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History Walks Are Back This August & September Plus 2 New Ghost Tours

22 Jul

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James Johnstone is back again with his popular historical walking tours. This time he has a couple extra tours with Kati Ackermann, Vancouver’s own paranormal investigator and ghost whisperer.   Kati is the founder of Vancouver Spooks Paranormal and will be partnering with James for 2 tours. The first one will be in Mount Pleasant on August 31st and the second in Strathcona on September 14th. The route and content of these two Ghost Walks are the same as the regular Mount Pleasant and East End walking tours with the addition of Kati’s perspective which will be tuned into spirits along the way.  We hear that Kati has been on James’s tours as a guest and she is looking forward to sharing what she sees and hears along the way.   Note, the ghost walks are limited to 30 people. If interested, best reserve your spot early. For more information or to register, visit History Walks In Vancouver.

August 10 – East End Vancouver/Strathcona History Walk
(departs from 696 East Hastings at Heatley 10:00 am) $20

August 24 –  East End Vancouver/Strathcona History Walk
(departs from 696 East Hastings at Heatley 10:00 am) $20

August 31 – Mount Pleasant Ghost Walk
(departs from NE corner of Yukon & 12th Avenue + ends at 7th Ave. &
Main Street 10:00 am) $30

September 15 – Strathcona Ghost Walk
(departs from 696 East Hastings at Heatley 10:00 am) $30

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What’s On East Van: July 19th Edition

19 Jul

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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.

Playland Nights – Playland – July 19th

Playland Nights returns tonight and will continue every Friday in July.  This is an adult only evening (19+) which features the usual fun, food and rides, but with fully licensed grounds. This means you can enjoy your beverage of choice throughout the park while taking in the entertainment available.  General admission is $29.00. for tickets visit Playland Nights.

7 Stories by Morris Panych – Havana Theatre – July 19th & 20th

Spark Productions brings a dark comedy to the stage this Friday and Saturday night at Havana Theatre, 7 Storeys. A man stands alone on the ledge of a building 7 storeys above the street contemplating his life. He finds his train of thought interrupted by the absurd and self-involved inhabitants of the building. As he becomes involved in their dramas he begins to question which is the better choice, to stay where he is or to step off the ledge?  Tickets are $26 and available through Showpass.

Outdoor Summer Movie – Collingwood Park – July 19th

Collingwood Policing is featuring an outdoor movie tonight at Collingwood Park located at 5275 McKinnon Street (and Euclid Avenue) just a few blocks from the Joyce Street Skytrain Station.  The movie shows at dusk approximately 9:00 pm.  There are usually family friendly activities prior to the movie. Note, the movies are weather permitting. So if it’s rains, it’s a no go.

Mount Pleasant Festival – Mount Pleasant Park – July 20th

You are invited for some free family fun at Mount Pleasant Park (16th Avenue & Ontario) this Saturday night.  There will be some family friendly activities from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and at dusk, showing of the movie How To Train You Dragon.

African Descent Festival – Thornton Park – July 20th & 21st

The 5th Annual African Descent Festival happens this weekend at Thornton Park at Main & Terminal. This is an arts and cultural festival designed to be a tribute to the black community that thrived in Strathcona for 6 decades.  You can expect local artists, storytellers, poets, musicians, dance performances alongside a community fair, beer garden and a documentary on the history of Hogan’s Alley.  The event kicks off early at 10:00 am and continues into the evening till 9:00 pm which includes a night market.  This is a free family friendly event.

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 shop and support local? Be sure to check out one of the farmer markets happening this weekend. Saturday is Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10 am – 2 pm and Trout Lake Farmers Market from 9 am – 2 pm at John Hendry Park. Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is back in Dude Chilling Park from 10:00 am – 2 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

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Outdoor Summer Movie Nights In East Van Parks

17 Jul

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Summer is here and in full swing which also means some free outdoor movies are being shown in some East Vancouver parks. Most of the movies are brought to you by the good folks at Collingwood Community Policing. Although we haven’t been able to put your hands on a full schedule of all the movies being show, we do have the list of dates and which park they will be happening in.  We do suspect mostly family friendly movies. The movies begin at dusk and/or 9:00 pm as a general rule, but best to get there early to claim your spot. Also, there will be some family friendly activities prior to the movie.  Free popcorn of course will be on hand. Grab your friends, family, blankets and chairs and head on out for some summer fun. NOTE: Rain will postpone and/or cancel the event.

