Schools
UZUME TAIKO
Thursday October 24
9:30am Admiral Seymour Elementary School, 1130 Keefer
1:30pm Lord Strathcona Elementary School, 592 E. Pender
Uzume Taiko celebrates the rhythm of life itself with shows that wow audiences of all ages through a uniquely theatrical blend of music and dance. Awarded ArtStarts Art Champions in 2007, Uzume Taiko has performed taiko drumming in schools across BC since 1992. Drawing on a broad repertoire, from pieces inspired by the Japanese festival drumming style to contemporary original work, Uzume educates students on the history, instrumentation and martial arts form of taiko drumming and its cultural origins and current context. Elementary school shows feature taiko drumming with storytelling using Japanese mythological masked characters.
Please note: these school performances are for students, parents and teachers only.
Open Studio
FIRST NATIONS ARTIST STUDIO
October 23 – 25 & October 28 – November 1, 12pm – 4pm
Raven’s Eye Studio, 458 E. Hastings
On weekday afternoons during the Festival, the artists of the Raven’s Eye Studio will open the doors to host an ongoing First Nations artist studio. A group of artists work in the studio on a regular basis and they are happy to talk with you. See the artwork, talk to the artists. Artists include studio coordinator Jerry Whitehead, painter and muralist, and sculptor Gary Oliver. Make sure you take the opportunity to talk with Jerry about the spectacular mural, Through the Eye of the Raven, on the side of the Orwell Hotel where the studio is based on the ground floor. Free
Reading & Conversation
AUTHOR TALK WITH TIMOTHY TAYLOR
Thursday October 24, 2:30pm – 4pm
Carnegie Community Centre 3rd Floor Gallery, 401 Main
Come share a reading and conversation with Timothy Taylor, a multi-award winning author who thoroughly enjoys his craft. Timothy will talk about his unusual road to becoming a writer, how he currently practices his craft, and what it’s like to teach creative writing. Best of all, he will read from both his fiction and nonfiction. Timothy Taylor is the author of three best-selling novels, a collection of short stories, two nonfiction books and is also one of Canada’s widest published writers of nonfiction magazine and newspaper features. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussion. Everyone welcome. Free
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Community
ROOTS OF HEALING
Thursday October 24, 5pm – 7pm
UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main
The UBC Learning Exchange opens its doors to share a medicinal plants workshop, tea tasting, a display of images, and storytelling. Participants in Learning Exchange programs continue to explore and discuss themes raised by the Truth and Reconciliation events of September, in particular themes of healing and of connection with traditional wisdom. Learn about medicinal plants in First Nations and other cultures, and about positive, hopeful approaches to education and the sharing of knowledge across generations. Everyone welcome. Free
Opening Reception & Procession
6TH ANNUAL OPPENHEIMER PARK COMMUNITY ART SHOW PARK-A-PALOOZA!
Opening: Thursday October 24, 5pm – 9pm
5pm Procession, meet at Oppenheimer Park, 488 Powell
6pm Reception, Gallery Gachet, 88 E. Cordova
Exhibition October 24 to December 1
Oppenheimer Park proudly presents the community art exhibition Park-a-Palooza – Fun & Play – at Gallery Gachet. This show celebrates and explores both the creativity in the Oppenheimer community and the significance of the Park’s diverse programs from arts and recreation to cultural events and festivals. Over thirty-five artists are featured in this show, and many of the works symbolize playful aspects of the Oppenheimer Park community. Included are painting, drawing, print, sculpture, carving, mixed media and video works. In addition, the exhibition will unveil Birds that Play, an art show featuring hundreds of birds painted at community art workshops at Gallery Gachet, Carnegie Community Centre, Evelyne Saller Centre and Oppenheimer Park. Curated by Carrie Campbell.
The opening night procession leaves Oppenheimer at 5pm and is led by Brad Muirhead and the hot stylings of the Hastings Street Band. They parade down the Hastings Street sidewalk to arrive at Gallery Gachet at 6pm, where the Harmony of Nations drum group will lead a traditional welcome. Free
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Reading
THE STANZA PROJECT
Thursday October 24, 8pm – 9:30pm
Brickhouse Bar, 730 Main
Join the Downtown Eastside’s exciting Thursdays Writing Collective, directed by Elee Kraljii Gardiner, for readings from The Stanza Project, their sixth book of creative writing. The collaboration between this “vital conspiracy of writers” and Dutch architect MLP Proosten, is about architectural and literary space. The book is a record of their year of writing about architectural and literary space – how they intersect and influence our reading of the city. Books will be for sale. For more information: www.thursdayswritingcollective.ca. Free
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Radio
ARTS RATIONAL
Thursday October 24, 9pm – 10pm
Co-op Radio 100.5FM
Jay Hamburger of Arts Rational leads a live interview with Patrick Foley, Leith Harris and Brenda Prince – three talented writers with roots in the Downtown Eastside. All three featured writers took part in the ground-breaking community engaged theatrical production From the Heart of A City: The DTES Community Play (2003), which is now celebrating its 10th anniversary. Each of the guests continue to participate in the theatre arts as playwrights, students, and performers. We will ask them the question: what does theatre have to do with the Downtown Eastside at this point in time? Tune in to a conversation that promises to be fascinating.
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