Queen’s Park is coming alive with the sounds of music this summer.
The Arts Council of New Westminster is hosting a concert series at the park through July, with a special multi-concert Queen’s Park Arts Festival this week.
From July 8 to 11, audiences can turn out for a series of free concerts at the Queen’s Park Farm outdoor stage. Attendance is capped at 50 people per show, so those who want to attend need to register ahead online to reserve their free spaces. Bring your own chair or blanket to enjoy the music.
Onstage for the festival are:
Quayside Voices
Thursday, July 8, 7 p.m.: New Westminster’s favourite a cappella quintet kicks off the action. You may remember Quayside Voices from their many pre-pandemic performances at a variety of community events and festivals, as well as their collaborations with Victoria’s Fifth Street, Edmonton’s 6 Minute Warning and Toronto’s Countermeasure – not to mention their appearance with world-renowned artists The Real Group at Massey Theatre.
Follow them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Dey Rose
Friday, July 9, 7 p.m.: Dey Rose is a singer-songwriter whose music, “every heaving, bruised, and intemperate second of it — is not so much a heightened hybrid of her favourites but, rather, an assemblage of variations on Byron and Shelley,” as a write-up notes.
Emma Currie
Saturday, July 10, 2 p.m.: This pop/R&B/soul vocalist and songwriter has performed at events around the area and has been a featured anthem singer for junior hockey teams, the Vancouver Canadians baseball team and more. She recently released an EP, Welcome to the Wild.
Burnaby Summer Theatre
Saturday, July 10, 4:30 p.m.: The Burnaby Arts Council’s summer theatre troupe returns with their all-ages production. This year’s offering tells the story of children who, pulled into a dark forest, encounter The Grey, an entity which they must overcome to return home. It’s part of the summer theatre group’s mission to offer theatre that’s inclusive and accessible to all ages, abilities and cultures.
Cassius Khan and Amika Kushwaha
Saturday, July 10, 7 p.m.: Cassius Khan is a globally renowned Canadian Indian classical musician who’s noted for being the only professional performer to play tabla and sing ghazal simultaneously. Amika Kushwaha is noted for her interpretations of kathak dance. Together, the husband-and-wife team is the driving force behind the Mushtari Begum Festival of Indian Classical Music and Dance, held annually in New Westminster.
Tissa Rahim
Sunday, July 11, 7 p.m.: Tissa Rahim is described as “an R&B songstress with a Middle Eastern flair.” She combines soul with her multi-generational background in Iranian music and deeply personal lyrics.
After this weekend, concerts continue with jazz duo Amber Tsang and Alvin Brendan on Thursday, July 15; folk artist Etienne Siew on Thursday, July 22; and the Teresa Chang Trio on Saturday, July 24.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].
