“I love the Downtown Eastside community because of its beauty and its strength, its refusal to SHUT UP and its insistence upon justice.”
Na, Megwich, “X”, 2001, The Soul of Vancouver
The 8th Annual
Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival
Wednesday October 26 – Sunday November 6, 2011
More than 100 events at over 30 locations throughout the Downtown Eastside
A MESSAGE FROM THE ARTISTIC PRODUCER
The Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival celebrates the creative and committed artists and activists who thrive in the heart of Vancouver. The mandate of the Festival is to profile and foster the development of community arts in the Downtown Eastside – from community building and bridge building, to celebrating artists and cultures, to giving voice to local concerns.
To celebrate Vancouver’s 125th anniversary and promote the spirit of our home community, the 2011 Festival theme is: “Telling Our Story, Building Our Community.” In the words of Downtown Eastside poet and historian, Sandy Cameron: “Each of us has something to tell, something to teach. We speak the language of the heart – here – in the Downtown Eastside – the soul of Vancouver.”
The Festival is thrilled that two special guests are celebrating with us this year: Dal Richards, legendary jazz musician and band leader, is appearing with the Carnegie Jazz Band (Sunday Oct 30, 12:30pm Carnegie Theatre); and the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia will be in attendance at the Carnegie Jazz Band concert and the Aboriginal Artist Showcase (Sunday Oct 30, 3:30).
See you at the festival!
Terry Hunter, Artistic Producer
