BIPOC Community Music and Art Show in DTES

Three BIPOC DJs take over the night in sequence, each bringing their own pulse to 520 Alexander Street. Sotto Voce (instagram.com/i.am.sotto.voce) sets the tone with deep, melodic house; DJ Kam (https://www.instagram.com/dj.kam.official/), who is also the owner of Bootleggers Beverages (https://www.instagram.com/bootleggersbevs/), lifts the room into a higher gear; and AJ Jollay (https://www.instagram.com/djjollay/) closes with underground late-night energy until the lights come on. Whether you’re arriving straight from the rooftop or stepping into the night a little later, you’ll find an intimate room, great music, and conversations.

RSVP at https://www.localinvitation.com/events/the-art-party-at-grio?referral_key=4z0RV

Vancouver multidisciplinary artist Joy Case is one of those rare creators who can move fluidly between mediums without losing the thread of her voice. A filmmaker, musician, photographer, and creative technologist, Joy builds entire worlds through her signature photoblends—surreal West Coast landscapes, wildlife, and urban scenes fused into luminous, resin‑finished artworks that feel both familiar and otherworldly. 

Her work sits at the intersection of nature, humor, imagination, and emerging tech. It’s playful, thoughtful, and unmistakably Pacific Northwest.

“I create art, films, and music that blend reality with imagination—inviting us to pause, wonder, laugh, and see new possibilities in the world around us.” — Joy Case

Joy’s Canadian art collection, Joyful Art Blends, transforms Vancouver and BC photography into premium prints and handcrafted pieces. And this summer, she’s bringing a new dimension of her practice to the nightlife scene.

Joy will be showcasing her DJ Music Art Series at 520 Alexander Street during The Art Party at GRIO, the official after‑party for Bootleggers Rooftop Sunset Sessions. Expect a fusion of sound, visual storytelling, and Joy’s unmistakable creative energy—an immersive set that bridges digital art and DJ culture in a way only she can.

Explore more of Joy’s work at https://JoyOfVancouver.com.

In the lounge at GRIO, guests can drop into a live, interactive demo of Convolution, a Socratic‑learning AI tutor designed for anyone curious about electronic music or how to start DJing. The app builds a model of what you already know, then guides you through what you don’t — turning curiosity into real skill through conversation instead of instruction.

At its core, Socratic learning is all about intentional questioning. Instead of giving you answers, the AI nudges you with focused prompts that surface assumptions, sharpen your thinking, and help you understand not just what you’re learning, but why it matters. It’s a surprisingly intuitive way to explore music, creativity, and technique — especially after dark.

Learn more at https://Soclearn.org.

If you’re craving something vibrant, soulful, and completely transportive, Yardie Grill is serving some of the most exciting comfort food in the city. This East Van gem blends authentic Jamaican recipes with Indigenous culinary traditions, creating a menu that feels like a warm Caribbean breeze rolling straight through Vancouver.

Every dish is built on deep, slow-cooked flavour, the kind that makes your tastebuds light up before the first bite even lands. Their Brown‑Stew Chicken is rich and aromatic, simmered with potatoes, carrots, and sweet peppers, while the Curry Chicken delivers that unmistakable island warmth. And of course, no visit is complete without Yardie’s signature Jerk Chicken: flame‑grilled, smoky, and perfectly spicy.

The menu is stacked with hearty favourites: Jerk Chicken & Fries, Jerk Burgers, loaded poutines, bannock, Jamaican patties, and the crowd‑pleasing Indian Taco layered with bannock, beef chili, cheese, and salsa. Prices stay friendly, with mains ranging from $11–$24 and sides from $3–$7.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick patty, diving into a full plate of rice‑n‑peas, or cooling down with a natural juice, Yardie Grill brings the Caribbean to Vancouver — no passport required.

Explore the full menu at https://www.yardiegrill.com/.

Bootleggers was created to solve a familiar Vancouver problem: why do cocktails taste extraordinary at the bar but never quite translate at home? Their answer is a lineup of bartender‑crafted cocktails—made with real spirits, premium ingredients, and recipes built with intention—packaged for the way we actually gather. From the gin‑and‑honey warmth of a Lavender Bee’s Knees to the bold pull of an Espresso Martini, each drink is designed to be cracked open among friends, then cracked open again.

Their collection spans six signature craft elixirs, each with its own personality: Dance of Shadows, a floral Paloma layered with Earl Grey and yuzu; Raspberry Theory, bright with raspberry, pineapple, lime, and sea salt; a velvety Espresso Martini with a smooth crema; the tropical‑leaning Passion Fruit Margarita with a hint of spice; a polished, cranberry‑forward Cosmo; and the botanical, honey‑citrus Lavender Bee’s Knees. Available as ready‑to‑pour solutions for hospitality or in convenient canned formats for retail and custom orders, Bootleggers delivers premium cocktails built for modern Vancouver nights.  

Discover premium cocktails in a can at https://bootleggersbevs.com/.

Sovereign Creatives is a high‑energy, shape‑shifting event space in the DTES — the kind of venue that can move from seated programming to a full social atmosphere without breaking stride. It’s built for private parties, cultural gatherings, brand activations, workshops, mixers, and pop‑ups, with a layout that makes guest flow easy and styling effortless. Whether you’re aiming for something clean and minimal or a night with real impact, the space adapts to the vision.

Housed inside a 5,000 sq. ft. warehouse at 520 Alexander Street, the venue is led by Seth Whittaker, a Black community leader with the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce. His plans for weekend markets will open the doors to local vendors, musicians, artists, and DJs,  especially BIPOC creatives who make up 40% of the DTES and face steep affordability barriers in a neighbourhood where the average personal income sits below $25,000. It’s a venue with purpose, rooted in community and built for the people who shape Vancouver’s culture.

Learn more at https://www.instagram.com/sovereigncreatives/. 

Tiny Concerts is The Art Party’s newest experiment in live music and digital art inspired by Tiny Desk and built to bring neighbours, friends, and curious creatives together across the DTES and GRIO. Led by longtime East Vancouver artists, musicians, and promoters, the project blends live performance with digital art to create small‑scale, high‑impact collaborations that feel personal, local, and unmistakably Vancouver.

Each session gives culturally diverse musicians access to professional‑grade gear across FriendsQuarters, USER Media, Blue Velvet Lounge, and DCTRL with Busking 3.0. Performances are recorded, livestreamed, and turned into polished videos that help artists grow their visibility, expand their networks, and land paid opportunities. It’s a grassroots ecosystem designed to uplift talent, document culture, and keep East Van’s creative pulse beating strong.

Join The Art Party Newsletter and watch the videos at https://theartparty.org/newsletter/.

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