Today we are featuring the last of four participants in this year’s Vancouver Mini Maker Faire. MakerLabs is “a makerspace that provides you with the tools, space, and skills to bring ideas to life.” They are located at 780 East Cordova in Strathcona in a 26,000 square foot space. Having just moved into this space in April, they are just now opening their doors to the public. The space allows individuals access to digital fabrication tools (laser cutters, 3D printers/scanners, CNC routers), a woodshop, textiles lab, photo studio, and a whole lot more. To ensure that people know how to use the tools, they also provide a basic use and safety orientation on all the different tool families. MakerLabs will be at Vancouver Mini Maker Faire this weekend at the PNE Forum demonstrating some of the projects that have been made over the past year. As mentioned in a previous post, this is the space Basic Design uses to make amazing products from items that would normally end up in the landfill. So be sure to visit them at the Mini Make Faire and get creative. Who knows what you could make?
MakerLabs A Makerspace In Strathcona Where Ideas Come To Life
5 Jun
100 In 1 Day – Global Festival of Civic Engagement Comes to Vancouver June 6th
4 Jun
100 in 1 Day is happening in Vancouver this Saturday, June 6th. The idea is to bring hundreds of people together on ONE day and each take one small action to improve their city. This is in fact a global festival of civic engagement returning to Metro Vancouver for its second year. Organizers are encouraging small initiatives to spark change. Everyone is invited to come out and participate. And really, the beginning of any journey, just takes that first step, then another and so on. We’ve set out a listing of the events happening in East Vancouver, but if you’d like to see the full listing of events, visit 100 In 1 Day Vancouver.
ProVibers People’s Picnic – Victoria Park
This event is hosted by the ProVibers. They would like to see a happy and more connected Vancouver so they are hosting a community potluck in Victoria Park from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Saturday, June 6th. You are invited to bring food for the potluck, music, games and an openness to meet new people. Their aim is to build community connections in our neighbourhood.
Britannia School Garden Salad Picnic – Britannia School Garden
This event is hosted by the Grandview Woodland Food Connection. Organizers of this event would like people to experience the magic of eating fresh healthy food picked straight from the garden. Organizers invite community residents to come and enjoy the simplicity of eating a freshly picked salad together. The site is the beautiful Britannia School Garden which is abundant with fresh greens. You will pick veggies for a salad, prepare a healthy salad dressing and savor the taste of eating a fresh salad. While doing this, you will meet people in your community who are passionate about urban sustainability. This event begins at 1:00 pm and runs till 3:00 pm on June 6th. All you need bring if you wish, is a picnic blanket, the rest is provided.
Stories of East Van – Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House
This event is hosted by Christine Nguyen and Eimon Yin. They are looking to connect spaces and people in the Kensington-Cedar Cottage community. They will be hosting a one hour walking tour highlight the diversity of history, culture and interesting stories that abound in the very places we live and play but often forget to appreciate. There will be two tours offered. One begins in front of Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House at 9:00 am. The second tour starts at the SouthEast corner of East Broadway & Victoria Drive at 10:30 a.m. As each tour has limited spaces available, you are asked to sign up at Eventbrite.
Love and Letters in the Library Lounge – Kensington Library
This event is hosted by Sarah Green. What do you love about your city, community or neighbours? You are invited to come hang out and through conversation or typewritten notes share information about your community. At this event, you will be seated in a mini-lounge where people can come and relax, sit for a moment and maybe meet a neighbor. You will be invited to use a typewriter or write a short love note about your current or future community. Sarah hopes to highlight where people find value in their surroundings, build connections and share information.
“Every journey starts with a single step.” – Confucius
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International Yarn Bombing Day Celebration June 6th At The Napier Greenway
3 Jun
The Britannia Community Services Centre is hosting a Yarn Appreciation Event in honour of International Yarn Bombing Day on June 6th. You are invited to come out and make a crochet button flower. You can bring your own yarn, or it will be provided for you. All the crochet button flowers will be placed in the Cherry tree at the end of Napier Greenway next to Commercial Drive. Which of course will be a great photo opportunity as well for those in the area. The event kicks off at Noon and goes till 4:00 pm.
