It’s back baby! Live theatre that is at Havana Theatre located within Havana Vancouver, 1212 Commercial Drive. This is a great spot that features a variety of live performances including comedy, dance, drag, trivia and live podcasting. On June 17th they are officially back with an in person performance. The first performance in their line up is Fundays in the Neighbourhood: A Night at the Museum!
What is Funday in the Neighbourhood? If you ever wanted to see a show described as “Mr. Rogers after dark”? then this is the show for you. The show features local actor and comedian John Hannah who explores the ins, outs, peoples, places, vibes, moods and talents from around our neighbourhood, hint Commercial Drive. The show is co-hosted by a skeleton puppet named Slappy and musical director Julien Amar. Each performance is a little different and could feature a musical guest, a game show, epic music videos, stand up comedy, an introduction to bird watching, or even improv. Havana Theatre invites you to come on down and put a little FUN in your day. And honestly after the last year and a half, I think we could all use a little more fun. Tickets are $10 for a table for 2 and available through Showpass.
With Christmas coming we thought it was time to update our Our Favourite East Van Bakeries. Although in theory, you may have some time to bake, but will you? If you haven’t mastered the art, or some say science of baking, good news, you have lots of great options to pick up baked goods in East Van. Whether you are craving an Italian pannetone, a German stollen, cheesecake or Christmas cookies, you will be sure to find it locally. We’d like to add we’ve lost a few bakeries in recent years, so we encourage you to support the ones still here and the new ones that have popped up. Now get ready, we’ve set out a long list. Enjoy!
Is a unique spot with a focus on using 100% traceable grains, beans, and freshly milled flours that support Canadian farmers. All their delish items can be delivered to your door including their flours should you wish to try your hand at baking. Added bonus, they feature quite a few recipes on their website. If you want them to bake, oh you are in for a treat. Many options to choose from including Pumpkin Pie Galette, Butter Tart Bar, Pear Custard Buns, Cinnamon Raisin Bread and so much more.
On The Drive, but tucked away every so slight in the Il Mercato building at 1st and Commercial is the Bench Bakehouse. They have a great selection of naturally leavened breads and French inspired pastries. For the holiday season, you can expect to find gingerbread men, shortbread, macaroons, biscotti, ginger almond crisp, Pfeffernusse along with Stollen and fruit cake.
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.
This sweet shop, literally and figuratively is run by the lovely Fanny Bay, who is a self taught baker and cookbook author. The shop came to the Drive in June 2019 and her loyal followers have shown lots of love over the years. Fanny is known for her signature cheesecakes, shortbread cookies and modern buttercream cakes. If you are looking for a delish gift, she is also offering Holiday Cookie Gift Boxes (as pictured above).
Livia on The Drive has a loyal following. They offer an array of delish artisan breads and other sweet treats. A definite stop if you are wandering on Commercial Drive.
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. This East Van staple has been a part of the community for over 40 years.
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 stollen passed down from Oma’s recipe (translation grandmother for those not up on their German) and yes for the diehard fans, with marzipan.
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. Delish if you’ve never tried it. One unique thing about Breka, is that they are open 24/7 seven days a week. Don’t let that fool you though, it’s generally a busy spot so be prepared to wait a bit. In latest news, Breka Bakery is opening a new location in Hastings Sunrise at 2434 Hastings Street. It won’t be ready this year, but it will be next. Stay tuned.
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.
Holy cannoli, this spot has a great selection of Italian sweet treats. You won’t be disappointed. They also have a great selection of cakes at the ready.
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. Outside of wedding cakes, they carry an array of seasonal sweets cupcakes, tarts and cookies all decadent and beautiful.
This one is recommended by our followers as a must try. They have a great selection of artisan breads, celebration cake, pastries and a whole lot more including pizza.
Tall Shadow Bakery is a new craft sourdough bakery located between Nanaimo and Kamloops Street. They have evolved from farmer markets to this new permanent location. Outside of great bread, they offer Holiday Sugar Cookie Decorating and Gingerbread House Kits and Cookie Boxes in small and large.
This sweet shop specializes in Latin desserts, cakes, pastries, empanadas and breads. If it’s cake you are looking for, the Mango Cake and Dulce De Leche Cakes are recommended.
If you’ve attended any farmer markets and craft fairs over the years, you will have found Sweet Thea Bakery with a whole lot of delish goodness. They offer decadent cookies, German stollen, plum pudding and a whole lot more. They no longer do farmer markets or craft fairs, but instead have been doing a Pop Up Shop at Main & 27th Avenue the last few years. In even better news, they are currently working on a permanent location on Main Street. If you can’t make their Pop Up Shop, you can visit them online.
