Mood Swing (August 14, 2025)
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Promo image for Elemental Nourishment, the closing show for the 2025 Vines Art Festival
I suffered a great tragedy last weekend. On Friday, I gathered a group of friends to go to my favourite karaoke dive bar, Funky Winker Beans, only to discover it was closed because a movie was filming there. The floors may be suspiciously sticky, the bathroom suspiciously wet and the beer suspiciously cheap, but it’s my favourite place to scream-sing Alanis Morissette.
Instead, I was left cursing my lackluster planning. Lucky for you, I’ve done all the research, and I’m giving you the Mood Swing Guarantee™ that NONE of the events on this list will leave you stranded in your kitten heels on East Hastings. Keep reading to find your worry-free plans for the week and don’t forget to subscribe to the Mood Swing newsletter to get the list straight to your inbox every Thursday!
PRINT FOR PALESTINE ☆ Vines Art Society is hosting a screenprinting and button-making event this Friday, August 15, raising funds for the Legal Centre for Palestine. Just bring cash, a mask and a shirt or fabric to print on! If you can, swing by before 6 p.m. to check out the visiting photography exhibition Driving in Palestine by artist Rehab Nazzal before the event starts.
FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 6PM - 9PM ☆ THE VINES DEN, 825 E HASTINGS ST ☆ REGISTER (PWYC)
NEW THRIFT OPENING ☆ A brand new thrift and vintage store is coming to Gastown this week! Old Found Mercantile is having its grand opening this Friday, August 15, and will offer curated pieces from local vintage sellers, five-dollar used books and, for the super bargain-hunters, thrift by the pound clothes. If you’re a vintage seller looking for store space, they’re still accepting applications and vendors keep 100% of their sales.
FRIDAY AUGUST 15, 10AM - 8PM ☆ 26 E CORDOVA ST ☆ FREE (DEPENDING ON YOUR SELF RESTRAINT)
VINES ART FESTIVAL ☆ Also from the folks at Vines Art Society, the Vines Art Festival is closing this Saturday, August 16, at Trout Lake Park with a final show, Elemental Nourishment, featuring songs, dances, poems and interactive performances. Each piece weaves into the next and connects with the natural world around them, blurring the boundaries of traditional performance and celebrating how the land connects us.
SATURDAY AUGUST 16, 1PM ☆ TROUT LAKE PARK ☆ FREE!
QUEER PHOTOWALK ☆ If you’re looking to practice some photography skills and connect with the 2SLGBTQ+ community, check out this Queer-led photowalk in Queen Elizabeth Park on Sunday, August 17. Enjoy the lush scenery of the park, snap some shots and make some friends. All skill levels and camera types are welcome (even your smartphone)!
SUNDAY AUGUST 17, 5PM - 7:30PM ☆ QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK ☆ REGISTER (FREE!)
BLIND TIGER COMEDY ☆ This Wednesday, August 20, Blind Tiger Comedy is offering TWO student showcases so both early birds and night owls will be satisfied. The shows feature current comedy students and faculty flexing their chops with a mix of improv, standup and sketch. Come have a laugh and maybe even get inspired to sign up for some classes and take the stage yourself!
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 20, 7PM - 8:30PM / 9PM - 10:30PM ☆ CHINA CLOUD STUDIOS, 524 MAIN ST ☆ EARLY SHOW TICKETS / LATE SHOW TICKETS ($15)
