Tag Archives: Italian Day

Italian Day Returns To The Drive Sunday June 11th

22 May

After 3 years without the Italian Day Festival due to the pandemic and other gathering restrictions, Italian Day returns to The Drive Sunday, June 11th.  This 14 block vibrant street party will take place on The Drive from the Grandview Cut to Venables.  Italian Day is filled with food, entertainment, and loads of things to do, see and experience.  Grab some friends and stop at one of the many outdoor patios set up for the day, or take in one of the many food trucks lined up and down Commercial Drive.  You will certainly not go hungry while you wander and take in all the sights and sounds.

Italian Day kicks off at Noon and the party runs till 8:00 pm. Just a reminder that vehicle traffic on Commercial Drive is blocked off, so it is best to take transit, walk or cycle in. For those cycling to Italian Day, we expect a Bike Valet will be set up again at 1st Avenue & Commercial, but this hasn’t been confirmed yet. We invite you come out and celebrate all things Italian. Italian Day represents the largest one day cultural street festival in Vancouver. Stop by and see some of the magic of this great street festival. For more information about Italian Day, visit them online at www.italianday.ca.

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Italian Day In Grandview Park Sunday, August 28

6 Jul

The Italian Day Festival Society is set to host a village style Italian Day festival celebrating Italian culture and heritage on Sunday, August 28th. This year the event will take place in Grandview Park meaning Commercial Drive will not be closed down to traffic as it has in past years.  Some side streets will have traffic closures around the area of Grandview Park in order to facilitate vendors and those attending the celebrations.   All the fun favourites will be back including live music, fashion show, wine and beer court, contests, activities areas for children and, of course, delicious Italian food and many food trucks.  The festivities kick off at Noon and continue until 9:00 pm.  For more information, visit www.italianday.ca.

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What’s On East Van: June 7th Edition

7 Jun

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

Wine Trivia Night – Everything Wine Vancouver – June 6th

Everything Wine in River District is hosting a Wine Trivia Night this Friday night. Think you know your wines? Come test your knowledge with the host while enjoying some great wine and snacks. Cost is $20. Fun gets under way at 6:30 pm.

Houseplant Cuttings Swap – Templeton Park Pool – June 8th

You are invited to bring your healthy houseplants or plant cuttings to trade this Saturday at the Grassy Field at Templeton Park Pool, 700 Templeton Drive. The swap happens between 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.  If you plant to pick up new cuttings, don’t forget to bring a few pots to place them in.

10th Annual Vancouver Craft Beer Festival – PNE Fairgrounds – June 8th & 9th 

If you love beer, this is the place to be this weekend. The 10th Annual Vancouver Craft Beer Festival happens this Saturday and Sunday at the PNE Fairgrounds.  Featuring over 300 beers and ciders from BC and the US, there will be lots on offer including food trucks.  Tickets are $39 for one day, or you can purchase a weekend pass for $65. Tickets are available through Ticketleader.

Bridal Pop Up – The Garden – June 8th

Are you planning a wedding?  The Garden in Strathcona, 868 East Hastings Street, is hosting a Bridal Pop Up this Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in their studio space. They will have bridal pieces, floral displays and a wedding planner on hand.  Free to attend.

Italian Day – Commercial Drive – June 9th

This is one of the biggest street parties in the City and a personal favourite, Italian Day happens this Sunday from Noon to 8:00 pm.  Car traffic is blocked from the Grandview Cut to Venables Street for the day. There will be lots of great eats, live music and activities for all ages. Free to attend and wander.

Retro Design & Antiques Fair – Croatian Cultural Centre – June 9th

This Sunday you can find some 185 tables with vintage, collectables and antiques at the Croatian Cultural Centre. The event goes from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm .

Main Street Mixed Bag – Ellis Building – June 9th

Main Street Mixed Bag happens this Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Ellis Building at 1024 Main Street.  Great opportunity to check out awesome local talent and who knows what you might find. Admission is free. Kids and dogs welcome.

Cabaret Cirque – Rio Theatre – June 9th

A new production featuring a sexy circus cabaret comes to the Rio Theatre Sunday night. Cabaret Cirque features a sultry evening of entertainment with dancers, contortionists and a whole lot more. Show gets under way at 7:30 pm. Advance tickets are $25 and tickets at the door $30.

LIVE MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT & COMEDY

Looking for more live music, did you know The Heatley in Strathcona regularly features live music?  Every Sunday they offer bluegrass music with brunch 11 am – 3 pm.

