MUSIC
How much music can be made with a pair of drumsticks and the street as the instrument? The Vancouver Public Space Network are heading out to Granville Street this Sunday to play the city’s rhythms with instruments of their daily lives. Drumsticks, keys, kitchen appliances, grandma’s knitting sticks – get creative and make some noise. Make music with the urban landscape June 26 @ 1pm – Granville and Smithe. There will be drumsticks for purchase -but with cowbells, maracas, and basically anything that makes a cool noise welcome – get creative and make your city sing (just don’t set off any car alarms).

If you are into listening to music rather than making it, Gastown comes to life with dozens of bands putting on free shows throughout the cobblestoned streets in “Gastown Jazz” from 1-8pm. The New Orleans inspired street Fest will feature multiple free acts to inspire your best moves this Saturday and Sunday. Just watch your heals don’t get stuck between the cobblestones.

Need a Jazzy Lunchbreak? From June 25 – July 4, the International Jazz Festival will be holding lunchtime concerts at Canada Place. They’re free, so how about a little horn section with that couscous salad and empanada.
www.canadaplace.ca

If you have a bit of extra cash you’d like to drop on some of the other shows, the Commodore Ballroom is hosting the week long Urban Groove Series beginning this Friday. With Hip-hop mixes, turntables remixing the classics and minimalist blues-rock, the future of jazz is showcased with improvised jams and underground style inspired by the collective and provocative characteristics of Jazz.
Check the full schedule here : http://www.coastaljazz.ca/venue/commodore_ballroom_ticketed

ART
Saturday June 26th is the Cheaper show at W2 Storyeum (151 W Cordova) Doors from 6-12.
The show’s purpose is to ensure equality amongst both artists and art collectors – breaking down the hierarchical system attached to art and offering a fair opportunity for all types of artists to showcase their work and for people from all walks of life to hang it up.
$10 gets you entry to all three after parties where your artistic vibes can continue in the Mosh Pit as bands at The Astoria, Fortune Soundclub and the Biltmore rock out.

Make Art History – “Now What?”
Now What? is public symposium happening Friday June 25th from 7:30-9:30 addressing current budget cuts to the Cultural Sector and the need for the development of a more sustainable art system. The seven person panel, made up of distinguished individuals from different disciplines, will address the sustainability of our art system and the need for the development of new emerging artist economies. They are also going to create some much needed debate and discussion about the cuts, giving you a chance for your voice to be heard amongst peers and to stick it to the man!
Panelists include:
Bruce Haden – President of the Board, The Contemporary Art Gallery Vancouver
David Jordan – Executive Director of the Vancouver International Fringe FestivalKate Armstrong – Artist, writer and independent curator, instructor at Emily Carr University
Amir Ali Alibhai – Executive Director for the Alliance for Arts and Culture
Marcus Youssef- Artistic Producer for Neworld Theatre
Spencer Chandra Herbert – MLA, Official Opposition Critic Tourism, Culture and the Arts (Moderator)
Keith Higgins – Administrative Coordinator Helen Pitt Gallery/Honorary Board Member Art Speak

Check the Facebook Page for more info: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112504728793876

Heydey Designs, modern porcelain with a vintage beat, is hosting a studio sale this weekend: Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th at 975 Vernon Dr, @ Parker St, in the Mergatroid Building. The name of the building is intriguing enough, on top of jars, earrings, pendants and brooches marked down by 50-70%! Plus! new small jar designs and a summer promotion of three porcelain vintage jars, and they are the coolest jars ever, for $150. 11-5pm on both days.

It’s a Swap-O-Rama-Rama! Unload your scrap craft supplies or old clothes and unleash your creativity at a screen-printing, sewing or other DIY station at the Musuem of Vancouver, 110 Chestnut St., June 26th form 11am to 4pm. Take as little or as much as your like, and the remainders will be donated to local charities.

Portobello West, the one-stop unique finds mecca, is on again this Sunday, the 27th, from 12 to 6pm in the Rocky Mountanieer Station, 1755 Cottrell St. Eclectic artisan wares and one-of-a-kind fashion.

SPECTACLES
Canadian Concrete BMX Jam Series – Part One Sunday June 27th
If you are looking to enjoy the sunshine this Sunday and pee your pants watching boys huck themselves 10 feet in the air on bicycles, head over to Kirkstone Skatepark (2100 Block Kirkstone Rd. Lynn Valley, North Vancouver) and enjoy a day of gravity defying stunts as professional and amateur BMX riders compete in Part One of the Three part contest. Etnies sponsors this showcase of Canadian and international talent, both on the bikes and in the creativity of skatepark design, which Vancouver is known for worldwide. See all the Crazy shit that went down last year in this video: http://vimeo.com/12126902
http://canadianconcretebmx.com for more info!

NIGHTLIFE
If you’re looking for a new bar to check out this weekend, the Brick House (730 Main Street, Chinatown) is a great spot for a few beverages in a place that has more character than the highly-characterized people you’ll meet there. The intimate, homey feel is a great way to catch up with friends, or if you’re looking to meet new people, the eclectic decor is the icebreaker you need to engage with the more than friendly patronage who are just as interesting as the walls and sure to keep the conversation going for hours. See what I mean for yourself this Friday!