The Commercial Drive Business Society is hosting Christmas On The Drive this Saturday, November 28th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. This popular event is back for another fun filled day with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of Christmas. You can expect pictures with Santa, a Main Stage featuring live music and carolers and horse drawn carriage rides which start across the street from Fets Whiskey Kitchen. There will be also be some food carts on hand, plus an Interactive Kids Area which will have caricatures, face painting and a craft area. To top everything off, there will be a tree lighting at 5:00 pm. This is a free community event for residents of the Grandview-Woodland area. Come on out and get into the Christmas spirit.
Archive | Event RSS feed for this section
Christmas On The Drive – Free Community Event Saturday November 28
25 Nov
East Van Panto: Hansel & Gretel At The York December 2 – January 3
23 Nov
This December, make some time for a bit of fun and check out the East Van Panto: Hansel & Gretel. This production is brought to you by the creative minds at Theatre Replacement and will be playing at The York Theatre from December 2nd to January 3rd, 2015. For those not familiar with the term panto, by definition a Panto (another name for Pantomime) is a tradition of holiday musical comedy theatre. Pantomime takes a familiar fairy tale, in this case Hansel & Gretel, and injects music, contemporary references and (best of all) audience participation to create raucous, noisy entertainment that’s fun for all ages. This year’s show we hear steps way off the beaten path with the weird and wonderful Hansel and Gretel complete with an edible house, a butt-kicking brother and sister team and a cute little cannibal witch. Hansel & Gretel lure you deep into the East Van wilderness to deliver a fantastic holiday treat. As you might expect, there will be a few (or many) East Van references that will be sure to make you laugh. The East Van Panto is open to all ages 5 and up. Tickets start at 20, family packs are available which include 4 tickets for $115. Note, all seats for ages 18 and under are $20. Tickets are available at The Cultch either in person, by phone or online. The show begins December 2nd at 7:00 pm and continues till January 3rd. For those looking for a matinee, there are many 2:00 pm shows. For more information on tickets and performances, visit The Cultch. We’ll be seeing you there!
Share this:
What It Is! Back At The Cottage Bistro November 21
20 Nov
You are invited to the Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, on Saturday, November 21st to listen to What It Is! This group consists of four amazing East Van ladies, being Mebrat “Mimi” Beyene, Cass King, Patti Powell and Carol Wiedemann. Together they are a powerhouse of a cappella soul. Their sound is steeped in the soulful sounds of such greats as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Etta James. They are engaging performers and will be sure to have you singing and clapping along with them. These ladies bring heart to their East Van Soul. If you get the chance, be sure to stop by the Cottage Bistro and give them a listen. They take the stage at 8:00pm. The event is $10 at the door or Pay What You Will.
Photo Credit: What It Is!
Share this:
The Daisy Theatre Returns To The Cultch December 1-20
19 Nov
The Daisy Theatre returns to The Cultch for a run on December 1 – 20. This show is returning to Vancouver after two sold out runs and has been billed by The Georgia Straight as “one of the best shows you’ll ever see”. Each performance is different, daring, ridiculous and honestly dam funny. Ronnie Burkett, puppeteer provocateur and his company of over 40 marionettes will have you roaring in the aisles. Be forewarned if you are seated in front, you may be drawn into an act or two. Tickets start at $20 and are available online at The Cultch. Note, due to the mature content this is a 19+ show. If you haven’t yet seen this show, we highly recommend it. We dare you not to laugh.
Share this:
Christmas Market At The Italian Cultural Centre November 20
18 Nov
The Italian Cultural Centre invites you to their first Christmas Market on Friday, November 20th. They have a great line up of vendors for this market. Some you will recognize from their outdoor markets this summer like Bob Ali that makes the most amazing hummus and Orazio’s Olive Oil. There will be lots of new vendors on hand for those that wish to make a start on their Christmas shopping such as Umbrella Bird Jewellery, Kalala Organic Estate Winery, Birch & Balsam, Thirsty Wale Elixirs, Albert’s Jams, The Little Art Room, Odd Society Spirits and Marc Simpson Wines. For those that get a little hungry while shopping, there will be a few food trucks on hand including Reel Mac & Cheese Food Truck, Cannoli King Food Truck and Cheeses Crust Food Truck. The Italian Cultural Centre is located at 3075 Slocan Street (at Grandview Highway). The Christmas Market will run from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm We expect this will be another great market. See you there!
