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What to do in Vancouver this Canada Day long weekend

Show your love this Canada day.

It goes without saying, but this is going to be one epic weekend. It's our Canada Day event edition and it's jam packed with dance parties, live music festivals, food tastings, cruises and even a jamboree. Not to mention the EuroCup finals match happening this Sunday, July 1st. What is especially awesome is that most of the events are free. Think of all the loonies you'll save.

Top Picks

50th Decentralized Dance Party (Ajay's Pick)
June 30 | Secret Location | Free

Hey bees, what is a Decentralized Dance Party (DDP)? The DDP is a portable, battery-powered Party System. Thousands of Party people carry  boomboxes and a DJ wears a backpack containing an FM radio transmitter. All the boomboxes are tuned into the DJ’s master FM broadcast, resulting in a mobile, synchronized sound system. This portable dance Party roams the night, generating complete awesomeness onto buses and subways and beyond. Inevitably interfacing with the public, together we create an infectious epidemic of fun. The theme is Extreme Physical Fitness and this will be a Ten Hour Party Marathon. It will be epic.

Canada Day Block Party and Food Cart Festival (Miraj’s pick)
July 1 | 12 - 7 PM | Waldorf Hotel | Free

A day of food, live music and fun. This free and family-friendly event will feature food from Vancouver’s top food carts and live music. Vancouver’s top food carts will be on hand to roll out their summer menus for their largest gathering ever.


Honorable Mentions

Inspirational Latinos Award
June 28 | CBC Studios
For the very first time Vancouver is hosting a regional award to recognize distinguished members in the Latin American communities for their outstanding achievements and contributions to BC.

Is a "Womanly" Business a More Sustainable One?
June 28 | 5 - 7 PM | SAP, 910 Mainland Street | $0/$15
Could cultivating "womanly" virtues -- such as collaboration, empathy, and creativity -- in our male leaders, while creating space for more female leadership, make businesses and societies more sustainable? Find out rom this engaging panel discussion. Thanks Monika.

Critical Mass - Velapalooza Edition
June 29 | 5:30pm | VAG | Free

Late Nite Art 15
June 29 | Much & Little | $25

30th Anniversary Walk for Peace Vancouver
June 30 | 12 PM | Kits Beach | Free

The year was 1982. Against the backdrop of the escalating nuclear arms race, 170 different groups cooperated to create Vancouver's first Walk for Peace. People  gathered at Kitsilano Beach forming a river of humanity that poured over Burrard Bridge to a concert stage at Sunset Beach. It was magnificent. Now it's 2012, the 30th anniversary: time for all of us, together.

Carnaval Del Sol
June 30 All Day | Granville | Free

Come check out BC's largest Latin American festival! Over 50,000 people are expected. The event will includ a food and craft outdoor market, mini fashion show, children activities, international and local bands and a multicultural street soccer tournament with participation from city mayor and consulates.

30th Anniversary Walk for Peace Vancouver
June 30 | Kits Beach | Free

Summer Salsa Cruise
June 30 | MV Britannia | $25

Canada Day Jamboree #5
July 1 | Strathcona Park | Free

MELA! Festivals: A Canada Day Celebration on Granville Island
July 1 | Granville Island | Free

Tingle
July 3 | 8 PM | Cottage Bistro, Main St. | Pay What You Can
Didn't get enough jazz at the Vancouver jazz festival? Keep the vibes flowin' with a talented group of musicians & partake in tasty foods & drinks... Tingle! Thanks Christopher.

PeaceTalks : 'Unchopping a Tree? Peacebuilding in 21st Century
July 4 | 5:30 PM | Caffe Rustico, Main Street | Free

Governments, international organizations and civil society groups have become increasingly active in their efforts to build lasting peace in war-torn countries across the globe. Yet as evidence from various regions suggests, the goal of peace-building remains elusive. This talk provides an introduction to peacebuilding and explored some of the promises and challenges of peace-building in the contemporary world. Thanks Soudeh.


Future Events

This Is East Van | Photography Publication
July 7 | 7 PM | Interurban Gallery | Free

Waking the Tiger Film Screening
July 7 | Hillcrest Community Centre | Free


Indian Summer Festival
July 5 - 15

Indian Summer Lit & Sound Cab Show
July 14 | W2 Media Cafe | $10

Caribbean Days
July 28-29 | North Van | Free


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