Drag Storytime Sing-along!
Saturday October 31
4pm – 5:30pm
MacLean Park, 710 Keefer Free
Celebrating their sixth year with the Heart of the City Festival, Drag Storytime Sing-along! brings an all-inclusive flavour with the jazz stylings of Magic Triangle and the folk punk hijinks of Legion of Flying Monkeys. With host bearded lady Drag Satan, awards are presented for Best Strathcona Community Engagement Arts, Longest Serving MacLean Park Music Event, the highly anticipated Best Cable and Extension Cord Management Award, and, new this year, the Award for Best Dancing! As always, come in costume.
Muerte e Impuestos
Domingo 1 de noviembre, de 7:00 pm a 8:30 pm
SFU Djavad Mowafaghian World Arts Centre
(Centro de las Artes Globales), 149 W. Hastings
Death and Taxes
Sunday November 1, 7pm – 8:30pm
SFU Djavad Mowafaghian World Arts Centre
149 W. Hastings
$0 – $35.
Boletos en/Tickets: Death_and_Taxes.eventbrite.ca
El grupo Brass Tax lleva su característico sonido de ‘jazz circense’ a una celebración del Día de Muertos vívida y de otro mundo, acompañada por el actor performático Gerardo Ávila. Inspirada en las tradiciones conmemorativas de México y alrededor del mundo, la Muerte e Impuestos imagina el cementerio como un lugar de encuentros, donde la música, la memoria, la pérdida, el duelo y la celebración se reúnen. La música contagiosa de Brass Tax prepara el escenario mientras mariposas, colibríes, cuervos y fantasmas se mueven entre las tumbas en un homenaje lúdico para fortalecer la conexión entre los vivos y los muertos.
Brass Tax brings their signature ‘circus jazz’ sound to a lively, otherworldly celebration of Día de los Muertos, accompanied by theatrical performer Gerardo Avila. Inspired by traditions of remembrance from Mexico and around the world, Death and Taxes imagines the graveyard as a place of gathering where music, memory, loss, mourning, and celebration meet. The infectious music of Brass Tax sets the stage as butterflies, hummingbirds, crows, and ghosts move among the graves in a playful tribute to the enduring connection between the living and the dead.
Vancouver Ukrainian Folk Orchestra
Tuesday November 3, 6pm – 7:30pm
Ukrainian Hall, 805 E. Pender Free or by donation
Celebrate 135 years of Ukrainian immigration to Canada with the Vancouver Ukrainian Folk Orchestra, one of East Vancouver’s longest-running cultural groups. Based at the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians, the orchestra shares traditional Ukrainian music through a lively mix of traditional and contemporary instruments, conducted by Pavel Rhyzlovsky. Following the performance, stay for a reception with snacks and refreshments, view instruments up close, and meet the musicians for conversation and questions. Everyone is welcome!
A Film and Musical Tribute to Bud Osborn:
Just Poems (About Drugs) (2026, 30min)
with the Lonesome Monsters
Tuesday November 3, 7pm – 9:30pm
SFU Djavad Mowafaghian World Arts Centre
149 W. Hastings
$0 – $35.
Tickets: Bud_Osborn_Tribute.eventbrite.ca
Bud Osborn (1947-2014) was a poet, community organizer, and activist in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Many regarded Bud as a hero for his work to develop safe, supervised injection sites, his protests over the unnecessary deaths in the DTES due to AIDS, and his contribution as a founder of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU). This evening is an opportunity to gather and reflect, through film and music, on Osborn’s life, work, and legacy.
We will screen the short film Just Poems (About Drugs) directed by Vancouver-based filmmaker Ryan Sudds. The camera follows members of VANDU, who reflect on Osborn’s legacy and VANDU’s ongoing work to improve the lives of people who use drugs. Like VANDU itself, the film is a work-in-progress. Each screening is a unique version that builds on VANDU’s ongoing work with further explorations of its recent history. Followed by a Q&A.
