This weekend in Vancouver there are two big playoff games at BC Place, a free light and art installation festival around downtown, Diwali events, theatre, and much more! Find these activities and many more things to do around Vancouver this weekend listed below:
OKAN, featuring violinist and vocalist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist and vocalist Magdelys Savigne, will perform at the Surrey Civic Theatre this month.
OKAN by Ksenija Hotic
OKAN at Surrey Civic Theatre
Date: November 17, 2023 at 8:00pm
Location: Main Stage at Surrey Art Centre (13750 88 Ave, Surrey)
Accompanied by musicians Jeremy Ledbetter, Frank Martinez, and Roberto Riveron for the Surrey Arts Centre’s Main Stage show, OKAN will dazzle the audience with a spirited performance jam-packed with high-energy Afro-Cuban jazz, stories, and dance. Like a breath of talented fresh air, this show is sure to be a full experience audience members will remember for years to come.
Fusing Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk, and global rhythms, OKAN takes their name from the word for heart in their Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria.
With vocals in Spanish, English and Spanglish, OKAN is led by Cuban-born violinist and vocalist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist and vocalist Magdelys Savigne, both Grammy and Latin-Grammy nominees. Passionate advocates for freedom of expression, queer rights, and gender equality, OKAN has gained a reputation for their powerful live performances, which showcase their incredible harmonies, virtuosic musicianship, potent lyrics as well as an unfailing ability to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level.
Stay up to date with OKAN on Facebook. Visit Surrey Civic Theatre online for more information about performances.
Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW) is coming up November 20-25, highlighting how fashion can build connections with Indigenous values, wisdom, and history.
Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week 2023
Date: November 20 to 25, 2023
Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (630 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
Admission: Tickets for events available for purchase online.
VIFW harnesses fashion as a vehicle for understanding and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. The fashion is Wearable Culture, and it unites artists, cultural creatives, leaders, and the curious in celebrating the stories inherent in the creation of each piece. The events bridge the past, present, and future of Indigenous resurgence in the heart of the city.
Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week Events:
Red Dress Event November 20 at 7:00pmBuy Tickets Dress in red to remember and celebrate resiliency and strength. Come together in red in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, and LGBTQ members of communities.
All My Relations November 21 at 7:00pmBuy Tickets Designers from across Turtle Island show up and show out. Traditional mix with contemporary aesthetics in the magnificent designs of both up and comers and fan favourites.
Indigenous Futures November 22 at 7:00pmBuy Tickets Indigenous Futurism advocates for Indigenous sovereignty. At the intersection of Indigenous artistic practice, contemporary storytelling, and pop culture we shape a future of our own that centres Indigenous ways of being and knowing, and Indigenous joy!
Spirit of the West Coast November 23 at 7:00pmBuy Tickets Be filled with the spirit of the West Coast as you celebrate some of the uniqueness of this land through these incredible designs. There is something special about this land and its people. If we let it lead us, if we allow our joy to be seen and celebrated here, there’s nothing we can’t do.
Supernatural Kiki Ball (Nov 25) — Tickets on sale soon
VIFW is committed to facilitating reconciliation through collaboration and dialogue about fashion, identity, story, art, and representation.
More info about the designers is coming soon. Follow Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week on Instagram for updates.
Remembrance Day, November 11th, is a day to remember the courage, service, and sacrifice of thousands of Canadians. We honour them by never forgetting them. Find a service or ceremony around Vancouver here:
Remembrance Day Ceremonies Around Vancouver
National Indigenous Veterans Day Location: 312 Main Street followed by a march to Victory Square Date: November 8, 2023 from 9:00am to 3:00pm Details: Opening ceremonies from 9:15am to 10:00am. Musqueam, Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Tsawwassen Nations represented along with other special guests and dignitaries. The Order of Honour March will leave at 10:00am and head to Victory Square.
