Special Event
FESTIVAL LAUNCH
Wednesday October 28, 2:30pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre
401 Main
Join friends from the neighbourhood and special guests from around the city at this celebratory launch of our sixth annual festival with entertainment and refreshments. Sam George (Tse-at-sul-tuxch) of the Squamish Nation will open with a Welcome Song, and special festival guest and Metis singer/songwriter Sandy Scofield will give us a taste of what we can expect throughout the Festival. Also joining this opening celebration is the comic duo Paul Decarie and Grant Chancey with their brilliant sketch Who’s on Pot? and performers from the Downtown Eastside Music Theatre Showcase will sing Sandstone Lady, a tribute to Carnegie with lyrics by Patrick Foley and music by Earle Peach. Everyone welcome. Refreshments. Free
Showcase
The Downtown Eastside Music Theatre Showcase:
Thirty Songs from Seven Productions
Wednesday October 28, 8pm
also Fri Oct 30, 8pm
Russian Hall, 600 Campbell
Welcome to the Downtown Eastside Music Theatre Showcase, a celebration of thirty original songs from seven productions created for, by, and with the DTES. Musical Director Neil Weisensel is joined by a stellar group of musicians including Karen Graves, Jason Nichol, Steve Maddock, Beverly Dobrinsky and community members Corinthian Clark, Dalannah Gail Bowen, Jason Logan, Mike Richter, and many, many more.
The Downtown Eastside community is taking the initiative to define who we are, what we need and where we are going. We’re proud of our plays, proud of our stories and songs, and proud of all the hundreds of artists and community members who’ve brought them to life. Inspired by Downtown Eastside stories of “struggle and loss, of celebration and perseverance,” these plays are born out of a community of caring that struggles with marginalization, offers sanctuary, resists de-humanizing forces.
Vancouver Moving Theatre produces this feature performance in partnership with the DTES Heart of the City Festival and with the support of the City of Vancouver Great Beginnings program. Sliding scale admission $0-10 at the door
For more information about the seven productions go HERE
Lecture and Reading Salon
INFLUENCY WEST
Wednesday October 28, evening
W2 Perel Gallery, 112 W. Hastings
also Tues Nov 10
InfluencyWest is a unique lecture and reading salon presented by the Kootenay School of Writing. During the Festival the two sessions feature local writers Larissa Lai, Rita Wong and Kim Duff who will read a book of poetry to prepare for the evening’s guest poet. In the week after a lecture/reading, registered participants are encouraged to compose written responses and post to the InfluencyWest blog, or orally present their responses to increase the complexity and dynamism of the dialogue. InfluencyWest marks the return of the Kootenay School of Writing to their former digs at 112 W. Hastings, where they operated for many years alongside Or Gallery. An introductory session takes place Wednesday October 14. For more information and registration: www.kswnet.org