The Firehall Arts Centre is playing host to a guest presentation of The Judge’s Daughter October 24 – 29, 2023. The production tackles questioning the actions of our BC Supreme Court Judges. There are two ways the verdict could go and the final scene hinges on the judgment of you, the audience.
The play takes place in the Whistler ski cabins of brilliant lawyer, Judge Kelly Saint Patrick and her lawyer husband James Brown. Young love blooms for their daughter, Erin, and her activist boyfriend. When a sudden death occurs, it raises the morality of jailing anti-pipeline protesters, family relationships and professional reputations are threatened. It’s time for judgment and the audience is the jury. Tickets are now available online and range between $30 – $50. To purchase tickets, visit the Firehall Arts Centre.
Car Free Days return for another year. In East Vancouver, they will be happening September 9thon Commercial Drive (North Grandview Highway to 1st Avenue) and September 16th on Main Street (10th Avenue to King Edward Avenue). Both festivals kick off at Noon and run till 7:00 pm. Car Free Days is a chance to experience the City with more space for pedestrians. Expect to find activities for all ages, locally-based vendors in each neighbourhood. This is a free family friendly event in which walking, cycling and taking transit to the event is encouraged. If interested in volunteering for this event, visit Car Free Vancouver.
While summer continues in full swing, there are fun things to look forward to this September. One of which is the 8th Annual McSpadden Country Fair being held on Sunday, September 10th in McSpadden Park. This is a community event that features fun activities for the whole family including live music, games, local vendors, food trucks and the ever popular East Van zucchini races. If you have an idea on how to make a zucchini go fast, now’s your chance! Be warned though, there is stiff competition for bragging rights. If you cycle, Kickstand will be on hand doing bike tunes up by donation. As with any country fair, there will be raffles, contests and prizes. The 8th Annual McSpadden County Fair takes place in McSpadden Park, 2125 Victoria Drive, between 11:00 and 5:00 pm. To learn more about the event and all the activities, you can visit them on online at www.mcspaddenfair.ca or on Facebook.
It is time to once again for the Great Grandview Garage Sale happening Saturday June 17th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm rain or shine. Whether you are a bargain hunter, looking for an awesome
vintage find, or just a great deal on something, this is the spot to be. The Great Grandview Garage Sale is a multi-family garage sale that takes place, as the name eludes, throughout the Grandview-Woodlands area of East Vancouver. Specifically from Broadway to the Burrard Inlet and from Clark Drive to Nanaimo Street. If you live in the area, you are invited to participate and it is FREE to sign up. Whether you live in a home, walk up apartment building, co-operative housing, no matter, everyone is welcome to participate. To sign up or see a map of the current locations, visit Great Grandview Garage Sale. Remember, the old adage “One person’s junk is another person’s treasure”.
Gourmet Warehouse has some great new cooking classes lined up this Spring. If you haven’t already experienced one of their classes, it is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening with some like-minded food lovers. If you have participated, you know it’s a great way to pick up some knowledge and some great tips in the kitchen. Added bonus is after each cooking class all the participants are offered a 10% discount for purchases made the day of your class. We have set a few of their upcoming classes that caught our eye. For a full line up of all the classes Gourmet Warehouse is offering visit Cooking Classes.
Pleats & Eats: Dicky’s Dumpling Workshop – April 5, 2023
You are invited to join Pearl and Dickson, the creators of Dicky’s Dumps, as they show you how to effortlessly make your new favourite dumplings. You will learn various different dumpling folds and pinches to create beautiful and authentic treats that are perfect for sharing. This class will focus on three unique fillings and different cooking styles to expand your dumpling mastery. The menu for this class hasn’t been announced yet, but we’re pretty sure that it will be delicious! We also hear each class participant will be leaving the evening with a gift.
Date Night – Dreaming Of Amalfi Coast – April 20, 2023
If you have never been to the Amalfi Coast, we recommend putting it on your Bucket List. If you have been, you know how magical this part of Italy is. We encourage you to treat yourself and that special someone in your life with “Dreams of the Amalfi Coast” and discover the beautiful fresh flavours of one of the most famous coastlines in the world. Amalfi cuisine is encapsulated by fresh seafood, sparkling lemon, and perfectly ripened vegetables to fill your stomach and your soul. The menu for this class is set out below. Note: tickets for this class are being sold in pairs.
