Archive | November, 2019

Tugboat Landing Artisan Market In SE Vancouver December 7 & 8, 2019

28 Nov

BulldogwithHatHave you made your way down to the walking trails along the Fraser River in SE Vancouver?  If you have, you will come across an area called Tugboat Landing at the foot of Victoria Drive at East Kent Avenue South.  If you aren’t familiar with this area, it once housed tugboats at this landing on the Fraser River hence the name. It was redeveloped into a community of condos and townhomes that enjoy river front living.  The area is located on a public walkway and cycle path just steps away from Gladstone Park and less than a mile West of the new River District development.

The 4th Annual Tugboat Landing Artisan Market will be happening in this still not that well known area at 2010 East Kent Avenue. The artisan market is a small curated market with about 20 vendors per day offering a wide range of items perfect for gift giving this holiday season.  Some of what you can expect to find include handmade artisan chocolates by Ladner Artisan Chocolates, custom dog wear from ScouterWear, jewellery by Ebb & Flo Designs, Cord & Stone and Sole Tibi Studio.  Il Fioraio Florist will be on hand with fun whimsical floral holiday décor. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to make homemade preserves, Mary Anne Dragan will be on hand with her cookbook and tips.  If you want keepsake holiday décor and ornaments, stop by and see Rakia.   If it’s eats you have in mind, Stepping Stones Bakery will be on hand with a wide variety of baked goods. Be prepared for a line up though.  Also on hand will be Bill’s Jams & Chutney and Toon’s Hot Sauce which is a newly created hot sauce by a local chef.  If you are looking for gifts for the wee ones, Guava Jelly will be on hand with hand painted onesies and adorable toques. ILiveInEastVan will be on site with a selection of totes, t-shirts & toques. Lastly, Second Nature Home will be on hand hosting a Pop Up Shop with a wide array of items from their store.

The fireplace will be on, so will the coffee, tea and hot cocoa along with sweets for nibbling while you shop. These items available by donation with all proceeds going to the Vancouver BC SPCA and SAINTS Rescue. Hours are 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.  Stop by and support your local makers and artisans.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Graham Clark’s 24 Hours of Standup At Havana Theatre November 29 & 30

26 Nov

GrahamClark24hoursLove stand up?! Well we’ve got the ticket for you. This Friday at 8:00 pm local and veteran comedian, Graham Clark, kicks off 24 Hours Of Stand Up comedy.  Graham is bringing with him a talented team of comedians that he’ll keep at the ready in the front row to help him write jokes and ensure there isn’t much lag time to keep the jokes rolling all night long and into the next day.   Why do 24 hours of comedy?  Graham has been inspired by another comedian, Pat Thornton, raising funds in Toronto for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.  This will be the first time an event like this will take place in Vancouver.  If you are unfamiliar with the Stephen Lewis Foundation, it assists community-level organizations in Africa by providing care and support to women, orphaned children, grandmothers and people living with HIV & AIDS. The Stephen Lewis Foundation has funded over 1,800 initiatives and partnered with more than 325 community-based organizations in 15 African countries hardest hit by the AIDS pandemic.   They would love your support. You are invited to come by and watch some stand up.  For that option, tickets can be purchased online or at the door $10, $20, $30 or $50.  If you can’t make it in person, you can still support the cause by heading over to their fundraising page at Stand Up for 24 Hours!

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Story Story Lie: Hot & Heavy At The Rio Theatre December 11

25 Nov

SSL - Hot & HeavyStory Story Lie is back at The Rio Theatre on Wednesday, December 11th with Hot & Heavy.  This as you might expect will be adult entertainment if the title didn’t give it away. If you aren’t familiar with the premise of Story Story Lie, it’s simple. A group of Vancouver’s best storytellers, comedians, and performers share unique stories that seem too tall to be true. The catch? Only ONE of the SIX stories is a lie. For this production of Story Story Lie, you can expect anything from burlesque to wrestling to opera.  They will be sharing their most unbelievable sex stories. During the show audience members get to question the contestants in an attempt to reveal the liar. The first audience member to guess who the liar is, wins respect, admiration and an amazing prize! The line up of storytellers include:

Sasja Smolders (Geekenders Burlesque)
Paul Anthony (Talent Time)
Emily Bilton (CBC’s Laugh Out Loud)
Ryan Lachance (Yuk Yuk’s Comedy)
Justine Warrington (Leo Awards Nominee)
Ravenous Randy Myers (Glam Slam)
Host:  Jo Dworschak

For those that have never been, the show WILL most certainly contain strong language, somewhat mature and immature subject matter. Tickets are $12 in advance or $14 at the door. To purchase your advance tickets, visit Rio Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Show gets under way at 7:00 pm.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

What’s On East Van: November 22nd Edition

22 Nov

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out some cool events for the upcoming weekend.  Beyond the weekend, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.

