Art on the Streets
LAUGHING HAND STREET ARTIST
Saturday October 26, at Hastings and Dunlevy, morning
Saturday November 2, at Carrall and Pender, morning
Look for Laughing Hand Street Artist on location during the Heart of the City Festival. Painted drawings – lines that speak to you of places and people from time gone by or still seen today in Vancouver’s East End. See the Smilin’ Buddha, the Blue Eagle, Green Door, the Ovaltine, the Empress – Laughing Hand captures your favourite places and somehow mysteriously, brings them to life. Artist Keith McKellar will be on the street for two days, beginning in the mornings – Sat Oct 26 at Hastings and Dunlevy, and Sat Nov 2 at Carrall and Pender. The weather could determine where and when Laughing Hand is out and about.
Watch for Laughing Hand’s exhibition “A walk down the crooked road…” in the InterUrban Gallery, 1 E. Hastings in April 2014
Open House
VANCOUVER POLICE MUSEUM
Saturday October 26, 9am – 5pm
Vancouver Police Museum, 240 E. Cordova 2nd floor
One of Vancouver’s most interesting attractions, the Vancouver Police Museum is located in the former Coroner’s Courtroom. Built in 1932 the building is a municipally designated heritage structure and houses an extensive collection relating to the history of policing in Vancouver. Here you will find exhibits about some of the city’s most famous criminals and the men and women who enforce our laws. Join our museum staff for a free 1-hour tour at 10am, 12pm, or 3pm. For more information: 604-665-3346 or www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca or check out the Facebook and Twitter page! Everyone welcome. Today is free admission.
Walking Tour
THERE WAS WATER HERE? TRACING THE OLD EAST END WATERFRONT with John Atkin
Saturday October 26, 10am (approx. 2 hours)
Meet at Thornton Park corner of National and Station Streets
Join John Atkin, author, historian, DTES/Strathcona resident and walking-history-encyclopedia, on this fascinating exploration of the former shoreline of False Creek. Look at the history of the many businesses that once lined the shore along Main and Pender Streets, and learn about the evolution of the area and the filling in of False Creek over time. $10 for non-residents, pay-what-you-can for local residents
Click here for photos and video coverage of this event.
Art Market
EASTSIDE ARTISTS COMPANY
Saturday October 26, 10am – 5pm
Saturday November 2, 10am – 5pm
Woodward’s Atrium, 111 W. Hastings
Since May of this year, the Eastside Artists Company has held regular art markets every Saturday inside and outside the Atrium at Woodward’s. The initiative provides a place for Vancouver artists and artisans to display and sell their work. Diane Johnston, owner and operator of the company, is passionate about the opportunity for artists to be self-sustaining in the Downtown Eastside. Come to the Saturday market and see what the artists have for sale. For more information contact: dianecaroljohnston@hotmail.com or 604-251-1980.
Kids Workshop
COLOURFUL SUGAR SKULL CREATIONS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Saturday October 26, 11am – 1pm
Oppenheimer Park Field House, 488 Powell
The traditions of Day of the Dead are celebrated in Mexico and around the world as families and friends come together to remember those who are no longer with us. A sugar skull is a fun and interesting way to invite and reward the spirits and decorate your home at this special time of year. Join Erin at Oppenheimer Park and be part of creating our community altar (ofrenda) and make a sugar skull for you and your family! Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos is celebrated November 1st and 2nd. Free
Walking Tour
WOMEN IN FISH WALKING TOUR with Rosemary Georgeson
Saturday October 26, 11:30am – 1:10pm
Meet at the Chinese Cultural Centre courtyard, 50 E. Pender
See the Downtown Eastside through the eyes of its lands, waters and historic fishing industry on this ninety-minute tour led by Rosemary Georgeson, a Coast Salish Dene artist born and raised in the commercial fishing industry. The tour culminates with a reception at the Fishing Industry Community Art Installation at the G & F Financial Group at 803 E. Hastings. $10 for non-residents, pay-what-you-can for local residents
Click for photos and video coverage of this event.
