Heart of the City Festival Launch
Friday October 30, 1pm – 3pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre
401 Main Free
Step into the spirit of the season as we launch the 23rd Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival! We invite you to create Belonging with us — and celebrate the creative heart of the Downtown Eastside.
The afternoon begins with welcoming words from Elder Bob Baker of the Squamish Nation, Carnegie Elders-in-Residence Marr Dorvault and Leslie Nelson, VMT Board President Ann McDonell, alongside leaders of the Carnegie Community Centre. Hosted by the Festival producing team and our Emcee Jonathon Paterson.
Enjoy an exciting lineup featuring video shorts by Nathaniel Canuel, a reading from writing contest winner Kent Woodard, lively tango with solo pianist Elaine Joe, an original tune sung by Lance Lim, and drumming by the lexwst’i:lem Drum Group from the Carnegie Indigenous Programs. There will be ice cream and a piñata!
Summer City Street Mural Celebration
Friday October 30, 6pm – 8pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main Free
Join us in celebration of Richard Tetrault’s dynamic collage mural, Summer
City Street. The mural will join the City of Vancouver’s Public Art collection, ensuring its continued presence in the public sphere and, importantly, on the walls of Carnegie Community Centre. Tetrault will present an overview of his collaborative and solo murals located in Vancouver’s Eastside, ranging from the 1998 Walls of Change project to other murals on themes of displacement, striving and empowerment.
Halloween Gala Ball
Saturday October 31, 7pm – 9:30pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main Free
Kick up your heels and get ready for a spooky time at the Heart of the City Festival Halloween Gala Ball! Wear your best costume, dance the red carpet, get your photo taken, enter the costume contest to win awesome prizes, and gear up for disco-ball dancing with DJ Maxi and crew spinning tunes. It’s a Halloween night of masquerade magic, dance, and community fun for friends and families alike—a party to remember! Refreshments provided; everyone welcome! Hosted by the one and only DJ Maxi, aka Lance Lim of the Pigeon Den Art Collective.
Día de Muertos Ofrendas
Domingo 1 de noviembre, de 2pm. a 5 pm.
el Listening Post (poste de escucha), 382 Main
Day of the Dead Ofrendas
Sunday, November 1, 2pm – 5pm
Listening Post, 382 Main
Gratis / Free
En el primero de noviembre, en el Listening Post (poste de escucha) celebraremos una tradición mexicana y latinoamericana de poner altares u ofrendas decoradas con velas, flores, vegetales cosechados, alcohol, tabaco, calaveritas de azúcar, comida y fotos —para invitar a los espíritus de nuestros muertos a acompañarnos antes de que regresen al otro lado. Habrá una ofrenda comunitaria en la ventana frontal que da a la calle del Listening Post (poste de escucha). Este es un espacio de reflexión y conexión en la espiral entre las calles Main y Hastings. Los visitantes son bienvenidos y bienvenidas a pasar, prender una vela, y recordar a quienes han perdido.
On November 1st the Listening Post celebrates a Mexican and Latin American tradition of setting up altars – ofrendas – decorated with candies, flowers, harvest vegetables, alcohol, tobacco, sugar skulls, food, and photos – to invite the spirits of the departed to join us before returning to the other side. The Listening Post’s street-front window will feature a community ofrenda. This is a space of reflection and connection in the swirl of Main and Hastings. Visitors are welcome to come inside, light a candle, and remember those they’ve lost.
Death Café: Dignity in Community
Sunday November 1, 4pm – 5:30pm
Listening Post, 382 Main Free. Death_Cafe.eventbrite.ca
Hosted by photographer and filmmaker Tallulah, this year’s Death Café invites participants to share tea and snacks, and engage in open, respectful conversations about death and dying in a warm and inclusive space. Rooted in compassion and curiosity, the Death Café creates space for dialogue that is rarely found in daily life. Reflect on dignity, community, and the connections that make life meaningful. This is a non-religious event.
Hearts Beat 2026
Sunday November 1, 4pm – 7pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main
Free. Ticket information below
One Stage. Many Traditions. One Heartbeat.
