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theaaronchapman.bsky.social
Aaron Chapman
@theaaronchapman.bsky.social
1.5K followers 560 following 420 posts
Vancouver BC Historian, Author, Musician, & even Voice Actor lately! 2 time BC Book Prize Winner. Elected to Royal Historical Society in 2020. Co-host of the Chat Room on Sportsnet 650am. Canadian/UK citizen .
Ask around, my story checks out.
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theaaronchapman.bsky.social
Aaron Chapman @theaaronchapman.bsky.social · Feb 20
A #VancouverHistory starter pack.
With hopefully more to come.
go.bsky.app/B8rmoUZ
#VancouverBC #Vancouver
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
Ben “The Sign Guy” Jackson and I are both down at the The Penthouse tonight. So why not drop by for a drink and a signed copy of this bestseller?
Drop by and say hi!
#SignspointtoYes
September 13, 2026 at 5:15 AM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
A great dinner, and a lot of laughs were had with old and new friends, at Neighbours Restaurant last night for their trivia night hosted by Joe Leary. (Our end of table placed 2nd!)
Thank you Mitzi & Danny and the Filippone family who made me an-offer-I-couldn’t-refuse to make sure I was present!
September 3, 2026 at 1:49 AM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
C’mon #Instagram. Get it together.
August 31, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
wazaroff.bsky.social
For the first time in this trade war, British Columbia and Vancouver are affected in ways that we have not seen before.

Our industries, workers, and families are in the crosshairs from these tariffs and our city government must have their back.

1/X 🧵
For the first time in this trade war, British Columbia and Vancouver are affected in ways that we have not seen before. Our industries, workers, and families are in the crosshairs from these tariffs and our city government must have their back. This means Vancouver cannot be a bystander to the coming price shock, job losses, and real pain that families will feel from the egregious actions taken by the United States. This is why, as OneCity’s mayoral candidate, I’m betting on Vancouver. I have already outlined how as Mayor and with a OneCity progressive government we will deliver the infrastructure supports that underpin a moving economy and deliver resiliency for families and workers: Faster Buses More Childcare Affordable Homes And a Local Economy Action Plan This morning, I directed our Labour, Economic Development, and Inclusive City policy teams to identify concrete ways our municipal government can lead and take responsibility for strengthening the resiliency of our neighbours, communities, and the province that depends on us. We have already announced two pillars of our Local Economy Action Plan: A Good Jobs Procurement Standard, which will focus on rewarding companies with fair wages, responsible contractors, and inclusive hiring, not just the lowest price, so we can build good jobs and support families. And our Buy Vancouver Policy, which will focus on prioritizing goods and services in Vancouver, and across British Columbia and Canada. In the coming weeks, our team will be announcing more of our comprehensive plan to build our city and to strengthen our neighbourhoods, because a strong Canada in the wake of this trade war needs strong towns and cities to back it up. As the Prime Minister stated this morning, Canada has its house in order, and regardless of the circumstance we will chart our own course. It’s time for Vancouver to meet this moment and do the same.
August 22, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
Join me for “Dreams, Schemes, & Rock n Roll” - an entertainment history tour of #GranvilleStreet over Aug 9, 15, 23, & 30th. From Vaudeville to EDM Granville had seen it all—and not just at the Orpheum, Commodore & Vogue.
The stories await!
Plus, its Free!
Register here:
downtownvan.bsky.social Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · Aug 6
Learn more and register for your free tour!
www.dtvan.ca/events/free-...
August 7, 2026 at 6:58 PM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
Join me for “Dreams, Schemes, & Rock n Roll” - an entertainment history tour of #GranvilleStreet over Aug 9, 15, 23, & 30th. From Vaudeville to EDM Granville had seen it all—and not just at the Orpheum, Commodore & Vogue.
The stories await!
Plus, its Free!
Register here:
downtownvan.bsky.social Downtown Van @downtownvan.bsky.social · Aug 6
Learn more and register for your free tour!
www.dtvan.ca/events/free-...
August 7, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
downtownvan.bsky.social
Learn more and register for your free tour!
www.dtvan.ca/events/free-...
August 6, 2026 at 5:14 PM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
This British Columbia Day Monday August 3rd at 2:15pm at Coles at the Lougheed Mall in Burnaby. I’ll be signing a few of my books at this BC history books event. Bring an old one, buy a new one! See you there.
#VancouverHistory #ReadLocalBC
August 3, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
anvilpress.bsky.social
"There’s a lot to the story, not just for locals but also anyone interested in the Canadian music scene, the music industry in the '80s, or the creative process in general"
vancouversun.com/entertainmen...
The man, the mystery, the slug: Real Enough revisits the life and legacy of Doug and the Slugs
How did a graphic designer from Toronto who couldn’t really play music convince 5 seasoned Vancouver musicians to build a band around him?
vancouversun.com
June 24, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
onecityvan.bsky.social
To the people who still envision a walkable, vibrant Vancouver, it's still possible. ABC killed the plan today, but OneCity is committed to bringing more diverse, thriving neighbourhoods to every community.

