Community Events

An abundance of creative art and culture events are returning to Lynn Valley and the North Shore in late September/early October. The national celebration of arts and culture – Culture Days – begins Sept. 20 – Oct. 13. Nestled right in the middle is North Van’s annual event the North Shore Art Crawl from October 4 – 6.

Culture Days Sept. 20 – Oct. 13

With offerings that vary year to year from history walks to art exhibits to interactive programs Culture Days has a number of opportunities to engage with the local arts community. Culture Days programs invite the public to get hands-on and behind-the-scenes to highlight the importance of arts and culture in our communities.

This year, only one event in the Lynn Valley area but there are a handful of others nearby that might be worth checking out. A full schedule of North Van events can be found here. 

Sept. 23, 6-7 pm – Bollywood Dance Class, Lynn Valley Village 

Enjoy some Bollywood dancing with your family with expert Bollywood Dance Instructor Rohan D’Silva. “Bollywood in the Park” a free dance program for all ages, out in the open air. No dance experience is necessary. So come one, come all and enjoy this high energy, fun class and learn some exciting Bollywood moves to the latest Bollywood dance hits – registration required.

Sept 28, 2 – 5 pm – Explore Backstage at Hendry Hall

The North Vancouver Community Players want you to experience the magic of live theatre.  Members of our theatre club will take you backstage at Hendry Hall in North Vancouer to discover and explore community theatre.  Learn a bit about the activities at Hendry Hall and its long history as a landmark in North Vancouver from 1942. Take a tour of the theatre – view creative set building and decorating, costumes and props, possibly try a reading.  An opportunity to talk to directors, actors, backstage hands, set designers and others who work to create our live productions.  Hear some of the hysterical goings on of live theatre and dare-we-say “occasional” bloopers.  Ever wondered if you have what it takes to participate in live theatre – come and find out. Registration is required. 

Oct. 8, 11 am & Oct. 10, 3 pm – Centennial Theatre Backstage Tour

Participants at the backstage tour of the Centennial Theatre will have the opportunity to go where the audience doesn’t. They will see the fly floor, backstage, the dressing rooms, and the audio and lighting  control booths, where they will see first-hand how we make the magic happen. Registration is required.

North Shore Art Crawl Oct. 4 – 6

Every year local artists and artisans invite the public into their studios or do join the at pop up galleries throughout the North Shore. The event takes place over three days in early October and gives the public to take in or participate in local art. Organizers of the the North Shore Art Crawl put it together by zones, making it easy to access a variety of events Oct. 4 – 6. 

Lynn Valley locations

Annette Arndt – visual artist – 954 Wellington Drive – Saturday & Sunday, 1 – 2 pm

@annettearndtartist 

Taking cues from nature, with either stark high-contrast realism or ethereal woods, oceans and mountains. Using traditional techniques and airbrush shifting between art and design. 

David Pirrie – visual artist – 1210 Arborlynn Drive Friday 7 – 9 pm, Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

davidpirrie.com • @davidpirrie 

An avid climber and ski mountaineer, North Vancouver-based David Pirrie creates mountain portraits that are multi dimensional and conceptually layered.

Dominique Walker – oils – 1780 Langworthy Street – Saturday & Sunday, 12 – 2 pm

dominiquewalker.com • @gallerydominique 

Dominique is a figurative and landscape painter who captures the spirit of the west coast in light-filled oil paintings. 

Group Show Mollie Nye House 940 Lynn Valley Road – Friday 7 – 9 pm, Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

Caroline Liggett – acrylic 

carolineliggett.com • @carolineliggett 

Caroline, a North Vancouver native, finds inspiration in local landscapes. She teaches painting, sharing the joy and healing she found after her sister’s loss. 

Helen Murphy – textiles/fibre  

@craftnaturally 

Helen is an Irish Fine Arts Graduate with a love of fibres. She creates both functional and artistic pieces from sheep’s wool. Her love of life is evident in her colourful works of art.

