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Nicole Alivojvodic Reviews The Coast Is Queer On Now For Vancouver Queer Film Festival

21 Aug

VQFF-Vert-Colour-300px-e1523331631308The Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF), the largest queer arts event in Western Canada, is back on and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! More than just film, the festival hosts performances, workshops, panel discussions, parties and more, facilitating a unique community space for 11 days each August. This past Friday night the York theatre was packed with people eagerly anticipating the festival favourite The Coast is Queer.

This made-in-Vancouver short film program has been showcasing alluring animation, provoking dramas, wonderfully peculiar experimental films, and uplifting documentaries since 2000. This year, 11 diverse films ranging between 1 and 14 minutes long were shown to a captivated audience. As a first time VQFF goer I wasn’t sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by how different each film was from the next. There were serious, dramatic, satirical, sweet and downright hilarious films, which shown back to back gives you a bit of emotional whiplash, but the overall effect left the audience giddy as we funneled out of the theatre to vote for our favourites. To top it off the directors of each film were in the audience as well which gave the local program a personal touch!

The VQFF is on until August 25th. For more information or to get festival tickets, visit Vancouver Queer Film Festival.

By Contributing Writer: Nicole Alivojvodic

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What’s On East Van: August 17th Edition

17 Aug

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

Tremors 2018 – Italian Cultural Centre – August 16th – 25th 

Young emerging artists perform 3 contemporary Canadian plays at the Italian Cultural Centre. They include Selfie by Christine Quintana, Tiny Replicas by Dave Deveau, and Theory by Norman Yeung. The performances are Pay What You Decide. For more information on times and tickets, visit Tremors 2018.

Family Night – Grandview Park – August 17th 

Commercial Drive BIA, Whitecaps FC and Fortis BC are hosting a free movie and family activities in Grandview Park Friday night. The movie is Peter The Rabbit.  There will also be a Kids Zone, balloon twisting and more. Event gets underway at 8:00 pm.

Italian Market – Italian Cultural Centre – August 17th 

The outdoor Italian Market is back Friday, August 17th in the parking lot in front of the Italian Cultural Centre from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This market has a distinctly Italian taste to them which includes the food and the music

Pizza Making Workshops – Beaconsfield Park – August 17th 

Running along side this Italian Market this Friday, will be Pizza Making Workshops in Beaconsfield Park located directly behind the Italian Cultural Centre.  You will have the opportunity to stretch and cook your own pizza with pizza master.  This is a hands-on event that is suitable for all ages.  Two basic pizzas are being offered, but you are invited to bring or buy extra toppings from the market to make the pizza distinctly yours.  Cost of the Pizza Making Workshop is $13 online or $15 at the event.  There will be 4 pizza workshops starting at 5:00 pm. They will continue at 5:45 pm, 6:30 pm and 7:15 pm. To reserve your spot, visit the Italian Cultural Centre online.

Friday Night Live – Hastings Racecourse – August 17th 

If you want to check out the horse races this summer, last opportunity to catch Friday Night Live Racing at Hastings Racecourse. Admission is free, races start at 7:00 pm.

PNE – Playland – August 18th – September 3rd

The Fair at the PNE opens this Saturday, August 18th.  As always, they have lots of great entertainment lined up throughout the Fair as well some great eats. This year, you can also find the Lost World of Dragons, Action Sports World Tour, Knights of Valour and of course the forever favourites, The Super Dogs.  The fun gets under way at 11:00 am Saturday and goes till late.

Mobile Market – August 18th 

Looking for fresh BC corn and other summer veggies? Fresh Roots Urban Farm is hosting a Mobile Market this Saturday at 3 locations. First up, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, After that Kensington Community Centre from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, followed by a pop up market at Brant Villa from 3:00 – 4:00 pm.

Artful Sunday – Napier Greenway – August 19th

Artful Sundays kicks off this Sunday in the Napier Greenway by the Britannia Community Centre. This outdoor visual art market features local artists, workshops, artist demonstrations, live music and more. Stop by between Noon – 5:00 pm.

The Good, The Bad The Ugly – Rio Theatre – August 19th

If the heats getting you and you want to sit back in air conditioning with a nice cold beverage, you may wish to check out the classic Clint Eastwood movie The Good, The Bad & The Ugly playing at the Rio Theatre Sunday night at 9:00 pm.

