The music of community and culture

Come Toward the Fire’s celebration of Indigenous musicians Music’s universal connection allows people the chance to explore another nation’s cultural heritage. UBC’s Chan Centre, situated on Musqueam territory, hosts Come Toward the Fire – a Sept. 16 daylong celebration of Indigenous cultures with artisan showcases, food vendors, and musical performances. Amongst the line-up of Indigenous…

Folk Fest – Music near the beach

Broad and eclectic in range, and with something for every music aficionado, this year’s festival is global in spirit. For three days, morning to evening, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival (Jul 14–16) hits the grass at Jericho Beach Park. The festival schedule is posted online, and with over 40 music acts – with roots in…

Blues at heart

The Steve Kozak Band is bringing the blues to Blue Frog Studios in White Rock, June 3 with special guest Sherman ‘Tank’ Doucette. Born and raised in Vancouver, Kozak and his band will be performing a mix of both covers and original songs, spanning the gamut of different blues styles but with a healthy dose…

A dynamic celebration of the music of Ennio Morricone

The guitar’s musical flexibility offers new experimental compositions, says Marc Morin, guitarist for Montreal Guitar Trio (MG3). Celebrating its 25th anniversary, MG3 brings a virtuosic, energetic groove at Victoria’s Hermann’s Upstairs on May 16. “The interesting thing with the guitar is that it’s not just one instrument,” says Morin. While it’s often a lot of…

Eastern and Western, a contemplation of identity through music

Award-winning composers and musicians Layale Chaker, Kinan Azmeh and Dinuk Wijeratne share a worldly musical mix that reflects on the ephemeral meaning of home at the Chan Centre on May 5. The show, titled The Journeyed Compass, takes listeners through original compositions by the trio, blending Middle Eastern, South Asian and Western Classical music, as well…

Vancouver’s very own Vicky Chow

Vancouver-raised new music ‘monster pianist’ Vicky Chow returns to her hometown as she embraces her acoustic piano roots and performs Philip Glass’ Piano Études, Book 1. This homecoming brings back a wealth of positive emotions for Chow. Since moving to New York in 2001, she welcomes every opportunity to return, and Vancouver is more than…

Thrive Refuge – Bringing joy through music to those in need

Music has the unique ability to bring communities together, elevate and empower the human spirit and help people overcome traumatic events in their lives. This is the philosophy that inspired the creation of Thrive Refuge, a charity organization dedicated to providing access to musical education for refugees arriving in Canada. Founded by Ray Zhang and…

Starwalker – A beautiful reflection of community

Musicals are effective at allowing audiences to step into a character’s experience. Love, family, growth and community abound in the story of Starwalker, a musical created by Indigenous, two-spirit storyteller Corey Payette. Starwalker will be performed, Feb. 17 to Mar. 5, at the York Theatre. In creating the show, Payette says he drew on his background as a…

When music tells a good story

Taiwanese Canadian harpist Vivian Chen joins in Chor Leoni’s annual Christmas choral celebration at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church from Dec. 16–19. The celebrated harpist has performed with the Vancouver Opera and on the international stage and is excited to bring forth a joyous seasonal reprieve that is equal parts serene and light-hearted. “Sometimes for Christmas…

Children’s classical music – A different world of sound

Music is an experience. Unfamiliar sound, such as classical, allows the listener a chance to explore says David Bui. Bui leads the third and final show, Nov 20, in the Music is a Theme Park series, a kids-focused concert series presented by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Leading the VSO as its RBC assistant conductor, Bui says the…