July has arrived at last! While I’ve highlighted a few of the numerous activities taking place in the city below, there are a wealth of events and festivals to explore this summer. Take advantage of the sunny weather, venture to nearby destinations, explore mountain trails, indulge in delicious food and beverages and have a joyful Canada Day celebration!
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Dani Gal: Historical Records Until July 14
www.thepolygon.ca/exhibition/dani-gal-historical-records
Dani Gal’s epic work, Historical Records (2005–ongoing) comprises over 700 commercially issued vinyl LPs, which the artist has collected since the beginning of this century. As the collection grew over the years, it was divided into three parts and The Polygon Gallery is showing Part 1, 2005–2018 (comprising 246 records), from the Collection of Migros Museum in Zürich, in its ground floor gallery. This poignantly plural work becomes the centrepiece of Dani Gal’s first solo exhibition in Canada. For more information about the exhibit, check out The Polygon’s website.
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Vancouver International Jazz Festival
June 21–July 1
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is held in multiple locations across the beautiful city of Vancouver. Framed by mountains and the ocean, this idyllic location is the perfect place to get your musical fix. This year will be the 38th year of the Festival that has featured thousands of artists in free and ticketed shows across hundreds of venues in Vancouver. This annual event is not to be missed. For a complete list of performances and performer information, please check out the festival’s website.
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The Joy of Seeing
June 25–Sept. 23
www.richmondartgallery.org/the-joy-of-seeing
The Joy of Seeing presents a selection of realistic and semi-abstract watercolour, oil and acrylic paintings created between 2020 and 2022 by Richmond-based Filipino-Canadian artist Joselito Macapagal. His work captures fleeting yet memorable moments from his everyday life and travels: the bustling produce aisle in a local market, pre-storm clouds at Macdonald Beach, the distinctive nipa hut in the Philippines and a steaming churro cart in Mexico. Using painting as a form of mediation and storytelling, Macapagal invites the audience into a world where he shares his joy of translating the colours, textures, lines and shapes of such scenes in his paintings.
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47th Annual Golden Spike
June 29–July 1
The Golden Spike Days Festival is one of the oldest and longest running family events in B.C. commemorating the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway line and its arrival at the original western terminus in Port Moody where the last spike was driven. It will be held at Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park featuring food, activities and more during the Canada Day long weekend; there’s something for everyone! Check out the Golden Spike Festival website for more information.
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Steveston Salmon Festival
July 1
Celebrate “Canada’s biggest little birthday party” in Steveston! This year’s festival is all about community. Visitors will be treated to a show-stopping parade, live music, family-friendly activities and much more. Foodies will want to try the iconic Salmon Bake – a savoury, barbecued salmon filet that has become a Steveston favourite – a bowl of tasty chow mein or fluffy stacks of pancakes for early rising parade-goers. Stages set across Steveston Village will feature music all-day, headlined by the six-piece dance band and closing act Dr. Strangelove, at the Spirit of Steveston stage. New this year is the Catch of the Day stage, where families can enjoy fun performances by a variety of acts.
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Piece Lily
July 2–7, 7 p.m.
www.oddmeridian.ca/piece-lily.html
Morrow, a creative space by Odd Meridian, is a cultural hub that supports and is in conversation with the work of many artists from across genres. In early July, they will be presenting a show called Piece Lily at 7 p.m. from July 2 to 7. It will be an improvised mandala of movement, music and musings, devised and performed by dance artists Marisa Gold and Ziyian Kwan with cellist Peggy Lee with lighting by Jessica Han.
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2024 Vancouver Greek Summerfest
July 4–14
Vancouver’s Greek Summerfest is back in 2024 for a 37th year. This year’s community fundraiser brings back stage entertainment featuring local bands and cultural performances. Celebrate great Greek food with Vancouver’s expansive and diverse community! Indulge in all your favourites: loukoumades (Greek donuts), souvlaki, BBQ lamb, spanakopita, take a piece of Greece home with you. Vegan options have been added to the menu as well. Check out their website for more information.
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2024 Theatre Under the Stars
July 5–August 24
Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) presents its explosive 2024 season, featuring CATS and School of Rock, on stage from July 5 to Aug. 24 at Stanley Park’s majestic Malkin Bowl. From one of the longest-running musicals of all time to a feel-good tribute to rock ‘n roll, TUTS invites audiences to dream big, live boldly and rock out into the night this summer season. For tickets, showtimes and more information, check out the TUTS website.
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A Smoke behind the Rope
July 5–10
Set in a high-security prison, A Smoke behind the Rope follows the connection that blooms between Golnaz and Farhad on a night that they fear will end in death. What follows is a poetic dance of story, memory, imagination and passion in the face of oppression. Golnaz and Farhad, accidental activists, find themselves in solitary confinement in an prison famous for torture and mysterious disappearances. Imagination and a powerful need for connection allow these two young strangers to find ways to share their pain, joy, fear and humour in an environment of great uncertainty and profound paranoia. Stories of resistance are etched on the prison walls, serving as a powerful reminder of the struggles and injustices faced by those who resist authoritarian systems.
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Khatsahlano Street Party
July 6, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Brought to you with love by the Merchants of West 4th Avenue, Khatsahlano Street Party returns for its 12th year on West 4th Ave, between Burrard and MacDonald, for an action-packed day of fun. There will be lots of live music, a beer garden, food trucks and many activities. For more info on all the musicians performing and stage schedule, please visit their website.