Be a part of it - donate or volunteer at the link in bio.
July 28, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
brenttoderian.bsky.social
This Granville Street pedestrian zone won’t be an automatic success (“build it & they will come”) nor an automatic failure (“it can’t succeed because [fill in the blank]”).

Its success requires real commitment and support from ALL of us. The COLLECTIVE “WE.”

Do we WANT it to succeed, or not?

2/
People enjoying the Granville Street pedestrian zone in downtown Vancouver, after the World Cup ended and the zone was extended until the end of the summer.
July 28, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
brenttoderian.bsky.social
Was Vancouver City Council’s decision to extend the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone beyond the World Cup a “mistake?” Despite its popularity with businesses, residents, etc, some in the media, and a city councillor, have suggested that.

Here’s how I responded to a media post on the other site.
Post says: I’m on the public record supporting the pedestrian street extension, and I’ve since been providing advice to @downtownvan on their key part of the implementation. I’ve been working in downtown revitalization for 34 years across Canada and all over the world. To me it’s obvious why Granville Street wasn’t improving before the World Cup, and why businesses, building owners and potential developers NEED to have the confidence that the City is committed to the success of the street post-world cup. The market is showing unprecedented new interest in the street, but they need to know that it won’t go back to the way it was before… They need to know that this is a true turning point. That’s why this extension is so critical, and although costs should…” Post continues: “…definitely emphasize “bang for the buck,” it’s critical to understand how much this represents an important and necessary INVESTMENT with a significant opportunity for RETURN ON INVESTMENT. Just one or two new projects that occur or move faster because of the confidence that this extension provides would mean tens, even hundreds of millions of dollars in public revenue over years. We can’t afford to be paralyzed by focussing on the wrong definitions of success. We can’t afford to get this wrong, and doing nothing would’ve been the easiest and most obvious way to get it wrong.
July 26, 2026 at 7:09 PM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
Saturday night at Tyrant Studios on Seymour Street in #Vancouver. Join me and the Tornado Alley orchestra for a set of Jazz-noir songs and barstool wisdom. Eugene Ripper headlines and Sinead Sanders kicks things off.
July 9, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
joeplanta.bsky.social
One of the losses coming from the shutting down of News 1130 is the showcase that @jackermann.bsky.social provided for authors. More than one author has told me a spot on his bookshelf segment, likely made their books bestsellers. He's also a keen reader, as you'll see from this interview I did:
July 7, 2026 at 11:18 PM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
If you are wearing one of these hats out in public, you have decided a few things about your life, about who you are, and where your life is headed—and may have no idea you’ve done so.
June 27, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
anvilpress.bsky.social
vancouversun.com/entertainmen... - Nice to see "Real Enough" climb this list!
B.C.: 15 bestselling books for the week of June 6
The bestselling local books of the week, compiled by the Association of Book Publishers of B.C.
vancouversun.com
June 12, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
anvilpress.bsky.social
"... Some of the country’s best bands, such as the Tragically Hip and Payola$, barely registered in the lucrative market south of the border. Another example is Vancouver’s Doug and the Slugs ... They are the subject of this thoughtful and engaging history ..." tinyurl.com/46nafnr2
Despite success in Canada, Doug and the Slugs couldn’t break through in the U.S.
Regional musicians, often dismissed as one-hit wonders, provide some great music most people have never heard. Pittsburgh’s Iron City Houserockers and L.A.’s The Call and Warren Zevon, as examples, un...
www.winnipegfreepress.com
June 22, 2026 at 6:02 PM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
A handful of tickets left for this Saturday afternoon’s #VancouverVice tour hosted by Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours.
Do you remember the West End sniper? The “Hookers on Davie” era? The shocking story behind the death of Errol Flynn? More info & tickets in the first comment below.
June 11, 2026 at 4:00 PM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
As an old time #AtlantaHawks fan, I have no dog in this #NBAFinals hunt. But I have tuned in to have fun booing every time #DonaldTrump appears in the broadcast.
@espn.com seems to wisely not be giving him any attention since the anthem—which must be eating at him terribly.
June 9, 2026 at 1:11 AM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
This Saturday!
theaaronchapman.bsky.social Aaron Chapman @theaaronchapman.bsky.social · Jun 5
Do you remember the West End sniper? The “Hookers on Davie” era? The shocking story behind the death of Errol Flynn?
Join me on a #WestEnd Crime history walking tour June 13th & July 4th—from the pages of my book #VancouverVice. Tickets here: forbiddenvancouver.ca/vancouver-vi... #VancouverHistory
Vancouver Vice Tour | Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours
Uncover the dark criminal history of Vancouver's West End with acclaimed author and historian Aaron Chapman. Based on his book Vancouver Vice.
forbiddenvancouver.ca
June 9, 2026 at 1:04 AM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
Sounds like they’re doing it right, and we could use a little more of this in #Vancouver.
June 9, 2026 at 12:44 AM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
Do you remember the West End sniper? The “Hookers on Davie” era? The shocking story behind the death of Errol Flynn?
Join me on a #WestEnd Crime history walking tour June 13th & July 4th—from the pages of my book #VancouverVice. Tickets here: forbiddenvancouver.ca/vancouver-vi... #VancouverHistory
Vancouver Vice Tour | Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours
Uncover the dark criminal history of Vancouver's West End with acclaimed author and historian Aaron Chapman. Based on his book Vancouver Vice.
forbiddenvancouver.ca
June 5, 2026 at 7:16 PM
Reposted by Aaron Chapman
ayan604.bsky.social
"Vancouver’s Habitat 76 still delivering lessons in housing" as told by @goldinyvr.bsky.social via @theglobeandmail.com

