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Special East Van Event At The Cultch September 24th Music Video Launch-Rodney DeCroo

20 Sep

stupidboyinanuglytownYou are invited to a unique evening this Saturday at The Cultch. Rodney DeCroo will be screening the music video for his song “Stupid Boy in an Ugly Town”. Before we tell you about this Saturday, a little back story first.  Earlier this year, East Vancouver folk singer-songwriter Rodney DeCroo and the Templeton Secondary School After School Film Program teamed up to raise $10,000 from a Kickstarter campaign. The aim was raise funds to make a music video to DeCroo’s song “Stupid Boy in an Ugly Town“. The campaign was a success and raised a total of $11,437 with the support of 155 backers. Templeton High School’s drama teacher, Jim Crescenzo, had approached DeCroo to do something with the students at Templeton. DeCroo was curious to see how a group of students from East Van would interpret the song through the lens of their own experiences. Rodney went into this wanting to teach and reinforce how art creation is transformative and a powerful vehicle for self-expression. It turned out, the students taught DeCroo a few things. DeCroo stated that he  “was deeply impressed by how much they (the students) respected and trusted each other. They showed me that art is about connection, relationships, trust, intuition, authenticity, engagement and that it isn’t something that they need us to teach them. It’s always in us which isn’t to say it’s always easily in reach. But they’re artists. They may or may not have benefited from my being there, but I was reminded watching them to trust my instincts.”

As with many art endeavours, this music video is a collaborative effort with Flick Harrison as filmmaker, Rebecca Blissett doing the photography and acting as videographer, DeCroo’s label Tonic Records, The Cultch for providing their space. We invite you to take the opportunity to check out this unique all ages event. Doors open at 7:00 pm, curtain will be at 8:30 pm. Admission is free, but you need to reserve your ticket(s) at www.rodneydecroo.com. After screening of the music video, there will be a talk back portion with the creators of the video followed by a concert from Rodney DeCroo and The Wise Blood.

Smash Hit Motherload Returns To The Cultch October 4-15, 2016

15 Sep

motherloadThe smash hit Motherload returns to The Cultch, 1895 Venables Street, from October 4th to 15th.   This show is an intimate account of parenting in the modern age.  Four prominent Canadian theatre artists share their personal stories of motherhood.  They will be drawing on personal experiences such as playground conversations, coffee shop confessions and the issue of isolation that many moms feel while some get into ‘competitive mommying’.   By sharing their real life stories of parenthood, they hope to’ lighten the collective load’.  Motherload kicks off October 4th with a preview show, opening night is October 5th and the show runs until October 15th. For those wishing to check out a matinee show, there will be two performances at 2:00 pm on October 9th and 15th. Tickets are available online at The Cultch starting from $20.  What people are saying about the show:

Reminds you that you are not alone. I can’t recommend it enough; go with your
partner for a date night or bring your best friends for a girl’s night out or most
importantly – take your mother!”
Urban Baby and Toddler Magazine

“Motherload will charm, delight and touch you”
Vancouver Presents

Upgrade Your Thanksgiving: Learn To Make Brioche & Galette With The Uncommon Café September 28th

14 Sep

tartinemaplebriocheOur friends at The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, have lined up another delish class this month. This one we guarantee will help you impress your guests this Thanksgiving. You are invited to learn how to make brioche and a beautiful galette to serve your guests. The class will be led by Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple.   Valentine was born and raised in France and is a chef that has worked in hotels in Paris, Singapore, New Orleans and Toronto.  She works with The Uncommon Café, a commissary and café located in the heart of Strathcona and we can personally attest to Valentine’s baking skills. You won’t be disappointed.  On the evening of September 28th,  Valentine will teach you the basics of brioche so you can make the best ever dinner rolls and a beautiful apple galette. It’s easier than pie honestly and tastes amazing.  The class runs from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and costs $50 per person (save $5 if you register one week early). If you decide to come with a small group, you can receive a discount of 20% off for groups of 3 or more.  To register, visit Eventbrite.

