The Vancouver Fringe Festival is back and runs from September 10th to 20th at various venues around the Lower Mainland. The Cultch, 1895 Venables Street, is one of the venues in which performances will be held. One show that caught our eye is Mrs. Singh & Me which runs from September 11-13, 15, 18 and the 20th which is being presented by the South Asian Arts Society. What’s with this story and why is it unique? Well imagine if Romeo had kidnapped Juliet’s mother. What do you think would have happened next? In this dark comedy by playwright Munish Sharma explores that idea. In Mrs. Singh & Me, love is truly is in the air, but Mrs. Kuldeep Singh is having none of it. Her instincts could be right or she could be missing out on the best son-in-law she could ever ask for namely Raj, whose methods are as extreme as his heart is sure. Mrs. Singh & Me confronts cultural traditions and tackles generational differences along with a generous helping of chai and cookies. Tickets are available online at Vancouver Fringe or in person from September 8-20 at the Fringe Box Office located at 1398 Cartwright Street on Granville Island.
Mrs. Singh & Me Kicks Off At The Cultch September 11th
9 Sep
Dance Dance Dance Party At Mount Pleasant Community Centre Tuesday Nights
8 Sep
Ladies, do you love to dance? Well then this one is for you. You are invited to come out to Dance Dance Dance Party at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway, on Tuesday, September 8th. What is it exactly? Dance Dance Dance Party happens at 8:15 pm on Tuesday evenings for one hour. It is billed as “a fun-focused female only free form dance class”. So there is no instructor to keep up with and best of all no judgment, just fun. To add to the fun of the evening, funny lady Sara Bynoe is back as ‘den mother’ for the September classes to help you get your groove on. She might just tickle your funny bone as well, inadvertently, of course. Sara Bynoe if you don’t know her, is the woman behind Say Wha? Deliciously Rotten Readings as well as Teen Angst. So all around, we expect it will be a fun evening. Cost is $7.00 for a drop in, or you can purchase for the 4 sessions in advance at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre. Dancing mandatory, leg warmers optional.
Photo Credit: Sefton Billington
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East Van’s What It Is! At The Cottage Bistro September 6th
5 Sep
You are invited to the Cottage Bistro, 4470 Main Street, on Sunday, September 6th to listen to What It Is! This is a group of four amazing East Van ladies, being Mebrat “Mimi” Beyene, Cass King, Patti Powell and Carol Wiedemann. Together they are a powerhouse of a cappella soul. Their sound is steeped in the soulful sounds of such greats as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Etta James. They are without a doubt engaging performers and will be sure to have you singing and clapping along with them. These ladies bring heart to their East Van Soul. If you get the chance, be sure to stop by the Cottage Bistro and give them a listen. They take the stage at 7:00 p.m. and the event is pay what you can.
Photo Credit: What It Is!
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June Hunter Hosts Summer End’s Studio Sale September 12 & 13
4 Sep
East Van artist June Hunter is having a Summer End’s Studio Sale September 12th & 13th. For those that aren’t familiar with June’s work, she has a way with nature that shows in all her pieces. Her work has been featured in Style at Home House and Home and Where Vancouver as well as on CBC’s Living Vancouver.
At next week’s Summer End’s Studio Sale, you can expect to find sale prices on art, jewellery, tiles, magnets and one of a kind mixed media miniatures. June will be featuring some new jewellery including her hummingbird series as well as some new bold colourful pieces. If you happen to follow June on Twitter or Instagram, you will have become very familiar with her cat, Edgar, and a visiting crow she’s named Eric. Edgar and Eric now have their own calendars which will be available at her Studio Sale. And from what we’ve heard, the calendars are flying off the shelves heading across the globe. June Hunter’s Studio is located at 2785 Parker Street (one block west of Renfrew – between Hastings St. and First Avenue). The Studio Sale runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th.
If you are not able to make the Studio Sale, you can also visit her Shop Online or find some of her work at Doctor Vigari Gallery, 1816 Commercial Drive.
Photos Courtesy of June Hunter Images
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East Van Kitchen Choir Kicks Off September 10th
2 Sep
Do you love music and love to sing? Do you enjoy meeting others who have a love of music? Well Shera Kelly is looking for you. Shera Kelly is a singer and songwriter that is starting a community choir. Shera is a graduate of the Selkirk College of Music in Nelson. She teaches guitar and voice lessons in her East Van studio. Her aim is to feature the local music scene so think The Be Good Tanyas, Mother Mother and Hannah Georgas. The inspiration for this choir came from one of her students who simply stated that they wished to be in a choir, but one that is ‘hip and urban’. Shera hopes that the music will inspire, connect and create community. The East Van Kitchen Choir gets under way Thursday, September 10th at 1549 Kitchener Street (at Commercial Drive). No experience? No problem, you are invited to come check things out. There is a small fee of $5 per session with the first session being free. To register or for more information, you can contact Shera Kelly at sherakelly@hotmail.com or 604.600.9783.
