Summer in the City of Vancouver: August Edition

By Angela Espinoza, Arts Editor

As clichéd as it is to say, time flies by amazingly fast. With summer now coming to an end, allow August to send us off with a bang: zombies, rainbows, and Japanorama galore! If I didn’t know better, I’d say Vancouver’s turning a little Lollipop Chainsaw on us.

Queer Arts Festival (July 31–August 18)

The first stop on your last summer Vancouver-thon should be at the Queer Arts Festival. For three weeks, this annual festival showcases a number of events, from music and theatre performances to gallery exhibits and open readings, all at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre. Each work shares a just balance between members of the LGBTTQ community and beyond as a means to express equality while still providing hours of entertainment.

Powell Street Festival (August 4–5)

Hosted by the Powell Street Festival Society, the festival offers two days of Japanese- and Asian-Canadian arts and culture. For 36 years, the Powell Street Festival has given us a look inside the history of Japanese-Canadians, along with the many talents that define the Japanese and Asian culture. For more information, check out staff writer Natalie Serafini’s June article, “Vancouver’s turning Japanese!”

Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival (August 5)

Our enormous and ever growing Pride Parade makes its annual return this year, once again taking over Vancouver from Robson all the way to Sunset Beach. With tons of glitter, bubbles, and rainbow galore, the Vancouver Pride Parade is several hours of sheer fun and joy. And after the parade, be sure to stick around Sunset Beach to keep the party going. Can’t make it to the actual parade? Davie’s got a dance party going on from 7 p.m. to midnight on August 3!

Anime Revolution (August 17–19)

Whether you’re the model-building type or a kick ass cosplayer, Anime Revolution is set to be the biggest anime event in Vancouver this year. Taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre, Anime Revolution features an insane amount of interactive events, panels, and workshops—all there to give you the best weekend possible. And of course, there are dozens of guests lined up, including Sam and Fuzzy’s Sam Logan, Doug Walker and Noah Antwiler of “That Guy With the Glasses” and “The Spoony Experiment” fame, and far too many voice actors for me to pick and choose from here.

Dead on Film (August 17)

The best little theatre on Commercial Drive presents their third annual Dead on Film Festival. Taking place at the Rio Theatre, the top 10 short films as selected by our ghoulish hosts will be presented to us for a night. The winner of the night will be selected by audience vote, with the grand prize consisting of the ever-coveted ZOSCAR trophy, $1,000 in cash, and a number of other treats. Get your tickets early; last year’s not only sold out, but the line was ridiculous (granted, when is a line at the Rio not ridiculous?).

Vancouver Zombie Walk (August 18)

Finally, the event yours truly has been looking forward to all summer long. Get your zombie gear out, fill a bottle with red Kool-Aid, and prepare for hours on end of epic blood soakings. The annual Vancouver Zombie Walk starts at 4 p.m. at the Vancouver Art Gallery and travels all the way down to English Bay. Be sure to show up early for photo ops, and hopefully I’ll see you there!