Things to do in Vancouver this week: August 23–29

This is a rainy-then-drying week that demands strategic planning. Sunday arrives soaked—heavy rain, 16 to 20 degrees—which means if you're catching The Guess Who at Freedom Mobile Arch on Sunday at 8:30 p.m., bring a jacket and go for the nostalgia: this Winnipeg rock institution gave the world "American Woman" and "These Eyes" back in their 1969-to-1972 peak, and they're still touring. But the real draw this week is Thursday and the weekend.

The Strokes own Thursday night at Rogers Arena at 7 p.m.—the New York rock band that formed in 1998 with Julian Casablancas on vocals, Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr. on guitar, Nikolai Fraiture on bass, and Fabrizio Moretti on drums. If you have one night out this week, this is it. Thursday is overcast but dry enough, 16 to 21 degrees, and the energy around a Strokes show in a room that size is electric. Grab dinner beforehand at The Templeton on Main—comfort diner food, low-key neighbourhood spot—then head to the arena.

Monday brings The Temper Trap to Commodore Ballroom at 7 p.m.: the Australian indie rock band relocated from Melbourne to London and built a cult following. Overcast, mild (15 to 22 degrees), no meaningful rain—a solid indoor night. Friday at the Vogue Theatre at 8 p.m., Eagles of Death Metal, the American rock band founded by Jesse Hughes and Josh Homme in Palm Desert, California—raw, loud, unapologetic rock. Friday clears to overcast and cool (13 to 19 degrees), so you're dry and can move straight into the night without weather drama.

But the comedy festival is the week's cultural moment. The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival takes over Brockton Fields at Stanley Park starting Friday at 7 p.m. and running into Saturday. Friday features Matt Rife and friends (18+); Saturday kicks off at noon with Anthony Jeselnik, Adam Ray, Pete Davidson, and more (19+). Saturday's light drizzle (13 to 18 degrees) is actually perfect festival weather—outdoor comedy under the trees, cool enough that you won't overheat standing around. This is a rare major-name comedy pull for Vancouver; Pete Davidson alone draws a crowd.

Beyond the stages: Rico Chicken, the delivery-only Peruvian roasted-chicken concept from the team behind Suyo Modern Peruvian and Uchu Cevicheria, is now live across Metro Vancouver—perfect for a fast, excellent meal before heading out. If you're in Kits or anywhere on the west side, Thank You Pizza remains the reliable grab for Italian before a show. And if you want to stay local this weekend, catch the Les Dames d'Escoffier culinary garage sale Saturday morning at LaSalle College Vancouver starting at 9 a.m.—top restaurants clearing their kitchen estates: cookware, vintage cookbooks, estate pieces. Early birds get first pick.

Angine de Poitrine, the Canadian rock duo from Saguenay, Quebec, plays The Pearl on both Saturday and Sunday nights—two chances to catch the anonymously performed rock if the bigger names pass you by.

If you have one night this week, make it The Strokes on Thursday. Everything else flows from there.