We know many people search our site looking for the Illuminares Lantern Festival and Procession. We also know many, like us, are disappointed that this event is no longer. The event took on a life of its own over its 25 year run and grew to draw 20,000 people to John Hendry Park. The Illuminares Lantern Festival was put on under the direction of The Public Dreams Society which has since disbanded. What we did learn recently though is that Trout Lake Community Centre will be hosting a lantern procession around Trout Lake at dusk on Wednesday, August 30th. It will be on a much smaller scale, but as everything in life, it’s what you make it. And if you want to make lanterns, you will have that opportunity that evening from 6:00 pm to 8:15 pm, or you can make your own at home and bring it to the event. Trout Lake Community Centre will also be hosting a Lantern Making Event during the day from 10:00 am to Noon at a cost of $2.00 per person. This event coincides with the final summer outdoor concert which kicks off at 6:30 pm. So come and enjoy the musical sounds of Checo Tohomaso and stay for the lantern procession. Perfect way to cap off the month of August.
Lantern Procession – Trout Lake Wednesday, August 30, 2017
23 Aug
Trout Lake Outdoor Summer Concert Series Returns July 5, 2017
26 Jun
The Trout Lake Outdoor Summer Concert Series is back for another year starting Wednesday, July 5th. If you have not checked out this great free summer event, you truly are missing out. This annual event is hosted by the Trout Lake Community Center at 3360 Victoria Drive. Concerts happen every Wednesday evening throughout the summer rain or shine. If it rains, concerts go indoors to the Grandview Room. We’ve had the opportunity to take in some of the concerts on a nice summer evening and we have to say, it is a pretty perfect way to spend an evening. Bring a blanket, your friends, or the dog or both and a picnic and you are set. There are a few new additions this year including a BBQ and the Carousel Café to grab some food while there. For parents with young children, there will also be a kids art station as well as the great playground near the concert stage. We have set out the musical line up for this summer below. Each evening kicks off at 6:30 pm. By the way, dancing is encouraged, so don’t be shy. Others certainly aren’t. If you are lucky, you will see a few couples showing off their exceptional dancing skills which we witnessed one year which certainly added to our evening. We encourage you to check out this popular free family friendly event.
July 5
SANCTUARY ALL STARS
A 17 piece big swing jazz band led by Bob Liley.
July 12
DEANNA KNIGHT & THE HOT CLUB OF MARS
Travel back in time to the early jazz era of the 1920’s & 30’s and experience one of Vancouver’s most eclectic gypsy-jazz ensembles.
July 19
SODA CRACKERS
Vintage country, jazz and roots music.
July 26
WHEAT IN THE BARLEY
A blend of their traditional tunes will be a big hit with all-ages audiences.
August 2
DAMASCO SOUL SYSTEM
August 9
RIO SAMAYA BAND
Original music of songs and poetry in a magical combination of Latin, Reggae & Rhumba.
August 16
SILK ROAD
A musical adventure that explores China and beyond. Silk Road Music delivers virtuosity and imagination.
August 23
SWEET PAN
August 30
CHECO TOHOMASO
Photo Credit: Deanna Knight
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The Uncommon Café Lines Up More Delish Cooking Classes
24 Apr
The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, is hosting another delicious line of up cooking and baking classes this Spring. Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple will be leading the classes which will be held at two locations one of which is Trout Lake Community Centre. We’ve set out below a few of their upcoming classes. No baking or cooking experience? No worries, the recipes are easy, Valentine will walk you through it and make it fun.
Eclairs & Cream Puffs: Sunday, April 30th – Trout Lake Community Centre 2-4 pm
Valentine will teach you the basics of Choux pastry which will then be filled with cream and covered with a warm chocolate sauce. The eclairs are the long version that are filled with a bit of heaven. You are asked to bring containers so you can take some of your creations home, that is if you don’t eat them all. This class is $57.14 and runs from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Note, registration for this event is through the Trout Lake Community Centre. Hint: We’ve tasted Valentine’s cream puffs made with pistachio filling that is hands down one of the best things we’ve ever tasted. We guarantee it will impress your guests. Personally, we’d ask for that recipe.
Chocolate Lovers Cooking Class – May 7th – Trout Lake Community Centre 2-4 pm
If you love chocolate and want to learn how to make easy decadent desserts, than this class is for you. Whether you wish to impress guests, or that special someone or keep it all for yourself, no judgment. What you will learn to make in this class is:
- Chocolate Mousse
- Lava Cake
- Chocolate Truffles
- Chocolate Sauce to Drizzle
This is a demonstration cooking class after which you will get to enjoy your Lava Cake. The rest of the goodies you get to take home with you.
