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Trout Lake Weekly Outdoor Summer Concert Series Kicks Off July 4th

18 Jun

 

TroutLakeConcertSeriesThe Trout Lake Outdoor Summer Concert Series is back for another year starting Wednesday, July 4, 2018. If you have not checked out this great free summer event, you truly are missing out.  This annual event is hosted by the Trout Lake Community Center at 3360 Victoria Drive.  Concerts happen every Wednesday evening throughout the summer rain or shine. If it rains, concerts go indoors to the Grandview Room. We’ve had the opportunity to take in some of the concerts on a nice summer evening and we have to say, it is a pretty perfect way to spend an evening. Bring a blanket, your friends, family, kids or the dog or all of the above and a picnic and you are set.  If you aren’t able to organize a picnic, you can grab some food at the Carousel Café.  We have set out the musical line up for this summer below.  Each evening kicks off at 6:30 pm.  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’ve witnessed a few times.  On the very last concert of the summer, August 29th, make note there will be an opportunity to make lanterns for the first part of the evening after which there will be a lantern procession along with performers and musicians around Trout Lake at dusk (8:30 pm).  Keep an eye out for the Lantern Tent to make yours that evening, or bring your own creation from home.

 July 4
SANCTUARY ALL STARS
A 17 piece big swing jazz band led by Bob Liley.

  July 11
PROFESSOR BANJO
Unique and versatile performer who engages audiences of all ages.

July 18
SODA CRACKERS
Vintage country, jazz and roots music.

July 25
BLACKTHORN
Celtic Band

August 1
THE LAWLESS HOT CLUB
Blues, a little Western Swing, some eclectic songs from interesting places,
and even a little Rock

August 8
WHEAT IN THE BARLEY
A blend of traditional tunes.

August 15
RIO SAMAYA BAND
Original music of songs and poetry in a combination of Latin, Reggae & Rhumba.

August 22
ROWEN PORTER AND THE BURYING GROUND
Upbeat Blues String Band

August 29
CHECO TOHOMASO & Gospel Choir
Motown music.

 

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Croatia Days Festival At The Croatian Cultural Centre June 15 & 16

13 Jun

CroatiaDays2018It’s cultural festival season in Vancouver and what a privilege it is to live in a community that encompasses so many different ethnic and cultural enclaves. This weekend, come down to the Croatian Cultural Centre for some food, beer, folk dancing and of course, soccer!

Croatia Days Festival begins Friday, June 15th starting at 5:00 p.m. There will be a men’s futsal tournament and an outdoor barbeque with local and Croatian beers available for purchase. At 9:00 p.m. the bar will open for a pub night with live music and entertainment! For the main event on Saturday, June 16th, starting at 10:00 a.m. there will be cultural displays and food offerings from the various regions of Croatia, vendor stands from local Croatian businesses as well as a petting zoo and face painting station for kids. Up until 4:00 p.m. there will also be a lineup of Croatian dance groups who will be showcasing traditional Croatian folk dancing for festival attendees!

For all FIFA fans, head down to the Croatian Cultural Centre at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday for the pre-game party including food and beverages available for purchase where fans will be getting revved up for the Croatia vs. Nigeria game at 12:00 p.m. Wear your red and white checks and join the electric atmosphere while watching the game on nine jumbo projection screens and enjoying specialty imported beer from Croatia!

By Contributing Writer: Nicole Alivojvodic

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Italian Day On The Drive Sunday, June 10, 2018

22 May

ItalianFlag

One of our favourite community events is back, Italian Day which will be held on Sunday, June 10th,  This year’s theme is MUSICA.

 

Balla come se nessuno stesse guardando,
ama come se nessuno ti avesse mai ferito,
canta come se nessuno stesse ascoltando,
vivi come se il paradiso fosse sulla terra 
Dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth 

For Italian Day, Commercial Drive from Broadway to Grandview will be turned into one long piazza. Many of the restaurants will have outdoor seating areas, food trucks will be dotted along the stretch, live music will take place on several stages. As music is this year’s theme, we understand there will be a concert at Grandview Park with a 12 piece celebrity artist from Italy (yet to be named).  You can also expect Federico Fuoco, owner of Federico’s Supper Club, to put on a show to entertain the crowds as only he can.  There will be authentic Italian table food & wine samplings, European design with fashion and vehicle showcases, Little Italy Bocce court, food contests and many opportunities to experience food from a variety of countries as well as Italy.