Live Music, Comedy & Entertainment

Looking to take in some comedy, East Van Improv League is at Havana Theatre Sunday night at 7:30 pm and Graham Clark’s Laugh Gallery is Monday night at Havana Theatre 9 pm. If you are looking to keep the kids entertained, big or small, Playland is now open daily from 10 am – 7 pm. Three Farmer Markets happening this weekend – Saturday it’s Riley Park (10 am – 2 pm) and Trout Lake (9 am – 2 pm) and Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market in Dude Chilling Park from 10 am – 2 pm.  To see more of what’s on in East Vancouver, check our Event Listing.

Image Credit: June Hunter

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Rumble Theatre Presents Tremors 2018 At The Italian Cultural Centre August 16-25, 2018

15 Aug

Tremors2018In 2007, Rumble Theatre created the Tremors Festival which was originally a two week run of plays created by emerging companies. In 2014, they devised a new model for this festival which focused on providing mentorship to individual emerging artists rather than emerging companies. Tremors is now a vehicle for young emerging artists to build networks, receive professional mentorship, develop their craft and work on exciting plays. Each show is directed, designed, stage managed, and performed by a company of emerging artists working with the guidance of professional mentors. This year, they have are producing 3 contemporary Canadian plays:  Selfie by Christine Quintana, Tiny Replicas by Dave Deveau, and Theory by Norman Yeung.

From August 16 to 25, these three plays and their Tremors lounge will be created in different rooms of the Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street. You are invited to stop by and see one show, see a double bill, or take in all three. Admission to all shows is Pay-What-You-Decide.  You, the audience members, get to pick what to see and how much to pay. For more information or to purchase advance tickets, visit Tremors 2018.

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Craftworks Society Hosting Sale Thursday, August 16th

13 Aug

CraftWorksWelcomeToWe recently stumbled across a non-profit doing great work in your community. The organization is Craftworks which is based in East Vancouver. Craftworks provides industrial sewing and hand-made craft training and income generating opportunities for people with mental illness, addictions, physical disabilities and other barriers to employment. They make a number of items including reusable bags which are made from repurposed street banners which have been donated to them by various municipalities, Business Improvement Associations and other organizations. Their work diverts hundreds of kilos of synthetic, non-biodegradable fabric from the landfill every year.

Craftworks also makes Christmas ornaments which are sold at the annual Circle Craft Fair in downtown Vancouver as well as on their website.  This Thursday, August 16th from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm they will be hosting a sale at their space located at 1275 Venables Street, Suite #340 (Clark and Venables).  They will have a supply of bags available. The shopping totes are $20. There will also be a smaller book and/or lunch bag on hand for $18 as well as some backpacks for $26.  Not only do these bags keep fabric out of the landfill, they also help keep single use plastics out of the landfill.  With the work the organization does, we think it’s all around Win Win. We invite you to stop by and check out some of the great things Craftworks is making.

Photo Credit: Craftworks

 

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Vines Art Festival At Trout Lake Park August 17-19, 2018

8 Aug

VineArtsFestival2018-Lily-Cryan-Sirens-Promo5Vines Art Festival happens August 8 – 19, 2018 in various locations in Vancouver with a  number of the events happening at Trout Lake/John Hendry Park this weekend. This festival was created by Heather Lamoureux in 2015. Heather works with a young, vibrant and talented group of people to create this festival now in its 4th year. The inaugural festival was a one day event at Trout Lake Park run solely on a fundraised budget built with a strong vision, determination and volunteers. The second year they tripled their budget with support from the Vancouver City Cultural Service and their primary sponsor Mountain Equipment Co-Op. The third festival grew from a one day to a ten-day event in 7 of Vancouver’s public parks in partnership with Vancouver’s Artists in Residence program.

Vines was two missions in its creation, one to broaden the reach of artivism. Bringing the art, with its ability to inspire creativity and social change, out of the theatre or gallery and into community parks, paths, and trails making it accessible to all. Two, to direct local artists to create in relation to the earth – creating works at the intersection of environmental and social justice. The festival is a free public event that creates platforms for local artists and performers to create with and on the land, steering their creative impulses toward work that focuses on the environment – whether a deep love of nature, sustainability, or climate justice.  During the festival, they present a wide range of disciplines and cultures while acknowledging the festival takes place on unceded territories of the Musqueam and Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh peoples.

