Archive | October, 2021

Eastside Culture Crawl Is Back November 12-14 & November 18 – 21

31 Oct

We are happy to hear The Eastside Culture Crawl is back for another year.  Things will look a bit different this year, but there are still lots of ways to check out and support local artists.   The 25th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl happens November 12 – 14, 2021 and November 18 – 21, 2021 with Thursday and Friday dates being open for attendance from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday being open for attendance 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

You will be required to book in advance for The Preview Weekend which is the November 12 – 14, 2021 set of dates. For the Preview Weekend only, you will need to book by which building you wish to go to. For the first weekend not all buildings will be open to visitors. Then the November 18 – 21, 2021 set of dates, it will be Open Studio Festival Weekend in which no appointment will be required, but vaccine passports and masking will be in place to keep everyone safe.

As always, The Crawl provides an excellent Crawl Map online that will help you narrow down which studios you would like to see whether it’s by area, building, or type of art. As always, The Crawl has created a great online Program Guide that helps you narrow down what you’d like to see since there are a whole lot of options. Each visit to The Crawl inspires us and brings much pride in we are locally surrounded by so much creative talent. Be sure to mark your calendar and stop by for a visit.

IronFest: A Fall Jazz Concert Series November 18-20 at The Ironworks

24 Oct

The Coastal Jazz & Blues Society prsents IronFest: A Fall Jazz Concert Series from Thursday, November 18 to Saturday, November 20, 2021 at The Ironworks, 235 Alexander Street. IronFest features 6 performances over a period of 3 nights. These concerts mark the return to live performances. The line up for the inaugural IronFest: A Fall Jazz Concert Series includes:

Bill Coon Quartet with Campbell Ryga | Thursday, November 18 at 7:00 pm

Bill Coon is an award-winning guitarist who has played with jazz luminaries like Peter Bernstein, Jimmy Heath, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. A prolific and adaptable composer, he has written everything from intimate solos to large-scale works for the VSO and the Norwegian Radio Orchestra. For this concert, Bill will showcase some original tunes and cook on some fine arrangements of Thelonious Monk and Bill Evans. With a passion for groove, beautiful melodies and hard-swinging improvisation, Bill’s always engaging quartet features Campbell Ryga (saxophones), Miles Hill (bass), and Dave Robbins (drums).

Emad Armoush’s Rayhan | Thursday, November 18 at 9:30 pm

Led by Emad Armoush on oud, ney, guitar and vocals, Rayhan’s interpretations of traditional Arabic songs are filled with intensity, bold sonic colouring, and far-reaching improvisation. Aided and abetted by the extended techniques, electronic manipulations, and fire-stoking sonic excursions of François Houle (clarinet), Jesse Zubot (violin/effects), JP Carter (trumpet/electronics) and Kenton Loewen (drums), Armoush’s arrangements flourish wildly without losing the delicate beauty and originality of the time-honoured melodies.

Krystle Dos Santos | Friday, November 19 at 7:00 pm

Two-time Western Canadian Music Award-winning vocalist Krystle Dos Santos absorbs classic and neo-soul along with jazz and R&B into her inviting sound. Bold and elegant, Dos Santos is a balm for the soul for fans of legends like Sharon Jones, Erykah Badu, and Ms. Lauryn Hill.

Handmade Blade | Friday, November 19 at 9:30 pm

Handmade Blade is Peggy Lee (cello), Aram Bajakian (guitar), and JP Carter (trumpet). Each member of this trio contributes compositions that launch striking and explosive improvisations. This small group has a huge sonic palette and great energy. The trio has performed at numerous venues in Vancouver, and in May 2016, made their U.S. debut at Constellation in Chicago for the Chicago String Summit. The group has produced one recording: 3 interpretations of guitarist Aram Bajakian’s Dolphy Formations.

