Tag Archives: Art

Wait Until Dark At The Havana Theatre March 1-12

29 Feb

WaitUntilDarkA masterfully woven thriller is coming to Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, from March 1-12.   Local theatre company, Naked Goddess Productions, brings you Wait Until Dark written by Frederick Knott.  The play features a recently blinded, Susy Hendrix, who finds herself in the possession of a doll that a very sinister Roat is after.  Roat enlists two con men to assist him.  The show features secret identities, drug smuggling and a deadly cat and mouse game. Each suspenseful moment builds on the next until the final terrifying, breath stopping scene. Wait Until Dark previews March 1st, opens March 2nd and runs Tuesday to Saturday.  Tickets are available in advance for $20 online from Brown Paper Tickets or $25 at the door.

Foto Friday – Collaboration of Art & Beer At Callister Brewing

19 Feb

IMG_3178If you follow us regularly, you may know we love our East Van community and aspire to inspire that sense of community.  So with that in mind, in today’s Foto Friday, we would like to give a shout out to Callister Brewing. As well as being one of East Van’s newer breweries, it is also a collaborative brewery which features 4 brewers under one roof, being Callister Brewing, Machine Ales, Brewery Creek & Real Cask Brewing. Basically it’s a commissary for beer makers and on talking to some of the brewers recently, you really get a sense of the collaboration amongst them which is quite prevalent in the craft beer community as a whole.  Callister Brewing, outside of making great beer, also collaborates with artists and features work curated by Lee and Bon Roberts. You will also see their art featured amongst the walls. Originally from East Van, they now live on the Sunshine Coast but collaborate to bring other artists work into the brewery to showcase. No commission changes hands, it’s purely a collaboration in its purest form.  So today, we would like to feature some photos of the art work currently up on the walls of Callister Brewing. Note, all the pieces are for sale. To see them in person, pop by for a beer and see them first hand.

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Exhibit Opening At The Cultch Gallery January 27

26 Jan

Jeff-Wilson-Grandview Smoke ShopThis Wednesday, January 27th, The Cultch Gallery, 1895 Venables Street, invites you to the opening of a new exhibit.   The Cultch Gallery will be showcasing the works of Harold Coego and Jeff Wilson.  Harold Coego originates from Havana, Cuba but now resides in Vancouver and is a self taught artist.  Harold Coego uses various art forms to express himself including painting, drawing, writing and film making.  Jeff Wilson is also a self taught artist and a native of Scotland.  He worked in the mining industry for most of his life before becoming a painter.  Jeff Wilson first exhibited his work in 2011 and in 2013 he became a full-time artist.  He likes to create socially relevant paintings that are bright, bold and exciting. You are invited to attend the opening reception of this new exhibit which will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday,  January 29th.  The exhibit runs until February 20th and can be viewed from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Monday to Friday and 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturdays. Everyone is welcome to attend the opening reception.

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Artist Credit: Jeff Wilson Above
Artist Credit: Harold Coego Below

Collide and Conquer Comes To Café Deux Soleils January 27

21 Jan

CollideAndConquerCuriosity Collider wants to shift how you experience science.  On January 27th, they present Collide and Conquer which will be a Pecha Kucha-esque type show that brings together art, science, technology and the business community at Café Deux Soleils. They have 3 speakers lined up which include:

Astronomer Jaymie Matthews
on his collaboration with Chloe Z (shadow puppeteer)
“N-body Pornography! – When galaxies and puppets collide”

Artist Dzee Louise and Roboteer Daniel DeGagne
on their Newreal Pathways BrainBot CC-DD 1.50

Artist Colleen McLaughlin Barlow on her artist residencies at the
Canada France Hawaii Telescope & the Gemini Telescope “Making Art at 14,000 Feet

After which, they will be hosting an open mic portion so you can share your idea on stage for 90 seconds.  If you don’t have a creative idea to share, maybe you have a great experience to contribute.  You are invited to come out and chat with, collaborate with other art and science enthusiasts for what we expect to be an engaging evening.   Cost for the event is $5 at the door, doors open at 7:30 pm with the show getting under way at 8:00 pm.

Vancouver Design Jam For Community Art in Mount Pleasant January 28th

7 Jan

Nerd-Jam-Web-HeaderThe Mount Pleasant Business Association is hosting a Design Nerd Jam on Thursday, January 28th. The Mount Pleasant BIA is inviting its members as well as local artists, art businesses and organizations, community groups and developers to share their ideas on what might be fun and engaging public art in Mount Pleasant.  Mount Pleasant is a creative hub filled with artists and artist studios, but there is a feeling that there is little evidence of that on the streets of Mount Pleasant.  Thus, the upcoming Design Nerd Jam which will be held at the Heritage Hall.  What is a Nerd Jam you might ask?  Basically, it’s an idea factory. The premise is to have a fun, fast, creative brainstorming session with various stakeholders in the community.  You are invited to join the conversation on January 28th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  An RSVP is requested which can be done online. If you would like more information, you can email Charmaine@mpbia.ca. at the Mount Pleasant BIA.

