Archive | October, 2015

In Anticipation Of The Parade of Lost Souls Coming October 31st

16 Oct

DayoftheDeadDollsThe Parade of Lost Souls is coming on October 31st. This is a community-driven parade inspired by Dia de Muertos (The Day of the Dead). This is ultimately one of our favourite events in East Van. The parade has travelled around various parts of East Vancouver featuring performance art, interactive art installations and YOU lost souls. The Britannia Community Centre is a big part of the creative process for this event and is featuring some great workshops leading up to the big event.  We have set a few of the upcoming workshops below, but we invite you to check out Britannia Community Centre’s website which has a full listing of workshops leading up to the parade and how you can participate.  Whether you play an instrument and want to participate in the Carnival Band or make costumes/masks or be part of a Thriller Flashmob, there are lots of options to be part of the Parade of Lost Souls.

Thriller Flashmob – October 17, 20, 24 & 27

Back again by popular a Thriller Flashmob workshop will be hosted by Kat Single-Dain. You will learn the original choreography of Michael Jackson’s record breaking hit Thriller. You are asked to come to at least two of these rehearsals times set out below, but if you can make it to all of them, even better.  This workshop is by donation minimum $5-10 suggested.

Saturday October 17 & 24, 12-2pm, Cafeteria, Britannia Community Centre
Tuesday October 20 & 27, 7-9pm, Auditorium, Britannia Community Centre

The Ghost Caravan – Kids Theatre Show – October 18 & 25

You are invited to “imagine two ghostly figures riding two white bicycles. Behind them, like a horse drawn carriage is a magnificent portable theatre. Costumed characters emerge, played by local children and the lucky passersby are treated to short magical, musical stories and vignettes!”   On October 25th, Chris Ross, writer and director with Project Limelight, will lead a theatre workshop which will work towards a group performance at the Parade of Lost Souls.

Sunday October 18 & 25, 2-4pm, Cafeteria, Britannia Community Centre

Parade of Lost Souls – Carnival Band – October 19 & 26

You are invited to join the Carnival Band for one big night during the Parade of Lost Souls. You are asked to dust off that flute from Grade 9 or come and learn the tuba. Why not?  If you are musically inclined, come on out and practice with the Carnival Band and be part of the big night.   Drop in rehearsals will be happing on:

Monday October 19 & 26, 7-9pm, AML, Britannia Community Centre

The Sounders Costume Making – October 22 & 29

Nayana Filekov will be hosting a costume & mask making and performance workshop on October 22nd and 29th. The Sounders are other worldly masked creatures that create beautiful music together. This workshop is equal parts visual art and sound.  This is a two part workshop in which participants will make wonderful take home masks made out of paper-mache. If you wish, you will also have the opportunity to participate in a group performance at this year’s Parade of Lost Souls.  There is a suggestion donation of $5-10 for this workshop and pre-registration is encouraged for this workshop. Contact the Britannia Community Centre directly to register.

Thursday October 22 & 29, 7-9pm, Cafeteria, Britannia Community Centre

Again, these are just a few of the workshops taking place over the next couple of weeks prior to the big parade on October 31st. A full listing of workshops can be found at Britannia Community Centre. Whether you participate or just come and watch, we encourage you to check out this fun community driven event.

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All Souls Night October 24th Mountain View Cemetery

14 Oct

AllSoulsNightYou are invited to All Souls Night Saturday, October 24th  6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Mountain View Cemetery, 5455 Fraser Street.  This event is curated by artist Paula Jardine and Marina Szijarto and was created to provide opportunities for the public to commemorate their dead with a family-oriented community art event. The Celebration Hall will be open 6:00 -9:00 pm for tea and personal memorial making. Artists and community members will come together to create a sanctuary for remembrance and reflection. You are encouraged to bring a lantern and candles as well as photos if you wish to create a memorial for a loved one in a gentle atmosphere of contemplative beauty. The event takes place rain or shine.  To learn more about All Souls Night and events that continue to November 1st visit a Night For All Souls.

The departed they visit us in dreams. They glide across our memories like shadows over streams. Inscription on a headstone at Mountain View Cemetery.

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Fall Inventory & Sample Sale – Dakota Group & Yates & Co. October 15-17

13 Oct

dakotagroupfall2015A group of designers are having a sale this week at 1425 Charles Street.  Expect to find some amazing deals on a range of items including coats, shoes and handbags. Designers participating in this sale include Hudson Jeans, Velvet, Co-Lab Handbags, Matt & Nat Handbags, Chinese Laundry Shoes and PJ Salvage to name a few. Sale runs Thursday, October 15th from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Friday, October 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 17th from 11:00 am. to 4:00 p.m. This is a cash only event, but there will be an ATM on site.

