You are invited to an Italian Grappa Tasting at the Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, on February 11th. Grappa is a uniquely Italian alcoholic beverage that is made from discarded grape seeds, stalks and steams that are the by-product of the winemaking process. It has been called Italy’s ‘elixir’ and has been around for many generations. It was popular in Italy and mainly produced there, but is now being made by distilleries in various parts of the world including just south of Vancouver in Oregon. On the evening of February 11th, Carmen d’Onofrio of Stile Brands will take you through a tasting of 7 Italian grappas. Having had the pleasure of taste tasting grappas in Italy, we expect this to be a very delicious experience. Tickets for this event are $45 and can be purchased by contacting the Italian Cultural Centre at 604.430.3337 or online. The event runs from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Trattoria Hall.
Italian Grappa Tasting Italian Cultural Centre February 11th
11 Jan
Dark New Comedy ‘All New People’ Comes To Havana Theatre January 17-30
8 Jan
A dark new comedy is coming to Havana Theatre this month called All New People. Ben Bilodeau, an actor for many years in Vancouver, is making his directorial debut with this fast-paced 4 person play. The play was created by actor/writer Zach Braff. If the name is not familiar, you may recall him as one of the ‘doctors’ on the TV sitcom Scrubs. All New People opens with a young, disenchanted Charlie on a chair with an extension cord around his neck, intent on ending his life. Unknowingly, his plans are about to be put on hold with the unexpected arrival of a spiritually misguided, British real estate agent, a Thespian-turned-fireman and a dim-witted, but well-intentioned working girl. Zach Braff brings you a perky, sitcom-style comedy that we hear is guaranteed to keep you laughing as these unlikely roommates open their hearts to each other and you. All New People runs from January 17 -30. Tickets are $20 and available online from Brown Paper Tickets.
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Vancouver Design Jam For Community Art in Mount Pleasant January 28th
7 Jan
The 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.
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Happy New Year – A Retrospective In Photos of 2015
31 Dec
On this New Year’s Eve, we wish to say thank you. We love highlighting all the great people, businesses and events that make East Van such a great place to live and work. We appreciate all those that share our stories and help our community grow. We wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year and leave you with a few photos from 2015.
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East Van Business – RC Pet Products Giving Locally
23 Dec
For those of you that follow us regularly, you may know we are proud supporters of the BC SPCA. We support our local Vancouver shelter in many ways and are proud to be listed as one of their community supporters. We appreciate all the work the staff and volunteers do each and every day for all those that cannot speak for themselves.
Today, we would like to re- introduce to you a local business situated in SE Vancouver called RC Pet Products. For those unfamiliar with this company, you may have seen their rather styling pet rain coats (fleece lined) around and about town. The 4 legged member of our family has been wearing one for years. RC Pet Products also carries leashes, collars, seatbelt harnesses for both cats and dogs as well as many pet accessories. You will find their products at many local retailers including Sophie’s Pet Palace, Aqua Paws, Discover Dogs, Mark’s Pet Shop, Tisol Pet Products on Main Street and Grandview Highway and Pet Parlour on Fraser Street.
We wanted to highlight RC Pet Products as they are one of many East Van businesses that have made a point of giving locally. RC Pet Products is again providing needed items such as coats, leashes and collars to local animal rescue organizations including the ones near and dear to us being the Vancouver SPCA and Charlie’s Food Bank. For those unfamiliar with Charlie’s Food Bank, it is a weekly pet food bank operated by the BC SPCA that assists over 5,000 low income pet guardians on the Downtown Eastside each year. As part of RC Pet Products 12 Days Of Giving, they have donated items to the following animal rescue organizations this year:
SAINTS Rescue
Best Friends For Life
Action for Animals In Distress Society
Richmond Animal Protection Society
Greyhound Pets Inc.
Cross Our Paws
Dogwood Rescue
Dhana Metta
Cera Dogs Society
BC SPCA Richmond
BC SPCA Vancouver
Charlie’s Food Bank
We wish to thank RC Pet Products for giving locally and for supporting the work of so many great organizations that help keep animals safe, happy and healthy. We wish all our four legged, two legged and our feathered friends a very Merry Christmas.
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Action Fiction Project Till December 31st – Self-Guided Stories By Foot Or Bike
22 Dec
Are you up for a little adventure and exploring? If so, we might have something fun for you. We invite you to check out Active Fiction Project. This is a mashup of public space intervention, literature, create your own adventure and walking tour in East Vancouver. Action Fiction Project has created short fictional stories set in East Vancouver that features you as the main character. These are self-guided stories that are ‘hidden’ in public spaces for you to discover by walking or biking through the same neighborhood in which the story unfolds. It is on now until December 31st and a great way to get out with the family and do a little exploring. The starting point is the planter boxes on East 28th near Main Street. For more information, visit Active Fiction Project.