Mother’s Day Brunch & Bake – Sunday, May 14th – The Uncommon Café 11-2
You are invited to bring your mom to a fun food event in which Valentine will demonstrate some easy brunch recipes including:
- Beet Soup with Whipped Goat Cheese
- Mini Asparagus & Bacon Quiches
- Homemade Baba Ganoush and Tapenade with Toasted Tortillas
- Eclairs and Cream Puffs for dessert
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The Uncommon Café Offers Sweet Classes This February
23 Jan
With Valentine’s Day approaching, our friends at The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street, are hosting a few delicious classes this February and if location is an issue, we see one of their upcoming classes, Eclairs and Cream Puffs, will be held at the Trout Lake Community Centre on a Sunday afternoon. Valentine Kitamura owner of Tartine Maple will be leading the various classes they have lined up which include learning how to make eclairs and cream puffs, the secrets of working with chocolate or making that perfect Valentine’s Dinner. We invite you to check out their upcoming classes.
Eclairs and Cream Puff: Choux Pastry Basics – Sunday, February 5, 2017
Valentine will teach you the basics of the new pastry craze from France, Choux pastry pronounced “shoo.” If unfamiliar with the term, they are a family of dessert, big and small puffs, all made with the same dough base. In this class, you will learn to make:
- Profiteroles filled with vanilla whipped cream and covered with warm chocolate sauce
- Chouquettes with are a simple little puff simply covered with crunchy sugar bits
- Eclairs – the long version of the choux, filled with cream
Bring a container(s) so you can take some of your creations home. If you don’t have baking experience, no worries, it is not required. They assure us no fancy equipment is required either and you can easily make the items yourself at home. This class runs Sunday afternoon at Trout Lake Community Centre from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
Chocolate Lovers Class – Wednesday, February 8, 2017
If you love chocolate and want to learn how to make easy decadent desserts, than this class is for you. Whether you wish to impress guests, or that special someone this Valentine’s Day. What you will learn to make in this class is:
- Chocolate Mousse
- Lava Cake
- Chocolate Truffles
- Chocolate Sauce to Drizzle
This is a demonstration cooking class after which you will get to enjoy your Lava Cake along with a glass of sparking wine. The rest of the goodies you get to take home with you.
Valentine’s Couple Cooking Demo & Dinner – February 10, 2017 SOLD OUT
This class is designed for pairs, so whether that be a romantic couple, or maybe you want to bring someone on a first date, or you bring your mom or best friend, the field is wide open. During this demonstration class, Valentine will show you how to make some delish French dishes which we’ve set out below. After the demonstration, you get to sit down and enjoy the prepared meal in their restaurant with a glass of wine with candlelight if you wish. What you will learn to make includes:
Tarte flambée: Thin flatbread made right before your eyes, covered in onions, bacon and cream and cooked really high for extra crispiness. Served with green salad.
Aumoniere de Saumon: Salmon wrapped in purse shape phyllo dough served with a traditional white wine sauce
Lava cake: The ultimate dark chocolate indulgence served with vanilla ice cream.
Now if you like the idea of this class, but your prefer a different date, they are offering another class on February 14th, with a bit different menu. Price for the demonstration cooking classes are $75 per person. Keep an eye out for early registration offers which reduce the price by $10. To register, click on link above which takes you to the Eventbrite page for each class. Bon appetit.
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Trout Lake Outdoor Summer Concert Series Is Back For 2016
6 Jul
The Trout Lake Outdoor Summer Concert Series is back for another year starting tonight. If you have not checked out this great free summer event, you are missing out. This annual event is hosted by the Trout Lake Community Center, 3360 Victoria Drive. Concerts happen every Wednesday evening throughout the summer rain or shine. We had the opportunity to take in a few of the concerts last year and we have to say, it was a pretty perfect way to spend an evening. Bring a blanket, your friends, or the dog or both and a picnic and you are set. For parents with small children, there is a playground where kids can play while you, at the same time, can take in the concert. We have set out the musical line up for this summer below. Each evening kicks off at 6:30 pm. Note, any rained our concerts will be held in the Grandview Room. By the way, dancing is encouraged, so don’t be shy. Others certainly aren’t. If you are lucky, you will see a few couples showing off their exceptional dancing skills which we witnessed last year which added to the evening. We encourage you to check out this popular fun free event.
July 6
SANCTUARY ALL STARS
A 17 piece big swing jazz band led by Bob Liley.