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East Van GoGos Benefit Concert & Brunch October 18 Trout Lake Community Centre

12 Oct

EastVanGoGoLogoThe East Van GoGos invite you to a Benefit Concert & Brunch on Sunday, October 18th at Trout Lake Community Centre.  What is a GoGo? Gogo is a Zulu word meaning “grandmother”. The Greater Van Gogos which includes chapters in various parts of the Lower Mainland are grandmothers and ‘grandmothers’ working in groups to support African grandmothers raising a generation of children orphaned by AIDS. This network of grandmother groups in south western BC are dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

In March 2006, Stephen Lewis, a Canadian humanitarian and former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, issued a call to Canadian grandmothers to bond with their African counterparts. In his travels, Lewis noticed the phenomenal grandmothers who had buried their adult children and stepped in to raise the orphans left behind. They needed money for school fees and uniforms, food and other necessities. In the Vancouver area, three women answered the call. They invited a few others and launched Greater Van Gogos in the summer of 2006 with four groups. Although grandmothers in Africa’s many countries are addressed in different ways – ja ja in Uganda, sho sho in Kenya or nyana in Zambia – the word gogo felt right. Many years later, there are 20 groups registered with approximately 600 members from Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Together they have raised more than $1 million for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The funds are distributed to community level projects supporting grandmothers and the children in their care in 15 sub-Saharan African countries.

The brunch on Sunday, October 18th is a fundraiser for the East Van GoGos which will feature a musical performance by the Soda Crackers.  The group consists of Sue Malcolm, Don Fraser and Stu MacDonald who are also members of Highrise Lonesome.  To find out what they will be playing, you’ll just have to come out and listen. It could be country, bluegrass, blues, jazz or some western swing.  Brunch will be provided along with coffee, tea and juice. Suggested donation is $25. To order your ticket contact Sharon at T: 604-254-4071 or eastvangogos@gmail.com. The brunch takes place from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Grandview Room at the Trout Lake Community Centre, 3360 Victoria Drive. The music gets under way at 12:15 pm. Come out and support these great GoGos!

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The MakerStore Now Open In Strathcona

9 Oct

MakerStoreYou are invited to come check out the MakerStore opening in Strathcona on Saturday, October 10th. The MakerLabs in collaboration with Basic Design, Haeccity Studio Architecture and other contributors is launching their own retail space. If you are unfamiliar with the MakerLabs, it is a 26,000 square foot space located in East Vancouver that provides people with the tools, space and skills to make just about anything. MakerLabs now has over 200 members since its launch in April of 2014 and provides creative and economic opportunities for individuals and small businesses.  The MakerStore will feature local makers offering one of kind products and small run products designed and produced at the MakerLabs. Some of the items you will find include hand crafted furniture, housewares, natural body care products, jewellery, stationary from vendors such as Tubify, Goliath Coffee and Living Lotus to name a few. The opening event takes place this Saturday, October 10th from 5:00 to 10:00 pm at 780 East Cordova Street. There will be games, food, drink and the opportunity to meet many of the makers.   In true East Van style, there will be craft beer available from a local brewery which be sold by donation in support of Binners Project. Come out and support these local makers.  Now if you miss the opening, you can visit the MakerStore Noon – 9:00 pm daily.  You can also check items on their new online store with Antsquare.

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Rescue Me: Maggie & Mr. G Looking For Their Forever Homes

8 Oct

Mr.GWelcome to the next installment of Rescue Me in which we feature pets waiting for adoption at the Vancouver SPCA. Today we would like to introduce you Mr. G. He is a 5 year old orange and white tabby cat.   Our friends at the Vancouver SPCA tell us that Mr. G is ‘one cool dude’.  This handsome boy was a stray from northern BC and has personality plus. We understand it takes Mr. G a little while to warm up to people, but once he knows you, you are golden to him.  He is a smart independent cat who knows his mind, but still likes having those people around.  Let’s be clear here people, not other cats, not dogs or kids. His friends at the Vancouver SPCA think Mr. G would be best suited with adult people who are cat savvy and can pick up on some of his body language.  This boy has a bit of energy and might enjoy a little safe outdoor access to burn off some of that energy off, but games and hiding treats will be sure to keep him stimulated as well.  If you think this handsome boy might be a perfect fit for you, the Vancouver SPCA Shelter would love to hear from you. You can find them at 1205 East 7th Avenue and are reachable by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email at vancouver@spca.bc.ca.

While we have your attention, we’d like to re-introduce you dear Maggie.  This girl is STILL waiting for her forever home.  Maggie is a beautiful 8 year old tortoiseshell cat that is the true definition of a lap cat.  We hear that although Maggie might initially be a little shy, she enjoys every minute of love and puts on quite the purr.  Maggie does not have any of the typical “tortitude” like many other tortoiseshell cats.  She is an absolute sweetie and is looking for the same in her new guardian.  Maggie was devoted to an elderly person that she lived with, but that person had to go into a care home so she was brought to the Vancouver SPCA. As might be expected, she found life in the shelter a little overwhelming so Maggie is now happily residing in the comforts of a quiet foster home until she’s adopted. Maggie needs to be strictly indoors only and is MaggieCatlooking for a home where she can be your one and only. You won’t need anybody else with this sweetie around.  Her foster parent reports that Maggie is pretty independent and low-maintenance. If you’re looking for a truly wonderful diamond in the rough, Maggie’s your girl.

