Contributor: Thalia Stopa

Portrait

Thalia moved from Winnipeg to Vancouver as a vegan, wannabe art student, and a beer and wine naif. Over a decade later, she is now an omnivorous, beer- and vini-vorous food and culture writer. She is in her most natural state perched at a local bar or brewery, with a pen or book in one hand and a pint in the other.

Vancouverites

A Deep Dive Into the Complex Worlds of Hana Amani

A candid and introspective long-form interview with the vibrant and outspoken local artist...

Vancouverites

Six Questions with Local Artist, Allison Eng

Meet the Vancouver-based graphic designer and illustrator whose incredible drive and talent recently caught our attention...

Vancouverites

On Being a Barfly, Playing with Clay and Going to “Bummer Jail”, with Alex Joukov

The Vancouver-based tattoo artist and illustrator has been on our radar since discovering her label art for Marrow Vermouth in 2020 - a one-on-one conversation was long overdue...

Vancouverites / East Vancouver

From Forbidden Fires to Making Magick: Seven Questions with “The Wax Witch”, Portia Pascuzzo

A brief interview with the founder of The Wax Witch Candle Co. - a new line of locally made soy candles infused with bewitching fragrances, as well as other magick-al properties...

10 Places
Picking Grapes / Downtown

Picking Grapes with Tim Butt

The Wine Director for Hy's Steakhouse in Vancouver applies his expertise to our wine-related questions.

18 Places
Drinker

Beer Brief, Vol. 55

A bulleted briefing of beer news and imminent events, mapped for your crawling pleasure by Thalia Stopa.

Heads Up / Gastown

Check Out SAD Mag’s Nostalgic New Photo Exhibit, Popping Up in Gastown This Weekend Only

With the help of 10 diverse, local artists working with photography, the publication has revived a quaint and nostalgic analog medium to present 'The Disposable Camera Project: FOUND'.

Craft Beer Atlas of Vancouver / Victoria

CRAFT BEER ATLAS // New West Meets Vancouver Island, With Delicious Results, at This Victoria Brewery

A collaboration between Steel & Oak Brewing and The Drake, Herald Street Brew Works officially opened its doors in the Old Town, mid-December of 2020.

The Dishes

Krampus Does ‘The Dishes’

8 Places

Krampus takes some time away from his busy holiday schedule to retail his ideal day of eating and drinking in Vancouver, when he's in town.

13 Places
Heads Up

Our Guide to December’s Holiday Markets, Fairs and Pop-Ups, Mapped

A list designed for those, like us, who would rather opt out of the mall madness in favour of a more convivial and community-minded atmosphere when shopping this season...

7 Places
Heads Up / Main Street

Sip, Shop and Stroll Main Street During the First Ever ‘Pleasant Pairings’ Event

Set the tone for the month of December by meandering up Main Street on December 1st, when seven neighbourhood shops will be paired with as many Naramata-based wine and liquor producers.

10 Places
Picking Grapes / Kitsilano

Picking Grapes with Melanie Gravel

The seasoned local Wine Director (Nicli, Origo Club, Bishop's) and current General Manager at Delara Restaurant fields our list of wine-related questions...

Heads Up / East Vancouver

Get Social for a Good Cause, at Eastside Studio’s ‘Thumbraiser’ Event on Nov. 28th

The night features a drag show, vendors' market and auction, plus a welcome opportunity to connect with other good-hearted people while supporting the local queer community...

Heads Up / Gastown

Two Cool Closet Sales To Check Out in Gastown This Weekend

Kicking off Friday (Nov. 26th), One of a Few and The Block are hosting back-to-back used clothing shopping events - think discerningly cool and mostly small, independent brands (aka: the good stuff).

Vancouverites

On Oneiric Visions, Dust-Covered Trinkets, and the Invention of ‘Post Folk’, with Dariush Alexander

The Vancouver-based artist creates paintings, etchings and tattoo designs that are rich in allegory, narrative and iconography.

Vancouverites / North Vancouver

Six Questions with Local Photographer, Dina Goldstein

Her latest series, OG Punk, is currently on display at the Polygon Gallery through January 2nd, 2022.

Heads Up

Five Reasons to Check Out the ‘Got Craft? Holiday Virtual Market’, Happening Until Nov. 28th

This year's online event features 75 local and Canadian vendors selling everything from animal-shaped treats to actual stuffed animals...plus less unusual suspects like handmade jewelry, art, clothing and more!

Cool Things We Want

We Want This Ingenious Japanese Toilet-Sink Hybrid

Over a half-century after its inception, why aren't all Vancouver apartment bathrooms (at the very least) equipped with one of these space- and water-saving models?

10 Places
Picking Grapes / Downtown

Picking Grapes with Sam Jonnery

The France-born Sommelier at Gotham Steakhouse & Bar shares his seasonal and perennial wine picks, insight and expertise...

13 Places
Field Trip / Whistler

Eight Reasons to Spend Shoulder-Season In and Around Whistler

For those seeking a different sort of Whistler experience, going against the flow definitely has its perks.

Heads Up / Squamish

Squamish’s Refresh Market Returns for a Special Ten Year Anniversary Edition This Weekend

Plan on hitting the road to Squamish this weekend for a special three-day-long birthday market, featuring 65 local vendors, Nov. 12-14th.

Cool Things We Want / East Vancouver

COOL THINGS WE WANT // A Pair of Peated Whiskies from Odd Society Spirits

Count on the East Van distillery to keep our liquor cabinet well-stocked with irresistible - almost illicitly so - and out-of-the-ordinary bottles of booze.

Vancouverites

Eight Questions with Multidisciplinary Artist, Bookmaker and Local Historian, Marlene Yuen

A brief but informative investigation into the thoughts and processes of the Vancouver-based artist and recipient of an honourable mention from the 2021 City of Vancouver Book Awards.

Cool Things We Want / Main Street

COOL THINGS WE WANT // Pacific Rhythm’s ‘Sipping Wine Feeling Fine!’ T-Shirt

Meet our new favourite t-shirt, designed by the local record label in conjunction with Open Ferment Natural Wine Fair's first event.

15 Places
Drinker

15 Local Craft Ciders to Savour This Fall and Winter

Once again, we've turned to the BC cider community for their recommendations of which ciders to cozy up with during the dreary days and nights ahead...

7 Places
Drinker

Beer Brief, Vol. 54

A bulleted briefing of beer news and imminent events, mapped for your crawling pleasure by Thalia Stopa.

Heads Up / Chinatown

The Chinatown Storytelling Centre Announces Their Much-Anticipated Opening Date

Years in the making, and offering over 100 different Chinese Canadian perspectives, the Centre will officially be open to the public on Saturday, November 6th.

Cool Things We Want / North Vancouver

COOL THINGS WE WANT // To Warm Up With a Sons of Vancouver ‘2021 Whisky Advent Calendar’

Each calendar includes two dozen miniature bottles of cask strength whiskies and liqueurs - the gray and rainy days are about to get a lot more interesting!