Le Marche St. George Winter Shop & Pics With Santa Is Moving To Mount Pleasant

1 Dec

LeMarcheSt.GeorgeWinterShop2015It’s Winter time at Le Marche St. George, 4393 St. Georgia (at 28th Avenue). This past weekend, I enjoyed the perfect mocha at this idyllic spot after a leisurely walk around QE Park.  Le Marche St. George is decked out for Christmas in a beautiful under stated way which makes it the perfect spot to get cozy with someone on a cold day. Another reason to go is their Winter Shop located upstairs. This is where they have a beautifully decked out display of items including ceramics by Janakin Larsen, photography by Klee Larsen, women’s outerwear and accessories by Mandula and much more.   They have some beautiful photos online with pricing, if you wish to take a look online. We learnt that due to one disgruntled neighbor, The Winter Shop was moving and have learnt their new location will be 11 East 7th Avenue. It will open this Saturday, December 5th at 10:00 am and will be continue at this location until December 22nd. In the meantime, show some love for this great spot which is a hop, skip and jump away from the Winter Farmers Market at Nat Bailey Stadium and a perfect place to warm up after a shop at the market.  This Saturday, Le Marche St. George had planned to host pictures with Santa from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm by donation with all  proceeds raised going towards assisting Syrian refugees settling in Vancouver. This event may be moved to their new location as well. Stay tuned.

Photo Credit: Le Marche St. George

Eastside Culture Crawl November 19-22: 457 Artists + 83 Buildings

12 Nov

EastsideCultureCrawlThe 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 CompanyBomber 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.

Sunya At The Cultch November 10 – 14

3 Nov

SunyaThe Cultch, 1895 Venables Street, in partnership with Diwali Fest, bring you Sunya from November 10 – 14. Indo-Armenian dancer and choreographer, Roger Sinha, and Iranian-born gatherer of musical pearls, Kiya Tabassian, along with four dancers and three musicians break boundaries to create a truly unique artistic experience. World music meets dance in a journey both celebratory and spiritual. “Sunya is a fusion of cultures, genres, and artist impulses,” says Heather Redfern, Executive Director of The Cultch. “The musicians and dancers riff off each other, creating an intense and dynamic physical and musical dialogue. The staging is beautiful, featuring vivid colours and patterns created with lights, movement, and sound. Sunya is a feast for all of the senses. It takes you to a place of great spirit.”

What people are saying about Sunya:

“As stirring to the mind as the sounds of the setar are to the heart” 
The Chronicle Herald

“Extremely poetic, inspired and inspiring, hypnotic…a sublime piece, an invitation to a subtle journey, sensual and spiritual. A touching beauty”
La Presse

An enchanting atmosphere. A particularly beautiful and fabulous show”
CBC Radio-Canada

Sunya opens at The Cultch November 10th at 8:00 pm and continues until November 14th with a post-show talkback on November 11th. Tickets are available online from $20.

Oh The Humanity Runs At The Firehall Arts Centre September 11 – 16

11 Sep

OhTheHumanityThe Firehall Arts Centre is one of many venues for this year’s Vancouver Fringe Festival running from September 10th to the 20th.  Another great production happening during the festival is Oh the Humanity (and other good intentions) brought to you by Staircase Theatre. Oh the Humanity is a witty show that examines the nature of human misery through a filter of jet black comedy. It is a series of 5 short plays about people trying to cope with the basic trial of being human among other humans and honestly, when haven’t we all struggled with that every now and again. In this show, two actors craft four characters each, including a coach who calls a press conference to explain why his team has lost every game in the season, a video dating service promoting two people that have nothing better to recommend than the fact that they are not visibly bleeding, a pair of photographers attempting to re-shoot a graphic war time photo without the original source material, a couple attempting to attend a funeral, or possibly a christening, no, a funeral, with poor results, an airline representative explaining to the families of crash victims what happened to the best of her abilities – despite the fact she lucked, or rather unlucked, her way into the job.  Oh the Humanity runs at the Firehall Arts Centre from September 11th to 16th.  Tickets for the show are available at Vancouver Fringe Festival.

June Hunter Hosts Summer End’s Studio Sale September 12 & 13

4 Sep

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East Van artist June Hunter is having a Summer End’s Studio Sale September 12th & 13th. For those that aren’t familiar with June’s work, she has a way with nature that shows in all her pieces. Her work has been featured in Style at Home House and Home and Where Vancouver as well as on CBC’s Living Vancouver.

At next week’s Summer End’s Studio Sale, you can expect to find sale prices on art, jewellery, tiles, magnets and one of a kind mixed media miniatures. June will be featuring some new jewellery including her hummingbird series as well as some new bold colourful pieces. If you happen to follow June on Twitter or Instagram, you will have become very familiar with her cat, Edgar, and a visiting crow she’s named Eric. Edgar and Eric now have their own calendars which will be available at her Studio Sale. And from what we’ve heard, the calendars are flying off the shelves heading across the globe.   June Hunter’s Studio is located at 2785 Parker Street (one block west of Renfrew – between Hastings St. and First Avenue). The Studio Sale runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th.

If you are not able to make the Studio Sale, you can also visit her Shop Online or find some of her work at Doctor Vigari Gallery, 1816 Commercial Drive.

Photos Courtesy of June Hunter Images

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