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Festivals celebrating dumplings, blues and African cultures in Metro Vancouver this weekend
The 2023 African Descent Festival is seen in this photo from the event's website. (
Summer festival season continues this weekend with a variety of fun, free things to do across Metro Vancouver. Here are some events to check out.
KitsFest
Kitsilano Beach is playing host to the 17th annual KitsFest this weekend. The multi-sport competition and street party began Thursday and will continue through Sunday, featuring tournaments for everything from basketball to chess, as well as live painting, dance, yoga, flag football and more.
This year, pickleball is making its KitsFest debut. Daily music performances, a movie night and a beer garden are also on tap. A full schedule of events can be found on the KitsFest website.
African Descent Festival
Head to English Bay Saturday and Sunday for the African Descent Festival.
The two-day celebration of music, art and culture is intended to showcase the 'diversity of people of African descent within Vancouver, while recognizing and promoting attitudes of oneness among all ethnic groups and communities,' according to organizers.
Admission is free, but donations are welcome. The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.
BC Dumpling Festival
Saturday marks the fourth annual BC Dumpling Festival at Coquitlam's Town Centre Park.
As the name implies, the event celebrates dumplings from a variety of cultures. It also features community vendors and live entertainment, including a dumpling-eating contest.
The free festival runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and more information is available on its website.
Dumpling festival
A previous year's BC Dumpling Festival is seen from above in this photo from the festival website. (
Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival
Another one-day festival happening Saturday is the Burnaby Blues and Roots Festival in Deer Lake Park.
The free event runs from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., but organizers invite guests to enjoy additional live blues and roots music beforehand at the Burnaby Village Museum from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Headliner Ani DiFranco is scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m. A full list of performers and additional information can be found on the City of Burnaby website.
Pleasant Day Festival
Elsewhere on Saturday, Main Street in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant neighbourhood will shut down between 16th and King Edward avenues for the Pleasant Day Festival.
Hosted by the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association, the free event promises 'live performances across four outdoor stages, an all-local vendor market, dozens of food trucks and restaurant pop-ups, and interactive zones for all ages,' according to organizers.
Astro Arts Festival
Elsewhere in Mount Pleasant this weekend, the Astro Arts Festival will aim to continue the legacy of the now-defunct Vancouver Mural Festival.
Centred around 'Astro Alley,' the laneway behind Astro Club at 165 W. 4th Ave., the multi-day block party and art show begins Friday with the opening night of the club's 100 Amigos exhibition.
On Saturday and Sunday, murals will be unveiled and a celebration featuring live art, open studios, DJs and a beer garden will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Visit the festival website for more information.
Railtown Rooftop Party
Across the city at 611 Alexander St., Light Organ Records and the Strathcona Business Improvement Association will host the Railtown Rooftop Party on Saturday.
Also known as the Summerlight Indie Music Festival, the free concert featuring local musicians, a vendor market and a beer garden will run from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts
The 10th annual Monsoon Festival of Performing Arts began Thursday and is scheduled to continue through Aug. 17.
Organized by the South Asian Arts Society, the event aims to celebrate South Asia's monsoon season in the Lower Mainland by 'welcoming the storm' with 'theatre, music and dance performances, thought-provoking discussions, a marketplace of visual art, dance classes, development workshops and more.'
A schedule of performances and ticket information can be found on the Monsoon Festival website.
For the sports fans
The B.C. Lions and Vancouver Whitecaps are on the road this weekend, but the Vancouver Canadians are hosting the Hilsboro Hops at Nat Bailey Stadium. Games are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and ticket information can be found online.
Elsewhere, Vancouver FC hosts Pacific FC in Canadian Premier League action on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Langley.
With files from MOVE 103.5's Leanne McLaren
