Showcase
LEARNING CENTRE LIVE
Thursday November 5, 1pm – 3pm
Carnegie Learning Centre, 3rd floor, 401 Main
Enjoy a showcase of poetry, stories, skits and digital storytelling from the diverse group who frequent the Carnegie Learning Centre. Student and tutors work together in this encouraging environment to bring a love of learning to the people of the Downtown Eastside. Gentrification is making places like the Learning Centre even more important as we stand our ground in this fast changing neighbourhood.
Radio
WORLD POETRY CAFÉ
Thursday November 5, 1pm – 2pm
Co-op Radio 100.5FM
Ariadne Sawyer, host of World Poetry Café, is pleased to celebrate the Heart of the City Festival with poetry, interviews, creative tips and music. Tonight Ariadne welcomes the multi-talented and fascinating Gerardo Avila, a professional clown, mime, magician, storyteller, poet and mime, dance, physical theatre and clown teacher!
Workshop
WOMEN’S ZINE WORKSHOP SERIES
Thursday November 5, 2pm – 4pm
EWMA Studio, 800 E. Hastings
Also Thursday October 22, 29, & November 12
Free
See page Pre-Festival Events for full workshop description.
Workshop
OPPEN-ARTS STUDIO
Thursday November 5, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Oppenheimer Park, 488 Powell
Free
Come to the park and the Oppen-Arts Studio to decorate your own travel or coffee mug. Led by Park staff member Kazuho Yamamoto.
Children
LOST & FOUND PUPPET CO.
Thursday November 5, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
DTES Neighbourhood House, 573 E. Hastings
Free
The Neighbourhood House is excited to welcome
Maggie Winston of Lost & Found Puppet Co. and her presentation “Just Enough – a Puppet and Clown Show.” This show is based on a traditional Yiddish folktale that has spread, transformed and been retold in many cultures around the world. “Just Enough” gives a whole new spin to the notion of recycling, as beloved objects find new uses. The story involves a grandmother who gives her granddaughter a quilt made from the materials she has collected over the years. With each piece of fabric a memory is shared. Although the grandmother may not have much, she will always have ‘just enough’ for a great story. Suitable for ages 3 and up. Children and caregivers welcome!
Song
WOODWARD’S COMMUNITY SINGERS
Thursday November 5, 6pm – 7:30pm
PHS Community Services Residences, 10th floor Sky Room, 131 W. Hastings
Free
Here is your chance to sing with the Woodward’s Community Singers, a fun, easy-going, drop-in choir. More campfire than cantata. No experience or auditions required. Enjoy songs from folk, popular and contemporary traditions. You are also welcome to just listen. The choir sings in the beautiful PHS/Woodward’s Skyroom on the 10th floor: a room with a beautiful twinkling view.
Book Reading & Music
IF I FALL, IF I DIE Michael Christie
Thursday November 5, 7:30pm – 11pm
SBC Restaurant, 109 E. Hastings
Free
Come to a fun evening with a writer, with musicians, and with skateboarders!
The Carnegie Branch/Vancouver Public Library is pleased to present local author Michael Christie for an interview, book signing and reading from his first novel If I Fall, If I Die (2015). Prior to earning an MFA from UBC, Michael was a sponsored skateboarder and travelled throughout the world skateboarding and writing for skateboard magazines. The VPL gratefully acknowledges the financial assistance of the Canada Council.
At 9pm, following the reading, the bar will open and the Festival and SBC Restaurant are pleased to present: Murray “Cretin” Acton of Dayglo Abortions in a rare appearance with his three-piece roots/country/blues band Hearts of Stone; and seasoned Canadian songwriter and storyteller Shiloh Lindsey who will offer an intimate, acoustic glimpse into her music.
Hosted by the SBC Restaurant, located in the former Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret and now the home of the DTES Skateboard Society.
Theatre
THE SHAKUHACHI QUEST: An Epic Journey Into the Soul of Music
Thursday November 5, 8pm – 9:30pm
InterUrban Gallery, 1 E. Hastings, entrance on Carrall
Also November 6
Tickets at the door, sliding scale: 5 cents to $20
The Festival is pleased to partner with Jim Sands 
Presents on Jim’s one-man show that tells the story of three friends, one long weekend, and how a casual search for a legendary Japanese flute turns into a life and death journey: a journey that would change their lives forever. The play is inspired by the life and questing spirit of Dan Meichel, a Calgary based jazz musician whose music touched many lives. DTES musician Mike Richter and multi-instrumentalist Michel Vles join Jim for a moving evening of theatrical storytelling.
Radio
ARTS RATIONAL
Thursday November 5, 9pm – 11pm
Live Broadcast Co-op Radio 100.5FM
Theatre in the Raw presents a reading of scenes from Twelve Angry Jurors. This live radio broadcast features dramatic highlights from the larger, theatrical work, which will be presented November 18 to 29 as a fully staged play at the InterUrban Gallery. Tune in to hear how the jurors debated over a life and death decision.
Muzik
CROWMAN and HYMNS FROM THE MOON
Thursday November 5, 10pm, doors at 9:30pm
China Cloud Gallery, 524 Main, 2nd floor
$10 at the door
Crowman rises again, with Hymns of the Moon, for a one of a kind musical experience. Crowman’s improvisations weave together fragments, sounds, textures and innuendos for metaphysical music of now. Played by Chris Gestrin on synthesizers and electronic wizardry, Meredith Bates on viola with effects pedals, and Ben Brown on drum kit and other percussive devices. The root of the music composed for Hymns from the Moon was inspired by Canadian educational documentaries from the 30s/40s about then modern industrial processes. All compositions by Colin Edward Cowan (bass), with Tom Wherrett (guitar), Meredith Bates (violin), Sam Davidson (clarinet and bass clarinet) and Daniel Gaucher (drums).