As things begin to open and restrictions ease, this June we’ll increasingly see more fun events to check out in and around the city. Be sure to tune into some of these virtual events or check out these summer-time activities in person sometime this month!
1. TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival
The iconic TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival runs this month, June 25th until July 4th. With over 100 online streamed concerts, this year’s International Jazz Festival is super accessible and convenient to participate in. The festival routinely brings together a mix of local Vancouver artists and international talent that highlights the incredible history of Jazz in the community. You can purchase your tickets online (https://www.coastaljazz.ca/streamingpackages/ ) or participate in one of their many free public workshops and lectures. Check out their events calendar (https://www.coastaljazz.ca/events/list/?tribe_eventcategory=2 ) to see which live or recorded shows you can watch!
2. Vancouver Flea Market
Located at 703 Terminal Avenue, the Vancouver Flea Market is open weekends 9am – 5pm. Now, more than ever, it’s so important to support local and the Flea Market provides a wonderful opportunity to do so without breaking the bank. The collection here of antiques, collectables and high-quality used items makes it a great place to explore this June.
3. Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours
Wanting to discover more about the city’s history and culture? Forbidden Vancouver walking tours are a great way to learn more about the sides of Vancouver that escape the mainstream media. For instance, their “The Really Gay History Walking Tour” is a fun way to celebrate Pride Month and hear about Vancouver’s history of drag, queer and LGBTQIA2+ community. These tours run every Sunday and during Pride Week at 10am and you can buy your tickets here (https://forbiddenvancouver.ca/really-gay-history-tour/) .
4. Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
The beautiful Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden is one of Vancouver’s most beloved urban oases. Right downtown at 578 Carrall St, this garden is home to Chinese cultural events, tours, festivals, and concerts. All June, you can participate in Yoga, Tai Chi, and Meditation classes (https://vancouverchinesegarden.com/events/) right in the stunning gardens.
5. Imagine Van Gogh Immersive Exhibition
Since mid-March, the Imagine Van Gogh Immersive Exhibition has been drawing crowds to Vancouver’s Convention Centre. In it, famous works like The Starry Night, Irises, Bedroom in Arles and Sunflowers are reworked to make it seem like you’re walking through the paintings. The entire exhibit features the music of composers Saint-Saëns, Mozart, Bach, Delibes and Satie that make the sensory experience all the more mesmerizing. You can buy your tickets here (https://vancouver.imagine-vangogh.com/tickets/) to check out the exhibit before it closes at the end of August.
6. Interior Infinite at the The Polygon Gallery
From June 25th until September 5th, the Polygon Gallery is hosting the interior Infinite exhibit. The exhibit features a diverse group of local and international artists of sculpture, photography, film and performance that appeal to the theme of identity, self-expression, and embodied experience. Located at 101 Carrie Cates Court in North Vancouver, be sure to check out this exhibit when it opens later this month.
7. Art Walk Strathcona
Until June 14th, you can check out these five art features along East Hastings St. The Strathcona Art Walk is a spread-out, large-scale gallery on billboards in the neighbourhood that feature contemporary Indigenous and Canadian artists. This walk is a great way to learn more about local artists and check out another part of the city!
feature image courtesy of @daria_globa