The Eastside Culture Crawl is back for 4 days starting Thursday, November 14th. This event is a 4 day arts extravaganza that features the work of over 478 artists in and around East Vancouver. Artists with a variety of mediums open their studio doors so you can see first hand their working space, their creative process and of course meet and talk to the artists about their work. On The Crawl, you will find painters, jewelers, sculptors, textile artists, furniture makers, weavers, potters, printmakers, wood carvers, photographers and much more. The event comprises some 78 buildings from Main Street to Victoria Drive and First Avenue to Powell Street.
We suggest if time is not on your side and you don’t mind crowds, you can take in the works of many artists in one fell swoop at 1000 Parker Street and the Mergatroid. These two hubs in the heart of East Van also feature food trucks for those that get hungry or thirsty wandering around. The Mergatroid, at 975 Vernon Drive is just steps away from 1000 Parker Street also offers glass blowing demonstrations throughout the event on the main level which always draws a crowd.
If you don’t like crowds, there are a wide range of spaces to choose from during The Crawl, so there are lots of opportunities to see working studios and spaces that are a little further afield. This year, as you make your way around, we encourage you to watch for the Displacement Exhibit. It is a multi-venue salon style exhibition which you can view at the Arts Factory, The Cultch, Firehall Arts Centre and Alternative Creation galleries. This is an important exhibit that addresses the issue of disappearing affordable artistic production spaces and raise awareness of the loss of these spaces in our community. The exhibit features work by artists faced with the challenge of eviction, shifting demographics and displacement. The Eastside Culture Crawl Society feels “the contribution of arts and culture is integral to the identity of our city and the threat to viable artist space is a threat to the very core of a healthy vibrant community.” We couldn’t agree more. Change is inevitable but we would like to see a balance to ensure support for what makes Vancouver unique and beautiful. To help guide you through some of the art available, 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. We encourage you to check out the amazing talent in this City. There is also a great Events page. Definitely worth a look.
If you have creative kids and want to check out The Crawl, we invite you to check out Crawling For Kids which Melk Art & Design is again hosting at their studio at 936 Clark Drive on Saturday and Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm It is a free afternoon of hands on creativity. It’s an opportunity to create collaged cards with nature inspired stamps. Again, it’s free, first come first served.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, one thing we love about the Eastside Culture Crawl is that there is no set schedule. You go where you want, when you want for as long or as little as you want. Add to that, there are an array of great spots to stop for a bite to eat or if one gets thirsty. Whether you are in Strathcona, off the Drive, Railtown, Hastings Sunrise, Downtown Eastside or off of Clark Drive, there are countless options for coffee, beer, food and wine. Enjoy and get out support our local artists.
Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre presented the world premiere of Tetsuro Shigematsu’s Kuroko on November 7th at The Cultch. The acclaimed creator of behind Empire of the Son and 1 Hour Photo, Shigematsu says this was his biggest challenge to date. Kuroko is not a solo show and Shigematsu is not personally taking the stage, as he usually does. This time he’s only the playwright and he’s telling one of his most personal stories yet – a dark comedy that earned a standing ovation from a captivated audience on opening night.
If you have not experienced Fado music, you are missing out. What is Fado? Wikipedia describes it as “a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a sentiment of resignation, fatefulness and melancholia.” We can tell you it is passionate, emotional and relatable. This month and next you have the chance to experience it firsthand. Elaine Ávila, an acclaimed Portuguese-Canadian playwright, brings her play new FADO to the stage at the Firehall Arts Centre. The production “is a tale of love and ghosts set in the back alleys and brothels of old Lisbon. Part concert, part theatre, the story of a young woman confronting her country’s Fascist past and her own identity is interwoven with the heartbreaking national music of Portugal known as Fado, which means “fate.” For tickets to this beautiful production, visit 
If you have a sweet tooth and love wine, you may wish to check out this Tasting Class happening Thursday, November 14th at the Everything Wine store in River District. Dessert wines are definitely something you see and taste more in the winter months and Everything Wine has you covered with respect to a selection. You are invited to come learn how dessert wine is made and the different styles that are made. After an introduction to the types of dessert wines, you will, of course, get to taste some of the best in the world. The tasting class gets under way at 6:30 pm and will run till 8:00 pm. Tickets are $35 and available for purchase online at 
Christopher Hampton translates French playwright, Florian Zeller’s, award winning play The Father. Christopher brings this highly acclaimed production to the stage at The Cultch November 20 to 30, 2019. The play is one that has taken Paris, London and New York by storm and accumulated many awards along the way. It is a deeply moving production about Andre a man in mental decline. He can’t remember where he put his watch or why there are strangers in house and asks why people keep moving his furniture. His daughter Anne tries to keep up with all the answers to Andre’s questions. This November will be the first time this work makes its way to Vancouver. An important production that many with aging parents will be able to relate to. Tickets for The Father are now available online and are $40 for adults, but note student and artist tickets are available at $25. To purchase in advance, visit 
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What do you do with your pumpkin after Halloween? There is of course composting, a very good option, but there is another option this year. The PNE is doing something very cool that reduces waste, does something positive for the environment and animals and is fun. On Friday, November 1st between 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm you are invited to bring your pumpkin(s) to a FREE PNE PUMPKIN PROMENADE at the Hastings Park Sports Court. All the pumpkins will be lit up and put on display. After the event, volunteers for Pumpkins For Pigs will round up all the pumpkins which will be delivered to local farms and made into treats for animals as part of a Food Waste Diversion Project. Tim Horton’s Kaslo will have hot chocolate and snacks on hand, but you are asked to bring your own cup.
You are hereby invited to a fun night out! The Theatre Replacement, a local theatre company, is hosting their annual fundraiser Saturday, November 16th at the Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Avenue. Come buckle up for a wild ride of Road Trip Episode Me Love Bingo! Kyle Loven will be hosting the event in a gold costume we hear for what is expected to be a campy night of games, amazing prizes, sweet tunes and zero speeding tickets. Doors open at 7:00 pm and the fun and games get under way at 8:00 pm. Admission is $20, but note bingo papers are a separate purchase at the door for $15. Some great silent auctions will also be on hand to raise some funds. So go have some fun while supporting local art! Tickets available through 
ILiveInEastVan.com 