The Squamish Wind Festival for the Arts will include a drive-in movie. | Photo courtesy of Squamish Wind Festival for the Arts
I have to be honest with you: I didn’t expect the summer of 2020 to be like this back in January. I was hoping to be visiting Eastern Canada again; maybe travelling abroad to Japan too. While travelling restrictions may slowly be lifted over the summer, it’s not quite the same! Still, I have to admit, British Columbia is a great province to spend a staycation. So enjoy the summer, check out a few online events,and I’ll see you all in late August!
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Art Downtown
Various dates between June 17 and Sept. 11
In this time of global pandemic, the need for art and culture has never been needed more by both the artists who create and the viewers who view. Art Downtown is a project by the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation that allows artists and the public to connect, inspire each other and share creativity. Between June and September, artists will be presenting their work and techniques in the beautiful setting of Lot 19 and Cathedral Square, downtown Vancouver. Check out the foundation’s website for the dates and times and more information.
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Brentwood Artisan Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.,
until Nov. 1
www.bcfarmersmarkettrail.com/market/brentwood-farmers-market
The Brentwood Artisan Farmers Market is one of the city’s newests outdoor markets, featuring local businesses out to showcase and sell their wares. Meet local growers, bakers, foragers and crafters in an open-air modified-market setting and support local businesses as they work hard to survive in the age of coronavirus.
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The Relay
Various dates from June 25–Sept. 3
www.thecultch.com/events/the-relay
Every second Thursday evening this summer, The Cultch’s Digital Storytelling team will unveil a new episode of The Relay, an immersive, interactive and imaginative online storytelling experience unlike anything else.Thirteen unique artists will collaborate and create an unfolding story over three months. From writers and directors, to choreographers, performers and designers – this unique group brings their diverse range of artistic specialties together to create a sprawling multi-month, multi-platform, multi-genre digital experience.
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34th Annual Vancouver Greek Summerfest (To Go)
July 10–12, 17–19
The Vancouver Greek Summerfest is back in 2020 for its 34th consecutive year. Because of the global pandemic, this year’s summerfest is to go. This annual celebration of food, entertainment and family fun features the famous “BBQ Lamb” and “Loukoumades” – delicious and traditional Greek and Mediterranean delicacies. For up-to-date information, please check out their website.
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Queer Arts Festival
July 16–26
The Queer Arts Festival (QAF) is an annual artist-run professional multidisciplinary arts festival producing, presenting and exhibiting a curatorial vision favouring challenging, thought-provoking work that pushes boundaries and initiates dialogue. This year’s festival, like many other festivals, will present many events virtually. Attend dance performances, roundtable conversations, storytelling nights, Indigenious burlesque shows and more! Check out the festival’s website to register and for program information.
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To Speak with a Golden Voice
July 16, 2020–April 11, 2021
www.billreidgallery.ca/blogs/exhibitions-page/to-speak-with-a-golden-voice
The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art will celebrate the milestone centennial birthday of Bill Reid (1920–1998) with an exhibition about his extraordinary life and legacy, To Speak With a Golden Voice, from July 16, 2020 to April 11, 2021. Guest-curated by Gwaai Edenshaw – considered to be Reid’s last apprentice — the group exhibition includes rarely seen treasures by Reid and works from artists such as Robert Davidson and Beau Dick. The exhibit will provide new insights into the nuanced facets and creative complexities of Reid’s life and legacy, following four thematic threads: Voice, Process, Lineage and Legacy. For more information, check out the gallery’s website.
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Black Space Symposium
July 23–25
www.afrovanconnect.com/symposium
Afro Van Connect, a local Vancouver group dedicated to empowering youth of African descent, will be hosting a virtual Black Spaces Symposium from July 23–25. The Black Spaces Symposium is created to bring artists, professors, practitioners and scholars together to share experiences, wisdom and knowledge so they can explore new approaches of strengthening their capacity for community building and development. The symposium will consist of various panel discussions, art exhibitions and music performances, all centred and designed to showcase the Black Experience.
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Abbotsford Agrifair: Drive Thru Safari
July 31–Aug. 2
Much like how the Pacific National Exhibition has set up drive-thru events, the Abbotsford Agrifair plans to re-tool its event in the drive-thru style in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All the fun of the fair from the comfort of your air-conditioned vehicle. Some of the confirmed fair fun visitors will get to see will include: Nancy the Buffalo and Francine the Bison with their cattle and calf friends roaming freely, a 100-foot demolition derby car display, 4-H participants with the animals, antique farm tractors and machinery and more. For more information, please check out the Agrifair website.
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Squamish Wind Festival for the Arts
Aug. 1–28
The Squamish Arts Council will be hosting the seventh annual Wind Festival for the Arts from Aug. 1–28. From virtual livestreams concerts, drive-in movie experiences, workshops and art installations, the event has been reimagined but the mandate remains the same in supporting arts and culture. The event series will abide by all COVID-19 guidelines to keep the community safe and supported. With this in mind, a diverse mix of programming has been created for all to enjoy during this time of transition. Check out the festival’s website for up-to-date information.
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The Journal Project: Capturing History Unfolding
Submissions accepted until Aug. 31
www.coquitlamheritage.ca/the-journal-project
Every day, historians comb through journals of people who lived during significant times in history to piece together important details. These journals were often written by regular people with normal lives who took a few minutes each day or so to record what was going on around them. These records have become instrumental in our understanding of past events, tragedies and everyday life. The Coquitlam Heritage at Mackin House now offers Coquitlam and neighbouring residents the opportunity to contribute to future historians’ understanding of the COVID-19 crisis of 2020, in Coquitlam, and beyond. They want to hear your stories as they unfold and while they are fresh in your minds. Thoughts, feelings, commentaries, scrapbooks, art – all are important. Check out their website to find out how you can contribute!