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Italian Film Festival At The Rio Theatre June 6 – 13
2 Jun
June is Italian Heritage Month and that means in true Italian form, you can expect a colourful celebration of this heritage from food to art to film and everything in between. Outside of Italian Day coming on Sunday, June 14th, The Italian Cultural Centre will also be hosting a great line of activities which include the Italian Market, but will feature a few extra events to celebrate their heritage. The Rio Theatre has also jumped on board to celebrate the Italian spirit and partnered with Italian Day, the Italian Cultural Centre and the Vancouver Italian Film Festival. In case you hadn’t heard, the theme for this year’s Italian Day is “Art”, so we think it very fitting that the Rio Theatre will be showcasing some favourite Italian films. And for those that wish to see them all, they are even offering a $50 festival pass. The films they have lined up for the Italian Film Festival include:
Saturday, June 6: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly “Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo” (Sergio Leone, 1966) | Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, and Lee Van Cleef star in Sergio Leone’s masterpiece, a “spaghetti Western” that is generally considered to be the most influential (if not thoroughly entertaining!) in the genre.
Saturday, June 6: Black Sabbath “I tre volti della paura” (Mario Bava, 1963) | Mario Bava’s stylistic influence on cinema can not be understated, and Black Sabbath is a prime example of how his innovative visual and structural aesthetic permeated the horror genre. Black Sabbath is one of the most influential anthology films of the 20th Century, composed of a “trio of terror” whose narrative is held together by its powerful and very colourful narrator, Boris Karloff. Quentin Tarantino cited the structural style of the film as one of his influences on Pulp Fiction and the title of the film was, quite famously, lifted by English metal band Black Sabbath.
Tuesday, June 9: Bicycle Thieves “Ladri di biciclette” (Vittorio De Sica, 1948) | In spite of Vittorio De Sica’s Bicycle Thieves being, at its core, a simple story of a father and his young son searching for a stolen bicycle [vital to the father’s] job, the film is frequently cited as one of the best films ever made. De Sica opted to cast his film with amateurs, their honest performances as fresh and natural today as they were upon release in 1948.
Tuesday, June 9: Cinema Paradiso “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso” (Giuseppe Tornatore, 1988) | With its sweeping cinematography, gorgeous performances, and a heart-tugging nostalgic storyline about childhood and coming-of-age, the Oscar-winning Cinema Paradiso (Best Foreign Film, 1990) remains one of Italy’s most popular and best-loved cinematic exports. Loosely based on writer/director Giuseppe Tornatore’s own life, the story follows a prominent filmmaker recalling the days of his magical boyhood, when he fell in love with movies and formed a deep friendship with the projectionist at his village’s theatre.
Friday, June 12L La Dolce Vita (Federico Fellini, 1960) | Marcello Marstroianni and Anita Ekberg star one of the best from one of the best, Federico Fellini. La Dolce Vita is a dazzling film that weaves elements of the surreal and magical to humbly expose honest elements of the human condition via a week in the life of a philandering paparazzo journalist (Mastroianni, in one of his most memorable performances), living in Rome.
Friday, June 12: The Night Porter “Il portiere di notte” (Lilliana Cavani, 1974) | After a chance meeting at a hotel in 1957, a Holocaust survivor (the exquisite Charlotte Rampling) and the Nazi officer (Dirk Bogarde) who tortured her resume their sadomasochistic relationship, which threatens them both. Liliana Cavani’s The Night Porter continues to divide audiences over its controversial themes and moral ambiguity; the far-reaching impact of its fetishistic aesthetic as influential today as it was upon its release in 1974.