Hearts Beat 2026 brings Indigenous and Irish traditions together for an uplifting afternoon of music, drumming, song, poetry, and community. Featuring the lexwst’i:lem Drum Group, Ceól Abú, and special guests, this joyful gathering celebrates friendship, cultural exchange, and the connections that unite us. We are honoured by the participation of Mary Point of the Musqueam Nation. From lively melodies to powerful rhythms, Hearts
Beat invites audiences to listen, learn, and celebrate together. Join us for an unforgettable afternoon where drums meet fiddles, stories meet songs, and hearts beat as one.
Featured Artists
Ceól Abú: Denise Dalton, Tony Dalton, Sal Gallagher, Peter Kratoska, Rick McDougall, Jennifer White, and Eilis Courtney.
lexwst’i:lem Drum Group: Marr Dorvault, Sam McKay, Pat Mah, Egor Marov, Les Nelson, Nicole Bird, Raphael San-Luis, and Priscillia Tait.
Presented in partnership with Carnegie Community Centre Indigenous Programs, Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival, the Irish Women’s Network of BC, the Consul General of Ireland, and Carnegie Community Centre.
Tickets will be available beginning October 26, 2026, at the Carnegie Community Centre Program Office, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
For ticket information or event inquiries, contact Nicole Bird at nicole.bird@vancouver.ca.
Procesión del Carnaval Comunitario del Día de Muertos
Domingo 1 de noviembre, de 5:30 pm a 6:30 pm
Punto de encuentro: Listening Post (poste de escucha), 382 Main
Día de los Muertos Community Carnival Procession
Sunday November 1, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Meet at Listening Post, 382 Main Gratis / Free
¡El festejo comienza en las calles! Únete —llueva o brille el sol— a esta procesión alegre del Carnaval Comunitario del Día de Muertos donde Catrinas gigantes y la cautivadora Banda del Carnaval nos guían desde el punto de partida (Listening Post) hasta las ofrendas y altares del vecindario para honrar a aquellos y aquellas que han fallecido. Trae una fotografía de tus seres queridos, camina con nosotros, baila al son de las trompetas y tambores, y festeja la vida recordando a la muerte. Llegaremos a la Universidad de Simon Fraser (SFU) justo a tiempo para la Muerte e Impuestos, donde los festejos vespertinos continuarán.
The celebration begins in the streets! Join us rain or shine for a joyful Día de los Muertos Community Carnival Procession where giant ‘Catrinas’ and the captivating Carnival Band lead us from the Listening Post to visit neighbourhood ofrendas and honour those who have passed. Bring a photo of a loved one, walk with us, dance to the horns and drums, and celebrate the living by remembering the dead. We’ll arrive at SFU just in time for Death
and Taxes, where the evening celebration continues
INTERGENER8
Tuesday November 3, 1pm – 3pm
SFU Djavad Mowafaghian World Arts Centre
149 W. Hastings
Free or by donation. Tickets: INTERGENER8.eventbrite.ca
Inspired by a decade-long friendship between a 90-year-old elder and her adopted grandson, Intergener8 brings together Chinese-speaking artists, ethnically Chinese English-speaking artists, and Indigenous artists through a process of sharing music, stories, memories, and creative practices. Their exchanges culminate in a celebration affirming the value of intergenerational friendship and connection. The afternoon features music, visual art, a drag performance, and artist talkbacks. This program was created with the support of Yarrow Intergenerational Society of Justice, Normie Corporation, and the City of Vancouver through the Communities and Artists Shifting Culture program. Entry is by donation with no one turned away due to lack of funds.
代际交融8（INTERGENER8 ）是一个以音乐为核心的社区艺术项目，旨在将温哥华唐人街的不同世代紧密相连。
该项目的灵感源自一位90岁长者与她收养的孙子之间长达十年的深厚友谊。通过分享音乐、故事、回忆和创意实践，项目汇聚了讲中文的艺术家、华裔英语艺术家以及原住民艺术家。作为“市心节”节目的一部分，他们的交流最终汇聚成一场庆典，以此颂扬跨代际友谊与联结的宝贵价值。
本项目的创作得到了世代同行会（Yarrow Intergenerational Society of Justice)、诺米公司（Normie Corporation ）以及温哥华市政府的支持，并纳入了“社区与艺术家推动文化变革（Communities and Artists Shifting Culture）”项目。
Gathering in Drum, Dance & Song
Thursday November 5, 6pm – 8pm
Carnegie Gym, 2nd floor, 401 Main Free
Gather with us for a lively Indigenous-led evening of dancing, drumming, food, and community celebration. Hosted by 2Spirit Grass Dancer Lolita Bird (Larissa Healey), Women’s Northern Traditional dancer Tanisha Shawna Pahtayken, and Pow Wow Dancer Pavel Desjarlais, the evening features Dancing Spirit, a group of Indigenous dancers from Nations across Turtle Island, alongside other guest dancers from the community. Share a nutritious meal, hear stories and teachings, learn traditional dance steps, and join the circle. Everyone is welcome!
