1. Carnaval del Sol

Through August 9

Carnaval del Sol’s Latin American celebrations are taking a step beyond the classic COVID online programming. The 12th Carnaval will take place in three forms: online (through workshops and a series showcasing Latin American culture through music, cooking, dance, and more) in-person (including a physically distanced flamenco night at the Granville Island Pavilion) and at restaurants (okay, that’s also in-person, but food being involved makes it a whole different experience in our books). Check out their website for details on all of the events.

When: Now until Sunday, August 9
Where: Online and in-person; multiple venues
More Info: carnavaldelsol.ca

2. Modern in the Making

Through January 3

What defined west coast modern living in the mid-twentieth century? Art, of course. Check out the over three hundred works in ceramics, fashion, furniture, jewellery and textiles created from 1945 to 1975 at the Vancouver Art Gallery’s Modern in the Making exhibit, which just opened last week. It’s the most comprehensive collection of this kind of work established to date, and also one of the only safely-distanced indoor activities that still feels pretty normal.

When: Now until January 3, 2021
Where: Vancouver Art Gallery
More Info: vanartgallery.bc.ca

3. VanCOVID Poetry Open Mic

July 20

We’re actually missing the days when we’d get inundated with Facebook invites for whatever artistic endeavour our too-cool friends were up to. Get a little taste of indie creativity at the VanCOVID Poetry Open Mic, an online live reading by local pro and amateur poets. Roses are red, violets are blue, wear a mask to the market or we’ll glare at you.

When: Monday, July 20 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: Online
More Info: facebook.com

4. Black Space Jam

July 24

Tune in to catch performers Buni Kor, DJ Clichy, Lennora Esi, Marisa Gold, Missy D, the Sinbirds and Zam Zam in Afro Van Connect’s Black Space Jam. The goal of the virtual showcase is to provide artists of African Descent with a platform to share their views on current local and global affairs through creative expression; and to and celebrate and honour the Black experience— more on Afro Van Connect’s work here.

When: Friday, July 24 7:00 p.m.
Where: Online, register here
More Info: afrovanconnect.com

5. Anti-Racism Workshops

July 26 to 30

As part of Virtual Pride Week, the Vancouver Pride Society is holding free workshops—if you haven’t yet, now’s the time to walk the walk when it comes to anti-racism. The five workshops take place at different times throughout the week (you can make it to at least one, we know you can) and featured topics are Desire in the Diaspora, Indigenous Teachings and Anti-Racism, You, Me & Liberation, Anti-Racism for White People by a White Person, and Black Queer History in Canada.

When: Sunday July 26 to Thursday July 30
Where: Online
More Info: facebook.com