Sweet Sounds of Summer at VanDusen Botanical Garden 2024

Ticketing

Prices are subject to GST and online service fees.

Information icon Each concert ticket includes Garden access for the day, as well as access to food vendors and programming.

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  Ticket details and disclaimers

  Details

  • Tickets are sold online and a limited number of tickets are available per concert.
  • All tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged.
  • Tickets must be presented on a mobile device or printed out for scanning upon entry.
  • If you would like to purchase more than 20 tickets in 1 age category, contact Showpass at 1-844-307-7469.
  • Coupons, discount offers, and admission vouchers or passes are not valid for special events, including Sweet Sounds of Summer. These include the Tourism Challenge Privilege Pass, Park Board complimentary and gift passes, and third-party tickets from Trip Advisor, Viator, Expedia, VanPass, and more.
  • A Vancouver Botanical Garden Association (VBGA) member rate is available online only for those with valid memberships. Members must present their valid membership at the point of entry. Members cannot book tickets for friends or family at this rate.
  • Required attendants of those needing assistance at the event are offered free access. You do not need to purchase a ticket for them. You may purchase your own ticket online, and let our staff members know your attendant is accompanying you when you present your ticket for scanning.

  For ticketing questions, email support@showpass.com.

  Disclaimers

  Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be re-sold. Tickets obtained from sources other than our website may be lost, stolen, or counterfeit, and if so, are void.

  If in our sole discretion, we determine that a person is re-selling any ticket(s), we reserve the right to revoke and cancel the order and the related ticket(s) and will not permit any future purchases by that person or any affiliated person. We reserve the right, without compensation or refund of any amount paid, to revoke tickets, refuse admission, or dismiss, any person whose conduct management deems disorderly or fails to comply with policies or rules/regulations of the venue.

About the artists

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  Modern Biology

  

  Performing on: July 14 from 10:30am to 11:30am

  Recommended age: All ages

  Modern Biology has brought “plant music” to the masses. Originally educated as a biologist, veteran musician Tarun Nayar combines his passion for nature and sound in an ambient project that is organic, spontaneous, uplifting, and richly layered. He creates music using plants, modular synthesis, and home-built synthesizers to improvise with natural vibrations via plant bioelectricity, and the earth’s hum. 

  Trained from childhood in Indian classical music, he uses the system of Indian raga to mold his musical choices for time of day and season. His performances aim to bring listeners into the present moment through vibration, space, and connection.

  His videos have been viewed over 100 million times, and he has amassed over 1 million followers online. He has been featured by The Guardian, LA Times, BBC, Genius, Vice, The Verge, DJ Mag, and others. His recent albums have received editorial support on Spotify’s Music for Plants, Deep Listening, and Lava Lamp playlists. Recent live performances include Art Basel (Miami), MOCA (Los Angeles), New York Botanical Garden, and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

  Learn more about Modern Biology External website, opens in new tab

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  Clementine & Friends

  

  Performing on: July 14 from 3:30pm to 4:15pm

  Recommended age: Children age 1 to 5 

  Clementine & Friends is a family-style folk band that brings together a deep love for music and lyrics. Their wholehearted lyrics, thick harmonies, and endearing melodies celebrate soft moments and togetherness. Jessica, along with her talented and kind friends, plays music that will get you stomping, clapping, and humming all day and into those sometimes-sleepless nights.

  Jess, with her crisp and beautifully toned vocals and guitar, is joined by Meg Yeo on guitar and vocals, Dave McCormick on steel guitar, and Madeleine Elkins on lead guitar and banjo. Their music is soulful and folksy, drawing from Jess’ French Acadian heritage and East Coast roots. Her influences include the likes of Frances England, Elizabeth Mitchell, Gillian Welch, Raffi and Feist.

  Learn more about Clementine & Friends External website, opens in new tab

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  Ginalina & One Big Family

  

  Performing on: August 18 from 10:30am to 11:15am

  Recommended age: Children age 3 and up

  Ginalina & One Big Family, a five-piece band, performs sing-along summer songs about wildflowers, buzzing bees, bright days, and timeless friendship. With the sparkling guzheng, silly banjo, plucky upright bass, solid percussion, and strummy guitar and ukulele, they will get you moving, laughing, and making lasting memories.

  A trilingual performer, Ginalina sings in English, Mandarin, and French. She is a four-time JUNO Awards and two-time Western Canadian Music Award winner. Ginalina pioneers unique family folk music, fusion folk music, and beautiful children's books that celebrate family, nature, community, culture, and the connections we share among them.

  Learn more about Ginalina & One Big family External website, opens in new tab

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  Kutapira

  

  Performing on: August 18 from 3:30pm to 4:30pm

  Recommended age: All ages

  Kutapira performs high-energy dance music that features Zimbabwean marimba blended with West African and Afro-Cuban percussion rhythms from around the world.

  What started out 20 years ago as a youth world music initiative has metamorphosed into the crowd-pleasing percussion explosion known today as Kutapira. The name Kutapira means “sweetness” in the Shona language of Zimbabwe, a fitting title for a band that masterfully fuses Zimbabwean marimba with West African and Afro-Cuban percussion. Their music also incorporates elements of Reggae, Samba, Afrobeat, Funk, Jazz, Cumbia, Disco, and Hip Hop.

