Mood Swing (January 29, 2026)
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Check out a communal art making experience this friday at Take Your Time (Front). image courtesy of take your time.
In a city as expensive as Vancouver, there’s always lots of talk about the importance of third places: consistent social spaces people can spend time in outside of work and home. These are places where people can connect and share ideas, inspiration or even just a laugh.
This week’s list features some of my favourite spaces like this in our city. Some new, some old, some offering regular events to gather like-minded people and some that stay open for folks to come and go as they please. The key to maintaining these spaces is for us to support them. Keep reading to find out how, and don't forget to subscribe to the Mood Swing newsletter to get my list of low-cost arts and culture events straight to your inbox every Thursday!
COME PAINT FLOWERS ☆ Swing by Take Your Time, a new East Van community, co-working and gallery space, this Friday, Jan. 30, for an evening of communal artmaking! Make your mark painting part of a shared piece that will live in the space and learn more about their upcoming workshops and exhibitions.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 6:30PM - 10PM ☆ TAKE YOUR TIME (FRONT), 648 KINGSWAY ☆ FREE!
ENABLING ARTS FUNDRAISER ☆ Multidisciplinary arts space Enabling Arts embodies the Mood Swing ethos of providing low-cost art events and workshops that liven up our city. Now, they need our help to keep their doors open! Snag a ticket to their fundraiser this Friday, Jan. 30, enjoy a night of poetry and music and help keep this important space alive.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 30, 6:30PM - 9PM ☆ ENABLING ARTS, 343 RAILWAY ST ☆ TICKETS ($30)
CUNTRY DRAG SHOW ☆ Check out Vancouver’s own (drag) Queen of the Rodeo Thanks Jem’s monthly Cuntry Night at The Heatley this Saturday, Jan. 31! With special guests Weebee and Abboriginal, this country drag show is sure to get you hootin’, hollerin’ and yeehaw-ing all night long. Giddy up!
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 9PM ☆ THE HEATLEY, 696 E HASTINGS ☆ $12
SUNDAY SERVICE IMPROV ☆ Improv troupe The Sunday Service has been serving up laughs on the Fox Cabaret stage every Sunday night for over a decade. The consistently funny show has been a mainstay for good reason, and their sliding scale ticket prices keep the laughs accessible no matter your budget.
EVERY SUNDAY, 8PM - 10PM ☆ FOX CABARET, 2321 MAIN ST ☆ TICKETS ($10 - $25)
COMMUNAL SOUNDS ☆ Cozy Chinatown art space China Cloud Studios’ Communal Sounds series is bringing a new music artist to their stage on the first Wednesday of each month. This Wednesday, Feb. 4, enjoy sounds from Miguel Maravilla’s solo show “GOODBYE! I LOVE YOU!”
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 7:30PM ☆ CHINA CLOUD STUDIOS, 524 MAIN ST ☆ TICKETS ($15)
