Ice Cream Truck Live rolls into local parks and beaches with music by diverse artists
A bona fide ice-cream truck hosts the weekly, inclusive, socially distanced pop-up music fests, with Mauvey headlining July 10
Mauvey, who’s signed to 604 Records, is a ghanian-born, Vancouver based artist and songwriter. Photo via mauvey.com.
Ice Cream Truck Live presents Mauvey and Friends at Kitsilano Beach, July 10 from 4 to 10 pm PDT.
BORN IN RESPONSE to the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the local music scene—and on underrepresented artists in particular—the Ice Cream Truck Live began lining up small Vancouver acts to perform at city parks and open spaces last year.
It’s since taken on a life of its own, with the initiative’s free pop-up music fests happening outdoors every weekend.
Roberto Richards is co-founder and visionary behind the Ice Cream Truck Live. Prior to the pandemic, he was focussed on writing, producing, recording with, and managing local emerging artist Bo Henrik. Together they released four singles and three music video productions.
Last spring, after gigs were cancelled due to the pandemic, the two figured Henrik should take his music to the streets, to perform and promoting his music in a safe way.
It wasn’t long after that that they decided that a tour van themed on a Neapolitan ice cream truck would be a good fit to reflect their vision of an “all flavours served” inclusive live-music scene in the form of travelling pop-up shows by multiple artists.
The Ice Cream Truck Live was hatched.
“The Ice Cream Truck Live events have taught us that live music is essential, not only in supporting the community, but that live music is the meeting place of inclusivity,” Richards says. To date, more than 30 diverse artists have performed over 25 shows to some 5,000-plus audience members.
The next event is July 10, when six local artists will team up to perform at a festival-style COVID-safe event at Kits Beach.
The lineup includes Mauvey and Michaela Slinger, who are both signed to 604 Records. Joining them are up-and-comers Teon Gibbs, Dacey, SwayzeAck, and Sarah Stark. The Ice Cream Truck events are partially sponsored by Long and McQuade.
Richards sees how the concerts are having a transformative effect on musicians and audiences alike at this point in time.
“As much as the Ice Cream Truck supports artists re entering the live performance arena, another major by-product is emerging from our pop-up community events right now: people are regaining their confidence in contact culture,” Richards says. “We see it every show. Hesitation is quickly turning to a shedding of inhibitions. People want to be close to one another again, but are afraid of the response they might receive from others. The Ice Cream Truck Live shows provide plenty of encouragement, for those that want to, to get up and dance with someone.
“Music in the Park should be a no barrier, no cost, community service that is supported by The City of Vancouver,” Richards adds. “That’s what The Ice Cream Truck is out here advocating for every weekend.”
For more information, see www.theicecreamtrucklive.com/.
Richardo Roberts is co-founder of the Ice Cream Truck Live. Photo by Carrot Nurarihyon
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