Britannia Community Centre will be hosting an Italian Day Music Shaker Workshop in the Napier Greenway from Noon to 4:00 pm.  All materials are supplied. Everyone is welcome to stop by and participate.

Italian Day kicks off at Noon and the party runs till 8:00 pm. Just a reminder that vehicle traffic on Commercial Drive is blocked off, so it is best to take transit, walk or cycle in. For those cycling to Italian Day, we expect a Bike Valet will be set up again at 1st Avenue & Commercial, but this hasn’t been confirmed yet. We invite you come out and celebrate all things Italian. Italian Day represents the largest one day cultural street festival in Vancouver – and perhaps in Canada – drawing over 200,000 attendees of all cultures and ages.  Stop by and see some of the magic of this great street festival.

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Little Conversations An Evening Of Music & Words With Blue Dirt Girl At The Cultch April 6th

28 Mar

LittleConversationsReal. Honest. Sad. Funny. Whether they’re in-depth talks or brief exchanges on the street, conversations are how we connect with the world.  Through her music, blue dirt girl unearths, unbuttons and examines all of her conversations—from her working and writing sessions with her bandmates to the regular Friday morning discussions with the women behind Thinking Ship poems, and Sob Stories podcasts to the spontaneous chats she has with the people she meets throughout the day. Out of these little conversations come inspiration and collaboration.

On April 6th you have the rare opportunity to listen in on the conversation between the music of blue dirt girl and the poems of Thinking Ship; take a moment to engage with Sob Stories who will be collecting conversations for the podcast in the Founders’ Lounge at The Cultch.  A performance follows at 8:00 pm in the Historic Theatre. Tickets are $25 and available online from The Cultch.

If you aren’t familiar with Blue Dirt Girl, it is Kathryn Sutherland on lead vocals and electric guitar, AlbertKlassen on stand up and electric bass and vocals, and Jason Overy on drums and percussion. After collaborating on and off for 17 years, the trio formed blue dirt girl in 2016 and recorded their first album, Crazy Beautiful in 2017. With a sound that moves from swing to pop and back again, blue dirt girl pulls it all together with a jazzy vibe and Kathryn’s soulful vocals.

Start a conversation, more than likely, it will change your day.

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Hot Honey Brown At The York Theatre January 9 – 27, 2018

18 Dec

HotHoneyBrown4This January, The Cultch presents a production that promises to turn up the heat with Hot Brown Honey. This smash hit from Australia took the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by storm with a group of six sassy women who know how to make some noise and defiantly smash stereotypes.  We see this as part of the evolution of our changing cultural landscape as it relates to women.    The #metoo campaign shook the tree, we think Hot Honey Brown lends voice to some of the empowerment that comes from stepping out of the shadows and speaking up. See a production that speaks with sass along with hip hop, dance, poetry, comedy, circus, song and striptease to push boundaries and defy labels.  We’ve learnt an extra week has been added due to popular demand for tickets. So if you wish to see this production, we recommend grabbing your tickets sooner vs. later. Tickets start at $22 and are available online at The Cultch.

What people are saying about Hot Honey Brown:

★★★★★
Gleefully challenges stereotypes of sex and race with a full grin, bared
chest and raised middle finger.” 
Edinburgh 49

★★★★★
It’s gobsmacking the talent and message this show has to offer: how it challenges
everyone to review their views, and inspires everyone to rock the boat”
Theatre Press

★★★★★
A powerhouse performance of passion and poignancy” 
Broadway World

★★★★★
Unapologetic, almost aggressively graceful and fabulously fierce…”
Theatre People

 

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Night For All Souls At Mountain View Cemetery Saturday October 28th

