I hope everyone has been staying safe and healthy over the summer break. Despite the ongoing global pandemic and the threat of a COVID spike, many places around the city have been endeavouring to strike a balance between reopening parts of the arts and culture industry to guests and maintaining physical distance as much as possible. As a result, many of the events below are hosted online with some low capacity in-person events being offered. I’ll see all of you in September!
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Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts
Aug. 1–29
The Fifth Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts, a multidisciplinary arts festival by the South Asian Arts Society, will be hosting an entirely online edition of the festival for the month of August. The festival features an entire month of Canadian and international dance, music, theatre, comedy, talks, visual art and a myriad of development workshops and classes. There are comedy nights, podcast storytelling, staged readings and more. For more information, check out the festival website.
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Historic Powell Street Walking Tours
Aug. 6–Sept. 17
www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-powell-street-walking-tours-tickets-114978656256
The Vancouver Japanese Language School is presenting the Historic Powell Street Walking Tours, showcasing the hidden history of the thriving Japanese-Canadian historic neighbourhood community prior to World War II, the strength displayed by Japanese Canadians during internment, and the resilient Downtown Eastside community of today. The tour will be practicing social distancing and limiting registration to a maximum of eight people per tour.
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Chilliwack Sunflower Festival
Aug. 12–Sept. 7
www.chilliwacksunflowerfest.com
There is nothing like a bunch of sunflowers to mark the peak of summertime | Photo courtesy of Chilliwack Sunflower Festival
The Chilliwack Sunflower Festival is an ode to one of the best seasons of the year – summer! With acres of beautiful blooming sunflowers in many different varieties, and an additional 50+ varieties of Dahlias, it’s the only festival of its kind in B.C. and surely a sight to see! Hosted by the same group that runs the tulip festival in spring, their goal has always been to create a space where families and friends can come together to celebrate nature, farming and the beauty of the seasons.
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South Asians for Black Lives: Caste & Anti-Blackness
Aug. 18, 4–7 p.m.
www.eventbrite.ca/e/south-asians-for-black-lives-caste-anti-blackness-registration-114193848876
Join the South Asian progressive organization Equality Labs for a session on the connections between anti-Blackness and caste apartheid in the South Asian diaspora. As progressive South Asians move towards ending white supremacy and anti-Blackness, individuals must also undo internal hegemonies of caste, language, geography, gender, sexuality and religion. Check out their Eventbrite information page for registration and further details.
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Got Craft? Virtual Market –Food Edition
Aug. 20–23
The Got Craft? Virtual Market is an online event started to support and engage the creative community from the comfort and safety of our homes. The Virtual Market – Food Edition will focus on small-batch, locally made food and drink by some of your favourite makers. Shop from a curated selection of sauces and dips, jams and marmalades, drinks, dumplings, caramels and chocolates, zero waste products, home goods and more!
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Summer at Nikkei Garden
Aug. 21–22
www.nikkeimatsuri.nikkeiplace.org
Due to the pandemic, the Nikkei Matsuri experience looks a little different this year! The Summer at Nikkei Garden is a Japanese cultural marketplace happening Aug. 21–22 to enjoy Japanese arts and culture. Browse a selection of Matsuri vendors and Museum pop-up shops in the beautiful outdoor garden, along with small-scale entertainment. Head inside for access to the Japanese Bookshop and Mikoshi display. You can also join Matsuri Share virtually for themed challenges and fun activities. Share your Nikkei Matsuri memories with #nikkeimatsuri from home or while you visit.
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18th Vancouver Latin American Film Festival
Aug. 18–Sept. 6
The Vancouver Latin American Film Festival is a charitable organization with the mission to provide a forum for the promotion and exhibition of Latin American cinema in Vancouver. This 11-day annual festival encourages dialogue among cultures, and explores and celebrates the art of contemporary Latin American and Latin Canadian filmmaking. You will be able to watch all films online for the duration of the festival, and there will be seven in-person events at The Cinematheque on select dates. Check out the festival’s website for showtimes.
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Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival
Aug. 24–30
The Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival is an annual festival dedicated to spreading the joy of tap dance and providing dancers with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from many internationally-renowned guest artists, and presenting audiences with premiere performances. This year, because of the global pandemic, the festival is going digital, featuring seven days of residencies, workshops, summit talks and special events. Check out the festival’s website for registration information and guest artists.
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31st Annual Vancouver Festival d’été francophone
Aug. 26–30
The 31st edition of the Vancouver Festival d’été francophone has been launched! Due to the pandemic, the festival will be offering both in-person and online events featuring many francophone musicians and performers. In-person events will be held at Studio 16 and online concerts will be live-streamed. Opening night of the festival will feature Canadian indie pop act Les Louanges with artist Vincent Roberge. For more information, check out the festival website.
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Event & Tech Show Asia Pacific 2020
Sept. 1, 7 p.m.–Sept. 3, 3 a.m.
The Event & Tech Show 2020 is the first virtual live event and technology exhibition held in the Asia Pacific region (Singapore). The exhibition presents content from across the technology spectrum, covering but not limited to emerging event technologies, event data and insights, the evolution of event solutions and workflow post-outbreak and the future of event venues and more. Be sure to check out The Virtual Living Lab Concept, an interactive setting for deep engagement with exhibitors, live product demonstrations and tryouts.