Solemn Requiem for All Souls
Thursday November 5, 6:30pm – 8pm
St James’ Anglican Church, 303 E. Cordova Free
At this solemn service, we remember all who have died. We acknowledge the grief of loss while making space for reflection, hope and comfort. Led by Dr. Abraham Ross, St. James’ High Mass Choir will sing the Officium Defunctorum (1604) of Tomás Luis de Victoria, a seldom-heard yet stunning musical setting for choir in six parts. The
Requiem brings together the voices of the choir in music that has long given expression to mourning and memory, providing comfort in the solace of music. Everyone is welcome.
A Day at Balmoral
Friday November 6, 11am – 4pm
Balmoral Program Space, 159 E. Hastings Free
Come to the Balmoral Space for a day of Festival activities, including the big Pow Wow drum with the Aboriginal Front Door, live painting with Jenny Hawkinson, rhythm with Yvon-Paul Chartrand, Tallulah’s Portrait Studio, Carnegie Housing Project Walking Tour, the Ayx Community Bus team, and the Carnegie Library book giveaway! Celebrate the newly painted Trey Helten and Angel Gates Tribute Mural! Spend the whole day or drop by to see what’s happening in the community.
Everyone is invited to join us!
11am – 12:30pm | Cultural Sharing with Aboriginal Front Door
The Festival is honoured to feature members of the Aboriginal Front Door who are actively engaged in cultural sharing right in the heart of the neighbourhood. Join Ian Bee for an introduction to Pow Wow, the big drum, and share protocols, with drumming and singing. With guest speaker Chris Livingstone.
12pm – 3pm | Portrait Studio Pop-Up
Join photographer and filmmaker Tallulah at the Portrait Studio, a temporary photography studio offering free, professional black-and-white portraits to residents and neighbours in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. The project creates a space where individuals can be seen with dignity, clarity, and presence. Each participant receives a professionally printed portrait to take with them.
1pm – 2:30pm
How We Could End Homelessness in the DTES Walking Tour
The Carnegie Housing Project estimates that over 3500 people in Vancouver are homeless. Your hosts will lead a tour of Downtown Eastside sites that could be used to stop the loss of low-income housing, build new housing that low-income people can afford, or shelter people who have no housing in the meantime. Be part of the conversation about important policy solutions, learn about the city’s rezoning last December that could gentrify the neighbourhood, and learn how we can work to get our governments to end homelessness.
2pm | Ayx Community Bus Team Report Launch and Bus Tour
The Ayx Community Bus team aims to answer the question, “But where are we supposed to go?” in more than one way. Learn more about the Ayx Community Bus (for example, Ayx is Squamish for “crab”), and take a one-of-a-kind DTES Toilet Tour. Hop on board for a mini-tour of local washrooms and read the 2025 “Restroom Report Card” destined for City Hall — from sparkle factor to stall space! Space is limited; register early! Come meet the team, have some fun, and discover how the bus brings care and safety to the community. Bus painted by Smokey D, Sober, and Kirstine Fuhrmann.
The Carnegie Community Centre has activated the vacant lot of the Balmoral Hotel into a
culturally safe gathering place. The historic single-room occupancy building was demolished following severe structural decay and safety hazards.
Reimagining Justice: The Circle Project
Video Screenings & Community Sharing Circle
Saturday November 7, 12pm – 3pm
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main Free
Join The Circle Project community, including artists with lived experience of incarceration, for a screening of three co-created video installations, followed by a sharing circle inviting us to reflect on the power of art to imagine — and help create — a world beyond prisons. Everyone is welcome!