Share this:
The Baker’s Market Returns This Winter
16 Nov
The Baker’s Market is back for just a few markets this holiday season. This market is truly “one of the sweetest events in Vancouver”. This community based event brings together local baking enthusiasts, pastry students, mommy bakers as well as budding entrepreneurs. If you are looking for some amazing Christmas baking, but don’t have the time to do it all yourself, this is where you should be headed. Some of the delicious things you will find include exquisite French macarons by J’adore les Macarons, handmade caramels and chocolates by Caramel & Company with some delish flavours such as Raspberry Earl Grey, Mango Coconut and Smoked Chili Chocolate. The Scone Queen will be on hand and we are hearing quite a bit of buzz about this vendor. Flavours you can expect for the Baker’s Market include aged cheddar and chive, Cardamom and dried currant, dried sour cherry and white chocolate and apple and aged cheddar. Some other vendors on hand include Apricus & Co. with gluten free goodies, Matcha & More and a personal favourite Marsh&Mallow with gourmet handmade marshmallows. Each week you will find a different group of bakers, so the offerings will vary each week, but some of the goodies you can expect to find include cakes, muffins, brownies, handmade chocolates, Belgian waffles, scones, preserves, breads, tarts, Christmas baking and much more. The Baker’s Market will be held at Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert Street (60th & Fraser). Admission to the market is free, there is ample parking and our favourite part, lots of samples! So come out and support your local talented creative bakers. The markets take place from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on November 29th, December 6th and 13th.
Share this:
Rogue Florist Hosting Wreath Making Workshop At Studio 126
13 Nov
Studio 126, located at 126 East Pender Street, is hosting a wreath making workshop on Wednesday, November 25th. Kerri Pfeifer of Rogue Florist will be leading this 3 hour workshop in which you will learn to make a one-of-a-kind nature inspired wreath for the holiday season. During the workshop, you will learn to add and conceal water tubes for adding fresh flowers as well as a few other tips. You will, of course, go home with your own beautiful hand-made wreath. Samples of Rogue Florist’s wild and natural wreaths will be available for inspiration. As the workshop has limited seating, you will get plenty of one-on-one time assistance with your wreath. The workshop is $100 and includes all materials and light refreshments and gets under way at 6:30 pm. To register, visit Studio 126.
Share this:
Eastside Culture Crawl November 19-22: 457 Artists + 83 Buildings
12 Nov
The Eastside Culture Crawl is back again for 4 days starting Thursday, November 20th. This 4 day arts extravaganza really is a must see. During “the Crawl” over 400 artists in and around the heart of East Vancouver open their studios to the public. The event which grows each year now comprises some 83 buildings from Main Street to Victoria Drive and First Avenue to Powell Street. The mediums vary and include painters, jewelers, sculptors, textile artists, furniture makers, weavers, potters, printmakers, wood carvers and photographers. There is no set schedule for this event, you go where your mood and interests take you and the array of talent is amazing. To help guide you, the Eastside Culture Crawl has a great rundown of all the artists on their website including a printable .PDF map to help you find your way. The Crawl runs November 19th and 20th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To figure out what you wish to see and when, check out the Issuu magazine online.
If you wish to mix things up and do some side trips in and around East Vancouver while on the Crawl, there are so many great stops en route. For instance, in Railtown there is Vancouver Urban Winery & Lounge which is a perfect start for brunch in the Belgard Kitchen before the Crawl or for a bit of wine or beer tasting after. There are more beer options if you head West a little ways including Parallel 49 Brewing Company, Bomber Brewing, Powell Street Craft Brewery and a newcomer Doan’s Craft Brewing. If Belgian beer is more up your alley Biercraft on Commercial Drive which is also a good spot for brunch before the Crawl. If you are looking for the perfect cocktail, we recommend Odd Society Spirits. Personally, we will be making a stop for brunch first before the Crawl. There are so many options in the Hastings Sunrise area and on The Drive including amazing coffee shops. If you are looking for suggestions to eat before the Crawl, in Hastings Sunrise there is the Roundel Café, Yolk’s Breakfast and Red Wagon Café for starters. On the Drive, there is Havana Restaurant, Scandillious or for the perfect sandwhich to go (big enough to share) we recommend La Grotta del Fromaggio. While there, we suggest making the walk next door to Fratelli Bakery for something sweet. You won’t be disappointed.
During the Crawl, les amis du fromage, 843 East Hastings, is another great spot to stop in and do a bit of cheese sampling. They will also have some local vendors in store doing Pop Up Shoppes. On Saturday, November 21st from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm they will have Mixers & Elixers. They produce small batch shrubs also known as drinking vinegar used in soda water and cocktails. Also on hand Saturday will be Grain which sources exclusively Canadian dry good products from farmers and processors they know. On Sunday, November 21st Noon – 4:00 pm, you will find SaltSpring Kitchen Co. in store. Melanie Mulherin makes delicious small batch preserves in some unique flavours such as Meyer Lemon & Lavender Marmalade, Sour Cherry, Rhubarb & Rosemary Jam, Blueberry & Basil Jam and the one that caught our eye Winter Wonderjam (Strawberry, Cranberry, Orange & Bourbon). Les amis du fromage is perfectly situated in Strathcona within walking distance of many artist studios.
