The Firehall, along with The McGrane-Pearson Endowment Fund, presents Ann Mortifee’s Reflections on Crooked Walking from Saturday, December 2 to Sunday, December 24, 2023.
Produced by the Firehall Arts Centre and directed by Donna Spencer, Ann Mortifee’s Reflections on Crooked Walking is a JUNO Award-nominated family musical that tells the tale of four people who find themselves the only ones left awake surrounded by sleeping townspeople. Their journey in search of a cure for the mysterious sleeping sickness leads them down a surprising path of deeper self-awareness. Tickets from $30 and available online at Firehall Arts Centre.
Who does not love to see a beautiful holiday wreath on someone’s door over the holidays. If you wish to create your own holiday wreath, be sure to check out one of the upcoming Holiday Wreath Making Workshops at Figaro’s Garden Centre. They invite you to come get into the festive spirit with this hands-on class. First workshop takes place on Saturday, November 25th at 9:30 am, the next one happens Saturday, December 2nd at 9:30 am. Tickets are $94.49 and available through Eventbrite.
The Cultch and Theatre Replacement are thrilled to present East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast, November 22, 2023 until January 7, 2024 at the York Theatre. For over a decade, Theatre Replacement and The Cultch have partnered to bring this holiday tradition like no other. It transforms well-known stories with an East Van twist along with pop song parodies, it really has something for all ages.
This year, East Van Panto’s Belle and Bento Buddies invite you on a fun adventure to escape the Beast’s clutches and break the curse on Venables Street. Bright, business-minded Belle is separated from her free-spirited dad Maurice and becomes imprisoned in an enchanted specialty grocery store by a strangely familiar Beast who seems very set in his ways. Time is running out and Belle who must use her smarts alongside her new friends Miso Potts, little Tofu and their Bento Buds to flip the perspective of Belle’s captor and break the curse before the last cherry blossom falls.
Seeing the live performance of the East Van Panto is a treat with the whole audience involved, but for those that wish to watch it from the comfort of home, the East Van Panto will again be available online from December 18, 2023 to January 7, 2024. If you plan to attend in person, you also have the opportunity to be part of the filming magic as part of the studio audience for Panto Online on December 5th & 6th when tickets are $30. Whether you attend in person or online, this is one show not to miss. Be sure to grab your tickets early. Tickets start at $39 for in person shows, family packages are available, digital tickets from $25. For more information, or to grab your tickets, visit The Cultch.
“Rowdy made-in-East-Van fun for the whole family” Stir Vancouver
“It is the silliest, most wonderful of traditions. And for me, it has become essential.” The Globe and Mail
“If the East Van Panto isn’t part of your holiday tradition yet, what are you waiting for?” Georgia Straight
“East Van Panto has earned its place as one of the best-loved holiday traditions in Vancouver…” Colin Thomas
Got Craft is back for another year with their Winter Holiday Market at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, November 18 and 19, 2023. The event will feature over 95 makers, designers, creative entrepreneurs showcasing ceramics, clothing, body + skincare, jewelry, food, homewares, greeting cards, art and much more. This year expect to find a newly expanded Mini Makers Market with kidpreneuers aged 16 years plus. Got Craft Winter Market is a great chance to get a jump on your holiday shopping while at the same time supporting a diverse community of independent artists, many that are BIPOC and women owned. There will also be a selection of food trucks on hand if you get hungry while you shop. Tickets are $5 and available online which cost lets you shop all weekend long Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
For those that wish to shop local without heading outside, you can shop online at the Got Craft Holiday Virtual Market which kicks off Wednesday, November 22nd and runs till Sunday, December 3rd. Their virtual market features 70 creative entrepreneurs from across Canada and this is the last one so if you wish to shop in your PJs, this is your chance.
It’s that time of year again where the opportunities to shop local are abundant. There are some great artisan markets and craft fairs coming up to help you make your gift giving easy whether for Christmas or birthday gifts. Did you know: “for every $100 spent with a BC local business, $64 is re-circulated back into our BC economy versus $14 for multi nationals. Why? Because locally owned businesses circulate more dollars in the community compared to multinational organizations.”
When you buy from a local maker, you’re supporting your neighbor next door, your co-worker working full-time and holding down a side gig, moms carving out some extra income while still being home with their families. All have created a business doing something they love and are passionate about. We are 100% behind supporting those local dreamers and makers. Also, buying local is better for the environment. Items at markets are not being shipped long distances and there is usually much less packaging involved. All around win win. To that end, we have again created a list of all the artisan markets and craft fairs happening in East Vancouver this holiday season. Here’s hoping our big list will make it easier for you to shop local this holiday season.