Britannia Christmas Craft Fair – Britannia Community Centre – November 22 – 24

The 34th Annual Christmas Craft Fair happens this weekend with over 50 local artisans and makers with handmade items for gift giving this holiday season.  Enjoy live music while shopping. The craft fair runs Friday 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is $2. Stop by and get a jump on your Christmas shopping. To learn more, visit Britannia Christmas Craft Fair on Facebook.

Aurora Winter Festival – Hastings Park/PNE – November 22

The Aurora Winter Festival kicks off this Friday at Hastings Park/PNE with an array of indoor and outdoor activities, Christmas Market, games, rides.  This is an all ages event. For tickets, visit Ticketleader.

Fado: The Saddest Music in The World – Firehall Arts Centre – November 22

A play featuring Fado music with origins going back to the early 1800s in Lisbon, Portugal.  This music is a distinct part and proud part of Portuguese culture. If you haven’t experienced it, we invite you to check out this production at the Firehall Arts Centre kicking on this weekend. For tickets, visit Firehall Arts Centre.

Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue – November 23 + 24

If vintage and collectables is your thing, Eastside Flea will have that in spades this weekend along handmade items and food trukcs from11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Oh and dogs are welcome to come wander with you, on a leash of course.

Christmas On The Drive – November 24

The Commercial Drive Business Improvement Association along with other sponsors will again be hosting Christmas On The Drive this Sunday between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm.  This includes horse carriage rides, pictures with Santa from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, treats and hot beverages, dueling pianos and more. The starting point is The Drive Mortgage Store at 1250 Commercial Drive.  The finishing point is the tree lighting in Grandview Park at 5:00 pm.

East Van Panto: Pinocchio – The York – On Now Until January 5, 2020

Our favourite holiday tradition just kicked off this week.  Take in this fun and entertaining show that is fun for all ages. Just remember if you are in the front row, you might become part of the production. This year’s panto is Pinocchio and touches on some unique aspects in East Van, such as the mysterious Beckwoman and the coffee wars on The Drive for starters. Tickets for the East Van Panto Pinocchio start at $26 for children 16 and under. Family packs are available for $145. To get your tickets, visit The Cultch.  Note, the show will be performed at the York Theatre.

 Comedy, Music & Entertainment & More 

Do you love cartoons? Miss those Saturday morning cartoons you used to watch as a kid. Do you know Storm Crow Tavern offers cartoons Saturday morning from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm whilst you enjoy breakfast/brunch?

Also 7 days a week, you will find live music at the Libra Room on The Drive. Tangent Café hosts live jazz Sunday nights  from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Saturday, Pat’s Pub has live jazz Saturday afternoons from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, no cover.

Looking to support our local growers and makers? Stop by one of the Winter Farmer Markets happening on either Saturday or Sunday.  Saturday we have  Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sunday, it’s Hastings Park Winters Farmers Market also from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. To see more of What’s On in East Vancouver,  check our Event Listing.  We also have a separate listing of Free Events for those on a budget and in Vancouver, who isn’t.

Image Credit: June Hunter

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tiva Quinn Reviews Minowin On Now At The Cultch To November 24, 2019

22 Nov

MinowinDancers of Damelahamid’s latest production, Mînowin, is visually stunning and deeply meditative.

For context, it’s important to know that Canada’s potlatch ban lasted from 1885 to 1951 – many people continued to practice their dances and hold potlatches in secret, but there was still a powerful fear that these traditions might become lost. This dance group was founded in the 1960s to ensure that Gitxsan dance traditions would continue, to celebrate the fact that the dances could be taught and presented openly again. Today the company is run by Margaret Grenier, daughter of the founders, and is a highly respected dance group that performs all over the world.

In Mînowin, the group celebrates both Gitxsan and Cree traditions through a variety of short pieces, closing with a contemporary dance focusing on resilience. Powerful singing and dancing comes together with a truly brilliant set, projection and lighting design that gives each piece a unique sense of place, transforming The Cultch into an ocean with swimming orcas, then a herd of horses galloping through prairie grass, then a forest fire that’s gradually subsiding, allowing new life to begin. In some of the later pieces, the lighting is integrated directly into the dance, creating echoes of dancers steps or the sweeping motion of a cedar bough. Throughout, the overall lighting scheme is somewhat dark, adding drama to the lighting effects and the motions of the dancers.

