Geologist David Cook will give the public a tour – through photographs – of the Nullarbor desert along the southern Australian coast. Photo by Hansjoerg Morandell, Flickr
June 21 marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Rejoice in the start of the summer by attending outdoor cultural events, like Italian Heritage Month, Make Music Vancouver, Greek Day and Indian Summer Festival.
The Nullarbor:
An Australian Desert
Tuesday, June 19, 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
North Vancouver District
Public Library
3675 Banff Court, North Vancouver
604-929-3727
www.nvdpl.ca
Local geologist David Cook will provide an illustrated account of the geological and natural history of the Nullarbor in Australia. Open to the public, but registration required.
* * *
World Refugee Day
Wednesday, June 20, 1 p.m.–3 p.m.
Vancouver Public Library
350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver
604-331-3603
www.vpl.ca
Attend the unveiling of what will be the first Refugee Centre in Canada. The new centre will serve as a model for possible new centres later on. Refugees will speak about their experiences and struggles. There will also be interactive activities and information booths. Open to the public.
* * *
National Aboriginal Day
Thursday, June 21, noon–1:30 p.m.
Edmonds Community Centre
7282 Kingsway, Burnaby
604-297-4400
www.burnaby.ca
Learn about First Nation’s culture and enjoy some maple-glazed salmon, bannock, wild rice pilaf and more. Tickets $10.
* * *
Make Music Vancouver
Thursday, June 21, 5 p.m.–10 p.m.
Gastown
778-709-2595 (Leane)
www.makemusicvancouver.ca
A live musical celebration on the streets of Gastown. After
10 p.m., the party continues inside pubs and restaurants around the area. Make Music is part of a global movement to take music to the streets for everyone to enjoy the diversity of the art of sound. Open to the public.
* * *
Greek Day
Sunday, June 24
Kitsilano District,
W. Broadway, Vancouver
604-738-7126
www.greekday.com
Experience Greek culture by celebrating in the streets. There will be a main stage, a kids’ area, a marketplace, food vendors, wines cooking tent and a Hellenic experience tent, where you can have free samples of authentic Greek olives, coffee teas, and more. Open to the public.
* * *
Festival d’été
Until June 24
Various Venues
604-736-9806
www.lecentreculturel.com
Celebrate francophone cultural heritage through francophone music. The remaining days of the festival will feature electronic music by various DJs and a performance by Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal Choir, to honour Saint-Jean Baptiste day. Electronic music tickets: $15 (non-members), $10 (members). Choir performance is free. See website for schedule and details.
* * *
Roma Gry, a gypsy performance troupe, will be performing in Port Moody June 29. Photo courtesy of Roma Gry
The Passion
Friday, June 29, 7 p.m.
Inlet Theatre
100 Newport Dr.,
Port Moody
604-719-7918
www.pomoarts.ca/inlet-theatre/
Roma Gry is an international gypsy performance troupe that promotes the culture, music and dance of the Romani people. Tickets: $20 adults, $15 students and seniors, children free.
* * *
Italian Heritage Month
All of June
Italian Cultural Centre
3075 Slocan St., Vancouver
604-430-3337
www.italianculturalcentre.ca
Events for the rest of the month include: performing arts and indoor and outdoor cinemas. There will also be a banquet and dance on June 25, to celebrate the first ever Italian Heritage Month. Tickets for the banquet/dance $60. See website for details and full schedule of events.
* * *
Spatial Poetics XI:
Some Monster
Thursday, July 5, 7:30 p.m.
SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
149 W. Hastings St., Vancouver
604-739-9388
www.powellstreetfestival.com
A collection of experimental performances by Asian-Canadian artists. The line-up includes: electro-acoustic sound composer, Yota Kobayashi, with flutist/visual artist, Mark Takeshi McGregor; musician/visual artist Andrew Lee with musician Alex Zhang Hungtai; and experimental cellist Peggy Lee with dancer Delia Brett. Tickets: $12 adults, $10 students/seniors.
* * *
Indian Summer Festival
July 5–15
Various Venues
info@indiansummerfestival.ca
www.indiansummerfestival.ca
Have an Indian summer, and look forward to various arts programming and wellness, like music, dance, literature, film, visual arts, cuisine, yoga and wellness. Featured gusts like Sharmilla Tagore (the ‘Queen of Bollywood’) and MJ Akbar (India’s leading journalist) will be holding talks as well. See website for individual ticket prices and festival passes.
* * *
ReVision Art Exhibit
Until July 29
Creekhouse, Granville Island
Between Public Market
and Totem carving area
604-222-8372 (Janet)
www.revision-theartofrecycling.com
A juried art sale, festival and exhibit. All art is made from recycled, salvaged or found materials. ReVision aims to advance public awareness on environmental and sustainability issues. Open to the public.