Group Show Blueshore Financial Lynn Valley Branch 149 – 1199 Lynn Valley Road Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

Emma Fish

Emma Fish – acrylic • mixed media • watercolour 

aworldoffishcreations.com • @aworldoffishcreations 

Emma paints landscapes in a vibrant light. She is committed to breaking down barriers to fine art by creating unique pieces of wearable art. 

Roberta Heaven – mixed media • soap • textiles/fibre 

@healinggardenartsstudio 

Roberta believes that art is a way to explore healing and growth. Her art studio focuses on the beauty of her garden and is reflected in her scarves, soaps and paintings

Group Show – 2651 Library Lane Saturday & Sunday 11 am – 5 pm

Carrie Hull

Carrie Hull – mixed media • oil 

carriehull.ca • @carriejhull 

Carrie Hull loves to paint interiors but also paints landscapes, still life, flowers and street scenes in oils and mixed media. 

Lynda Fownes – acrylic painting • mixed media 

lyndafownes.com • @lyndafownesartist

 As a North Shore artist, Lynda is a longtime Artists’ Guild member and was awarded AFCA status (2022) by the Federation of Canadian Artists. 

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

Lynn Valley Village will be bustling this summer with a full slate of free Live and Local performances and activities for this summer. From games to bands to airbrush tattoos, all the local favourites are coming back.

Family-friendly big games

The Lynn Valley Village plaza will be filled with Big Games every Monday and Wednesday from 1 – 3 pm to the end of August. Enjoy giant-sized versions of classic favourite games. 

• July 3rd
• July 5
• July 10
• July 12
• July 17
• July 19
• July 24
• July 26
• July 31
• August 2

Mid-day music

To get a taste of the local music scene, head over to the plaza Tuesdays from 11 am – 1 pm to enjoy everything from pop to jazz to soul.

July 4 Rose Ranger

Hailing from Vancouver’s North Shore, Rose Ranger’s creative process is inextricably linked with the ocean and mountains that are a stone’s throw away from her front door. Combined with her love of all musical genres and her utmost appreciation for all the creative arts – the blend creates a dynamic vibrancy in her songwriting process. And that sentiment is a testament to her new music.

July 11 ReeVay Music

ReeVay is the moniker of the multi-talented Marc Rivest. The Lower Mainland-based artist gracefully weaves the finest elements of folk, jazz and pop. His work is simultaneously soothing, powerful and transformative. It’s easy to get lost in the rich tapestry of sound he has generously created.

July 18 Mom Bop

Mom Bop will brighten your day with colourful outfits, electro-pop music, and upbeat dance routines. With original songs written for young ears and those who are young at heart, Mom Bop spreads a message of positivity and fun!

July 25 Emma Currie

Emma Currie is a dynamic pop, R&B and soul vocalist from Vancouver, British Columbia. She was born into a musical family that included her great-grandmother, a trained opera singer. Some of Emma’s musical influences include  Shania Twain, Demi Lovato, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley,  Céline Dion, and Stevie Wonder.

August 1 Cherie Summers

Singer, songwriter, performer, and busker. Cherie Summers is a multi-talented musician who can do it all! Come watch Cherie in her element as she plays the acoustic guitar and sings.

Friday night fun

Evening entertainment gets Lynn Valley Village moving from 6-8 pm.

July 7 Star Collector

Star Collector is a power pop band from Vancouver, BC that has played throughout Canada, the U.S, and Europe. They have recorded five albums to this day and continue to be a force in the music industry!

July 14 Not scheduled 

July 21 Dr. Strange Love Band

Dr. Strangelove is a highly entertaining, multi-faceted, six-piece dance band with five talented lead vocalists, who can cover everything from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, and from AC/DC to Shania Twain. One of the few bands in the country who can confidently take requests all night long, while keeping the dance floor packed, people engaged…and all with a sense of humour and fun!

July 28 Nothing scheduled

Aug 4 Mazacote

Juno-nominated MAZACOTE is a hard-hitting world/Latin band with deep roots in the music of Colombia, Mozambique and Venezuela. Inspired by Afro-Caribbean percussion and tropical party sounds, they play brass-heavy Latin dance beats with a message!

