This weekend: Symphony at Sunset, free concert at Sunset Beach Park, July 7

With just a couple of days to go, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) and Vancouver Park Board (VPB) have announced further details about Symphony At Sunset, its second annual free, open-air concert at Sunset Beach this Sunday, July 7 at 8:00PM.

Last summer’s inaugural Symphony At Sunset was a success with more than 14,000 people in attendance. This year, the VSO and VPB expect to build on that success and look forward to hosting a big turnout. Symphony At Sunset is a free and accessible family event.

This year’s concert will be conducted by Music Director Otto Tausk and includes repertoire that has something for everyone — from classical favourites to film score hits including the Love Theme from Tchaikovsky’s Romeo & Juliet, selections from Bernstein’s West Side Story, John Williams’ charming score, “Adventures on Earth” from the movie E.T., and more.

“This is the culmination of a dream we had three years ago when the Park Board endorsed a motion to bring the VSO back to Vancouver with a free all-ages outdoor concert in one of our most beautiful destination parks,” said Vancouver Park Board Chair Stuart Mackinnon. “We expect thousands of people will attend. To help us keep Sunset Beach Park clean, we ask everyone to use litter and recycling bins or take their garbage home.”

“We are thrilled to return to Sunset Beach. The VSO is committed to ensuring affordability and accessibility in our programming. Thank you to the Vancouver Park Board for making this concert possible. We have some great music planned for you in one of Vancouver’s most iconic locations,” said VSO Music Director Otto Tausk.

Schedule of Events

7:00PM: Prelude concert with VSO School of Music (VSO SoM), Sinfonietta string ensemble and VSO SoM Faculty Fusion ensemble (30 minutes)

8:00PM: VSO performance (90 minutes)

Helpful tips for Symphony at Sunset

Sunset Beach Park, and all of Vancouver’s beaches and parks, is smoke-free and alcohol is not permitted. Dogs must be on a leash at all times and under control. Park rangers and Vancouver police will be on-site enforcing regulations.

Getting There

Conveniently located at Sunset Beach Park the event grounds are easy to get to via bike, transit or by foot from the downtown core.

Transit

Located right off of Beach Avenue the 23 Beach bus takes you directly to the event site. The 23 bus route starts at Main Street Skytrain station and passes through both Stadium and Yaletown stations. The 23 Bus will be off of Beach on July 7, from 7 to 10:30pm for. Terminus will be relocated to Davie east of Bidwell for those hours. Other routes feeding into the event include both the 6 Davie Street Bus, as well as stops on routes 2, 44, 5.

Bike

If you’re planning to bike to the concert, bike racks will be available for you to park your bike while you set out to enjoy the event. Bike spots are limited, with enough parking for 500 bikes and available on a first come first serve basis.

Amenities and Services

Both food trucks and concessions will be available on site to offer a variety of food and beverages. There will be an accessible viewing area located on the south side of the event grounds. For more information and to locate amenities look for the information booth located on the south-west side of the event site. Concertgoers are asked to bring low chairs so as not to obstruct the view of other audience members.

Washroom Facilities

There will be portable washroom facilities on site. VPB has doubled the number of portables this year. Sunset Beach kiosk washrooms will be closed.

Drop-off Zone

The south side of Beach Avenue will be designated as a drop-off zone. Accessible drop-off is available inside the Sunset Beach Parking lot, parking attendants and volunteers will be onsite to help direct drivers.

For more information

Visit VSO Symphony at Sunset 2019

To access high-res photos of last year’s concert, please visit VSO Symphony at Sunset Photos

The VSO recognizes the generosity of the Jane McLennan Fund for Free and Accessible Programming, which helps make it possible for the VSO to present its outdoor summer programming free to the public.

The VSO also gratefully acknowledges the support of the following Government Agencies for their ongoing generosity in helping to bring exceptional music to our greater community:

About the Vancouver Park Board

The Vancouver Park Board is the only elected body of its kind in Canada. Formed in 1888 as a committee to manage the new Stanley Park, its history is as old as the city’s itself.

It has exclusive possession, jurisdiction, and control over more than 230 public parks in Vancouver and a large public recreation system of community centres, pools, rinks, fitness centres, golf courses, street trees, marinas, playing fields, and more.

The elected nature of the Park Board and the strength and focus of its mandate have resulted in urban parks and recreation that today hold an enviable and esteemed position world-wide.

The Park Board’s mission is to provide, preserve, and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit all people, communities, and the environment.

About the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1919, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is one of Canada’s most active and successful performing arts institutions; the largest performing arts organization west of Ontario and the third largest symphony orchestra in the country.

The VSO performs to an annual audience of over 250,000 people and features more than 50 celebrated guest artists each season. Over 170 concerts are performed annually by the VSO in the historic Orpheum Theatre and numerous additional venues throughout the Lower Mainland. 2018/2019 marks the organization’s 100th season

Media release provided by Sarah Yu, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

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