Fest: Cabaret for the End of the World

Embrace the darkness of chillingly powerful chamber works by Mauricio Kagel, György Kurtag, Laura Bowler, and Alfred Schnittke. The program closes with a rare chance to experience one of the most uncompromising yet transformative works of the 20th century: Galina Ustvolskaya’s Dies Irae.

When: August 17, 7pm

Where: Orpheum Annex

Admission: By donation

Cool Fun - Stand-Up Comedy at the ANZA Club

Catch professional touring headliners and hilarious local comedians as they transform the storied ANZA club showroom into a pop-up comedy club. Headlining August’s event is Ola Dada, a finalist on Sirius XM’s Top Comic.

When: August 17, 8:30pm

Where: ANZA Club

Admission: $16

Want more? Check out our events page to find out what else is going on around the city.