MENU
• Huacatay Vinaigrette Quinoa Salad with Mango, Avocado, Roasted Pepper, and Rocota Chili • Verduras Causa – Whipped Beetroot and Potato, Lima Bean Puree, Aji Salsa, Pickled Beet, Huacatay, and Yam Chips • Nikkei Ceviche – Wild Sockeye Salmon, Ginger, Avocado with Passion Fruit Ponzu, Wasabi Aioli, and Nori • Lomo Saltado – Skirt Steak with Onion, Tomatoes, and Peppers with Kennebec Fries
Pasta Like A Pro – Spring In The South – April 27, 2023
Chef Deniz Tarakcioglu invites to join him to explore the regions of Southern Italy dish-by-dish, making each course yourself with expert guidance from our chefs. Roasted vegetables, classical pasta shapes, and delectable sauces will take you along the Mediterranean coastline of one of Italy’s historic regional cuisines. The menu for this class is set out below.
MENU
• Roasted Local Asparagus with Vin Cotto, Mortadella and Pecorino Romano, Fine Olive Oil • Hand Shaped Orecchiette with Fresh Herbs, Olive Oil, Zucchini and Bottarga • Maccheroni al Ferretto with Fennel Sausage Ragu, Spring Peas and Sheep’s Cheese • Lemon Cream with Preserved Berries
To see all the classes being offered and or to register, we invite you to visit GourmetWarehouse.ca.
The Firehall Arts Centre and Victoria’s Puente Theatre bring FADO – The Saddest Music in the World back to The Firehall Arts Centre from Saturday, January 14 to Sunday, February 5, 2023.
Acclaimed Portuguese-Canadian playwright Elaine Ávila’s play, FADO, is a tale of love and ghosts set in the back alleys and brothels of old Lisbon. This musical, which premiered at The Firehall in 2019 and enjoyed a wildly successful run, tells 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.”
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. For a taste of Fado music, listen to Amália Rodrigues singing “Abandono” here. To see it live and person, visit the Firehall Arts Centre for tickets which start from $25.
The much loved Parade of Lost Souls is back for another with an Intergalactic Disco which takes place on Saturday, October 29th. 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 29th which procession will be led by The Carnival Band. The band will be doing hourly processions at 7:00 pm, 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm from the Britannia Community Centre. 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 Houses being hosted on October 21st and October 28th from 4:00 – 6:00 pm which is all about costumes. You can find more information on their Facebook page.
For those familiar with the event, you may know there is usually a Lost Souls After Party which is set to get under way at the Wise Hall at 10:00 pm to 1:00 am. Tickets are $40 and available online.
As always, The Dusty Flowerpot is open to volunteers assisting and performers and artists participating. Each year, organizers host a series of workshops which are currently running throughout the month of October. To learn more visit The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret.
You are invited to come celebrate Japanese Canadian art and culture at the 46th Annual Powell Street Festival happening July 30th and 31st. Festivities will take place in Oppenheimer Park and Paueru Gai (the Powell Street area) from 11:30 am to 7:00 pm. There will be 3 stages set up showcasing contemporary and traditional artists, community food vendors and crafters offering Japanese delights and designs. You can expect to catch live performances by violinist-extremist Kytami & Phonik Ops, stirring Butoh by Kokoro Dance set to the sublimely edgy music of jo passed, an exhilarating combination of Onibana Taiko with vocals from opera singer Teiya Kasahara, Hiromoto Ida’s ICHIGO-ICHIEH NEW THEATRE solo show Homecoming 2020 and much more. To learn more about all the events taking place during the 46th Annual Powell Street, visit them online at Powell Street Festival.
First Saturday Open Studios is a monthly artist-run event in which artists in Vancouver and North Vancouver open their studios to the public. It is a great opportunity to speak to artists directly, ask questions about their work, learn techniques, see work in progress and, of course, buy artwork directly from the artist. The next First Saturday event is this Saturday, July 2nd from 12:00 to 5:00 pm. To see a list of all the artists that will be open, we invite you to visit Next Open Studios.
If you are looking for some light hearted fun, then you are in luck. The Comic Strippers return to the York Theatre September 9th for another night of laughs. This is a 19+ show featuring a fictitious group of male strippers played by a cast of improvisational comedians. They sing, dance and gyrate and aim to be sexy, but ending up being funny. They are semi undressed and completely unscripted which makes each show unique as they banter with the crowd during each performance. To purchase your tickets for a fun night out, visit The Cultch.
Here’s what others are saying about The Comic Strippers:
“Extremely Funny!” UK FRINGE REVIEW
“The show is suitable for both men and women. An entertaining ride where anything goes.” RIP IT UP MAGAZINE
“One of the most hilarious shows I’ve ever seen.” VANCOUVER SUN
ILiveInEastVan.com 