The rain will be returning, after a gloriously sunny start to spring in Metro Vancouver, but that doesn’t have to dampen your weekend plans. There are over two dozen online programs and activities to enjoy along with a few outdoor options around the region. There’s a play from Surrey Arts Centre, the Festival du Bois from Coquitlam, the Verses Festival online, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival and many more things to do in Vancouver this weekend listed below:
SPUD, Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley’s local, sustainable, organic grocery delivery service, is teaming up with Ocean Ambassadors Canada for Earth Day this year to turn the tide on marine pollution.
SPUD and Ocean Ambassadors Team Up For Earth Day
During the onset of the pandemic, SPUD put their Takeback program on pause until they refined health and safety protocols to protect their staff. Now, they are ready to restart it! To celebrate the relaunch of the program and elevate their mission to tackle plastic waste, they have decided to raise money for Ocean Ambassadors Canada from April 19th to 30th.
Ocean Ambassadors is a Vancouver-based non-for-profit that offers educational programs and hosts community initiatives. They get people to the ocean to educate them about the threat of marine pollution, and empower everyone to make real change.
The organization fosters ocean ambassadors through their school programs and summer camps, where kids aged 8 to 14 receive an inspiring and educational experience. The instructors focus on teaching stand-up paddle board skills, discussing the ways that ocean plastics impact marine life, and exploring ways to make a difference.
How You Can Help
From April 19th to 30th, SPUD.ca is donating $0.50 per Be Fresh or Nature’s Path eligible product to Ocean Ambassadors. Consider purchasing one of these products to maximize support. You can also donate $2, $5, or $20 to Ocean Ambassadors by adding a donation to your cart when you’re shopping on SPUD.ca, or you can donate directly here.
For Miss604 Readers/Followers
Not a SPUD customer? Check out with promo code MISS604 and you’ll get $15 off your first order when you spend $50 or more. Already a SPUD customer? Use the same code for $5 off your next order over $50. Valid for all locations, April 23 to April 30, 2021.
DanceHouse has announced the Vancouver premiere of Montreal choreographer Caroline Laurin-Beaucage’s multimedia work REBO(U)ND, which will be projected nightly from April 29 to May 8, 2021 in English Bay, on an East-facing tower building at Denman and Davie Street.
DanceHouse Presents an 8-Story Dance Video Projection at English Bay
In a year of creative pivots, this latest innovation will see DanceHouse moving art outdoors and broadcasting the striking architectural video projection on a loop, commencing 30 minutes past sunset until 10:30pm nightly. Launching in celebration of International Dance Day (April 29), the free outdoor public presentation offers passers-by an opportunity to engage with the larger-than-life artform in a manner suitable to the COVID-19 era.
“We could not be more thrilled to have this project come to fruition,” says Francesca Piscopo, Artistic Associate & Community Engagement Coordinator, DanceHouse. “Our mission has always been to bring dance into new lives and new communities. I can not think of a better way to do so than to – quite literally – light up the night with the beautiful expression that is REBO(U)ND.”
A silent presentation designed to be projected by mapping on facades and urban surfaces, the short work explores the constraints of gravity by focusing on the ephemeral instant at the height of a jump, when a performer floats between momentum and falling. This choreography of suspension is ultimately a celebration of strength and resilience, making its themes every bit as timely as the technology itself. Following a long year of restrictions and many lives and projects put on hold, REBO(U)ND celebrates our capacity to bounce back from adversity.
Visible from distances throughout the English Bay area and running on a continuous loop, the installation ensures that audiences can engage in a meditative artistic encounter or while enjoying their favourite take out from a local West End restaurant – all while remaining safely distanced and outdoors.
Music on Main presents great music and conversation through its free Listening. Together. online festival happening in May. Experience five days of special online performances, artist talks, and opportunities to learn about music.
Top: Saina Khaledi Jonathan Lo; Bottom: Chloe Kim, Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa
Shared music experiences throughout this past year have become a beacon of light for human connection between listeners and creators. These collective occasions have contributed to celebrating Music on Main’s 15th season, and they’re continuing the momentum by inviting audiences across the globe to listen together once again during a free online festival.
Music ranges from the accessibly eclectic percussion duo Infamy Too! (Aaron Graham and Julia Chien), to the soul-stirring folksong melodies of Dálava, and the rising star violinist, Chloe Kim. Flutist Mark Takeshi McGregor returns to Music on Main with electro-acoustic hybrid sounds including his performance of James O’Callaghan’s “Doubt is a way of knowing”. Invite Jonathan Lo‘s cello performances to fill your room as he effortlessly masters Benjamin Britten’s “Ciaccona” and Giuseppe Colombi’s “Chiaccona a Basso solo”.
Witness Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa’s quiet profondity as she performs Rodney Sharman’s “Opera Transcriptions” and describes listening as “one of the ways of being fully present in the world.” And discover Saina Khaledi’s “Mystery of Love” from Music on Main’s celebrated production As dreams are made. Here’s a chance to connect with the artists’ up close and personal performances that take you on an emotional journey.
“To me, listening together is about being a part of a community. Even when we can’t be in the same space, deliberately listening to something knowing that other people are also choosing to make this an event brings the music to life in an incomparable way.” – Elaine Wong, Practicum Student
New additions and updated programming are happening weekly. Follow Music on Main on Facebook for their latest news.
explorASIAN is celebrating Asian Heritage Month and its 25th anniversary this May! The month-long virtual festival will consist of over 50 events hosted by various pan-Asian communities and organizations in Metro Vancouver.
explorASIAN 2021
Presented by the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (“VAHMS”), explorASIAN is a time to reflect on and celebrate the contributions Canadians of Asian origin continue to make to the growth and prosperity of Canada.
“VAHMS and explorASIAN Festival continue to evolve to meet the needs of our society. This year, as we did in 2020, we have adapted to the circumstances by producing all our programming virtually and free for all. The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Opening Ceremony on May 1st, the complete May program of more than 50 events, and the VAHMS Recognition Awards ceremony in June will feature performers, artists and social advocates who, by coming together, model racial harmony, alliance, recognition and respect for all cultures.
This year and in times of increased anti-Asian sentiment, visibility and inclusiveness are more important than ever. This is why VAHMS’ efforts are constantly led by the desire to strengthen cultural identity and emphasize the importance of communicating respectfully. VAHMS stands strong against any discriminatory acts and believes that the solution to ending systemic racism against Asian and other racialized communities must include values of solidarity, tolerance, and inclusive representation.” – Leticia Sanchez, President, VAHMS
The virtual opening ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 1st at 8:00pm. On the evening, landmarks such as Vancouver City Hall, Science World, the Bloedel Conservatory, and BC Place will be illuminating their exteriors in red to celebrate the occasion. Join the event live on Zoom to celebrate with performances from local Asian-Canadian Artists Vince Mai and Sujit Vaidya.
