Categories: Things To Do

A speakeasy-inspired festival is bringing 80 days of live music to Granville Island

If you love Vancouver’s music scene and want to check out a few concerts that have a more ‘underground’ feel, we’ve got an exciting 80-day-long music festival to share with you.

Inspired by the Prohibition era in Vancouver, The Blind Pig Festival is named after the “Blind Pigs” of the city – AKA the “illicit drinking houses” of the early 1900s that would become the city’s first speakeasies. According to the festival’s website, speakeasy operators would also bring in live pigs for people to pay to see – which would also get a customer access to a boozy beverage.

Thus, the festival got its name. And starting Thursday, June 22nd, visitors can come experience the unique festival for themselves!

The Blind Pig Festival will be a place for a mix of emerging, mid-career, and established local artists alike to share their musical talents onstage. And what better place to do that than on Granville Island?

“We are incredibly excited to be opening the doors on the first Blind Pig Festival on June 22nd at the Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island. Our mission is to support live music and emerging artists by creating a fun and artistic space where music, libations and laughter come together, says John Hromyk, co-founder of the Blind Pig.

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Below are all the artists currently set to take the stage this June and July:

  • Ranj Singh
  • The Metronomad
  • Eden Taylor
  • The Rawn Side of Town
  • Jon MacAulay
  • Double Helix
  • Ko-Ko
  • Pico Masaki
  • Doug Robb
  • Angie Hills
  • Clyde McRae
  • Melody Stang
  • Vibetown
  • Steve Kozak Band
  • Solatido
  • Uncle Strut
  • Miranda Currie
  • Steven Mariott
  • Generous Thieves
  • Teresa Marie

In an email to Curiocity, organizers confirmed that new artists are being added daily. With a constant stream of ever-changing live entertainment (and selection of libations), visitors will always have something exciting to look forward to.

Prices will vary by concert and artist, but Discovery Passes can be purchased at the Waterfront Theatre anytime during the festival’s duration for $50 for ten shows. Cover charges for individual evening performances at the Waterfront will be priced at $10.

Note that there is no cover for daytime performances, which will commence at the beginning of July.

So whether you want to catch a jam session by day or experience the ultimate nighttime speakeasy-themed concert, there will be plenty of both to check out. Stay tuned for more info on upcoming performances!

The Blind Pig Festival

When: Thursday, June 22nd to September 2nd
Where: 1412 Cartwright Street
Cost: $10+ for evening shows, free daytime performances starting July

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