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.
Add a Comment
by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Visit Richmond Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
39shares
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
On June 10th everyone is invited to enjoy hours of fun and music, while also learning how they can contribute to climate action, at the second annual Car Free Day in Surrey.
Photo submitted
Car Free Day
When: June 10, 2023 from 12:00pm – 8:00pm
Where: 137 Street, between 72A Ave and 74 Ave in Newton
Admission: FREE
On 137 street between 72A and 74 Ave you’ll find a variety of food trucks and vendors who will have something to satisfy any food craving.
Check out the musical performances by Luv Randhawa, MNGWA, Glisha and Haleluya Hailu. A DJ and Dance Zone will featured the “Higher Ground Dance Battle“.
A Family Fun Zone will be set up where kids can enjoy face painting, balloon twisting, mini golf, and a bouncy castle. A performance from comedian Matt Henry showcasing his exceptional juggling skills will also take place.
“We want to encourage people to get out of their cars this summer and experience the region using transit. Car Free Day is a great opportunity for everyone to visit and experience the best of their neighbourhoods using transit, walking, and cycling,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn.
Guests are invited to check out the TransLink Zone and make a pledge for a Car Free Summer to learn how personal actions play a part in Climate Action. Play the Transportation Game, for a chance to win a TransLink prize.
Plan your route using the TransLink trip planner. A free bike valet will be available. Parking is limited and attendees are encouraged to use transit, bike, walk, or use a car-share service rather than drive.
Returning for its second year, Strathcona Blocks Party is a family-friendly event treating the neighbourhood with a beer garden, musical performances, food trucks and outdoor games.
Strathcona Blocks Party
When: June 17, 2023 from 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: From 600 to 900 block of East Hastings
Admission: FREE
The Strathcona Blocks Party will feature a live music both at 840 East Hastings with performances lasting the whole party. Sit back and enjoy musical performances by Marlin Ramazzini Band, Francis Henson, Vancouver Fire Rescue Services Band and Scarlet Fever, a local youth band that operates out of Ray Cam Community Centre.
Families can enjoy giant Jenga and tic-tac-toe, a customizable wall hosted by Strathcona letters and chalk, as well as a visit with Vancouver mascot Fin the Orca. The space will be complete with food trucks that serve delicious bites, and free tote bag pressing created on-site by Ink Pad will be available while supplies last.
At 895 East Hastings, a lively outdoor beer garden at Strathcona Beer Company will keep participants refreshed until 7:00pm. Visitors can pop into neighbourhood restaurants who will host tours, maker activities, an open studio and more.
While exploring the blocks, visitors will find art exhibitions from four East Vancouver art galleries, giveaways, and discounts from participating businesses. At 848 East Hastings, for those looking for more local goods and last-minute Father’s Day gifts, there will be a vibrant market experience.
The 2023 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is gearing up to welcome 100,000 visitors and racers to celebrate its 35th anniversary on June 24 and 25 at Concord Pacific Place, Creekside Park, and False Creek. In addition to the dragon boat race, a lineup of free events are scheduled for the entire weekend.
Races begin at 9:00am on the 24 and end at 5:30pm on the 24 and 25
Where: Concord Pacific Place and Creekside Park around False Creek in Vancouver
Music Lineup
The TD Main Stage is one of the City’s biggest free, outdoor, and independent stages, and features a 100% local lineup that platforms artists and performers from POC, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQAI+ communities. The lineup includes:
June 24, 2023: Dear Rouge, SABAI, Kimmortal, Coastal Wolf Pack, Mikey Jose, Ludic, Hayley Wallis and the Bright Futures, and Eagle Song Dancers
June 25, 2023: Ricecake: Summer Solstice and Festival Wrapup Party, Missy D, Fionn, Van Lefan, Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble (additional performers to be announced for June 25)
Races, Food, Shopping
Races take place on False Creek, with the course starting at Cambie Street Bridge. Nearly all the races are 500 meters, with the exception of the Concord Pacific Champion Race Series (100M Knockouts), and Guts and Glory Grand Finals (2,000M circuit races). 18 international standard dragon boats will be used for racing during the Festival, 9 of which are designed by local artists.
Cultural programs will be held at the festival, featuring a Chinatown Pavilion and an Indigenous Pavilion.
More than 50 vendors for food and beverages will be available on site, and soak in the sun as the festival hosts the city’s biggest outdoor patio every year. You can also shop from local vendors throughout the festival.
About the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society
The Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society is the non-profit organizer of North America’s flagship dragon boat festival – the Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival, and runs Dragon Zone Paddling Club – Canada’s largest paddling club.
The Society also produces a series of races, cultural programming, and community initiatives centred around the traditional Chinese sport of dragon boat. Through its All Access and youth programs, supported by the Milton K. Wong Legacy Project, the Society makes paddling experiences accessible regardless of any barriers to participation.
