Walking Tour
THE GREAT VANCOUVER FIRE OF 1886 WALKING TOUR with Lisa Anne Smith
Saturday November 1, 10am (approx. 90 minutes)
Meet at SW corner of Victory Square, W. Pender & Hamilton
$10, pay-what-you-can for local residents
On June 13, 1886, an out-of-control clearing fire destroyed most of the newly-incorporated city of Vancouver in less than one hour. Author Lisa Anne Smith shares stories from her newly-released book Vancouver Is Ashes: The Great Fire of 1886. Revisit the Great Fire with Lisa as she brings to life stories of numerous fire survivors: visit the sites and discover why! Learn how Vancouver rose from the ashes within weeks of the fire’s aftermath. The walking tour will progress from the east end of Gastown, through to the final commentary on the Main Street overpass leading to CRAB Park.
Open House
VANCOUVER POLICE MUSEUM
Saturday November 1, 10am – 3pm
Vancouver Police Museum, 240 E. Cordova 2nd floor
Today is free admission
One of Vancouver’s most interesting attractions, the Vancouver Police Museum is located in the former Coroner’s Courtroom. Built in 1932, the building is a municipally designated heritage structure and houses an extensive collection relating to the history of policing in Vancouver. Here you will find exhibits about some of the city’s most famous criminals and the men and women who enforce our laws. Join our museum staff for a free guided tour at 11am and 1pm.
For more information: 604- 665-3346 or www.vancouverpolicemuseum.ca or check out the Facebook and Twitter page! Everyone welcome.
Art Market
EASTSIDE ARTISTS COMPANY
Saturday November 1, 10am – 5pm
Saturday November 8, 10am – 5pm
Woodward’s Atrium, 111 W. Hastings
For eighteen months now, the Eastside Artists Company has held regular Saturday art markets inside and outside the Atrium at Woodward’s. The initiative provides a place for Vancouver artists and artisans to display and sell their work. Diane Johnston, owner and operator of the company, is passionate about the opportunity for artists to be self-sustaining in the Downtown Eastside. Come to the Saturday market and see what the artists have for sale.
For more information: dianecaroljohnston@hotmail.com or phone 604-616-5531.
Keepers Of The Flame: A Daylong Celebration Of Poetry
The Downtown Eastside is blessed with a wealth of great poets; poets who speak their truth with soul and fiery conviction. To pay tribute to, and to profile the great poets of the community,
the festival features a day-long Celebration of Poetry where we honour the poets around us. And, we remember two extraordinary poets who have sadly left us: the much loved friend of the festival and extraordinarily talented slam poet Zaccheus Jackson; and the Downtown Eastside’s, and the City’s, most remarkable and passionate poet and social activist, Bud Osborn.
Workshop
SLAM POETRY Workshop
Saturday November 1, 10am – 12pm
Carnegie 3rd floor Classroom, 401 Main
Free
In anticipation of Carnegie’s 2nd Poetry Slam! Pamela Bentley and Sho Wiley, both creative writing teachers and long-time slam poets, lead a workshop where they’ll share advice and techniques. Bring two of your favourite poems or write one in the workshop; you’ll get an opportunity to try out your slam poetry ideas and with one-on-one mentoring you’ll be ready to step up and go for it! This workshop is useful for anyone who wants to improve how they present their poetry in public. Sho says, “Poetry is meant to be heard, poetry for the people!” and who knows that better than the poets of Carnegie!
Poetry
CARNEGIE’S 2nd POETRY SLAM!
Saturday November 1, 1pm – 2:30pm
Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main
Free
In celebration of the Carnegie newsletter and its long history of encouraging writers and poets in the Downtown Eastside, and in honour of our much loved friend Zaccheus Jackson (2013 Vancouver Slam Poetry Champion), we present Carnegie’s 2nd Poetry Slam! Have you slammed a poem before? You’ll have three minutes to say your poem. Memorize it, improvise it, rant or sing it out. Then five random audience members chosen to judge will give you a score. The rules still have to be decided on, so be prepared for surprises. Featured host and MC is Jillian Christmas. Be part of the audience – laugh, cheer, cry, clap – or step up and slam it, you know you want to! To quote intrepid newsletter editor Paul Taylor “Don’t let your greatness daunt you!”