My one quibble in all this is that I didn’t always know what was going on. Some pieces are introduced in an indigenous language followed by English, some in an indigenous language only, and some had no introduction at all. It feels peevish to complain about this. Did indigenous people in Canada ever have to deal with situations where they didn’t speak the language and didn’t know why things were happening? Duh. Even so I’d say if it’s going to bother you a lot when there’s clearly a story being told and you don’t know quite what the story is, then don’t go.

If you’re ready to appreciate the beauty of the performance and to just let go during the parts when the meaning isn’t handed to you, then absolutely go. I’m finding there was a dreamlike quality to Mînowin that has me appreciating it even more the next day.  The production is on for only a short run at The Cultch to November 24th. To grab tickets, visit The Cultch.

By Contributing Writer: Tiva Quinn

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Aurora Winter Festival At Hastings Park/PNE November 22, 2019 to January 5, 2020

19 Nov

Looking for something fun and seasonal to do?  Canada’s largest winter festival comes to Hastings Park and the PNE with the Aurora Winter Festival.  The festival will have a wide array of events to keep the whole family entertained.  There will be both indoor and outdoor activities. You can wander the Luminous Gardens, Whimsical Forest, Polar Passage and the Land of Giants.  Or stop by and meet Santa Claus at the North Pole which will have a crafty section for kids.  While there you can write a letter to Santa which we hear gets delivered to the North Pole.  There will also be an outdoor skating rink as well as amazing light display. For shopping, expect to find a Christmas Market. If you get hungry, there will be food gardens. For fun, there will also be a tube park along with other amusement rides.  Tickets for the event are available from TicketLeader. Tickets are purchased by the hour you arrive ie. 2:00 – 3:00 pm, 3:00 – 4:00 pm and most ticket prices are approximately $20 adults, $15 for children and a family pass for $62, but note if you wish to get their earlier in the day, there is a $2 discount per ticket for those that wish to get an early start on the experience.

UPDATE ON HOURS: For those wishing to attend the Aurora Winter Festival during the week, organizers have advised they are realigning their hours and will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the following dates: December 3, 4, 10 and 11).

Photo Credit: Aurora Winter Festival

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

East Van Panto: Pinocchio – November 20, 2019 to January 5, 2020

18 Nov

PinocchioEastVanPantoWe are admittedly huge fans of the East Van Panto. This has become a fun holiday tradition for us. Honestly, we can’t imagine Christmas without it.  This year The East Van Panto celebrates its 7th season with the presentation of Pinocchio. This year’s production welcomes back the creative team behind last year’s Wizard of Oz.  In this year’s storyline, a lonely old ice-cream seller named Gelato is given a puppet by the mysterious Beckwoman of Commercial Drive (have you met her? She is very mysterious, but we digress).  Gelato dreams of having a child and all of sudden his wish comes true. He goes around trying to tell everyone, which means a famous cricket, an angry orca and a dastardly fox, but does anyone believe him?  The Drive can be a scary place, a cappuccino war might break out anytime between the Abruzzos and the Calabrias (no really, it might).  We learn that kids are ditching class to go to The Hastings Racecourse, but why?  Well Pinocchio is advised not to worry, but instead to follow his noise and all will be fine, or will it? Grab your ticket(s) to find out.  Tickets for the East Van Panto Pinocchio start at $26 for children 16 and under. Family packs are available for $145. To get your tickets, visit The Cultch.  Note, the show will be performed at the York Theatre.

What people are saying about the East Van Panto, in case you haven’t heard the rave reviews. It is a night to get out have a little fun and laugh at what makes East Van unique.

Theatre Replacement’s East Van Panto has become a Vancouver tradition, to the point where it’s hard to imagine the holidays without it.” 
Vancouver Musicals

Every year [East Van Panto] gets bigger and funnier”
Vancouver Presents

The East Van Panto is now officially the best holiday tradition in Vancouver”
Colin Thomas

Tags: , , , , , , ,

The Big List Of Artisan Markets + Craft Fairs In East Van 2019

15 Nov

BlueAbstractBlurTLAMIt’s that time of year again where the opportunities to shop local are abundant.  There are some great artisan markets and craft fairs coming up to help you make your gift giving easy whether for Christmas or birthday gifts.  We would like to repeat the phrase  that often makes the rounds on social media “when you buy from a local maker, someone does a little happy dance”. It really is true.  Did you know:

“for every $100 spent with a BC local business, $46 is re-circulated back into our BC economy versus $18 for multi nationals. Why? Because locally owned businesses circulate more dollars in the community compared to multinational organizations.”

