This weekend is a very special one for Kitsilano Showboat, with Canada’s rich history and traditions in focus.
Friday’s featured act is the Band of the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, which has a history dating back over 100 years. This vibrant wind ensemble and marching band plays a wide variety of music, and features smaller ensembles such as a brass quintet, woodwind quintet, saxophone quartet, tuba quartet, jazz combo and jazz band.
Friday’s show starts at 7pm – and admission is free!
Saturday is Canada Day, and Showboat has put together a great program to celebrate our country’s birthday. The fun starts at 3pm with free craft activities by the Pacific Arts Market by the stage,and a class by YogaButtons — a great way for kids to learn and enjoy the health benefits of yoga.
The Vancouver Puppet Theatre takes the stage at 3:30pm, followed by Story Time with Barry, when Showboat President Barry Leinbach will entertain the younger set with original stories that allow children to use their imaginations to create the story line and the characters.
Next up, at 4:15pm, will be children’s entertainer Clementine, who promises to captivate children and have them grooving to her sweet folk songs for families – “with some serious dancy dancy and foot stomping good times!”
Canada Day Cup Cakes will be served at 4:50 pm and 6:30 pm, by the way.
The musical fun continues from 5 pm with ukulele group You Can Uke Too. Audience members who are young and young at heart are encouraged to bring their ukuleles for an interactive performance featuring the coolest instrument on the planet.
At 5:30pm the Freddy Fuddpucker Marching Band, a self-described “ragtag group of misfits” will regale the audience with their unique brand of musical mayhem. At 5:45pm bluegrass band 5 On a String will blow your mind with their hot picking and fiddle tunes.
Vancouver Quadra MP Joyce Murray will make a few brief remarks at 7pm, followed by the evening’s featured attraction, the fabulous South Van Big Band. A Showboat favourite, the band covers a broad spectrum of musical styles, fromblues, Latin jazz, funk, swing and bebop. Bring your dancing shoes and be ready to relive the great tunes of the swing and contemporary eras.
The Canada Day program starts at 3pm and admission is free.
Last modified: June 30, 2023
