Vancouver Event Mania

Summer is officially almost here and there is so much to do in Vancouver. Here is a list of things that are coming up:

FESTIVAL D'ETE FRANCOPHONE
(Till June 24 Le Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver)
West Seventh Avenue between Granville and Fir (www.lecentreculturel.com)

What is it: The 20th anniversary of the six-day festival celebrating francophone culture.

Who is it for: French speakers and francophiles who enjoy great music, both indoors and outdoors, and Canadians who are proud that French is one of the country's two official languages. Eh, oui! Years past have seen Quebecois legends like Robert Charlebois grace the outdoor stage. This year, Montreal band Malajube joins Karkwa and rising Quebec star Pierre Lapointe on the Air Canada Stage starting at 5 p.m., June 20. The festival culminates on St. Jean Baptiste Day, or fete nationale as Quebecers call it, with a June 24 fete at Richard's on Richards.

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FLAMENCO FESTIVAL
(June 28 to July 5 at various venues)
www.flamencocorosario.org

What is it: Flamenco Rosario's annual event celebrating the traditional dance and music of Spain.

Who is it for: Fans of foot stomping and castanets, customers of tapas restaurants who want to branch out.


CRAB PARK CANADA DAY FESTIVAL
(July 1) Crab Park, Portside, foot of Main Street
www.bandcouver.com

What is it: The city's other Canada Day party. A free, all-ages celebration from 1 to 4 p.m.

Hosted by the Crab Water for Life Society and Bandcouver, the event supports keeping up this green space in the Downtown Eastside. There are events for the kids at this portside park as well as a number of Vancouver bands. At 1 p.m. Maria in the Shower will be playing, followed by Fuzzcat at 2 p.m. and then Blackberry Wood takes the stage at 3 p.m. And you'll still have plenty of time to make the Canada Day parade downtown at 7 p.m.

Who is it for: People who like to feel good about getting down.


BOLLYWOOD WEDDING
(July 23 to 26 at the Italians Gardens at Pacific National Exhibition at Hastings Park)
Admission is free, ph. 604-893-8875 for reservations

What is it: An interactive outdoor dance and theatre production about the engagement and wedding of two young Indians brought together in an arranged marriage.

Who is it for: People who like attending weddings but don't want to shell out for a gift, interactive theatre fans suffering withdrawal now that Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding has come to a merciful end.


2009 WORLD POLICE AND FIRE GAMES
(July 31 to Aug. 9, various venues around the Lower Mainland)
www.2009wpfg.ca

What is it: International sporting event for firefighters and police, customs and corrections officers to let off some steam and show off their athletic prowess competing in over 65 events including rugby, ultimate fighting, karate and, um, darts.

Who is it for: Family and friends of competitors, people who have a thing for authority figures.


VELO-CITY: VANCOUVER AND THE BICYCLE REVOLUTION
(Until Sept. 7 at Museum of Vancouver)
www.museumofvancouver.ca

What is it: Exhibit curated by Propellor Design that delves into Vancouver's bicycle culture and how it's shaping the city we live in.

Who is it for: Bike enthusiasts, guilt-ridden automobile drivers, future ministers of transportation.

I will probably go on a slow day.


CARIBBEAN DAYS FESTIVAL
(July 25 and 26, Waterfront Park, North Vancouver)

www.caribbeandaysfestival.com

What is it: The Trinidad and Tabago Cultural Society of B.C. throw the year's biggest Caribbean party.

There is a Caribbean cruise the Sunday before the festival, a multicultural parade on Saturday at 10 a.m. leading down to Waterfront Park and a children's parade on Sunday, July 26.

But the big event is an outdoor dance fest at the Marketplace Plaza near the SeaBus when the festival shuts down at 7 p.m. on Saturday night. You'll be jammin' to two bands and two DJs playing salsa to reggae until 1 a.m.

Who is it for: Anyone who likes a good party in the sun with spicy food and steel drums.

POWELL STREET FESTIVAL
(Aug. 1 and 2, Woodland Park, 700 Woodland Dr.)
www.powellstreetfestival.com

What is it: The 33rd annual festival celebrating Japanese Canadian heritage and culture in Vancouver.

The festival has moved to a new location this year but will also include a bicycle valet so getting there is easy. Some events will happen at the Britannia Community Centre.

The theme of this year's festival is migration--across Canada, back to one's heritage and into new media.

Past festivals have included demonstrations on martial arts, Kokoro dance, concerts and of course, there's the food. Sushi, anyone?

Who is it for: Those with a yen for karate and tasty Japanese treats.


MUSICFEST VANCOUVER
(Aug. 2 to 16, various venues)
www.musicfestvancouver.ca

What is it: Formerly known as Festival Vancouver, MusicFest "explores the connections between cultures, centuries and people" featuring more than 50 classical, world music and jazz performers from Canada and around the world.

Who is it for: Anyone who knows what a lute is, concertgoers not burned out by the folk and jazz festivals.



SUMMER CINEMA IN THE PARKS
(Mondays at 9 p.m., Aug. 11 to 18 at Grandview, McSpadden and Victoria parks)
www.thedrive.ca/event_cinema.shtm

What is it: A chance to get out of the living room and lounge in Eastside parks, watching old movies.

The event is free but cash and food donations are being collected by the Vancouver Food Bank. It's presented by the Commercial Drive Business Association.

The schedule is:

Aug. 11, Grandview Park, Wizard of Oz

Aug. 18, McSpadden Park, E.T. the Extraterrestrial

Aug. 25, Victoria Park, Shrek

Who is it for: The kids. The babysitter. The overly cute couple with a beach blanket on hand.


UNDER THE VOLCANO
(Aug. 9, Whey-Ah Wichen / Cates Park in Deep Cove, North Vancouver)
www.volcano.resist.ca

What is it: Canada's largest political festival. A grassroots celebration of arts and activism, taking place where Malcolm Lowry wrote his famous novel, Under the Volcano. Which is not about the festival.

In its 19th year UTV still has free shuttles leaving from Broadway SkyTrain Station every half hour, so leave the car at home.

Admission is by donation. The suggested amounts range from $10 to 20.

This year's lineup hasn't been announced yet but Tegan and Sara and Kinnie Starr have played previous festivals.

Who is it for: People who like their music with a dose of social justice.

There are many other Vancouver events. These are just a few that one of my favorite local papers, the Vancouver Courier, posted that I thought were worth mentioning since I am considering going to a few of these. Let`s enjoy this beautiful city.