Dance
Sunday November 3, 3pm – 4pm
Meet at steps of Carnegie Community Centre, 401 Main
Procession ends at SFU Woodward’s World Art Centre, 149 W. Hastings
Performers from the Carnegie Dance Troupe perform CONNECT, a processional dance performance inspired by personal and traditional music, led by dancer and choreographer Karen Jamieson. This is the completed work of a two-year project featuring live music, poetry, First Nations drumming and cultural dances. Performers are residents of the Downtown Eastside: people of a wide range of cultures, ages, abilities and talents. At 3pm the procession begins at Carnegie and leads down Hastings Street to SFU Woodward’s for the main performance, arriving at the World Art Centre at 3:30pm. If you do not wish to join the procession please be at SFU Woodward’s World Art Centre (2nd floor) at 3:20pm. Free
Author Archive: liisah
Modernize Tailors: 100 Years of Dressing the Modern Man
Exhibition & Reception
Sunday November 3, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall St.
Exhibition: November 1 to 30
Modernize Tailors is the last Chinese tailor shop in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Brothers Bill Wong and Jack Wong, whose father first opened the shop in 1913, have run this legendary local business for sixty-five years. As you can imagine, the shop has a long history in the Downtown Eastside; they’ve created suits for all occasions and all walks of life, from movie stars to lumberjacks. In tribute to their achievement, from November 1 to 30 the Garden hosts an exhibition of pictures, words, suits and other artifacts. The opening reception on November 3 features the first public reading of excerpts from Bill’s journal; a diary of daily life in a Chinese village seen through the eyes of a fourteen year old boy, accompanied by the evocative ensemble Silk Road Music. By donation to the Garden.
Click for photos and videos from this event.
also:
AFTERNOON DOCUMENTARIES
Saturday October 26, 2:30pm – 5:15pm
Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main
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.
Yoga
SUNDO TAOIST YOGA
A Stretch With the Tailors
Sundays November 10, 17 & 24 10:15am – 11:15am
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden 578 Carrall
Steven Wong, certified Sundo instructor and 3rd generation at Modernize Tailors leads a series of Sundo Taoist Yoga classes at the meditative classical Chinese garden. This wisdom from the mountains, cultivates the whole person with physical strength, mental power and good spirits. For fun, fitness and longevity. All capabilities welcome, from chair to mat. To preregister contact the Garden: 604-662-3207. Bring a yoga mat. Series (3 sessions) $30
Heart of the City Community Showcase
Showcase
Sunday November 3, 12pm – 3pm
Hastings Urban Farm, 58 West Hastings outdoors, under tent cover
12pm The Swamp Angels Community Choir
Fresh from their appearance at the Kickstart Festival we are pleased to bring The Swamp Angels to the Downtown Eastside. The choir welcomes people of all ages, abilities and levels of experience. Directed by Dorothy Dittrich and Patti Powell, the choir will sing a mix of contemporary, world music and traditional songs.
12:30pm Sticking Our Necks Out
We welcome singer/songwriters from the Carnegie songwriting class led by Dalannah Gail Bowen, accompanied by Mike Richter on guitar.
1pm Tibetan White Crane Martial Art
Sylvia Kwong leads a demonstration of Tibetan White Crane Martial Art with members of her classes. With a long history and distinct philosophy, Tibetan White Crane is practiced to bring out the best of mental and physical states in modern times.
1:30pm African Crossing Drum Ensemble
So many drums, so many cultures, so many rhythms in the Downtown Eastside! Russell Shumsky, long-time DTES resident, drummer and drum teacher, brings the African Crossing Drum Ensemble to their first performance at the Heart of the City Festival. Never mind the weather, the drumming will lead you to warmth.
2pm Drum Circle led by Russell Shumsky
Following the Drum Ensemble, join Russell Shumsky as he leads a drum circle. There will be hand drums, bongos, congas, dununs, hand drums. Listen to the voices of the drums; have fun, call and response. Drums will be available or bring your own! Family friendly, all ages, all rhythms, no experience necessary.
Everyone welcome! Free
Tout est Ici: A Walking Tour with Maurice Guibord
Walking Tour
TOUT EST ICI: A WALKING TOUR OF THE EARLY FRANCOPHONES OF VANCOUVER with Maurice Guibord
Sunday November 3, 10am – 11:30am
Meet at Victory Square, SW corner of Hastings and Cambie
Among the early settlers of Gastown and Vancouver were Francophone hoteliers, shopkeepers, teachers, entrepreneurs, engineers, and many others. They came from eastern Canada, France, Belgium and Switzerland, and they formed a linguistic community in the new town. This walking tour will take you through Gastown and the Downtown Eastside to see where some of them set up their businesses, and where some changed the landscape of Vancouver. Maurice has been involved in culture and heritage for almost thirty years and is active in the local and national Francophone media as a spokesperson and chronicler. $10 for non-residents, pay-what-you-can for local residents.
* Don’t forget to set your clocks back Saturday night!