Also 7 days a week, you will find live music at the Libra Room on The Drive. Tangent Café hosts live jazz Sunday nights  from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. Saturday, Pat’s Pub has live jazz Saturday afternoons from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm, no cover.

Looking to shop local? Be sure to check out one of the farmer markets happening this weekend. Saturday is Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10 am – 2 pm and Trout Lake Farmers Market from 9 am – 2 pm at John Hendry Park. Sunday, Mount Pleasant Farmers Market is back in Dude Chilling Park from 10:00 am – 2 pm. To see more of What’s On in East Vancouver,  check our Event Listing.  We also have a separate listing of Free Events for those on a budget and in Vancouver, who isn’t.

Image Credit: June Hunter

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Italian Day Happens Sunday June 9th On The Drive

15 May

ItalianDayThe much loved Italian Day returns to Commercial Drive Sunday, June 9th.  This 14 block vibrant street party takes place on The Drive from the Grandview Cut to Venables.  The day is filled with food, entertainment, things to do and see and experience.  Grab some friends and stop at one of the many outdoor patios set up for the day for a bite and refreshment. Or take in one of the many food trucks lined up and down the stretch.  You will certainly not go hungry whilst you wander and take in all the sights and sounds.

Each year, Italian Day, hosts a theme, this year’s is community an important piece of Italian culture and heritage. This year’s festival looks to celebrate community and the common ground we all share and how together we can make a positive difference in our community.

Britannia Community Centre is again hosting a free family friendly activity. This year, local artists will help host a Friendship Bracelet Workshop from Noon to 4:00 pm in the Napier Greenway.  All materials are supplied. Everyone is welcome to stop by and participate.

Italian Day kicks off at Noon and the party runs till 8:00 pm. Just a reminder that vehicle traffic on Commercial Drive is blocked off, so it is best to take transit, walk or cycle in. For those cycling to Italian Day, we expect a Bike Valet will be set up again at 1st Avenue & Commercial, but this hasn’t been confirmed yet. We invite you come out and celebrate all things Italian. Italian Day represents the largest one day cultural street festival in Vancouver – and perhaps in Canada – drawing over 200,000 attendees of all cultures and ages.  Stop by and see some of the magic of this great street festival.

 

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Next Year “Skip The Clubs and Go Dance on The Drive”- Italian Day 2018 Is Now In The Books

12 Jun

ItalianDay2018Back again for its 9th consecutive year, Italian Day on The Drive delighted thousands of festival attendees with the sights, sounds and tastes of Italy. From Venables Street to Grandview Cut, Commercial Drive was transformed into a lively festa – the largest one day cultural street festival in Vancouver! Home to Little Italy, The Drive comes alive annually in green, white and red with piazza style animated zones, live music, food, patios, fashion, retail vendors, vehicles, activities, children’s zones and more.

Each year the festival is organized around a central theme and this year it was Musica! With three main stages spread throughout the 14 blocks, every few blocks you were greeted with a new performance showcasing local and national artists from Italy. Italy’s music has traditionally been considered one of the cultural markers of Italian national and ethnic identity and festival goers could be seen dancing and singing in the middle of the street all the way down The Drive. Of course the dozens of restaurants, bakeries and beer gardens were also packed with Vancouverites devouring traditional Italian delicacies! Whether you wanted to see the brilliant performances or just kick back on a Sunday with a slice of pizza and a cannoli – Italian Day 2018 was not to be missed!

 

By Contributing Writer: Nicole Alivojvodic

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Italian Day On The Drive Sunday, June 10, 2018

22 May

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One of our favourite community events is back, Italian Day which will be held on Sunday, June 10th,  This year’s theme is MUSICA.

 

Balla come se nessuno stesse guardando,
ama come se nessuno ti avesse mai ferito,
canta come se nessuno stesse ascoltando,
vivi come se il paradiso fosse sulla terra 
Dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth 

For Italian Day, Commercial Drive from Broadway to Grandview will be turned into one long piazza. Many of the restaurants will have outdoor seating areas, food trucks will be dotted along the stretch, live music will take place on several stages. As music is this year’s theme, we understand there will be a concert at Grandview Park with a 12 piece celebrity artist from Italy (yet to be named).  You can also expect Federico Fuoco, owner of Federico’s Supper Club, to put on a show to entertain the crowds as only he can.  There will be authentic Italian table food & wine samplings, European design with fashion and vehicle showcases, Little Italy Bocce court, food contests and many opportunities to experience food from a variety of countries as well as Italy.

