Welcome back everyone; I hope everyone enjoyed their summer! Although the back to school season signifies the twilight of yet another summer, a symphony of events and festivals that promise to paint the end of the summer with vibrant hues. From cultural gatherings that spark the imagination to outdoor festivals that set the rhythm for our evenings, the late summer invites you to embrace both the pursuit of knowledge and the joy of community celebration. Why not check out some of the events below?
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Farewell to Summer Fireworks Festival
Aug. 26, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
www.hyackfestival.com/fireworks-festival
The New Westminster Hyack Festival Association is sending summer off in style at the New Westminster Quay on Saturday, Aug. 26 for a spectacular day filled with artisan market vendors & exhibitors, live entertainment, fantastic food and the piece de resistance: a Fireworks extraordinaire to captivate thousands of enchanted onlookers. Be one of them! For more information, check out the festival’s website.
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20th Annual Richmond Maritime Festival
Aug. 26–27, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
www.richmondmaritimefestival.ca
The Richmond Maritime Festival returns for its 20th edition on Aug. 26–27 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This free event brings the community together to enjoy nautical history and maritime-themed activities at the beautiful Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site in Steveston. Come and enjoy live music, food trucks, a display of beautifully restored wooden boats and ships and much more. Visit their website to scroll through to learn about the event programming and what to expect this year!
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Harrison Sunflower Festival
Late August to Sept. 17, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Formerly the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival, the Harrison Sunflower Festival is an ode to one of the best seasons of the year – summer! The fun begins in August and runs into early-mid September, with acres of beautiful blooming Sunflowers, Dahlias, Cosmos & Zinnias! Explore three kilometres of pathways through 20 acres of beautiful backdrops, including 45 varieties of sunflowers, other summer flowers and a large field of barley this year! Other photo opportunities to capture include several swing sets, antique tractors and horse carts, vintage bicycles, a 1950’s convertible, a 1965 Airstream trailer and raised platforms that make it easy to stage your own family or group portrait.
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Coastal Livelihoods: Visual anthropology of artisanal fishing communities in Otuam, Ghana and Sundarbans, India
Aug. 30–Sept. 29
https://sppga.ubc.ca/events/ event/coastal-livelihoods-avisual-anthropology-exhibit-byzana-mody
Approximately 3.3 billion people around the world rely on fish and seafood as their primary source of protein and for their local economies, yet the methods for catching fish vary greatly in their impacts on the marine ecosystems. The Liu Lobby Gallery presents a month-long exhibition featuring the photography of Liu Scholar and IRES PhD student Zana Mody, visually demonstrating the diversity of small-scale fishing practices in two remote regions of the Global South. Join the UBC School of Public Policy and Global Affairs on Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. for refreshments, a discussion with the artist and a short talk by special guest Dr. Rashid Sumaila.
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Nikkei Matsuri
Sept. 1–3
www.nikkeimatsuri.nikkeiplace.org
This annual celebration of Japanese culture hosted by the Nikkei Cultural Centre since 2013 returns to Burnaby once more, featuring food, performances, games and entertainment. Bring the kids to chow down on a Japadog, play ring toss and mini-golf, dress up in a yukata traditional dress and listen to talented musical and dancing contenders vying for singing glory at the Talent Search.
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African Heritage Festival of Music and Dance (AHFOMAD)
Sept. 1–3
The African Heritage Festival of Music and Dance, happening at the Massey Theatre in New Westminster, is a festival featuring arts, music and dance, cultural to contemporary, from the African Canadian perspective with performers from the local, national and international arts and culture market from Africa, the Americas and all of the African diaspora. For a complete list of events and performers, please check out the festival’s website.
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Serbian Days
Sept. 2–3
Bring the kids to this family friendly event to partake in the celebration of all things Serbian at the 33rd Serbian Days at Saint Sava Church. Learn about the heritage and folklore of Serbian culture, compete in a soccer tournament, enjoy grilled barbequed meats and listen to traditional trumpet and popular music. For a complete list of events and activities, please visit their website.
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Taiwanfest
Sept. 2–4
The Taiwanfest is a three-day festival of arts, music, dance and film celebrating Taiwanese culture as well as related cultures in the Asia-Pacific region. Some highlights include DJ Dungi Sapor, an artist integrating Indigenous culture into contemporary sound, breaking the stereotype of Indigenous music; Harmonia, a string musician group; and a focus on Dutch influence in Formosa. There is also a street banquet and outdoor concerts. Open to the public.
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Ninth Annual Polish Festival
Sept. 3, 1–8 p.m.
Come on down to the ninth annual Polish Festival at the Shipbuilders Square in North Vancouver for a day of family fun. Activities include puppet shows, arts and crafts, singing and dancing. Traditional cuisine will be available, as well as vendors selling Polish accessories and merchandise. Check out their website for more information.
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Vancouver Fringe Festival
Sept. 7–17
One of Vancouver’s most beloved festivals returns to Granville Island to delight, entertain and inspire independent theatre goers of all ages. From the humorous to the intellectual, the tear-jerking to the naughty, there’s something for everyone. On Sept. 6, the festival will have a two hour preview called Fringe4All, featuring many artists presenting their reason why you should see their show. For more information, please visit their website.
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Vancouver Fringe Festival
Sept. 7–17
The 21st edition of the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival (VLAFF) will take place from Sept. 7–17. The festival’s mission is to provide a forum for the promotion and exhibition of Latin American cinema in Vancouver. This multi-day annual festival encourages dialogue among cultures, and explores and celebrates the art of contemporary Latin American and Latin Canadian filmmaking. For a complete list of films being shown for the festival, please visit their website.
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Little Shop of Horrors
Sept. 7–Oct. 8
The Little Shop of Horrors will be presented at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage from Sept. 7 to Oct. 8. Things start looking up for Seymour, a nerdy flower shop assistant, when he discovers a highly unusual plant during a solar eclipse. This fast-growing and fast-talking new organism, named Audrey Two, attracts fame and helps Seymour win the affection of his crush. But will the price of satisfying the plant’s hunger for human blood prove too steep? You’ll thrill to this comedy’s ’60s-inspired score, featuring the unforgettable tunes Somewhere That’s Green, Dentist!, Suddenly Seymour, the titular Little Shop of Horrors, and more.
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Turkish Tunes 6
Sept. 9, 6 p.m.
https://events.sfu.ca/wcp/event/36880-turkish-tunes-6
The Sixth Turkish Tunes will be held at the Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre on Sept. 9, in partnership with SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs. Turkish Tunes is a community music event of the Turkish-Canadian Society (TCS), which includes choirs, bands, musicians singing/playing individually or in groups. Come listen to and dance with folk, jazz, pop and classical Turkish music from the multicultural land of Anatolia!
