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Queen Alexandra Elementary Garden Project

7 Jul

KidsInTheGarden.pngSo we’ve recently learnt about a great new project which is a collaboration between Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House and Queen Alexandra Elementary School at Broadway and Clark Drive.  The Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House received financial grants from Evergreen Learning Grounds and Neighbourhood Small Grants to allow them to co-ordinate a garden and workshops at Queen Alexandra Elementary School.  On May 26, 2016, they kicked off the Queen Alexandra Garden Project.   They will be hosting garden work parties every Thursday between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm until October. This project has several goals. Outside of creating the garden itself, they also wish to create a Garden Committee consisting of teachers, parents, school staff, community individuals and organizations.  Most importantly, their aim is to create a community among the volunteers giving them the opportunity to make connections while at the same time learning to grow food. I have a personal soft spot for this particular project as Queen Alexandra is my alma mater and some of my best experiences in the school system were at this school which also fueled and nurtured the imagination and creativity you see here today.  So if you are able to provide some support whether it’s time, knowledge or skills in building a shed or an irrigation system, you are invited to contact Joey Liu at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House at jliu@mpnh.org. If you wish to learn to grow food, make new friends, learn about native plants in your community, check out the weekly workshops on Thursdays at Queen Alexandra Elementary School between 3:00 and 5:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to participate.

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Trout Lake Outdoor Summer Concert Series Is Back For 2016

6 Jul

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The Trout Lake Outdoor Summer Concert Series is back for another year starting tonight. If you have not checked out this great free summer event, you are missing out.  This annual event is hosted by the Trout Lake Community Center, 3360 Victoria Drive.  Concerts happen every Wednesday evening throughout the summer rain or shine. We had the opportunity to take in a few of the concerts last year and we have to say, it was a pretty perfect way to spend an evening.  Bring a blanket, your friends, or the dog or both and a picnic and you are set.  For parents with small children, there is a playground where kids can play while you, at the same time, can take in the concert.  We have set out the musical line up for this summer below.  Each evening kicks off at 6:30 pm.  Note, any rained our concerts will be held in the Grandview Room. By the way, dancing is encouraged, so don’t be shy. Others certainly aren’t. If you are lucky, you will see a few couples showing off their exceptional dancing skills which we witnessed last year which added to the evening.  We encourage you to check out this popular fun free event.

July 6
SANCTUARY ALL STARS
A 17 piece big swing jazz band led by Bob Liley.

July 13
WHEAT IN THE BARLEY
A blend of their traditional tunes will be a big hit with all-ages audiences.

July 20
SODA CRACKERS
Vintage country, jazz and roots music.

July 27
DEANNA KNIGHT & THE HOT CLUB OF MARS
Travel back in time to the early jazz era of the 1920’s & 30’s and experience one of Vancouver’s most eclectic gypsy-jazz ensembles.

August 3
THE LONESOME TOWN PAINTERS
Vancouver’s traditional bluegrass standard-bearers.

August 10
RIO SAMAYA BAND
Original music of songs and poetry in a magical combination of Latin, Reggae & Rhumba.

August 17
SILK ROAD
A musical adventure that explores China and beyond. Silk Road Music delivers virtuosity and imagination.

August 24
PATRIZIA COLETTA
A musician/vocalist performing a variety of music in multiple languages.

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Photo Credit: Deanna Knight

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Summer Fun With Drive-In Movies

5 Jul

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Looking for fun things to do this summer? Well we have one thing to add to your list of summer fun. Wesgroup & Fresh Air Cinema are bringing back the River District Drive-In movies every weekend this summer. Starting Saturday, July 9th and every Saturday to August 6th, load up the car for $20 (up to 8 people) and see a great line up of movies including:

July 9th • Office Space
July 16th •Monty Python & The Holy Grail
July 23rd •Aladdin
July 30th •Grease
August 6th •Top Gun

If you are looking for FREE family fun, then you are in luck. Starting Sunday, August 7th and every Sunday in August, River District will be showing the following family movies, yes for free:

August 7th • The Jungle Book
August 14th • Zootopia
August 21st • Frozen
August 28th • Angry Birds Movie

The Drive-In is located at 3650 E. Kent Avenue South which is located just west of Boundary Way and before Kinross Street in SE Vancouver. Gates open at 6:30 pm and the movie gets under way at dusk (approx. 8:00 pm).  River District will provide you with the FM station for audio, so a working radio/FM station will round out your experience.  We understand there is space for 250 cars, but these events are first come first served. So if you are keen, best to arrive early. For more information, visit River District which includes a map of the location for those not familiar with the area.