Britannia Community Centre will be hosting an Italian Day Music Shaker Workshop in the Napier Greenway from Noon to 4:00 pm.  All materials are supplied. Everyone is welcome to stop by and participate.

Italian Day kicks off at Noon and the party runs till 8:00 pm. Just a reminder that vehicle traffic on Commercial Drive is blocked off, so it is best to take transit, walk or cycle in. For those cycling to Italian Day, we expect a Bike Valet will be set up again at 1st Avenue & Commercial, but this hasn’t been confirmed yet. We invite you come out and celebrate all things Italian. Italian Day represents the largest one day cultural street festival in Vancouver – and perhaps in Canada – drawing over 200,000 attendees of all cultures and ages.  Stop by and see some of the magic of this great street festival.

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What’s On East Van: June 9, 2017

9 Jun

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERALots happening in East Van this next week. We’ve set out below What’s On, but first we’d like to give a shout out to East Van artist June Hunter for creating this image for our new weekly series.  As you may know, the crow didn’t make it into the running for official bird for the City of Vancouver’s. We felt the crow needed a little love and recognition, so it’s officially our graphic for What’s On East Van. June Hunter is well versed in all things crow and she captures some amazing photos of them. We invite you to check out her art work and photos. For now let’s see What’s On East Van for the coming 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.

Driven – June 10, 2017

If you love cars, Driven is happening this Saturday at Pacific Coliseum. This is an aftermarket show featuring some 300 vehicles. Event runs from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Admission is $20. For more info, see DrivenShow.ca.

Main Street Bike Expo – June 10, 2017

If travelling by 2 wheels is more your style, you will want to check out the inaugural Main Street Bike Expo happening this Saturday at The Ellis Building, 1024 Main Street also home to the Eastside Flea. This event happens from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm and features photography, exhibitors, workshops, free bike tune ups, show & shine bike beauty pageant and to top it off a brewery bike tour at 6:00 pm sharp.  Admission is $3.00.  For more info, see MainStreetBikeExpo.com.

Vancouver Mini Maker Faire – June 10 – 11, 2017

If you are curious how things are made, or just want to see some of the amazing talented makers we have in this City, you will want to check out the Vancouver Mini Maker Faire. This event happens at the PNE Forum. It is an all ages event where you will find everything from tech geeks, painters, potters, knitters, roboticists, artists, bakers and 3D printing enthusiasts and much more.  There will be over 150 makers on hand for this 2 day event happening at The PNE Forum June 10th and 11th from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. For more info, see MakerFaire.com.

Italian Day – June 11, 2017

Honestly, Italian Day is one of our favourite community events. Commercial Drive from Grandview to Venables is blocked off from traffic. The space is turned into a large piazza with food, music, dancing, vendors, displays, people watching, activities for kids, patios for sipping & nibbling.  This year’s theme is Amore, which of course is Italian for love.  Event kicks off at Noon and runs till 8:00 pm. Free to attend.

Workshop Canning & Freezing Your Summer Bounty – June 11, 2017

If you wish to learn the basics of canning, the folks at The Uncommon Café in Strathcona are hosting a workshop on Sunday, June 11th from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.  For more information or to register, visit TartineMapleCuisine.com.

Tasting Plates Riley Park – June 14, 2017

Vancouver Foodster (aka Richard Wolak) is hosting Tasting Plates at self-guided foodie tour in the Riley Park area on Wednesday,  June 14th.  The event kicks off at The Honey Shoppe on Main Street and continues to a number of delish spots in the area. For information on tickets see Vancouver Foodster.

Free Italian Opera – June 15, 2017

June is Italian Heritage Month and with that comes some cool events in Vancouver for the month. One of them is free outdoor opera at the Italian Cultural Centre Thursday, June 15th. Two of City Opera Vancouver’s young singers will fill the air with Neapolitan songs. Food and wine will be available for sale starting at 6:30 pm, the concert is free and starts at 7:00 pm. The event runs till 9:30 pm.

Retro Design & Antiques Fair – June 11, 2017

If you are on the hunt for antiques, vintage or collectable items, you may wish to check out the Retro Design & Antiques Fair being held at the Croatian Cultural Centre on Sunday, June 11th from 11:00 to 3:00 pm. Admission is $5.

