The 22nd annual Talking Stick Festival 2023: Summer Reverb celebrates and honours National Indigenous History Month. The event series unites Indigenous art and culture with people from all walks of life and offers a unique opportunity to reflect and reconnect.
The Festival’s theme, “Summer Reverb” brings together the idea of amplified sound and amplified voices in musical performances, similar to the star and water ripples reverberating outwards. The Talking Stick Festival celebrates diversity and inclusivity, welcoming Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Artists, and promises vibrant entertainment.
Talking Stick Festival 2023
Headlining this year’s festival, is singer-songwriter and musician Logan Staats. Staats won the Indigenous Music Award for Best Radio Single “The Lucky Ones.” Also headlining, is DJ KOOKUM, an open format DJ and multi-media maker from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation and Cold Lake First Nations. Indigenous singer-songwriter, activist, and storyteller Pura Fé will also perform at multiple events throughout the month, intertwining her talents with cultural traditions.
The wide range of events include: a documentary screening, a theatre performance, a book launch (accompanied by a conversation with an award-winning author and local journalist), a Burlesque show, the Summer Reverb Gala, Dj Spins, and an immersive4D audio performance.
June 21 marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, and on this day, the Talking Stick Festival features a diverse mix of ceremony, storytelling, dance and music, paired with a fashion show curated by a local designer. Indigenous Day Eve, on June 20, is also celebrated with an unforgettable event, spotlighting hip-hop and its connection to Indigenous traditions.
The festival concludes with a series of roundtables, welcoming an open discussion on various topics, including the evolving Canadian art landscape, which has been impacted by social justice movements, digital shifts, and new funding models.
“As a Māori Pacific Islander producer from Aotearoa, I’m proud to be part of this year’s Talking Stick Festival. This event truly enhances the visibility of Indigenous arts, culture, and narratives. As we navigate beyond COVID-19, we stand on the precipice of a new era. Through the continued sharing and uplifting of our stories, we move towards an unequivocal truth – the future is Indigenous,” says Nathan Mudge from Full Circle.
The month-long celebration includes a mix of exclusive in-house produced events as well as co-productions with arts partners such as: The Cultch, Punctuate! Theatre, Massy Books, Massy Arts, Vancouver Public Library, Queer Arts Festival, Coastal Jazz, VIFF, Primary Colours/Couleurs primaires, and Delinquent Theatre.
Ticket prices vary, with some free events and others starting at $15.
Welcome to the June events calendar for Metro Vancouver! This month Miss604 is proud to sponsor the Courage To Come Back Awards (June 9th) and the summer season at Burnaby Village Museum.
The Whistler summer concert series is offering fourteen nights of free music starting at the end of June. Each evening’s programming features a live DJ set to kick-start the atmosphere before the headlining performers take the stage.
Free Summer Concerts in Whistler
When: Opening June 29, 2023 with shows from July 1 to August 31
The summer of music kicks off with Symphony at Whistler Olympic Plaza featuring the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Thursday, June 29th.
Lineup
Saturday, July 1
Blackie and The Rodeo Kings featuring Daniel Lanois and Terra Lightfoot
Thursday, July 6
Lazy Syrup Orchestra with Ashleigh Ball
Friday, July 7
Dear Rouge
Thursday, July 13
Moontricks
Friday, July 14
Bedouin Soundclash
Thursday, August 3
William Prince
Friday, August 4
Dumpstaphunk
Thursday, August 10
Bruce Cockburn
Friday, August 11
Half Moon Run
Thursday, August 17
Allison Russell
Friday, August 18
Steph Strings
Thursday, August 24
SkiiTour
Friday, August 25
Drag in the Mountains with THE BRATPACK
Thursday, August 31
The Original Wailers
Additionally, to support Whistler’s climate action strategy, complimentary secured bike parking is provided for those who choose to pedal along the Valley Trail to the event.
The Black Culture Celebration Festival features local hip-hop artists, dance showcases, food market, art exhibitions, beer gardens, and more at the Beach on June 17th.
Black Culture Celebration Festival at Sunset Beach
When: June 17, 2023 from 11:00am to 10:00pm
Where: Sunset Beach Park, 1204 Beach Avenue, Vancouver
“We are excited the Black Culture Celebration is returning to Vancouver bigger and better than ever, with an incredible roster of talent, vendors and community partners to help educate and celebrate the diversity that makes our community so rich and vibrant.”
– CEO and Co-Founder of BCC, Nova Stevens.