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Social Yoga The Café Series Begins At Railtown Café Sept. 3rd
31 Aug
If you are an early bird and love yoga, an upcoming series of sessions with Social Yoga just might be for you. The Café Series begins on September 3rd at Railtown Café, 397 Railway Street and runs for 4 weeks. Classes run from 6:15 am – 8:15 am on Thursday, September 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th and yes coffee is included. The class does have a maximum of 8 people so if this appeals to you, best be quick, space is limited. Cost is $100
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Apple Ganza At Callister Park August 29th
28 Aug
You are invited to Apple Ganza this Saturday, August 29th . This is a free apple themed community celebration hosted in Callister Park. There will be family friendly events taking place throughout the day from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. The morning starts off with Apple Kickstart an apple pancake breakfast, apple picking and art activities for the kids. From 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm there will be workshops teaching you about juicing and baking with apples. Note, you are asked to RSVP for the workshops at callisterapples@gmail.com. More events continue in the afternoon from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm with some apple games and an apple themed potluck dinner at 6:00 pm with local musicians joining in the fun at 7:00 pm. For more information or to donate apples from your trees, contact organizers at callisterapples@gmail.com.
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Rescue Me: Maggie A Sweet Tortoiseshell Cat Looking For Her Forever Home
26 Aug
Welcome to the next installment of Rescue Me in which we feature pets waiting for adoption at the Vancouver SPCA. Today we would like to introduce you to a beautiful tortoiseshell cat named Maggie. Maggie is 8 years old and is the true definition of a lap cat. We hear that although Maggie might initially be a little shy, she enjoys every minute of love and puts on quite the purr. Maggie does not have any of the typical “tortitude” like many other tortoiseshell cats. She is an absolute sweetie and is looking for the same in her new guardian. Maggie was devoted to an elderly person that she lived with, but that person had to go into a care home so she was brought to the Vancouver SPCA. As might be expected, she found life in the shelter a little overwhelming so Maggie is now happily residing in the comforts of a quiet foster home until she’s adopted. Maggie needs to be strictly indoors only and is looking for a home where she can be your one and only. You won’t need anybody else with this sweetie around. Her foster parent reports that Maggie is pretty independent and low-maintenance. If you’re looking for a truly wonderful diamond in the rough, Maggie’s your girl. If you think you can give Maggie a new home, the Vancouver SPCA Shelter, 1205 East 7th Avenue would love to hear from you. You can reach the Vancouver SPCA by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email at vancouver@spca.bc.ca. As always, we are grateful for those that share this information.
UPDATED: October 20, 2015 Maggie has found her forever home.
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Les Amis Du Fromage Cheese Tasting Classes This Fall
24 Aug
If you haven’t stopped in at les amis du FROMAGE on 843 East Hastings, you are missing out. If you love cheese or want to learn more about cheese, this is the place to go. This fall they will be sharing some of their vast knowledge of cheese and offering some great classes in store including:
Wine and Cheese 101 – September 15th 6:30 – 8:30 pm $60
One of the owners Allison Spurrell will provide you with a roadmap for matching various cheese types and the wines that best suit them. Allison will introduce cheese basics, including milk types, textures, flavours, how to care for and serve fine cheeses. You will learn how best to pair wine with cheese. And yes, of course, there will be samples so you can discover what is perfect for you.
Ole Espana – September 30th 6:30 – 8:30 pm $65
Allison will take you on a tour of taste with a selection of Spanish cheeses, charcuterie, preserves, olives and olive oils from Spain. We hear this tasting will again include some fantastic wine pairings including Cava and sherry.
Vive la Quebec – October 27th 6:30 – 8:30 pm $70
Allison is back to take you on a taste tour of Québec’s finest cheeses paired with some Canadian wines. You can expect to taste a range of cheeses including goat, firm, washed rind and triple cream, paired with some Eastern Canadian wines and we hear maybe a Québec beer or two. This event will finish up with a bite of their home made Tourtiere.
If you hadn’t heard les amis du FROMAGE has been voted “Best Cheese Shop” by readers of The Georgia Straight, The Westender and The Courier. They have another location in Kitsilano, but the tasting events are being held at the East Van location. Tickets for these are available online.
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East Van Short Film Showcase At The Rio Theatre August 23rd
21 Aug
You are invited to come celebrate the creative culture in East Vancouver this Sunday at the Rio Theatre, 1660 East Broadway. The East Van Short Film Showcase presented by Hammer & Tong Picture Industries and Raindance Vancouver brings together filmmakers and audiences for a night of unique, independent cinema. This event will feature a selection of short films from some of Vancouver’s best young independent filmmakers. You can expect films by James Kingstone, Marshall Axani, Kelvin Redvers, Sean Ronan, Sinziana Corozel, Ross Munro, Kyle Samuels and Edson Castro. Doors open at 6:00 pm for the East Van Short Film Showcase and the event runs till 9:00 pm. Tickets are available in advance through Eventbrite for $5.50 or at the door for $6.00. For those interested in attending the after party, it will take place at Toby’s Pub & Grill, 2733 Commercial Drive.
ILiveInEastVan.com 