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.

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

Foto Friday – Cocktails & Cats

24 Jun

OddSociety_BCBramble0605_PhotoCreditRD_Cane_croppedAs it’s Friday, we are hankering for cocktails and we are lucky to have some great spots in East Van for just that. One of our fav spots for drinking them that we don’t get to as often as we’d like is Odd Society Spirits. Of course, our friends at Sips Cocktail Emporium are always ready to help you put together that perfect cocktail at home. So today, on the beginning of a summer weekend, we bring you a few of our favourite cocktail photos courtesy of Odd Society Spirits and a fine photographer RD Cane. So where do the cats come in you ask? Well now that I have your attention with the cocktails, we’ve learnt that 2 cats we’ve featured Lenny and Sky are STILL waiting for their forever homes at the Vancouver SPCA. Plus a new kitty has been brought our attention which we have a soft spot for Phyllis. She was surrendered to the BC SPCA just over 2 months ago and is the sweetest girl. She does have a heart condition, but does not require any specialized care just monitoring. If you don’t snap her up, we just might.  We’ve included links for more information on Phyllis, Sky and Lenny.  Meow and Cheers!

 

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.

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

 

6th Annual Britannia Garden Party Fundraiser July 7th

21 Jun

BritanniaGardenParty.jpgYou are invited to the 6th Annual Britannia Garden Party Fundraiser on the evening of July 7th. The location of this event is the Britannia Secondary School sports field which will be turned into one large garden party.  In the garden you will be served a  gourmet meal made from local fare which will include veg and non-veg entrees, salads, corn on the cob, nugget potatoes and more. For dessert, you can expect homemade pie and ice cream.   As this is a fundraiser, there will be a Silent Auction component to the evening and we hear over 50 items have been donated by East Van merchants, services, breweries, restaurants and cafes. Some of the names we’ve heard that have donated include the Licorice Parlour, Kali 1000 Commercial, Wonderbucks Wonderful Living, Fratelli Bakery,  Merchant’s Oyster Bar, Bikes on the Drive, Sunset Grill Vancouver, Ocean and Crow Yoga/Space and Arriva Italian Restaurant. The funds raised from this event will be used to teach kids about gardening and community.  This is a family friendly event with games and activities for all ages, live local music, a storyteller for the kids and a juice bar featuring homemade ginger beer (non-alcoholic), lemonade, kambucha and iced tea.  Tickets for this event are $30 per person, children aged 6-12 are $15 and children under 6 are free.  Added bonus when you buy your ticket, the Commercial Drive Scotiabank will be matching funds. So for every $30 ticket sold, $60 will be raised.  To purchase your ticket(s) for this fun event, call the Britannia Community Centre at 604-718-5800, or Ian at 604.718.5895. You can also email the Grandview Woodland Food Connection at gwfcnetwork@gmail.com.  This event will go ahead rain or shine, and sunshine is expected by organizers, but should they need to go indoors, they will relocate to the Cafeteria. Come out and support this great community event!

A Storytelling Cabaret At The Imperial Theatre June 23rd

20 Jun

StorytellingCabaretThere is a very interesting event happening this week at The Imperial Theatre. It is a Storytelling Cabaret. If you are in your 20s, this one’s for you.  You are being asked if  “You ever got lost in Europe? Failed college Theatre History? Finally learnt Hotel California on the guitar? (No, but I did actually rewrite the words to the song as a kid. No I don’t know why). Or just have one of “those summers”?”   You are invited for an evening of storytelling and music with young people from and currently in foster care to celebrate all that is right and wrong with being in your twenties.   This event is part of the Write the Future campaign, which is a Fostering Change initiative that includes community leaders, youth and members of the public to come together in support of youth aging out of foster care.   As part of the Write the Future campaign, the Fostering Change initiative invites community leaders, youth, and members of the public to come together in support of youth aging out of foster care.   The long list of talent lined up for this week’s event includes:  

CHARLES DEMERS
ANGELA STERRITT
IVAN COYOTE
GARY JONES
RIEL HAHN
MO DHALIWAL
SARA BYNOE
JANEY LEW
VERDANN EVANS
MADELAINE MACCALLUM
PEREGINE FALLS
TONYE AGANABA
DJ NIÑA MENDOZA

The event takes place at the Imperial  Theatre, 319 Main Street. Tickets are $15 in advance and available online at Fostering Change.ca.  Show gets under way at 7:00 pm.