The film is followed by a rare, live musical occasion: Osborn’s former band, Lonesome Monsters, reunites! Featuring Graham Ord (saxophone and flute) and Paul Blaney (bass), original musical collaborators of Bud’s and prominent members of the Vancouver jazz scene. Vancouver actor, filmmaker and singer, Steven Schwabl, joins the musicians to read from Osborn’s poetry depicting the harsh realities of life on the streets with intensity and gripping dark humour. Combining words with live improvisational music, the effect is visceral and moving.
Mid-Week Karaoke
Wednesday November 4, 3pm – 6pm
Carnegie Community Centre Basement, 401 Main
Free with Carnegie membership
Sing your heart out! Enjoy a fun and lively afternoon of Karaoke with the Carnegie Community Centre Senior Lounge Programming. Our seniors love singing songs in multiple languages and sharing their favourite music. If you can find it on YouTube, chances are you can sing it here! Come for the music, stay for the good company. Carnegie membership is required ($1), available at front desk.
Vibing Voices Karaoke
Wednesday November 4, 5pm – 8pm
Culture Saves Lives, 30 W. Hastings Free
Join us for a neighbourhood night of music, food, and good company at Culture Saves Lives. Created with and hosted by Elder Mary, the evening brings people together to sing songs, share a delicious nutritious meal, and spend time with friends and neighbours. Take the mic, or just come for dinner and enjoy the atmosphere! Everyone is welcome.
Saint James Music Academy Open House
Wednesday November 4, 5:30pm – 7pm
St. James’ Anglican Church
303 E. Cordova (entrance on Gore) Free
All are welcome! Join Saint James Music Academy (SJMA) for a mid-semester glimpse of students’ rehearsals. SJMA is a community-based, grassroots organization that provides free, high-quality, classical music education to children living in and around Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Through choirs and orchestras, and so much more, students from grade 1 to 12 experience the joys and challenges of learning to make music together – and of playing an important part in something beautiful that is larger than themselves. To learn more about the program or to get involved, visit www.sjma.ca or call 778-709-7731.
Behind the Music:
An Open Rehearsal with the Vancouver Cantata Singers
Wednesday November 4, 7:30pm – 9pm
St. James’ Anglican Church, 303 E. Cordova Free
What does it take to turn a page of music into a unified choral sound? Join the Vancouver Cantata Singers for a rare opportunity to experience the choir at work. With commentary from Artistic Director Paula Kremer, this informal open rehearsal offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the creative process of one of Vancouver’s longstanding choral ensembles. Hear the singers rehearse repertoire and discover how individual voices become one ensemble. Come for the music, stay for the discovery, and experience what happens before the applause.
Rythmes avec Yvon-Paul Chartrand
Jeudi 5 novembre, de 13 h 30 à 14 h 30
Théâtre du Carnegie Community Centre, 401 Main
Gratuit
Des amis ont récemment offert deux tambours à Yvon: un bodhrán de la part de Jeff Wilson en 2022 et, l’année dernière, un grand tambour sur cadre offert par Terry Hunter. Ces nouveaux instruments ont incité Yvon à enrichir sa pratique rythmique; il a hâte de partager avec vous ces rythmes joués sur des tambours tenus à la main, créant un paysage sonore parfois accompagné de sa voix.
Ayant grandi à Montréal, Yvon a vécu au Yukon — à Dawson City comme à Whitehorse — ainsi qu’en pleine nature, ici et là, dans des lieux parfois indéterminés. Il a perdu le compte de ses allers-retours sur la Transcanadienne; il a vu l’Atlantique depuis Terre-Neuve et traversé toutes les provinces jusqu’au Pacifique, sans oublier l’Arctique, tant dans les territoires du Nord que dans l’Ungava. Depuis 1986, il habite le quartier du Downtown Eastside (DTES) à Vancouver; la musique est ce qui le rend heureux et stimule sa créativité. Il joue de nombreux instruments à vent, manie le bodhrán irlandais avec beaucoup d’enthousiasme et gratouille maladroitement le ukulélé et la guitare.
Le festival a invité Yvon à ponctuer divers lieux de ses sonorités; si vous l’entendez jouer, dansez quelques minutes au rythme de sa musique: c’est bienvenu!
