By: Caitlin Kingsmill, News Writer
On Saturday, September 7, Public Disco Society hosted its Downtown Block Party, the final installment of this year’s summer series. The event was held from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Bentall Center’s Dunsmuir Patio, a multi-level outdoor seating area located in the heart of downtown. As someone who generally avoids downtown out of the belief that it has a soulless and bleak vibe, it was a treat to stumble upon an event like this, and I’m sure many other attendees felt the same. As we arrived around 6:00 p.m., my friend and I both thought the event felt like something you would find in Montréal, where pop-up music festivals are a big part of the city’s summer culture.
As we ascended the escalator at Burrard Station, we could hear the distant sound of mellow electronic music. Upon reaching street-level, the Dunsmuir Patio was vibrantly decorated with hanging string lights. The upper level of the patio was mostly made up of seating and vendor tents, while the lower level held the stage and DJ booth. We were greeted by a couple friendly staff members whose welcome booth was stocked with an assortment of complimentary items.
They encouraged us to take whatever we wanted from the spread that included stickers, gum, hair elastics, types of condoms, and period products. Who doesn’t love receiving free items at a free event?
Once we finished stocking up on gum and condoms, we decided it was time for a beer. My friend felt inclined to figure out what type of beer she actually likes and the staff member was very pleasant and helpful with her recommendations. We determined that, much like myself, my friend enjoys a refreshing light lager (ideally served with a lime wedge). All of this friendly banter almost made up for the fact that a single can of Granville Island Brewing Lager cost $8.
We wandered around the vendor booths and observed the event while sipping on our respective lagers. The vendors sold a range of items including kids toys, locally-made clothing, and handmade soaps. From the upper level, you could peer down into the crowd for some good people watching, and from up there the music was quiet enough that you could easily make conversation. The event was open to all ages, with kids running around, families eating snacks, and young adults vibing to the music all in the same vicinity. There was an emphasis on safety with water stations and accessibility information available throughout.
We ran into a couple of friends who said they have been attending these events since the first one in 2017. They, too, enjoyed the ambiance and appreciated that each year features a new mix of local underground electronic artists. This year’s lineup consisted of Vancouver-based The Ryze, Lerma, and Mother Mary, and Seattle-based APT E. The Ryze’s tracks were mellow yet funky at the same time, mixing electronically-synthetic tones with catchy beats. With a heavy, dropping bass and tone changes reminiscent of an ‘80s-style arcade game, Lerma had the crowd off their feet and showing off their best moves.
As the sun set and we descended to the stage area, the mood began to shift. The music got louder and a handful of dancers dressed in neon clothes emerged. They stood on raised platforms and rhythmically moved to the music, encouraging the crowd to do the same. A dance circle formed off to the side. A bubble machine appeared in the middle of the crowd, as did a person wearing an Elmo costume and holding a sign saying “free hugs.” The night time crowd had officially arrived.
Needless to say, this downtown disco had begun to feel like a psychedelic fever dream of sorts. Tune in next summer to experience it for yourself!
