Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for September

From a speakeasy magic show to cultural celebrations, here are our top picks for September

From a speakeasy magic show to cultural celebrations, here are our top picks for September

*Due to present circumstances surrounding COVID-19, all event statuses are subject to change. Please check for updates.

1. Hidden Wonders – Until Friday, October 31

Shhh! Hidden behind the facade of a shop in historic New Westminster is a speakeasy-style magic show experience from Shawn Farquhar. Featuring effects exclusively designed for the venue, as well as several that Shawn created to win the world championship and to fool Vegas’s Penn and Teller (twice!) on their hit television show Fool Us, the 75-minute experience is an intimate adventure in magic performed by the two-time World Champion of Magic, who has appeared on TV shows including Ellen and Masters of Illusion, and performed in more than 40 countries.
Address provided following ticket purchase; $50; Details online

2. Fort Langley Jazz Festival – Thursday, September 2 to Sunday, September 5

Enjoy jazz three ways at the Fort Langley Jazz Festival this summer. Watch in-person at live ticketed shows at the Chief Sepass Theatre (September 2nd to 5th), watch free outdoor performances outside Fort Langley Community Centre on Saturday September 4th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or experience ticketed online streaming shows at home. This year’s celebrations cover genres from hip hop to jazz to blues and R&B.
Various locations; Details online

3. Vancouver International Flamenco Festival – Saturday, September 4 to Sunday, September 26

Get your toes tapping at the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival; one of the few celebrations devoted to flamenco art outside of Spain, focusing on flamenco’s hybridized roots in Sephardic, Persian, Gypsy and Indian cultures. The festival features live shows at the Waterfront Theatre and live streams, showcasing dance and music from local and national performers.  
Details online

4. Light Up Chinatown – Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12

The Vancouver Chinatown Foundation and the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area Society invite the community to ‘Light Up Chinatown.’ Discover a variety of family-friendly activities along East Pender and neighbouring streets, from live entertainment and exclusive food collaborations to glittering displays of lights and lanterns. The two-day event kicks off with an opening ceremony at the main stage on Columbia Street at Keefer at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 11th. From there, attendees can join in with a variety of festivities, including a performance by Goh Ballet, live music, magic show by Rod Chow, and food tastings, all while exploring shops around Chinatown.
Details online

5. Monstercat Block Party – Saturday, September 18

Rock the block at Monstercat Compound, an annual free all-ages block party produced by the Vancouver-based independent record label Monstercat. Returning for its fourth year on Saturday, September 18th and taking place at Monstercat HQ in Railtown, it features a diverse line-up of live electronic music across two stages, featuring never-before booked acts, new artists to Monstercat and international favourites. Enjoy local food trucks and spacious beer gardens, watch street artists decorate giant wooden Monstercats, and listen to the Monstercat Street Piano created by Roland Sound and Monstercat’s own design team. Guests can also take part in education panels on career-building and NFTs sponsored by MusicBC, visit an air-brushed tattoo station by JCI, and see the return of the gaming zone by The Gaming Stadium featuring four-person Rocket League battles, Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat arcade games and more.
Monstercat HQ, 380 Railway Street, Vancouver; 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; RSVP online or buy premium tickets from Monstercat

6. Artists for Conservation Festival – Thursday, September 23 to Sunday, September 26

Immerse yourself in a nature-themed arts and culture event that includes visual art, musical and First Nations cultural performances, art workshops and activities, plein-air sketching walks, live art and music demos, and film at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver and Maplewood Conservancy. Programming is free (Maplewood Flats Conservancy) or free with standard admission (VanDusen Botanical Garden).
Details online

7. Transform Cabaret Festival – Thursday, September 23 to Sunday, Octpber 2

Experience East Van’s groundbreaking cabaret festival, which focuses on empowering Indigenous artists and encouraging collaboration with non-indigenous artists, bringing the best cabaret to Vancouver audiences, and to fans around the world. The Cultch and Urban Ink’s festival is a hybrid of digital and in-person viewing of shows and live Zoom after-shows, broadcast from the Cultch’s historic theatre space. In addition, Vancouver fans will be able to purchase watch party tickets, which include access to in-person film screenings, as well as the live after-shows.
Online tickets from $15, with in-person watch party tickets from $29; Single tickets available online

8. Ultra Night Run – Friday, September 24 to Sunday, September 26

Get lit with a night run! Runners can sign up to participate and join thousands across Canada in this unique five-kilometre run or walk, or 10-kilometre run that is all tracked using the Strava app. Registration includes a special run kit, filled with wearable neon lights, race shirt and finish line medal for all runners to bring the night run experience to life.
Tickets $35; Details online

9. B.C. Culture Days – Friday, September 24 to Sunday, October 24

Have hope for the future with B.C. Culture Days’ 12th annual celebration of arts and culture, themed around “reimagine.” The month-long celebration invites British Columbians to imagine a post-pandemic world brightened through creative exploration and artistic expression. Events include socially-distanced outdoor and pre-registered indoor events, pre-recorded videos, livestream presentations, self-guided activities and more.
Details online

10. Shipyards Festival – Saturday, September 25

Take the kids to the free Shipyards Festival, which will feature four music stages and activities and attractions for all ages. During the day, kids and families are sure to enjoy the Seaspan Family Zone in The Pipe Shop thanks to entertainment provided by Ginalina, Robin Reddy Show, and Trained Human Matt Henry, as well as face-painting, balloon arts and crafts. The Burrard Dry Dock will feature Celtic performances celebrating World Maritime Day and other stages will host music from Bedouin Soundclash, The Zolas, Astrocolour, XL the Band, I am the Living, Small Town Artillery, Harlequin Gold, Mngwa, Via Barcelonia, Turunesh and more.
The Shipyards, and Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver; Noon to 10 p.m.; Details online