July 19
COLLINGWOOD PARK

July 20
MOUNT PLEASANT PARK
(How To Train Your Dragon)

July 26
KENSINGTON PARK

August 2
GASTON PARK
(Monster In Paris)

August 9
SUNRISE PARK
(Small Foot)

August 10
KINGSGATE MALL
(Nutjob 2)

August 17
RIVERFRONT PARK
(The Princess Bride)

 

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The Wrong Show At The Biltmore Cabaret August 11th

16 Jul

WrongshowSome wicked comedy is coming to The Biltmore Cabaret aptly named The Wrong Show. If you are looking for politically correct, this show will not be it.  The Wrong Show features a swack of local talent including Watermelon (also known as a weed diva, licorice hustler and hula hoop queen). We learnt Watermelon actually did quite a bit of stand up comedy, so she’s taking the stage again in good company with cabaret queen Burgundy Brixx, Sandra Sanders. They are joined by Bonnie Kilroe, Velvet Steele and Shaboobie Boobarella for what we expect will be an epic night filled with sketch comedy, music, physical and stand up comedy with women who have a lot of life experience to bring to the stage.   The Wrong Show happens Sunday, August 11th at 9:00 pm, doors open at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $14.20 and available through Eventbrite.

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What’s On East Van: July 12th Edition

12 Jul

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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.

Indiana Jones Marathon – Rio Theatre – July 12th

Love Indiana Jones? Nothing like seeing these movies on a big screen and this Friday night, the Rio Theatre has 3 of these movies back to back kicking things off with Raiders of the Lost Ark at 6:20 pm followed by The Temple of Doom and finishing it off with The Last Crusade. For tickets, visit the Rio Theatre.

Outdoor Movie – Trout Lake – July 12th

If you are looking for some free family fun, Collingwood Neighbourhood Centre hosts the movie Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Johnny Depp version) Friday night at 9:00 pm. Location is near the tennis courts.  Free popcorn will be on hand.

Swinging With Sinatra – Hungarian Cultural Centre – July 13th

If you love that big band sound, you may want to check out local crooner Dane Warren. He will be performing with the Bruce James Orchestra Big Band this Saturday, July 13th at the Hungarian Cultural Centre.  You are invited for an evening of Sinatra (and friends).  Come to listen or come to dance. This is an all ages event. Tickets are $17.50 and available through Eventbrite.

Summer Savour Festival – River District town Centre – July 13th

Live music with a variety of performers happens this Saturday between 2:00 and 6:00 pm at the River District Town Centre in SE Vancouver. Circus performer Shine Davine will be performing at 2:45 pm followed by a magic show with Yeeri the Magician at 3:35 pm.  There are lots of activities for the kids (big and little) including face painting, mural painting and Confetti Box. There will be some food trucks on hand plus River District Neighbourhood Centre at the foot of Victoria Drive & Kerr will have cupcakes available for decorating and eating of course.  This a free event. For more info, check out link to Summer Savour Festival.

RecycleFest – Trout Lake/John Hendry Park – July 13th

If you wish to learn more about sustainable living, RecycleFest is the place to be this Saturday.  Along with taking in small appliances for recycling, Repair Matters will be on site as well as activities and learning opportunities for all ages.  This is a free event that happens at John Hendry Park between 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Beer Garden – Parallel 49 Brewing – July 13th

Parallel 49 Brewing is hosting their 4th Annual Summer Beer Garden. This outdoor event happens from 2:00 to 8:00 pm.  They’ll have a DJ on hand with music, taco menu and of course beer.

Weiner Dog Races – Hastings Racecourse – July 13th & 14th

The last of the Dog Days of Summer happens this weekend at the Hastings Racecourse.  This is the grande finale for the season with the Wiener Dog Races.   Event happens Saturday and Sunday.  No admission cost.  Gates open at noon.

If You Could Read My Mind: Gordon Lightfoot – Rio Theatre – July 14th

The documentary If You Could Read My Mind is playing again this Sunday at The Rio Theatre.  It features the life and music of Canadian music icon, Gordon Lightfoot. This is billed is an intimate and emotional examination of the artist’s profound relationship to his music and his Canadian roots. Documentary runs at 2:00 pm. For tickets, visit Rio Theatre.

Main Street Mixed Bag – The Ellis Building – July 14th

The Main Street Mixed Bag happens this Sunday at the Ellis Building, 1024 Main Street from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.  This is a fun eclectic mix of handmade artisans, vintage and maybe a little bit of garage sale.  Admission is free.  All ages welcome including your 4 legged friends, on leash of course. Cash bar for those that wish a bit of refreshment while shopping.

The 4th Annual Art, Beer & Bike Crawl – East Van – July 14th

A fundraiser for the Eastside Culture Crawl happens this Sunday at various craft breweries in East Van. Take a bike tour of 3 East Van craft breweries along with tastings of course between 1:00 and 5:00 pm this Sunday.  Tickets are $60 per person or 2 for $100. For tickets, visit Eventbrite. 

