As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to paint the city in shades of amber and gold, Vancouver welcomes the enchanting season of autumn with open arms which starts on Sept. 22 this year. The cool breeze brings with it a sense of renewal, as the city fills with the warmth of cultural events and gatherings that celebrate creativity and connection. From Indigenous festivals brimming with local crafts to music festivals that ignite the imagination, there’s no shortage of ways to dive into the magic of fall.
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Come From Away
Sept. 10–15
www.vancouver.broadway.com/shows/comefromaway
The New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night and gratitude grew into enduring friendships. Playing at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from Spet. 10 to 15. For tickets and more information, check out the Broadway Across Canada website.
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Vancouver International Flamenco Festival
Sept. 12–22
www.thedancecentre.ca/event/vancouver-international-flamenco-festival-2024
The Vancouver International Flamenco Festival‘s 34th edition will feature live performances, with both ticketed and free events, promising to deliver exceptional and dynamic programs and celebrating our local, national and international connections and performers from Spain, Taiwan, Cuba, Mexico, India and Canada. This year‘s highlights include the Canadian premiere presentation of Spain‘s COMPAÑÍA MARCO FLORES with Rayuela at the Vancouver Playhouse. The musicians from the company, Jose Tomás Jiménez (guitar) Jose Valencia (voice) will also give an exclusive music concert at St James Hall. Celebrate flamenco with accordion-robots (Ebe), a vibrant CD release (Lara Wong/ Melón Jiménez) and a moving personal journey (Flamencolía Dance Company).
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Mid-Autumn Moon Celebration at the Space Centre
Sept. 13, 6–9:30 p.m.
www.eventbrite.ca/e/mid-autumn-moon-celebration-at-the-space-centre-tickets-1004797465267
Celebrate the full harvest moon at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, in collaboration with the Chinese Canadian Museum and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden! The Mid-Autumn Moon is celebrated at its brightest and fullest, symbolizing family reunion and completeness. The festival features family gatherings, mooncake sharing, lantern displays and cultural performances, highlighting themes of reunion, gratitude and the harvest moon’s beauty. Check out the Eventbrite page for tickets and more information.
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Siglo de Oro : Renaissance Reflections
Sept. 13, 7:30–9:20 p.m.
www.sjmusic.ca/events/siglo-de-oro/2024-09-13
London’s celebrated vocal ensemble Siglo de Oro brings a programme of Renaissance and modern sacred music to St James Anglican Church for their Canadian debut in Vancouver as they commence their 2024 Canada and United States tour. The ensemble is best known for its work in early music, with a repertoire stretching from Hildegard of Bingen to Dieterich Buxtehude. Siglo de Oro is also dedicated to performing contemporary music, and their Renaissance Reflections programme offers selections both old and new. For tickets and more information, check out the website.
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stɑl̓əw̓ pow wow
Sept. 13–15
The stɑl̓əw̓ Arts and Cultural Society will be hosting their annual stɑl̓əw̓ pow-wow from Sept. 13–15 at the Langley Events Centre. The purpose of the pow-wow is to celebrate Indigenous culture, traditions, music, regalia and art. It is a time to celebrate and preserve the rich heritage and keep traditional Indigenous ways alive. They welcome you to share in the experience of learning the important role tradition plays and how these traditions define Indigenous culture. For more information, check out their website.
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ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl (Come Toward the Fire)
Sept. 14, 12 noon–7 p.m.
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia and Musqueam announced today the full slate of programming for the third annual Indigenous festival, ʔəm̓i ce:p xʷiwəl (Come Toward the Fire). The family-friendly festival is free with no tickets required. The festival will activate the Chan Centre and its surrounding area, culminating in finale performances inside the venue at 5 p.m. From 11 a.m., parking at the nearby Rose Garden Parkade is free. Feel free to visit their website for more information.
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Christopher Cheung: Under the White Gaze
Sept. 18, 7–8 p.m.
vpl.bibliocommons.com/events/66ad64722486bf251bbace7a
How is Canadian media failing to reflect Canada’s multicultural society? Journalist Christopher Cheung’s new book, Under the White Gaze, is a candid investigation into the state of race in Canadian media today and a call for newsrooms to think critically about representation in all areas of coverage. At this event being held at the VPL Central Library, Cheung explores why reporting on race is necessary, how the language for doing so is evolving and why intersectionality increasingly matters in stories about race. He also explains how some well-meaning reporting today perpetuates the white gaze and weighs in on how Canada’s white gaze operates differently than America’s.
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Middletown
Sept. 18–Oct. 6
www.pacifictheatre.org/show/middletown
Mary Swanson arrives in Middletown ready to start her family in a normal suburb. But her new neighbours see the surreal in the status quo and the outer bounds of the universe in their local garden patch. As Mary connects to her community via the magic and tragedy of ordinary experiences, Middletown dives into the big questions: what are beginnings? How should we end? And how are we supposed to deal with all the stuff in between? This two hour show will be performed at the Pacific Theatre; check out the theatre’s website for tickets and more information.
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Culture Days
Sept. 20–Oct. 13
Culture Days is a national celebration of arts and culture. At the end of each September, millions of people attend thousands of free participatory arts and culture events across the country both in-person and online. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities. The next Culture Days celebration will take place Sept. 20 through Oct. 13 for three glorious weeks of colour, creativity and community.
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Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Tea Festival: Tea For All
Sept. 21–22, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Experience the joy of tea at the Garden Tea Festival, hosted by the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden on Sept. 21 and 22! This engaging event invites everyone – tea lovers and curious visitors alike – to explore the rich traditions and flavors of tea. Set in a beautiful Chinese garden, the festival offers a range of fun activities, including hands-on workshops, interactive tea ceremonies and tastings. With the theme “Tea for All,” there’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re a tea enthusiast or new to the world of tea. Join us for a weekend of learning and celebration!