Swiss Bakery, 143 East 3rd Avenue (just off Main Street)
We’ve been hearing so many great things about the Swiss Bakery and readers reached out to say, they need to be on this list. They offer an array of goodies including frissants, carmelized puff tart, stollen, Christmas cookies and Gingerbread House Kits.
Trafiq is a chic little café and has so many delish offerings it is so hard to choose. They have a Lemon Lavendar cake that’s caught our eye and is on our list to try. Their Instagram feed is drool worthy honestly. Give them a follow and do stop by if you haven’t already.
To Live For Bakery is a vegan bakery, but as one that has test tasted a number of delish options, you wouldn’t know the difference. They have an amazing selection of cakes and for Christmas, you can find Turtle cookies, rum balls, gingersnap cookies peppermint chocolate cookies, gingerbread loaf with maple glaze and Nog croissants. Of course, it’s a great spot to stop and take a break for coffee.
We hope you’ll support some of these great local businesses this holiday season.
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.
Britannia Christmas Craft Fair – Britannia Community Centre – November 22 – 24
The 34th Annual Christmas Craft Fair happens this weekend with over 50 local artisans and makers with handmade items for gift giving this holiday season. Enjoy live music while shopping. The craft fair runs Friday 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is $2. Stop by and get a jump on your Christmas shopping. To learn more, visit Britannia Christmas Craft Fair on Facebook.
Aurora Winter Festival – Hastings Park/PNE – November 22
The Aurora Winter Festival kicks off this Friday at Hastings Park/PNE with an array of indoor and outdoor activities, Christmas Market, games, rides. This is an all ages event. For tickets, visit Ticketleader.
Fado: The Saddest Music in The World – Firehall Arts Centre – November 22
A play featuring Fado music with origins going back to the early 1800s in Lisbon, Portugal. This music is a distinct part and proud part of Portuguese culture. If you haven’t experienced it, we invite you to check out this production at the Firehall Arts Centre kicking on this weekend. For tickets, visit Firehall Arts Centre.
If vintage and collectables is your thing, Eastside Flea will have that in spades this weekend along handmade items and food trukcs from11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Oh and dogs are welcome to come wander with you, on a leash of course.
Christmas On The Drive – November 24
The Commercial Drive Business Improvement Association along with other sponsors will again be hosting Christmas On The Drive this Sunday between 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. This includes horse carriage rides, pictures with Santa from 3:00 to 4:30 pm, treats and hot beverages, dueling pianos and more. The starting point is The Drive Mortgage Store at 1250 Commercial Drive. The finishing point is the tree lighting in Grandview Park at 5:00 pm.
East Van Panto: Pinocchio – The York – On Now Until January 5, 2020
Our favourite holiday tradition just kicked off this week. Take in this fun and entertaining show that is fun for all ages. Just remember if you are in the front row, you might become part of the production. This year’s panto is Pinocchio and touches on some unique aspects in East Van, such as the mysterious Beckwoman and the coffee wars on The Drive for starters. Tickets for the East Van Panto Pinocchio start at $26 for children 16 and under. Family packs are available for $145. To get your tickets, visit The Cultch. Note, the show will be performed at the York Theatre.
Comedy, Music & Entertainment & More
Do you love cartoons? Miss those Saturday morning cartoons you used to watch as a kid. Do you know Storm Crow Tavern offers cartoons Saturday morning from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm whilst you enjoy breakfast/brunch?
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 support our local growers and makers? Stop by one of the Winter Farmer Markets happening on either Saturday or Sunday. Saturday we have Riley Park Farmers Market at 30th & Ontario from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and Sunday, it’s Hastings Park Winters Farmers Market also from 10:00 am to 2:00 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.
Did you miss the Fringe Festival this year? There were some great shows on offer. You’re in luck though as Staircase Theatre is bringing you the best of the fringe with REPLAY: A Bunch of Great Plays – Again! OK so not a very original name, but you get the jist. Havana Theatre, 1212 Commercial Drive, plays to host to a variety of productions between October 15th and 19th and October 22nd to 26th. Shows featured in REPLAY include:
Didn’t Hurt
(written and performed by East Van local Rodney Decroo)
Where the Quiet Queers Are
Legoland
The Morning After with Pam & Paula, How I Killed My Nan
(a storytelling standup performed by Dion Arnold)
No Tweed Too Tight: Another Grant Canyon Mystery
(written and performed by Ryan Gladstone)
Tickets range from $18.25 to $21.50 and are available through Showpass. Showtime 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm Tuesday to Friday and 2:00 on Saturday. To learn more, visit their Facebook Events page.