25 Oct

AllSoulsNightYou are invited to the 13th Annual All Souls Night Saturday, October 28th  6:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Mountain View Cemetery, 5455 Fraser Street.  This event is curated by artist Paula Jardine and Marina Szijarto and was created to provide opportunities for the public to commemorate their dead with a family-oriented community art event. The Celebration Hall will be open from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm for tea and personal memorial making. Artists and community members will come together to create a sanctuary for remembrance and reflection. You are encouraged to bring a lantern and candles as well as photos if you wish to create a memorial for a loved one in a gentle atmosphere of contemplative beauty. The event takes place rain or shine.  To learn more about All Souls Night and events that continue to November 1st visit a Night For All Souls.  All schedule of all the events around this date are set out below, or you can visit Night For All Souls.

 The departed they visit us in dreams. They glide across our memories like shadows over streams.

Inscription on a headstone at Mountain View Cemetery.

  • Saturday, October 28th 6:00 – 10:00pm Opening Night
  • Sunday, October 29th 3:00 – 5:00 pm Mourners Tea
  • Sunday, October 29th 7:00 and 8:30 pm Performances of “Songs for a Lost Pod”
  • Monday, October 30th 8:00 pm Documentary Screening “For Dear Life”
  • Tuesday, October 31st 7:30pm Harpist Janelle Nadeau
  • Wednesday, November 1st 8:00 pm Closing Night Procession

All events are free, but donations are welcome.

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Parade Of Lost Souls October 28, 2017

16 Oct

ParadeofLostSouls2017The Parade of Lost Souls is back for another year on Saturday, October 28th. This iconic East Van event is one of our favourites in part because of the all out collaboration and community effort it takes to put this event together.  For those not familiar with the Parade of Lost Souls, it is a community-driven event celebrating Dia de Muertos (The Day of the Dead). The event includes a parade somewhere in the heart of East Van that includes performance art, live music, interactive art installations and lost souls. The Day of the Dead is a time for celebration, for ceremony, for reflection and renewal.  The Parade of Lost Souls was initially conceptualized and produced by the Public Dreams Society for over 25 years. The parade now carries on under the direction of The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret.  Kudos to The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret for keeping this East Van tradition alive and well. For those planning this year’s costume, this year’s theme is Alter Ego.  Who or what is your alter ago?   Do you have an alternative personality?  Bring them out to play on October 28th.

This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, October 28th from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The location will be revealed at midnight on October 27th on the Dusty Flowerpot website as well as the Dusty Flowerpot Facebook page. If you are interested in participating in this year’s events, we invite you to check out one of our favourite features the Thriller Flashmob. There will be dance workshops taking place at the Britannia Community Center leading up to the event.  There are 3 workshops currently scheduled on October 19th, 21st and 22nd.  Following the Parade, for all of those souls that want to keep the party going, the Lost Souls After-Party will be taking place at The Legion on Commercial Drive from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. The after party will feature a number of musical performances. Tickets are available in advance through Brown Paper Tickets and they are expected to sell out. So if you wish to bring your ghoulish self to dance, be prepared to pick up your tickets pronto.

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Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival September 30, 2017

26 Sep

RenfrewRavineMoonFestivalThe 15th annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival is scheduled for September 30th, 2017. If you haven’t attended this event, you are missing out. This is a great family event celebrating the environment around us with displays of colour, light and music.  This year’s theme is migrations.  Organizers, being the Still Moon Arts Society, would like those attending the event to reflect on the global movements that occur every day. It could be fish swimming across vast oceans, birds flying across Canada or that person travelling to meet friends or a loved on.  With the issues facing the world today, movement is playing a more significant role.

You are invited to come experience the installations created for this year’s event and discover your own stories in the theme of migration.  The festivities begin in the afternoon with the Harvest Fair which kicks off at 4:00 pm and goes till 6:45 pm at Slocan Park.  This event is a pre-cursor to the parade that happens at dusk.  The Harvest Fair features games, crafts, friendly competitions, musicians, community booths and more.  If you are interested in making a last minute lantern or purchasing one from a local artist before the parade, you can do so at the Harvest Fair. 

