Music for the Winter Solstice brings serene sounds to atmospheric Heritage Hall, December 10 and 11
Music on Main’s annual holiday offering features performances from Grammy Award–winning Caroline Shaw, returning favourite Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa, and more
Music for the Winter Solstice. Photo by Mike Southworth
Music on Main presents Music for the Winter Solstice at Heritage Hall on December 10 and 11 at 7:30 pm
THE STONE WALLS of Mount Pleasant’s Heritage Hall have borne witness to decades of history. Opened in 1915 as a postal station, the building later operated as the Dominion Agricultural Building, then as a base for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Now, over a century later, the designated heritage building is a go-to spot for everything from intimate wedding receptions to community craft fairs.
The ornate structure is also the perfect, intimate setting for Music for the Winter Solstice, Music on Main’s annual holiday offering. The event will bring serene music to Heritage Hall on December 10 and 11 this year, with both concerts starting at 7:30 pm.
Among the performers are standout contemporary pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa and percussionist Julia Chien, both of whom are regular performers with Music on Main. Then there’s five-time Grammy Award winner Caroline Shaw, who will bring vocals and violin sounds to the hall; local music-goers likely recall her standout production Graveyards and Gardens, a collaboration with Vanessa Goodman that explored mortality and the ever-looping life cycle. Also joining the lineup is boundary-pushing artist Danni Lee Parpan.
Music for the Winter Solstice is billed as a peaceful event “where concertgoers can listen, relax, and rekindle their energy”—the perfect respite from a bustling holiday season that’s quickly kicking into high gear. ![]()
Emily Lyth is a Vancouver-based writer and editor who graduated from Langara College’s Journalism program. Her decade of dance training and passion for all things food-related are the foundation of her love for telling arts, culture, and community stories.
Related Articles
The series includes appearances by Canadian and international artists, including throat-singing duo Silla, composer Kelly Moran, and experimental rock act Xiu Xiu
Tackling the title role in Monteverdi’s Orfeo as part of EMV’s Summer Festival requires a different approach, the French singer says—and a willingness to push beyond beautiful singing
As part of VIFF Live, Juno-nominated artist will perform a set of classic Burt Bacharach material before a screening of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Brass-band fusion, soul-stirring singer-songwriters, fiery fiddle, and more spread across the fest’s five stages on the scenic shores of the Fraser River
Stellar sets from Aysanabee, Hazlett, and Sahra Halgan got the 49th annual fest off to a great start, and the weather certainly didn’t hurt
Conducted by Jacques Lacombe, free outdoor concert goes Italian with a team of strong soloists
Performing at the Eastside Arts Festival, the indie-rock band says it has no intention of being pegged as strictly a ’90s throwback
The American singer-songwriter plays rock ’n’ roll, blues, folk, gospel, and country, along with well-chosen cover versions of songs by Nick Cave, Gillian Welch, and Duran Duran
The Ukrainian-born performer distills influences from Slavic folk to jazz and R&B into her music, as heard on her solo debut, Kyiv Soul
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival performer also tells us about his kick-ass band and the pressure he has put on himself as an award-winning recording artist
Intellectual-property disputes behind it, the project formerly known as Computer plays the Burrard Stage at this year’s Khatsahlano Street Party
For Tarun Nayar’s performance at VanDusen Botanical Garden, the festival invites attendees to settle in picnic-style and get into a meditative headspace
The Indian Summer Festival performer, who has collaborated with Major Lazer and contributed to Bollywood soundtracks, has forged some creative links to Canada’s West Coast
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra moves its wildly popular, free outdoor concert to David Lam Park this year
Hawksley Workman, plus mesmerizing cultural melds from El Balcón, Benin International Musical, and more
Headlining the Khatsahlano Street Party’s Burrard Stage, the fast-rising band is unafraid to spice up its surf-inspired indie rock with country, funk, and Latin elements
From Cloverdale to West Vancouver and all points in between, festivities span live music, drumming, kids’ activities, and no shortage of national pride
Violinist and guest director Rachel Podger performs alongside the Pacific Baroque Orchestra
Indie-rockers Uncle Strut, post-punk stars Concrete Vehicles, and soul powerhouse Leo D.E Johnson are among the talents hitting the Burrard Stage
The singer and guitarist makes music that veers from lushly orchestrated American to wildly experimental free-jazz improv
The Newfoundland-born, Vancouver-based percussionist and scholar brings influences from Africa and South Asia to his musical explorations
