Showcase
LIFESKILLS SLAM POETRY & MUSIC THERAPY
Friday November 2, 1pm – 3pm
Lifeskills Centre, 412 E. Cordova
Devon Martin aka “Dr. Metro” leads the regular Slam Poetry and Music Therapy program at Lifeskills. Artists from the Downtown Eastside craft poetry, mix it with music, and perform their own original work. For the Festival, they open their doors to an audience. Participate or sit back and enjoy. Everyone welcome! Free
Visual Arts
OUT OF THE BASEMENT & V6A PROJECT PREVIEW
Opening Reception, Friday November 2
V6A Project 5pm – 6pm Out of the Basement 5pm – 8pm
Carnegie Community Centre 3rd floor Gallery, 401 Main
Exhibition November 2 to 30
The Carnegie Art Room is host to two art programs whose goal is to increase art skills in local art makers and residents of the DTES. The Art Room is a space to come and experiment with new mediums, create new art, get feedback from the two facilitators who are artists themselves, and also make new friends. It is often filled with people from all walks of life who have the passion for art in common. Out of the Basement is artwork from the Carnegie Art Room. Join some of the artists at the opening reception.
THE V6A PROJECT: Sharing Our Stories, Building Our Community – Theatre and Music Productions from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside 2002 – 2012
Since 2002, this community has produced an extraordinary repertoire of original shows created for, with and about the Downtown Eastside by the Carnegie Community Centre, Dalannah Gail Bowen Productions, Savage God, Theatre in the Raw and Vancouver Moving Theatre. The V6A Project profiles this work and creates a legacy to be shared amongst ourselves, community engaged artists, educational institutions and other communities. Today’s unveiling previews two central components of the project – a visual art display profiling each production; and a 100+ page booklet providing insight into the productions and their context, community-engaged practice and the Canadian community play movement. Featuring articles by performers and artists involved in these productions and by colleagues Cathy Stubington (Enderby) and Ruth Howard (Toronto). Produced by Vancouver Moving Theatre with support from the BC Arts Council, Vancouver Foundation and City of Vancouver Great Beginnings Program.Art in the Streets
LANTERN PROCESSION OF LIGHT: Nurturing the Spirit
Friday November 2, 6pm – 7:30pm
Meet at front steps of Carnegie, 401 Main
A first for the Festival: a community lantern procession around four corners of the Downtown Eastside! In the spirit of Diwali, All Souls Day and Dia de los Muertos, and accompanied by the spirit lifting music of the Hastings Street Band, our lantern lit journey will proceed around Hastings and Main and visit First Nation, South Asian, Mexican, and European shrines created by local artists Carrie Campbell, Isabel Ramirez and Diane Wood, Randy Tait, and Karenza t. Wall. Bring your own lantern! Limited number of lanterns also provided. Free
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Video
MORTAL COILS: Video exhibition
Friday November 2, 6pm – 10pm (exhibition runs Nov 2-9, with artists in attendance Nov. 9, 6-10 pm)
The Nines, 99 W. Pender
Mortal Coils is a video exhibition from a group of artists from Toronto exploring bodies and the contexts that surround them. These short videos are themselves part of a whole, a landscape at work, a living and breathing entity that is a body in its own right. The group show is curated by Sarah R. D’Angelo and Sylvana D’Angelo and features work by Feliz Kalmenson, Cameron Lee, Zoe Solomon, Joele Walinga, Marisa Hoicka, Filip Anton, Henry Faberge, Jordan Tannahill, Nitasha McKnight, Jonathan Mayhew, Reid Jenkins, Alicia Nauta, David Graham, Basil Alzeri, and Chris Boni. Presented by DOVA (Drop Out Video Arts, www.niners.ca). Everyone welcome. Free
Mass
ALL SOULS’ DAY MASS
Friday November 2, 6:30pm
St. James’ Anglican Church, 303 E. Cordova
The St. James’ Choir sings at this spiritual gathering to give thanks for all the departed, no matter who they were, or what they believed. Pray for all, especially for those who may not have had anyone to pray for them. You are welcome to come and remember all of your beloved ones who have moved on from this life. If you have names of the departed you would like read aloud during the prayers, please contact the church office by Monday October 29 at 604-685-2532. Everyone welcome.