At approximately 6:45 pm, as the moon rises and the sun sets, musicians and dancers will lead a twilight lantern parade from Slocan Park through the Renfrew Ravine to Renfrew Park.  Along the way, the procession will pass the river-stone labyrinth with candles laid throughout.  Many of those in the procession are carrying lanterns and as you walk along you will see many homes on the route getting into the act with displays of light and colour on their properties that abut the Renfrew Ravine.  Once at Renfrew Park, this is where some exquisite lanterns are on full display and candles set up throughout the ravine. It is quite a spectacle to see.  The event finishes at 8:30 pm in Renfrew Park with choreographed dance performances, stilting and fire spinning along with swing and jazz music. The grand finale includes fireworks.  This is a free all ages family friendly event.

 

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Trout Lake Outdoor Summer Concert Series Returns July 5, 2017

26 Jun

DSCF8778_cropThe Trout Lake Outdoor Summer Concert Series is back for another year starting Wednesday, July 5th. If you have not checked out this great free summer event, you truly are missing out.  This annual event is hosted by the Trout Lake Community Center at 3360 Victoria Drive.  Concerts happen every Wednesday evening throughout the summer rain or shine. If it rains, concerts go indoors to the Grandview Room. We’ve had the opportunity to take in some of the concerts on a nice summer evening and we have to say, it is 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. There are a few new additions this year including a BBQ and the Carousel Café to grab some food while there.  For parents with young children, there will also be a kids art station as well as the great playground near the concert stage.  We have set out the musical line up for this summer below.  Each evening kicks off at 6:30 pm.  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 one year which certainly added to our evening.  We encourage you to check out this popular free family friendly event.

July 5
SANCTUARY ALL STARS
A 17 piece big swing jazz band led by Bob Liley.

July 12
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.

July 19
SODA CRACKERS
Vintage country, jazz and roots music.

July 26
WHEAT IN THE BARLEY
A blend of their traditional tunes will be a big hit with all-ages audiences.

August 2
DAMASCO SOUL SYSTEM

August 9
RIO SAMAYA BAND
Original music of songs and poetry in a magical combination of Latin, Reggae & Rhumba.

August 16
SILK ROAD
A musical adventure that explores China and beyond. Silk Road Music delivers virtuosity and imagination.

August 23
SWEET PAN

August 30
CHECO TOHOMASO

DSCF8769

 

 

Photo Credit: Deanna Knight

 

 

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The Vancouver International Jazz Festival June 22 – July 2, 2017

14 Jun

JazzDoubleBassThe Vancouver International Jazz Festival kicks off on June 22nd and runs to July 2nd in and around Vancouver. The festival now in its 32nd year features a great line of talent from across Canada and beyond. There will be over 300 performances during the jazz festival which takes place at various venues around the City. We’ve set out a few spots in East Van that will be showcasing some of the local talent as well as those in town for the festival. East Van’s Tangent Café located at 2095 Commercial Drive regularly features live jazz  and has a steady line up of talent.  Note, events at Tangent start at 8:30 pm and there is a $10 cover charge

 

 Tangent Café  8:30 pm

June 23  – Victor Noriega Group
June 24  – Two Much Guitar
June 25  – Brad Turner Trio
June 27 – Thad Bailey-Mai Quartet
June 28  – Thomas Houlden Quartet
June 29  – Boon Coon Quartet plays Bill Evans
June 30  –  Dubly Sound System
July 2 – Steve Kaldestad

Pat’s Pub located at 403 East Hastings Street will also be featuring live jazz during the festival.  There is also a $10 cover charge for the performances, but there are a few free shows. We’ve noted which are free.

 Pat’s Pub

 June 23  – Sax Summit – The Devil’s Horn 8 pm
June 24 – Nick Aplvor & Craig Scott 3 pm Free
Jun 24 –  The Devil’s Horn 8 pm
June 26  – Sessions at The Patricia with Sharon Minemoto  8pm Free
June 28  –  Blues & Brews with Steve Kozak and Guests  7pm  Free
July 1 – Birney-Stewart Trio 3 pm Free

All events are subject to change. For more information, we invite you to check out the website for the International Jazz Festival or check with the venue hosting directly. 

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