Kids
PUMPKIN PATCH PARTY
Saturday October 26, 12pm – 3pm or until the pumpkins are gone
MacLean Park, 710 Keefer Rain or shine! For the children of the Downtown Eastside.
Come dressed in your Hallowe’en costume. Lots of fun things to do – free pumpkins, face painting, cookie decorating, pumpkin carving and refreshments. Don’t be disappointed, come early! A Strathcona Community Centre program. Free
Kids Comedy
LEAKY HEAVEN KIDS’ COMEDY CLUB
Saturday October 26, 1pm – 2:30pm
Russian Hall, 600 Campbell upstairs
The comedy kids invite you to their final class! Over the last five weeks, the hilarious Jamie Taylor has been working with a group of kids (ages 8-12) on various kinds of comedy including stand-up, games, improvisation and their own joke writing. The final session is free to the public. Produced by Leaky Heaven Performance Society. Come see what this hilarious group of kids has to offer! Have a laugh! Free
Open House
HALLOWE’EN AND HARVEST
Saturday October 26, 1pm – 4pm
Evelyne Saller Centre, 320 Alexander
The Evelyne Saller Centre has a fine line up of events and activities for the Hallowe’en and Harvest Open House. Learn to craft your own paper lantern; view the art show of original paintings, the 2010 Legacy Wall Mural, and the new Heritage Mural with contributions from talented local artists. Discover the story of the Evelyne Saller Centre with photos, facts, text and a self-guided walking tour. Snacks and beverages. Everyone welcome! Free
Reception and Installation
FISHING INDUSTRY COMMUNITY ART INSTALLATION
Opening Reception: Saturday October 26 1:10pm – 2:30pm
G & F Financial Group, 803 E. Hastings
Installation October 29 to 31
G & F Financial Group – formerly known as the Gulf & Fraser Fishermen’s Credit Union – was the heart of fi nancial matters for fi shing people in Vancouver. This art installation features treasures and memorabilia gathered by Rosemary Georgeson from local families involved in the fi shing industry. Rosemary’s Women In Fish Walking Tour culminates at the reception on Saturday, see 11:30am for details. Viewing hours: Tuesday to Thursday, Oct 29 to 31, 9:30am – 5pm. Everyone welcome. Free
Click for photos and video coverage of this event.
Music
ISKWEW SINGERS
Saturday October 26, 2pm – 3pm
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall
Iskwew Singers: (pronounced Is-kway-yo) is a trio of Canadian Aboriginal women who create and perform songs in the plains tradition. The soaring vocal harmonies of Fara Palmer, Krystle Pederson and Sandy Scofi eld will soothe and uplift your spirit. Fara Palmer, blessed with a love of music and a powerful set of pipes, is a multiple award-winning Cree singer; Sandy Scofield, a Metis from the Saulteaux and Cree Nations, has invested a tremendous spirit, navigating and negotiating through a life dedicated to music; and Krystle Pedersen is a Cree/Metis singer, dancer, musician and well-respected teacher of Metis culture. Their music underscores a message of culture from a people who survived the multiple impacts of colonization. Each of their songs is a story, and the heartbeat of mother earth is heard through their drums. By donation to the Garden.
Film
AFTERNOON DOCUMENTARIES
Saturday October 26, 2:30pm – 5:15pm
Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main
There is an abundance of video, film and media artists living, working and telling stories in the Downtown Eastside. For this afternoon’s program we are pleased to present films from accomplished filmmakers that look at stories of past injustice, celebrate the present and look to reconciliation in the future. Filmmakers and participants will attend the screenings and there will be time for questions. Free
2:30pm • Paper Sons and Daughters (2012, 20 min) Executive Producer: Sid Chow Tan. Director/Producer: Deborah Angrave
This bare bones documentary is compelling storytelling of Chinese immigration and family histories. Janey Lew interviews individuals who immigrated to Canada as children by adopting the false identities of others at a time when Canada limited Chinese immigration. These are very personal stories of family reunification.
