Mood Swing (August 28, 2025)
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a performer on stage at rent cheque. photo by heather glasgow.
It’s official. We are about to enter the final long weekend of the summer, and it’s time for me to do a wellness check. How is everyone feeling? Personally, I’m pretty satisfied. Last week, I swam among a bloom of non-stinging moon jellies off of Jug Island, a summer moment so perfect I didn’t even flinch when I saw the Halloween aisle was already being stocked at the store I went to later.
If you don’t already have long weekend plans to hop on a ferry, sleep in a tent or some other B.C. travel cliché, keep reading for this week’s list of events in the city to end your summer with a bang and don’t forget to subscribe to the Mood Swing newsletter to get the list straight to your inbox every Thursday!
QUEER SHORT FILMS ☆ Get an early taste of the upcoming Vancouver Queer Film Festival at this double feature short film screening at Patagonia (a sentence sure to make any artsy granola gay swoon). The screenings will be followed by a panel discussion on building 2SLGBTQ+ community in outdoor sports, and bar proceeds will go to Out on Screen, the organization behind VQFF.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28 7PM ☆ PATAGONIA, 1994 W 4TH AVE ☆ FREE! (REGISTER)
RENT CHEQUE ☆ I am relishing the opportunity to finally include Rent Cheque, a monthly amateur strip night at the Colbalt, on this list. I know maybe “amateur strip night” doesn’t sound THE MOST enticing, but the $500 prize means people really go all out on their performances and the event offers a rare space for people of all ages, sizes and genders to bare it all to a crowd.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29 9PM ☆ THE COBALT, 917 MAIN ST ☆ SLIDING SCALE $10-15
THIRFT FOR GAZA ☆ Shop for a good cause at this pop-up thrift fundraiser for Palestine. All clothing was donated by the community and will be sorted into racks of vintage and modern styles from $5 to $25 and $1 bins! The proceeds will go to six families in Gaza, who you can learn more about on the event’s Instagram page.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 11AM - 4PM ☆ TRINITY GRACE CHURCH, 803 E 16TH AVE ☆ FREE!
BLOCK PARTY FUNDRAISER ☆ CiTR and Discorder Magazine are bringing another edition of their yearly end-of-summer live music block party to the iconic East Van DIY venue Green Auto, raising funds for Megaphone Magazine! Check out the stacked lineup of performances and try your luck at winning a raffle prize for a good cause.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 3PM ☆ GREEN AUTO, 1822 PANDORA ST ☆ ENTRY BY DONATION
FREE SALSA LESSONS ☆ Salseo is offering another round of free queer salsa and cumbia classes at The Birdhouse! All levels of experience are welcome and encouraged to come and celebrate queer joy through dance. Registration is already full, but arrive early to get one of ten coveted spots at the door.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 7PM - 9PM ☆ THE BIRDHOUSE, 44 W 4TH AVE ☆ FREE!
