Reports call for more music and celebrations in Vancouver parks this summer

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      Vancouver politicians will vote on staff recommendations to bring more music, booze, and yoga to city parks this summer.

      The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival has applied for a 750-person special-occasion licence for two days of concerts at David Lam Park on June 29 and June 30.

      According to a report going to the Vancouver park board tomorrow night (May 27), the festival will host a "Park Bistro" serving alcohol from noon to 9:30 p.m. on both days.

      To satisfy provincial liquor inspectors, it must include a "four-foot double fenced moat around the licensed zone".

      "The International Jazz Festival has proven to be a well-organized and successful annual event," the report states. "Staff do not anticipate any significant issues as a result of the increased capacity of the licensed area and recommend the Board approve the request. Staff will continue to collaborate with organizers to ensure the event is implemented in accordance with all permit conditions."

      The lineup on June 29 features Wil Campa y su Gran Union, Royal Wood, Gabriel Alegria Afro-Peruvian Sextet, Mazacote, Bessie & the Back Eddies, and Sean Cronin's Very Good.

      On June 30, the festival showcases Roberto Lopez Afro-Columbian Jazz Orchestra, Taj Weekes & Adowa, Hornography, Buckman Coe, and Santa Lucia.

      In addition, commissioners will vote on an application from Vancouver Urban Spaces Initiative to hold three events at Crab Park and two events at New Brighton Park.

      It's all part of the Special Summer Series of Music, which has taken place in city parks since 2010.

      People would pay a $10 fee at the Crab Park events, whereas the concerts at New Brighton Park would be free.

      "The revenues from the ticketed events will be used to offset costs relating to crowd control, increased security, bike valet and improved performance quality and to help fund the free New Brighton Park events," the staff report states.

      The other recommendation concerns lululemon athletica's request to host the Sea Wheeze Sunset Festival.

      Up to 10,000 people would run half-marathon and up to 5,000 friends and family members would watch the event on August 11.

      In addition, there would also be a huge yoga class, as well as postrace celebration in a licensed area serving up to 3,000 people from 5 p.m. t0 10 p.m., all at Brockton Point.

      "The Park Board permit and related fees for this event that would be required from the organizers are estimated to be $25,000," the report notes.

      Meanwhile, a different report to the park board calls upon commissioners to approve a $50,000 expenditure for a 125th-anniversary celebration of Stanley Park.

      The Celebrate! Stanley Park event will take place on August 24 and 25 and the park-board contribution would fund "artistic and production costs".

      The City of Vancouver Innovation Fund has contributed $200,000 and the Ministry of Canadian Heritage has kicked in $90,500.

      "By combining the celebration events with an independent event proposal from brand.LIVE for a summer time community picnic event, the Park Board has been able to leverage more support for the anniversary celebrations and boost overall programming," the report states. "This unique partnership will produce an exciting and popular event to entertain all ages with potential for other event partners and stakeholders to also use the event branding. Brand.LIVE has secured a title sponsor for the event, Stanley Park Brewery, which is keen to support family-friendly, sustainable events in the park during the 125th anniversary celebrations, and potentially in future years as well."

      The events will have licensed areas accommodating up to 1,500 people spread over three areas: Ceperley Park, the Rose Garden, and Brockton Point.

      One of the goals is to enhance cultural understanding and promote dialogue and engagement with the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish First Nations, who all include Stanley Park as part of their traditional territory.

      "This celebration builds upon the momentum and spirit generated at the City’s Live Sites at the 2010 Winter Games, the City of Vancouver’s 125th anniversary Summer Live celebration (held in Stanley Park in 2011), and other recent community events such as the September 15, 2012 Voices in the Park fundraiser for the Sarah McLachlan School of Music in Stanley Park, which was attended by more than 10,000 people and raised over $1 million," the report notes.

      Comments

      6 Comments

      Alan Layton

      May 26, 2013 at 1:51pm

      I'm all for more concerts in parks. They don't need to be big events either. We need as much live music as possible...of all kinds.

      Lala

      May 26, 2013 at 2:27pm

      Buckman Coe, you mean? I know those keys are pretty close together...

      Martin Dunphy

      May 26, 2013 at 7:18pm

      Lala:

      Thanks for the catch; the correction has been made.

      The unmighty one

      May 27, 2013 at 2:55pm

      What is with these provincial liquor extremists?:

      "four-foot double fenced moat around the licensed zone"

      I cannot understand this pathetic obsession with separating and putting a cage around those who like to enjoy a glass of wine or beer.

      How provincial.

      Musician

      May 28, 2013 at 12:23am

      I hope the organizers don't continue to pay the P.A. companies and their deaf sound mixers more than the musicians themselves.

      pee bush

      May 28, 2013 at 1:15pm

      but i always get in trouble for pee pee in the bush