5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (June 21-27)

Credit: VIFF

1. VIFF’s Indigenous Film Lineup

June 21 to July 4

The new Who We Are film series presented by VIFF and the Museum of Vancouver launches Monday (National Indigenous Peoples Day). Five films (including a dark and gritty residential school-era drama, an absurdist Taika Waititi film, the first feature-length film completely in Inuktitut language, a poetic drama that tackles colonial ideas of sexuality and an in-real-time story of a pivotal chance encounter between two Indigenous women) hand-selected by Indigenous curators are available for online viewing until July 4.

When: Monday June 21 to Sunday July 4
Where: Online
Cost: Single tickets $10, festival pass $25
More Info: viff.org

Credit: Snotty Nose Rez Kids, photo by Matt Barnes

2. Vancouver International Jazz Festival

June 25 to July 4

Jazz lovers can feel the music in real life again at this year’s Vancouver International Jazz Festival—in light of our lessening COVID restrictions, some events are taking place in distanced, indoor venues. Shows taking place at Performance Works (like the Snotty Nose Rez Kids, pictured above, on June 25 at 8:00 p.m.) and at Ironworks will be in-person, while all other events will be streamed live online. There’s over 100 concerts total at the fest, check out the entire schedule here.

When: Thursday June 25 to Sunday July 4
Where: Online and in-person
Cost: Varies
More Info: coastaljazz.ca

Credit: Rich Won

3. This Afro-Vegan Cookout

June 25 to 26

Coho Collective is collaborating with Kula and Elbo Patties for a drool-worthy cookout, and it’s all plant-based. The menu speaks for itself: the “Soul Bowl” (pictured above) is Mac & Cheeze and Ribz in an edible bowl, there’s Elbo Patties in coco bread, Chick’un Sliders with Flour Girl Baking Bun and Mandazi Mini Donuts, plus beer from House of Funk and fresh lemonade. It’s on Friday and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. until sellout—which we’re predicting is bound to happen.

When: Friday June 25 to Saturday June 26, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Coho Coffee
More Info: Instagram

Credit: Martine Gutierrez, Demons, Yemaya ‘Goddess of the Living Ocean,’ p94 from Indigenous Woman, 2018, C-print mounted on Sintra, hand-painted artist frame, 41.5” x 29.5”. © Martine Gutierrez. Courtesy of the artist and Ryan Lee Gallery, New York.

4. The Polygon’s Interior Infinite

June 25 to September 5

Normal is hard to define, and these artists did just the opposite. Interior Infinite is an art exhibition that embraces the humour and chaos of identity through sculpture, photography and video. The Polygon’s latest exhibit was born from last summer’s Black Lives Matter Movement and the murder of George Floyd, when local curator Justin Ramsey questioned how art could address such atrocities and tragedies. The result is carnivalesque, grotesque and wonderfully weird—it’s visibility as resistance.

When: Friday June 25 to Sunday September 5
Where: The Polygon Gallery
Cost: By donation
More Info: thepolygon.ca

Credit: Naoko Fukumaru

5. Imperfect Offerings at the Richmond Art Gallery

Opens June 26

Imperfect Offerings embraces flaws (goals) and finds beauty in them—it’s all about rebuilding and healing. The ceramic exhibition features potter Glenn Lewis, curator Jesse Birch, and kintsugi artist Naoko Fukumaru. Kintsugi is the art of golden joinery; Fukumaru “fixes” smashed ceramics with gold and turns them into gorgeous reconstructed art. It’s an exhibition ripe with metaphor at a time when we could all use a little healing.

When: Opening Saturday June 27
Where: Richmond Art Gallery
Cost: By donation
More Info: richmondartgallery.org