July 13
WHEAT IN THE BARLEY
A blend of their traditional tunes will be a big hit with all-ages audiences.
July 20
SODA CRACKERS
Vintage country, jazz and roots music.
July 27
DEANNA KNIGHT & THE HOT CLUB OF MARS
Travel back in time to the early jazz era of the 1920’s & 30’s and experience one of Vancouver’s most eclectic gypsy-jazz ensembles.
August 3
THE LONESOME TOWN PAINTERS
Vancouver’s traditional bluegrass standard-bearers.
August 10
RIO SAMAYA BAND
Original music of songs and poetry in a magical combination of Latin, Reggae & Rhumba.
August 17
SILK ROAD
A musical adventure that explores China and beyond. Silk Road Music delivers virtuosity and imagination.
August 24
PATRIZIA COLETTA
A musician/vocalist performing a variety of music in multiple languages.
Photo Credit: Deanna Knight
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Halloween Events In East Vancouver 2015
21 Oct
Lots of fun events coming to East Vancouver for Halloween for the big kids and the wee ones. We have set out a sampling of some of the events. Of course, if you are staying in to hand out Halloween candy to the wee ones, Black Dog Video on Commercial Drive has you covered for Halloween movies. If you have an event, you’d like to see included on the list, feel free drop us a line at IliveInEastVan@gmail.com
Parade of Lost Souls. This popular East Van tradition takes place on October 31st. The exact location will be announced at midnight on October 30th on the Dusty Flowerpot website. You can expect a parade of wild costumes, giant puppets, live music by East Van’s own Carnival Band among others, a Thriller Flash Mob and performance art created by local community members. The Parade of Lost Souls will take place in East Vancouver on October 31st 7:00 – 10:00 pm. This event is free and for all ages. Costumes are encouraged. For those wishing to carry on after the parade, there is an After Party at The Hall on Venables Street. The after party will feature performances by The Tailor, Sweet Anomaly, Orkestar Slivovica, Bone Rattle Burlesque and much more. Tickets are available in advance and at the information booth the night of the parade.
Fright Nights. Playland is hosting 7 haunted houses, 15 rides, a fire show, Monsters of Schlock and the Radiant Heat Show. Fright Nights is now on until November 1st (enter E. Hastings & Windermere) tickets are available online at FrightNights.ca.
Rio Theatre. On Saturday, October 31st, the Rio Theatre has you covered for scary movies. They are starting the night with Jack Nicholson in The Shining at 6:15 pm, then Halloween at 9:15 pm and ending with From Dusk Till Dawn at 11:30 pm. Advance tickets are available online.
7 Deadly Sins At The Waldorf. 7 Deadly Sins is happening at The Waldorf. This is a multi room affair featuring DJs, dancing and much more. The event gets underway at 8:00 pm and tickets are $35 and going quick.
Dogwood Brewing – Costume Kegger. The fine folks at Dogwood Brewing in SE Vancouver are throwing a Costume Kegger this Halloween. As the name depicts, costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $30 and includes meal ticket for Disco Cheetah, beer tickets, a DJ, games and shuttle transportation to and from Cambie/Marine Skytrain Station. The event kicks off at 8:00 pm and will go till 1:30 am. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite.
Halloween Drive-In Movie Night. You are invited to check out a Halloween Drive-In movie series which will be held this weekend and next at River District in SE Vancouver. Load up the car with your family and/or friends for the early movie which is family friendly at 7:00 pm on October 24th which is showing Hocus Pocus OR you can opt for the later scary movie for the adults at 9:00 pm which features The Thing. On Friday, October 30th, they will be doing it all over again. On this Freaky Friday they will be showing The Nightmare Before Christmas at 7:00 pm and for the adult scary movie it will be The Lost Boys at 9:30 pm. The drive-in theatre is located at Boundary Road and East Kent Avenue North. Cost is $20 per car load plus taxes. Free popcorn for the early movie and 4 food trucks and a snack bar will be on site. You can purchase tickets in advance online.
Halloween On The Drive – The Commercial Drive Business Society invites you and your family down for a FREE family event on Saturday, October 31st. From 12:30 to 4:30 pm, kids under the age of 12 can stop by Famoso Pizzeria on Commercial Drive for a free Margherita Pizzetta. From 4:30 to 6:30 pm, there will be ‘trick or treating’ along The Drive from Venables Street to 13th Avenue. Participating merchants will have a “TREATS HERE” sign in their windows. Stop by the Southwest corner of Grandview Park between 6:00 and 7:30 pm for a chance to win a prize pack from local merchants. And to top things off, there will be a fireworks finale at Grandview Park between 7:30 and 8:00 pm.