Poetry On The Street
POETREE with Magdelanye
Saturday November 1, 1:30pm-3pm
Carnegie Community Centre, sidewalk under the tent, 401 Main
Free
Join Magdelanye for an interactive poetry memorial; a living shrine of words in memorium to Bud Osborn. Write your own poem; contribute to a group poem; bring your own poem; collaboratively write a poem together. It all depends on you – the people passing by. Facilitated by Magdelanye, poet and pilgrim, long-time DTES community activist and ambassador for the Camino World Peace Project.
Music & Poetry
A CELEBRATION OF BUD OSBORN
Saturday November 1, 3pm – 5pm
Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main
Free
A tribute and celebration of Bud Osborn – our inspiring, passionate, fiercely committed, poet, activist and friend. Join us for an afternoon of music and poetry with saxophonist Graham Ord, bassist Paul Blaney, guitarist Tony Wilson, musician and friend James Ash, and other guests who shared many hours of creative synergy with Bud. We will also be showing photos and videos. Come and read a poem of Bud’s and share your memories. Copies of some of Bud’s poetry will be available at the event.
Poetry
DTES POETS OPEN MIC
Saturday November 1, 7pm – 9:45pm
Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main
Free
Downtown Eastside poets and writers meet on the first Saturday of every month to read original poetry, plays, prose and worksin- progress. The evening is free, it’s friendly, and it’s packed with local talent, both on the microphone and in the audience. The personal stories can be quite raw and powerful. Featured guest for the evening is long-time Open Mic volunteer and poet Antonette Rea, a “delightful transgender, intersex poet and activist” living in the Downtown Eastside who says her poetry is “…the most valuable thing. That is my soul, that was my heart.” Sign up for a ten-minute spot at the Open Mic. Hosted by Diane Wood.
Mass
ALL SAINTS’ DAY MASS
Saturday, November 1, 10:30 am
St. James’ Anglican Church, 303 E. Cordova
Everyone welcome
Visit with the congregation at St. James’ in High Mass for All Saints’ Day. The High Mass Choir will be singing the mass setting Missa aeterna Christi munera (1590) by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. If you haven’t visited St. James’ before, this is a wonderful time to gather in a spirit of thanksgiving. Everyone is welcome to the Mass and to the Open House that will follow immediately afterward.
Open House
ST. JAMES’ ANGLICAN CHURCH
Saturday, November 1, 12pm – 4pm
St. James’ Anglican Church, 303 E. Cordova
Everyone welcome
Following the All Saint’s Day High Mass, St. James’ invites you to their open house: a wonderful opportunity to see first-hand the heritage building, take in a variety of parish activities, and to share some exciting presentations!
12:30pm, Demonstration with Organist and Music Director Gerald Harder in the choir gallery
Gerald Harder will give a demonstration on the extraordinary 1,760 pipe Casavant organ. Join him for a close-up look at the console and a more intimate communication of the history and workings of the instrument.
1:15pm, Guided Tour led by Allan Duncan
Long-time parishioner Allan Duncan leads a guided tour of this unique church: learn about the church’s history, architecture and the personalities who were involved in its construction in the 1930s.
2pm, Reading of The Second Shepherds’ Play
The guided tour will return to the Sanctuary for an animated reading of The Second Shepherds’ Play presented by UBC English professors Dr. Paul Stanwood and Dr. Leslie Arnovick. The anonymous author of The Second Shepherds’ Play inverts the Nativity story and gives voice to three humble shepherds in this famous medieval mystery play. Although boisterous and farcical, it is also sophisticated in its address of the gripes of day-to-day medieval existence.
• Photography Exhibition
Historian and photographer Christine Hatfull exhibits new photographs of the ongoing architectural project across the street from St. James’. From the church’s bell tower, Christine is capturing the transformation of the former Remand Centre as it is re-purposed into social housing.
• Saint James Music Academy
Throughout the day, students from the Saint James Music Academy will entertain with music and song.
Music In The Streets
HASTINGS STREET BAND
Saturday November 1, 12pm & 1pm
Starts at Carnegie Community Centre, 401 Main
Free
Get your dancing shoes ready. It’s music in the streets with the Hastings Street Band and their upbeat jazz and blues New Orleans style. Led by multi-instrumentalist and composer Brad Muirhead, the Band is comprised of enthusiastic Downtown Eastside involved amateur and semi-pro musicians playing with professional musicians from across Vancouver.
