Our Journey of Reconciliation So Far
Thursday November 6, 5pm – 7pm
UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main
Free
Inspired by the past year of Truth and Reconciliation, the patrons of the UBC Learning Exchange have been discussing themes of healing, connection and exchange of traditional wisdom. Join us for a storytelling workshop and an interactive exhibit showcasing medicine-making, songs and button-blanket creation.

photo David Cooper

Thursday November 6, 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Carnegie 3rd floor Gallery 401 Main
Free
Hanukkah, Diwali, Solstice, Christmas, and the Winter Fest holiday season are just around the corner: be prepared! Make gifts and decorations from fabric with Downtown Eastside artisan Karenza T. Wall. All fabric donated by DTES residents; workshop sponsored by Carnegie. Look for more of Karenza’s workshops on Dec 4 at Carnegie, on Dec 6 at Britannia, and on Dec 9 at the UBC Learning Exchange. For more information: www.chindi-nation.net.

The more the merrier! Everyone welcome!

Wednesday November 5, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main
Free
The Downtown Eastside is home to talented musicians, and it is always exciting for the Festival to present a thrilling evening of local women and their spirited music.

Twin Bandit – photo Melanie Orr

Firekeeper & the Wild Mares – photo David Cooper

Corinthian Clark – photo Tom Quirk

In their first year at the Festival we welcome Twin Bandit, with the DTES’ own Hannah Walker and Jamie Elliott, a young and new duo who bring to their original songs an intimate folk and roots performance style with strong harmonies. Hannah and Jamie met at our community’s highly praised Saint James Music Academy on Gore and Cordova where they bonded over their love of singing.

Then, Carnegie regular and musician Joyce Morgan takes to the stage. Last year Joyce charmed the audience with her delightful interpretation of classical songs. This year, Joyce is going contemporary! Local musical favourite, singer and guitarist Shannon Bauman follows, singing original songs to the theme of love, healing and recovery.

Keeping the fire burning is Vancouver blues queen, and the Downtown Eastside’s own, Dalannah Gail Bowen with bass man owen Owen OWEN. This is a great opportunity to hear blues at its best: Dalannah and Owen recently won the solo/ duet category of the International Blues Challenge for BC and are heading to Memphis in January to compete in the 2015 International Blues Challenge! Congratulations Dalannah and Owen!

A new group to spring from Laura Barron’s Women Rock! workshop is Firekeeper and the Wild Mares, with Angela Zenk (vocals, keys), Purple (vocals, percussion), Geetha Subramaniyam (guitar, percussion) and Justina Vanovcan (movement coach, percussion). This dynamic quartet performs an eclectic mix of covers and originals, rock, country, punk, all delivered with a dramatic (and sometimes humorous) flair.

And stoking the evening fire for the uplifting finale is Corinthian Clark, who, with her powerful vocals, had the audience on their feet with a standing ovation the last time she performed at the Festival.

Wednesday November 5, 1pm
Carnegie Learning Centre, 3rd floor, 401 Main
Free
Join Vancouver author Lisa Anne Smith as she brings to life stories from her newly-released book Vancouver Is Ashes: The Great Fire of 1886. Re-visit the Great Vancouver Fire of June 13th, 1886 through digitized vintage photos and recollections of survivors. Discover how an out-of-control clearing fire reduced Vancouver to ashes in less than one hour — and galvanized a remarkable recovery in the days and weeks following. See photos of before and after the fire, and find out how much we have learned since 1886 in the field of fire management.