Latest news with #Khatsahlano
CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Khatsahlano, Symphony at Sunset and more events happening in Vancouver this weekend
Thousands of people took to the street on Vancouver's West Side for the 2024 Khatsahlano Street Party. (CTV News) Concerts, outdoor markets and 'Vancouver's largest free music and arts festival' are all on offer this weekend. Here are some things to do in Metro Vancouver for the first weekend of July. Khatsahlano Street Party More than 50 local performers will take to multiple stages along West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano Saturday for the annual Khatsahlano Street Party. Organized by the local business improvement association, the free festival aims to be 'bigger and more exciting than ever,' celebrating music, art, food, shopping and community from Burrard Street to MacDonald Street. The festivities run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and much more information can be found on the Khatsahlano website. VSO's Symphony at Sunset Head to Sunset Beach on Saturday night for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's annual 'Symphony at Sunset' performance. The free program features classical favourites and selections from popular film scores, all performed with the scenic backdrop of English Bay in the setting sun. The full orchestra's performance starts at 8 p.m., while a prelude performance by the VSO School of Music begins at 6:40. The concert program can be found on the VSO website. VSO Symphony at Sunset A previous year's edition of VSO's Symphony at Sunset is seen in this photo from the orchestra's website. ( Queen's Park Summer Concert Series This weekend also marks the start of Arts New West's free Queen's Park Summer Concert Series, which will feature performances on Thursdays and Sundays throughout the month of July. The schedule features 'a variety of musical styles from a wide range of artists from the Metro Vancouver region,' according to organizers. Thursday shows run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Bandshell, and Sunday shows run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Habitat. The full lineup can be found on the Arts New West website. Indian Summer Festival Also kicking off this weekend is the Indian Summer Festival, an annual exploration of contemporary South Asian arts and cultures. The theme of this year's festival is 'Borderless Solidarities,' and events at venues around Vancouver and Surrey will aim to 'invoke an audacious and unfashionable idea – an insurgent solidarity that refuses the inertias of this troubled time,' according to organizers. The first event will be held Friday, and the festival will continue through July 13. A full schedule of events and ticket information can be found online. Big Marché in Coquitlam Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday this month, the park and ride at Guildford and Pinetree ways in Coquitlam, across from city hall, will transform into a summer craft market. The 'Big Marché' is organized by Uniquely Vancouver and will feature food trucks, artisan vendors, a farmers market, a beer garden, a library bus, yard games, craft activities and performances. Hours are 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Summer Market at the Met Metrotown is also hosting a summer market this weekend, with vendors and entertainment outside the mall in its South Plaza, where the dolphin fountain is located. "Summer Market at the Met" runs from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. With files from MOVE 103.5's Leanne McLaren
Vancouver Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Businessman files response to Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim's defamation lawsuit over allegations of drunk driving
A local businessman has filed a response to Mayor Ken Sim's defamation lawsuit, alleging Sim has a history of drinking alcohol at events during his time as mayor. In May, Sim filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court saying he was defamed by comments made by his former chief of staff and campaign manager, Kareem Allam, in two private conversations in 2023 and 2024. The lawsuit also alleged defamation resulting from public posts made on X by local businessman Alex G. Tsakumis. Sim's lawsuit alleges that Allam told Tsakumis in November 2023 that Sim had driven his car while drunk and was stopped by Vancouver Police Department officers, who let the mayor go without being booked or cited. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. On Monday, Tsakumis filed a response to the lawsuit on behalf of him and Allam, arguing the X posts he made about Sim are not defamatory, and that he was justified in his posts or that they were written to address reasonable matters of public interest concerning an elected official. Tsakumis acknowledges that a review of police interactions with Sim was conducted but 'expressly denies the said report is accurately described in (Sim's) notice of civil claim.' B.C.'s Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner investigated the allegation that VPD officers had pulled over the mayor in 2023 and inappropriately let him go, but the report called the allegations of police misconduct 'baseless.' Instead, Tsakumis alleged in his response that Sim has a history of drinking while attending various events during his time as mayoral candidate or as mayor. The lawsuit lists a number of events between 2018 and 2024, including a 2018 NPA party nomination meeting, a 2020 B.C. Liberal dinner at Fraser Court Seafood Restaurant, a 2023 celebration of life, a 2023 anniversary at Pink Pearl Restaurant, a 2023 trip to attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and Greek Days 2023 and Khatsahlano 2023. The listed occasions also include a 2022 visit to Rogue Kitchen & Wetbar and a 2022 concert at Rogers Arena , both of which took place while Sim was a mayoral candidate and not yet elected. The response also alleges 'a special adviser to the mayor's office and a senior party executive sought advice from this defendant, including advice related to the plaintiff's alcohol consumption' during Sim's first six months in office. Tsakumis is arguing his posts did not defame Sim and that there was no damage done to Sim, and is asking the court to dismiss all claims against him. More to come …
