In 2017, BrandLIVE was engaged by the City of Vancouver to produce the 3 signature of events for the City’s Canada 150+ celebrations, an alternative take on Canada’s 150th anniversary. The Gathering of Canoes, The Walk for Reconciliation and The Drum is Calling Festival each marked a unique celebration of Indigenous culture, and an acknowledgement of a troubled history, demonstrating Vancouver’s commitment to be a City of Reconciliation. In partnership with the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, BrandLIVE combined production expertise with an immersive environmental design strategy to create an engaging space where performance & celebration could take place.
Over 9 days, The Drum Is Calling presented more than 600 First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists, performers, storytellers, chefs, dancers, drummers, artisans, filmmakers, designers, writers, activists, young leaders, and elders. In addition to the main site at Larwill Park, the festival’s diverse programming extended to nearby venues including a Speaker Series, Film Series, Fashion Week, 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament and a nightly architectural lighting project. The Drum Is Calling attracted over 40,000 people and was the largest celebration of Indigenous arts and culture ever held in Vancouver.
