The Vancouver Aquarium’s wildly popular after hours event, Fish & Sips, returns in August. Get access to the entire aquarium, indoor and outdoor bars, DJs and live entertainment at this adults-only event.
Vancouver Aquarium After Hours Fish & Sips
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2024 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Amazon Gallery: 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Main Entrance Gate: Closes at 9:30pm
Gift Shop: 7:00pm to 10:15pm
Location: Vancouver Aquarium
Tickets:On sale now for $35 (usually sells out so act fast). Aquarium members get priority access and 20% off all food and non-alcoholic beverage purchases. Valid government-issued photo ID must be presented for entry into this 19+ event.
Sharks hit different after dark! Uncover mysteries of the deep in the limited-time exhibit Monsters of the Abyss (which is only around until September 2nd), and explore the newly renovated Amazon Gallery where sloths and monkeys rule the rainforest. Hit the ocean dance floor and make some waves with live DJs and entertainment, check out the 4D Theatre Experience®, and get up close during feedings.
Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase including the new Shark Bite Signature Cocktail served at the indoor and outdoor bars, along with popular treats like sustainable Pacific Cod Tacos. Follow the aquarium on Facebook for the latest info.
Tofino entered VAMMR‘s care a little over three weeks ago and is still bottle-feeding but the team is slowly introducing solids (currently clams) into her diet. She remains under 24-hour care and has been hitting key milestones for otter pups. VAMMR helps rescue, rehabilitate and release marine mammals in distress.
The Turtle Island Festival, from the producers of the Circles Festival, is bringing Indigenous music, arts, and culture to Sunset Beach this summer. The fest will have an Indigenous market, youth workshops, children’s play area, traditional foods, and a talented lineup of performers.
Turtle Island Festival at Sunset Beach
Dates: Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 1:00pm to 10:00pm
All ages, family friendly. Proceeds from VIP ticket sales will be donated Land Back Healing Society’s Youth Music Program RISE.
There will be an opening ceremony by Audrey Siegl, and the official lineup of speakers, dancers, and hip hop artists is yet to be released (so stay tuned). Attendees can also enjoy workshops with Nations Skate Youth and Land Back Healing Society; a fashion show; the all Indigenous Market presented by Decolonial Clothing; and a community feast by Sundance & Sons and Bannock Busters.
Last year over 4,000 people attended Circles Festival, which was the first-ever Indigenous youth music and arts festival in Vancouver.
“Often, Indigenous people don’t have safe spaces for our creative expression. We are building those safe spaces, we are grassroots, and doing the groundwork needed to bring healing to our community. Music is a vehicle to drive our messages and amplify our voices, music is a universal language that brings people together. We will continue to build off the strength of our ancestors, and bring our truths to light and use our platforms to fight for justice.” – Award-winning hip-hop artist, activist and entrepreneur, Dakota Bear.
Vancouver’s annual celebration of Japanese Canadian arts and culture, the Powell Street Festival, returns this August for the 48th year! There will once again be an array of diverse events and activities free for all ages to enjoy around the neighbourhood.
Where: Oppenheimer Park 400-block Powell Street at Jackson Ave
Admission: Free!
The festival is centered in the historic Paueru Gai neighbourhood, the festival spans Oppenheimer Park (400 Block, Powell Street) and nearby streets (Jackson and Dunlevy Avenues, Alexander Street) which will be transformed with an array of Japanese food vendors, a craft marketplace, and two outdoor stages.
Participating venues include the Firehall Arts Centre (280 East Cordova Street), Vancouver Japanese Language Centre and Japanese Hall (487 Alexander Street), Centre A Gallery (268 Keefer Street) and Vancouver Buddhist Temple (220 Jackson Avenue).
This year’s festival features over three dozen events, showcasing traditional and contemporary music, dance, literature, film, and performances from both local and international talent.
Highlights
Highlights include a screening of the documentary Between Pictures: The Lens of Tamio Wakayama by Cindy Mochizuki, a multimedia exploration of the late Japanese Canadian photographer and 1960s civil rights advocate.
Music enthusiasts can look forward to Ryuho Shakuhachi Kai, a leading maker of the bamboo shakuhachi flute from Japan, and local acts such as Kotojiro, a trio blending Eastern and Western musical traditions, and hafu vocalist Kimiko.
Literary offerings include a reading by Leslie Shimotakahara, author of Sisters of the Spruce, and an intergenerational creative writing circle workshop hosted by Mata Ashita, Michael Prior, and Leanne Toshiko Simpson ahead of an upcoming anthology featuring poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction from Japanese Canadians affected by displacement and dispossession.
This year’s program also includes walking tours, martial arts demonstrations and our popular annual Sumo Tournament. Between events, visitors can enjoy food booths offering a variety of Japanese cuisine, browse handmade crafts in the marketplace, purchase festival lottery tickets and merchandise, and participate in interactive games in the zone.
Visit the Powell Street Festival Society on Facebook for more info.
Enjoy a night of love, joy, and powerful music as Queer As Funk launches their debut studio album during Vancouver Pride this summer.
Photo submitted
Queer As Funk has been a cornerstone of the BC music scene for over a decade, known for their electrifying performances that fuse funk, soul, Motown, and R&B. Their music is a beacon of inclusivity – the band openly and joyously celebrates the 2SLGBTQl+ community in Vancouver.
Alongside their commitment to social justice, over the last 11 years Queer As Funk has also earned a reputation as a powerful and entertaining band. Their tight horn arrangements, groovy rhythms, and powerful vocals have won over fans at music festivals and Pride events across Canada.
This concert marks the release of Queer As Funk’s first studio album. Recorded at Hipposonic Studios in Vancouver BC with Liam Moes, the album gives fans the opportunity to bring the dance party home and increases visibility and representation of queer artists in the wider music industry.
Joined by the soulful Sojourners, the evening promises a blend of exciting, vibrant music, and heartfelt community celebration. Follow the band on Facebook for more info and updates.
Join in free, family-friendly fun with the Canada Place Summer Series featuring weekly Waterfront Yoga, Zumba®, and MSINGI classes through July and August, 2024.
Canada Place Summer Series – Photo Submitted
Summer Series at Canada Place
Zumba® at Canada Place provides participants the opportunity to practice Zumba® in one of Vancouver’s most stunning waterfront locations. Join these fun fitness classes on Mondays this summer, with no dance experience or partner required.
When: Every Monday from July 15 to August 26, 2024 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
No class on BC Day – August 5, 2024
Where: North Point, Canada Place (999 Canada Place, Vancouver)
Registration: Free, just show up!
MSINGI at Canada Place is an all-ages, inclusive, outdoor fitness/movement class. This new, innovative format combines the fundamentals of fitness with rhythmic and dynamic fusions of music, set to Afro beats. Make sure to bring a water bottle and wear clothes you can move in.
When: Every Tuesday from July 16 to August 27, 2024 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: North Point, Canada Place (999 Canada Place, Vancouver)
Waterfront Yoga at Canada Placewill be a great way to unwind as you stretch and breath in the fresh air and gorgeous views. Led by Stretch Vancouver, this outdoor yoga class requires no previous yoga experience. Make sure to bring your own yoga mat.
When: Every Wednesday from July 17 to August 28, 2024 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: North Point, Canada Place (999 Canada Place, Vancouver)
Registration: Free, just show up! Arrive between 5:15pm-6:00pm to register for a spot