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Bakeries in East Vancouver – We Run Down Our Favourites
18 Dec
We are often asked where is a good place to go for brunch, coffee, dinner, live music or drinks in East Van. So we are beginning to feature some of our personal favourites as well as those we’ve been hearing great things about. Our first feature was Let’s Do Brunch in the Hastings Sunrise area, next up we are tackling our favourite bakeries. With Christmas coming, many of us our looking for that dessert to serve, or sweet treats to have on hand we just might not have time to bake So whether it’s an Italian pannetone, a German stollen or Christmas cookies or those croissants for brunch, we’ve listed a few of our favourites spots.
THE DRIVE
Bakery Sate: 2879 Commercial Drive
This spot is run by Eric Ho, Pastry Chef & Owner, and he makes a mean croissant. Eric also has an amazing and delicious selection of gluten free cakes and desserts such as Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel, Black Forest and Cheesecake.
Fratelli Bakery: 1795 Commercial Drive
This Italian bakery makes one of our favourite things, St. Honore cakes. Others may try and imitate, but personally we think theirs is hands down the best. Why accept imitation, as they say. They also carry an amazing selection of dessert items.
Uprising Breads Bakery: 1697 Venables Street
This spot is just one block West of Commercial Drive and is most certainly a favourite go to spot for two things. One is Ginger Snaps and the second is pie. They generally have small and large pies on hand and on Fridays pie is 25% off which means, get their early or they will be all gone. They do have a wide range of sweet and savoury items including delish scones. Be sure to stop by and try this East Van staple that’s been a part of the community for over 40 years.
Andy’s German Bakehaus, 935 Commercial Drive
If you love German style cheesecake (think quark), flaky apple strudel and piled high Black Forest cake, this is your spot. This is a smaller bakery and café and thus not high volume, but quality authentic German sweets and breads. So if there’s something specific you want, we recommend ordering in advance. Definitely worth a stop.
THE FRASERHOOD
Batard Bakery: 3958 Fraser Street
This is a favourite spot not only for their amazing bread, but something I’ve come to love financiers made from mostly almond flour. They have some amazing individual decadent desserts for taking away or having in, but their seasonal treat that has us excited is a German stolen passed down from Oma’s recipe (translation grandmother for those not up on their German) and yes for the diehard fans, with marzipan.
Brekka Bakery: 6533 Fraser Street
I grew up on just about everything from this bakery when it was called Fraser Bakery. It has many German favourites including a variety of strudels, Black Forest Cake, Christmas cookies and a Bee Sting cake or Bienenstich in German which is a white sponge cake with pastry cream in the middle and topped with honey glazed shaved almonds. A personal favourite. The added bonus is if you are in a time crunch trying to get yourself organized for Christmas and need to pick up some items in a hurry, Brekka is open 24/7 seven days a week.
MOUNT PLEASANT
Gluten Free Epicurean: 633 East 15th Avenue
Located in Mount Pleasant at the intersection of Kingsway & Fraser with great neighbours Like Matchstick Coffee and Les Faux Bourgeois. Everything here is made in house and is a 100% gluten free for celiacs and those that are gluten sensitive. They have an amazing selection of sweet and savoury ready made and frozen. Be sure to check out this quaint little spot.
HASTINGS SUNRISE
Delish (Formerly East Village Bakery): 2166 East Hastings Street
Lots of delish options for sweet and savoury items including scones, cupcakes, cookies and more. Quinoa is used a number of their baked goods, which is certainly a heathy choice. They also have some vegan options.
Italia Bakery: 2828 E Hastings Street (#104)
This amazing bakery has a great selection of cakes always at the ready. Lots of Italian sweet treats and a great selection of biscotti.
Black Rook Bakehouse: 2474 E Hastings Street
This spot is famous for it’s Black & Tan Cake which has been featured as the one of the things you must eat before you die. Really, we aren’t making it up. They have an amazing selection of desserts, cake and pies. Did we mention their cakes have names, Harold seems to be a running favourite, but when these cakes are featured on social media, best be quick. These cakes don’t tend to last very long.
Le Gateau Bakeshop: 3458 East Hastings Street
Tanya Muller is the owner and pastry chef of Le Gateau Bakeshop and we think the creator of some of the most beautiful wedding cakes we’ve ever seen. She of course also has an array of seasonal sweets cupcakes, tarts and cookies. All decadent and beautiful as you can see pictured above and below.
MAIN STREET
Trafiq Café & Bakery: 4216 Main Street
Trafiq is a chic little café which we’ve only popped into briefly, but we keep hearing great things about this spot and the cakes look to die for. They have a Lemon Lavendar cake that’s caught our eye and sounds amazing.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: Half Baked Cookie Company and PBC Bakery. We’ve received some feedback that these two bakeries should be our list. Of course, there are many great bakeries in East Van not included, we write about what we know, so we will be doing a bit of research to learn more.
NEW IN TOWN: Oh Sweet Day Bakery, 1706 East 1st Avenue by the lovely Fanny Bay, cookbook author and self taught baker has just opened shop (or is about to open her shop) on The Drive as of June 2019. Just waiting on confirmation on official opening.
So much sweet stuff so little time. We hope you get a chance to get out and indulge your sweet tooth.
