Celebrate Vancouver 125
August is here, and Vancouver’s 125th anniversary celebrations continue with even more initiatives and a program worth looking into. Vancouver opens its doors to artistic and cultural organizations that prove that the city has a lot to offer. Community life and civic initiatives are something we can be proud of. This summer is the proof that we have a lot to look forward to in Vancouver!
Picnic in the Park – All Ages
Picnic 2011 Poster
If you’re a fan of Sunday picnics, there’s an opportunity for you on August 7th in Connaught Park on 12th Avenue & Larch Street. The event is organized by the Kitsilano Community Centre for the 26th time. This is the ideal opportunity to take your family out and enjoy some quality time with them. If you manage to attend in the morning, you can buy local products for your Sunday lunch at the Kitsilano Farmers Market as well. Bouncy castles, face painting, and various crafts and arts exhibitions are ideal fun for your children!
The Queer History Issue
Interested in queer culture, history, and art? Sad Mag, the magazine promoting local independent culture in Vancouver and BC, is going to publish an issue that might interest you. The usual focus on visual artists and writers will turn on Vancouver’s queer culture from 1960 to today. Don’t forget to check newsagents on August 15th.
Poetry and Politics
subTerrain Logo
Do you like or even write poetry? subTerrain magazine is about to issue a Special Summer Issue to celebrate Vancouver’s birthday and its content will be 125 poems and essays concerning Vancouver’s rich poetic and political life over the 125 years of its existence. There’s still time to submit one of your own works about the city’s geography, ethnicity, and history!
A Vancouver Summer Day
Health Arts Society Logo
A one-hour piece scored for baritone, soprano, piano, violin, and cello will run every day throughout August in the Greater Vancouver area for those isolated in long-term care. The performances are compiled to express Vancouver’s history through the medium of music, singing, and narrative passages. The whole piece is compiled solely by composers from the Greater Vancouver area and is designed to reflect sense of community and home.
NASKARZ Program – Starved for Opportunity
NASKARZ Logo
One of Canada’s most successful programs targeting youth is presenting an exhibition showing the story of the 1935 Ford being rebuilt into a police parade car by six youths. Over 100 young people have joined the “Never Again Steal KarZ” program to improve their skill of repairing cars. The program is proof that such initiatives can lead to safer community life and the reduction of car theft among youths. It gave a sense of purpose and fun to its participants.