Top 5 things to do during the final weekend of VMF Winter Arts in Vancouver
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We have arrived at the final weekend of the VMF Winter Arts Festival, but don’t fret – there’s still lots for arts lovers to see and do around downtown Vancouver!
From now until Sunday, February 26, Vancouver Mural Festival (VMF) is transforming multiple locations into free, interactive, open-air galleries featuring augmented reality (AR) art and lights.
And you can also drop by the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery to find the VMF Winter Arts Hub. The all-ages, licensed outdoor venue showcases art installations, market vendors, UV face painting, and exciting live performances.
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To help you make the most of the festival’s last few days, here are the top five things to do during the final weekend of VMF Winter Arts.
Blanketing The City: Lighting The Way
Blanketing The City: Lighting The Way (BC Place/Submitted)
What: Blanketing The City: Lighting The Way is an evolution of the public art mural series and reconciliation process designed by renowned xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) weaver and graphic designer, Debra Sparrow, in collaboration with Vancouver Mural Festival, producers of VMF Winter Arts.
Large-scale lighting displays featuring transformed Coast Salish weaving patterns, colours, and stories will be displayed at Canada Place, BC Place, Telus Garden, and CF Pacific Centre each night of the festival.
When: Now until February 26, 2023
Time: Sunset until 11 pm
Where: Canada Place, BC Place, Telus Garden, and CF Pacific Centre
Cost: Free
Vancity Get Lite
What: Head down to šxʷƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square to enjoy a day of Litefeet dance battles. There will be DJs, a dance party, and special performances by Vancouver’s first Litefeet crew, as well as showcases from the city’s street dance community. Hip-hop dance classes will also be offered to observers and the general public to learn and groove.
When: February 25, 2023
Time: 2:30 to 10 pm
Where: Winter Arts Hub at šxʷƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery north plaza)
Cost: Free
VMF After Dark Series
VMF Winter Arts/Instagram
What: A late-night series of pop-up parties in the fully-transformed Bentall Centre Gallery. Visitors to the creative space will find art and a licensed all-ages gallery and lounge open daily from 4 to 8 pm, and a 19+ event space on weekend nights starting at 9:30 pm.
The 19+ parties are curated by a different group from the local music scene so you can continue dancing after the Winter Arts Hub has closed for the evening. This weekend features Public Disco: Darker Shades and Vmf After Dark X Bside.Radio.
When: February 24 and 25, 2023
Time: 9:30 pm
Where: Bentall Centre Gallery – 505 Burrard Street, Vancouver
Cost: $25 plus fees, purchase online
Festival Finale featuring Barangay Project youth dance battle
What: VMF Winter Arts Hub welcomes Barangay Project on closing day for an exciting youth dance battle. The All Styles battle format challenges the cultural practitioners’ ability to synthesize knowledge of multiple styles of dance as well as their skills in performing to a vast array of musical genres.
When: February 26, 2023
Time: 12:30 to 4 pm
Where: Winter Arts Hub atšxʷƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery north plaza)
Cost: Free
PRESENT
“Seismic Waves” by Natasha Cunningham and word design by Nya Lewis is an interpretation inspired by Naila Keleta-Mae’s poem, “A Gap”/Submitted
What: An exhibition showcasing audio, visual, and spoken word artists of the African and Caribbean diaspora can be seen this weekend as part of VMF Winter Arts 2023.
From now until February 26, PRESENT will be displayed at the Winter Arts Hub at šxʷƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery north plaza) as well as at 555 Burrard Street. The exhibition is curated by Vancouver multi-media artist and designer Tafui
When: Art Installation can be seen daily until February 26, 2023.
Time: PRESENT can be seen during the festival’s opening hours.
Where: Winter Arts Hub at šxʷƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery north plaza), 555 Burrard Street
Cost: Free
Daily Hive is a proud media partner of the VMF Winter Arts
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