When you buy from a local maker, you’re supporting your neighbor next door, your co-worker working full-time and holding down a side gig, moms carving out some extra income while still being home with their families. All have created a business doing something they love and are passionate about.  We are 100% behind supporting those local dreamers and makers. Also, buying local is better for the environment. Items at markets are not being shipped long distances and there is usually much less packaging involved. All around win win. To that end, we have again created a list of all the artisan markets and craft fairs happening in East Vancouver this holiday season.   We hope you will come out to some of these events and support the local makers and artisans.

NOVEMBER 2019

Nov. 14-17: Eastside Cultural Crawl – Various Locations

Nov. 16: Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue 11-5

Nov. 17: Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue 11-5

Nov. 22-44: 36th Annual Christmas Fair – Britannia Community Centre
Nov. 23: IMade Christmas Market – Heritage Hall 11 am – 5:30 pm
Nov. 23: Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue 11-5
Nov. 23: Renegade Winter Art Market – 2980 Nanaimo Street 11-5

Nov. 24: Bling: Wearable Glass & Art Show – Heritage Hall 11-5
Nov. 24: Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue 11-5

Nov. 24: Renfrew Park Craft Fair – Renfrew Community Centre 10-3

Nov. 29: Toque: Western Front Annual Craft Fair – 303 E. 8th St. 6- 10
Nov. 29: Artisan Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Community Centre 4-9
Nov. 29: Kiwassa Community Food & Holiday Market–Kiwassa Neighbourhood House 3-8

Nov. 30: Toque: Western Front Annual Craft Fair – 303 East 8th Street 11-5
Nov. 30: Trout Lake Seniors Bake Sale – Trout Lake Community Centre 9-3
Nov. 30: Artisan Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Community Centre 9-4
Nov. 30: Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue 11-5
Nov 30: Elders Winter Bazaar – Authentic Indigenous Crafts – 1607 E Hastings 10-3

DECEMBER 2019

Dec. 1: Toque: Western Front Annual Craft Fair – 303 E. 8th St. 11-5
Dec. 1: Artisan Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Community Centre 9-4
Dec. 1: Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue 11-5

Dec. 4: Italian Christmas Market – Italian Cultural Centre 4-9

Dec. 5: Krampusmarkt Opening – Strange Fellows Brewing 6-10 pm
Dec. 5: Bad Abby Vintage Fashion & Art Fair – Odd Society Spirits 1- 11 pm

Dec. 6: Bad Abby Vintage Fashion & Art Fair – Odd Society Spirts 1 – 11 pm
Dec. 6: Krampus Market – Strange Fellows Brewing 12-8 pm
Dec. 6: June Hunter Studio Sale – 2785 Parker Street 2-7

Dec. 7: Tugboat Landing Artisan Market – 2010 East Kent Avenue 11-4
Dec. 7: June Hunter Studio Sale – 2785 Parker Street 10-5
Dec. 7: Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue 11-5
Dec. 7: Kensington Holiday Craft Fair – Kensington Community Centre 10-4
Dec. 7: Got Craft? Holiday Edition – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-5
Dec. 7: Krampus Market – Strange Fellows Brewing 12-4 pm
Dec 7: Annual Indigenous Christmas Arts & Craft Fair – 1607 E Hastings 10-3

Dec. 8: Tugboat Landing Artisan Market – 2010 East Kent Avenue 11-4
Dec. 8: Got Craft? Holiday Edition – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-5
Dec. 8: June Hunter Studio Sale – 2785 Parker Street 10-5
Dec. 8: Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue 11-5
Dec  8: Annual Indigenous Christmas Arts & Craft Fair – 1607 E Hastings 10-3
Dec. 8: Art To Wear Holiday Party & Sale – 3063 E. Kent Ave 11-8