3pm • Weaving Our Lives (2012, 18 minutes) Director: Raeanne Elkins, Williams Lake BC (Chilcotin, Carrier, Cree)
Produced in the spring of 2012 when Raeanne worked with Vancouver Moving Theatre on the Storyweaving production at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Weaving Our Lives features interviews with First Nation elders and their reflections on the importance of Aboriginal Friendship Centres.
3:25pm • We Have Stories: Women in Fish (2013, 25 minutes) Director: Rosemary Georgeson
We Have Stories weaves together intergenerational accounts gathered along the west coast telling of the deep and enduring connections between Indigenous women, communities, water, and fish. We Have Stories asks what the disappearance of fish means for these relationships.
4pm • Tailor Made: Chinatown’s Last Tailors (2008, 60 minutes) Directors: Leonard Lee, Marsha Newbery
Modernize Tailors opened in Chinatown in 1913, and in the 1950s Bill and Jack Wong took over from their father. Over the years, Bill and Jack created suits for all occasions and for customers from all walks of life. Challenged by the advent of their inevitable retirement, this is a heart-touching Canadian story about legacy and finding a successor for Modernize Tailors, a special place in Vancouver’s history. First broadcast on CBC Television.
Community Celebration
6th ANNUAL FAMILY HALLOWE’EN DANCE
Saturday October 26, 6pm – 9pm
Strathcona Community Centre Gym, 601 Keefer
Come dance the monster mash and have your face painted at this spooktacular all ages event. Organized by neighbourhood parents, this community event has become a favourite Strathcona family tradition. Get into costume and party with your neighbourghoul families! Admission by food or cash donation to support the SCC Food Security Programs for families.
Talkumentary
LISTENING TO TRUTH, SEEKING RECONCILIATION
Saturday October 26, 6pm – 10pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main
Following BC Reconciliation Week we ask “what does reconciliation mean to you?” Join Angela White of the Indian Residential School Survivors Society for a “talkumentary” evening with documentaries, guest speakers and discussion on how we as a community can move forward together towards reconciliation. Guest speakers include Stephen Lytton, Sid Chow Tan, Grace Eiko Thompson and Sukhvinder Kaur Vinning. Musical guests Iskwew Singers will perform songs that tell stories of our connection to the earth, the Creator and one another.
Films shown this evening:
• The Language of Love (2011, 11 min) directed by Marie Clements, featuring DTES artist and activist Stephen Lytton;
• We Were Children (2012, 83 min) directed by Tim Wolochatiuk, National Film Board;
• It Matters: The Legacy of Residential Schools (2013, 5 min) produced by the World Sikh Organization of Canada;
• Hidden Legacies (2013, 18 min) directed by Lisa Jackson, a young Aboriginal filmmaker;
• Yummo Comes Home, A Residential School Healing Journey (2013, 28 min) produced by Don Klaassen and the Mennonite Church Canada.
Everyone welcome. Free
Music & Art
ORPHANS AND DOGS
Saturday October 26, 8:30pm
Unit/Pitt Projects , 236 E. Pender
Orphans and dogs is the latest incarnation from the vocal and lyrical talents of Elizabeth Fischer. Elizabeth is a truly inter-disciplinary artist: she is a musician as well as a visual artist and a writer. Orphans and dogs is Fischer’s latest enthusiasm, where, with the able support of her musical partners, she interprets the musings of other societal misfi ts and miscreants of similar inclinations. Also: Scrap Nap installation by Yuriko Iga. Yuriko’s experience of the traditional Japanese house and family, combined with her work in the contemporary art fi eld, have led her toward a broadened conception of art as the creation of installation or social space. This is a Wrong Wave Music Festival event. For more information: www.helenpittgallery.org or 604- 681-6740. $5 at door
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