Reading & Book Launch
A YEAR IN CHINA: Bill Wong’s Diaries in His Father’s Home Village 1936-37
Saturday November 1, 2pm – 3pm
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall
By donation to the Garden
Bill & Zoe Wong – photo David Cooper
Join us this afternoon as elder Bill Wong and his son Steven Wong read excerpts of the newly-published A Year in China, by Bill Wong and Joanne Poon. Joanne will also share stories related to the journal. With guest speaker Dr. Henry Yu, UBC History Associate Professor; and Todd Wong, longtime family friend and musical guest on accordion.
Owner Bill Wong operates Modernize Tailors in Chinatown and has done so for over sixty-five years. It seems like he has been in the neighbourhood for as long as anyone can remember. But in 1936-37, when Bill was fourteen years old, he and his brother Jack spent a year in China in his father’s home village. Bill kept a journal where he wrote about his daily experiences in a small rural village in the voice of a young Chinese-Canadian teenager. His journals are fascinating, not only for the glimpse into another time but also because they are written in older Chinese calligraphy. The sheer art of translation posed a pleasurable challenge for Joanne Poon who met and talked with Bill for a number of years as they translated and transcribed the journals that were written over seventy-five years ago.
Copies of A Year in China will be available for sale at the reading.
Art In The Streets
SHRINES FOR DAY OF THE DEAD
Saturday November 1, 6pm – 10pm
Carnegie Theatre & Sidewalks of Main and Hastings
Free
In the spirit of Diwali, All Souls Day and Dia de los Muertos, proceed into the theatre and around Hastings and Main to visit shrines. Bring a candle, a photograph, flowers or fruit to add to a shrine. In special celebration of the life of our beloved Isabel Ramirez: friend, and for many years, the leader of numerous Day of the Dead celebrations in the Downtown Eastside. We remember those who have gone before and honour their lives.
Music
WOMEN IN THE ROUND Indigenous Women’s Voices
Saturday November 1, 7:30pm
InterUrban Gallery, 1 E. Hastings
By donation
Sandy Scofield
Women In The Round is a rare and incredible opportunity to celebrate the voices of indigenous women who have travelled the world sharing their lives and stories through their songs. The evening presents Juno award-winning vocalist, actor, director and general powerhouse Renae Morriseau; musicologist, technique expert, teacher and vocalist Sandy Scofield; rising star with loads of talent Niska Napoleon; and Downtown Eastside’s own Dalannah Gail Bowen, a veteran of the Vancouver music scene and recent winner of the right to represent BC at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Accompanied on keyboard by Simon Kendall. Filled with variety and commonalities, the evening promises the sound of rich voices and magical moments.
Music
NEW SPARK: Thee Ahs
Saturday November 1, 8:30pm (doors 8pm)
Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre
SFU Woodward’s, 149 W.Hastings
Free
SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement is pleased to present Thee Ahs, a local quartet: Dahn plays bass, Sarah is the lead singer, Mareesah plays drums and Davinah plays guitar, sings and writes all the music. Thee Ahs has recorded and self-released three full-length albums: Thee AHs Nation, Future Without Her, and Corey’s Coathangers. We love what the Georgia Straight says about the quartet: “Thee Ahs’ catchy melodies and punchy guitars mean that they are forever destined to be filed in the pop-rock section of record stores, but the local four-piece has a better term to describe its sound: black bubblegum.”
Theatre
THE RAYMUR MOTHERS They Wouldn’t Take No For An Answer
Saturday November 1, 8pm
Russian Hall, 600 Campbell
See Wednesday October 29 for full description and ticket information
Music
CAST w/ TINY PYRAMIDS (Music of Sun Ra)
Saturday November 1, 10pm (doors 9:30pm)
China Cloud Studios, 2nd floor, 524 Main
Suggested donation $10
CAST: While their sparse instrumentation enables the duo to speak simply, Cast’s fierce rapport on stage creates a dynamic performance. With her striking voice and soaring vibrato, Jessica Leger (voice, guitar, percussion) intertwines evocative lines around Ben Brown’s creative drumming (drums, pitched percussion).
TINY PYRAMIDS: Drawing on the vast and diverse catalogue of Sun Ra, one of music’s most prolific, pioneering, and confounding figures, Tiny Pyramids go from in-the-pocket swing to controlled cosmic chaos and intergalactic improvisation. With Daniel Gaucher, Colin Edward Cowan and Tyson Naylor.