Tag Archives: East Vancouver

Portuguese Festa! With Dinner, Music & Show At Casa Verde – December 1, 2017

1 Nov

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If you missed out on the rather funny 2016 Vancouver Fringe Festival Show Festa!, you are in luck it’s back for one night only Friday, December 1, 2017.   This show was created by two Portuguese ladies, Maria J. Cruz and Sandra Medeiros. Maria and Sandra grew up in East Van and met at Charles Tupper Secondary School. They have fond memories of growing up in East Van, but felt there was a bit of stigma living in East Van, which made them tough, scrappy and resourceful. We think this applies to many of us that grew up in East Van. We once asked Maria and Sandra what they loved most about growing up in a Portuguese family. “The food was always amazing! We have the ability to laugh and joke around, even when you don’t have much. Knowing that your family is fiercely protective and will always have your back. Portuguese families are tight knit and loving, even while driving you crazy!”  Now getting back to the food, like many cultures, this is a big part of theirs and experiencing the food is part of the Portuguese Festa happening December 1st. The dinner and show takes place at Casa Verde located at 3532 Commercial Street just off the Victoria Diversion and steps away from the Commercial Street Café. The evening includes a 3 course dinner, an entertaining show and live music. Tickets are $50 and available through Eventbrite.

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Winter Farmer Markets Are Back At Nat Bailey Stadium & Hastings Park

31 Oct

ProduceEricUrquhartVancouver Farmers Market hosts two winter farmer markets this year. Both kick off this weekend. Nat Bailey Stadium kicks off this Saturday, November 4th and Hastings Park happens Sunday, November 5th. These markets happen rain or shine and continue into April.  So if they can be out there in all the elements, so can we to support our local growers and makers.

Nat Bailey Stadium – November 4 to April 21 / 10 – 2

The biggest Winter Farmers Market is at Nat Bailey Stadium, 4601 Ontario Street on Saturday November 4th and runs each Saturday until April 22nd, 2018 save for December 30th.  The market runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Hastings Park – November 5 to April 29 / 10 – 2

If you prefer heading to the farmers market on a Sunday, then be sure to check out the now popular market at Hastings Park.  This farmers market will run every Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm until April 30, 2018 save for December 24th and December 31st.  The market is located on the Centregrounds.

Photo Credit: Eric Urquhart

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Halloween Events In East Vancouver

24 Oct

HalloweenPumpkin&LanternIf you are looking for something to do for Halloween, there are no lack of events this year. We have set out a sampling of some of the events happening in East Van.  If you plan on staying in this Halloween and catching up on a scary flick or two,  we recommend stopping into Black Dog Video on Commercial Drive to stock up.   If you want to go out and play, here’s What’s On: 

Parade of Lost Souls. This popular East Van tradition is back on Saturday, October 28th. This year’s theme is Alter Ego. The exact location of the event will be announced at midnight on October 28th on the Dusty Flowerpot website. As in past years, you can expect a parade of wild costumes, giant puppets, live music by East Van’s own Carnival Band among others, a Thriller Flash Mob and performance art created by local community members. The event features the Parade of Lost Souls which takes place near the ‘to be announced location in East Vancouver from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. This event is free and for all ages. Costumes are encouraged. For those wishing to carry on after the parade, there is an After Party at The Legion on Commercial Drive from 9:30 pm until 2:00 am.

Fright Nights. Playland is hosting 8 haunted houses including a new Keepers Doll Factory, 20 rides (5 more than last year we hear).  Fright Nights is on October 6th to October 31st (enter E. Hastings & Windermere). Tickets are available online at FrightNights.ca and can be purchased for a specific night.

Rio Theatre. The Rio has you covered leading up to Halloween. They kick things off on Friday night with Beetlejuice followed by Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Rocky Horror Picture Show rounding out the evening.   They’ve got you covered all weekend long two more showings of The Horror Picture Show on the Saturday and Sunday nights.  Plus Sunday a showing of Poltergeist and The Ghostbusters.

Halloween-Drive In Movie: Wesgroup Property and Fresh Air Cinemas brings you double feature drive-in movies to SE Vancouver along the Fraser River (Boundary Road and SE Marine Drive). Saturday, October 28th they will be starting off the evening with a showing of Casper followed by The Shining.  There will be a second round of movies Sunday, October 29th (rescheduled for the rained out event October 21st) with starts off with ET and is followed by Friday the 13th.  Perfect shows for Halloween weekend.  Cost if $20 per carload for 1 movie, $30 per carload for double feature.

80s Halloween  Party – Federico’s Supper Club is hosting an 80s Halloween Party on Friday, October 27th. The evening includes a 3 course dinner with a live music show by Mark Olexson and The A-Deez which sets the night up for dancing to great 80s music.

COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR THE WEE ONES

Trout Lake Community Centre: Halloween Celebration – Saturday, October 28th 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.  You are invited to come jump in the bouncy castle, play Halloween games, and make some pumpkin crafts. Lots more surprises planned for the wee ones. There is a cost of $4.00 per child.

Hastings Sunrise Pumpkin Patch:  On Saturday, October 28th Hastings Elementary School is hosting their 2nd Annual Pumpkin Patch Festival. Grab a pumpkin, a bite and enjoy some live music from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Admission by donation.

Spook-Tacular Science World On The Road: River District is hosting some Halloween down along the Fraser River Saturday, October 28th from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm with a live science show happening from 1:00 – 1:30 pm after which they’ll have ‘science on the spot’ demo stations for everyone to experience.

Halloween On The Drive: Commercial Drive Business Improvement Society is hosting some family friendly events throughout the day on Saturday, October 28th with many local businesses participating and handing out Halloween candy. From 6:00 to 7:30 pm in Grandview Park, the Commercial Drive Business Society is hosting free family fun including face painting, balloon twisting, caricatures and photo booths for those that want pics on their costume. The night will be topped off with fireworks from 7:30 to 8:00 pm in Grandview Park.Halloween-SpiderWebs

 

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Encounter Comes To The York Theatre October 17 – 22, 2017

10 Oct

EncounterChristopherJosephThe best in physical theatre comes to the Cultch in conjunction with Diwali. Encounter is a story about an Indigenous woman, Dopdi, and her communities’ struggle to uphold the Indigenous life and her defiance against injustice. Created for the stage by Aparna Sindhoor, S M Raju, and Anil Natyaveda, Encounter is a tribute to the Indigenous people’s history. It is a passionate story of female power that delves into the struggles and challenges of the indigenous communities of India. Aparna Sindhoor, co-writer of Encounter says “The word ‘Encounter’ has a specific meaning in the Indian (South Asian) context. It is a euphemism for the state orchestrated ‘chance meetings,’ to get rid of (kill, or torture and kill) the so-called enemies of the state.” The performance features acrobatics and original music which pays tribute to Indigenous peoples’ history from around the world. The show runs October 17 – 22, 2017 at the York Theatre. Tickets are available at The Cultch.

Contributing Writer Tiva Quinn reviews Encounter:

Encounter is a dance-play that is political, sensual, humorous and informative. There’s a bit of every possible emotion along the way, but, ultimately, it’s also a story about an enormous tragedy.

The dancers portray members of an indigenous group in India who find that their land is being taken for mining, while their water is being diverted for factories. In order to survive at all, they have no choice but to “steal” water from the wells of a wealthy landowner nearby, and so the military is called to put a stop to this crime.

The dancers also portray members of the military who have been sent to break up the “rebellion.” At one point, they tell us stories about why they joined the armed forces, and most of the stories are relatable – one needs to feed his family, one is saving to send her daughter to college, and of course one is in love with his gun, but there’s no distinction among them when their leader asks them to do “the needful” and try to get information from a prisoner.

In the South Asian context, “encounter” refers to times when the army captures suspected rebels and tortures or kills them. The story opens and closes on a scene of one such torture, and yes, it’s told through dance. The troupe are all very talented and they create some visually arresting tableaus out of these scenes. And in a world where a show like 24 asks us to identify with the torturer, why shouldn’t we have art that asks us to identify with both the torturer and those who are tortured?

If you’re looking for a note of hope, a sense of closure, or a call to action that makes you feel like you can make a difference, there isn’t one. It wouldn’t be especially true to the reality of the situation if there was.

Do I recommend seeing it, though? Yes.

Photo Credit: Christopher Joseph

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What’s On East Van: October 6, 2017

6 Oct

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Lots happening in East Van this next week.  Our weekly feature What’s On East Van sets out cool events for the upcoming week. Beyond the week, we invite you to check out our Event Listing which is updated daily and features events for the month and beyond.

The Goblin Market – York Theatre – On Now Till October 14, 2017

A well known poem, Goblin Market, by Christina Rosetti forms the basis of this performance and what a performance.  To say contemporary circus doesn’t quite do it justice, it is so much more. The art, the music, the athleticism of the performers, the sexuality, the sisterhood. It’s something to see. We highly recommend seeing this show. Tickets are available through The Cultch.

Oktoberfest – The Alpen Club – October 6 & 7, 2017

Want to get your fill of German beer and food along with some live music? We suggest you check out Oktoberfest at The Alpen Club. Pull out those lederhosen and dirndls and get ready to dance.  Event happens Friday and Saturday night kicking off at 8:00 pm.   If you can’t make it this weekend, the festivities carry throughout the month on Fridays and Saturdays.

 Vancouver Mural Festival: Official Guided Tours – October 7, 2017

Check out some of the amazing street art in Mount Pleasant and False Creek Flats this Saturday. The guided tour connects you with the beauty that is their work but also some background about the artist’s vision, medium and creative process for each piece. Tour kicks off from Kafka’s Coffee & Tea on Main Street. Tickets available from Eventbrite.

Vancouver Rare Book, Photograph & Paper Show – Heritage Hall – October 7&8 2017

The Vancouver Rare Book, Photograph & Paper Show happens October 7th & 8th at the Heritage Hall. Expect some of Canada’s top dealers in collectible, antiquarian and rare material including maps, photographs and interesting paper items.

Drive-In Movie – River District – October 7, 2017

This Saturday is a last in a series of Drive-In Movies being held in SE Vancouver along the Fraser River. River District hosts this double feature movie event with a 7:00 pm showing of Cars 3 after which follows a 9:15 pm showing of Baby Driver. Cost is $20 per carload for one movie, $30 per carload for both movies.

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market – Dude Chilling Park – October 8, 2017

This is the last market of the season at Guelph Park/Dude Chilling Park. Perfect spot to stock up for delish eats for Thanksgiving dinner.  Market runs from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Entertainment, Comedy + Live Theatre

The 36th Annual Vancouver Film Festival continues until October 13th. The Rio Theatre is one of the venues hosting and has a great line up of films. To see more of what’s on, check our Events Listing.

Image By June Hunter

 

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Cooking With Beer With Chef Adrian Beaty Is Back At The Italian Cultural Centre – CANCELLED

2 Oct

CookingWithBeerICC.pngIf you love beer and cooking, you may wish to check out this fun cooking class at the Italian Cultural Centre being offered again on November 3rd.  Chef Adrian Beaty is hosting Cooking With Beer which is a farm to table dining experience featuring organic beers from Dogwood Brewing.  This is a demonstration cooking class in which Chef Adrian will teach you how beer can bring out the flavours in a variety of foods.  He’ll be covering appetizers, main course, salad and dessert with a focus on eating and cooking locally.  Tickets for non-members are $69 without a beer or $76 with two beers and available from the Italian Cultural Centre.  If you wish to bring a bottle of wine, you are welcome to do so. We’ve set out the menu below which we have to say sounds pretty tasty:

MENU

BC BUZZ HONEY AND BEER BREAD

MT LEHMAN CHEESE CO. CHEDDAR AND BLONDE ALE SOUP

OCEAN WISE MUSSELS STEAMED WITH HOUSE CURED JOWL BACON, RED RUSSIAN GARLIC, ROSEMARY, AND PALE ALE

ALDERGROVE NUT FED PASTURE RAISED PORK LOIN SERVED ON A BED OF BEER BRAISED GREENS AND TOPPED WITH A BACON, STOUT, AND ONION JAM

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH VANCOUVER ISLAND SEA SALT AND BEER CARAMEL

Photo Credit: Italian Cultural Centre

 

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Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival September 30, 2017

26 Sep

RenfrewRavineMoonFestivalThe 15th annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival is scheduled for September 30th, 2017. If you haven’t attended this event, you are missing out. This is a great family event celebrating the environment around us with displays of colour, light and music.  This year’s theme is migrations.  Organizers, being the Still Moon Arts Society, would like those attending the event to reflect on the global movements that occur every day. It could be fish swimming across vast oceans, birds flying across Canada or that person travelling to meet friends or a loved on.  With the issues facing the world today, movement is playing a more significant role.

You are invited to come experience the installations created for this year’s event and discover your own stories in the theme of migration.  The festivities begin in the afternoon with the Harvest Fair which kicks off at 4:00 pm and goes till 6:45 pm at Slocan Park.  This event is a pre-cursor to the parade that happens at dusk.  The Harvest Fair features games, crafts, friendly competitions, musicians, community booths and more.  If you are interested in making a last minute lantern or purchasing one from a local artist before the parade, you can do so at the Harvest Fair. 

At approximately 6:45 pm, as the moon rises and the sun sets, musicians and dancers will lead a twilight lantern parade from Slocan Park through the Renfrew Ravine to Renfrew Park.  Along the way, the procession will pass the river-stone labyrinth with candles laid throughout.  Many of those in the procession are carrying lanterns and as you walk along you will see many homes on the route getting into the act with displays of light and colour on their properties that abut the Renfrew Ravine.  Once at Renfrew Park, this is where some exquisite lanterns are on full display and candles set up throughout the ravine. It is quite a spectacle to see.  The event finishes at 8:30 pm in Renfrew Park with choreographed dance performances, stilting and fire spinning along with swing and jazz music. The grand finale includes fireworks.  This is a free all ages family friendly event.

