Schema Magazine

This Weekend in Vancouver | The Free Edition

Ah, summer. That magical time of year when the sky is blue, the flowers are in bloom, and in Vancouver our sunshine-induced short-term memory loss kicks into high gear. Rain, you say? Grey skies? Sorry, we're too busy playing volleyball on the beach and biking around the seawall to remember such unpleasant things. And with the arrival of summer comes the arrival of festival season. July and August in Vancouver are always jam-packed with celebrations of music, dancing, theatre, sports, books, and food, and this year is no exception. What's even better about the festival season is that so many of these awesome activities are absolutely free! So without further ado, here are Schema's recommendations for fun this weekend:\n\n

\nMusical Nooners (weekdays at noon until August 26th at the CBC Plaza downtown)\n\nEvery weekday during the months of July and August treat yourself to a very special lunch hour at the CBC Plaza downtown. Each day brings a new (FREE) concert, from Brazilian beats to blues with Jim Byrnes. This week get your ears tuned for:\nAche Brasil on Monday\nThe Sojourners on Tuesday\nThe Matinee on Wednesday\nMaria in the Shower on Thursday\nT. Nile on Friday\n\n

\nIndian Summer Festival (July 7th to 17th at SFU Woodwards, various times) \n\nFeeling left out because you weren't invited to the party in Toronto for the International Indian Film Awards? Do not fret, friends, because Vancouver's very own Indian Summer Festival is here to bring you all the bhangra, bollywood, and biryani your heart desires. The festival features film screenings, yoga workshops, cooking demos, (FREE) dance classes, readings, and musical performances. \n\n

\nSummer Live (July 8th - 10th, 12 pm - 11 pm at Brockton Point in Stanley Park)\nIn case you hadn't heard, our fair city is turning 125 this year, and looking pretty good for its age, I might add. So what better way is there to celebrate Vancouver's birthday than a big ol' (FREE) party in Stanley Park? Build a kite in the morning, get a team together for the soccer tournament in the afternoon, spend the evening chilling out on the grass to the sweet sounds of Neko Case and Dan Mangan, and so much more. There might even be cake!\n\n

\nAll Over the Map Dance Festival (Last three Sundays in July and August, Ron Basford Park Granville island)\n\nAfter getting your groove on with Bollywood legend Shiamak's dance classes at the Indian Summer Festival, why not sit back and let the pros entertain you? Shiamak Davar's dance troupe takes the stage at Ron Basford park on Granville island for the first Sunday of New Works' (FREE) All Over the Map Dance Festival. From Spanish Flamenco to Japanese Butoh, this festival will take you, well, all over the map through the art of dance.\n\n

\nSunday Afternoon Salsa (3 pm - 7 pm at Robson Square)\n\nSorry to triple book you for today, but there are just so many great events around town this weekend. And if you don't make it to Salsa Vancouver's Sunday Afternoon Salsa this week, they are running the event every Sunday until the end of August. Arrive early for the (FREE) Salsa lesson, stay for the demonstrations at 5 pm, and show off your new skills during social dancing afterwards. Or just come down to listen to some hot rhythms and watch the dancers burn up the floor!