The event will feature a diverse range of performers and activities, including live music from Kardinal Offishall, Rascalz, Maestro, and Choclair. Dance performances, cultural displays, raffles, art exhibits, a marketplace, and a variety of food vendors serving flavours from Jamaica, Ghana, and other nations all avalible on site.
In addition, there will be a special focus on celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, and artists.
Adding to the day of festivities, BIPOC rollerskating organization ‘Bad Bounce’ will provide free skating lessons to attendees on a first come, first served basis.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Visit Richmond Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the freshest bounty of the season at the 2nd annual Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Celebration in historic Steveston Village, where locals and visitors alike have been flocking to the docks for fresh BC spot prawns.
Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Celebration
From now until June 18th, spot prawn festivities are taking place to shine a spotlight on the popular delicacy and the storied fishing history found at Steveston’s Fisherman’s Wharf through family-friendly activities including opportunities to ‘buy off the dock’ from local fishers, and the return of the ‘Dine About’ program where local chefs will showcase a fresh taste of the best of Richmond’s spot prawn and seafood.
Spot prawn sales officially kicked off earlier this month, and people are encouraged to make the most out of this year’s spot prawn and seafood celebrations by visiting Steveston Village. Highlights of the Celebration include:
Spot prawn and seafood sales at the dock:
Visit Fisherman’s Wharf and buy your spot prawns directly from the source for a limited time only! Support local fishers – including Steveston’s beloved Fisherman Frank – as they return each morning with their daily catch. Come early for the chance to take home fresh spot prawns for dinner (they often sell-out by the afternoon), a truly unique highlight of spot prawn season.
Visit the culinary stage at Fisherman’s Wharf:
On Saturday, June 10th and Sunday, June 11th, visit the Tourism Richmond culinary stage at Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy cooking demonstrations and insider tips from top local chefs including Chef Robert Clark, Chief Culinary Officer at Organic Ocean, Chef Harris Sakalis, Executive Chef at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, and Chef Ian Lai, Executive Director at Urban Bounty.
Spend a festive day in Steveston Village: Enjoy the best of Steveston’s spot prawn celebrations with all-ages activities in historic Steveston Village! Visit the new Fish Tales exhibition at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site opening on Saturday, May 27th, take a photo at the spot prawn selfie station, check out the Steveston Tram museum or Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, and much more!
Fisherman Frank aka Frank Keitsch
“What I love about Steveston itself is that people are coming from all over the Lower Mainland,” says Fisherman Frank aka Frank Keitsch. “It’s not just us [the fishers] who benefit. It’s all the local merchants, shops, restaurants too.”
Keitsch said for decades spot prawns wouldn’t even make it to local plates, as they would be caught, frozen, and shipped overseas. In the last 15 years there’s been a shift, and the community (and diners) are loving it! “It all stays right here,” he adds.
Dine About Passport
This year’s popular Dine About program returns on June 1st and brings together 12 local restaurants and chefs working in partnership with Steveston fishers to offer an authentic taste of fresh, local seafood – a true “ocean to plate” gastronomic experience.
Foodies are encouraged to make a reservation in advance, and to download the all-new Steveston Spot Prawn & Seafood Dine About Passport for $2 off the featured spot prawn dish at all participating Dine About Restaurants from June 1-18, 2023. Each time you redeem a $2 discount, you’ll also be automatically entered into a draw for the chance to win a Steveston restaurant gift card. The more restaurants you visit, the higher your chance of winning. Don’t forget to make a reservation!
Can’t miss restaurants included in this year’s Dine About program include:
Britannia Brewing, where you can pair locally brewed beer with Smoked Garlic Butter Spot Prawn Skewers with Toasted Focaccia
Catch Kitchen + Bar, who will be offering a sizzling garlic spot prawn appetizer along with amazing views of Steveston’s historic harbour from its rooftop patio.
Globe@YVR at Fairmont Vancouver Airport, where you can enjoy their Spot Prawn & Cherry Gazpacho at the iconic Fairmont restaurant offering a backdrop of YVR’s active runways
Steveston Seafood House, winner of the “Best Seafood Restaurant” as voted by the people of Richmond for 12 years running, where they will be serving a mouthwatering Spot Prawn Ceviche!
Left: Spot Prawn & Cherry Gazpacho by Globe@YVR Chef Harris Sakalis; Spot Prawn Ceviche by Steveston Seafood House Chef Sushila Narain Right: Pan Seared Spot Prawns by Britannia Brewing Chef Vincent