Jodi Proznick: New Horizons | Saturday, November 20 at 7:00 pm

Two-time JUNO-nominated bassist, composer, bandleader, and educator Jodi Proznick has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s finest jazz artists and collaborators. She has won numerous National Jazz Awards, including Bassist of the Year twice. Among her many honours, Jodi was awarded the Western Canadian Music Award for Jazz Artist of the Year for 2019. Jodi Proznick’s New Horizons project features three of Canada’s bright musical lights – Chris Davis on trumpet, Tilden Webb on keys, and Nick Bracewell on drums. They will be exploring jazz repertoire from albums such as Herbie Hancock’s Fat Albert Rotunda and Empyrean Isles; Woody Shaw’s United; Kenny Wheeler’s Gnu High; and Miles Davis’ E.S.P, as well as new originals.

James Meger’s How To Do Nothing | Saturday, November 20 at 9:30 pm

This music isn’t shy about exploring extreme emotional dynamics or diverse sonic influences, moving gutsily between free improvisation, electro-acoustic composition, jazz, metal, noise, and song. Led by bassist James Meger, the newly formed ensemble skillfully pulls listeners through trashed maximalist howls of feedback and noise to emerge in clearings of delicate acoustic improvisation. It’s a voyage through the supersaturated dirt of janky electronics to the purity of handmade sound, but even that isn’t always what it seems. At its core, this project explores the wild scope of human experience while teasing our confusion between the fake and the real; the most soulful cries come from broken machines. This ensemble features James Meger (bass, compositions), Lisa Cay Miller (piano), Sam King (guitar), Andromeda Monk (no-input mixer, saxophone), and Dan Gaucher (drums).

Tickets start at $25 and are on sale now. To grab your tickets, contact Coastal Jazz.

Photo Credits: Rebecca Roberts & Michele Mateus

Limited Edition Market Totes On Sale Till Sunday

19 Oct

Looking for the perfect tote when heading to the next farmers market? If so, our Limited Edition ILiveInEastVan Market Totes are now on sale until this Sunday. These reusable and washable totes are hand screened locally by the good folks at Hive Printing. Whether it’s produce, bread or wine you are picking up, these totes are the perfect carrier. To purchase, visit ILiveInEastVan on Etsy. If you wish to pick up directly from us and skip the shipping charges, email us directly at ILiveInEastVan@gmail.com. Sale ends Sunday, October 24th.

Like The Phoenix Rising The Parade Of Lost Souls Is Back October 30th

18 Oct

Like the Phoenix Rising, the Parade of Lost Souls is back for 2021 and this year’s theme is aptly named The Phoenix.

If you live in East Van, you likely know about this grass-roots festival. Creative direction comes from the folks at The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret. The event itself encompasses dance, art, music, installations, acting and much more.

You are invited to participate in this year’s Parade of Lost Souls on Saturday, October 30th which procession will be led by The Carnival Band who will be doing hourly processions at 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm from the Britannia Community Centre.  

Costumes are encouraged and the wilder the better.  And this year, you have an added opportunity for snagging yourself a great costume.  Friday, October 22nd and 29th from 3:30 to 6:00 pm The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret will be hosting an Open House at #141- 2050 Scotia Avenue where you will be able to purchase one of their many costumes. At the same time, if you wish to make alternations or get busy with a glue gun, you will have that opportunity. A sewing machine and craft making tools will be on hand.

For those familiar with the event, you may know there is usually a Lost Souls After Party which is tentatively going ahead this year at the Wise Hall. We invite you to stay tuned to their social media to see more details on this.

As always, The Dusty Flowerpot is open to volunteers assisting and performers and artists participating. To learn more visit The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret.

Made In The 604 At The Heritage Hall October 24th

17 Oct

Made In The 604 is back at the Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, with a Pop Up Market for the first time in almost 2 years. Sunday, October 24th the Heritage Hall is transformed again into a space that showcases handmade items produced by local makers, creatives and the small business community. The event gets under way at 11:00 am and all Covid protocols will be in place including vaccine passports and masking to keep things safe for everyone. Admission is by donation. There are not quite as many of these markets this year as in past years, but it a great opportunity to get a jump on your Christmas shopping.

