Did you know BC still has a 3-day outdoor festival with awesome live music, DJs, dancing, family fun, and on-site camping in a gorgeous valley setting with mountain views? It’s Atmosphere Gathering in Cumberland on Vancouver Island, and I recently researched a story for FestivalSeekers where I discovered great food, music, culture, and even better people!
Atmosphere Gathering in Cumberland
When: August 18-20, 2017 Where: Cumberland Village Park (1 hour north of Nanaimo) Tickets: $175 for a full weekend pass, $40 for a full weekend camping pass. « Purchase passes online now »
Vig Schulman, one of Atmosphere’s producers, had me envision the scene: a 60-foot tall big-top circus tent where the silent disco will go into the wee hours of the night; a camping zone; the trees from which hammocks will hang for mid-festival naps; a kombucha bar; food vendors; shade tents; crafts; dancing; circus arts like trapeze and aerial silk performances; artisans, and all round good vibes. Then there’s the main stage that will host three full days of live music from Half Moon Run, Dirty Radio, CloZee, Stylust Beats, OKA, DJ Shub and many more.
What I loved about visiting Cumberland, is the passion and excitement I felt even while having lunch at the Waverley Hotel. DJ Mr. Mac Himself was spinning tunes into silent disco headsets that soon almost half the bar was wearing. There was a steady beat in the town, and Atmosphere is the culmination of all of those good vibes.
Whether you want to dance the night away, rock out with live acts, or take a break in the calming area with workshops and yoga between shady evergreens, there’s a refuge for every energy level at Atmosphere.
You are also free to leave and return to the festival at any time, which is great for those who want to check out the new Cumberland Brewing headquarters on Dunsmuir or pop into the Waverley Hotel for lunch. (I highly recommend one of their massive salads full of locally-grown greens.
The Museum of Vancouver (“MOV”) is diving deep into their vault and showcasing some of Vancouver’s most valuable treasures in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday.
This new exhibition, called Unbelievable, features contested objects, storied replicas and, iconic artifacts for a mind-bending exploration of the role stories play in defining community – and what happens when these tales can not be relied upon.
We currently live in a post-truth world full of fake news, alternative facts and falsehoods, where literally nothing can be taken at face value. In Unbelievable, they will look at the contradictory and unbelievable stories behind treasured artifacts challenging visitors to look differently at the world and facts.
MOV Presents Unbelievable
Dates: June 24 to September 24, 2017 Where: Museum of Vancouver (1100 Chestnut St, Vancouver)
The first large Unbelievable object that visitors will encounter is the Thunderbird totem pole. It appeared in controversial filmmaker Edward Curtis’ 1914 work In the Land of the Head Hunters.
Vancouver Expedition frontlet, c. 1790s. Collected at Nootka Sound by Midshipman Thomas Dobson on HMS “Discovery” under Captain George Vancouver 1791-1795. Museum of Vancouver Collection.
The totem pole has since been replicated in fiberglass, as well as re-carved to stand in Stanley Park – but the original has been tucked away within MOV’s vaults. The pole’s complex histories lay the groundwork for an exploration of stories, symbols, and struggles that follow. Furthermore, the Thunderbird totem pole challenges our fundamental thinking about reconciliation and Canada in its 150th year.
Unbelievable will also include a search for other contemporary ‘totems’, each with contrasting stories about a point in time in Vancouver. These include the original ‘R’ from Arbutus Street’s ‘The Ridge’ sign (where a replica now adorns condos); a full-scale bronze-cast model of Stanley Park’s derivative Girl in a Wet Suit; and opposing and battling Quatchi costumes from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games – one an official costume, the other an anti-mascot built by protestors.
The artifacts will also illustrate the tangled threads of narrative around Vancouver’s relationship with First Nations communities. Pieces include a carving given to George Vancouver’s crew, a large mask of a bird depicting the European-brought disease of smallpox, and Pauline Johnson’s ‘Indigenous’ dress, a fantasy garment for a cultural celebrity with a vivid imagination.
Finally, more surprising items ask visitors to create their own stories about unique artifacts found within the MOV collection, encouraing visitors to share their thoughts about how each object came to be, and then later present them with the opportunity to compare their narrative to MOV’s documentation of each artifact.
