Celebrate Vancouver 125
2011 is slowly coming to an end, and so are the celebrations of Vancouver’s 125th anniversary. With only three months left, Vancouver has prepared another spectacular month full of culture and entertainment for you. This month includes featuring Indian and South Asian communities, newly prepared short plays in the style of Paris, Je T’Aime, a fascinating theatre festival, a national poetry conference, and much more. Vancouver will again bloom with culture and tradition.
Bicycle Tour of Vancouver Murals
Chinatown Mural by jmv
On October 1st and 2nd, you’ll have a chance to join a bicycle tour covering mural artworks created through the Great Beginnings program and the rest of Vancouver's 125th anniversary celebrations. These artworks are placed around the city, from downtown, Strathcona, and Chinatown, to McLean Drive, where the “River of Crows” newest mural has been presented.
The tour takes up to two hours, starting at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, south side (look for the courtyard opposite Urban Fare). The tour starts at 2:00 P.M. with safety tips briefing from 1:50 P.M. The tour ends at 1100 McLean Drive. Tours are free of charge; however, you have to register in advance to get your spot. And a final tip, don’t forget your helmet!
Visions of Vancouver
Visions of Vancouver
October 5th to 15th, Pi Theatre will bring you a set of short plays written by four of Vancouver’s most exciting contemporary playwrights. Each one of them is going to express his or her unique view on Vancouver, performed at CBC Studio, 700 Hamilton Street. The set of performances will be uploaded on the Internet, so if you miss them, you don’t need to worry. If you liked Paris, Je T’Aime and New York, I Love You, this is the event for you.
Tracing Cultural Journeys through the Downtown Eastside
October 14th is going to be a day full of presentations and workshops with a great concert at the end. All this is to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Vancouver with the Carnegie Community Centre. Since 1903, the Carnegie building has been a host to many diverse tenants. The event will explore how this variety influenced us today, and how social groups developed along with the community.
Diwali Bright Lights Vancouver
Diwali Bright Lights
The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre at 181 Roundhouse Mews offers you a playful and informative insight on the cultural impact of Indian and South Asian communities on everyday life in Vancouver. From October 16th to 23rd, events include screenings of Indian short films, panel discussions, music and dance performances of young talents, and various lectures on contemporary South Asian issues. The great finale of Diwali Bright Lights Vancouver will, of course, be in the form of fireworks.
Vancouver 125 Poetry Conference
Vancouver 125 Poetry Conference
You might have already heard from the Globe and Mail that Vancouver is going to hold a Major Canadian Poetry Conference. From October 19th to 22nd, SFU Woodward’s will be hosting this great event. This event is one of many demonstrations of worthiness of Vancouver being this year’s cultural capital of Canada. There is a lot to look forward to, including a wide range of international and domestic poets, such as the esteemed American poet Fanny Howe, winner of the Award in Literature from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, Martin Espada, called the Pablo Neruda of North America, and Governor General’s Award and Griffin Prize winner Don McKay. If you’d like to register as a delegate at the conference, and for more information about this inspiring event, visit Vancouver 125 Poetry Conference website.
Here Be Monster Festival
Here Be Monsters Poster
Have you ever been to the Performance Works Theatre on Granville Island? If not, then you’re in for a treat! The annual festival Here Be Monsters opens with Smorgasbord Cabaret, and the evening will feature various wild performances. The next two nights will feature Theatre Under the Gun, a concept in which companies have 48 hours to create 15-minute plays. The festival will present you with cutting-edge, Vancouver-based companies. You shouldn’t miss the opportunity to attend this unique event! If you’re not interested in performances so much, you should come anyway. There’ll be many workshops of visual and interactive arts, and even pumpkin carving! Come between October 27th and 30th.