Heritage Hall on Main Street

Music on Main is a music programming company that hosts the Modulus Festival, summer pop-up concerts and a variety of other performing arts events in Vancouver.

The organization provides the opportunity for local artists to showcase their skills.

This article contains information about the following Music on Main events:

The Modulus Festival | Summer Pop-Up Concerts | Music on Main in Summer Video | Music for the Winter Solstice | Other Information

Music on Main

Music on Main is a local non-profit organization that has contributed to the Vancouver music scene for over a decade. The organization doesn’t have a set venue; rather, it hosts events at various venues (which are usually on or near Main Street).

Some places that hold Music on Main shows include Heritage Hall, the Fox Cabaret and other spots in Mount Pleasant and beyond in Vancouver.

Music on Main hosts a Pop-Up Concert Series in August each summer. In addition, the organization’s biggest event is the Modulus Festival which celebrates contemporary classical music.

Music at Mt. Pleasant Park — Mt. Pleasant Park

The Modulus Festival

The Modulus Festival is one of Music on Main’s signature events. The event took place from November 3rd to 6th in 2023. While it used to be an annual event, the Modulus Festival now happens once every two years. That means the next time it’ll happen is in November of 2025.

The Modulus Festival is always a great way to experience a variety of music and engage with it in interactive ways. There are often artists brought in from around the world.

Highlights from the last time the festival happened included Julius Eastman songs performed by the Music on Main All-Star Band and the Vancouver Youth Choir, plus a new collaboration from Eve Egoyan and Mauricio Pauly. The Standing Wave Ensemble also performed world premieres by Nancy Tam and Dorothy Chang.

Some of the 2023 shows took place at the Annex, located at 823 Seymour Street. Other venues included the Roundhouse Community Centre at 181 Roundhouse Mews, The Ironworks at 235 Alexander Street, and The Post at 750 located at 110-750 Hamilton Street.

For more details about the festival, see the 2023 Modulus Festival Schedule.

Summer Pop-Up Concerts

Music on Main hosts a series of concerts in Mount Pleasant Park in the summer. In 2024, the concerts ran from August 19th to 21st. They were all free and open to the public.

Mount Pleasant Park is on 16th Avenue at 3161 Ontario Street which is about two blocks west of Main Street. It’s a small park with a large grassy area where people can sit and enjoy the music. Event organizers always encourage people to bring their own chairs and blankets to the event. One local food truck is also usually on site each day.

Below is the Summer Pop-Up schedule from 2024. All the shows started at 6:30 pm.

Monday, August 19th, 2024 – Qing Ensemble
Tuesday, August 20th, 2024 – Microcosmos Quartet
Wednesday, August 21st, 2024 – M’Girl

Khaledi and Saijadi at Music on Main — Music at Mount Pleasant Park

Music on Main in Summer Video

The following short video clip shows one of the pop-up concerts at Mount Pleasant Park in 2021. Performing in the video are Persian musicians Saina Khaledi (playing the santour) and Ali Saijadi (playing the oud).

As you’ll see, the events drew a good number of people. Folks brought their lawn chairs or sat on the ground. Also as you’ll see, the concert was a quiet and peaceful event. You aren’t able to hear the music at the start of the video, but you can part way through as the camera gets closer.

Music for the Winter Solstice

Music on Main hosts a couple of concerts on December 11th and 12th in 2024. The Music for the Winter Solstice events take place at the beautiful Heritage Hall, located at 3102 Main Street in Vancouver.

Performing at the concerts this year is Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa (on piano), who will be joined by other artists yet to be announced (as of late October). The program features warm and jolly songs perfect for the holiday season.

The concerts begins at 7:30 pm and general admission costs $55. Discounted tickets were also available for students and arts workers for $27.

For full details about the concerts, click Music for the Winter Solstice.