Home Entertainment in Vancouver Vancouver Shows and Entertainment Calendar in 2024 Vancouver’s Music on Main Events, Concerts and Modulus Festival

Vancouver’s Music on Main Events, Concerts and Modulus Festival

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 SolsticeOther 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. They don’t have a set venue; rather, they host 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. After a COVID-imposed hiatus in 2020, the festival returned in 2021 and happened again in 2022. The event also takes place in 2023 from November 3rd to 6th. 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. In 2023 the festival features lots of live music and captivating performances. Highlights include 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 performs world premieres by Nancy Tam and Dorothy Chang.

Some of the 2023 shows take place at the Annex, located at 823 Seymour Street. Other venues include 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 2023, the concerts ran from August 14th to 16th and from August 21st to 23rd. 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 full schedule from 2023. All the shows started at 6:30 pm. The 2024 schedule is to be confirmed.

  • Monday, August 14th, 2023 – Raincity Quartet
  • Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 Saaz o Raaz
  • Wednesday, August 16th, 2023 – The Marko-Paolo Quartet
  • Monday, August 21st, 2023 Sitka String Quartet
  • Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 Katie Rife & Friends
  • Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023 Orchid Ensemble

 

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. Folk 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 13th and 14th in 2023. 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 are Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa (on piano), Robyn Jacob (on vocals & keyboard), Jonathan Lo (on cello) and Asitha Tennekoon (singing tenor). The program includes warm and jolly songs including pieces by Caroline Shaw and the Wyrd Sisters.

The concerts begin at 7:30 pm and general admission costs $49. Discounted tickets are also available for students and arts workers for $19.

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

 

Other Information

For more information about the organization, visit the Music on Main website.

To learn more about the Modulus Festival, click Modulus Festival.

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