Enter to Win Passes
I have a 4-pack of passes to give away to this fascinating exhibition, here’s how you can enter to win:
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Last year, I got to witness competitor Jamie Garcia ripping around in a wicked fast bathtub. This year, I got to ride in a tub… a 12 person tub! It’s always fun out on the water in Nanaimo but when you’re in the world’s largest bathtub, celebrating the amazing World Championship Bathtub Race, it’s pretty next-level on the fun meter! I was in town once again with FestivalSeekers to learn more about this year’s Nanaimo Bathtub Race and Marine Festival.
Nanaimo Bathtub Race and Marine Festival
When: July 21 to July 23, 2017 Where: Nanaimo’s harbourfront
I stepped aboard the world’s largest bathtub, where prime ministers and other dignitaries have stood, and we set sail through the channel and over to Departure Bay. Just beyond the docked ferries, is the site of one of The Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society’s World Cup Bathtub Races – one of several races that take place outside of the annual Bathtub Weekend in Nanaimo. Serious tubbers can also race in Powell River, Summerland, Oak Bay, and Silverdale, WA, between June and September. Of course, the main event is the International Bathtub Race in Nanaimo, happening on Sunday, July 23, 2017.
The race is full of excitement and it’s such a unique event that started right there in Nanaimo. The festival includes many other satellite events on shore including the King Neptune Dance, Sail Past On Wheels Fun Parade, the Quality Foods Festival Of Lights & Music with a nighttime fireworks show in the harbour, and more.
During my giant bathtub adventure I got to sail around a bit of the race course, past Protection Island, the gorgeous Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park, and then the Dingy Dock – one of Canada’s best floating pubs. All of these locations offer a front-row seat to watch a hundred bathtubbers conclude their 58-km race in the summer.
At one point we docked and I got out to tour around downtown Nanaimo’s Maffeo Sutton Park a little bit (not sure why I didn’t take off my lifejacket at this time) but I was feeling the marine fun coursing through my veins! The park will be a hive of activity during the festival and it’s also where you can tip your hat to the statue of Frank Ney, Nanaimo’s Pirate Mayor.
You can experience some of the excitement from the shores of Kitsilano Beach as the Nanaimo Bathtub Race re-traces its old race route and comes right across the Salish Sea to Vancouver! 15 tubbers will leave Nanaimo Harbour on July 1st and embark on this cross-Strait throwback journey.
This weekend in Vancouver, Miss604 is proud to support the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire, which will have two full days of maker exhibits, workshops, speakers, building, painting, crafting, soldering, brewing, sewing, 3D printing, and much more. Check out the full list of weekend events below, and send in your event info anytime for a free listing.
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green.
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In the heart of Downtown Surrey, you can pull up a chair and have a seat at The Long, Long Table: A Canadian Affair. This unique dining experience invites you to dine with family, friends, your community, and perhaps some new faces that you can share a story with or two while you enjoy a culinary journey through Canada from coast to coast.
The Long, Long Table: A Canadian Affair
When: Tuesday, June 27, 2017, 5:00pm reception, 6:15pm dinner Where: Surrey Civic Plaza (13450 104 Ave) Tickets: $40 each and available online until June 26th.
The long table dinner will host 220 guests who can look forward to a delicious five-course meal outside in the scenic Civic Plaza. Each course of the meal features a different narrative of Canadian heritage. The ingredients are all locally sourced, so diners will have an opportunity to not only eat a delicious meal, but can support local farmers as well.
The main feature of this event will, of course, be the food. The five-course meal highlights delicious Canadian cuisine. From traditional bannock and salmon, to fresh Salt Spring Island salad, this dinner is fit for Canada’s milestone birthday celebration. There will also be local musicians and and performers showcasing Canadian culture and talent throughout the evening.
For more information, follow the Downtown Surrey BIA on Twitter and Facebook.
This new exhibition, called Unbelievable, features contested objects, storied replicas and, iconic artifacts for a mind-bending exploration of the role stories play in defining community – and what happens when these tales can not be relied upon. 
