The Ticket: Eat, Play and Learn at the Indian Summer Festival

If you’re a foodie that loves riveting dialogue on social issues, we’ve got something for you. Now in its seventh year, the Indian Summer Festival is gathering some of the city’s top chefs as well as inspirational artists from around the world to whip up fantastic grub and dish out food for thought.

Curating this year’s Opening Gala is celebrity chef Vikram Vij, who has invited Vancouver’s best to answer the festival’s theme of “Tales of War and Peace.” The chef’s critically acclaimed Vij’s will serve contemporary Indian cuisine, while the 2017 Restaurant Award-winning Café Medina is serving its phenomenal Mediterranean delights. Joining them in this appetizing journey is Bella Gelateria, Bauhaus, Cacao, Jamjar, Blue Water Cafe, Fairmont Waterfront, and newcomer Tayybeh developed by Western Living’s 2017 Foodie of the Year Nihal Ewan. This year’s gala would make any food connoisseur float on top of the clouds.Can’t make the Gala? There are 21 other events at 12 different venues with many amazing artists for you to enjoy. Whether you’re looking forward to listening to two-time Grammy-winning saxophonist Ernie Watts perform alongside “the Emperor of Sound” violinist L. Subramaniam, watching Simon Fraser University professor and City Program director Andy Yan discuss the future of Vancouver’s Chinatown and Punjabi Market, or viewing artist Bhajju Shyam’s original work for free, the festival is a can’t-miss for the summer.

Keeping in theme with “Tales of War and Peace,” the event has brought many visionaries who have detailed the horrors of war and invite dialogue for peace in the future, such as respected cartoonist and journalist Joe Sacco, who explores the value of art in response to major conflicts. Amongst other events of interest, linguist Anvita Abbi examines the implications of dying languages on societies and the importance of their survival, while hometown treasure Rup Sidhu helps close the festival alongside several sensational musical stars. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit indiansummerfest.ca

Indian Summer Festival

When: Thursday, July 6 to 15Where: Various venuesPrice: Varies depending on event