Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra

08/21/2026

TONIGHT! Tickets available at the door! After a rapturous reception for this programme in East Vancouver last night, we're bringing it to Surrey tonight (Fri Aug 21). Don't miss out!

MIDSUMMER MIX TAPE
August 21, 2026 at 8 pm
Green Timbers Covenant Church
14219 88 Ave, Surrey
Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/midsummer-mix-tape OR at the door

This year’s concert explores the concept of freedom and the many ways in which this can be felt, represented, and sung across musical cultures. “Grandview Park Playlist” weaves together strands from Chinese, Persian, Balkan, Celtic, and Métis cultures into a fresh, uniquely Canadian tapestry of sound.

FEATURING: Vocalists D'arcy Han (Z**i), Shireen Nabatian, Kathleen Nisbet, and Amy Stephen
with arrangements by Amy, Kathleen, Mariah Mennie, and Michael J Fleming
Each vocalist will perform a colourful selection of folk/pop/contemporary songs, arranged specially for a unique instrumental ensemble featuring Molly MacKinnon (violin), Laine Longton (cello), Dai Lin Hsieh (zheng), Mike Brown (bass clarinet), Saina Khaledi (santour), Amy Stephen (accordion/harp), and Jonathan Bernard (percussion).
******

08/20/2026

TODAY AND TOMORROW! Concerts in Vancouver (Aug 20) & Surrey (Aug 21) featuring vocalists D'arcy Han (Z**i), Shireen Nabatian, Kathleen Nisbet, and Amy Stephen with the VICO Chamber Ensemble. Details below:

GRANDVIEW PARK PLAYLIST
August 20, 2026 at 8 pm
**Free** outdoor concert in Grandview Park, East Vancouver
(Commercial Drive at Charles St.)

MIDSUMMER MIX TAPE
August 21, 2026 at 8 pm
Green Timbers Covenant Church
14219 88 Ave, Surrey
Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/midsummer-mix-tape OR at the door

This year’s concert explores the concept of freedom and the many ways in which this can be felt, represented, and sung across musical cultures. “Grandview Park Playlist” weaves together strands from Chinese, Persian, Balkan, Celtic, and Métis cultures into a fresh, uniquely Canadian tapestry of sound.

FEATURING: Vocalists D'arcy Han (Z**i), Shireen Nabatian, Kathleen Nisbet, and Amy Stephen
with arrangements by Amy, Kathleen, Mariah Mennie, and Michael J Fleming

Each vocalist will perform a colourful selection of folk/pop/contemporary songs, arranged specially for a unique instrumental ensemble featuring Molly MacKinnon (violin), Laine Longton (cello), Dai Lin Hsieh (zheng), Mike Brown (bass clarinet), Saina Khaledi (santour), Amy Stephen (accordion/harp), and Jonathan Bernard (percussion).

******
The VICO, Little Chamber Music, and Rumble extend grateful thanks to the following funders for their support of this project:
The Department of Canadian Heritage
The Canada Council for the Arts
The Province of BC (Community Gaming)
BC Arts Council
City of Vancouver Cultural Services
The City of Surrey
Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation
The Hamber Foundation
*******

08/18/2026

🎉 🎶 ENSEMBLE SPOTLIGHT 🎶 🎉
Our summer pops concerts this week (Aug 20 in East Van & Aug 21 in Surrey) will feature this unique ensemble that includes Celtic, Chinese, Persian, and European instruments. These amazing musicians will be accompanying vocalists D'arcy Han (Z**i), Shireen Nabatian, Kathleen Nisbet, and Amy Stephen - and it promises to be a gorgeous evening of music!

Concert details:

GRANDVIEW PARK PLAYLIST
August 20, 2026 at 8 pm
**Free** outdoor concert in Grandview Park, East Vancouver
(Commercial Drive at Charles St.)

MIDSUMMER MIX TAPE
August 21, 2026 at 8 pm
Green Timbers Covenant Church
14219 88 Ave, Surrey
Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/midsummer-mix-tape

FEATURING: Vocalists D'arcy Han (Z**i), Shireen Nabatian, Kathleen Nisbet, and Amy Stephen
with arrangements by Amy, Kathleen, Mariah Mennie, and Michael J Fleming

This summer pops concert explores the concept of freedom and the many ways in which this can be felt, represented, and sung across musical cultures. “Grandview Park Playlist” weaves together strands from Chinese, Persian, Balkan, Celtic, and Métis cultures into a fresh, uniquely Canadian tapestry of sound.

Each vocalist will perform a colourful selection of folk/pop/contemporary songs, arranged specially for a unique instrumental ensemble featuring Molly MacKinnon (violin), Laine Longton (cello), Dai Lin Hsieh (zheng), Mike Brown (bass clarinet), Saina Khaledi (santour), Amy Stephen (accordion/harp), and Jonathan Bernard (percussion).
******
The VICO, Little Chamber Music, and Rumble extend grateful thanks to the following funders for their support of this project:
The Department of Canadian Heritage
The Canada Council for the Arts
The Province of BC (Community Gaming)
BC Arts Council
City of Vancouver Cultural Services
The City of Surrey
Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation
The Hamber Foundation
*******

08/17/2026

THIS WEEK! Concerts in Vancouver (Aug 20) & Surrey (Aug 21) featuring vocalists D'arcy Han (Z**i), Shireen Nabatian, Kathleen Nisbet, and Amy Stephen with the VICO Chamber Ensemble. Concert info below:

GRANDVIEW PARK PLAYLIST
August 20, 2026 at 8 pm
**Free** outdoor concert in Grandview Park, East Vancouver
(Commercial Drive at Charles St.)

