In early June, Vancouver becomes a hub of creativity, diversity and celebration. Whether you are a music lover, a cinephile, a theatre enthusiast, a foodie or simply someone seeking new experiences, this city has something extraordinary in store for you. Come and be part of the magic as Vancouver embraces the spirit of unity and revelry, creating cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Have a great June everyone!
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Live Through This: Michelle Sound
May 20–July 8
The Seymour Art Gallery’s Live Through This by Cree and Métis artist Michelle Sound explores personal and familial narratives with a consideration of Indigenous artistic processes. Sound’s works explore cultural identities and histories by engaging materials and concepts within a contemporary context. Through utilizing such practices as drum making, caribou hair tufting, beadwork and photography, her work highlights that acts of care and joy are situated in family and community. She works with traditional and contemporary materials and techniques to explore maternal labour, identity, cultural knowledge and cultural inheritances. There will be an artist talk with Sound on June 11 from 2–4 p.m.
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rEvolver Festival
May 24–June 4
rEvolver brings audiences the full range of contemporary theatrical practice, from script-based theatre to devised and site-specific works, staged readings of work-in-progress and in-depth discussions with artists. Presenting adventurous, high energy and sophisticated new work by emerging companies and artists, the festival is dedicated to offering professional presenting opportunities to emerging professional theatre artists and companies. For a complete list of shows and performances, please check out the Up In the Air Theatre website.
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Vancouver International Children’s Festival
May 30–June 4
Mark your calendar! The Vancouver International Children’s Festival will offer In-Person (on Granville Island) and Online programming this spring. The festival will feature dazzling performances from artists far and wide. From local treasures to rare and exotic finds, these captivating performers will put a smile on your child’s face and hopefully even make you hoot with laughter. Please check out their website for a complete list of performers and activities.
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Second Annual Vancouver Greek Film Festival
June 1–4
www.thecinematheque.ca/series/second-annual-vancouver-greek-film-festival
The Hellenic Canadian Congress of B.C. and The Cinematheque will present the second Vancouver Greek Film Festival, an in-person event hosted at The Cinematheque. The festival is a celebration of film as art, and they will present an eclectic offering of contemporary and classic Greek cinema. The festival’s aim has been to focus on the contributions that Greek filmmakers have made – 0and continue to make – to film history and culture. The program presents a myriad of stories and experiences about the human condition, offering insight into the minds of Greek filmmakers that is at once intimate and universal. For upcoming screenings, check out The Cinematheque’s website.
C/4: Canadian Choral Composition Competition
June 2, 7:30 p.m.
Get an insider’s look into three brand new works by three of Canada’s top composers at this intimate, relaxed and entertaining concert. Meet composers Robyn Jacob, Chris Sivak and Laura Hawley, and hear their works performed as you follow along in your own score. This interactive evening, led by Artistic Director, Erick Lichte, has become an audience favourite and one of the most innovative and engaging new music events in Canada.
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West Vancouver Community Cultural Fest
June 2–3
https://westvancouver.ca/arts-culture/festivals-special-events/west-vancouver-communitycultural-fest
The District of West Vancouver invites everyone to attend West Vancouver Community Cultural Fest. This two-day festival brings people together through food, music and culture. There will be cultural pavilions, live bands, international dancers, lounges and food trucks as well as a kid’s zone. Join the community as they celebrate the multicultural diversity of West Vancouver!
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Doors Open Richmond
June 3–4
www.richmondmuseum.ca/doors-open-richmond
Explore the 39 participating sites that exemplify the City of Richmond’s rich history and diverse, multicultural communities. This year’s event features an array of in-person activities and guided tours that showcase Richmond’s diversity alongside its civic services, providing unique experiences for the whole family. Highlights include the Richmond Multicultural Community Services, offering newcomers an introductory public art bus tour that takes them through local parks and public spaces to discover diverse art installations, Turkish Canadian Society invites visitors to indulge in a mesmerizing cultural experience featuring a blend of traditional and contemporary Turkish art, crafts, cuisine and performances, including a Turkish choir and folk dances, and a return of the popular 39 Service Battalion & 12 Service Battalion Museum, where visitors can witness the dedication of everyday citizens who voluntarily train to support the local army reserve.
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Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun
June 8–25
www.whiterockplayers.ca/kissthemoon
Kiss the Moon, Kiss the Sun by Norm Foster is the White Rock Players’ Club’s final show of the season, a tender look at how real people can endure hardships with humour and kindness. Directed by Don Briard, he directs at many theatres around the Lower Mainland and has directed several shows on their stage. For tickets and showtimes, check out the club’s website.
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Italian Day on Commercial Drive
June 11
After three years without the Italian Day festival, due to pandemic and related restrictions, the Italian Day organizers will be sharing Rinascimento in 2023, when the signature 14 block cultural street festival is set to return on Sunday, June 11! The event includes over 100+ street participants, including partners, vendors, community organizations – and an estimated 300,000 attendees of all ages and cultures. The festival is held on Commercial Drive, home to Little Italy, where the street is transformed into a lively 14 block festa. A festive community embrace, The Drive comes alive with piazza style animated zones, live music, food vendors, patios, lifestyle attractions, family fun activities and more.
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Vancouver City Poems Video Poetry Awards & Screening
June 11, 1– 3 p.m.
Celebrate poetry videos and video-poetry by coming out to the award ceremony and screening of imaginative and evocative poetry videos by the finalists and winners of the Vancouver City Poems Contest, an innovative collaboration between local poets and post-secondary student media artists! Student teams from various universities have created a compelling array of poetry videos based on notable poems about Vancouver’s diverse historical, cultural and ecological sites. Spots are limited so please register early. This event is free but registration is required.
