Summer begins with more arty reasons to leave the house and be inspired! There’s always an uptick in creative events this time of year, but this season looks particularly busy. Whether it’s a juried exhibition of local artists in Surrey, presentations and artist talks focused on Indigenous reclamation in New West, or a Vancouver summer tradition returning to the shores of English Bay…there’s plenty to fill your itinerary with!
Vancouver
May 16-June 30
Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage
Set in the bustling streets of 1950s New York City, Guys & Dolls follows the intertwining stories of evangelist Sergeant Sarah Brown (Chelsea Rose), high-rolling and small-time gamblers Sky Masterson (Jonathan Winsby), Nathan Detroit (Josh Epstein), and Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Tenaj Williams), and showgirl Miss Adelaide (Madeleine Suddaby). Filled with colourful characters, witty dialogue, and toe-tapping musical numbers, this Tony Award–winning show has stood the test of time, remaining a favourite among theatre enthusiasts. The catchy tunes, including classics like “Luck Be a Lady” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” promise a night of entertainment that will leave audiences singing long after the final curtain.
June 11-September 21
Vanier Park
Summer is on the horizon, which means we can soon watch Shakespeare’s plays by the water’s edge. Bard on the Beach is one of Vancouver’s favourite theatre traditions, and the renowned company has recently announced its program for the season!
Twelfth Night – June 11 to Sept 21
Hamlet – June 13 to Sept 20
The Comedy of Errors – July 2 to Sept 21
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
June 21-30
Various locations around Vancouver
The annual Vancouver International Jazz Festival is returning to stages all over the city, offering a variety of free and ticketed performances, starting with the free Downtown Jazz concert series outside the Vancouver Art Gallery and šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square and culminating on Canada Day weekend on Granville Island.
Surrey
May 4-July 14
Surrey Art Gallery
A team of community jurors comes together to select artworks that demonstrate originality and skill. Anyone may enter. Prizes are awarded across five categories, spanning from traditional works on paper to textiles and new media art. Visitors to the Gallery can also vote on their favourite to select the People’s Choice award.
New Westminster
Expressions of Reclamation | Arts New West
June 1-30
Centennial Lodge Queen’s Park
Curated by Arts New West’s Indigenous Curator James Groening, Expressions of Reclamation features artistic presentations from Indigenous artists – including artist talks, performance art, seminars, live drawing/painting, collaborative activities, workshops, performances and more.
Vancouver’s North Shore
May 15 — July 20
West Vancouver Art Museum
Presented in collaboration with the Arthur Erickson Foundation, this exhibition explores Arthur Erickson in the context of his own home in Point Grey, Vancouver, where he lived from 1957 to 1992. Central to this exhibition are photographs from the collection of the West Vancouver Art Museum by Selwyn Pullan of Erickson in his home and garden. Surrounded by the objects that inspired him that were collected during his extensive travels, these photos are an intimate portrait of this well-known figure at home.
Langley
“Hacking the Third Wave II” by Sang Chul Nam
June 1-9
Fort Gallery
Follow the high-tech paths of potential futures with the latest Fort Gallery pop-up show! A multimedia show with an exploratory and cosmic tone, this collection of paintings, sculptures, and projections is a probe into the evolution of nature in a technological age.
There are many ways to get to these by transit. Visit TransLink’s Trip Planner to find your way.