Welcome to the 11th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival; and welcome to the first year of the second decade of the Festival!
This year’s theme, “Keeping the Home Fires Burning,” reaffirms Vancouver Moving Theatre’s commitment to work with our community to produce a festival that gives voice to our local culture, heritage and values for decades to come. This theme also speaks to our commitment to support local stories so our community can carry forward the flame of our heritage and values amidst the wave of rapid change and development we are experiencing.
We are so grateful to our community for keeping the flame of the festival alive over the last decade. And we look forward with passion and commitment to working with you in the coming years. The people of the Downtown Eastside keep the fire of our community alive.
Thank you so much to our producing partners the Carnegie Community Centre, Association of United Ukrainian Canadians and all our arts and non-arts community partners. Thank you to all the wonderful artists and DTES-involved residents who bring the festival alive as presenters and audience, and to our local audience and friends and visitors from Vancouver and beyond. And thank you to the Board of Directors of Vancouver Moving Theatre for your strong belief and support of our work; and all the dedicated staff for your amazing work keeping the fire of the festival burning smoothly. And, a big thank you to Associate Artistic Producer Teresa Vandertuin, Festival and community fire keeper extraordinaire, who over the last decade has become an invaluable partner and colleague. May the spirit of the DTES Heart of the City Festival contribute to keeping our homes fires burning bright in the years to come. Enjoy the Festival everyone!
Terry Hunter
Executive Director, Vancouver Moving Theatre
Artistic Producer, DTES Heart of the City Festival
Savannah Walling
Artistic Director, Vancouver Moving Theatre
Associate Artistic Director, DTES Heart of the City Festival
To those of you who read these things, thank you. And welcome to the Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival on behalf of the Carnegie Board of Directors. We look forward to showcasing the talents of the Downtown Eastside.
Often we hear about the negative side of our community—now it’s an honour and a pleasure to share the more realistic face that we see every day. Whether it is music, spoken word, comedy, stage or art, I am constantly amazed at the gifts of people around me. Now we can share them with you.
The Carnegie is the living room of the Downtown Eastside, so kick off your shoes, grab a seat and be prepared to be amazed!
Phoenix Winter
President, Carnegie Community Centre Association