Where: Various venues
Why: May is Asian Heritage Month, didn’t-cha know? From oodles of art shows like Generation One to cult-classic films like Chungking Express, get your fill of culture from the East.
When: Until May 31
Info: www.explorasian.org
SongFire Festival of Song
Why: A month-long festival devoted to “art song,” the fusion of poetry and music, with over 35 concerts and events including SongFire Theatre’s “All the World’s a Stage,” featuring sopranos and mezzo-sopranos in a medley of text by Shakespeare.
When: Until June 25
Info: www.songfire.ca
Surrey Children’s Festival
Where: Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park
13750-88th Ave, Surrey
Why: B.C.’s beloved children’s performer Charlotte Diamond is back with new songs while Victoria’s Anne Glover will weave stories, string figures and sign language into her trickster show plus Quebec artist, performer, educator and therapist Horta Van Hoye will mesmerize as she sculpts, twists, folds, crumples and tears large sheets of paper into life-size paper figures.
When: May 26-28
Info: surrey.ca/childrensfestival
Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Where: Granville Island
Why: The fest is moving! But no worries because it’s going from one awesome location (Vanier Park) to another (Granville Island). This year’s impressive lineup promises to entertain and expand your kids’ cultural horizons with Farfalle from Italy, a theatrical journey through a butterfly’s life to the kickin’ and stompin’ show Step Afrika! 46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes by widely lauded Aussie circus troupe, Circa.
When: May 30-June 5
Info: www.childrensfestival.ca
Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion
Where: Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre, Abbotsford
Why: The legendary circus is coming back to town, but this time making its temporary home in the Fraser Valley, with a show that combines China’s 3,000-year-old acrobatic tradition with Cirque’s flair for dramatic spectacle.
When: June 2-5
Tickets/info: cirquedusolei.com/dralion or 1-866-977-2372
Bard on the Beach
Where: Vanier Park
Why: With a festival run of nearly four months, there is no excuse — get thee to Bard on the Beach! The four plays this year on the two stages are As You Like It, the Merchant of Venice, Henry VI and Richard III.
When: June 2-Sept. 24
Info: bardonthebeach.org
In the House Festival
Where: In the area of Commercial Drive
Why: Back for the eighth year, this is undoubtedly one of the city’s most intimate festivals. It’s three days, 19 shows and over 60 acts in a dozen homes. Yeah, in 12 private residences. That’s different, eh? Music, dance, theatre, circus, spoken word and so much more.
When: June 3-5
Info: inthehousefestival.com
EAT! Vancouver
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre (West)
Why: Vancouverites love to brag about how sporty we are. But let’s face it, a good chunk of us would rather spend Sunday morning chowing down than climbing the Grind. So, as the name of this fest suggests, let’s eat! As usual, the city’s top chefs will be tantalizing your taste buds at the Bite of Vancouver pavilion while B.C. wineries and breweries will be tempting you with samples at the Wine and Beer tasting pavilion. And for those who want to attend and boast about how healthy we are, well, you’re in luck. New this year is the EAT! Garden Pavilion! devoted to local, fresh and good-for-you foods.
When: June 10-12
Info: www.eat-vancouver.com
Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival/Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival
Where: False Creek/Inner Harbour, Victoria
Why: The best thing about taking in the dragon-boat races every summer is doing a little research. First is finding out which team is competing for a cause that is most inspirational to you. Second? Screaming your lungs out cheering for them.
When: June 11-12/Aug. 12-14
Info: dragonboatbc.ca, victoriadragonboat.com
Festival d’été
Where: Various venues in Vancouver
Why: The 22nd annual celebration of francophone culture is also a celebration of summer. This year’s two outdoor events stand out as usual: the Piknic-Electronik at Malkin Bowl featuring Ghislain Poirier and the family-oriented gala at 7th Avenue and Granville Streetco-headlined by Quebec’s legendary rap trio Les Loco Locass and Blue Morocco.