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 shop and support local? Be sure to check out one of the farmer markets happening this weekend. Saturday is Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10 am – 2 pm and Trout Lake Farmers Market from 9 am – 2 pm at John Hendry Park. Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is back in Dude Chilling Park from 10:00 am – 2 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

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Outdoor Yoga At John Hendry Park This Summer

10 Jul

OutdoorYogaIf you love yoga in the great outdoors, you may wish to check out the classes being offered at Trout Lake Community Centre this summer.  It’s Yoga In The Park every Tuesday and Thursday.  Tuesday classes are for a parent and a child (5 years and up). Thursday classes are geared to Adults Only. Both classes start at 6:30 pm and run for 1 hour, cost is $1.00. Tuesday classes started July 9th and continue weekly to August 20th. Thursday classes start Thursday, July 11th and continue weekly until August 22nd. Namaste.

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Workshop: Preserve The Summer August 7th At Trout Lake Community Centre

9 Jul

Jam-StarAniseHave some beautiful summer produce on hand, maybe some fresh herbs?  Always wanted to learn how to can your summer bounty? Valentine of Tartine & Maple  will be back at Trout Lake Community Centre August 7th  to lead a workshop on the basics of canning.  Valentine will teach you some simple recipes including Blueberry & Lemon Jam, Zucchini Pickles and a Basil Walnut Pesto.  Not only is homemade/handmade the best, once you’ve learned the basics, you can put your own personal twist on each jar you make.  Just think local blackberries are just around the corner.  The 2 hour workshop kicks off at 6:00 pm. Cost is $57.14. At the end of the evening, everyone goes home with a small jar of the recipes made during the workshop. To register, visit Vancouver.ca.

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Art, Bike & Beer Crawl – July 14, 2019

8 Jul

ECCArtBikeBeerCrawl2019This Sunday you are invited to participate in the 4th Annual Art, Bike & Beer Crawl.  This is a fundraiser for the Eastside Culture Crawl in which you explore East Van’s craft breweries while at the same time supporting local art.  Guests will be taken to 3 of the 9 participating breweries after which there will be a wrap tour at Strange Fellows Brewing with tastings, of course.  Tickets are $60 each or 2 for $100.  To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite.

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What’s On East Van: July 5th Edition

5 Jul

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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.

Vancouver Greek Summerfest – All Weekend Long

The Vancouver Greek Summerfest is now daily until July 14th at 4541 Boundary Road and 29th Avenue. Lots of great food and live music. If you head down on a weekend, it does get busy when it comes to seating. Taking transit? The location is a 10 minute walk from the Joyce Skytrain Station. We also learnt that all proceeds from food sales go back into supporting registered charities in the community.  Is there a reason not to go? To see the full schedule of talent and hours, visit Vancouver Greek Summerfest.

Playland Nights – Playland – July 5th

Playland Nights returns tonight and will continue every Friday in July.  This is an adult only evening (19+) which features the usual fun, food and rides, but with fully licensed grounds. This means you can enjoy your beverage of choice throughout the park while taking in the entertainment available.  General admission is $29.00. for tickets visit Playland Nights.

If You Could Read My Mind: Gordon Lightfoot – Rio Theatre – July 5th & July 7th

The Rio Theatre hosts the documentary If You Could Read My Mind Friday night. It features the life and music of the Canadian music icon, Gordon Lightfoot and some of his famous friends and fans including Geddy Lee (Rush), Randy Bachman, Anne Murray and many others.  This is billed is an intimate and emotional examination of the artist’s profound relationship to his music and his Canadian roots. Documentary runs Friday night at 6:15 pm. If you can’t make that, it’s showing again on Sunday at 1:20 pm. For tickets, visit Rio Theatre.

Car Free Day – Commercial Drive – July 7th

Car Free Day where it all began happens this Sunday on Commercial Drive between Noon and 7:00 pm. Car Free Day  stretches 15 blocks along Commercial Drive between Venables and The Grandview Cut. and features activities for all ages, food and entertainment all day long.   This is a free family friendly event which is accessible by bus, Skytrain and cycling all of which is encouraged.

Mini Car Free Day – Commercial Street/Cedar Cottage – July 7th

The great street in Cedar Cottage that boasts the Commercial Street Café, Second Nature Home, Toso Wood Gallery, Vancouver Tool Library and Chance Café and soon to be Flourist, are hosting their own Mini Car Free Day this Sunday on the 3400-3500 block of Commercial Street.  Expect to find live music, chainsaw carving, giant Jenga game, street art, bike repair, chocolate tasting, artisans and kids activities. Although Flourist is not open just yet, we hear they will have a table with delectable things on hand. We suggest you get there early.  Event happens 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

The Vancouver Market – Wise Hall – July 7th

The Vancouver Market featuring 20+ local vendors happens at The Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac Street this Sunday, July 7th.  Whether you are looking for new or vintage, likely to find an array of unique items. Event happens 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is $2.00.

