Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, Kitsilano Showboat kicks off its annual series of shows on June 19th despite a fire that recently destroyed much of the seaside venue.
The blaze made headlines – and reminded people of what a unique and treasured Vancouver institution Kitsilano Showboat is.
But the show must go on – and it will, in a series of performances through July 15th.
The fun starts on the evening of Monday, June 19th with a Showboat favourite: the Kitsilano High School Concert Band. The band comprises students from grades 8 to 12 who are at various points of their musical journeys. Get ready to enjoy some great, enthusiastically performed music, including jazz, funk, pop and just about everything else.
Wednesday, June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day and the Kitsilano Showboat will feature the Spakwus Slolem Eagle Song Dancers, whose members are elders and youth of the Squamish Nation, a people who have lived on these lands for thousands of years. They’ve performed across Canada and at cultural festivals worldwide.
Also performing on June 21st will be singer/dancer Katisha Paul, aka Kwikws Liisáos (Little Angel) from the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) and Lil’wat First Nations. Listening to the words of her cultural leaders and her grandparents has enabled her to find her own, unique voice.
On Friday, June 23rd the Showboat will play host to Vancouver Performing Stars, which is made up of kids aged 1 to 17. VPS is a performing arts training program that offers a variety of classes, covering ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and hip hop, as well as voice lessons and musical theatre.
The second act on June 23rd will be Showboat regulars Rock Paper Moon. For over a decade they have been entertaining young and old with rock, country, folk, and jazz standards at public and private functions. Rock Paper Moon invite you to enjoy their three-part harmonies and instrumental melange of guitars, bass, keyboards, mandolin and harmonica.
All shows start at 7pm and admission is free.
Last modified: June 30, 2023