As always, we are grateful for those that share this information and help Maggie and Mr. G find their forever homes.

UPDATE: We are pleased to report that both Maggie and Mr. G. have found their forever homes.

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A Simple Space Gravity & Other Myths At The York Theatre October 13-24

7 Oct

SimpleSapceThe York Theatre, 639 Commercial Drive, presents A Simple Space Gravity & Other Myths from October 13 – 24. This show is a multi award winning Australian acrobatics ensemble. The company creates engaging works of acrobatic art. The group was formed in 2009 in Adelaide, South Australia and creates and directs their own work which moves away from traditional circus and theatre models towards fusion of acrobatic physical theatre. This ensemble has an international reputation for their amazing work and tour all over the world including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Argentina, New Zealand and throughout the USA.

On October 13th, you have the opportunity to experience this raw, frantic and at the same time delicate performance which features seven incredibly skilled acrobats. You get to witness first hand how they thumb their noses at the rules of gravity. This intimate presentation is supported by live percussion. A Simple Space is a truly unique experience not to be missed.  The show kicks off on October 13 at 7:00 pm and continues till October 24th at the York Theatre. Tickets are available at The Cultch from $20.  To learn more about this acrobatic ensemble, visit Gravity & Other Myths.

“Mind blowing physical theatre”
Talk Fringe

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The Rocky Horror Picture Show At The Rio Theatre 2X!

6 Oct

RockyHorrorRiotLet’s Do The Time Warp Again and Again!   The cult classic film The Rocky Horror Picture Show in all its campy glory will be showing at the Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway, not once but twice this coming week. First chance is this Sunday, October 11th at 10:15 pm. For the 40th Anniversary screening of this iconic movie, there will be an extra treat that being Vancouver’s nerd troupe, The Geekenders. If you can’t make this show, it will also be showing on Friday, October 16th at 11:59 pm. Tickets are $12.00 at the door. Audience participation is highly encouraged and $2 prop bags will be sold in the lobby prior to the show. For those wanting advance tickets, please take note they are already SOLD OUT. There will be limited tickets available on each of the two evenings. Box Office opens at 5:30 pm and after that they will be creating a Rush Line from 8:30 pm. Costume optional but highly encouraged.

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Lantern Making Workshop October 17th For All Souls Night

3 Oct

LostSoulsSouthHilltin-can lanterns hangingSouth Hill Neighbours is hosting a lantern making workshop on Saturday, October 17th at Mountain View Cemetery Celebration Hall from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm. You are invited to come and craft your own lantern. Supplies will be provided, but you are asked to bring your creativity with you.  Last year they saw beautiful carved turnip lanterns (pictured below), wax paper window lanterns and tissue paper globe lanterns.  Adults and teens can design their own more complex shimmering orbs of beauty while small children can work on simpler versions.  All ages are welcome.  South Hill Neighbours will be creating these lanterns in preparation for a lantern procession to All Souls Night which takes place on October 24th.  Everyone is invited to come out and participate.  If you plan to participate in the All Souls Night, participants are encouraged to bring photos of loved ones they have lost so they can incorporate their photos into the lantern so that it becomes a creative memorial to honour that person.  This community event is organized by South Hill Neighbours and funded by the Neighbourhood Small Grant Project which is brought to you by the Vancouver Foundation. If you would like more information about this event, please email southhill.neighbours@gmail.com.

Photo credit: South Hill Neighbours

LostSoulsSouthHillturnip lanterns LostSoulsSouthHillLeafLatnernIMG_8085

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Knit City At The PNE Forum October 3 & 4

2 Oct

PurpleYarnKnit City ‘A Modern Fibre Event’ happens on October 3rd and 4th at the PNE Forum, 2901 East Hastings Street. If you are a maker and love to knit or want to learn, this is the event for you.  There will be a variety of workshops all day long, plus demonstrations, tips, tricks and much more. There is quite the extensive list of vendors.  For a full rundown of who will be at this weekend’s event, we invite you to visit Knit City.  If you get hungry, quite a few food trucks will be on hand including Varinicey Pakoras and Taser Grilled Cheese, Big Red’s Poutine, Disco Cheetah, Serious Sausage and Johnny Pops.  Admission to the event is $10 per day (children under 12 are free). Your admission includes free demonstrations, book signings and a chance to win a gift basket filled with items from participating vendors. Event runs 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day.

Photo Credit: Ula Kapala

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