Dec. 11-15: Make It! Vancouver – PNE Forum

Dec. 14: Shiny Fuzzy Muddy – Heritage Hall 11-6
Dec. 14: Crafty Affair Holiday Market – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-5
Dec. 14: Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue 11-5
Dec. 14: Weirdos Holiday Market – Ukranian Hall 10-6
Dec. 15: Shiny Fuzzy Muddy – Heritage Hall 11-6
Dec. 15: Crafty Affaire Holiday Market – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-5
Dec. 15: Eastside Flea – 550 Malkin Avenue 11-5
Dec. 15: Weirdos Holiday Market – Ukranian Hall 10-6
Dec. 15: Zero-Waste Vegan Holiday Market – The Pace 11-5

Dec. 20: Kind’a Last Minute Holiday Market – Kind Café 5-9 pm

Dec. 21: Women’s Winter Faire – Heritage Hall 11-5
Dec. 22: Women’s Winter Faire – Heritage Hall 11-5

Did we miss one? We will be updating this list as we learn of other markets so check back for updates. Feel free to drop us a note with any market you think should be added at ILiveInEastVan@gmail.com.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Winter Farmer Markets In East Van

14 Nov

Pumpkins

Summer weather may have left us, but farmer markets continue which help support our local growers and makers.  In East Van, you have 2 options to choose from depending on your location, or the day that works best for you.

Riley Park Farmers Market – Every Saturday  10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Riley Park Farmers Market is now a year round market happening every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at 30th & Ontario.  This is a great space located next to a community garden with ample parking and located on a bike route.

Hastings Park Farmers Market – Every Sunday From  Nov. 3 – April 26, 2020

The Hastings Park Farmers Market runs every Sunday now until April 26th in the New Year.  The market is located on the Centre Grounds of the PNE.

Whichever market you choose, stop by and support your local growers and makers.

Tags: , , , , , ,

Eastside Culture Crawl Happens November 14 to 17, 2019

13 Nov

ECC2019The Eastside Culture Crawl is back for 4 days starting Thursday, November 14th.  This event is a 4 day arts extravaganza that features the work of over 478 artists in and around East Vancouver.  Artists with a variety of mediums open their studio doors so you can see first hand their working space, their creative process and of course meet and talk to the artists about their work. On The Crawl, you will find painters, jewelers, sculptors, textile artists, furniture makers, weavers, potters, printmakers, wood carvers, photographers and much more. The event comprises some 78 buildings from Main Street to Victoria Drive and First Avenue to Powell Street.

We suggest if time is not on your side and you don’t mind crowds, you can take in the works of many artists in one fell swoop at 1000 Parker Street and the Mergatroid. These two hubs in the heart of East Van also feature food trucks for those that get hungry or thirsty wandering around.  The Mergatroid, at 975 Vernon Drive is just steps away from 1000 Parker Street also offers glass blowing demonstrations throughout the event on the main level which always draws a crowd.

If you don’t like crowds, there are a wide range of spaces to choose from during The Crawl, so there are lots of opportunities to see working studios and spaces that are a little further afield.   This year, as you make your way around, we encourage you to watch for the Displacement Exhibit. It is a multi-venue salon style exhibition which you can view at the Arts Factory, The Cultch, Firehall Arts Centre and Alternative Creation galleries.  This is an important exhibit that addresses the issue of disappearing affordable artistic production spaces and raise awareness of the loss of these spaces in our community.  The exhibit features work by artists faced with the challenge of eviction, shifting demographics and displacement.   The Eastside Culture Crawl Society feels “the contribution of arts and culture is integral to the identity of our city and the threat to viable artist space is a threat to the very core of a healthy vibrant community.” We couldn’t agree more. Change is inevitable but we would like to see a balance to ensure support for what makes Vancouver unique and beautiful.  To help guide you through some of the art available, the Eastside Culture Crawl has a great rundown of all the artists on their website including a printable .PDF map to help you find your way. We encourage you to check out the amazing talent in this City.  There is also a great Events page. Definitely worth a look.

If you have creative kids and want to check out The Crawl, we invite you to check out Crawling For Kids which Melk Art & Design is again hosting at their studio at 936 Clark Drive on Saturday and Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm  It is a free afternoon of hands on creativity. It’s an opportunity to create collaged cards with nature inspired stamps.  Again, it’s free, first come first served.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, one thing we love about the Eastside Culture Crawl is that there is no set schedule. You go where you want, when you want for as long or as little as you want.  Add to that, there are an array of great spots to stop for a bite to eat or if one gets thirsty.   Whether you are in Strathcona, off the Drive, Railtown, Hastings Sunrise, Downtown Eastside or off of Clark Drive, there are countless options for coffee, beer, food and wine. Enjoy and get out support our local artists.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries

%d bloggers like this: