Tag Archives: Downtown Eastside

Firehall Arts Centre and Savage Society Present ‘White Noise’ April 15 – May 7, 2023

3 Apr

The Firehall Arts Centre and Savage Society present the remount of Taran Kootenhayoo’s White Noise from Saturday, April 15 to Sunday, May 7, 2023 as part of The Firehall’s 40th anniversary season.

This is a comedy about two families who have dinner together for the first time during Truth and Reconciliation week. White Noise explores what it means to live in Canada from two different paradigms and asks us to consider: How do we deal with internalized racism? Do we keep pushing it away and pretend to live safely in our day-to-day?

“It is so exciting to be bringing White Noise back to The Firehall stage after our close to sold out run last April,” says Firehall Arts Centre’s Artistic Producer, Donna Spencer. “Audiences were so moved by the play and its connection to here and now. White Noise has many comedic moments, is powerful and thought-provoking, and makes us think about our role in reconciliation and our responsibility to gain a greater understanding of the Indigenous people and their history here on Turtle Island and in Canada.”

Tickets are available online at Firehall Arts Centre. Here’s what people are saying about White Noise.

“White Noise is completely frickin’ original. It has vision. And it comes with the slap of urgency.”
– Colin Thomas

“Taran Kootenhayoo left us with this beautiful offering. We are lucky that he shared with us the beauty that so clearly lived inside him.”
– Eden Fineday, IndigiNews

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Stayin’ Alive – An 80s Themed Fundraiser At The Firehall Arts Centre February 25th

24 Jan

If you are a star at karaoke and love your 80s tunes, we’ve got a fun night out for you.  On February 25th the Firehall Arts Centre is hosting Stayin’ Alive which is an 80s themed fundraiser.   You are invited to bring you best 80s attire, learn your favourite 80s tune and get on stage for a lip sync contest. Are you ready for your 5 minutes of fame? Maybe dressed like some memorable 80s musical icons namely Madonna, Prince, Cindy Lauper or Billy Idol just to name a few.   There will be prizes, dance demonstrations and a DJ along with good eats and a specially crafted Firehall 1906 Martini from the good folks at Odd Society Spirits.  Tickets for this fundraising event are $75 ($50 tax receipt).  To grab your tickets, or get more information, visit Firehall Arts Centre.

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Firehall Arts Centre Presents The Unbroadcast – The Life Of Mildred Bailey October 14 & 15

28 Sep

The Firehall Arts Centre along with the Red Cedar Theatre are pleased to present The Unbroadcast Life of Mildred Bailey for two evenings only Friday, October 14th and Saturday, October 15th.  

The production was created by award-winning composer and traditional singer from the Lil’wat Nation, Russell Wallace. The Unbroadcast Life is a live podcast play featuring the life and music of Salish jazz singer, social darling and musical pioneer of the 1930s, Mildred Bailey.  She was known as “The Queen of Swing”, “The Rockin’ Chair Lady” and “Mrs. Swing”, Mildred Bailey was one of the first female singers to make a name for herself in the American pantheon of jazz. She captured the subtleties of the 1930s’ African American blues and ragtime music and became the first female jazz singer to perform regularly with a band. The Unbroadcast Life of Mildred Bailey explores the singer’s life and impact on the jazz scene and offers glimpses into that era’s rehearsal rooms, music studios and lively, star-studded wingdings. Tickets start are $20 and are available online at Firehall Arts Centre.

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Firehall Arts Centre Presents Music In The Courtyard

19 Jul

The Firehall Arts Centre and the Vancouver Independent Music Centre present the third season of Music in the Courtyard series from Saturday, July 30th to Sunday, September 4th. The performances will take place outdoors in the courtyard at The Firehall Arts Centre at 280 East Cordova Street. Performances will be held in the afternoons and evenings with ticket prices ranging from $15 to $25 per show.  The event features a wide variety of music styles including Latin, blues, guitar, experimental electronic and much more. We’ve set out a list of the upcoming performances below. For more information and to grab your tickets, visit Firehall Arts Centre.

Saturday, July 30th – 8:00 pm
The Noodle Connection

Sunday, July 31st – 7:30 pm
Niho, Fito, y Marlin

Friday, August 5th – 7:30 pm
Don McGlashan

Saturday August 6th – 7:30 pm
Murray Porter Band

Sunday, August 7th – 3:00 pm
x/o

Friday, August 12th – 7:30 pm
Michael Red + Tsimka

Saturday, August 13th – 7:30 pm
Curtis Clear Sky & Constellationz

Sunday, August 14th – 3:00 pm
Serenata Mexican

Friday, August 19th – 7:30 pm
Kutapira

Saturday, August 20th – 7:30 pm
The Fugitives

Sunday, August 21st – 3:00 pm
Public Dreams

Sunday, August 28th – 3:00 pm
Omianan featuring Thad Bailey-Mai

Friday, September 2nd – 7:30 pm
Saxophilia

Saturday, September 3rd
7:30 pm
Matt Cook-Contis & Eagle Ex Machina

Sunday, September 4th – 3:00 pm
Whelming

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Firehall Arts Centre Presents Music In The Courtyard

19 Jul

The Firehall Arts Centre and the Vancouver Independent Music Centre present the 2021 Music in the Courtyard series from Friday, July 30th to Sunday, September 5th. The performances for the second edition of this series will take place outdoors in the courtyard at The Firehall Arts Centre at 280 East Cordova Street. The shows will mainly take place Wednesdays to Saturdays at 7:00 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets range from $20 to $40. It is strongly recommended that tickets be purchased in advance as tickets are expected to go quickly. The line up of talent is all over the map. You can expect to hear solo, duo and group performances. The sounds range from a string quartet to rock & roll to artists you might expect to find at the Vancouver Folk Festival to soulful blues.  We invite you to check out the full rundown of talent and grab your tickets by visiting the Firehall Arts Centre.

Note: Each performance will be limited to 50 patrons. Patrons will be required to wear masks in public areas within the building, but may remove their masks once seated in the outdoor courtyard area.

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Firehall Arts Centre Presents An Outdoor Exhibition Yellow Objects May 11-22

16 Apr

The Firehall Arts Centre is hosting the world premiere of yellow objects, an exhibition created by Derek Chan, from Tuesday, May 11 to Saturday, May 22, 2021. The exhibition will take place outdoors in the Firehall Arts Centre’s courtyard and is limited to 10 patrons per showing. There will be no live performers – only objects, voice recordings, and projections. Over the 12 day exhibition, there will be a total of 50 showings, each 40 minutes in length. yellow objects invites us to question our responsibility to future generations by stepping into a Hong Kong of two eras – 2019 and 2050. “This piece is a collection of what was, what has been, what is, and what could be,” says Chan. “It’s a rally for the ones who are still risking their lives out there; written in remembrance of those who cannot be there anymore; a lament of families broken and loves lost.”  The production is. inspired by the ongoing pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong and the Chinese government’s oppressive enforcement of the National Security Law in July 2020. Individuals can step into the world of yellow objects through the shoes of protagonists ‘Sandra Wong’ and ‘Uncle Chan’.

Prior to visiting the exhibition at the Firehall Arts Centre’s courtyard, patrons can take part in a series of short digital narrative adventures, which will be available on April 19, April 26, and May 3 via Rice and Beans Theatre. This digital component is an introduction and portal into the exhibition piece.

Through the exhibition piece, taking place May 11-22, patrons can witness the rest of ‘Sandra’ and ‘Uncle Chan’s’ journey to Hong Kong from 2019 to 2050 – with a walk through the Chinese underworld and beyond – culminating in a final act of political defiance against tyranny.

The Firehall Arts Centre’s Artistic Producer Donna Spencer says, “It is exciting to showcase this very pertinent and challenging exhibition at a time when the world’s eyes are on Hong Kong and the dismantling of the democratic movement there. Derek and his collaborators have found a way to share this important information in a COVID-safe exhibition that is dramatically compelling.”

COVID protocols: Between each showing, the venue will be sanitized as per COVID-19 protocols. Patrons will be required to wear a mask and follow the two-metre social distancing rule. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Ticket prices range from $15 to $25. To purchase your ticket, visit the Firehall Arts Centre.