Photo Credit: Le Gateau Bakeshop
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Eastside Flea – Last Dash Holiday Bash At The Wise Hall December 19 & 20
15 Dec
The Eastside Flea is back at the Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac Street, December 19th & 20th with their Last Dash Holiday Bash. There will be over 60+ local vendors on hand selling an array of items new and used. You can expect to find collectibles, gift cards, handcrafted and vintage jewellery, vinyl records, succulents and plants and a whole host of gift items for the last minute holiday shopper. The Salt Dispensary will be on hand with Gourmet Blended Salts under the $10 mark. Also Noble & Co will be on hand with handmade natural beeswax candles and our personal favourite East Van Jam. To keep you warm, Kahve & Chai will be on hand with an indoor concession serving up chai, coffee and tea. Tacofino will be stationed outside all day serving what they do best, tacos. Admission is $3.00 and $2.00 with a non-perishable food donation. Eastside Flea runs from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm both Saturday and Sunday.
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JFL NorthWest Brings Comedy To East Van February 2016
14 Dec
NorthWest Comedy Fest and Just For Laughs have teamed up to bring you JFL Northwest in February 2016. The Festival takes place between February 18 to 27, 2016 and will bring some of the best in comedy with stand up, sketch and improv. They have a great line of shows coming and many, we are pleased to see, have landed in East Vancouver. We have set out below the who, when & where in East Van. We do recommend though that you grab your tickets in advance as we expect many of these shows to sell out. For more details on the comedians performing visit JFL Northwest. Tickets are available at Ticket Fly.
Feb. 19: Instagraham – Hot Art Wet City
Feb. 19: The Lady Show – Little Mountain Gallery
The Lady Show is a hilarious night of sketch comedy, monologues, stand-up comedy and awkward dance numbers. Featuring comedian and actress Robyn Edwards (FOX’s Second Chance), Fatima Dhowre (SiriusXM Radio), Morgan Brayton (OUTtv’s Morgan Brayton and Other People), Katie-Ellen Humphries (Winnipeg Comedy Festival), and Erica Sigurdson (CBC Radio’s The Debaters). Joining these five Lady Show ladies is the very funny Sophie Buddle (Just For Laughs).
Feb. 20: Hasan Minhaj – Rio Theatre
Feb. 20: Nick Thune – Biltmore Cabaret
Feb. 20: Just For Laughs Showcase – Biltmore Cabaret
A newly added show – The Just For Laughs ‘big wigs’ will be in town and they’re looking for the next big thing. So come out and watch the local comedians try to impress the ones with the wigs.
Feb. 21: Bert Kreischer – Rio Theatre
Feb. 21: The Sunday Service – The Fox Cabaret
With a Canadian Comedy Award for “Best Improv Troupe” and international recognition, The Sunday Service presents a fast-paced and unique take on traditional improv. The Sunday Service is Ryan Beil, Caitlin Howden, Kevin Lee, Aaron Read, and Taz VanRassel, along with Mark Chavez (The Pajama Men) and musical director, Emmett Hall.
Feb. 23-27: The Nasty Show – Rio Theatre
Feb. 23&24: Janeane Garofalo – Rio Theatre
Feb. 24: Ron Funches – Biltmore Cabaret
Feb. 24: Ring A Ding Dong Dandy – Little Mountain Gallery
Ryan Beil and Graham Clark riff over top of classic wrestling clips along with special announcer Kevin Banner.
Feb. 25: Hari Kondabolu – Biltmore Cabaret
Feb. 26: Kyle Kinane – Biltmore Cabaret
Feb. 27: Kyle Kinane – Biltmore Cabaret (2nd Show Added)
Feb. 27: Michael Che – Biltmore Cabaret
Michael Che is currently the co-anchor of “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live, where he is also a writer and a previous correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Feb. 27: Everything Is Terrible! – Rio Theatre
This is a Legends show which is a culmination of the first eight (of 888) years of work from the video alchemists at EIT! These mindfreaks have taken thousands of forgotten VHS tapes, chewed them up, and spit them back to their young via daily website postings, six movies, and world tours. In that time, they’ve exposed their fans to wonders such as massaging cat ladies, apocalyptic facial exercises, pizza parties in hell, and the immortal party-god, Duane. Time pack up your copies of Jerry Maguire and accept the fact that your life up until this moment has been pointless.
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Vancouver Farmers Market Holiday Market Croatian Cultural Centre December 12
10 Dec
The Vancouver Farmers Market is hosting their annual Holiday Market this Saturday, December 12th at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive. Now in its 19th year, this event is a seasonal celebration of food and art and runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. This Saturday, you will find over 60 vendors offering everything from delicious food items such as cheese, fresh bread, olive oil, chocolates jams, coffee and honey as well as handmade jewellery, delectable desserts including homemade pies plus home accessories such as handmade cutting boards. There will be lots on hand perfect for gift giving or holiday entertaining this holiday seasons such as BC Wine Studio’s Siren’s Call Pinot Noir. Admission to the market is $3.00, but free if you are a Market Member. Hint: If you check the most recent edition of the Georgia Straight, you will find a 2 for 1 coupon for entrance to the Holiday Market.
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