When: June 16-24
Info: www.lecentreculturel.com
Fête de la Musique
Where: Gastown
Why: The inaugural Fête de la Musique will transform Gastown into 35 musical zones with musicians spanning the musical gamut from pop, jazz, heavy metal, indie, world and classical. The party on the street goes from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., at which time the noise bylaw kicks in and the party moves inside to Gastown’s bars and restaurants and into the night. This is Vancouver’s first time participating in the annual, international celebration of music that started in France 30 years ago.
When: June 21
Info: makemusicvancouver.com
TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
Where: Various venues in Vancouver
Why: Summer’s not summer without the jazz fest and this year we’ve got French-American singer/songwriter Madeleine Peyroux bringing her Billie Holiday sensibility to the city plus Paco de Lucia, Spain’s ambassador of mesmerizing flamenco. And to help kick things off, Jazz at the Lincoln Centre Orchestra, a juggernaut 15-piece jazz band, will get you swinging with their big band sound.
When: June 24-July 3
Info: coastaljazz.ca
Indian Summer Festival
Where: Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, SFU Woodward’s Centre
Why: The inaugural Indian Summer Festival will host 20-plus events over 10 days featuring top contemporary and classical Indian music, dance, theatre, literature, film, visual arts and of course, this being Vancouver, yoga.
When: July 7-17
Info: www.indiansummerfestival.ca
Summer Live
Where: Brockton Point at Stanley Park
Why: A free, all-ages party for Vancouver’s 125th birthday with performances by The New Pornographers, Neko Case, Mother Mother, Daniel Wesley, the VSO, Dan Mangan, Spirit of the West and Said the Whale to name just a few. In addition to music, there will be family entertainment, sports activities (volleyball, three-legged races), performing and visual arts plus First Nations history and culture.
When: July 8-10
Info: www.celebratevancouver125.ca
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Where: Jericho Beach Park
Why: Pretty good lineup, prettier site. Headliners this year include Joel Plaskett Emergency, Emmanuel Jal, Rosanne Cash, The Jayhawks and Tim Robbins. Yes, Tim Robbins. The actor.
When: July 15-17
Tickets: Check thefestival.bc.ca
Mission Folk Music Festival
Where: Fraser River Heritage Park
Why: Artistic director Francis Xavier Edward has a knack of putting together a lineup of artists that spans the globe but doesn’t overlook the homegrown talent. Plus the setting is really pretty overlooking the Fraser River.
When: July 21-24
Info: missionfolkmusicfestival.ca
Caribbean Days Festival
Where: Waterfront Park, North Vancouver
Why: The exuberance of carnival comes to North Van for one weekend every year. So get out and shimmy along with dancers at the parade, snack on Jamaican patties and jerk chicken and soak up the sunshine.
When: July 23-24
Info: caribbeandays.ca
Vancouver Pride Festival
Where: Various venues
Why: With a community breakfast, movie night and street party, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight people who make up this great community. But the big event remains the Pride Parade, which takes place July 31 and runs from Denman Street and ends at Sunset Beach. The theme: Educate, liberate and celebrate.
When: July 25-31
Info: vancouverpride.ca
Harmony Arts Festival
Where: Various venues around the North Shore
Why: Spirit of the West’s John Mann, Babe Gurr, and Headwater are among the performers already booked to perform at the 21st anniversary of this West Van arts series. In addition to the nightly sunset concert series, there are children’s programs, studio tours, a craft market and park cinema screenings.
When: July 29-Aug. 7
Tickets: Check www.harmonyarts.ca
Powell Street Festival
Where: Oppenheimer Park, 400 block-Powell St.
Why: This celebration of Japanese-Canadian culture features dance, music, film and video, visual arts, martial-arts demos and even an amateur sumo-wrestling demonstration. Check the website for info on related events, too.
