5 Things to Do in Vancouver This Week (June 27-July 3)

Your weekly roundup of the top events in the city, including art exhibitions, local theatre, restaurant openings, concerts, film, markets and other to-dos we think you’ll love. If you have a Vancouver event you’d like to submit for consideration, send an email to dwright@canadawide.com.

Read on for this week’s lineup.

The Indigenous village at Surrey Canada Day

1. Surrey Canada Day

July 1

The focus of Surrey’s Canada Day is working towards reconciliation by sharing the music, education, entertainment, and cultural practices of Indigenous and multicultural artists. Additionally, there will be a Residential School survivor honouring ceremony as well as information about their impact on Indigenous Peoples. You can also expect food trucks (including fan-faves Bannock Queen and Japa Dog), amusement rides and a summer market with goods from local makers.

When: July 1
Where: Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre
Cost: Free
More Info: surrey.ca

2. Big Queer Party Mix

June 29

Expect a night of comedy and drag at this new queer variety show featuring a bunch of big names like Tin Lorica, Shasha Mark, Amy Grindhouse, Kara Juku and more. Plus, all the proceeds will be donated to Rainbow Refugee, a Vancouver-based advocacy group that promotes safe migration for people fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or HIV status.

When: June 29
Where: The Anza Club
Cost: $16
More Info: eventbrite.com

Credit: JB The First Lady (Credit: Melanie Orr)

3. Vancouver International Jazz Festival

June 24-July 3

From local names like Jodi Proznick and Dawn Pemberton to Indigenous Summer Stage to legend Lucinda Williams, Vancouver Jazz Fest’s return has a full slate of performances happening all over the city. Plus, there are over 60 free shows for you to drop in on whenever you feel like grooving.

When: June 24-July 3
Where: Various locations all over the city
Cost: Varies by artist
More Info: coastaljazz.ca

4. Vancouver Circus Festival

June 26-30

Circus3 is bringing mind-blowing acrobatic performances and limited-capacity workshops to the city with Vancouver’s first-ever Circus Festival. Part of the fest is the debut of Acrovert’s new show Living Room, which features group acrobatics, hand-to-hand, aerials, juggling, contortion, dance and comedy. 

When: June 26-30
Where: Various Locations
Cost: From $23
More Info: circus3.com

5. One Day in the Life of Noah Piugattuk

June 29

Set over a single day in 1961 on north Baffin Island, this film by acclaimed Inuk director Zacharias Kunuk tells the story between an Inuk hunter (Noah Pigugattuk) and the person tasked with persuading him and his nomadic community to relocate to permanent settlements and enroll their children in school. The movie was drawn from oral history and has roots in Kunuk’s own past (he was born in Piguttuk’s camp shortly before the events portrayed).

When: June 29
Where: The Cinematheque
Cost: $14
More Info: thecinematheque.ca