  Learn more about Kutapira External website, opens in new tab

Event details

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  Dates and schedules

  A limited number of tickets are available for each concert, so we recommend that you purchase your tickets early.

  July 14

  Event Schedule	Tickets
  9:30am: Doors open for Modern Biology 10:30am to 11:30am: Modern Biology concert	Book now External website, opens in new tab
  2:30pm: Doors open for Clementine & Friends 3:30pm to 4:15pm: Clementine & Friends concert	Book now External website, opens in new tab
  5pm: End of event
  7pm: Garden closes

  August 18

  Event Schedule	Tickets
  9:30am: Doors open for Ginalina & One Big Family 10:30am to 11:15am: Ginalina & One Big Family concert	Book now External website, opens in new tab
  2:30pm: Doors open for Kutapira 3:30pm to 4:30pm: Kutapira concert	Book now External website, opens in new tab
  5pm: End of event
  7pm: Garden closes

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  Know before you go

  • Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or low chair for the concert. Formal seating is not provided.
  • The concert entrance is located at the west end of the VanDusen Botanical Garden parking lot.
  • Arrive well in advance to reserve a seat before the performance begins. 
  • Seating cannot be reserved until one hour before the concert start time.
  • This event is outdoors and runs rain or shine.
  • Tickets include all-day access to the 55-acre garden and all programming run by the event vendors.
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  Vendors and activities

  Food vendors:    

  • Aperitivo
  • Bistrot Van
  • Planted Love
  • Berry Mobile
  • Camion Café (only on July 14)
  • Melt City Grilled Cheese (only on August 18)

  July 14 vendors and activities:

  • VBGA Education Discovery Table (9:30am to 5pm)
    Join the Education team at the outreach table for all ages and celebrate summer. Discover some of the food plants that live in Bloedel Conservatory, birds, and native tree species through educational activities. Learn about upcoming VBGA programs, membership, and volunteering opportunities.
  • Secret Society of Books (9:30am to 5pm)
    Shop for books at a small, travelling indie bookshop on wheels. 
  • Chorus and Clouds Art Making for Families (2:30pm to 5pm)
    Visit the Art Tent to carefully put together a sun print that features simple finds from nature.  

  August 18 vendors and activities:

  • Musical Petting Zoo by West Side Music Together (9:30am to noon)
    Join West Side Music Together at the Instrument Petting Zoo. Try different instruments and make a little music together as a family.
  • VBGA Education Discovery Table (9:30am to 5pm)
    Join the Education team at the outreach table for all ages and celebrate summer. Discover some of the food plants that live in Bloedel Conservatory, birds, and native tree species through educational activities. Learn about upcoming VBGA programs, membership, and volunteering opportunities.
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  Washrooms, parking, and more

  Washrooms

  Portable toilets are available for use within the garden. Full-service washrooms are located in the Visitor Centre.

  Parking

  Parking can get quite busy, so we recommend taking public transit, walking, or biking. We’re located on the #17 Oak bus route and a 15-minute walk from the Oakridge Canada Line station.

  Parking is free in our lot off West 37th Avenue but spaces are limited. Free street parking is also available in the surrounding area (where street signs permit).

  Weather

  Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes as the event is outdoors in the garden. Rain or shine the show will go on. In cases of extraordinary weather conditions, please check our social media channels for updates. All attendees would be contacted directly should the event be cancelled.

  For updates, follow us on Facebook External link icon, Instagram External link icon, and X (previously Twitter) External link icon.

  Pets

  Working guide and service dogs are welcome. Leave pets at home.

  Other considerations

  • No smoking or vaping of any kind is permitted in the garden.
  • Bicycles, scooters, and skateboards are not permitted in the garden.
  • Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome.
  • Regular garden rules apply. See Code of Conduct for details.
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  Accessibility

  Facility and garden access

  The concerts and programming take place on the Great Lawn. There will be a designated seating area for those attending the concerts in a wheelchair. Some areas of the lawn are sloped.

  Food vendors are located off the main pathway, which is paved.

  The Visitor Centre, Administration Building, Floral Hall, Shaughnessy Restaurant, and most paved garden paths are fully accessible to wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers.

  Touring the garden

  Visitors who use walking aids should take care on both paved and unpaved pathways, which can be uneven. Some steps do not have handrails or handrails on both sides. There are no wheelchairs available for borrowing.

  Service animals

  Working guide and service dogs are welcome. Leave pets at home.

  Accessible toilets

  Accessible washrooms are located in the Visitor Centre. All portable toilets are fully accessible for those using wheelchairs. 

  Parking

  The VanDusen Botanical Garden parking lot is located on West 37th Ave, just off of Oak St. A few accessible parking spots are available and parking is free. There is an accessible drop-off loop just off of Oak St at the front entrance of the garden.

  Admission and attendants

  Individuals requiring assistance are provided with complimentary access for their attendants. Attendants do not need to pre-purchase tickets. Those in need of an attendant should book a ticket and, upon arrival, inform us about the attendant's presence. The attendant will then be granted free access.

  Sensory

  At times, there may be crowds of people in the Visitor Centre and the Garden, which could affect neurodiverse guests.

  Financial accessibility

  Guests who require assistance are provided with free access for their attendants to facilitate their visit. 

  Event tickets are sold online, but we can accommodate requests for those who may need to pay with a debit card or cash.