An evening of conversation with Vancouver playwrights
Tuesday November 4, 7pm – 9pm (doors 6:30pm)
Playwrights Theatre Centre Test Kitchen Studio, 2nd floor, 739 Gore
Free
What alchemy inspires writers to transform their worlds and their stories? How is a real life community reimagined in the fiction of new plays? Writers whose work has arisen from this place on Coast Salish territory share their thoughts about the interplay between personal story and ancestral memory, inspiration, place and fiction. Join writers Beverly Dobrinsky (Bread & Salt), Hiro Kanagawa (Indian Arm, upcoming with Rumble Theatre), Renae Morriseau (Storyweaving), Brenda Prince (UBC Masters student), and Quelemia Sparrow (Xwayxway, in development with Full Circle) for an interesting and sure to be lively conversation. Hosted by Playwrights Theatre Centre and presented with the Heart of the City Festival.

Please note there are stairs leading up to this venue, and alas, there is no wheelchair access.

Clockwise from top left: Hiro Kanagawa, Quelemia Sparrow, Brenda Prince, Beverly Dobrinsky

Tuesday November 4, 6:45pm – 9:45pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main
Free
Come and listen, or participate in one of the longest-running regular community music programs in the neighbourhood. You will be delighted by the range and diversity of talented musicians in the Downtown Eastside. Open mic and featured performers. Sign up at 6:45pm and show your stuff. Coordinated by singer/guitarist Steve Edwards. Basic musical instruments provided. You may even entice a backup band to accompany you. Musicians and singers of all styles and skill levels welcome.

Sunday November 2, 7pm – 9pm
The Ironworks, 235 Alexander
By donation
Celebrate the spirit of the Downtown Eastside with an unforgettable evening of live flamenco music and dance! Flamenco is an art form by and for the people, danced and played with spirit, ferocity, joy, laughter and tears.

Hosted by flamenco dancer and teacher Kelty McKerracher, Barrio Flamenco features some of the most compelling flamenco dancers, singers and musicians in the city. This year we welcome guitarist Peter Mole, singer Jafelin Helton, dancers Maria Avila, Andrea Williams, Michelle Harding, Liat Harlev, young favourite Sophia Ludwig, and special guests. And a big ‘ole!’ to our Carnegie Flamenco students!

Following last year’s performance, DTES resident and poet Stephen Lytton was so inspired he wrote: “The dance reinvigorates people who want to be involved….We want to dance but don’t or can’t. The performers dance, and through them everybody dances. The love is dance, is the romance…Dance me away Barrio Flamenco. In the spirit of dance, we dance.”

To celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, our Barrio Flamenco includes a shrine to honour those who have gone before. Bring a photograph of a dearly departed, a flower or candle to contribute to the shrine. On the night when the divide between this world and the spirit world blurs, join us for this exciting juerga (flamenco party) to laugh, play, pray, cry, enjoy, and stamp your feet!

The enthusiastic audience at the Barrio Flamenco 2013 Festival event overflowed out the doors of the Carnegie Theatre, so please note: this popular event will take place this year at The Ironworks, a larger venue on Alexander at Main. Ole!

Opening: Sunday November 2, 5:30pm – 7pm
Carnegie 3rd floor Gallery, 401 Main
Exhibition November 2 to 30
Free
The Festival is pleased to present an exhibit of some of Murray Bush’s flux design community action posters. Murray is an artist, activist, photographer, graphic designer and longtime DTES resident who loves making posters almost as much as he loves canoeing. You have probably seen Murray’s posters over the years in the DTES, on everything from Woodward’s to Insite to the Olympics. His posters are challenging and bold and grab our attention to the cause. Murray will lead a poster workshop at 2pm earlier today.