 

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Walk For Reconciliation To Strathcona Park September 24, 2017

20 Sep

WeAreAllOneThe first-ever Reconciliation Expo will be held Sunday, September 24th.  The event begins at 10:00 am with a 2 km walk that starts at 650 Cambie Street and travels to Strathcona Park.  After the walk, there are a host of activities lined up for the day at the Expo that continues till 3:00 pm. The event will include community booths with information about reconciliation, cultural activities as well as presentations by community groups.  Along side the events, there will be an area dedicated to local artisans. This is a great opportunity to experience local Indigenous art and culture.  There will also be an area for children to play educational games and a space for Indigenous craft making. If you get hungry while there, a variety of Vancouver based food-trucks serving ethnically-diverse foods will be on hand.

The day also features musicians, dance groups and a host of activities and exhibits some of which we’ve set out below. To see a full rundown of events, we invite you to visit reconciliationcanada.ca: 

Exhibit: Site Unseen (Gitga’at and West Vancouver Youth – Mural of Merging Voices) 

A unique and innovative project supports links between different groups of coastal youth. To deepen the understanding of their unique cultures and lands, students from the District of West Vancouver and the Gitga’at Nation in Hartley Bay worked together to create a large art installation that explores reconciliation among youth.

Exhibit: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation 

An exhibit from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation that explores working together for a strong future and better understanding of reconciliation.

Exhibit: Carey Newman’s Witness Blanket (Full-Size Replica)

Inspired by a woven blanket, the Witness Blanket is a large-scale art installation, made out of hundreds of items reclaimed from Residential Schools, churches, government buildings and traditional and cultural structures including Friendship Centres, band offices, treatment centres and universities, from across Canada. The Witness Blanket stands as a national monument to recognise the atrocities of the Indian Residential School era, honour the children, and symbolise ongoing reconciliation.

Weavers Corner

Facilitated by the Earthand Gleaners Society and a diverse group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous weavers, this will be a tactile, interactive space to learn more about the craft of weaving from multiple cultural perspectives. The space will be hands-on, inviting participants to engage with plants native to this territory and learn more about the social history of weaving.

Kairos Blanket Exercise

The KAIROS Blanket Exercise is an interactive learning experience that teaches the Indigenous rights history we’re rarely taught. Developed in response to the 1996 Report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, which recommended education on Canadian-Indigenous history as one of the key steps to reconciliation, the Blanket Exercise covers over 500 years of history.

On-site Mural Painting

The Vancouver Mural Festival will host an interactive mural site where with spray paint where participants can add their message of hope or reconciliation. There will also be several commissioned artists creating pieces during the Expo that aim to capture the energy and experience of the Walk for Reconciliation.

Commitment Gallery

Using the pre-existing infrastructure of the tennis court in Strathcona Park, Reconciliation Canada will facilitate the creation of a temporary Commitment Gallery. This will serve as an opportunity for participants to make a personal pledge towards reconciliation following their participation in the Walk. Commitment Cards will be exhibited on the fence to visually display and celebrate actions.

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Comedian Debra DiGiovanni At The York Theatre September 23, 2017

19 Sep

DebraDiGiovanniCanadian comedian Debra DiGiovanni is Canada’s favourite female comedian. Lucky for us she’s coming to East Van on Saturday, September 23rd. She will be performing her edgy playful comedy at the York Theatre.   If you aren’t familiar with her humour, you can easily find a YouTube video with her performance.  She was a finalist in NBC’s Last Comic Standing and her first stand up DVD “Single Awkward Female” is now on Netflix.  She is currently on comedy network’s revival of Match Game on which she is a panelist and you can often hear Debra on CBC radio’s Debaters’ program.  Tickets for the show are $25 and available through The Cultch.  This is one show we won’t be missing.

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Story Story Lie At The Rio Theatre September 21, 2017

18 Sep

storyStoryLieInLightsCan you spot a liar? How about putting it to the test and checking out Story Story Lie? This is an interactive show with one simple premise: Vancouver’s best intimate share. The stories are often hilarious as well as embarrassing and just a little to strange to be true. What’s the catch? Well someone’s lying of course. The audience gets to take part in the interrogation to reveal who the liar is. And the first audience member to guess who the liar is, wins the grand prize, as well as the respect, admiration of the crowd and bragging rights. The Westender calls this show “One of the most inventive events on the Vancouver arts calendar” Story Story Lie now moves to a bigger space at The Rio Theatre for its first show in this venue on Thursday, September 21st.  They have a great line up for their first show at the Rio including Leo and Gemini Award winner Erica Sigurdson, TJ Dawe and comedian Patrick Maliha. Tickets are available in advance online at Rio Theatre for $10 online or $12 at the door.

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