Showing off their tattoos for Body Language: Reawakening Cultural Tattooing of the Northwest.| Photo courtesy of Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art.
It’s June! The long sunny days are here, and summer is right around the corner. Enjoy a plethora of both indoor and outdoor events happening around the city, from community days and food festivals to artistic and musical performances. Why not check out some of the events below happening around town?
* * *
Sara Shneiderman: Nepal’s post-earthquake reconstruction
May 31, 7:30 p.m.
Tsengdok Monastery, Vancouver
Sara Shneiderman, a cultural anthropologist at UBC, has worked in Nepal for 20 years. In the wake of Nepal’s April and May 2015 earthquakes, she was engaged in relief efforts focused on rural areas. Her current research projects include a multi-disciplinary research partnership on Nepal’s post-earthquake reconstruction. She will be giving a talk about this topic at the Tsengdok Monastery on May 31, discussing the challenges facing Nepal – political as well as physical – and what we can do to help. For more information, visit the Trans-Himalayan Aid Society’s website.
Folk dancer kicking up his feet for the Surrey Greek Food Festival.| Photo courtesy of Greek Food Festival.
* * *
Feminist Land Art Retreat: Free Rein
May 31–August 4
Audain Gallery at SFU, Burnaby
www.sfu.ca/galleries/audain-
The Audain Gallery will be hosting the Feminist Land Art Retreat conceptual project from May 31 to August 4. The project provokes reflection on relief, escape and wildness within contemporary life. By proposing a feminist land art retreat, yet perpetually suspending its manifestation, this artistic piece opens a space to consider the social and cultural paradigms that construct femininity, nature and solitude. There will be an opening reception on May 30 and an exhibition tour on June 23. Check out the gallery’s website for more information.
* * *
West Vancouver Community Day
June 2, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Ambleside Park, West Vancouver
www.westvancouver.ca/arts-
Come down to Ambleside Park in West Vancouver for the city’s Community Day on Saturday, June 2, and enjoy a fun-filled day of festivities for the whole family! This annual event has activities for all ages, including a parade, music, dance stages, food vendors, a kid’s zone and a Community Day lounge. This year’s theme is superheroes with a parade at 10 a.m. For a complete list of activities and events, please visit the West Vancouver website.
* * *
Surrey Greek Food Festival
June 8–17
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Surrey
Come and experience folk dancing representing various regions of Greece and other places from around the world. Hosted by the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, the Surrey Greek Food Festival invites guests of all ages to celebrate Greek culture and experience Greek food. There will be live entertainment and a Kids Zone booth on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, please visit their website.
* * *
Body Language: Reawakening Cultural Tattooing of the Northwest
June 8, 2018–January 13, 2019
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, Vancouver
Body Language, opening at the Bill Reid Gallery on June 8, is the first exhibition to fully explore the rich history and artistry of Indigenous tattooing, piercing and personal adornment on the Northwest Coast. The contemporary artists included in the exhibition are at the forefront of the revival of Indigenous tattooing in B.C. They are reclaiming traditional techniques and traditional rights to be tattooed and building awareness of the significance and protocols around the tattooing traditions. Today, tattoos tell personal stories, create identity and a feeling of belonging. Each artist will examine the history, symbolism, oral traditions, songs and artistry of indigenous tattooing within their region.
* * *
Breakout Festival
June 9–10
Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver
The first annual Breakout Festival will be held at the Pacific National Exhibition on June 9 – 10. This will be Vancouver’s first outdoor music festival featuring some of the biggest names in hip-hop and R&B alongside some of Vancouver’s rising hip-hop and R&B talent. For its first year, the festival intends to bring a one-of-a-kind experience to festival goers of all ages. With a food truck area, a VIP section, 19+ bars, alcohol-free zone and more, Breakout aims to lead Vancouver in hip-hop / R&B music festival experiences. Tickets to the festival include Playland admission. For more information, check out their website.
* * *
Exit (Yukon) by Enda Bardell.| Photo courtesy of Edna Bardell.
Eighth Annual Mid Main Art Fair
June 10, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Heritage Hall, Vancouver
midmainartists.wixsite.com/midmainartfair
The Mid Main Art Fair was established in 2010 by artist Enda Bardell to help promote and sell the work of established artists of the greater Vancouver area. Each year, invited artists show works of art produced in a variety of media and styles during the fair. Abstracts, landscapes, florals, still life and figurative works are rendered in watercolour, oil, acrylic, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Admission is free! For gallery and other information, please visit their website.
* * *
Italian Day on the Drive
June 10, 12 p.m.–8 p.m.
Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Italian Day returns to The Drive on June 10. Italian Day is a vibrant cultural street festival celebrating Italian culture, heritage and respective immigrant contributions in Vancouver. This year’s festival offers over 120 street participants comprised of: sponsors, merchants, retail booths, food vendors and restaurant patios, as well as stages with live music and theatre, street performers, classic cars, activities and displays, children’s amusement zones and more. For highlights and more information, please visit their website.
* * *
5X Festival
June 13–17
Various venues around Vancouver
5X is a festival where global South Asian culture is expressed, showcased and connected and will be held at various venues throughout Vancouver this June. Art nights, workshops, a block party, bhangra battles and artist talks will take place across the city. While the main festival takes place June 13 to 17, on June 1, there will be a pre-party at Celebrities Nightclub featuring Khanvict, Desi Sub Culture and DJ Kid Kang. Please visit the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration website for more details and artist information.