Saturday, June 13: 8 1/2 (Federico Fellini, 1963). Frequently listed as, “one of the best films ever made,” Federico Fellini’s 8 1/2 stars Marcello Mastroianni as Guido, harried film director who, following his last big hit, relaxes by retreating into the surreal dream world of memory and fantasy. Fellini’s quasi-autobiographical film about love, loss, and the trials and tribulations of film-making is often cited by the master himself as one of his favorite films, ever. Also starring Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimée, Sandra Milo, Barbara Steele.
Saturday, June 13: Last Tango in Paris “Ultimo tango a Parigi” (Bernardo Bertolucci, 1974 / 128 mins, 18A) | Passionate, sexual, and entirely unforgettable, Bernardo Bertolucci’s Last Tango in Paris is an exotic, erotic masterpiece about an engaged Parisian woman (Maria Schneider) and her clandestine affair with a recently widowed, middle-aged American businessman (Marlon Brando). Upon its release in 1974, the film received worldwide attention for its unflinching sex scenes (it originally received an “X” rating and was banned in many countries) as well as its raw, naturalistic portrayal of a very adult relationship.
Viva Italia!
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You Can Be A Maker With Vancouver Tool Library In East Van
1 Jun
Today we’d like to introduce you to another exhibitor at the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire. This one hails from the heart of East Vancouver. The Vancouver Tool Library is a cooperative tool lending library located at 3448 Commercial Street. This a membership driven co-operative that lends a wide variety of tools for home repair, gardening, and bicycle maintenance much like your local library. They also offer affordable workshops on tool related skills and projects including a monthly Introduction to Tools Workshop. This is an organization that is committed to building vibrant spaces that reflect a commitment to sustainability and at the same time create a community resource that will reduce the costs of improving and greening the places in which we live, work, and play.
Vancouver Tool Library will be participating in this year’s Mini Maker Faire at the PNE Forum on June 6th & 7th. They will be holding workshops over the course of the weekend making none other than holders for growlers. Which we think is rather fitting in that A) East Vancouver is now affectionately being called ‘Yeast Van’ for the number of craft breweries located in a small area and 2) Vancouver Craft Beer Week Festival will be taking place outdoor on the PNE Fair Grounds the very same weekend. Perfect fit we think.
Various members/volunteers from the Vancouver Tool Library will be on hand as well to answer questions about their co-operative, tools they have available and yes new members are always welcome. Feel free to ask one of their members for more information when attending the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire. We certainly will be. As an added bonus, for those that sign up to be a member during the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire, you will have the opportunity to win 1 of 6 2L growlers from Strange Fellows Brewing. Your newly made growler holder will hold two 2L growlers. Pretty good incentive to sign up we think. If you can’t attend the Mini Maker Faire but wish to learn more about becoming a member, you can email them directly at info@vancouvertoollibrary.com.
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Vancouver Craft Beer Week Festival June 6 & 7 PNE Fair Grounds
29 May
The 6th Annual Vancouver Craft Beer Week kicks off May 29th and runs till June 7th. Many craft breweries and restaurants have special events lined up. Vancouver Craft Beer Week has a listing of some of those events, but if you haven’t been paying attention, many of them are already sold out. The good news though is that new events are being added, such as those offered by one of East Van’s newest craft breweries, Dogwood Brewing. Now on the other hand, if you’d like to sample lots of different beer, you may wish to attend the Craft Beer Week Festival taking place at the PNE Fair Grounds on June 6th and 7th. You will have an opportunity check out over 100 breweries which will have on hand some 400 beers to sample.
Along with showcasing an immense variety of craft beer, they will be hosting the Stihl Timbersports Western Canada Finals. The competitions will be happening on both days and you can expect DJs Hebegebe and K-Tel spinning summer tunes to open and close the festival. There are a couple of ticket options available. General Admission tickets get you entry into the festival, entertainment, a souvenir tasting glass for $34.99. Or you can purchase Gate Crasher tickets which gets you into the event one hour earlier at 1:00 pm for $39.99. Once inside, beer tokens are only $1.25 each. The event runs from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.Please note that is an outdoor event that will go ahead rain or shine. To purchase tickets, visit TicketLeader.ca. Cheers!