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Taste of East Van – An Outdoor Long Table Dinner July 21st

4 Jul

LongTableDinner.pngThe Italian Cultural Centre is hosting a delicious outdoor long table dinner on Thursday, July 21st called The Taste of East Van. This evening is a collaboration with Slow Food Vancouver and will showcase local, organic and sustainable produce and cuisine. You will also have an opportunity to learn more about local growers and producers. The evening runs from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Tickets are $45 and are available online or by calling the Italian Cultural Centre between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 604.430.3337.

Photo Credit: Italian Cultural Centre

 

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The Uncommon Café Offers Another Great Line Up Of Cooking Classes

30 Jun

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Our friends at The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, have another set of fun cooking classes lined up for the summer. The classes are 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 now works with The Uncommon Café, a commissary and café located just across the street from Oppenheimer Park. This great spot now has a lot of great company with Ed’s Daily, The Heatley and The MacKenzie Room just minutes away. We’ve set out below their next series of classes which we expect will be delicious and fun.

Dinner & Demo: Summer Appies & Desserts Without Heat – July 6th 6-9 pm

This is a demonstration cooking class after which dinner will be served to all the class participants.  Some of the delish dishes you will learn to make include Hummus, Gazpacho, Ceviche, Panna Cotta and Sorbet. The cost of this class is $75 per person, but if you book in advance (one week prior), the cost is $65. You can book your spot online via Eventbrite.

Cooking Class: Brioche Making – July 13th 6-9 pm

This class was offered in June and was so popular, they are doing it again! In this class, Valentine will teach you how to make Brioche. Once you have the basic dough mastered, she will teach you how to make a Basic Brioche Loaf, Braided Brioche, Brioche Cinnamon Rolls and Brioche BBQ Pork Buns. What I love best about their classes, you get to enjoy a class of wine while brushing up on your kitchen skills.  The cost of this class is $65 per person, but again if you book one week in advance, the cost is $55.  You can book your spot online via Eventbrite.

Choux & Champagne: Eclairs Cooking Class  – July 20th 6-9 pm

To celebrate Tartine & Maple’s one year anniversary, they are hosting a class that will be about Choux Pastries. The evening will also include a cocktail party with champagne as well as samplers of some of the best dishes prepared in their cooking classes such as Tabbouleh, Quiche, Brioche and Mmmmm … Chocolate Mousse. The cost of this class is $60 per person, and again if you book on week in advance, the cost is $50. Visit Eventbrite to book your spot.

As you can see, signing up early guarantees you a spot at a reduced rate.  If you haven’t already checked out their classes, we encourage to pop down and give them a try.

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The Fakespeare Festival At The York Theatre August 3-28

29 Jun

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Shakespeare fans take note.  Awkward Stage Production is bringing The Fakespeare Festival “Like Shakespeare, Only Better” to The York Theatre from August 3rd to August 28th. They will be bringing you two shows that will alternate each night.  First up is TITUS, The Light and Delightful Musical Comedy of Titus Andronicus which was the Pick of the Fringe last year.  The writers of this production, Andrew Wade and Jenny Andersen, are expanding this Fringe hit to a two act musical.   We hear the Vancouver Sun gave this show 5 stars, so we think this just might be something to see.  TITUS kicks off on August 6th. The festival begins on August 3rd with Shakespeare parodies Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet starting things off. Tickets for the shows are available online through The Cultch and prices range from $20 to $35 with $5 on the preview nights which for TITUS is August 5th and for Goodnight Desdemona, Good Morning Juliet is August 3rd.

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SHINE: A Burlesque Musical Is Coming To The Wise Hall July 6-16

28 Jun

SHINEWe have to say first off, we are very excited about this upcoming show at the Wise Hall.  Something spectacular is coming to East Van on July 6th. It’s SHINE: A Burlesque Musical which will be taking place at the Wise Hall from July 6-16.  This show is brought to you by Sam Dulmage, Cass King and John Woods and presented by The Wet Spots and The WISE Hall.  If you have not seen the Wet Spots in action, you are missing out on a lot of fun. The story of SHINE mirrors the plight of the Wise Hall which does put an interesting twist on this production. The Wise Hall is a venue under pressure from gentrification, much like the Aristocrat Theatre which is featured in this show.  It is also an issue that faces many of our local venues like the Waldorf and the Railway Club. 

