Archive | June, 2016

Car Free Day Sunday, June 19th On Commercial Drive & Main Street

15 Jun

CarFreeDayCar Free Day began over 10 years ago on Commercial Drive. The idea of organizers was to reclaim the streets and oppose highway expansion and more traffic. Car Free Day has now expanded to several neighbourhoods and in East Van will be held on Commercial Drive and on Main Street. These festivals are 100% organized by local volunteers and each festival has a unique flavor and is a family friendly event. There is lots to see and do for all ages. We have set out some of the highlights for this Sunday’s event at both locations.

Commercial Drive (Venables to Grandview on Commercial Drive) Noon–7:00 pm

Car Free Day on Commercial Drive will span 15 blocks from Venables to Grandview and include an array of artisans, street patios, vendors, musicians and activities for all ages. Here is some of what you can expect at this year’s Car Free Day On The Drive:

Family Fun Zone filled with free activities at Charles Street
Wishing Wellness Garden At Napier Street
CiTR Radio 101.9FM and Discorder Magazine
Swordplay Demos by Academie Duello – School of Modern Swordplay
Bike tune up and bike race By Landyachtz Longboards
DJ Soo at The Venables Stage
Kitchener At the Public Domain Stage
The Carnival Band Parade at 5:30 pm
Letter Writing With Post A Letter Social Activity Club At 6th Avenue
Art Making Corner With Opus Art Supplies at The Napier Greenway
A Drum Circle by Paranada Traders

Note: For those planning to cycle to the event, there will be a free bike valet service provided by Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST).

Main Street (Broadway to 30th on Main Street) Noon–7:00 pm

On Main Street, you will find lots of mini-festivals, community-supported stages with dozens of bands, multiple kids zones, artisan markets and much more. The Main Street Festival takes up some 21 blocks. Some of the highlights of this year’s festival include:

Broadway: The Beaumont Studios Festival Zone
Community Police Street Hockey
TransLink Vintage Bus
Startup Zone
LOVE Leave Out Violence Mini-Festival
Enroot – Meals on Demand
Bohemia Gallery
Vancouver Performing Stars
The Granville Island Toy Company Children’s Zone
Street Fantasy Garden Fashion Show & Village
Neptoon Records Stage
Giving Gifts Festival Zone
Canvas Homemade Artisan Group
Groundwerk x De Radio Stage at Car Free Day
Sonic Planet Rock School Stage
The Reef Soca Block Party
Red Cat Records
Arts Off Main Gallery

Come out and celebrate Vancouver’s diverse neighbourhoods and our communities.  These events are free and will go ahead rain or shine. For more information on the events, visit Car Free Day.

Photo Credit: Car Free Day

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Rescue Me: Persian Cross Sky Looking For His Forever Home

14 Jun

 

SkySPCA1Welcome 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 to a lovely boy named Sky. Sky is a beautiful persian cross that is 11 years old. He came to the Vancouver BC SPCA after a change in his living environment. So an adult home where he is the apple of your eye would be perfect for him. Speaking of eyes, Sky has stunning baby blue eyes and is a sweet and loving cat. He has a sensitive nature which makes life in the shelter unsettling for him, but his friends at the Vancouver SPCA feel he will flourish in his new home.   Sky is an indoor only cat and with his long hair will require regular brushing. If you can give this sweet boy a forever home, his friends at the Vancouver SPCA Shelter would love to hear from you. You can find him at 1205 East 7th Avenue or by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email at vancouver@spca.bc.ca

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Update On International Jazz Festival In East Van – Tangent Cafe & Now The Roma

13 Jun

JazzDoubleBassThe Vancouver  International Jazz Festival kicks off June 24th and continues to  July 3rd in and around Vancouver. The festival is now in its 31st year and features an array of artists from Canada and around the world.  There are 300 performances during the course of the festival that take place at various venues around the City.   East Van’s Tangent Café located at 2095 Commercial Drive regularly features live jazz music and for this year’s jazz festival, will have a steady line up of talent to showcase. We’ve set out their schedule below along with the start times. There is a $10 cover charge for all of these shows.

June 24 – Two Much Guitar!
June 25 – Steve Kaldestad Trio
June 26 – Nobuki Takamen Trio
June 29 – Autobahn
June 30 – Victor Noriega Quartet
July 2 – Anger Management
July 3- Meghan Gilhespy Quartet

Another venue that was scheduled to be showcasing some jazz, that being The Libra Room, has closed unexpectedly until mid-July. We’ve heard The Roma on Commercial Drive has taken on their line up for the jazz festival.  We’ve set out the previously scheduled line up below. Note, due to change in the venue there could be some slight changes.  For a full rundown of events happening around the City, visit Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

June 24 – The Paris Trio
June 25 – The Grand Trio

June 26 – Deanna Knight and the Hot Club of Mars 7 pm
June 26 – Mostly Marley  9 pm

June 27 – Monks’ Dream 7 pm
June. 27 – Alvaro Rojas 9 pm

June 28 – Bruno Solo Piano  5 pm
June 28 – Alvaro Rojas Trio 9 pm

June 29 – Jon Roper 7 pm
June 29 – Zak Youssef  9 pm

June 30 – Hot Club of Mars 7 pm
June 30 – Tim Sars Band 8 pm

July 1 – Bruno Piano Trio +1  7 pm
July 1 – Jay Leonard Jautco 8 pm

July 2 – Winston Minkler Band 7 pm
July 2 – Alma Chevere  9 pm

July 3 – Los Duendes Latin Band

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Foto Friday -Italian Day!