When: July 30-31
Info: www.powellstreetfestival.com
Celebration of Light
Where: English Bay
Why: Our annual fireworks festival will soon be able to drink in the States, as it turns 21 this year. And remember it’s only a trio of dates now, with three countries showcasing their aerial pyrotechnics over the span of one week.
When: July 30 (China), Aug. 3 (Spain), Canada (Aug. 6)
Info: vancouverfireworks.ca
Vancouver Early Music Program and Festival
Where: University of B.C.
Why: This annual festival not only gives music students a chance to study with top-notch specialists but also gives the rest of us the chance to listen in on some great concerts. The 2011 edition will take you to the Carolingian Palaces with medieval music going back to the eight century, plus music by Purcell and Bach.
When: July 31-Aug. 14
Info: www.earlymusic.bc.ca
8th Annual Richmond Maritime Festival
Where: Britannia Shipyards, 5180 Westwater Dr.,Richmond
Why: A family-friendly event with sea songs and shanties, maritime exhibitions of knot-tying and model boat building plus a waterfront showcase of boats including a 1930s rum-runner, historic fishing boats and classic sail boats.
When: Aug. 5 to 7
Info: www.richmond.ca/culture/sites/britannia/events.htm
MusicFest Vancouver
Where: Various venues
Why: For the first time, Sarah McLachlan will be performing with the VSO at the 11th edition of this music festival that spotlights classical and jazz music. This year’s lineup includes British a cappella group Swingle Singers and jazz violinist Regina Carter and the Reverse Thread Project.
When: Aug. 5-14
Tickets: Varies by event, check www.musicfestvancouver.ca
Vancouver Chinatown Festival
Where: Columbia and Keefer streets
Why: Last year, 50,000 festival goers converged in Chinatown to experience a multicultural summer celebration. This year, the food, demos, a photography exhibit and a streetfest will be back plus a youth talent showdown of b-boys and b-girls.
When: Aug. 6-7
Info: www.vancouver-chinatown.com
Abbotsford Airshow
Where: Abbotsford International Airport
Why: What’s that up in the sky? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s ... no, wait, it is a plane. But not just any airplane. From civilian aircraft performing aerobatic routines to demonstrations by warbirds such as the Hawk One, you’ll get a crick in your neck from looking up for so long.
When: Aug. 12-14
Tickets: Various prices, check www.abbotsfordairshow.com
Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival
Where: Deer Lake Park, Burnaby
Why: Deer Lake is one of the best places around town to spend a sunny summer day, and it’s even better when the park is alive with the sound of music. K.d. Lang, John Mayall, Imelda May and Matt Anderson are among the acts confirmed for this 12-year-old fest.
When: Aug. 13
Tickets: Various prices at burnabybluesfestival.com or 604-205-3000.
LIVE at Squamish
Where: Logger Sports Grounds and Hendrickson Fields, Squamish
Why: Metric, Girl Talk, Stars, yep, all your favourite indie bands will be here plus Weezer, John Butler Trio and Kyprios. The perfect way to catch summer’s last rays.
When: Aug. 20-21
Info: www.liveatsquamish.com
The Fair at the PNE
Where: PNE Fairgrounds, Hastings Park
Why: Grab a bag of mini doughnuts, drop your Prize Home tickets into the draw, buy a Shammy and wave it at your favourite Superdog.
When: Aug. 20-Sept. 5
Info: www.pne.ca
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THE ISLAND, THE INTERIOR AND BEYOND
Rotary Okanagan International Children’s Festival
Where: Okanagan Lake Park, Penticton
Why: Circus, music, break dancing and vaudeville acts are all on tap at this ninth annual festival. Almost makes you want to be a kid again yourself.
When: May 26-28
Info: www.okchildrensfest.org
Merritt Mountain Music Festival
Where: Merritt
Why: Western Canada’s biggest country-music festival is back. And loaded with babes: Marion Weston, Crystal Shawanda, Bobbi Smith, Emily Taylor Adams, Cathy-Anne McClintock and AJ Woodworth all take a pretty photo. And OK, Dierks Bentley and Vince Gill are good-looking guys to spend a Friday night with, too.