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Talking Sex On Sunday At The Firehall Arts Centre February 14 – March 8

2 Feb

male blow-up dollA fun new musical production hits the Firehall Arts Centre on February 14th.   On the first Sunday of every month Margot and her lady pals host a theme party. For something a little different, Margot decides to shake things up and throws a Sex Toy Party.  In this musical comedy, you’ll witness women share fears, reveal dirty secrets, explore new possibilities, all while finding the power of female friendship. The production is directed by Donna Spencer, Talking Sex on Sunday features performances from some fierce females including Janet Gigliotti, Jennifer Lines, Sara Vickruck, Irene Karas Loeper, Caitriona Murphy, Katrina Reynolds, and Seana Lee Wood.

“I am delighted to be working with such a powerhouse team of actresses on this wonderful new work created by Sara Jeanne and Nico,” says Donna Spencer.

“It’s a perfect piece for late winter, and reminds us how for so many years and even now women have not spoken openly or been proud of their sexuality. Dr. Ruth has done her best to get us talking, but there is always more to be said.”

Tickets are on sale now for the production. To grab your tickets, visit Firehall Arts Centre.

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And Bella Sang With Us January 4-14, 2017 At The Firehall Arts Centre

27 Dec

andbellasangwithusemilycooperThe Firehall Arts Centre has recently added the works of two female playwrights to their 2016-2017 season. One of which is And Bella Sang With Us opening in the New Year. This show was “Pick Of The Fringe” at the 2016 Vancouver Fringe Festival and is written by written by Vancouver’s Sally Stubbs. The story is set in 1912 in the Downtown Eastside and features Constable Lurancy Harris and Minnie Miller, Vancouver’s first female police officers. In this play, they will show you how they dealt with the ‘female morality issue’.  This subject matter, of course, leads them into a host of other issues including societal and family pressures as well as political corruption not to mention trying to deal with ‘The Lord of the Bawdy Houses’. The cast features a great line up of local talent including Leanna Brodie, Sarah Louise Turner, Simon Webb, Beatrice Zeilinger, Agnes Tong, and Patrick Courtin.  Opening night is January 4, 2017 and the show runs to January 14th with several matinees featured. Tickets are $24 and available online at Firehall Arts Centre.

Photo Credit: Emily Cooper

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East Van Jewellery Collection Launch Party November 17th

9 Nov

 

IloveEastVanBeneeWe would like to introduce you to a great new jewellery collection that speaks East Van. Benée Rubin, local jewellery designer and goldsmith is excited to officially launch her new collection East Van Cross Jewellery on November 17th. Benée has lived in Vancouver’s eastside and wanted to use her talent as a master goldsmith and designer to help the women and children in her own neighbourhood. As a long-time supporter of the YWCA and a single mother herself, Benée is donating 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the East Van Jewellery Collection to Crabtree Corner.  If you are unfamiliar with Crabtree Corner, it houses a range of programs and services under one roof to help marginalized women and families living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside feel safer, less isolated, healthier and more empowered to make positive choices.

Benée is proud to say all of the jewellery is locally made and materials are locally sourced. In addition to being available online at beneerubin.com and at her downtown studio, the collection will soon be in select stores and galleries.   To see the full collection in person, we invite you to the Launch Party on Monday, November 17th which takes place at Catalog Gallery, #2061 – 88 West Pender (Tinseltown Mall) from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. RSVP requested to: flameeadie@shaw.ca or 604.764.6216.

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Cultch Gallery Opening Showcasing The Downtown East Side Small Grant Arts Program

27 May

CultchGalleryDTEASPThis Wednesday, May 29th, The Cultch Gallery, 1895 Venables Street, invites you to the opening of a new exhibit.   The Cultch Gallery will be showcasing the works of the Vancouver Foundation’s Downtown East Side Small Arts Grants program. This program was created in 2008 in partnership with the Carnegie Community Centre. The initiative seeks to foster individual achievement amongst local artists in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood.   You are invited to attend the opening reception of this exhibit which will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday,  May 29th. The exhibit runs from May 28, 2013 – June 8, 2013  and can be viewed from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday to Friday and 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

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