The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival comes and goes all too quickly every summer.
Lap up the sun while enjoying a wide range of live music with Vancity Buzz’s handy guide of the best days and places to catch free concerts.
1. Downtown Opening Weekend
Easily the best known freebie at the Jazz Festival, this year’s opening weekend spans two full days on the Vancouver Art Gallery’s grounds and Robson Square. The “music and arts village” draws crowds of 150,000 people: there are main stage performances on three stages within downtown Vancouver. Be sure to also visit the artisan market, various food trucks, and new interactive installation TIME in celebration of the official kick-off to everything jazz.
Dates: June 21 to June 22
Time: 6 a.m. to midnight
Location: Vancouver Art Gallery grounds (outside) & Robson Square
Highlights: Bushman’s Revenge, Ester Rada, The Boom Booms, Dal Richards & Orchestra
2. David Lam Weekend
A diverse selection of 32 free concerts from noon until late ensures the party goes on all day long. Once you’ve had your fill of sun and crowds at David Lam, duck indoors for a more intimate experience amongst the three stages inside the Roundhouse Community Centre.
Dates: June 28 to June 29
Time: Noon to midnight
Location: David Lam Park & Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown
Highlights: The Belle Game, Miami Device, Sunna Gunnlaugs Trio, Jon Ballanytne, Lorraine Klassen
3. Daily Performances @ Granville Island
Large crowds aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, so the smaller, quieter daily concerts at Granville Island are a great alternative. These concerts occur daily at three times at three locations per day, with an ever-rotating series of artists. Take an extended lunch break or a leisurely evening exploring old favourites and making new friends.
Dates: June 20 to July 1 (daily)
Times: Noon to 12 p.m.; Afternoon to 1:30 p.m.; Evening to 7:30 p.m.
Locations: Noon – Public Market Stage; Afternoons & Evenings – Performance Works
Highlights: Changes daily, see website for full listings
4. Canada Day @ Granville Island
The last days of the Jazz Festival go out in a bang with free concerts commemorating Canada Day. There will be four stages at Granville Island, with 14 great bands from across the country.
Dates: July 1
Time: Noon to 11 p.m.
Locations: Performance Works, Railspur District Stage, Public Market Stage, Ron Basford Park Stage
Highlights: Ben Henriques Trio, Benedikt Jahnel Trio, more concerts TBA
For more information, check out all of the free events on the Vancouver International Jazz Festival website.
Vancity Buzz is a proud sponsor of the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival 2014
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