Vancouver's Vines Art Festival announces 2024 program of art-led land justice

Free outdoor performances in Vancouver parks feature artists such as Kinfolk Nation, MRD3, and Lil Smudge

VINES ART FESTIVAL is back for 2024, celebrating its 10th anniversary of art-led land justice this year. Several inclusive and accessible all-ages performances are taking place from August 7 to 17 at Vancouver parks for free.

Keep Giving; Cedar and Shells happens August 7 at 6 pm, at St'ít'eweḵw', aka Second Beach. This event opens the 10th annual fest with songs, dances, and stories. Appearing are Manuel Axel Strain, Gurnimit Singh, and T'uy't'tanat Cease Wyss and her daughter, Senaqwila Wyss.

Sharing Our Shadows takes place on August 8 at 6 pm at X̱í7nam̓ut, or Pandora Park. Through story, dance, and music, people will be encouraged to bear witness to authentic ways of being. The event will feature Haleluya Hailu, izzy cenedese, Judith Camacho Campoy, and Enable Arts Society.

MRD3 with Janelle Reid. Photo by Que Frias

Ubuntu; I Am Because You Are takes place August 9 at 6 pm, at Dude Chilling Park. Ubuntu is a universal energy of interconnectedness. Vines joins forces with the Surrey Black Arts Centre for this session, which also features Léral, Black Pace, and Kinfolk Nation.

The Vancouver Prison Justice Day Memorial takes place August 10 from 6 to 8 pm beside the Claire Culhane Memorial Bench at the southeast corner of Trout Lake Park. The event is being organized in the spirit of solidarity with all communities impacted by incarceration.

When The Spirits Speak Back happens August 14 at 6pm, at Ḵ'emḵ'emel̓áy̓, aka Oppenheimer Park. Led by artists of the Downtown Eastside, this session is a celebration of self-determination. With food, song, and dance, the event features DANI YOUR DARLING, MRD3 with Janelle Reid, TALON, and Jhoely Triana Flamenco.

Ways of the Warrior is on August 15 at 6 pm at Grandview Park. The gathering of Indigenous artists and storytellers features Keenan Marchand, jaz whitford, Lil Smudge, and Prado Monroe.

Rewritten; Queering Our Legacies is on August 16 at 6 pm at Í7iy̓el̓shn, aka, Sunset Beach. Highlighting 2SLGBTIQIA+ history, art, and legacy, the evening features drag, music, and dance. There will be performances by Maiden China, Persephone Estradiol, As*Trix, and Edzi’u

(Re)Creation Stories closes out the festival on August 17 at 1 pm at Trout Lake Park. Appearing are artists Oh Pray Tell, Raven Grenier, All Bodies Dance, and Orchid Orchestra.

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Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

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