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East Van Vintage Car & Bike Show At The Whip Restaurant May 24
22 May
The Whip Restaurant, 209 E. 6th Avenue, is hosting the East Van Vintage Car and Bike Show this Sunday, May 24th, 2015. The event now in its 8th year and will show case pre 1989 cars, trucks and bikes. The Whip will also be putting on a BBQ with an extended licensed patio. There will be live music by none other than Cousin Harley. So good food, good tunes, some car history, we are sure it will draw a good crowd. The event kicks off at 11:00 am and runs till 4:00 pm.
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Britannia School Garden Fundraiser Saturday May 23 At The Hall
20 May
You are invited to the 5th Annual Britannia School Garden Fundraiser being held at The Hall at 1739 Venables Street (formerly known as Astorino’s) on May 23. The event will feature a full dinner prepared by the Britannia Culinary Arts Class with the assistance of a chef. There will also be an open bar, silent auction, music and an evening of food storytelling. 100% of the funds raised will pay for gardening materials and tools, seeds, plants, and teaching programs supporting students food growing learning and healthy eating awareness. The funds raised will support 3 exceptional school garden programs.
Britannia School Garden which provides fresh veggies for the school cafeteria and valuable learning opportunities for students in four classes to gain hands-on food growing skills throughout the year.
Sega Girls School Garden in Tanzania, whom Britannia School has twinned and aims to equip its students with home gardening skills essential for every graduate to have to assist with household food security and self-sufficiency.
The Eastside Family Place Little Sprouts program in Britannia Garden engages young tots and their parents in various garden activities, connecting children to food gardens at an early age.
Come out and support this great event. Tickets are available online for $25 at Eventbrite.
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Rescue Me: Denny A Young Tabby Cat Looking For His Forever Home
18 May
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 Denny. Denny is a 2 year old brown and white tabby. He came to the Vancouver SPCA Shelter as a stray, abandoned by his owner. Denny didn’t take well to life in a shelter. As soon as they found him a foster home though, he started to thrive in a loving home. Denny currently lives with other foster cats and a dog. He’s a wee bit nervous around the dog, but we hear that he seems to get a little braver each day. His foster family says that Denny has been a little skittish while adjusting to a new environment, but improving daily and loves affection. He loves to head butt and will come back to you for frequent pets if you sit down and welcome him. Denny we hear is also a chatty boy, he likes to tell you about his day. His foster family and friends at the Vancouver SPCA think Denny would not be suited in a home with small children who could easily frighten him. If you think you could give Denny a forever home, the Vancouver SPCA Shelter, 1205 East 7th Avenue would love to hear from you. They will be happy to connect you with the foster family so you can meet Denny. You can reach the Vancouver SPCA by telephone at 604-879-7721 or by email at vancouver@spca.bc.ca.
UPDATED June 8, 2015 – We are pleased to report Denny has found his forever home.
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Meet The Makers Expo June 13 At The Makers Lab
15 May
Strathcona is an area we love. It is a multicultural neighbourhood and home to one of Vancouver’s oldest residential area. Within Strathcona there is much industry and business which is still fuelled by the railway and port, but there is also so much new industry in this area. The Strathcona Business Improvement Association is a very proactive organization that works with the community to develop this area and promote the businesses within it. This June, they invite you to check out what is actually made in Strathcona in the Meet the Makers Expo. You will get a chance to see some unique, innovative and delicious businesses through demonstrations, panel discussions, networking and yes tastings. The event will feature restaurants, breweries and cafes including A.G.R.O. Roasters and Yolk’s Breakfast to name but two. On June 13th, you are invited to come down to the MakerLabs at 780 East Cordova Street from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to meet the makers behind the businesses in Strathcona. This is a free event open to the public. In order to ear mark your free ticket, visit Eventbrite.
ILiveInEastVan.com 