Cultural Sharing
SHARING OUR STORIES/ ПЕРЕКАЗ НАШОГО ЖИТТЯ
Friday November 2, 7pm – 9pm
Ukrainian Hall, 805 E. Pender
You are invited to join Beverly Dobrinsky and guests for an evening of remembering and song. Beverly has had the pleasure of spending the summer in the homes of many gracious people who have shared their experiences connected with the Ukrainian Hall, including during the labour struggles and performances of the 1930s. Many were born, grew up in, and/or worked in this neighbourhood. Even when their families moved, the Hall remained their home away from home. The Ukrainian Hall has served as a community meeting place since its inception in 1928 and these stories reflect how she continues to serve her community over the years. Come to listen and to add your voice to our collective experience. Free
This story gathering event will contribute to the development of the script for Bread and Salt, a new Vancouver Moving Theatre production scheduled to premiere next year in conjunction with the 85th anniversary of Vancouver’s Ukrainian Cultural Centre.
Music
DTES FRONT AND CENTRE: Ballads, Blues & Rock ‘n Roll
Friday November 2, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main
An exciting evening of original ballads, blues and favourite rock ‘n roll tunes featuring members of the Downtown Eastside community and regular musicians from Carnegie. The line-up includes singer and songwriter Patrick Foley accompanied by Mike Richter on guitar; premiere vocalist Dalannah Gail Bowen accompanied by Mike Richter; and compelling vocalist Corinthian Clark accompanied by guitarist Sean Dillon. The evening will close with the enthusiastic and electric nature of vocalist Darren Morgan accompanied by guitarist Shawn Giroux and the extraordinary pianist Stan Hudac. Our host for the evening: songstress Heidi Morgan. Free
Theatre
KUTZ & DAWGS A new Hip Hop Musical
Friday November 2, 8pm
Russian Hall, 600 Campbell
Using the storylines of Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story as inspiration, culturally and socially diverse youth cast members in collaboration with professional artists created an original hip hop musical. In this thought-provoking work, the young performers portray rivaling Kutz (alley cats) and Dawgs (junkyard dogs) in a cautionary tale that explores the destructive force of gang violence.
With a grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage Youth Take Charge Program, Vancouver based Miscellaneous Productions debuted the premiere at the Children’s Festival in May. Artistic Director Elaine Carol directed and co-wrote the script with original music by composers Paul Bray, Ndidi Cascade and Cris Derkson, choreography by Dianna David and fight choreography by David Bloom.
For more information: 604-873-6522. No advance sales, tickets at the door. First come, first serve. Sliding scale $5 – $20
Music
INDIGENOUS CABARET
Friday November 2, 8pm
W2 Media Café, 111 W. Hastings
Curated by Ostwelve aka Ronnie Dean Harris, Director of W2 Indigenous Media Arts. Join the live studio audience for a taping of an all-indigenous W2TV program to be broadcast on SHAW Cable 4. The night includes comedy, hip hop, folk, blues, and digital arts from local indigenous artists Kinnie Starr, Zaccheus Jackson, Dustin Hollings, and DJ Annashay.
Hosted by Ostwelve. Produced by W2 in partnership with the DTES Heart of the City Festival.
Tickets at the door, sliding scale $5 – $10. Admission includes Eid and Diwali Music Night after-party at 10pm.
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Music
EID AND DIWALI MUSIC NIGHT
Friday November 2, 10pm – 2am
W2 Media Café, 111 W. Hastings
Come celebrate Eid-Ul-Adha (Muslim) and Diwali (Hindu) evenings of light with Salaam and Trikone, featuring DJ MTS and more DJs and performers. An evening to enjoy South Asian and Middle Eastern dance music, curated by DJ MTS. At the door $10
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