Hard to believe we’re already at the last week of July, but the entertainment and activities in these picks are certainly not last.
Fireworks: The 2024 Honda Celebration of Light continues tonight with Team Malaysia and Saturday with the United Kingdom’s pyrotechnic teams lighting up the skies over English Bay. Get in place earlier to witness the Red Bull Air Show and a Drone Show before the fireworks.
Rock: Ring of Fire, lets the music of Johnny Cash to take us on a captivating journey of trials and triumphs, love and redemption at The Arts Club Theater Company Granville Island Stage until August 11th.
Red Dragons: Saturday July 27th, Vancouver Whitecaps FC host Wrexham AFC to BC Place for an intercontinental matchup.
Reunion: Tonight, Northwest trio Gossip, finds Beth Ditto, Nathan Howdeshell and Hannah Blilie back on stage at The Vogue Theatre, in support of their first album in 12 years, Real Power
Stars: Until August 24th spend an evening singing along as Theatre Under The Stars presents Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Cats and School of Rock at Malkin Bowl
Shakespeare: The 2024 Bard on the Beach season is underway under the tents at Senakw with Twelfth Night and Hamlet in rotation on the BMO Mainstage and joining them this week, are Measure for Measure and Comedy of Error on The Howard Family Stage.
SlipSlap: Leaky Heaven Performance presents the world premiere of a unique community artistic collaboration between the artists and 8-12 year olds who live nearby – Slip Slap Trip Wack – running July 26th to 28th at the Russian Hall.
Play: Get your full of thrills and excitement as Playland open Wednesday to Sundays July and August, this weekend it’s Summerween – fans can bring their spooky spirit for Playland’s summer Halloween celebration and experience the thrills and shrieks riding the brand new THUNDERVOLT Roller Coaster – use code FHFZAUN5 to save $3 on Playland Passes
Debut: Visit Chinatown Storytelling Centre for a look at its latest exhibition Neighbours: From Pender to Hastings a special exhibit celebrating the unique heritage of Hastings Street, its close ties to Chinatown
Books: Vancouver Art Book Fair returns for an in-person event at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre from July 26–27, 2024, plus new this year, is a day-long symposium on July 28 at Emily Carr University about art publishing.
Art: Until July 28th Eastside Arts Society welcomes patrons to the 4th edition of CREATE! Eastside Arts Festival – the newly expanded, immersive summer arts event takes place at various Eastside Arts District studios, breweries, and performance venues, in addition to its traditional all-day outdoor festivities at Strathcona Park.
Launch: Thursday, Bean On Hastings with support from Squirrel Friendz Vodka host the Canada Pride Launch Party featuring drag performances by Mina Mercury and the debut of Artist Olivier Salvas’ new pride- inspired collection HIDDEN ESCAPES
Bingo: Monday, Divas at Diva Presents: Bougie Bingo for Life; Don’t Hide Your Pride! – Diva at The Met brings you a fun evening with the Belles of Bingo Carlotta Gurl and The Unstoppable Conni Smudge hosting an evening of bingo, prizes and more supporting Vancouver Friends For Life Society!
Tour: Friday night the Queen Elizabeth Theatre welcomes Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner Ben Platt and his “The Honeymind Tour” to the stage supported by Brandy Clark
Improv: Wrapping up July 27th, The Improv Centre on Granville Island takes audiences to Camp What’s-It-Called for its feature summer show on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Folk: July 26-28 the Mission Folk Music Festival welcomes artists from around the world to the beautiful Fraser River Heritage Park overlooking the Fraser River, near the City of Mission.
Dance: Swing on by Queen Elizabeth Theatre for Vancouver Civic Theatres’ Summer in the Square Thursday Happy Hour brings music to the square curated by Land Back Records, the local Indigenous owned & operated record label. Friday, Dance Dance Dance brings free public Swing Class With Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret
Gig: Toronto rap-rock act Down With Webster take to the Commodore Ballroom for two nights July 24 and 25
Disability: Realwheels Theatre’s new production, Disability Tour Bus, has been released as a a radio play podcast and is now available for streaming at realwheels.ca.
Seaside: The annual Music by the Sea Festival brings music lovers Victoria International Marina July 25-27 to be captivated by a line-up of genre-spanning concerts featuring musicians from around the globe.
Container: Junction Public Market, downtown’s newest shopping and entertainment destination is open at Granville Square – 200 Granville St., between Waterfront Station and Canada Place – a unique, free marketplace created with customized shipping containers featuring rotating pop-ups, local artisans, food vendors, a bar and a live entertainment space
Gallery: This week, The Polygon Gallery opens it’s newest exhibition ANTI-ICON: APOKALYPSIS by transdisciplinary artist Martine Gutierrez, running from July 12–Sept, 20, 2024.
Exhibition: The Richmond Art Gallery summer season gets underway with It begins with knowing and not knowing from July 20 to Sept. 29, a compelling group exhibition focusing on material practices and showcases recent and site-specific work from seven artists: Rebecca Bair, Xinwei Che, Patrick Cruz, Zoë Kreye, Ogheneofegor Obuwoma, Michelle Sound, and Ximena Velázquez.