MIDSUMMER MIX TAPE
August 21, 2026 at 8 pm
Green Timbers Covenant Church
14219 88 Ave, Surrey
Tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/midsummer-mix-tape

This year’s concert explores the concept of freedom and the many ways in which this can be felt, represented, and sung across musical cultures. “Grandview Park Playlist” weaves together strands from Chinese, Persian, Balkan, Celtic, and Métis cultures into a fresh, uniquely Canadian tapestry of sound.

FEATURING: Vocalists D'arcy Han (Z**i), Shireen Nabatian, Kathleen Nisbet, and Amy Stephen
with arrangements by Amy, Kathleen, Mariah Mennie, and Michael J Fleming

Each vocalist will perform a colourful selection of folk/pop/contemporary songs, arranged specially for a unique instrumental ensemble featuring Molly MacKinnon (violin), Laine Longton (cello), Dai Lin Hsieh (zheng), Mike Brown (bass clarinet), Saina Khaledi (santour), Amy Stephen (accordion/harp), and Jonathan Bernard (percussion).

******
The VICO, Little Chamber Music, and Rumble extend grateful thanks to the following funders for their support of this project:
The Department of Canadian Heritage
The Canada Council for the Arts
The Province of BC (Community Gaming)
BC Arts Council
City of Vancouver Cultural Services
The City of Surrey
Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation
The Hamber Foundation
*******

08/14/2026

The VICO team - and our whole community - is deeply saddened by the recent passing of our friend and colleague Niel Golden. Amongst many other accomplishments throughout his long and brilliant musical career, Niel was a founding member of the VICO, and performed many times with the ensemble over almost 25 years, including notable appearances with visiting artists Trichy Sankaran, Dhruba Ghosh, and many more. We were also proud to feature his work as a composer on many occasions. We will remember him as a prodigiously talented musician, a warm, supportive colleague and a joyous presence both onstage and off. We send our heartfelt condolences to Niel's wife Margo and all those who knew and loved him.

It seems appropriate to celebrate Niel's memory with music, and in that spirit we are honoured to share a filmed performance from in May 2024, the last time Niel played with the VICO. The orchestra premiered his piece "The Joy of Spring Suite" under the direction of Leslie Dala, with Niel himself playing the tabla. Click here to watch and listen: https://youtu.be/CUGOoynEm3g?si=oZ2GD-I61de9QT0M

Photo by Robin Wong: Niel Golden onstage with the VICO in 2007.

08/12/2026

🎉 Coming to Surrey: MIDSUMMER MIX TAPE! 🎉
We love this programme so much, we're doing it TWICE - on Aug 20 in East Vancouver and Aug 21 in Surrey. Tickets are on sale now!

FEATURING: Vocalists D'arcy Han (Z**i), Shireen Nabatian, Kathleen Nisbet, and Amy Stephen
with arrangements by Amy, Kathleen, Mariah Mennie, and Michael J Fleming

Each vocalist will perform a colourful selection of folk/pop/contemporary songs, arranged specially for a unique instrumental ensemble featuring Molly MacKinnon (violin), Laine Longton (cello), Dai Lin Hsieh (zheng), Mike Brown (bass clarinet), Saina Khaledi (santour), Amy Stephen (accordion/harp), and Jonathan Bernard (percussion).

This year’s concert explores the concept of freedom and the many ways in which this can be felt, represented, and sung across musical cultures. “Grandview Park Playlist” weaves together strands from Chinese, Persian, Balkan, Celtic, and Métis cultures into a fresh, uniquely Canadian tapestry of sound. Come for dinner on the Drive, and stay for an hour of “music that sounds like Vancouver looks” (as Alexander Varty once described VICO in The Georgia Straight).

TICKETS & INFO:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/midsummer-mix-tape

******
The VICO extends grateful thanks to the following funders for their support of this project:
The Canada Council for the Arts
The Province of BC (Community Gaming)
City of Surrey
*******

Midsummer Mix Tape weaves together songs from Chinese, Persian, Balkan, Celtic, and Métis cultures into a fresh, uniquely Canadian tapestry of sound. The…

08/12/2026

🎉 FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT 🎉
Presented by the VICO, Little Chamber Music , and Rumble: a beautiful evening of intercultural music: the perfect playlist for a summer evening on the Drive. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and join us in the park!

FEATURING: Vocalists D'arcy Han (Z**i), Shireen Nabatian, Kathleen Nisbet, and Amy Stephen
with arrangements by Amy, Kathleen, Mariah Mennie, and Michael J Fleming

Each vocalist will perform a colourful selection of folk/pop/contemporary songs, arranged specially for a unique instrumental ensemble featuring Molly MacKinnon (violin), Laine Longton (cello), Dai Lin Hsieh (zheng), Mike Brown (bass clarinet), Saina Khaledi (santour), Amy Stephen (accordion/harp), and Jonathan Bernard (percussion).

