The Vancouver Group Chat: What your friends are talking about this week (June 9)

Welcome back to the Vancouver Group Chat, a spot where we review some of the week’s hottest updates, and we don’t just mean the weather. With the last tendrils of spring wrapped around the city, it’s time to stop and smell the flowers growing in your neighbourhood and seek a bit of quiet and reflection before Vancouver begins its biggest summer yet.

What’s new, Vancouver?

Knowledge tests are going online

It looks like you can now take a knowledge test at home from your own computer if you’re a learner driver.

Online exams will apply to passenger vehicles and motorcycles, but those who are learning to drive commercial vehicles must still pass the test at an ICBC location.

This will no doubt help make the test more accessible, especially to those living in rural or remote areas. It should also free up quite a bit of waiting space at your local licensing office. But people on this Reddit thread are, let’s say, doubtful about the test’s efficacy.

“B.C. allows ChatGPT, parents to take the knowledge test on behalf of learner drivers,” writes one person.

“I guess driver’s licenses are the new boating licenses. Vancouver cyclists, be warned,” says another.

Kitsilano gets a special FIFA celebration

It’s not just Commercial Drive or Main Street that’s transforming for FIFA. Kitsilano Beach is about to get a series of Saturday pop-up markets during the world’s largest sporting event. Organized by Artisan Avenue, the free-to-enter market will feature over 40 local vendors from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day it runs, featuring everything from handmade jewelry to Turkish coffee.

Speaking of, Simit is a must-visit this week, and not just for your favourite breakfast order.

For this week only, the authentic Turkish bakery and cafe will display a special FIFA World Cup football signed by the Turkish team, starting on Thursday, June 11. Its outdoor patio will be the spot to catch up with fans during and after this Saturday’s match between Türkiye and Australia, too.

Waterfront fireworks that aren’t the Celebration of Light

Not going to lie, the Celebration of Light was one of Vancouver’s few annual free events that really put the city on the map. Is it better for the environment (and the animals) that it’s not taking place this year? Probably. But there’s apparently a new waterfront fireworks show in the works for this summer.

Happening one day only this July, Summer Lights is a free fireworks celebration at English Bay Beach Park, presented by the City of Vancouver and produced by BrandLive (and supported by the Vancouver Park Board).

The event is open to all residents and visitors, with no registration required. The skies will light up in English Bay on Friday, July 31, so mark your calendars.

New openings to keep an eye out for

The Moon looks to be an exciting new cocktail bar/restaurant venture that lands in Gastown in eight months from now.

A new spot for rotating Portuguese fare and wine is about to open in Fraserhood, one of the city’s most underrated areas for dining, if you ask us. Aiming to open in late summer, Maria Celeste is all about sharing great food, tableside conversations, and connection with the community.

Your sign to do something random

Circling back. It’s the last week and a half of the season, the sunsets are as late as they’ll get all year, and there’s truly no reason you can’t work in a couple of non-FIFA events this week. Lean into what you love, what you’re curious about, or just wing it.

We’ll see you next week, Vancouver!

Recent posts:
No gas, no problem: All the provincial parks you can visit from Vancouver without a car this summer
A new one-of-a-kind cruise will set sail from Vancouver to Bowen Island this summer