Matthew Ariaratnam's "tones to melt and heal hardened hearts" takes to two wheels, September 9
Participants can join a bike ride that diffuses healing sounds collected from artists across the country and U.S.

Matthew Ariaratnam. Photo by Jan Gates
The Only Animal presents the tones to melt and heal hardened hearts diffused on bicycles bike ride on September 9, starting at 7 pm at 8 East Pender
HOW DO YOU face the seemingly insurmountable despair of the climate crisis?
In the case of musician and sound artist Matthew Ariaratnam, you gather healing sounds and send them out in the world on bikes.
Commissioned by Vancouver’s The Only Animal, under its climate-minded Artist Brigade, Ariaratnam’s tones to melt and heal hardened hearts diffused on bicycles is getting ready to take its soundtrack of hope and resilience out to Vancouver streets this Saturday.
Local bike enthusiasts are invited to take part in the 40-minute ride that starts at 7 pm at 8 East Pender Street and winds up at David Lam Dock. Travelling on two wheels are the sounds created by over 50 people across Canada and the United States, gathered and arranged by the artist. He asked musicians, singers, and others to create a short tonal score that could heal the world. Offerings include the voices of Vancouver’s Kettle Society Choir, field recordings at Pacific Spirit Park, gongs, vibraphones, accordion, zhengs, and a range of other instruments emitting sustained, meditative notes ,played by far-flung musicians.
For a better idea of the utterly unique, soul-soothing experience, watch the artist's video below, and read this description from the folks at The Only Animal: "Matthew Ariaratnam’s composition carefully weaves these individual moments in time into an experience of community, reminding listeners of everything we hold in common through our care for the environment, our grievable lives, and our shared wish for healing." You can RSVP here.
Janet Smith is cofounder and editorial director of Stir. She is an award-winning arts journalist who has spent more than two decades immersed in Vancouver’s dance, screen, design, theatre, music, opera, and gallery scenes. She sits on the Vancouver Film Critics’ Circle.
Related Articles
Early Music Vancouver program features a piffari, or wind band, accompanied by the early dances of French and Italian court festivities
Vancouver Chamber Choir concert features some of the Italian virtuoso’s most enduring Renaissance music
Fast-paced feminist adventure follows three coworkers who rebel against their boss
In musical travels from rock and electronica to folk and blues, the roving artist has followed her curiosity and intuition beyond industry-drawn boundaries
Event marks 10th anniversary with more than 250 singers, $5 TD Community Roar Tickets, and a world premiere from Marie-Claire Saindon
B.C. surf-rockers Empanadas Ilegales, powerhouse Australian vocalist Lloyd Spiegel, and more will perform at the Fraser River Heritage Park from July 25 to 27
As part of Music on Main series, the Mexican Canadian composer’s luminous works respond to current chaos and ancient ties to the natural world
Joan Blackman shares the stage with eight all-star musicians for a program of works by Haydn, Mozart, and Schubert
Most decorated female Latin Grammy winner in history and mind behind the beloved Chief Inspector Gamache series will appear in Vancouver this fall
Coastal Jazz also announced the second year of the New Improvisers Studio
Summer concerts return to Vancouver parks, plus the new year includes Steve Hackman’s epic synthesis of Radiohead’s seminal OK Computer with Brahms’s First Symphony
Vancouver concert is nearly sold out, but great seats are still up for grabs in Surrey
Also on the program at Holy Rosary Cathedral is Benevoli’s Missa Tu Es Petrus
Raised on bluegrass and the warmth of her Bowen Island community, the Montreal-based folksinger comes full circle with songs about close emotional bonds
Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs presents the emotional composition with text by English soldier and war poet Wilfred Owen
Formed by a pair of musical duos, the group blends jazz, tango, African, classical, and more through mutual trust and constant curiosity
In her vibrant new show, the Vancouver singer illuminates and performs the timeless, barrier-breaking music that built Berry Gordy’s sonic empire
Set of antique and newly composed music by Hyeronimus Kapsberger and Claudio Ambrosini evokes the sounds of Venice
The Smithers, B.C.-based artist brings his articulate blend of soul, funk, jazz, and pop sounds to Vancouver
Artists hitting the Performance Works stage include New Jazz Underground, Nubya Garcia, and more
Friends of Chamber Music program features works by Barber, Bartók, and Shostakovich with unique historical relevance
Look forward to tales of hanging in Greenwich Village and Laurel Canyon with the likes of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen
Adaptation of the original Broadway production journeys through different eras of the Man in Black’s life and music
Award-winning New York-based string players to perform works by Mozart, Beethoven, and American composer Billy Childs
French choreographer Hubert Hazebroucq performs 15th- and 16th-century dances to the sound of a live wind band
For this UBC Opera and Opera West collaboration, emerging stars take the lead in a classic story with a long history of fame and scandal
Group’s founder and artistic director Masa Ogawa talks compassion and connection ahead of Chan Centre presentation
The choral singer, composer, and musician will succeed long-time head and cofounder Morna Edmundson
Performances by Bakara Band, violinist Suzka Mares, and vocalist Andrea Superstein are in store at David Lam Park and beyond