10 Jun

ItalianFlagOne of the biggest community events in East Van happens this Sunday, Italian Day which to us is like one big street party. We love it because not only does it celebrate all things Italian, which we love, but wander down the streets and you will find a whole host of cultures and ethnicities represented along this stretch of Commercial Drive.  One of the biggest line ups each and every year is the Portuguese Club which has become known for their BBQ’d sardines and chicken.  Federico’s Supper Club always has a great patio set up which makes you feel like you are back in Italy in a piazza with all the hustle and bustle going by.  This is one of our favourite events so on this Foto Friday we leave you with some of our favourite photos of Italian Day from past years.   We hope to see you there.

 

Eat.Drink.Play. At The Firehall Arts Centre June 16th

9 Jun

EatDrinkPlayThe Firehall Arts Centre invites you to Eat.Drink.Play. being held on Thursday, June 16th from 7:00 – 10:00 pm at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street.  This annual fundraiser brings together some of East Van’s best restaurants, craft brewers, small-batch distillers and performers for an evening of sampling and sharing.  The event takes over the Firehall’s entire premises including theatre, lobby, studio, courtyard as well as the dressing rooms.  Throughout the Firehall, you will find an array of delectable treats, eclectic dance, music and performances as well as a silent auction with some great prizes. Eat.Drink.Play will feature selections of food from neighbourhood hot spots Bambudda, Bestie, Cuchillo, Sai Woo, Tacofino, and tuc Craft Kitchen. Libation samples will also be available from local brewers Big Rock, Parallel 49 and Steamworks, while a personal favourite Odd Society Spirits will be serving up samples of their signature vodka and gin. To add to the festivities of the evening, there will be short performances including an excerpt from TJ Dawe’s new show Burn This and Nicolle Nattrass will perform an excerpt from Mamahood. Also on hand will be Meghan Gardiner who will be reviving her Jessie Award-nominated performance playing the character Helen from the recent production of Dead Metaphor.  Tickets for Eat.Drink.Play are $35 and $20 for artists and are available online at Firehall Arts Centre.

Gourmet Ice Cream Tours By Off The Eaten Track

8 Jun

IceCreamConesOur friends at Off The Eaten Track Tours have a cool new foodie tour on offer for the warm summer months, a Gourmet Ice Cream Tour.  You are invited to join them on any Wednesday between now and September 31st from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm for a one hour tour.  During the tour, you will visit 4 local ice cream shops and, of course, have samples at each and every one. The tour starts at Railtown Café, 397 Railway Street and will finish at Twisted Ice Cream in Gastown which we understand has been dubbed the smallest shop in BC.  You will also make stops at Cadeaux Bakery for an ice cream sandwich as well as Soft Peaks which is the only organic gourmet soft serve in the City.  This is a perfect way to cool off on a warm day, or well it’s ice cream so any day really. Cost of the tour is $29.99 and is suitable for all ages.  To reserve your spot, visit Off The Eaten Track Tours.

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Friends With Benefits Pop Up Shop June 17-23, 2016 In Strathcona

7 Jun

WoodLotPackage

Friends With Benefits and Bronze Age are teaming up for a Pop Up Shop in Strathcona from June 17-23, 2016.  They will be located in a studio space at 478 Union Street (at Jackson) with a host of local artisans and makers. We’ve learnt that the line up includes:

Woodlot Candles
Strathcona Stockings
Maggie Boyd Ceramics
AW by Andrea Wong
Foe and Dear
Bronze Age
Folk Fortune
Lissu Linens
Editorial Mag
Explorer’s Press
The Good Spirit
Karen La
Lacar
Lucy Poskitt
Greg Papove

They will also be hosting workshops and events during the week including:

June 17 – Launch Event. Drinks, shopping and good times 5-10 pm
June 20 – Beginner’s Weaving Class, 6 pm $60 (Includes Kit)
June 22 – Pom Pom Party, 7 pm $25 (Make a pom pom garland)
June 23 – Tunes by Daniel T. and Tarot Readings by The Good Spirit from 5-9 pm

So pop in and check it out the cool space and support your local makers!  They are just down the street from a few of our favs Crackle Crème, The Pie Shoppe and The Union. So many great reasons to pop down.

