Thursday November 6

photo David Cooper

photo David Cooper

Workshop
SCRAPS & STITCHES: Karenza’s Chindi Nation
Thursday November 6, 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Carnegie 3rd floor Gallery 401 Main
Free
Hanukkah, Diwali, Solstice, Christmas, and the Winter Fest holiday season are just around the corner: be prepared! Make gifts and decorations from fabric with Downtown Eastside artisan Karenza T. Wall. All fabric donated by DTES residents; workshop sponsored by Carnegie. Look for more of Karenza’s workshops on Dec 4 at Carnegie, on Dec 6 at Britannia, and on Dec 9 at the UBC Learning Exchange. For more information: www.chindi-nation.net.

The more the merrier! Everyone welcome!


Reception
ASYLUM TO ACTIVISM Readings and Photo Exhibit
Thursday November 6, 4:30pm – 7:30pm
Gallery Gachet, 88 E. Cordova
Free

Digging into history can unearth surprising treasures. Come down to Gallery Gachet and view two unique sets of archival images that document mad history in the deinstitutionalization era. One box of photographs was discovered in a Vancouver bedroom closet, while a photographer who chronicled the vanishing world of the asylum left the second box. The evening also features author readings from the new collection Mad Matters: A Critical Reader in Canadian Mad Studies, an anthology of writings on contemporary mental health by activists, survivors and scholars. An evening program of “After the Asylum? Legacies of Community Mental Health” conference presented by SFU’s Centre for the Study of Gender, Social Inequities and Mental Health. Everyone welcome.


Children
MAGIC COMEDY STORIES with Gerardo Avila
Thursday November 6, 4:30pm – 5pm
DTES Neighbourhood House, 573 E. Hastings
Free

photo David Cooper

photo David Cooper

Gerardo Avila is a professional comedian and storyteller. With the aid of his hand puppets, a marionette and some magic, Gerardo tells funny children’s stories. This performance is geared for young kids and their families. The children will be able to participate and play characters like princesses, knights, rabbits, giants, kites and more. The children will hear stories about Pedro de Urdemales and the Giants; Juanito Laguna and his Kite; The Trickster Rabbit; The Knights and the Magic Objects; and the Magic Spaghetti. It is an afternoon of laughs, bewilderment, participation and just plain fun. Children and caregivers welcome!


Workshop
GATHER ROUND FOR A STORY: Our Journey of Reconciliation So Far
Thursday November 6, 5pm – 7pm
UBC Learning Exchange, 612 Main
Free
Inspired by the past year of Truth and Reconciliation, the patrons of the UBC Learning Exchange have been discussing themes of healing, connection and exchange of traditional wisdom. Join us for a storytelling workshop and an interactive exhibit showcasing medicine-making, songs and button-blanket creation.


Talk
SPORTS, CREATIVITY AND THE RADICAL IMAGINATION: Matt Hern
Thursday November 6, 7pm
Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre, SFU Woodward’s, 149 W. Hastings
Free, but admission is on a first come, first serve basis.
From Ray Rice to Michael Sam, and from Caster Semenya to the Washington Redskins, sports is always front-and-centre in our most pressing social conversations. Often derided as a subaltern opiate, sports need to be understood as containing huge social and cultural power. Matt Hern argues for a vastly expanded definition of creativity that includes sports and all kinds of everyday and common activities. Radical social change relies on our imaginations, and we need to nurture creative activity, especially material collisions, as we make and remake the world around us. Matt Hern is a former sportswriter and legend-in-his-own-mind athlete. Presented by SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement.


Workshop
DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE WOMEN’S ART COLLECTIVE
Thursday November 6, 7pm – 9pm
DTES Neighbourhood House, 573 E. Hastings
Free

The Downtown Eastside Women’s Art Collective holds bimonthly art sessions at the DTES Neighbourhood House and they encourage women to attend. They aim to provide a safe environment for women to express themselves freely, while also making art. The sessions are free, all materials are provided and there is a facilitator at each workshop. The Collective is still new and finds the workshops to be fun and creative. Women only please.


Multimedia Performance & Exhibition
INDIANS & COWBOYS
Thursday November 6, 7pm
Chapel Arts, 304 Dunlevy
By donation

Chapel Arts presents a month-long project of Indian & Cowboy Art: with music and DJs; Aboriginal hip hop, cowboy bands; carvings and paintings; Jeff Burnette’s Blown Glass RayGuns; and Urban East Youth Totem Competition! DTES native youth will compete for the design and established mentors will help realize the carved totem. The log is provided by Chapel Arts and the completed totem will be put up for auction. Proceeds to be divided among the participants. Runs Thursday evenings in November and by appointment; contact www.chapelarts.com.


Multimedia Presentation
SALT WATER CITY STORIES
Thursday November 6, 7pm
Chapel Arts Theatre, 304 Dunlevy
Free

Vancouver by another name: Huam Siu Fao (Salt Water City), the name Chinese immigrants called Vancouver back in the day, retains a memorable place in the hearts of Chinese Canadians. Sid Chow Tan, longtime east-sider, videographer and community activist, hosts this evening of stories, music, video and tribute to those who came before – the mighty Lo Wah Kiu (old overseas Chinese). Special guests include Faye Leung, retired realtor, native Strathconian and personality extraordinaire; artist, educator and filmmaker Karin Lee, whose interest in Chinese Canadian identity informs her work; and Sean Gunn, longtime activist and singer/songwriter performing on electric bass.

Festival 14, Sid Chow Tan S Gunn,Salt Water City, DCooper_850


Theatre
THE RAYMUR MOTHERS – They Wouldn’t Take No For An Answer
Thursday November 6, 8pm
Russian Hall, 600 Campbell
See Wednesday October 29 for full description and ticket information.


Music & Media
PANIC STARR
Thursday November 6, 8pm – 11pm
Fortune Sound Club, 147 E. Pender
Tickets at the door $15

Enjoy a night of great music and inspiring images from Indigenous artists as Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival (VIMAF) pulls the community together for a fall party! On stage: provocateur, rapper and singer Kinnie Starr and Bohemian-Métis pop artist Janet Panic. Live Stock Room: self taught electronic bass music DJ Kookum and guests. On screen: Haida Raid series Just Say No, inspiring stop-motion from Indigenous filmmakers confronting oil culture. Produced by VIMAF and Salish Coast LIVE. Presented by W2Media, Co-op Radio, Late Night with Savages, Think NDN, with the DTES Heart of the City Festival.

No guest lists; everyone’s a VIP tonight. Ticket includes appetizers, photo booth and door prizes! Advance tickets $12.50 – panicstarr.eventbrite.ca; at the door $15.