In late July, BC Place’s Northern Lights Display will be inspired by the “Light the Path” Orange Shirt, designed by xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) artist Debra Sparrow along with her grandsons Isaiah and Cyler for Hope and Health, an organization that maximizes the power of sport to engage, educate, and empower Indigenous youth to improve long-term health and life outcomes.
The “Light the Path” Orange Shirt designed by Debra Sparrow and grandsons Isaiah and Cyler.
BC Place Light the Path Orange Shirt Illumination
Similar to the “Light the Path” Orange Shirt, the illumination will feature 215 stars against an orange background. The nighttime display around the stadium’s exterior will run on July 24 and July 25, 2022.
“Finding the 215 children buried at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School touched everyone so deeply. Speaking with my two grandchildren, it seemed to have sparked something deep within us,” said Sparrow, whose artwork was also previously featured on the Northern Lights Display last February. “It’s as if the children shone a light, the earth opened up, and instead of darkness, the light came through. The stars that each of them have become are shining on us, and they are going to light the path for us.”
The stadium light show coincides with the Hope and Health Community Camp at BC Place on July 25, which is now open for registration. Featuring enhanced cultural teachings as well as training sessions with coaches, mentors, and traditional knowledge carriers, the Hope and Health Community Camp is the latest addition to the stadium’s community-building programming for 2022.
Next month’s illumination schedule also includes a Maple Leaf show for Canada Day weekend, a rainbow illumination for the Vancouver Pride Festival, and a Summer show featuring the province’s vibrant colours of the season from July 10 to 14, 2022.
About Hope and Health
The Hope and Health movement utilizes the beautiful game of soccer and mentorship to inspire hope, as well as improve the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and life conditions for Indigenous children and youth. The team is committed to come together as one heart, one mind to maximize sport as a tool for reconciliACTION in relation to the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls To Action, specific to Sports and Reconciliation (87-91). Their vision is for Indigenous children and youth to carry themselves with pride and confidence, achieve their highest potential and dream big.
Order your own Light the Path Orange Shirt online here. All net proceeds will go towards Hope and Health sport for development community based programming, including a Musqueam based H3 program start up + many others around the province in 2022.
Canada Together at Canada Place is a free multi-stage waterfront event with music, cultural performances, food trucks, exhibits and more happening July 1st. Planned collaboratively with representatives from the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Canada Together at Canada Place
Date: Friday, July 1, 2022 11:00am to 6:00pm
Location: The outdoor spaces at Canada Place, Jack Poole Plaza, and surrounding city streets. Please note there will be no indoor programming inside Canada Place.
2022 marks the 36th annual event at Canada Place at the Port of Vancouver, which has historically been the largest Canada Day celebration outside Ottawa. It also marks the beginning of a new direction for the event.
Schedule of Events
MAIN STAGE
11:00am
Indigenous blessing and welcome
11:30am
Storytelling with Swo-wo Gabriel
11:45am
Carsen Gray
11:20am
Storytelling with Alec Dan
12:35pm
Chief Dr. Robert Joseph, Reconciliation Canada
1:20pm
Bitterly Divine
2:10pm
Omega Mighty
3:00pm
The Boom Booms
4:45pm
Johnny Reid
WORLD STAGE hosted by DJ O Show (North Point of Canada Place)
11:30am
Zeellia
12:10pm
United Filipino Canadian Associations in British Columbia
12:50pm
Samba Fusion
1:25pm
Storytelling with Alec Dan
1:35pm
Tsatsu Stalqayu (Coastal Wolf Pack)
2:20pm
Aché Brasil
3:15pm
Alpha Yaya Diallo
4:15pm
Lazy Syrup Orchestra featuring Ashleigh Ball
KIDS’ STAGE
11:30am
Spakwus Slolem (Eagle Song Dancers) with the West Vancouver Youth Orchestra
12:10pm
Storytelling with Swo-wo Gabriel
12:25pm
Mom Bop
1:20mp
Grade School
2:10pm
Perry Ehrlich’s ShowStoppers
3:15pm
Rock n’ Beau Dance Party and Mascot Dance-off
4:25pm
Will’s Jams
“We are pleased to see the event taking a new direction, and to be collaborating with the port authority to help guide the direction and future of this gathering,” said Chief Wayne Sparrow, Musqueam Indian Band. “We are proud to build on the inclusion of the culture and history of the three nations on whose traditional territory the event takes place.”