Remembrance Day at Victory Square Location: Victory Square (200 W Hastings St, Vancouver) Date: November 11, 2023 at 10:30am Details: Beginning in 1924, the Remembrance Day Ceremony at Victory Square is the oldest continuing annual ceremony in Vancouver. Reflecting respect and remembrance of sacrifices in the services of Canada – past and present.
Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Location: Seaforth Armoury, Parade Square (1650 Burrard St, Vancouver) Date: November 11, 2023 doors at 10:00am, service at 10:45am Details: This tradition and ceremony is led by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Association Chaplain, Reverand Paul Richards, who will officiate. The Association invites the public to join the Seaforth Highlanders at the Armoury as we pay respect for those serving and having served in the armed forces and honouring the memory of those who have fallen.
Remembrance Day at UBC Location: War Memorial Gym (6081 University Boulevard, Vancouver) Date: November 11, 2023 doors at 10:00am, ceremony at 10:45am Details: This year, 2023 will mark seventy-three years that The University of British Columbia has hosted a Remembrance Day ceremony. This special ceremony is an opportunity for faculty, staff, students and members of the on and off-campus community to honour and remember all those who served in times of war, military conflict and peace.
North Vancouver Remembrance Day Ceremony Location: Victoria Park Cenotaph Date: November 11, 2023 at 10:00am Details: The parade will start at the Armoury at 9:30am led by the JP Fell Pipe Band, and the ceremony will take place at the Victoria Park Cenotaph at 10:30am with the Mayor, Council and other dignitaries in attendance. Following the ceremony, the parade will proceed up Lonsdale Avenue to East 15 Street, where it will turn west and proceed back to the Armoury on Forbes Ave. Those who cannot attend in person may watch the live stream.
West Vancouver Remembrance Day Location: Memorial Arch in Memorial Park to Marine Drive between 19th St and 20th St Date: November 11, 2023 parade at 10:45am Details: The parade begins at 10:45am from 18th St, proceeding along Marine Drive to the cenotaph at Memorial Park. This service is for the public to gather and honour our veterans and those currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Richmond Remembrance Day Location: Cenotaph located on the east side of Richmond City Hall (6911 No. 3 Rd, Richmond) Date: November 11, 2023 parade at 10:20am Details: For those wishing to reflect and remember with the community, there is an in-person Remembrance Day ceremony and will be available online for those watching from home. The parade begins at 10:20am followed by a ceremony and reception.
New Westminster Remembrance Day Location: City Hall Cenotaph (511 Royal Ave, New Westminster) Date: November 11, 2023 from 10:15am to 11:30am Details: Honour the service of our veterans past and present. The ceremony will be available through live stream for those who want to tune in from home.
Port Coquitlam Remembers Location: Veterans Park (2580 Shaughnessy St, Port Coquitlam) Date: November 11, 2023 10:00am parade & service, 11:00am laying of wreaths Details: The Port Coquitlam Royal Canadian Legion holds its annual Remembrance Day parade and service to honour veterans.
Coquitlam Remembrance Day Ceremony Location: Blue Mountain Park (975 King Albert Ave, Coquitlam) Date: November 11, 2023 at 10:15am Details: Coquitlam’s traditional Remembrance Day ceremony and parade, hosted by the Coquitlam Royal Canadian Legion Branch 263 is open to the public and those who wish to pay their respects.
Surrey Remembers Ceremony Location: Veterans’ Square (17671 56 Ave, Surrey) Date: November 11, 2023 at 10:00am Details: Procession begins at 10:00am followed by service at 10:25am. The ceremony will be live streamed from the Heritage Surrey Facebook.
North Delta Social Heart Plaza Remembrance Day Location: Social Heart Plaza (11405-11427 84 Ave, Delta) Date: November 11, 2023 from 10:40am to 12:00pm Details: The City of North Delta, in partnership with the Kennedy Seniors Society, invite all to attend North Delta’s Remembrance Day Ceremony. Refreshments to follow at the main hall of North Delta Recreation Centre.