For some more sweet stuff, the Licorice Parlour is a great stop with over 65 flavours on hand. If you are looking for coffee, there are many great options including the Wilder Snail in the heart of Strathcona, Pallet Roasters, 323 Semlin Drive and Platform 7, 2331 East Hastings St. Of course, there are an array of excellent choices along Commercial Drive including Continental Café, Moja’s Coffee and Prado Café to name but a few. If you find yourself in the Stratchona area, might we suggest a stop at Crackle Crème at 245 Union Street. This sweet little dessert cafe serves up artisan crème brûlée and authentic Belgian liège waffles as well as coffee. There will be many local restaurants, breweries and coffee shops at the ready to help you recharge your batteries before, during or after the Crawl.
See you on the Crawl.
Share this:
52 Pick Up At The Havana Theatre November 13 – 29
6 Nov
A very interesting show called 52 Pick Up is coming to the Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive. The premise is there are 52 scene titles written on a deck of cards that are thrown into the air. As the performers pick up the cards, they perform the scenes, one by one, revealing a hilarious or maybe heartbreaking love story. No two performances will are the same. The show features comedian Dan Willows and Sarah Andrina Brown which we think should make for a fun evening. 52 Pick Up begins November 13th and runs till November 29th. Tickets are available online at Theatre Wire and range from $21 – $28 for adults and $18 -$23 for those under 30 and seniors. There will also be two Pay What You Can Performances on November 15 and 22. Come shuffle the deck.
Share this:
All Craft And Artisan Fairs In East Vancouver
5 Nov
‘Tis the season for craft and artisan fairs. Local makers have been working hard preparing for the upcoming holiday season. The fairs are a great way to support local when gift giving this holiday season. We have already checked out the first Winter Craft Fair of the season held at River District in SE Vancouver this past Sunday. This one will run every Sunday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm until December 27th. For those that don’t like crowds, this is a smaller market with great vendors. If you are looking for bigger markets with choices galore, there are many options including Shiny Fuzzy Muddy at the Heritage Hall, Make It!, TOQUE and Vancouver Farmer’s Market Holiday Market and new this year the Italian Christmas Market. We have set out below a rundown of the upcoming markets in East Van for November and December. We will continue to update this list as we learn of more. We hope you will join us in supporting local this holiday season.
NOVEMBER 2015
Nov. 8: River District Winter Craft Fair 11- 4
Nov. 10: Crafty Daze – Diwali – Mount Pleasant Community Centre 10:45 am
Nov. 13-15: 32nd Annual Britannia Christmas Craft Fair
Nov. 14: Love It. Craft It – Heritage Hall 11-6
Nov. 14&15: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – Wise Hall
Nov. 14: Holiday Craft Fair – Killarney Community Centre
Nov. 15: River District Winter Craft Fair – River District 11-4
Nov. 20: Italian Christmas Market – Italian Cultural Centre 4-8
Nov. 22: River District Winter Craft Fair – 11-4
Nov. 22: Blim Market – Heritage Hall 12-6
Nov. 27: Artisan Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Community Centre 4-9 pm
Nov. 28: Strathcona Winter Craft Fair – Strathcona Community Centre 10-4
Nov. 28 & 29: Artisan Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Community Centre 9 – 4
Nov. 28: Craft Fair – Renfrew Park Comm. Centre – 10-3
Nov. 29: Bakers Market – Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre 11-3
Nov. 29: River District Winter Craft Fair – 11-4
Nov. 29: Renegade Winter Art & Craft Market – 2980 Nanaimo Street 11-5
DECEMBER 2015
Dec. 3-6: Make It! Handmade Revolution – PNE Forum
Dec. 4-6: TOQUE Western Front’s Annual Fundraiser & Craft Fair
Dec. 5: Kensington Holiday Craft Fair – Kensington Community Centre 10-4
Dec. 6: River District Winter Craft Fair – 11-4
Dec. 6: Baker’s Market – Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre 11-3
Dec. 12: Vancouver Farmer’s Holiday Market – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-4
Dec. 12: East Van Ham – 1739 Venables Street
Dec. 12-13: Shiny Fuzzy Muddy – Heritage Hall
Dec. 13: River District Winter Craft Fair 11-4
Dec. 13: Baker’s Market – Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre 11-3
Dec. 14: Crafty Daze–Hannukah – Mt. Pleasant Community Centre 10:45 am
Dec. 19&20: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – Wise Hall 10-4
Dec. 19&20: 22nd Annual Women’s Winter Faire – Heritage Hall
Dec. 22: Crafty Daze-Winter Solstice-Mt. Pleasant Community Centre 10:45 am
Dec. 20: River District Winter Craft Fair 11-4
Dec. 27: River District Winter Craft Fair 11-4
For those wishing to participate in a craft fair, we have heard that as of today’s writing there are still some tables available at Holiday Craft Fair at Killarney Community Centre on November 14th and Renfrew Park Community Center’s Craft Fair on November 28th. We don’t expect that these spaces will last long though. So if interested, be quick.
ILiveInEastVan.com 