Rhythm with Yvon-Paul Chartrand
Thursday November 5, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main Free
Friends recently gifted Yvon with two drums: a bodhran from Jeff Wilson in 2022, and this past year a large frame drum from Terry Hunter. These new instruments inspired Yvon to expand his rhythmic drumming, and he’s eager to share with you – rhythm with handheld drums – a rhythmic soundscape sometimes with voice.
Growing up in Montreal, Yvon resided in the Yukon, in Dawson City as well as Whitehorse; and in the bush here and there, whereabouts unknown. He has lost track of how often he went back-and-forth on the Trans-Canada; he’s seen the Atlantic from Newfoundland, and every province in between up to the Pacific. And the Arctic in both territories and the Ungava. Since 1986, his home is Vancouver DTES and music is what keeps him happy and creative. He plays many wind instruments, drums the Irish bodhran with much gusto, and lamely tickles the uke and the guitar.
The Festival has invited Yvon to pepper various spots with his sounds; if you hear him playing, dance for a couple minutes to the rhythm – it encourages him!
Sound Bath, Space is Place
Friday November 6, 2pm – 3:30pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main Free
This Sound Bath is an offering to pause, rest and reconnect with ourselves, to simply be. Reminding us that sanctuary exists both within us and in community. In Space is Place, crystal singing bowls and guided awareness create an environment for deep listening and stillness. Lorri Clark is a multimedia artist and facilitator based in K’emk’emeláy̓ (Vancouver). Her works explore sound, perception and embodied experience. Please bring a yoga mat, water, and a blanket if you’d like to get cozy! Some yoga mats will be available to use.
A Little Bit of Jazz, Blues & Bossa Nova
Friday November 6, 7pm – 10pm
Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main Free
7pm – 7:45pm Vancouver Accordion Orchestra
The Vancouver Accordion Orchestra celebrates the accordion’s dynamic ability to connect communities, cultures, and generations through performance and workshops. Under the artistic direction of Anthony Schulz, the group will perform music ranging from jazz and Bossa Nova to Italian movie composer Nino Rotta to Erik Satie to works by Anthony Schulz and Indigenous composer Russell Wallace.
8pm – 10pm The Evening Harold Band, featuring Heidi Morgan
The Evening Harold Band has been making bluesy soul headlines since July 2025. Fronted by DTES darling singer songwriter, Heidi Morgan, with Pat Axe on guitar, Paul Lundh on harmonica and vocals, Luis Francisco Garzon on bass, and Randy Velhurst on drums, this is one band you will want to write home about. Come enjoy covers of blues, soul, and a little rock & roll, and the band will also be playing some of Heidi’s original songs. Bring your friends and family! We can’t wait to see you!
Kimeroke Karaoke
Saturday November 7, 12pm – 4pm
Oppenheimer Park, 488 Powell Free
Come sing your heart out! What you feel for the city, come and sing as long as you’re having fun. A safe, welcoming place for people to express themselves in music. Kim Calkins has hosted Karaoke at the Park since 2022.
LIVE at the Festival Finale!
Saturday November 7, 7pm – 9pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main Free
In celebration of the 23rd annual Festival, we present an engaging evening of music, verse, and dance! Indigenous storyteller Stephen Lytton and the Festival producing team welcome you with thanks and gratitude.
The evening begins with the dynamic performance of Eh? Cappella, one of UBC’s competitive a cappella groups combining 18 voices with contemporary vocal arrangements. The ensemble placed in the top ten at the International Championships for Collegiate A Cappella.
Next up, the local folk-punk hijinks of The Legion of Flying Monkeys, a small yet determined protest orchestra. Join in a merry singalong while destroying capitalism and greed, with Mr. Fire-Man (accordion, vocals & horn), Mythical Man (vocals, horn & percussion), Dennis R Tokarsky (percussion), Elaine Independencia Joe (vocals & marimba), Marco Magic Fingers Restagno (bass), and Dan Hill (vocals & ukulele).
For the hand-clapping, foot-stomping finale, we invite V’ni Dansi to the Festival stage with an authentic look at traditional and contemporary Métis culture, featuring jigging, fiddling, and dancing. Led by Master Jigger Yvonne Chartrand, V’ni Dansi’s performance is a highly celebratory burst of fun!
