My Canada Day Long Weekend: Soulstice & Salsa

Where oh where has the Canada Day long weekend gone? It was so relaxing I didn't want it to end.

On Friday, the boy and I had a huge dim sum brunch with his brothers and friends, meandered down sunny Main Street, then made our way downtown for the Soulstice concert at the Orpheum Theatre featuring SWV, Ginuwine and Tony! Toni! Toné!.

To be honest, I know next to nothing about soul music and R&B, but the boy was pretty excited about the artist lineup. He even sang along with every word of "Weak" while SWV performed. Ginuwine finished off his set with his original hit "Pony" before Tony! Toni! Toné! brought down the house with their great energy and big live band sound. After the show we even made it backstage for autographs and photos. (Hooray for backstage media passes!) I only have a few photos that turned out well from that night; for much better photos, check out Rick Chung's recap post.

Inside the Orpheum before the show

The stage inside the theatre before the performances began

SWV performing

Backstage after the show

Even after a long show, the performers gathered around the piano for an impromptu jam session.

SWV patiently signing autographs and posing for photos after a long night

With D'wayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Toné!

Tony! Toni! Toné! signing autographs

On Saturday, the boy and I braved the rain in David Lam Park to hear Wil Campa y Su Gran Union play as part of the Jazz Festival. Holy Cuban salsa! These guys really knew how to put on a show. It was hard not to smile or dance to the beat. Sadly I don't have any photos or video, but here's an old clip of Wil Campa and his group performing on Urban Rush if you want to get a taste of what you missed.

More salsa ensued yesterday afternoon with the first Sunday Afternoon Salsa event at Robson Square. For Vancouverites who are unfamiliar with this event, it's basically a free afternoon of salsa dancing in the heart of downtown with a beginner lesson and performances. The Globe and Mail ran a short piece about it if you're interested in attending. See you on the dance floor next Sunday!