Loafridge Looking For Transportation Volunteers

16 Oct

Loafridge, a local community group, is on the hunt for transportation volunteers that are able to commit to regularly scheduled pick ups. If you aren’t familiar with Loafridge, this is a great community organization that co-ordinates a community fridge and pantry pilot project located in Hastings Sunrise. Loafridge allows people to leave what they can and others to take what they need. They are currently in need of volunteers that can transport donations and help stock the fridge. If you are in a position to donate, you can find the Loafridge at 2297 East Hastings Street. If you are interested in learning more, you can visit them online at Loaf Fridge. If you have questions, you can also email them directly at localopenaccessfridge@gmail.com, or give them a follow on Instagram.

First Pick Handmade Pop Up Market October 17 At Heritage Hall

10 Oct

First Pick Handmade returns to Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, on Sunday, October 17th for a 1 day Pop Up Market. First Pick Handmade is known for curating a wide range of high quality fashion forward handmade Canadian clothing, footwear, jewellery, lingerie, active wear and accessories. The event runs from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Free admission. We encourage you to stop by and support these Canadian makers.

Farm To Table – A New Kind Of Dinner Theatre Coming To The Cultch

9 Oct

The Cultch invites you to join them for a truly unique interactive experience. Farm To Table comes to their stage and your kitchen November 17 to 21, 2021.  Think of it as a Zoom cooking lesson with some drama and a whole lot of laughs. The added bonus is that you can cook along with the show.

Farm to Table is a new kind of dinner theatre in which Nadine, a struggling restauranteur has broken up with her boyfriend, closed her restaurant and moved-in with her mother.  Things are going smashing as you can tell. In an attempt to get back on her feet, she’s pivoted her passion for making delicious food into creating an online cooking show.   This is where the fun begins.

The Cultch has partnered with FreshPrep which ticket gets you the Chef’s Kiss Package delivered to your door so you can cook along with the show. Of course, if you prefer, you can buy your own groceries to cook, or just watch the fun unfold via Zoom.  Prices start at $29 for a solo ticket show and up to $69 for the Chef’s Kiss Package which, of course, includes your ticket for Farm To Table.  To purchase your ticket, visit The Cultch.

23rd Annual Improv Festival Returns To The Cultch October 12-17

3 Oct

The Cultch invites you to join them for the 23rd Annual Improv Festival being held October 12-17, 2021. You can choose from in-person or online programming during this year’s festival. The event features a line up of local talent including Mind Of A Snail, Hip.Bang, Fistful of Kicks, Brunch Comedy and Blood Feud. For those of you that wish to dabble in improv yourself, you are in luck. They will be hosting public improv workshops which will be open to all experience levels. To check out the full line up at The Cultch or Vancouver Improv Fest.

Volunteers Needed For Community Planting Event October 24th

2 Oct

Local group Free The Fern is hosting a Community Planting Event on October 24th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. They are on the hunt for volunteer planters.  

For a bit of history for those unfamiliar with this group’s work, Free the Fern is an environmental stewardship group formed in 2021 that is located in South Vancouver. Their 20 members have spent over 360 volunteer hours removing 49 tons of invasive weeds from the Champlain Heights Trail. Thanks to a TD Park People Grant and donations from community members, they will now be replanting native plants along this forested trail some of which include perennial flowers, berries and ferns. 

They need volunteers to make this event a success.  Free the Fern is on the hunt for volunteers of all ages and abilities to sign up to help on October 24th. There are opportunities as well for those who may not be up for the physical work of planting.  To sign up or ask questions, you can email organizers directly at freethefern@gmail.com or sign up with the Google Documents Volunteer Sign-Up Form.

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