NOVEMBER 2023
Nov. 3: Pop Up Market – Art Soul Methods – The Cultch 12:30 – 7:30 pm
Nov. 4: Pop Up Market – Art Soul Methods – The Cultch 12:30 – 7:30 pm Nov. 4: Made In The 604 Winter Market – Heritage Hall 11-5 Nov. 4: Fair Trade & Artisan Market – Trinity Grace United Church 10 – 4
Nov. 5: Fall Pop Up Market – Artworks Bldg, 237 East 4th Ave. 12-5 Nov. 5: Made In The 604 Winter Market – Heritage Hall 11-5
Nov. 16: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 5-10 pm Nov. 17: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 5-10 pm
Nov. 18: Got Craft Holiday Market – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-5 Nov. 18: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 11- 6 Nov. 18: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm
Nov. 19: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street – 11- 5 pm Nov. 19: Got Craft Holiday Market – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-5 Nov. 19: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 11-6 Nov. 19: East Van Holiday Market – 2285 Clark Drive 12- 4 pm
Nov. 22-Dec. 3: Got Craft Virtual Holiday Market
Nov. 24: Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Comm. Centre 4-8 pm
Nov. 25: Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Comm. Centre 9-4 pm Nov. 25: Bake, Quilt & Knit Sale – Trout Lake Comm. Centre 9 – 3 Nov. 25: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm
Nov. 26: Christmas Gift & Craft Show – Vancouver Flea Market 10-3 Nov. 26: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm
Dec. 2: Tugboat Landing Artisan Market – 2010 East Kent Ave. S. 11-5 Dec. 2: Toque Craft Fair – 303 East 8th Ave. 11-5 Dec. 2: Hero’s Holiday Market – 3917 Main Street 1- 6 pm Dec. 2: Good Stuff Market – Heritage Hall Dec. 2: Winter Craft Market – Britannia Community Centre Dec. 2: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm Dec. 2: KrampusMarkt – Strange Fellows Brewing 11- 6 pm Dec. 2: Britannia’s Winter Craft Market – Britannia CC (Gym D) 10-4
Dec. 3: Tugboat Landing Artisan Market – 2010 East Kent Ave. s. 11-4 Dec. 3: Toque Craft Fair – 303 East 8th Ave. 11-5 Dec. 3: Good Stuff Market – Heritage Hall Dec. 3: Winter Craft Market – Britannia Community Centre Dec. 3: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm Dec. 3: KrampusMarkt – Strange Fellows Brewing 11-4 Dec. 3: Britannia’s Winter Craft Market – Britannia CC (Gym D) 10-4
Dec. 7: Make It Vancouver – PNE Forum 5-9 pm Dec. 7: Vegan Holiday Night Market – Waldorf Hotel 6-10 pm Dec. 8: Make It Vancouver – PNE Forum 11-9
Dec. 9: Make It Vancouver – PNE Forum 10-6 Dec. 9: First Pick Handmade Holiday Pop Up – Heritage Hall 11-6 Dec. 9: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm Dec. 9: New Gen Sip & Shop Christmas Market – 1659 Venables 11-6 Dec. 9: Kensington Holiday Craft Fair – Kensington CC 10-4
Dec. 10: Make It Vancouver – PNE Forum 11-5 Dec. 10: First Pick Handmade Holiday Pop Up – Heritage Hall 11-6 Dec. 10: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm
Dec. 11: Il Centro’s Christmas Market – Italian Cultural Centre
Dec. 13: Holiday Open House & Market – Kiwassa Neighbourhood House 3-6
Dec. 16: Made In The 604 – Heritage Hall 11-5 Dec. 16: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm Dec. 16: Indigenous Christmas Market – 2205 Commercial Street 12- 6 Dec. 16: Makers Market – 2408 Main Street 11 – 6 pm
Dec. 17: Made In The 604 – Heritage Hall 11-5 Dec. 17: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm Dec. 17: Holiday Craft Fair – Sunset Community Centre 10 – 3 Dec. 17: Makers Market – 2408 Main Street 11 – 5 pm
Vancouver Farmers Markets are kicking off their winter farmer markets this weekend. In East Vancouver, you can expect to find two markets. First up is Riley Park Farmers Market which carries on in the same location as the summer market at 50 East 30th & Ontario Street every Saturday from November 4, 2023 to March 30, 2024. Next up is the Hastings Park Farmers Market which returns for another year and happens every Sunday from November 5th 2023 to April 28, 2024. The market is located on the PNE Centregrounds behind The Forum Building and is always a popular market. Both markets run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and jam packed with lots of great local goods. Be sure to stop by and support our local growers and makers. If you wish to learn more about what vendors will be on site at any given market, be sure to visit www.eatlocal.org.
Riley Park Farmers Market 50 East 30th & Ontario Street Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Hastings Park Farmers Market Hastings Park Centregrounds Sundays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
The Eastside Culture Crawl is back November 16 – 19, 2023. This 4 day visual arts festival now in its 27th year is an amazing opportunity to check out the work of over 500 local artists. As the name indicates, most of the studios are on Vancouver’s Eastside in bounded by Columbia Street, First Ave and Victoria Drive.
The Eastside Culture Crawl features a wide variety of artists including painters, furniture makers, jewellers, sculptors, potters, photographers, glassblowers and many more mediums. We invite you to take the opportunity to visit artists in their working studios. Not only is it a great opportunity to meet local artists, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about each craft. Artists are generally available to discuss their work and creative process, but keep in the mind the weekend of the crawl is the busiest. If you wish to have a chat with an artist, maybe try one of the evenings they are open on November 16th and 17th.
The Eastside Culture Crawl runs from November 16-19 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and November 18 and 19 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Eastside Culture Crawl covers a wide geographical area. We find the Crawl Map to be a great resource in narrowing down artists we are interested in visiting. Although sometimes we narrow down an area of East Van we wish to scout around in and combine with a great spot for coffee or lunch. Either way, it’s a great way to get to know your City and maybe light your own creative spark. This is a free event and open to all ages. For more information visit, the Eastside Culture Crawl.
You are invited to participate in All Souls Night which takes place at Mountain View Cemetery October 25 to November 1. 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. Artists and community members come together to create a sanctuary for remembrance and reflection. You are encouraged to bring a lantern and candles as well as photos to create a memorial for a loved one in a gentle atmosphere. The event takes place rain or shine so you are encouraged to dress for the weather. Live ambient music can be heard throughout most of the event. We’ve set out a schedule of some of the events below. For more information, 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.
October 25th 6:00 pm Opening Ceremony
October 28th 1:00 pm Red Dress Ceremony
October 29th 1:00 – 2:00 pm Book Reading and Creative Ceremony
The much loved Parade of Lost Souls is back for another with an Everything Everywhere! All At Parade! which takes place on Saturday, October 28th. If you live in East Van, you likely know about this grass-roots festival. Creative direction comes from the folks at The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret. The event itself encompasses dance, art, music, installations, acting and the well-attended parade and much loved Thriller Flash Mob.
Everyone is invited to participate in the Parade of Lost Souls on Saturday, October 28th which procession begins at 7:30 pm from the Britannia Library. There will also be a Thriller Flash Mob as well as a The Time Warp Flash Mob. Should you wish to participate in The Time Warp Flash Mob alongside professionals, there’s still time to sign up for a drop in class Saturday, October 21st. The Parade of Lost Souls is an all ages family friendly event. Costumes are encouraged and the wilder the better. For those interested in buying or making a costume, you may wish to check out the Open House Costume Sale happening Friday, October 20th from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at 2050 Scotia Street.
The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret also hosts an After Party at the Wise Hall which gets under way at 10:00 pm until 1:00 am. Tickets are $44 and available online. To learn more about the Parade of Lost Souls and workshops leading up to the event, visit The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret.
Love board games and looking to meet some like minded people? You may wish to check out Beer & Board Game Nights taking place at Dogwood Brewing in SE Vancouver this Fall. The events are hosted by We Should Be Friends Vancouver which began when Katrina from Ontario moved to Vancouver thinking her extroverted personality would allow her to make new friends easily. Things didn’t turn out as planned, so she decided to do something positive and create events that allowed people to mix and mingle with the hope of making lasting friendships. So whether you are looking for a fun evening out or making some new connections, Beer & Board Game Night seems like a fun relaxed way to meet new people. Events happen the first and third Monday of the month, with Monday, October 16th being the first event. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at We Should Be Friends Vancouver. For those unfamiliar with Dogwood Brewing, it is located at 8284 Sherbrooke Street in SE Vancouver just below Marine Drive near the Knight Street Bridge.
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