This year’s concert explores the concept of freedom and the many ways in which this can be felt, represented, and sung across musical cultures. “Grandview Park Playlist” weaves together strands from Chinese, Persian, Balkan, Celtic, and Métis cultures into a fresh, uniquely Canadian tapestry of sound. Come for dinner on the Drive, and stay for an hour of “music that sounds like Vancouver looks” (as Alexander Varty once described VICO in The Georgia Straight).

******
The VICO, Little Chamber Music, and Rumble extend grateful thanks to the following funders for their support of this project:
The Department of Canadian Heritage
The Canada Council for the Arts
The Province of BC (Community Gaming)
BC Arts Council
City of Vancouver Cultural Services
Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation
The Hamber Foundation
*******

08/05/2026

🎉🎶 SUMMER CONCERTS THIS MONTH 🎶🎉
We can't wait to collaborate again with and on the 2026 edition of this summer pops concert, featuring four amazing vocalists and the VICO Chamber Ensemble. In fact, we love this programme so much that we are doing it TWICE:

1. GRANDVIEW PARK PLAYLIST
Thursday August 20 at 8 pm
Grandview Park (Commercial Drive at Charles St.)
FREE outdoor concert (bring a lawn chair or a blanket)!

2. MIDSUMMER MIX TAPE
Friday August 21
Green Timbers Covenant Church in Surrey
Tickets $25/$20: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/midsummer-mix-tape

The programme weaves together songs from Chinese, Persian, Balkan, Celtic, and Métis cultures into a fresh, uniquely Canadian tapestry of sound - exploring the concept of freedom and the many ways in which this can be felt, represented, and sung across musical cultures.

Vocalists D'arcy Han (Z**i), Shireen Nabatian, Kathleen Nisbet and Amy Stephen will each perform a colourful selection of folk/pop/contemporary songs arranged specially for this concert, accompanied by a unique instrumental ensemble featuring Molly MacKinnon (violin), Laine Longton (cello), Dai Lin Hsieh (zheng), Mike Brown (bass clarinet), Saina Khaledi (santour), Amy Stephen (accordion/harp), and Jonathan Bernard (percussion).

*****
The VICO, Little Chamber Music, and Rumble extend grateful thanks to the following funders for their support of this project:

The Department of Canadian Heritage
The Canada Council for the Arts
The Province of BC (Community Gaming)
BC Arts Council
City of Vancouver Cultural Services
Vancouver Board of Parks & Recreation
The City of Surrey
The Hamber Foundation
*******

06/13/2026

📣 COMPOSER SPOTLIGHT 📣 In Concert Tonight!
In the third concert of our Global Soundscapes Festival, we are thrilled to be featuring the VICO String Orchestra with conductor Janna Sailor, performing an all-Canadian programme of works by these fine composers: Mark Armanini, Kara Gibbs, Elizabeth Knudson, Farshid Samandari, Amy Stephen, and Edward Top.

June 13, 2026 at 7:30 PM
TICKETS & INFO:
https://vi-co.org/global-soundscapes-festival-2026/

The VICO String Orchestra is a 15-member chamber ensemble composed of Persian kamanches, Chinese erhus, violins, violi, cello, and double bass. We developed this configuration of the VICO for a pandemic-era series of filmed performances; this Festival concert marks its first ever performance for a live, in-person audience!

******
The VICO respectfully acknowledges that our Festival takes place on the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish people, in particular the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tseil-Waututh Nations.

We also extend grateful thanks to the following funders and community partners, whose support is crucial to this project:
Canada Council for the Arts
Department of Canadian Heritage
The Province of BC (Community Gaming)
The City of Vancouver
The Hamber Foundation
The Deux Mille Foundation
The SOCAN Foundation
*****

06/12/2026

📣 FESTIVAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Borealis String Quartet! 📣
One of the most dynamic and exciting world-class ensembles of its generation, the Borealis String Quartet has received international critical acclaim for its fiery performances, passionate style, and refined, musical interpretation. We can't wait to welcome them to the Festival stage on Friday June 12, in an exciting concert that will also feature Douglas Hensley on oud. On the bill: works by Vancouver's own Rodney Sharman, Persian composer Reza Vali, and Shostakovich.

FESTIVAL TICKETS & INFO:
https://vi-co.org/global-soundscapes-festival-2026/

******
The VICO respectfully acknowledges that our Festival takes place on the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish people, in particular the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tseil-Waututh Nations.

We also extend grateful thanks to the following funders and community partners, whose support is crucial to this project:
Canada Council for the Arts
Department of Canadian Heritage
The Province of BC (Community Gaming)
The City of Vancouver
The Hamber Foundation
The Deux Mille Foundation
The SOCAN Foundation
*****

The VICO’s biennial Global Soundscapes Festival offers a feast of adventurous classical and world music from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Canada at the Historic Theatre, June 11–14, 2026.