Fresh Curbside Markets Are Back June 14 to October 28th

16 Jun

CurbsideFreshMarkets2.jpg

If you are looking for fresh food at low prices, you may wish to check out the Curbside Fresh Market which have returned for its third season.  The Curbside Fresh Market brings affordable local produce to select Vancouver neighbourhoods every week from June 14th to October 28th.    You can find them at the following locations and times in East Vancouver:

Mt Pleasant Neighbourhood House
800 E Broadway, Vancouver
Wednesdays 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Collingwood Neighbourhood House
5288 Joyce St, Vancouver
Thursdays  3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Mt Pleasant Community Centre
1 Kingsway, Vancouver
Fridays 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

For more locations, visit them on Curbside Fresh Market. Fresh Food and Low Prices is what you can expect.  Be sure to stop by one and check it out.

Car Free Day Sunday, June 19th On Commercial Drive & Main Street

15 Jun

CarFreeDayCar Free Day began over 10 years ago on Commercial Drive. The idea of organizers was to reclaim the streets and oppose highway expansion and more traffic. Car Free Day has now expanded to several neighbourhoods and in East Van will be held on Commercial Drive and on Main Street. These festivals are 100% organized by local volunteers and each festival has a unique flavor and is a family friendly event. There is lots to see and do for all ages. We have set out some of the highlights for this Sunday’s event at both locations.

Commercial Drive (Venables to Grandview on Commercial Drive) Noon–7:00 pm

Car Free Day on Commercial Drive will span 15 blocks from Venables to Grandview and include an array of artisans, street patios, vendors, musicians and activities for all ages. Here is some of what you can expect at this year’s Car Free Day On The Drive:

Family Fun Zone filled with free activities at Charles Street
Wishing Wellness Garden At Napier Street
CiTR Radio 101.9FM and Discorder Magazine
Swordplay Demos by Academie Duello – School of Modern Swordplay
Bike tune up and bike race By Landyachtz Longboards
DJ Soo at The Venables Stage
Kitchener At the Public Domain Stage
The Carnival Band Parade at 5:30 pm
Letter Writing With Post A Letter Social Activity Club At 6th Avenue
Art Making Corner With Opus Art Supplies at The Napier Greenway
A Drum Circle by Paranada Traders

Note: For those planning to cycle to the event, there will be a free bike valet service provided by Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST).

Main Street (Broadway to 30th on Main Street) Noon–7:00 pm

On Main Street, you will find lots of mini-festivals, community-supported stages with dozens of bands, multiple kids zones, artisan markets and much more. The Main Street Festival takes up some 21 blocks. Some of the highlights of this year’s festival include:

Broadway: The Beaumont Studios Festival Zone
Community Police Street Hockey
TransLink Vintage Bus
Startup Zone
LOVE Leave Out Violence Mini-Festival
Enroot – Meals on Demand
Bohemia Gallery
Vancouver Performing Stars
The Granville Island Toy Company Children’s Zone
Street Fantasy Garden Fashion Show & Village
Neptoon Records Stage
Giving Gifts Festival Zone
Canvas Homemade Artisan Group
Groundwerk x De Radio Stage at Car Free Day
Sonic Planet Rock School Stage
The Reef Soca Block Party
Red Cat Records
Arts Off Main Gallery

Come out and celebrate Vancouver’s diverse neighbourhoods and our communities.  These events are free and will go ahead rain or shine. For more information on the events, visit Car Free Day.

Photo Credit: Car Free Day

Rescue Me: Persian Cross Sky Looking For His Forever Home

14 Jun

 

SkySPCA1Welcome to the next installment of Rescue Me in which we feature pets waiting for adoption at the Vancouver SPCA. Today we would like to introduce you to a lovely boy named Sky. Sky is a beautiful persian cross that is 11 years old. He came to the Vancouver BC SPCA after a change in his living environment. So an adult home where he is the apple of your eye would be perfect for him. Speaking of eyes, Sky has stunning baby blue eyes and is a sweet and loving cat. He has a sensitive nature which makes life in the shelter unsettling for him, but his friends at the Vancouver SPCA feel he will flourish in his new home.   Sky is an indoor only cat and with his long hair will require regular brushing. If you can give this sweet boy a forever home, his friends at the Vancouver SPCA Shelter would love to hear from you. You can find him at 1205 East 7th Avenue or by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email at vancouver@spca.bc.ca