Local and award winning storyteller, Jo Dworschak who has brought us Story Story Lie, Oh Man and Weekly Stories brings Rackle to Café Deux Soleils. First up, the name Rackle. What does it mean? We learnt it is Scottish slang for headstrong which is fitting we would say. We’d say Jo is no wall flower. Jo is again assembling her favourite performers to share stories on a monthly basis at Café Deux Soleils. We are quite sure the stories will inspire and entertain you. Rackle continues October 30th. Cost is $10. Doors open at 8:00 pm and show begins at 8:30 pm.
Richard Wolak of Vancouver Foodster is bringing back his Tasting Plates to Commercial Drive on September 4th. What is Tasting Plates? It is basically a culinary roving tour that takes place at different food and/or beverage establishments. You register for the event at the designated spot in this case, Federico’s Supper Club, 1728 Commercial Drive, the day of the event. You bring your printed or digital tickets that you purchased online and in turn receive your Tasting Plates Cards and menus. Thereafter, you wander whether by bike, foot, car or transit to the various venues and nibble away to your hearts content. Each location will have specific menu items on offer for the Tasting Plates. After registration and a bite at Federico’s Supper Club, we see Grounds For Coffee is on deck which assume will be featuring their much talked about cinnamon buns. A favourite participating is Fratelli Bakery, 1795 Commercial Drive, which is literally a hop across the street from Federico’s Supper Club. In case you don’t already know, Fratelli Bakery makes many Italian pastries including breads, cookies, cupcakes, biscotti and cakes. This is our go to place for St. Honore cake. JamJar with delish Lebanese eats is also on board. The full line up hasn’t been announced for this roving culinary tour, but being how many spots there are on The Drive, we expect the list to grow quickly. Early bird tickets are now on sale for $36 until August 23rd. After that date, you can purchase advance tickets for $45 per person and after September 1st, cost is $60 per person. So purchasing your ticket is the way to go. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. We expect this to be another tasty tour.
You are invited to another great street party on The Drive. On Sunday, July 7thCar Free Day happens from Noon to 7:00 pm. The event stretches 15 blocks along Commercial Drive between Venables and The Grandview Cut. Car Free Day will feature activities for all ages, great food, entertainment, local artisans and advocacy for car free and green spaces. This is a free family friendly event which is very accessible by bus, Skytrain and cycling all of which are encouraged.
Four teens. A Mom. A rabbi. One fitting room. Six people all linked to the sudden death of thirteen-year-old Noah after a dare. The Fitting Room is a play about growing up, coming out, facing loss and finding faith. This production on stage at the Havana Theatre starting May 14th until May 18th is brought to you by Victoria Playwright Ellery Lamm and directed by Anna Marie Anderson. The production received Victoria Fringe’s Best Overall Favourite and Bravest Awards. Tickets are $15-$20 and available through Showpass.com.
Did you catch the Pop Up Plant-Based Boutique on The Drive for 2 weeks this past December? If not, you are in luck. They are back in this bright beautiful space for the next 6 months. The Plant-Based Boutique is located at 1206 Commercial Drive (at Williams Street) across from Grandview Park. Their focus is on health, wellness and self-care which is 100% plant-based. They have curated products from across North America which include skin care, organic oils for the face and body, candles, plant-based cookbooks, soaps and much more. They are also now serving organic tea and snacks and have added a seating space in store. You can catch them daily from Noon to 7:00 pm. Stop by and check out this great space.
We recently had the pleasure of checking out The Bench Bakehouse located in the Il Mercato, 1641 Commercial Drive, at 1st and Commercial Drive. This is a sweet spot that just opened 2 weeks ago. It’s located near the entrance of Super Value facing 1st Avenue. The Bench Bakehouse isn’t visible from Commercial Drive, but we encourage you to walk through the Il Mercato or the few feet from the Drive along 1st Ave. to check it out. They have lots of baked deliciousness including a great variety of freshly baked breads which are naturally leavened sourdough. They also offer a great array of the sweet stuff including brownies, brioche, croissants, a coconut mango cake we were tempted to walk out with, and shortbread cookies big enough for sharing. Did we mention all this sweet stuff is made with 100% real butter. The duo behind this new space know what they are doing having trained in Paris, France at the prestigious Ecole Gastronomique Bellouet Conseil. The Bench Bakehouse is open 6 days a week and they have a couple seating areas if you want to park it and kick back for a bit.
Did you miss the Fringe Festival this year? There were some great shows on offer. You’re in luck though as 
Local and award winning storyteller, Jo Dworschak who has brought us Story Story Lie, Oh Man and Weekly Stories brings 
Richard Wolak of Vancouver Foodster is bringing back his 
You are invited to another great street party on The Drive. On Sunday, July 7th 
Four teens. A Mom. A rabbi. One fitting room. Six people all linked to the sudden death of thirteen-year-old Noah after a dare. 
Did you catch the 
ILiveInEastVan.com 