SHINE features the story of the crumbling but historic Aristocrat theatre, Shine Mionne and her chosen family of sexpots and misfits struggle to save the theatre from imminent gentrification in the guise of smooth-talking money man Richard Suit. Along the way Frankie, the newbie actor from out of town, and Grace, the dimpled graduate student who can’t seem to keep her clothes on, are drawn into the vortex of life at The Aristocrat by a diva named Lulu. As Suit and Shine fight for control of the show, Lulu finds her leading-lady status jeopardized by Suit’s meddling and a series of whirlwind affairs threatens to throw the impending opening into chaos. Tassels and pasties and feathers SHINE tantalizes, teases and excites!  The show features 18 original songs by Cass King & John Woods of The Wet Spots which will run the gamut from cabaret to blues, soul and garage rock and a few things in between. Song of their song titles will give you an idea of what might be in store such as Large and In Charge, In Your Hand and The Perversions of Yesteryear.  SHINE we hear, outside of being smart and sexy, is the Muppet Show for grown-ups.  The show kicks off at 8:00 pm at the Wise Hall,1882 Adanac Street on July 6th and runs till July 16th. Tickets are $35 or you can purchase Cheap Tuesday tickets for $20 on July 12th, or you can go all out for the VIP experience and get front row seats to this show with complimentary champagne for $75. Which ever you choose, tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets.

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Free Yoga Is Back At Dude Chilling Park

27 Jun

YogaFrom the hearts of Karma teachers, daily free yoga classes are back at Dude Chilling Park.  Classes run 7 days a week at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm in Dude Chilling Park also known as Guelph Park, 2390 Brunswick Street.  If you want to participate, simply bring:

 

Water bottle
Yoga mat
Towel or blanket

Everyone is welcome to attend. All levels are encouraged. For more information on yoga in Dude Chilling Park and any changes to the schedule due to weather, visit their Facebook page for more details. Note, for those that didn’t make it out for yoga in the summer months, this is no longer available in 2016, but will be back next year. Namaste.

Photo Credit: Gabriella Fabbri

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Vancouver Story Slam At The Cottage Bistro July 12

23 Jun

VanStorySlamJuly12You are invited to an evening of original stories on July 12th at the Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street. The event is hosted by Vancouver Story Slam which is organized by Susan Cormier and hosted by Bryant Ross. Ten storytellers will take the stage and share their original stories with you. Those participating in July include Alexis Sugden, Bailey Bjolin, James, Jim Murray, Kyla del Rosario, Lozan Yamolky, Mary Parlange, Ryan Uytdewilligen, Shlomo McPeake and Susan Levang.  The evening opens with a tale by guest performer J.P. Lorence. The event is $5 and that also gets you a ballot giving you the opportunity to vote on your favourite story.  There are cash prizes awarded to the winners. Those winners are in turn invited to participate at their annual storytelling championship finals.  The event on July 12th gets underway at 8:00 pm.  If you wish to learn more about this event or participate in an upcoming event, email them directly at Vancouverstoryslam@yahoo.com. This is a monthly event and if you can’t make this one, future dates are posted on their Facebook page.

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Surreal Theatre: An Interactive Roaming Theatre June 28 to September 30th

22 Jun

IMG_8397Something very cool is happening just across the East van line. It’s called Surreal Theatre which is an interactive roaming theatre which takes place in the backstreets and alleys of Gastown. Audience members follow the story and characters wherever they go as well as engaging with them to help progress the story.  How fun is that? Unlike conventional stage theatre, Surreal Theatre brings the audience face-to-face with the story and characters. The story itself goes a little like this “Tom and Charlie haven’t spoken in years. But a chance meeting in Gastown thrusts them back into each other’s lives. Their own perspectives on life have changed. But they still understand one another better than they know themselves, forcing them to confront choices they couldn’t have on their own.   Tom must decide whether he should pursue the career opportunity he’s been working towards his whole life. Charlie’s reflections ultimately lead her to rediscover her true passions in life.”   This dramatic comedy is based on the real life experiences of playwrights Nick and Darby Steeves, which offers a glimpse into the lives of 20 somethings living in present day Vancouver.   The show runs every Tuesday and Friday from June 28th to September 30th at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $25 and available online at Surreal Theatre or by calling 604-809-7516.

Photo Credit: George Lawson Photography

 

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