On Sunday, July 1st from 12 PM to 4 PM, Robson Street sidewalks between Burrard and Denman will be filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of music, entertainment, giveaways, business promotions and treats!
Here’s a sneak peek of who you can expect to hear:
1025 Robson Street
From 12-2pm, Krystle Dos Santos’ powerful voice and infectious warmth will be filling the streets – you can expect her performance to include original soul music paired with beloved Motown and soul classics made famous by Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Ms. Lauryn Hill, and Adele. Krystle will be accompanied by Michael Meroniuk, a session guitarist & mandolinist, who has worked in the studio with producers like Howard Redekopp (Tegan & Sara) Ryan Worsley (Dear Rouge), and Chin Injeti (Eminem).
A crowd favourite from last year, Derek Pitts and The Bullets, will play from 2-4pm. With a whiskey rasp and timeless soulful sound, Derek Pitts and the Bullets ignite excitement in the hearts of listeners. Marrying Motown and Soul with old school R&B, each song carries a warm familiar tone within its roots, while maintaining organic originality.
1125 Robson Street
Further down Robson Street, listeners will be greeted with melodious harmonies of violinist Zoe Robertson and harpist Elisa Thorn from 12-2pm. Elisa is a professional harpist and harp teacher, who is known for her use of extended techniques, electronic effects, and unconventional uses of the harp.
Next up from 2-4pm, the public will witness a live performance of the all-time favourite, Dueling Pianos – the show will have 2 piano performers with interactive audience participation requesting songs! Playing many favourite tunes to get the crowd singin’ along, as well as requests of all types. From boogie woogie rockin’ blues of Jerry Lee Lewis, standards from Elton John and Billy Joel, sing-a-long anthems like Bohemian Rhapsody and Don’t Stop Believing, the Dueling Pianos delight with classics, modern and everything in between… a fun time is guaranteed for all!
Bute Robson Plaza
Enjoy a colourful and fun outdoor lounge area, complete with music by Glowbal Party Starters, face painting, balloon twisting, giant games and bubbles. Fun for the whole family!
Alley Party
DJ Static will be keeping the tunes going from 12-4pm at the Alley Party. Specializing in hip-hop, funk, and old skool jams, DJ Static will have you wanting to dance. Not much of a dancer? Don’t worry, Diamonds in the Rough, Vancouver’s all-female hip-hop crew will be hosting workshops all throughout the afternoon, along with performances by Sweett Moves, a Vancouver-based contemporary dance collective.
12:30pm – DJ Static
1:00pm – Diamonds in the Rough – Freestyle
1:15pm – Diamonds in the Rough – Workshop
1:45pm – Sweett Moves Performance
1:55pm – Diamonds performance
2:00pm – DJ Static
2:30pm – Diamonds in the Rough – Freestyle
2:45pm – Diamonds in the Rough – Workshop
3:15pm – Sweett Moves Performance
3:25pm – Diamonds in the Rough Performance
Sweett Moves photo by Karolina Turek (dancer: Brook Williamson), Diamonds Crew photo by Tristan Anderson