EVENTS
VSO School of Music International Young Artists Festival 2026
The VSO School of Music International Young Artists Festival is a new international summer program focused on artistic excellence, mentorship, and the development of young classical musicians. It brings together outstanding pianists and string players from around the world for a week of masterclasses, chamber music, orchestral training, and public performances led by internationally recognized faculty, alongside youth and amateur orchestra experiences and a music camp for younger participants.
(VSO School of Music, 843 Seymour Street, Vancouver BC V6B 3L4, Aug. 10–15, 2026)
Tinariwen
10 albums and over 45 years into their storied career, Tuareg musical pioneers and Grammy-winners Tinariwen are returning to their roots. Fierce advocates for their people’s nomadic culture that exists in the desert borderlands between Mali and Algeria, Tinariwen’s bluesy, guitar-driven music has found global acclaim over the past two decades for its lively blend of Tamasheq-language politicism, syncopated rhythms, and soaring melody. On Hoggar, their tenth album, they now stake their claim as elders of this Tuareg musical tradition, going back to their early years of songwriting with acoustic guitars and communal singing around the desert campfire, while also passing the torch onto a younger generation of featured musicians who can continue to keep the flame of rebellion and defiance alive. Co-presented with MODO-Live.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Sep. 4, 2026, 8 PM)
anaiis
anaiis makes the kind of music that speaks to an innate sense of wonder. Her songs explore transformation, connection, and the possibilities that emerge when we embrace change with curiosity and grace. Her latest album, Devotion & The Black Divine, named one of the Top Albums of the Year by both BBC and Apple Music, is a meditation on the natural world, our inner selves, and the power of recognizing one’s own divinity. She arrives at the Chan Centre for her Canadian debut with gentle, powerful music, creating a world where the ego is left outside and fear gives way to possibility. Step inside, there’s room for all of us.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Sep. 16, 2026, 7:30 PM)
Jóhann Jóhannsson: Cinematic Suites
This unforgettable production celebrates the remarkable collaboration between the late composer Jóhann Jóhannsson and visionary director Denis Villeneuve. This special performance, Jóhann Jóhannsson’s Cinematic Suites – The Denis Villeneuve Scores, brings to life the evocative musical landscapes of three acclaimed films: Prisoners, Sicario, and Arrival. In addition to those scores, the night will also include a suite from the award-winning film The Theory of Everything and a song from Jóhann’s album Orphee.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Oct. 9, 2026, 7:30 PM)
Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves Celebrate John Coltrane
In September 2026, the jazz world marks the centennial of one of its greatest musicians: John Coltrane. To honour his enduring legacy, luminaries Branford Marsalis and Dianne Reeves unite for a remarkable tribute, revisiting Coltrane’s 1963 collaboration with Johnny Hartman.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Oct. 13, 2026, 7:30 PM)
Julian Lage Quartet
Witness the genius of Julian Lage live in Vancouver for an unforgettable experience. For this concert, he performs music from his newest album, Scenes from Above, with bassist Jorge Roeder, drummer Kenny Wollesen, and renowned keyboardist John Medeski.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd., Oct. 14, 2026, 7:30 PM)
Palace at Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Palace have been making music together for over a decade. What began as informal jam sessions between Leo Wyndham, Rupert Turner, and Matt Hodges in North London developed into a DIY practice that continues to shape the band’s approach to songwriting and performance. Their music will be presented at the Chan Centre in Vancouver, offering an immersive live interpretation of their catalogue and evolving sound.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd., Oct. 16)
Ghibli Jazz Orchestra
Under the direction of Isabel Leong, Vancouver’s Ghibli Jazz Orchestra is composed of 18 musicians who combine their love of Studio Ghibli films and video games with a deep reverence for the big bands of the 1940s. Their repertoire consists of compositions by Joe Hisaishi featured in Studio Ghibli films like Spirited Away and Princess Monokoke, with all music arranged by members of the band in a style heavily influenced by big bands, wind ensembles, and orchestral music. This event is co-presented with Infidels Jazz as part of the VANJAZZ ’26 Jazz Festival.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Oct. 24, 2026, 7:30 PM)
Elijah Fox
Multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer Elijah Fox brings a richly textured sound that drifts between jazz, impressionism, and psychedelic soul. At the Chan Centre, Fox makes his Vancouver debut performing solo piano works, offering a listening experience that is deeply immersive, contemplative, and poetic.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd., Nov. 28, 2026, 7:30 PM)
Jean-Michel Blais
Juno-nominated pianist and composer Jean-Michel Blais invites listeners into a world of wonder. Praised by Billboard Canada for “making classical piano cool again,” the Montreal artist is often likened to a modern-day Erik Satie for his impressionistic, delicate soundscapes. For his fourth album mirador, Blais trades minimalism for what he calls “light and generous maximalism.” Blending choir and strings, he transforms memory into an expansive musical journey that returns to the refuge of childhood. Along the way, the Spanish caves, the Andean mountains, and the Estonian forests provide inspiration, alongside artists like Beethoven, TLC, and Arvo Pärt. The result is music that is rich, luminous, and alive with imagination.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Apr. 30, 2027, 7:30 PM)
Angélique Kidjo
For more than four decades, Angélique Kidjo has been one of the most electrifying and influential voices in global music. Don’t miss experiencing her irresistible energy live and get ready for a night of undeniable joy.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, May 2, 2027, 7:30 PM)
Christian Li
Join us for a remarkable performance by Christian Li, a rising star of the classical world.
(Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, May 16, 2027, 3:00 PM)