The theme this year is “Weaving together the fabric of a nation,” chosen to honour the country’s diversity and set an intention for the day to gather, celebrate, learn, and share. Weaving is a common activity across many cultures and is a metaphor for the way the beauty, strength, and wisdom from the past can combine through multiple perspectives to create something meaningful for today and tomorrow.
“After a long hiatus, the Squamish Nation is excited to help plan out this in-person event again for Canada Day,” said Sxwíxwtn (Wilson Williams), Councillor and spokesperson for Squamish Nation. “Attendees will learn about the importance of advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples across this country, learn about different Indigenous languages and cultures and enjoy spectacular performances by Coast Salish drummers and singers. We hope to see you there on July 1.”
The gathering will feature a full day of festivities, great food, family fun, and performances. At 11:00am, all zones and exhibits, including the Main Stage, will open with great entertainment and activities for guests of all ages. The iconic waterfront venue covers five city blocks and will include the outdoor spaces at Canada Place, Jack Poole Plaza and surrounding city streets.
Chief Dr. Robert Joseph will share a special message on behalf of Reconciliation Canada.
“Canada Day and what it means to be Canadian has taken on a new meaning in the last year,” says Tsleil-Waututh Nation Chief Jen Thomas. “Working alongside our relatives at Musqueam and Squamish, as well as the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, we look forward to working together on creating an inclusive event that showcases Tsleil-Waututh and Coast Salish history, culture, and values. We look forward to celebrating and sharing a piece of our community with the general public on July 1st, 2022.”
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
It’s been a staple of summer in Vancouver for almost half a century and it’s definitely one of the most beautiful festival locations you could dream of! The Vancouver Folk Music Festival (“VFMF”) returns to Jericho Beach July 15-17, 2022 and you won’t want to miss out on this incredible lineup of entertainment.
Alejandro Escovedo, Allison Russell, Asleep At the Wheel, Beledrone, Bella White, Blue Moon Marquee w/ Duke Robillard, Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, Clerel, Debashish Bhattacharya, Five Alarm Funk, Ford Pier, Fortune Block, Frazey Ford, Golosa La Orquesta, Haley Heynderickx, Housewife, Kanatal, Lache Cercel & The Roma Jazz Ensemble, Lennie Gallant, Molly Tuttle, Quote The Raven, Redbird, RevoluSon, Robben Ford, Russell deCarle, SGaanaGwa, Shovels & Rope, SINNOI, Stringband Sundae, Suzie Ungerleider, Taj Mahal, The Bros. Landreth, The New Pornographers, Vancouver Fiddle Club, Vilda, and Witch Prophet.
The festival features three daytime stages, as well as the evening Main Stage. On Friday, the gates will open at 3:00pm with music from 4:00pm to 11:00pm.
The gates open at 11:00am on Saturday and Sunday with music from 12:00pm to 11:00pm. Tickets are free for children 12 and there’s concession priced tickets for elders, students, and youth. The 2022 festival features a Little Folks area, artisan market, food vendors, and an adult beverage garden.
VFMF. Photo submitted.
“I am so happy to have so many great Canadian and International artists coming this year,” says Artistic/Executive Director Debbi Salmonsen. “As well as legends like Taj Mahal, and many great Canadian and US musicians, we have artists joining us from Chile, Finland, India, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan. This year our ‘folk music’ definition has really spread its wings into many roots genres. We can’t wait to see our Folk Fest fans, vendors and volunteers in person again this year. We are working hard to ensure a safe and joyful experience for everyone. I also want to express our gratitude to the Musqueam Nation for allowing us to hold our event on their unceded traditional land.”
Enter to Win Weekend Passes
I have a pair of full weekend passes to give away (value over $500!). Here’s how you can enter to win:
To view the full lineup of performers, find more information about the festival, and to purchase your tickets visit the VFMF website and follow along on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Early Music Vancouver (“EMV”) presents the 2022 Vancouver Bach Festival – Scottish Baroque and Other Traditions from Tuesday, July 26 to Saturday, August 6 at various venues including The Chan Centre, Christ Church Cathedral, Pyatt Hall, VanDusen Botanical Garden, The Wolf & Hound, and UBC’s Sage Bistro.
Vancouver Bach Festival
The 6th annual Festival explores the profound and entertaining fusion of Scottish traditional music and the music of the Baroque masters that emerged in the 17th century.