21st Century Flea Market – Croatian Cultural Centre – July 7th

21st Century Flea Market is back at the Croatian Cultural Centre this Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.  Some 175 vendors will be on hand with collectibles, antiques, kitsch, vintage and whole lot more.  Who knows you could find.  Admission is $5.00 OR for early birds wanting to get a jump on things $20 from 7:00 am to 10:00 am.

Comedy, Music & Entertainment & More 

Looking for more live music, did you know The Heatley in Strathcona regularly features live music?  Every Sunday they offer bluegrass music with brunch 11 am – 3 pm. UPDATE We’ve just learnt they are taking a hiatus for the summer.

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 shop and support local? Be sure to check out one of the farmer markets happening this weekend. Saturday is Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10 am – 2 pm and Trout Lake Farmers Market from 9 am – 2 pm at John Hendry Park. Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is back in Dude Chilling Park from 10:00 am – 2 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

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The Napier Greenway: The City of Vancouver is Renaming Without Consultation

3 Jul

So, every once in a while, we happen across things that make us shake our heads. What we are about to share is one of those things.  For the last few years we have featured the East Van Garden Tour, which is a fundraiser for Britannia Neighbours who do an amazing job of beautifying and maintaining what we all know as the Napier Greenway. For those who don’t know it, this space is located off Commercial Drive at the entrance to Britannia Community Centre.  This is a great community space created in 2001 by the City and Britannia Neighbours (a group of community volunteers), under the City’s Green Streets Program and which has been lovingly tended to by Britannia Neighbours for the last 18 years.   We have to say we were rather surprised when we stumbled across a letter from Britannia Neighbours to the City of Vancouver about the renaming of this space to Margaret Mitchell Plaza.

For those who may not know the name, Margaret Mitchell was a Vancouver resident, social worker, and activist who was elected to the House of Commons four times to serve the riding of Vancouver East. She was the longest serving female MP when she left in 1993 after 14 years in which she boldly advanced women’s rights.  This is without a doubt someone who is worthy of recognition.

Now, getting back to the Napier Greenway, Britannia Neighbours is a group of local volunteers who started working with the City of Vancouver in 2000 to create the Napier Greenway and has, since its completion in 2001, maintained it.  They have weekly work parties, they rake and weed and prune and plant new plants and move old ones, they clean up graffiti on benches, and do other repairs as needed. They also hire someone from the nearby Kettle Friendship Society to pick up litter daily and hire someone else to water all summer.   This greenway is a gathering space that regularly hosts free community events such as Artful Sundays, the Stone Soup Festival, and activities during Car Free Day and Italian Day.  The Napier Greenway was created and is regularly invigorated by the community that surrounds and cares for it.  With no disrespect to Margaret Mitchell, the renaming of it dismisses and disrespects the hard work this community and its volunteers have put and continue to put into this space.NapierGreenway7

We have learned that there is actually a Naming Committee at the City of Vancouver which makes recommendations about places that need new names; the previous Council, however, made this decision without consulting either Britannia Neighbours or its own Naming Committee. During an in-camera meeting, the previous Council agreed, by a majority vote, without any consultation whatsoever, to rename the Napier Greenway Margaret Mitchell Plaza. The initiative for the new name we understand was led by then Vision Councillor, Andrea Reimer. The ‘without consultation’ is the part that really gets under our skin whether this issue or others that affect the communities they represent. Elected officials serve residents of the City, that includes ALL of us, those that may not have such a public face, but serve their communities tirelessly and don’t get the public recognition they deserve.

The Napier Greenway is a space residents and volunteers are proud of and we feel they have the right to maintain the name.

Margaret Mitchell was a tireless advocate for some of the poorest areas in Vancouver, so we think it is fitting that Vancouver’s second temporary modular housing facility at 2132 Ash Street was named Margaret Mitchell Place. This space creates housing for 52 members, teaches life skills, has health teams and support, and employment programs, as well as a community garden.  We think this new housing facility is a fitting tribute to Margaret Mitchell and is reflective of the work she undertook. The Napier Greenway was created and has been maintained for 18 years by Britannia Neighbours, who may be nameless and faceless, but who are worthy of recognition. All they wish to do is retain the name they created for this community gathering space, Napier Greenway.  We hope the current City Council rights this wrong.

 

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