When: July 7-10
Info: mountainfest.com
Vancouver Island MusicFest
Where: Comox Valley, Vancouver Island
Why: A rootsy festival with a dash of world and indie. This year’s lineup includes Allison Krauss and Union Station, David Crosby, Randy Newman, Rodney Crowell, Arrested Development and more.
When: July 8-10
Info: www.islandmusicfest.com
The Summer Okanagan Wine Festival
Where: Various venues in the Okanagan
Why: Another excuse to enjoy the fruits of our local wineries’ labours. Features rooftop bbqs, evening entertainment and, of course, tastings!
When: July 8-16
Info: www.thewinefestivals.com
Kulth Music Fest
Where: Coombs Rodeo Grounds, Coombs (40 min. from Nanaimo)
Why: Ron Sexsmith and Stars are headlining this music fest billed as a “folk fest with edge.” Local “surf rock” band Current Swell and Glasgow’s indie-pop band TLGLTP will also perform while Bobs and Lolo will host a family dance party.
When: July 16-17
Info: www.thekulth.ca
Nanaimo Marine Festival
Where: Nanaimo Harbour
Why: The signature event of this fest may be the World Championship Bathtub Race, but there are lots of other events to get you geared up for the big day. Take the kids to the Kiddies Karnival, or check out the military displays, craft booths and food fair.
When: July 23-24
Info: bathtubbing.com
Komasket Music Festival
Where: Komasket Park, Vernon
Why: Three days of music and dance by bands such as Oka and Sweatshop Union. Besides the four stages of entertainment, there’s swimming, workshops, world food market, vendor alley and kids’ zone. Hey, you can even go on a kayak tour.
When: July 29-31
Tickets: Various prices, check www.komasketmusicfestival.com
Kamloopa Pow Wow
Where: Secwepemc Pow Wow Grounds, two minutes from Kamloops city centre
Why: The Kamloopa Pow Wow is one of the largest celebrations of First Nations’ culture in western Canada with a vibrant display of storytelling, song, and dance in traditional regalia. Organized by the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc, the pow wow is one of B.C.’s most unique cultural experiences as more than 1,300 performers and artists gather for this event alongside the South Thompson River in Kamloops.
When: July 29 to 31
Info: www.tourismkamloops.com/home_showSection_ID_188.html
The Filberg Festival
Where: Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park, Comox
Why: Tough to know what’s more attractive about this annual long weekend event, now in its 28th year. The festival itself, which features more than 120 artists, yummy food and live entertainment, or the location — 3.5 hectares of waterfront park with huge trees and beautiful gardens. It’s really the complete package.
When: July 29-Aug. 1
Info: www.filbergfestival.com
Kaslo Jazz Etc. Festival
Where: On the shore of Kootenay Lake
Why: As the press release states, the Kaslo fest “isn’t all that jazz,” which is why they’ve added an “Etc.” to the title. Among this year’s batch of performers Dan Magnan, Maria in the Shower Vancouver jazz band the Crackling and Delhi 2 Dublin.
When: July 29-31
Tickets: Early-bird tickets available at kaslojazzfest.com or 250-353-7548
Penticton Peach Festival
Where: Okanagan Lake Park and Gyro Park, Penticton
Why: Launched in 1947 to celebrate the peach harvest, this long-running family festival features live entertainment, hypnotist shows, arts and crafts, parades and a square dance. So, swing your partner round and round!
When: Aug. 3-7
Info: www.peachfest.com
Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival
Where: Salmon Arm
Why: With acts coming from Denmark, Australia, Russia and Brazil, this fest has become a must-stop for touring roots party-starters.
When: Aug. 19-21
Info: rootsandblues.ca