COMMUNITY EVENTS FOR THE WEE ONES:
Trout Lake Community Centre: Halloween Celebration – Saturday, October 31st 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. You are invited to come jump in the bouncy castle, play Halloween games, and make some pumpkin crafts. Lots more surprises planned for the wee ones. There is a cost of $4.00 per child.
Britannia Community Centre: Halloween Howl – Saturday, October 31st (1–8 years). You are invited to a FREE spooky community event with entertainment and ghostly games and, of course, tricks and treats. Event takes place in Gym D from Noon to 2:00 pm. Treats for the first 100 kids.
Britannia Community Centre – The Ghost Caravan – Kids Theatre Show – Sunday, October 25th 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Local children are invited to come out and be a part of The Kids Theatre Show at the Parade of Lost Souls. They ask that you imagine two ghostly figures riding two white bicycles. Behind them, like a horse drawn carriage, there is a portable theatre from which costumed characters emerge which will be played by local children. To learn more, stop by the Cafeteria at Britannia Community Centre and check out what’s happening.
Sunset Community Centre: Haunted Halloween – Friday, October 30th 6:30 to 9:00 pm. Come check out their spooky haunted houses, crafts and trick or treating. This is a free event for all ages.
Sunset Community Centre: Halloween Skate – Thursday, October 29th 3:00 to 4:15 pm. Dress up in your Halloween costume and skate this spooktacular event. Regular admission and rental fees apply.
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East Van GoGos Benefit Concert & Brunch October 18 Trout Lake Community Centre
12 Oct
The East Van GoGos invite you to a Benefit Concert & Brunch on Sunday, October 18th at Trout Lake Community Centre. What is a GoGo? Gogo is a Zulu word meaning “grandmother”. The Greater Van Gogos which includes chapters in various parts of the Lower Mainland are grandmothers and ‘grandmothers’ working in groups to support African grandmothers raising a generation of children orphaned by AIDS. This network of grandmother groups in south western BC are dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
In March 2006, Stephen Lewis, a Canadian humanitarian and former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, issued a call to Canadian grandmothers to bond with their African counterparts. In his travels, Lewis noticed the phenomenal grandmothers who had buried their adult children and stepped in to raise the orphans left behind. They needed money for school fees and uniforms, food and other necessities. In the Vancouver area, three women answered the call. They invited a few others and launched Greater Van Gogos in the summer of 2006 with four groups. Although grandmothers in Africa’s many countries are addressed in different ways – ja ja in Uganda, sho sho in Kenya or nyana in Zambia – the word gogo felt right. Many years later, there are 20 groups registered with approximately 600 members from Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Together they have raised more than $1 million for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The funds are distributed to community level projects supporting grandmothers and the children in their care in 15 sub-Saharan African countries.
The brunch on Sunday, October 18th is a fundraiser for the East Van GoGos which will feature a musical performance by the Soda Crackers. The group consists of Sue Malcolm, Don Fraser and Stu MacDonald who are also members of Highrise Lonesome. To find out what they will be playing, you’ll just have to come out and listen. It could be country, bluegrass, blues, jazz or some western swing. Brunch will be provided along with coffee, tea and juice. Suggested donation is $25. To order your ticket contact Sharon at T: 604-254-4071 or eastvangogos@gmail.com. The brunch takes place from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Grandview Room at the Trout Lake Community Centre, 3360 Victoria Drive. The music gets under way at 12:15 pm. Come out and support these great GoGos!
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Help Vancouver’s Urban Forest And Plant A Tree
2 Apr
Help Vancouver’s urban forest and plant a tree. It’s that easy and Treekeepers makes it affordable as well. TreeKeepers is a non-profit partnership between Tree City and the Environmental Youth Alliance working with the City of Vancouver to grow our urban forest. Every tree you plant provides ecological, economic and cultural benefits. David Tracey, Executive Director of Treekeepers states in a recent Vancouver Courier article that “trees provide cleaner air and intercept rainwater so fewer stormwater infrastructures are necessary. He also said trees give us aesthetic pleasure by softening the harsh lines of infrastructure and maintain a thriving biodiversity by providing habitats for birds and insects.” There are a variety of trees including fruit bearing (apple, plum and fig), flowering and evergreen trees available. This April you can pick up a tree for the very reasonable price of $10 – $15, but you must pre-order your trees. To pre-order a tree visit Treekeepers.