Vines Art Festival has a long line up of events happening this weekend which concludes with an Unsettling Ceremony with Sara Cadeau Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm.  To see the full line up of events, visit Vine Arts Festival.

Photo Credit: Vines Art Festival

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Vancouver Queer Film Festival August 9 – 19, 2018

7 Aug

VQFF-Vert-Colour-300px-e1523331631308The Vancouver Queer Film Festival marks its 30th anniversary this year. The event opens at the Vancouver Playhouse Thursday, August 9th with the Canadian premiere of Yen Tan’s 1985. The film is shot in black and white and set in Texas in the first wave of the AIDS crisis. Indie Wire calls it “a fine piece of cinematic craftsmanship … It is a haunting elegy for a generation of gay men.” Not heading downtown, no problem. There are a number of films showing at The York Theatre including Festival favourite The Coast Is Queer on August 17th at 9:00 pm. We’ve set out a few other films that will be screening at the York Theatre.    For tickets and/or more information, we invite you to check out Queer Film Festival:

We Are the Vancouver Men’s Chorus – Friday, August 17th at 7:00 pm

“In 1981, the Vancouver Men’s Chorus and broke ground and became Canada’s first gay chorus. Over the next thirty-eight years, they’ve grown into a nationally acclaimed and internationally recognized chorus.”  Director Mark Halliday has created a documentary that takes you behind scenes of this celebrated group of men.

Indigiqueer Shorts from Turtle Island & Aotearoa – Saturday, August 18th at 7:00 pm

“Coined in 2004 by Thirza Cuthand, the term Indigiqueer is a way for queer Indigenous folks to identify themselves and their queerness. This cinematic collection showcases how versatile two-spirit/Indigiqueer life is.”

Deep Inside Clint Star – Saturday, August 18th at 9:30 pm

You are invited to a FREE screening of Deep Inside Clint Star which documents the travels of filmmaker Clint Alberta across Canada. This film features candid conversations with Indigenous youth and those often marginalized. It is powerful production that gives voice to people that often aren’t heard.

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Artful Sundays Happen In The Napier Greenway August 12th to September 2nd

1 Aug

Artful Sundays 2018 PosterArtful Sundays return to the Britannia Community Centre this summer.  If you aren’t familiar with this event, it is weekly outdoor visual art market which happens over 4 Sundays in the Napier Greenway.  The first event kicks off Sunday, August 12th from Noon to 5:00 pm and for the next 3 Sundays following. Each Artful Sunday brings a variety of local artists, workshops, artist demonstrations, live music and more. We see Clara Shandler, the Sidewalk Cellist will be on hand as will Wonky Clay Pots. Lots to do and see and it’s free to wander and take in the art that surrounds us.  The event takes place in the Napier Greenway at Napier Street & Commercial Drive from Noon – 5:00 pm each Sunday from August 12th to September 2nd.

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Vancouver Mural Festival August 6 – 11, 2018

30 Jul

VancouverMuralFestival2018The 3rd Annual Vancouver Mural Festival is back in various locations in East Vancouver August 6 – 11, 2018.  The event is organized by Create Vancouver Society which is dedicated to artistic and cultural development in Metro Vancouver.  The permanent large-scale public murals created as part of this festival will form a part of the City’s cultural legacy. And honestly the ones we’ve seen to date, are pretty spectacular.  This year’s event is slated to be even bigger and better and will include a Celebration Concert on Saturday, August 11st in Jonathan Rogers Park.  This is a large park located at West 8th Avenue and Manitoba Street in Mount Pleasant which will host the outdoor concert.  The venue for the concert will be open from Noon to 9:30 pm which will include an afternoon program featuring various activities with the concert being held in the evening between 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm.  The concert line up includes A Tribe Called Red and Charlotte Day Wilson. Tickets are priced at $30, $25 and children under 12 years of age are free when attending with an adult that has purchased a ticket. You can purchase tickets through Live Nation or at Red Cat Records.  We encourage you to stop by and check out the artistic talent for this year’s Vancouver Mural Festival. You can check out each artist in advance online which also has a great map indicating where the murals will be. Visit Vancouver Mural Festival for more details. If you missed last year’s mural festival, we’ve set out below some of our favourite pics.

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