Langley Remembrance Day Location: Douglas Park Cenotaph (20550 Douglas Crescent, Langley) Date: November 11, 2023 ceremony starts at 10:50am Details: Observe a moment of silence to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve. A live stream will be available online for those not attending in person.
Abbotsford Remembrance Day Location: Thunderbird Memorial Square (32388 Veterans Way, Abbotsford) Date: November 11, 2023 ceremony starts at 10:30am Details: Join the Royal Canadian Legion Abbotsford Branch 15 at Thunderbird Memorial Square on Saturday, November 11 to pay tribute to, honour and remember the sacrifices and contributions of those who have proudly and courageously served our country in war, conflict, and in peacekeeping.
Your city will most likely have a service or ceremony around its local cenotaph, and you can find more ceremonies listed via the Royal Canadian Legion online here. To get your poppy, visit a national Poppy Campaign partner from the last Friday of October until Remembrance Day, or contact your Legion Branch to find poppies near you.
Free Transit for Service Members and Veterans
In honour of the service and sacrifices made by both past and present veterans, TransLink is offering free transit services, including HandyDART, on Remembrance Day.
Veterans, active members of the Canadian Armed Forces, police and fire personnel, Canadian Coast Guard members, officers from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and BC Ambulance Service personnel can present their badge, military ID, Veteran’s Service Card, or by appearing in uniform to receive free transit.
On November 11, veterans and other eligible riders can enjoy free bus rides all day without the need to tap their Compass Cards. Additionally, veterans and eligible customers can access SkyTrain and SeaBus services at no cost from 8:00am to 6:00pm. During these hours, one accessible fare gate will remain open at all stations.
Chor Leoni returns to the stage at St. Andrew’s-Wesley for Boundless, the choir’s 32nd annual Remembrance Day concerts November 10th and 11th – and you can enter to win tickets.
Chor Leoni – Photo credit David Cooper
Chor Leoni Remembrance Day Concerts
Boundless, which opens Chor Leoni’s 2023-2024 season, continues the choir’s long-standing tradition of presenting varied musical perspectives in its Remembrance Day offerings, promising an emotional and thought-provoking experience for everyone in attendance.
Date: November 10 at 7:00pm; November 11, 2023 at 2:00pm and 5:00pm
Location: St. Andrew’s-Wesley United (1022 Nelson St, Vancouver)
Highlights of the carefully crafted program include the Canadian premiere of Patrick Vu’s “A Golden Day” and the North American premiere of Swiss-based composer Javier Hagen’s “Ad Mortem Festinamus.” Also featured are numerous Canadian works, including pieces by Erick Lichte and Rupert Lang and an arrangement of Alberta native Lizzy Hoyt’s song “Vimy Ridge” arranged by Chor Leoni’s own Keith Sinclair.
At the heart of this year’s program lies the world premiere of a brand new choral work by BC composer Don Macdonald, now in his final year as the choir’s Composer in Residence. The twenty-minute, six movement piece entitled “High Flight” sets the words of RCAF soldier-poet John Gillespie Magee Jr. Lushly scored for choir, piano and cello, “High Flight” traces the arc of a young soldier moving from life and innocence to war and wisdom, and from this world into the next.
Win Tickets
I have a pair of tickets to give away to the performance on November 11th at 5:00pm. Here’s how you can enter to win:
The 70-voiced choir will be accompanied by several special musical guests, including pianist Tina Chang, who performs with Vancouver Opera, Arts Club Theatre, and City Opera; cellist Jonathan Lo, who has appeared as soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra; organist Angelique Po, the Director of Music at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United; and trumpeter Katherine Evans, who appears with Turning Point Ensemble, the Vancouver Brass Orchestra, and OneTwoTrio.
Through folk, pop, and modern choral works, Vancouverites are invited to listen, reflect on the cost of war, and heal through the search and hope for peace at Boundless.
