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Now that 20-degree days are becoming more and more consistent, Vancouver’s outdoor festival is beginning to fully kick into gear. And for anyone looking to soundtrack their summer without draining their bank account, this year’s Vancouver International Jazz Festival has a pretty solid offer on the table.
Coastal Jazz has announced a hefty slate of free programming and “Pay What You Can” shows as part of the festival’s 41st edition, running from June 19 to July 5 across Vancouver and the North Shore. In total, the festival will feature 33 free concerts and workshops alongside 32 PWYC performances, meaning your summer culture budget can stretch a little further this year.
The big draw is the return of Downtown Jazz Weekend at the Vancouver Art Gallery’s north plaza on June 27 and 28. The free outdoor series features two stages programmed simultaneously, plus food trucks, vendors, and a licensed beer garden.
Elsewhere downtown, Bentall Centre’s Dunsmuir patio will host a run of free lunchtime concerts from June 26 through July 3.
For anyone wanting to get a little more hands-on, Tom Lee Music Hall will also host a series of free public workshops between June 29 and July 3 and a live edition of Rhythm Changes Podcast featuring artist-in-residence Wendy Eisenberg.
Granville Island, meanwhile, turns into a hub for PWYC programming from July 1 to 5, with performances spread across Ocean Artworks, Performance Works, Zameen Art House, and the Revue Stage.
And if your ideal summer night involves experimental music followed by chaotic audience participation, the Revue Stage has you covered with late-night offerings like Improv Karaoke on July 4.
The full festival runs June 19 to July 5, with more ticketed programming still to come.
When: June 19 to July 5
Where: Various venues
Tickets: A mix of free and ticketed events, details here