East Van Artist June Hunter End of Summer Studio Sale September 10 & 11

8 Sep

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One of our favourite East Van artists June Hunter is having her End of Summer Studio Sale this weekend. For those that aren’t familiar with June’s work, she has a way with nature that shows in all her pieces. Her work has been featured in Style at Home House and Home and Where Vancouver as well as on CBC’s Living Vancouver.

During this weekend’s End of Summer Studio Sale, you can expect to find sale prices on art, cards, jewellery, tiles, magnets and one of a kind mixed media miniatures. June has been working on many new designs including crowbars and jewellery featuring symbols of Vancouver which include some bold colourful pieces.  June Hunter’s Studio is located at 2785 Parker Street (one block west of Renfrew – between Hastings St. and First Avenue). The Studio Sale runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 10th and Sunday, September 11th.

If you are not able to make the Studio Sale, you can also visit her Shop Online or find some of her work at Doctor Vigari Gallery, 1816 Commercial Drive as well as Bird on A Wire Creations at 2535 Main Street.

Photos Courtesy of June Hunter Images

Vancouver Fringe Presents The Berlin Waltz At The Cultch September 8–18, 2016

7 Sep

berlinwaltzSo if you haven’t guessed it already, we are big fans of the Vancouver Fringe Festival and all the great talent that gets showcased during this event. We’ve come across another interesting show that has won Best Creative Concept nominee by the Calgary Theatric Critics’ Awards. The show is the Berlin Waltz which is part of the Vancouver Fringe line up at The Cultch. In this production, you are invited on a journey with Devon More as she shares her tales from a 100 mile pilgrimage through the former border zone of the infamous wall. You will hear her recount stories told over many glasses of beer and schnapps. Her story will touch on the ripple effects of the Cold War.  In this one-woman show, Devon More, will entertain you with humour, satire, paranoia, propaganda and song.  Tickets for this show are available through Vancouver Fringe.com for $14 plus the $5 membership.

Here are some of the things people are saying about the Berlin Waltz:

 “More’s Berlin Waltz stands as a love letter to a city, an intimate encounter between biography and history, and also, a call for action.”
joyfulmagpies.com

 “Devon brings the history of the Cold War to life. … you’ll exit the performance to ruminate on the show’s poignant message about achieving the impossible through the power of people and art.”
Vue Weekly Edmonton 2016

Vancouver Fringe Festival Brings Festa! To The Portuguese Club of Vancouver September 8-18, 2016

6 Sep

Festa!The Vancouver Fringe Festival is happening in and around Vancouver September 8th to 18th.  There is one show with a very decidedly East Van twist to  it, that is Festa! which takes place at the Portuguese Club of Vancouver at 1144 Commercial Drive.  This show speaks to us on many levels and we think it will to many others who grew up in East Vancouver.  Having parents that immigrated from Europe, our neighbourhood was about as multi-cultural as you could get. It was and still is one of things I loved most about growing up in East Van. It felt like you were celebrating different cultures every day but didn’t really know it at the time. It’s only in looking back you can fully appreciate it. This is what makes Festa! so unique. It was created and will be performed by two Portuguese ladies, Maria J. Cruz and Sandra Medeiros. Maria and Sandra grew up in East Van and met at Charles Tupper Secondary School. They both have fond memories of growing up in East Van. Maria we learnt used to troll the alleyways with her grandfather with a scythe to collect grass for their bunnies whereas Sandra remembers growing up surrounded by hippies and people of various cultures. We hear Sandra even participated in the Miss PCOV Pageant as a teen.  We learnt these ladies felt there was a bit of stigma living in East Van, but that it made them tough, scrappy and resourceful. We think this applies to many of us that grew up in East Van. We asked them what they loved most about growing up in a Portuguese family. “The food was always amazing! We have the ability to laugh and joke around, even when you don’t have much. Knowing that your family is fiercely protective and will always have your back. Portuguese families are tight knit and loving, even while driving you crazy!”  Now getting back to the food, like many cultures, this is a big part of theirs and experiencing the food is an option while you watch Festa! As this show will be taking place at the Portuguese Club of Vancouver, the Club is offering a special Festa! Menu for $25 which includes:

Calde Verde o Salada Mixta –
Portuguese Kale Soup or a House Salad
Bacalhau a Casa o Feijoada Vegetariano –
Traditional Cod with Fries or Veggie Bean Stew
Pastel de nata o Arroz Doce –
Portuguese egg tart or rice pudding

We are inclined to go for the egg tarts alone. There are not many places left in Vancouver to find them. Tickets for the show are available in advance for $14 through the Vancouver Fringe Festival and $5 for the membership, the Festa meal is of course separate and available once you arrive at The Club.  This is one show we plan to see.  Hope to see you there!Festa2

8th Annual Free Community Square Dance At The Cultch September 23rd

31 Aug

SquareDanceTheCultch.jpgYou are invited to the 8th Annual Free Community Square Dance being held at The Cultch on Friday, September 23rd.  This is a family friendly dance featuring caller Paul Silveria, who also goes by the name of Professor Banjo. There will be live music by The New Short Mountain Deadbeats who will entertain you with old-time string band music. The square dancing is aimed for a beginner friendly environment. For those that need a lesson or a refresher, Paul will be teaching all the moves on the spot. So no previous experience is required, just come on down. This event is an all ages event and is open to everyone.  Although free, an RSVP is requested.  The fun kicks off at 7:00 pm and goes till 10:00 pm. Bring your dancing shoes.

Such A Heart As Yours At The Havana Theatre Sept. 28 – Oct. 1

30 Aug

SuchAHeartAsYoursGroupPhotoIf you love Shakespeare, this is the summer for you. There are lots of fun adaptions in Vancouver this summer. We’ve learnt of another coming this September called Such A Heart As Yours.  The Chambers Theatrical Society brings you a tale as old as time.  It goes a little something like this … “Paige is in love with Logan, Logan is in love with Paige, Holly is in love with Travis, Travis is in love with… wait, who is Travis in love with again? And what happened with Holly and Travis the night before they left? Cause they haven’t made eye contact since. So they’re all on a camping trip to the real life Forest of Arden for totally different reasons: for love, for inspiration, for that sweet English weed, but their first night isn’t the educational experience Holly had hoped it would be.  As night falls, everything changes. They start to wonder: is Midsummer just a play or is there a secret about this forest just miles away from Shakespeare’s boyhood home? Plus, Logan is acting really strange – is it magic… or something else? What will daylight bring?” The show runs from September 28th to October 1st at the Havana Theatre on the Drive. Tickets are available online for $25 each or $22 each for groups of 5 or more.  Fair warning or enticement, take it as you will, the show does contain coarse language, sexual content, magic, break ups, hook ups and general tomfoolery. Which personally we think sounds like a lot of fun.

Gourmet Warehouse Offering Delish Cooking Classes This September

29 Aug

SushiWorkshopThe Gourmet Warehouse has another round of delicious cooking classes lined up for this Fall. These classes are a great way to spend an afternoon and meet some like-minded food lovers. Personally, we like the shopping after the cooking class as participants are offered a 10% discount for purchases made the day of your class. We have set out below some of the upcoming classes that caught our eye.  For a full line up of all the classes Gourmet Warehouse is offering visit Cooking Classes.