It is well known that J.S. Bach employed instrumentalists for his church performances who often also played in taverns. We also know that the music for popular country dances such as the gavotte and gigue (jig), were reimagined by ‘serious’ composers of the time for courtly circles. Scottish Baroque, a fusion of Scottish traditional music combined with the virtuosity and style of 17th and 18th century Italian music, was born in a pub in Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town, where, the music of Corelli sat side by side with the rhythmic drive of local reels and jigs. Musicians of the day would play both repertoires, with the same enthusiasm for each, using the same technique and instruments.
At this year’s Vancouver Bach Festival – Scottish Baroque and Other Traditions, audiences will hear traditional melodies weave throughout all of the concerts presented.
A beloved Vancouver tradition since 1940, Theatre Under the Stars (“TUTS”) returns to Malkin Bowl stage in Stanley Park July 2 to August 27, 2022. Audiences will travel back in time to witness the birth of the world’s first musical and launch into the future for a rock-and-roll fuelled revolution as TUTS presents Something Rotten! and We Will Rock You, running alternate evenings.
Theatre Under the Stars
Where: Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park 610 Pipeline Rd. Vancouver, BC
Dates: July 2 to August 27, 2022 Performances alternate evenings
Previews: July 2-5, 2022
Opening Nights: July 7 & 8
Times: All shows at 8:00pm, except on Fireworks Nights (July 23, 27 & 30) when shows begin at 7:00pm
Set in the streets of Elizabethan England, Something Rotten! is brimming with humorous witticisms, clever lyrics, and colourful song-and-dance numbers that poke fun at everything audiences adore about Broadway, with melodic and choreographic references to such famed musicals as West Side Story, South Pacific, and Les Misérables. Determined to write a hit show, playwright siblings Nick and Nigel Bottom enlist a mysterious soothsayer, who foresees they can beat Shakespeare’s success by creating a brand new form of theatre… the musical! The whimsical satire will be directed by Rachel Peake, who makes her TUTS debut. A three-time Jessie Richardson Award winner, Peake has directed works for numerous theatre and opera companies, including Vancouver Opera, Citadel Theatre, Gateway Theatre and Persephone Theatre.
Photo by Emily Cooper
We Will Rock You
Set 300 years in the future, where the world is ruled by sinister leader Killer Queen, two misfits, Galileo and Scaramouche, rise up in their fight for freedom. We Will Rock You reflects the spectacle that marked Queen’s live performances and earned the band its pinnacle position in rock history. Having thrilled more than 16 million audience members worldwide, the musical features over 20 hits from the band’s iconic songbook including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are the Champions,” and “Another One Bites the Dust.” Also making her TUTS debut is We Will Rock You director Saccha Dennis, an actor and director, most recently seen on stage in the hit musical Come From Away. Dennis has toured across Canada and the U.S., including the first U.S. national tour of We Will Rock You.
Win Tickets
I have a pair of tickets to give away to each performance. Enter via the contest box and if you’re sharing on social or leaving a comment entry, you can include which show you’d like to see (Something Rotten! or We Will Rock You).
This year TUTS is proud to partner with the Canucks Autism Network to host a relaxed performance of Something Rotten! A Relaxed Performance is designed for anyone who may need a more casual environment to enjoy the theatre, including (but certainly not limited to) people on the Autism Spectrum, people with sensory or communication disorders, neurological disorders, or people with a learning disability. We will have a more relaxed attitude about how our audience experiences the performance and ask all audience members to be aware of people’s needs to move or make noise.
Pride Night Tuesday, Tuesday, July 26
TUTS is thrilled to host its fourth annual Pride Night, the official kickoff event for this year’s Vancouver Pride Week! Audiences will enjoy all the hard-rocking international phenomenon, “We Will Rock You,” celebrating Queer icon Freddie Mercury and QUEEN’s iconic songbook. Join in for a high-octane feast for the senses! All seat cushion and programme donations from the night will be matched by TUTS in support of Vancouver Pride Society.
We Will Rock You Sing-Along Night Wednesday, August 3
Feeling like “[You] Want to Break Free?” Blending the excitement of a musical with the electricity of a concert, join us for a special We Will Rock You Sing-along Night on August 3 for some fist-pumping, foot-stomping fun. Featuring more than 20 hits from QUEEN’s discography, “We Will Rock You” arrives at the Malkin Bowl having rocked more than 16 million audience members around the globe! Come sing your heart out dressed like your favourite rock stars for this special evening of rock-and-roll.