#cdnpoli #bcpoli #vanpoli #vanre

GIFT LINK: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/d1e4d31...
Vancouver’s Habitat 76 still delivering lessons in housing
Long before Vancouver became a hotbed of property speculation, Habitat 76 drew more than 2,000 delegates from 140 countries
www.theglobeandmail.com
May 30, 2026 at 4:01 AM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
Ever had the feeling you’ve been cheated Part II.

I didn’t like Brexit then, and I don’t like it now.
bloomberg.com Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · May 30
The 2016 Brexit vote was supposed to change Britain. Ten years later, it has created our current nationalist age and changed the world, John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge write.
The Day That Changed the World
Brexit did more than pull Britain out of Europe. It showed that no democracy was immune to populist nationalism.
bloom.bg
May 30, 2026 at 6:37 AM
theaaronchapman.bsky.social
Ever had the feeling you’ve been cheated?
theguardian.com The Guardian @theguardian.com · May 30
Resident group’s objections to bar and restaurant licences ‘destroying Soho’s reputation’
Resident group’s objections to bar and restaurant licences ‘destroying Soho’s reputation’
Soho Society, funded by Westminster council, is ferociously opposing all new proposals, venue owners say A society of residents funded by the council could “destroy Soho’s reputation on the international stage” as London’s entertainment district by ferociously objecting to all new bar and restaurant licences, operators in the area have said. The Soho Society, a group of residents established in 1972 aimed at “preserving the character of Soho”, voted in its AGM on Thursday for a new licensing mandate, meaning it will challenge all new applications for bars and restaurants in the area, including renewals of existing licences. It will also object to any venue that wishes to open beyond “core hours”, which Westminster council decrees end at 11pm. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
May 30, 2026 at 6:34 AM