Seven things you should do this week in Vancouver include a concert by Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas, the all-white alfresco picnic Diner en Blanc, Vancouver Mural Festival and more.
Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas
The former child actors turned pop stars met on the set of hit film Camp Rock almost 10 years ago, and have remained confidants and collaborators ever since. They founded their own label, and now they’re touring the world with the same band. Lovato belts out ballads and dance-pop tracks, while Jonas, who split from his boy-band the Jonas Brothers in 2013, croons radio-ready R&B. Just as their former tween fans have matured, so too has the pair. The show abounds with sexual innuendo — Jonas’s song, Bacon: We can’t even! — and references to personal struggle (Lovato is a recovered addict).
Aug. 24, 7 p.m. | Rogers Arena
Tickets and info: $29.95-$99.59, livenation.com
Diner en Blanc
Organizers increased attendance for Diner en Blanc by 2,000 this year, but that hardly meets demand for the all-white pop-up picnic. All 6,000 tickets have been snapped up, leaving behind thousands on a waiting list. Once again, participants clad head to toe in white will bring along their own tables (of a specific size), white chairs, white picnic baskets, white dishes (no paper plates allowed) to the affair. Thankfully, their food can be coloured. This year, about 70 cities worldwide will also host the uber-trendy picnic.
Aug. 18, 6 p.m. | Secret location announced day-of
Sold out: Vancouver.dinerenblanc.info
Band of Horses
The American band much loved for its gentle, shimmering folk-rock, made an awkward grab for mainstream success on previous album Mirage Rock. New album Why Are You OK is a return to form, and then some. There’s more diversity here than ever, from the first single’s fun fizz, to Beach Boys-tinged dream-folk, to a joyous, catchy track featuring Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis on backup vocals. This time, the band partnered with Rick Rubin’s label, and Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle is behind the inspired production.
Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m. | Orpheum Theatre
Tickets and info: $29.50-$39.50, livenation.com
Vines Art Festival
This community-driven event returns to the park for the second year to celebrate ways nature inspires art. As you stroll around, more than 50 performers of all stripes will interact with the giant willows, sandy beach and open expanses of lawn. Artists include theatre troupe The Only Animal, which has created short performances about the climate crises, Latin music trio Son Bohemio, and Bronwyn Preece, who lives 100 per cent off-the-grid and calls herself “an improvisational, site-sensitive performer.”
Aug 20, 12 to 7 p.m.| Trout Lake Park
Free: vinesartfestival.com
Ratha Yatra (Chariot) Festival
Following the 49th annual parade, during which three gigantic, colourful Hindu deity chariots are pulled along Beach Avenue, a free vegetarian feast is served to one and all (about 10,000 attended last year). The fest also includes a ring of tents featuring exhibits on yoga and meditation, a hand tattoo station, and kids’ area, as well as three stages for classical Indian dance and music performances.
Aug. 21, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Second Beach, Stanley Park.
Free: vanrathfest.com
Columbia StrEat Food Truck Festival
Food truck owners love a good gathering — and the chance to prove how awesome their food is. New Westminster hosts the biggest party of them all — in fact, it’s the biggest one-day food cart festival in Canada — as more than 90 trucks and food vendors take over the city’s main street. More trucks mean more stages for bands (12 acts in total), more beer gardens and more people: some 75,000 foodies are expected. And let’s hear it for No. Admission. Fee.
Aug. 20, 4 to 10 p.m. | Columbia St., New Westminster
Free: downtownnewwest.ca
Artist Scott Sueme in front of the mural he’s working on at Hootsuite.
Vancouver Mural Festival
The official unveiling of more than 35 outdoor murals on and around Main St. will see a celebratory block party take over the street between 7th to 12th Ave. People can make art and groove at several stages, featuring bands like synth-pop acts Hey Ocean! and Willa. The murals, from psychedelic to photo-realistic, political to cartoony, were created by artists from Europe and Brazil, as well as by local favourites like Scott Sueme, who created the largest one, on the front of Hootesuite’s headquarters. A ticketed, evening multi-club series sees both Shad and Andrew K.W. perform with full bands.
Aug. 20, 12 to 7 p.m. | Main St., from Powell to 16th Ave; block party, 7th to 12th Ave.
Free: vancouvermuralfestival.com