Photo Credit: Woodlot Candles 

 

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A Short Play Festival About Love Takes Place At Havana Theatre June 14-18

6 Jun

AboutLoveFestivalThe Tomo Suru Players brings you 8 short plays that will be performed every night between June 14th and 18th at the Havana Theatre. And yes, it’s all about love!  And YOU the audience will get to vote on ‘Best Play’, ‘Notable Performances’ and ‘Notable Directions’.  These 8 plays have been hand picked from 198 plays that were submitted from six countries between January and March of this year.  A panel of 16 readers read each and every play that made the short list that you see below. 

Anniversary by Ronit Rubinstein – Directed by Nick Heffelfinger

A young couple celebrates their first wedding anniversary and can’t keep their hands off each other. An older couple celebrates thirty years together, and can’t keep their bickering off each other. Four lovers, major differences, but they have something in common.

Is This Seat Taken by Brad Sytsma –   Directed by Ariel Martz-Oberlander

Two people with a long history meet for what is supposed to be the last time. Perhaps this is a chance to finally lay aside their egos and their past. Where is the line between putting in the necessary effort, and forcing something to work that doesn’t? It looks like it runs right down the middle of this park bench.

Morning by Jesse Nepivoda –   Directed by Johnny Wu

Lovers caught in the midst of a struggle between staying or leaving. Man wants Woman to stay with him. Woman wants to stay but can’t. Woman has a life. A whole life of her very own and none of it is here. Man could go with her but will he?

Northern Lights by Jordan Henry – Directed by Georgia Johnson

A close encounter with death shines light on irreconcilable differences between two newlyweds-to-be.

Small Talk by David MacGregor – Directed by Shelby Bushell

In great moments it may be that success is in the small points. Sometimes we need help finding the greatness among the small.

Square Footage by Jessica Moss – Directed by John Dickinson

Space is fleeting, space is finite and, ultimately, space is what you need to love a person. Watch Maggie and Nate contend with the space for everything that needs space in Square Footage.

Standing Room Only by C.J. Ehrlich – Directed by Michael Q. Adams

What happens on a crowded ferry with a woman who is so distraught about love that she won’t give up a spare seat? Add a stranger and you have a funny, touching story that explores the human side of people’s lives.

Tell Me What You See by Richard Manley – Directed by Allie Pev

What do you make of the stranger beside you? What do you make of them when they surprise you? What do you make of yourself?

We think these short plays will provide for some interesting entertainment. Tickets are available online from Brown Paper Tickets and are on a sliding scale.  You are asked to choose the price that fits your budget. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday tickets are available at $10, $15, $20, $25, $30.  Friday and Saturday tickets are available from $15, $20, $25, $30. 

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Foto Friday – Bee Loving Flowers

3 Jun

YellowRoseBABsThe warmer weather brings an array of beautiful blooms. These days we are taking more of an interest in those flowers that attract bees such as lavender, poppies and sunflowers.  We recently did a little investigating into which flowers are most attractive to bees. Did you know it’s single petal flowers? Apparently, a single row of petals is more attractive and easier for bees to reach the pollen.  We found a simple rundown on Wikihow that sets out a great list of tips and plants including herbs, shrubs and trees. Some of the plants listed include Asters, Cosmos, Clover, Crocuses, Dahlias, Floxglove, Geraniums,  Hollyhocks, Hyacinths, Marigolds, Poppies, Roses, Snowdrops, Sunflowers and Zinnias. If you prefer herbs, there’s a long list that bees favour including mint, rosemary and sage.  For more ideas and information, check out Wikihow’s How To Attract Honey Bees. So on this week’s Foto Friday, we leave you with some photos of stunning florals we’ve captured in our neighbourhood which we’ve seen the bees buzzing around.

 

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East Van Short Film Showcase At The Rio Theatre June 5th

2 Jun

FilmMovieReelYou are invited to check out the work of some of Vancouver’s best young independent filmmakers at the Rio Theatre on Sunday, June 5th. The East Van Short Film Showcase now in its second year will be featuring a selection of short films made in and around the Lower Mainland.   The list below was narrowed down from over 100 submissions and these 5 local shorts will compete for awards in acting, cinematography and best film.  There will be a number of shorts presented which we’ve set out below:

The Showcase Showdown

Call For a Good Time – Linnea Ritland
Disappeared – Jon Silverberg
Do Not Go – Cameron Anderson
Getting There- Brendan Prost
Vehicular Romanticide – Andrew Rowe

The Music Box

Bunny – Miroslav Nicic
Fear- Gebriel Balcha
Where I’m From – Sina Nazarian

The Raincity Revue

These films include an entry from Germany, as well as a dynamic trio of BC films including a 6-time Leo nominee.

Basketball Game – Hart Snider
Singularity – Roman De Guili
Wrestlers Only – James Kingstone
Never Steady, Never Still – Kathleen Hepburn

Come check out some of the creative local talent. The East Van Short Film Showcase takes place at The Rio Theatre Sunday, June 5th from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. The evening will be hosted by local comedian John Cullen. Tickets are available in advance via Eventbrite for $6.00.

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