Open Lab Discussion
LEARNING, FREEDOM & THE WEB
Wednesday November 3, 11am-2pm
W2 Woodward’s Open Lab,
250–111 W. Hastings
Learn about the open web, how it affects how we learn and explore local solutions such as creating a free community wifi for the DTES. The web surrounds us with a massive and remixable tapestry of perspectives, facts and data. It gives us the freedom to learn whatever we want at our own speed and in our own way. It lets us become our own teachers. Fundamentally: the free and open nature of the internet is revolutionizing learning. Come for a discussion that is also digitally connected to a live dialogue from Mozilla Foundation’s Drumbeat Conference in Barcelona. Free (optional lunch $5)
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Cultural Sharing & Workshop
STORY SHARING CIRCLE
and DIGITAL STORIES
Wednesday November 3, 1pm-5pm
Aboriginal Front Door, 384 Main
Share your stories on the Festival theme ‘Heart and Home’ in an intimate story sharing circle with local people of diverse backgrounds, led and facilitated by artist and storyteller Karenza T. Wall. Both Karenza and Colin Ford of Urban Sherpa Films have been working on the creation of digital stories, that is the layering of pictures, voice recording and music to tell a story. Following the story sharing circle, there will be an opportunity to learn about making a digital story with them and depending on time, a few digital stories may be completed. The Festival is pleased to continue association with the Aboriginal Front Door, an accessible storefront that assists Downtown Eastside Aboriginal people to walk through life with love, honour, respect and compassion for all things in creation, including themselves. Everyone welcome. Free
Workshop
WELLNESS AND THE MEDICINE WHEEL
Wednesday November 3, 2pm-4pm
EWMA Studio, 54 E. Cordova
This mini wellness workshop will help you think positively about taking care of your mind, your body and your soul on a daily basis. Facilitator Andrea Lochan will discuss and explain how this simple concept based on the medicine wheel or the wheel of life as taught to her by the Elders can help de-stress and create balance in your life. You will be given the opportunity to take home your own personal wheel which you can modify as you see fit and use as your daily wellness plan. The workshop is presented by EWMA (Enterprising Women Making Art Studio), a program of Atira Women’s Resource Society and the Heart of the City Festival. All self identifying women are welcome. For more information contact: jessica_numminen@atira.bc.ca or phone 604-685-8043. Free
Comedy
STAND UP FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Wednesday November 3, 7pm-8:30pm
The Firehall Arts Centre, 280 E. Cordova
SMH PACE ((Stand Up for Mental Health & Prostitution Alternatives Counselling & Education) are proud to be part of the 7th Annual DTES Heart of the City Festival with an evening of comedy. Our show celebrates the resilience and diversity of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and tonight’s lineup features SMH Founder David Granirer, the comics of SMH PACE, and SMH alumni comic and neighbourhood favourite Paul Decarie. Joining David and Paul in bringing the laughter to the Downtown Eastside are SMH PACE comediennes Gina Bombay, Cherryse Magdalina, Jo Ann Morin and Indian Princess. What’s so funny about mental health? Let’s find out! For more info call 604-707-0483 or tickets@standupformentalhealth.com. (www.standupformentalhealth.com) All proceeds to PACE Society. $10 at the door or by donation
Community Celebration
FIRST UNITED CELEBRATION
Wednesday November 3, 6pm
First United Church, 320 E. Hastings
Join in this regular weekly Celebration of life: be part of creating a new kind of community in old town Vancouver with supper, music and an inspirational talk. Tonight’s celebration welcomes a special musical guest Rick Lavallie, longtime neighbourhood favourite and entertainer. Ricky plays a hand drum and looks forward to sharing some tunes. The First United Church has been a strong long-time community presence in the Downtown Eastside with outreach services that include advocacy in mental health, housing and meal programs, www.firstunited.ca. Everyone welcome. Free
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Workshop
W2 MEDIA MAKERS’ WORKSHOP
Wednesday November 3, 7pm-9pm
W2 Woodward’s Meeting Room
250–111 W. Hastings
Come visit the first part of the new W2 community media centre opening at Woodward’s and learn about media production opportunities. From 7pm to 8pm Sid Tan and Irwin Oostindie will introduce community television production opportunities and W2’s new community TV studio in the basement of Woodward’s. Then from 8pm to 9pm learn about W2’s new radio program that mixes up the voices of W2 members, current affairs and artist perspectives on inner-city life and the world around us, www.creativetechnology.org. Free
Workshop
BACKYARD CHICKENS 101
Wednesday November 3, 7pm-9pm
Strathcona Community Centre, 601 Keefer
Many people have begun to keep backyard chickens, and many others are
thinking about taking this step. With the recent passage of the Vancouver Bylaw that legalizes the keeping of backyard chickens it is important that owners know how to properly care for their chickens. Learn about the basics of proper care and keeping of small urban flocks of hens. Meet neighbours who share your interest. This interactive session will help participants discover the ease of caring for small flocks. This session is part of Cultivating Food, Cultivating Community, a fall workshop series at Strathcona Community Centre. To register, please call 604-713-1838 and quote #45505.401. $10 suggested donation
Showcase
STORIES OF MUSIC, MUSIC OF STORIES
Wednesday November 3, 7pm-10pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre 401 Main
Share an intimate and dynamic triple bill with musicians who tell stories with their music and storytellers who play music about stories.
The evening opens with a special opportunity to hear a solo performance with composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, Joseph ‘Pepe’ Danza, one of Vancouver’s top percussionists. He mastered the traditional musical techniques of his homeland Uruguay, before traveling the world studying the sitar, the suling (ring flute), and the shakuhachi. Since moving to Canada in 1988 Pepe has established himself as one of the foremost drummers and bandleaders on the West Coast.
Second on the bill is Dave Paterson, a Vancouver based musician who grew up in Montreal. For the last twenty years Dave has been playing guitar, singing and accompanying himself on harmonica. Playing a variety of roots and blues, Dave shares his rich knowledge of the lore and history of this amazing 20th century American music form.
Ending the evening is writer, storyteller and musician Wong Wing-Siu, joined by Jim Sands and Michel Vles as The Deaf Dogs, a trio of contemporary and traditional folk balladeers. In addition to telling stories, Wing-Siu sings and plays percussion. Michel sings and plays a multitude of wind instruments some of which he’s played for upwards of thirty-five years since first falling in love with the flute. Jim, everyone’s favourite tourist from Germany, is an East Vancouver musician, actor, and songwriter who sings and plays guitar. Special guest this evening is The Deaf Pup, Andy Lang Wong, who plays fiddle with The Deaf Dogs whenever they can get him to play along. Free
The artists this evening (Danza, Paterson, Wong) offered workshops and performances at Carnegie Centre this past year through a grant from the Face the World Foundation.