Canada 150+ Signature Event
The Drum is Calling Festival

Immerse yourself in this nine-day festival of Indigenous and diverse arts and culture. Highlighting the festival will be stellar performances from iconic artists such as singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, PowWowStep creator DJ Shub, singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, country sensation Crystal Shawanda, northern Ontario rockers Midnight Shine, Juno Award winner William Prince, rising R&B star George Leach, genre-defying artist Kinnie Starr, literary giant Tomson Highway, and powerful spoken word poet Shane Koyczan and The Short Story Long.

Additional highlights will include hands-on workshops and live programming inside the Indigenous housing forms built by the Kanata Festival on Turtle Island. The inaugural Indigenous Fashion Week is the brainchild of former international model Joleen Mitten. The shows will feature the super-stars and emerging artists of Indigenous fashion design and modelling. A spectacular night of intercultural drumming will ignite the thunderous power of dancers and drummers from around the world and is led by renowned percussionist and cultural collaborator Sal Ferraras.

Artistic Director Margo Kane and the curators have themed each day, so festival-goers will experience something new at every return visit. From honouring Elders and Matriarchs to Youth, Warriors, and Friends, the themes bring together cultural presentations such as theatre for young people, play readings, carving and weaving workshops, literary and speaker series, and film screenings. The best of authentic Indigenous artisans, vendors and food will be on site to nourish your mind, body, and soul.

General Details
Date: July 22 - 30, 2017
July 22: 9am – 10pm
July 23-27 & 30: 1pm - 10pm
July 28-29: 12pm – 11pm

Location:
Larwill Park, Playhouse Theatre, Vancouver Public Library Atrium, Queen Elizabeth Theatre Lobby, and QET Plaza

Registration: Required for some events

Address: At the intersection of Cambie and Georgia Streets in downtown Vancouver, BC.