Entertainment: Arts, Theatre, Comedy & Live Music

This weekend, An AcroYoga Show happens at The Cultch on Saturday with 2 shows at 3:00 and 7:00 pm.  Can you spot a liar? Check out Story Story Lie at Café Deux Soleils at 8:00 pm for its last show of the season.  Looking to listen to some live jazz, the Sara Kennedy Trio will be playing at Tangent Café on Commercial Drive from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.  Looking for comedy,  Trae Crowder billed as a Liberal redneck is performing at the Rio Theatre Saturday night. Instant Theatre hosts sketch comedy at the theatre at Havana Restaurant Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30 pm. East Van Comedy picks things up on Sunday in the same spot.

Image Credit: June Hunter

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Italian Day Sunday June 11, 2017

29 May

ItalianDay2017One of our favourite community events is back, Italian Day which will be held on Sunday, June 11th. This year’s theme is Amore, which means love in Italian. Organizers chose the theme because “love lies at the heart of Italian culture and its lifestyle. It is  a universal language and an exchange evoking many things: affection, romance, passion, respect, creativity, and commitment.  It is life, unity and the pursuit for an emotional connection and is shared in relationships, arts and culture, at the dinner table, in our daily work, in pursued dreams, and in community.” For Italian Day 2017, organizers wish to celebrate Amore in all aspects of life and the magical power it holds to inspire, connect and create infinite possibilities and experiences, both individually and collectively.

For Italian Day, Commercial Drive from Broadway to Grandview will be turned into one long piazza. Many of the restaurants will have outdoor seating areas, food trucks will be dotted along the stretch, live music will take place on several stages and much more. This year, we hear there will be some talent flown in from Italy to celebrate.  Danilo Ciaccia and his band ItalyAMO will be performing. As well 2 DJs from an Italian Radio Station, DJ Osso and Pippo Lorusso will be on hand at the 5th Avenue Stage mixing things up. You can also expect Federico Fuoco to entertain the crowds as will be singers from Vancouver Opera. If you stop by the Napier Greenway at the Britannia Community Centre, East Van artist Paula Luther will be hosting a free workshop ‘Little Hearts Project’. Materials are supplied and everyone is welcome to stop by and participate. This event runs from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. Italian Day kicks off at Noon and the party runs till 8:00 pm. Just a reminder that vehicle traffic on Commercial Drive is blocked off, so it is best to take transit, walk or cycle in. For those cycling to Italian Day, there will be a Bike Valet set up at the Royal Bank of Canada at 1st Avenue & Commercial. We invite you come out and celebrate all things Italian.

Photo Credit: Italian Day

 

 

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Italian Day Happens Sunday June 12th On The Drive

30 May

ItalianDayEast Van is home to many great community events and June is shaping up to be a busy month. We can look forward to Car Free Day, The Italian Market, East Van Garden Tour, but one of our favourites is coming up Italian Day on Sunday, June 12th.  This is your chance to experience everything Italian from food, to music to culture.  Now in its 7th year, the Drive will basically be transformed into one large piazza where you can wander from one end of the Drive to the other. This year’s theme is Mangiamo! Let’s Eat!  As you might expect, Italian food will be showcased and they do it so well.  There will be lots of events, live music and entertainment along the Drive throughout the day.  The Britannia Community Centre will also host a special Pasta Jewellery project led by East Van artist Paula Luther. This will be a free outdoor workshop set up in the Napier Greenway for pasta lovers of any age.  It’s on a drop-in basis and all the materials are supplied. The Pasta Jewellery Project runs from Noon to 4:00 pm.  Also for the kids, there will be arts and crafts in the Little Italy Kids Zone and Funswing amusement rides in Grandview Park as well as balloon twisting and face painting.  Some other fun activities include the Whitecaps/BMO Fun Zone with kicking cage as well as the very popular Bocce Court.

On Italian Day, you will be able to walk the Drive from Broadway to Venables and find over 100 merchants and guest vendors, a line up of food trucks and carts, more than 20 restaurant patios and an array of things to see and do. Of course, we do expect to find Federico Fuoco center stage drawing a crowd as always at the 2nd Avenue Main Stage.  There is also a special feature planned to celebrate the official ‘Little Italy’ designation which pays tribute to over 50 years of Italian heritage on Commercial Drive. There have been 8 blocks officially sanctioned Little Italy by the City of Vancouver which will be christened with banners and crosswalks on June 12th. Come out and celebrate all things Italian!

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