Vancouver will come alive this summer with the sound of music.
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is gearing up for its 38th festival this June and July with assistance from recent funding, bringing 140 musical performances to the city, of which over 50 will be offered for free to the public.
The jazz festival kicks off on June 23 with a weekend-long concert series consisting of 20 free shows at the šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza).
The festivities include marquee shows at Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the Vancouver Playhouse as well as club shows at various downtown venues.
Free performances will also take place across several stages on Granville Island, with the musical festival coming to an end on Canada Day weekend.
Here is where you can go to tune in live to a free performance:
Vancouver Art Gallery and šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square
The two-day concert series will wrap up with a musical journey from Afro-Columbian percussion to global bass on the first night and a final performance by Grammy-nominated Afro-Cuban rockstar vocalist Cimafunk and his nine-piece band.
When: June 24-25, noon-7:30 p.m.
Where: 750 Hornby St
Ocean Artworks
This festival stage will have jazz performances by day and late-night music and DJ sets by evening. The closing weekend will feature pop euphoria, dancehall, Afrobreat, hip-hop, and lo-fi house music.
When: Free shows June 23-July 2; free "Late Night Jams" and DJ sets June 30-July 2, 10:30 p.m.
Where: 1531 Johnston St, Granville Island
Performance Works
The two-hour daily performance will showcase melodies by Joe Rainey and String Quartet, David Blake's Fun House, Caity Gyorgy, Chris Gestrin Trio, and High School Jazz Intensive.
When: June 28-July 2, 2-4 p.m.
Where: 1218 Cartwright, Granville Island
Innovation Series at Revue Stage
The evening shows will feature Bruce Freedman's Collage, Jessica Ackerley and KneeJerk, Ron Samworth's Etiquette of Dying, Matthew Ariaratnam and Adrian Avendaño, Giorgio Magnanensi and Andromeda Monk, Marina Hasselberg and Matt Choboter
When: June 28-July 2, 5 p.m.
Where: 1601 Johnston St, Granville Island
