The Indian Summer Festival, produced by the Indian Summer Arts Society, returns this year from July 4 to 13 with the theme “Borderless Solidarities”. Through a wide-ranging program of music, art, and ideas, the festival showcases BIMPOC musicians and artists from B.C., across Canada, and around the world.
Since its inception, the festival has grown into a meeting place for diverse cultures. It has evolved from an expression of diasporic South Asian identity in British Columbia into a festival that embraces a distinctly pluralistic approach—welcoming and exploring issues at the intersections of multiple communities, all through a South Asian lens.
The festival presents an extensive lineup. Explore some of the highlighted programs below.
Performing artists at Horizon Top row, from left: Vivek Shraya, Credit: Paul Mpagi Sepuya | Ruby Singh, Credit: Dessmin Sidhu | Sejal, Credit: Jon Chiang | Bottom row, from left: Cecily Nicholson, Credit: Jeff Clarke | Brandon Wint, Credit: Abdul Malik | Kimmortal – Credit: Kortney Gloska
Horizons: A Celebration of Boundary-Breaking Artistry and Poetry-Music Collaborations
Curated by Ruby Singh, Horizons features a diverse lineup of artists whose work spans a range of disciplines and genres. Among them is Vivek Shraya, whose award-winning portfolio includes music, literature, theatre, film, and fashion, exploring themes across multiple forms of expression. Also performing is Kimmortal, a musician known for their intricate lyricism and genre-bending explorations. Mohanad El Eek, a virtuoso Syrian oud player, contributes performances that reflect cultural heritage and personal experience.
The night will also showcase exclusive collaborations that blend poetry and music. The heart-stirring poetry of Brandon Wint will merge with the dynamic compositions of Feven Kidane, whose work spans trumpet, bass, and electronic music. In another special pairing, Governor General’s Literary Award winner Cecily Nicholson will join forces with Sejal Lal, a soulful violinist, singer, and songwriter.
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025
Time: 7:30 pm PT
Indian Summer Sounds: A Free Sunset Showcase of West Coast Music
Presented with Vancouver Civic Theatres, this music series invites audiences to gather on the plaza for an evening of genre-defying live music, featuring some of the West Coast’s most inventive artists.
The night begins with the expressive strings and vocals of Sejal Lal, moves into the soulful sounds of Jody Okabe, and flows into the hip-hop-infused elemental soundscapes of Ruby Singh’s kraKIN. The evening crescendos with the bold brass of Surya Brass Band, who will lead a procession through the plaza to Horizons.
Date: Thursday, July 10, 2025
Time: 5:00 pm PT
Alam Khan in Concert: A Living Lineage of Indian Classical Music
This concert features Alam Khan, an internationally celebrated virtuoso and the current head of one of the world’s most revered and influential lineages of Indian classical music.
Joined by tabla maestro Eman Hashimi, the evening will explore the expressive range of Indian classical music, touching on themes of emotion, tradition, and improvisation. Their performance is a meditation on continuity and change—an invitation to listen beyond the noise.
Time: 7:30 pm PT
Learn more and buy tickets on the official website.