Thursday special Plaza Pop Up

July 27, 6 – 8 pm

• Beauty Shop Dolls
• Ink Vancouver

This Plaza Pop-up features the Beauty Shop Dolls who are a retro female trio that bring dazzling vintage-inspired sights and music. Singing and dancing through classic music from the roaring 1920s, the swinging 1940s, and boppin’ 1950s and 60s radio hits, these dolls know how to woo any crowd into an old-fashioned love affair.

Also featured is Frederic Carrasco from ‘Ink Vancouver’ a local and talented airbrush tattoo artist. Pick your choice of various stencils and shapes to enjoy a temporary tattoo!

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.

The Lynn Valley Library won’t be so quiet this month when the North Vancouver Community Band brings its music for an evening concert on May 31.

A place for all that love to play

For two decades musicians have been gathering together for their love of music. The group aims to make music accessible to everyone in the community regardless of age, skill level or socioeconomic status. They are currently welcoming new members. 

Ned Booker

“We welcome everyone 13 and up,” said trumpet player Ned Booker. “We might even take a precocious and motivated 10-year-old – it’s all negotiable if they love music.”

The band strives for a supportive environment that encourages new members to pick up forgotten instruments, learn new instruments or enhance their current skills, according to its website. It was a warm and welcoming place for Judith Nitsch who took up the clarinet as she approached 50. 

“I saw my eldest son playing in the school band and I thought I would like to do that,” said Nitsch. She began with lessons with a teacher and about a year later was encouraged to give the community band a try. 

“It is one of the best things I have ever done for myself. I am glad I didn’t take up piano or guitar – something that I played by myself. I had never been a part of a band program,” she said. “I felt like a fish in the deep blue sea.”

During the first nervous practice, she was guided to her section, supported by another player.

“I didn’t play a lot,” laughed Nitsch. “There is a lot to pay attention to and our conductor gently guided me to play the first note of each bar. I was so welcome and I didn’t know what I was doing.”

Music for all

Booker felt just as welcome but in a completely different way. A musician for more than 25 years he has played most of his life since the age of six.

Judith Nitsch

“I haven’t been in Vancouver long, nearly two years,” said Booker. “I got to know our current conductor and found a place in the band.”

He was drawn to the band’s goals of bringing music to those who might not have access.

“I just love community performances,” said Booker. “I grew up in a rural area and I loved community music. When you go you see everyone in the audience, children, parents, seniors – it’s by the community for the community.”

The NV Community Band’s goals to allow all to experience music are embraced by the players. 

“It tends to be folks with kids in high school and a bit more time, or people who have retired,” said Booker. “People often have to take a break from their music. The musician who sits next to me played in high school and he came back to it decades later. He’s a great player. I don’t want to turn anyone away.”

Today the band has musicians between 20 and 80. The pandemic impacted their numbers and they would like others to join them. Practices are held Thursdays from 7:30 – 9 pm in the music room at Carson Graham Secondary School. 

“It’s a wonderful feeling to be a tiny part of a whole,” said Nitsch. “I don’t play in a band to be heard, I play to make music that I couldn’t make by myself.”

Upcoming concert May 31

The North Vancouver Community Band will bring a variety of lively pieces to the Lynn Valley Library on the evening of May 31. There will be well-known melodies from movies, a medley of Duke Ellington, a Gaelic piece as well as the exciting Jitterbug by North Vancouver’s Robert Buckley. If you can not make the May 31 concert, the same set will be performed at the North Vancouver Band Fest on June 11 at the Shipyards. 

“It’s fun – stuff we like to play and we hope people like to listen to,” said Booker, adding “It’s a bit bittersweet. Our current conductor is departing after 20-plus years with the band. These performances are to say thank you – not goodbye.” 

Looking for more?

There’s always something fun and exciting happening in Lynn Valley. Check out our Community Events Calendar or learn more about Local Activities, Mountain Biking or Hiking and Walking Trails.