Sushi Workshop – Saturday, September 17th 11:00 am ($69) SOLD OUT

In this hands-on class, Chef Cindy Low is going to teach you how to make sushi.  You will learn to make vinegared sushi rice, how to mix wasabi, how to prepare a variety of fillings including seafood, vegetarian, tofu and eggs.  As well, Chef Low will teach how to make sushi rolls, cones and a variety of shapes as well as tips on how to host your own ‘do it yourself’ sushi party.  Some of the sushi you will learn to make include:

• California rolls (crab, avocado, cucumber, rolled “inside out”)
• Futomaki (thick roll with vegetables, omelet, Japanese pickled vegetables)
• Hoso maki (thin rolls, with various fillings, such as salmon, tuna, cucumber)
• Inari sushi (stuffed tofu pouches)
• Temaki (cones, with various fillings)
• Nigiri sushi (rice with a sliced topping)
• Gunkan sushi (rice wrapped with seaweed with various fillings)
• Onigiri (rice triangles)
• Miso soup with tofu

Taco Night– Saturday, September 24th 11:00 am ($65)

In this demonstration cooking class, Chef Cindy Low is going to teach you three different ways to make very tasty tacos. She will also teach you how to make homemade salsa and Mexican brownies. These really are simple the dishes to make, so for the novice wishing to learn a few skills, you won’t be disappointed.  Some of the delicious dishes you will learn to make include:

• Classic Tex-Mex tacos – crispy taco shell with ground beef, tomatoes,
cheese, lettuce, sour cream, avocado
• Chicken fajitas – marinated chicken breast with bell peppers and onions wrapped
in a wheat tortilla
• Salmon tacos with papaya salsa, soft corn tortilla
• Easiest ever homemade salsa, served with tortilla chips
• Mexican brownies

 Flavours of Vietnam – Sunday, September 25th 11:00 am ($65)

In this demonstration cooking class, Thompson Tran is going to teach you how to make classic Vietnamese dishes. He will focus on family budgets, what’s local and in season all in the pursuit of our favourite thing, delicious food  As always, you are encouraged to come hungry, you will be eating the items made in class. Thompson has chosen three Vietnamese dishes that are simple, inexpensive quick and healthy. What you will learn to make includes:

• Appetizer: “CHA GOI, NUOC MAM PHA” (Gluten free spring rolls & Nuoc Cham)
• Main: “Ca KHO TO, COM VA SU XAO TOI” (Caramelized tilapia with scented
jasmine rice and garlic chayote)
• Dessert: “CHE XOI NUOC” (Mochi dumplings in coconut ginger syrup).

If you are interested in any of the cooking classes, be sure to register early to avoid disappointment, classes do sell out. Bon Appetit!

 

Foto Friday – Vancouver Mural Fest – Amazing Street Art

26 Aug

 

MuralFestPolarBear2Did you catch Vancouver’s Inaugural Mural Fest on Saturday, August 20th?  We caught some of it and were excited by the energy, artistry and collaboration that went into this amazing event.  If you missed the festival, you have ample time to take a walk and/or cycle anytime and take in the newest murals created on the East side of the city.  Many of the murals are located in and around the Mount Pleasant area, but there are a few spread out a bit further like the walls of MakerLabs.  We actually had the pleasure of meeting one of the artists, Ben Tour, just prior to the inaugural event whose mural is now located at 49th Parallel Coffee on Main Street. We enjoyed a fun evening hosted by Ford Canada celebrating the Vancouver Mural Fest with a scavenger hunt and an opportunity to drive the new Ford Fusion 2017. The icing on the cake for that evening was the opportunity to create our own graffiti street art under the guidance of Ben Tour, but we won’t be showcasing ours. We’ll leave that to the true artists. Speaking of which, we have included some photos of some of the new murals that went up during the Vancouver Mural Fest. There are some 40 odd murals so these photos are only a small representation of what was created, but we have to say the polar bear in a bottle is our personal favourite. We understand this was created by an  international artist, but the message within the bottle speaks volumes.  We look forward to checking out more of the murals and encourage you to take a walk and/or cycle to see what’s been created. There are, of course, lots of stops along the way to refresh, be it beer, coffee or ice cream along the way.  We are looking forward to seeing what next year brings and give high marks to all those that helped make this event happen in Vancouver.