The Eastside Culture Crawl is back for 4 days starting Thursday, November 14th. This event is a 4 day arts extravaganza that features the work of over 478 artists in and around East Vancouver. Artists with a variety of mediums open their studio doors so you can see first hand their working space, their creative process and of course meet and talk to the artists about their work. On The Crawl, you will find painters, jewelers, sculptors, textile artists, furniture makers, weavers, potters, printmakers, wood carvers, photographers and much more. The event comprises some 78 buildings from Main Street to Victoria Drive and First Avenue to Powell Street.
We suggest if time is not on your side and you don’t mind crowds, you can take in the works of many artists in one fell swoop at 1000 Parker Street and the Mergatroid. These two hubs in the heart of East Van also feature food trucks for those that get hungry or thirsty wandering around. The Mergatroid, at 975 Vernon Drive is just steps away from 1000 Parker Street also offers glass blowing demonstrations throughout the event on the main level which always draws a crowd.
If you don’t like crowds, there are a wide range of spaces to choose from during The Crawl, so there are lots of opportunities to see working studios and spaces that are a little further afield. This year, as you make your way around, we encourage you to watch for the Displacement Exhibit. It is a multi-venue salon style exhibition which you can view at the Arts Factory, The Cultch, Firehall Arts Centre and Alternative Creation galleries. This is an important exhibit that addresses the issue of disappearing affordable artistic production spaces and raise awareness of the loss of these spaces in our community. The exhibit features work by artists faced with the challenge of eviction, shifting demographics and displacement. The Eastside Culture Crawl Society feels “the contribution of arts and culture is integral to the identity of our city and the threat to viable artist space is a threat to the very core of a healthy vibrant community.” We couldn’t agree more. Change is inevitable but we would like to see a balance to ensure support for what makes Vancouver unique and beautiful. To help guide you through some of the art available, the Eastside Culture Crawl has a great rundown of all the artists on their website including a printable .PDF map to help you find your way. We encourage you to check out the amazing talent in this City. There is also a great Events page. Definitely worth a look.
If you have creative kids and want to check out The Crawl, we invite you to check out Crawling For Kids which Melk Art & Design is again hosting at their studio at 936 Clark Drive on Saturday and Sunday 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm It is a free afternoon of hands on creativity. It’s an opportunity to create collaged cards with nature inspired stamps. Again, it’s free, first come first served.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, one thing we love about the Eastside Culture Crawl is that there is no set schedule. You go where you want, when you want for as long or as little as you want. Add to that, there are an array of great spots to stop for a bite to eat or if one gets thirsty. Whether you are in Strathcona, off the Drive, Railtown, Hastings Sunrise, Downtown Eastside or off of Clark Drive, there are countless options for coffee, beer, food and wine. Enjoy and get out support our local artists.
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. This month and next you have the chance to experience it firsthand. Elaine Ávila, an acclaimed Portuguese-Canadian playwright, brings her play new FADO to the stage at the Firehall Arts Centre. The production “is a tale of love and ghosts set in the back alleys and brothels of old Lisbon. Part concert, part theatre, 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.” For tickets to this beautiful production, visit 
SpeakEasy Theatre’s critically acclaimed production The Shipment is back at the Firehall Arts Centre September 24th to October 5th. Korean-American playwright Jean Lee brings to the stage a modern minstrel show about black identity meant to wake the world to the ridiculous narratives in dominant media. You can expect some brazen mash ups, stereotypes and clichés portrayed throughout what Vancouver Presents calls a “bold, honest and hilarious” production. The Firehall’s Artistic Producer Donna Spencer calls Jean Lee “one of America’s most fearless and exciting playwrights.” This is production to watch. For tickets, visit 
ILiveInEastVan.com 