2025 Music + Song
Drag Storytime Singalong
Friday October 31, 4pm – 6pm
MacLean Park, 710 Keefer Free
Featuring the Legion of Flying Monkeys, Magic Triangle with host Drag Satan!!!
Come to the Park and dance in your costumes to the high-energy jazz stylings of Magic Triangle, then join up for lifetime membership in the completely harmless* singalong corporation of the Legion of Flying Monkeys.
*Caution: children and adults will be exposed to socialist and secularist lyrics!
A Joyful Noise!
Wednesday November 5, 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Listening Post, 387 Main Free
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Listening Post, join Karen Thorpe and friends for a potluck and music jam. Bring some songs, your instruments and food to share. Help us make a joyful noise and celebrate!
Hump Day Karaoke
Wednesday November 5, 5pm – 8pm
Culture Saves Lives, 30 W. Hastings Free
Sing your heart out at InterUrban’s Karaoke Night! Hosted by Elder Mary and Culture Saves Lives, this joyful evening invites you to belt your favourite tunes. Come for the music, stay for the shared meal, and connect with friends old and new. All voices are welcome—whether you’re a crooner, a comedian, or just here for the food and fun!
Saint James Music Academy Open House
Wednesday November 5, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
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 grades 2 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.
The Harmonics!
Thursday November 6, 1:30pm – 2pm
Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main Free
Enjoy the unique rhythms of The Harmonics!, a dedicated team of music lovers who share their passion at local community events through captivating performances in multiple languages, including English, Cantonese, and Mandarin.
我們是一群熱愛音樂的人，透過以英語、粵語和普通話演唱中西歌曲，將歡樂分享給社區內的長者和居民。
Requiem for All Souls
Thursday November 6, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
St. James’ Anglican Church, 303 E. Cordova Free
At this service, we shall remember all who have died, among them all who have died of opioid overdose, all who died at Residential Schools, and our own loved ones. Plainsong pervades this Missa pro defunctis (Requiem Mass), both as cantus firmus and paraphrase, but often in very subtle ways. The overall effect acknowledges the poignancy of loss while providing profound solace. Everyone is welcome!
The Evening Harold Experience, featuring Heidi Morgan
Friday November 7, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main Free
The Evening Harold band has been making headlines since July 2025. Fronted by our DTES darling vocalist, Heidi Morgan, Pat Axe on guitar, Paul Lundh on harmonica and vocals, Bob Skaper on bass and Steve Cornock on drums, this is one band you will want to write home about. Come enjoy covers of blues, soul, and a little rock & roll from the 50s, 60s and 70s mostly. Bring your friends and family! The band can’t wait to entertain you!
Znayte Sviy Holos / Finding My Own Voice
Saturday November 8, 3pm – 4:30pm
SFU Djavad Mowafaghian World Arts Centre
149 W. Hastings Free
Znayte Sviy Holos / Finding My Own Voice, is a work-in-progress by Beverly Dobrinsky telling the story of inter-generational suffering and the possibility of healing for all generations, past, present and future. Told in the form of a ‘folk opera’, the story focuses on a grandmother who endured considerable trauma in the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants to Canada and her granddaughter who becomes aware of the impact on her own life. She strives to untie this traumatic knot, releasing them and healing their lineage. Beverly and her fellow artists read excerpts from the work, share visuals, and perform original music for female voices and bandura, followed by discussion and Q + A.
Знайте Свій Голос / Finding My Own Voice
Субота, 8 листопада, 15:00 – 16:30
SFU Djavad Mowafaghian World Arts Centre
149 W. Hastings
Вхід вільний
“Знайте Свій Голос / Finding My Own Voice” – це робота в процесі створення, яка розповідає історію міжгенераційної травми та можливості зцілення для всіх поколінь – минулих, теперішніх і майбутніх. Ця історія, у формі “народної опери”, фокусується на стосунках двох головних персонажів – бабусі та онуки.
Будучи частиною першої хвилі українських іммігрантів до Канади, бабуся зіткнулася з великими труднощами та повторюваною травмою. Коли онука усвідомлює, як ця травма впливає на її власне життя, вона прагне розв’язати цей травматичний вузол, вивільняючи їх обох і зцілюючи увесь рід.
Rhythms of Thunder: An Evening of Taiko
Saturday November 8, 7pm – 9pm
Russian Hall, 600 Campbell
$0 – $30. Tickets rhythms-of-thunder.eventbrite.ca
Enjoy the rare opportunity of a full evening of taiko for the Festival closing concert! This spectacular array of Vancouver taiko artists showcases a unique and thrilling lineup of Japanese drumming styles.
Performances by Uzume Taiko, Canada’s first professional taiko group, who have developed a dynamic fusion of old and new styles of drumming with a flair for the dramatic; GO Taiko and Taiko 55, the only intergenerational taiko group in BC, who combine a youthful, energetic approach with the power of older adults through their love of the rhythms of the taiko songs; and Onibana Taiko, Nikkei veterans who draw from Japanese traditional arts, festival drumming, folk music and dance, with a feminist, queer, punk kick-ass taiko aesthetic.
Your hosts for the evening are Teresa Vandertuin and Rika Uto. Join us and feel the rhythm and thunder of taiko!
