There are new trappings on a popular arts festival anchored in the Eastside Arts District. First off, the fifth edition of the Eastside Arts Festival no longer includes “CREATE” in its name.
Secondly, there’s an all-day party in MacLean Park (710 Keefer Street) from 1 to 7 p.m. on July 26. Festivalgoers can peruse handmade artworks and goods from local Eastside artists, indulge in free art activities for all ages and abilities, sample food-truck cuisine, and enjoy the beer garden. This year’s musical component runs from 2 to 5 p.m., featuring self-described good timin’ outlaw country music band Janky Bungag, garage-pop artists Twin River, instrumental surf rock trio The ReViberators, and folk/Americana singer Madelyn Read.
In previous years, this event was held in Strathcona Park.
Thirdly, this year the Eastside Art Society has partnered with the Rickshaw Theatre. So as part of the festival, young friend, a.k.a. Drew Tarves, will headline a show at the Rickshaw Theatre on July 25. Babe Corner, worrywart, and Kylie V (solo) will also perform. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Eastside riot tour
Another new inducement is 360 Riot Walk. Artist Henry Tsang created this popular walking tour, which relies on 360° video technology to tell the story of the 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver. Tsang is the author of White Riot: The 1907 Anti-Asian Riots in Vancouver, which won the City of Vancouver Book Prize. The Chinese Canadian Historical Society also awarded him the Dr. Edgar Wickberg Book Prize for Best Book on Chinese Canadian History.
People who go on the three-hour tour will receive sterilized tablets with the tour app. The soundtrack is available in English, Cantonese, Japanese, and Punjabi, and it begins at 11 a.m. on July 19. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
It’s worth noting that racist attacks weren’t uncommon in those days. Three days before a violent mob descended on Vancouver’s Chinatown and Paueru Gai neighbourhoods, a similar outbreak of violence erupted in Bellingham, Washington, this time directed against immigrants British-ruled India.
The festival is also offering walking tours through Strathcona and Chinatown, led by Heritage Vancouver. As well, community builder Lama Mugabo will lead a tour at 1 p.m. on July 20 through the historic Hogan’s Alley neighbourhood.
Eastside Arts Festival brings back workshops
The Eastside Arts Society has been offering workshops at the festival for several years. This year, indigo artist Naomi Yamamoto will return for her two-hour Indigo Magic Workshops in Studio 445 of the Parker Street Studios (1000 Parker Street). The first is at 10 a.m. on July 19; the second is on July 27 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
At the same location, Yamamoto will lead 90-minute workshops entitled Eco Printing & Bundle Dyeing: A Hands-On Botanical Workshop at 7 p.m. July 18 and July 25. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
Meanwhile, ceramic artist Dima Gurevich will lead the 90-minute Exploring Clay Through Plaster Molds and Stamping Techniques Workshop. It will be offered at 7 p.m. on July 18, 21, and 22 at Unit 155, 288 East Georgia Street. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
The Courtyard of the Mergatroid Building (975 Vernon Drive) will be the site for six Fun with Fusing Workshops. The Terminal City Glass Co-op will offer them at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on July 19 and 27. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
For lovers of visual arts, there will be a Mixed Media Landscape Painting Workshop. Artist and educator Sonya Iwasiuk will lead these two-hour events at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Studio 208 of Parker Street Studios (1000 Parker Street). Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
The Eastside Arts Society will present the Eastside Arts Festival at various locations from July 18 to 27. For tickets and more information, visit the festival website. Follow Charlie Smith on Bluesky @charliesmithvcr.bsky.social. Also, follow Pancouver on Instagram @PancouverMedia and on Bluesky @pancouver.