List of upcoming tree sales in East Vancouver:
April 11 – Trout Lake Community Centre, 3360 Victoria Drive 1:00 to 2:30 pm
April 18 – Slocan Park, 2750 East 29th Avenue, 10:00 am to 11:30 am
April 18 – Sunset Rink, 390 East 51st Avenue, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
April 19 – Strathcona Community Centre, 601 Keefer Street, 10:00 to 11:30 am
April 22 – Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway, 6:00 to 7:30 pm
Do your part to help create the world’s greenest City and plant a tree.
Photo Credit (Above): Pasi Pitkanen
Photo Credit (Below): Makio Kusahara
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East Van GoGos 7th Annual Jazz Brunch March 22
10 MarThe East Van GoGos invite you to their 7th Annual Jazz Brunch Sunday, March 22nd. What is a GoGo? Gogo is a Zulu word meaning “grandmother”. The Greater Van Gogos which includes chapters in various parts of the Lower Mainland are grandmothers and ‘grandothers’ working in groups to support African grandmothers raising a generation of children orphaned by AIDS. This network of grandmother groups in south western BC are dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
In March 2006, Stephen Lewis, a Canadian humanitarian and former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, issued a call to Canadian grandmothers to bond with their African counterparts. In his travels, Lewis noticed the phenomenal grandmothers who had buried their adult children and stepped in to raise the orphans left behind. They needed money for school fees and uniforms, food and other necessities. In the Vancouver area, three women answered the call. They invited a few others and launched Greater Van Gogos in the summer of 2006 with four groups. Although grandmothers in Africa’s many countries are addressed in different ways – ja ja in Uganda, sho sho in Kenya or nyana in Zambia – the word gogo felt right. Many years later, there are 20 groups registered with approximately 600 members from Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Together they have raised more than $1 million for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The funds are distributed to community level projects supporting grandmothers and the children in their care in 15 sub-Saharan African countries.
The brunch on Sunday, March 22nd is a fundraiser for the East Van GoGos which will feature a musical performance by What It Is! The group consists of Mimi Beyene, Cass King, Patti Powell and Carol Wiedemann. We hear that these four unique voices are quite the powerhouse and have a captivating sound with a cappella soul. Their distinct arrangements are steeped in the soulful sounds of such greats as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Etta James, and Laura Mvula. They will be bringing East Van Soul to a whole new level.
Brunch will be provided along with coffee, tea and juice. Suggested donation is $25. To order your ticket contact Sharon at T: 604-254-4071 or eastvangogos@gmail.com. The brunch takes place from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm in the Grandview Room at the Trout Lake Community Centre, 3360 Victoria Drive. The music gets under way at 12:15 pm. Come out and support these great GoGos!
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East Van GoGos Fundraiser Sunday October 19th Trout Lake Community Centre
26 SepThe East Van GoGos invite you to their 6th Annual Jazz Brunch Sunday October 19th. What is a GoGo you might ask? Gogo is a Zulu word meaning “grandmother”. The Greater Van Gogos which includes chapters in various parts of the Lower Mainland are grandmothers and ‘grandothers’ working in groups to support African grandmothers raising a generation of children orphaned by AIDS. This network of grandmother groups in south western BC are dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign and the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
In March 2006, Stephen Lewis, a Canadian humanitarian and former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, issued a call to Canadian grandmothers to bond with their African counterparts. In his travels, Lewis noticed the phenomenal grandmothers who had buried their adult children and stepped in to raise the orphans left behind. They needed money for school fees and uniforms, food and other necessities. In the Vancouver area, three women answered the call. They invited a few others and launched Greater Van Gogos in the summer of 2006 with four groups. Although grandmothers in Africa’s many countries are addressed in different ways – ja ja in Uganda, sho sho in Kenya or nyana in Zambia – the word gogo felt right. Many years later, there are 20 groups registered with approximately 600 members from Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Together they have raised more than $1 million for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The funds are distributed to community level projects supporting grandmothers and the children in their care in 15 sub-Saharan African countries.
The brunch on October 19th is a fundraiser for the East Van GoGos which will feature a musical performance by Brian Tate who will entertain you with some jazz, gospel and African music. Homemade brunch will be provided along with coffee, tea and juice. Suggested donation is $25. Limited seats for this event. To order your ticket contact Sharon, 604-254-4071 or eastvangogos@gmail.com. The brunch takes place from 12:00 – 2:00 pm in the Grandview Room at the Trout Lake Community Centre, 3360 Victoria Drive, the music gets under way at 12:45 pm. Come out and support these great GoGos!
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