Wear Shorts for St. Paul’s on July 26th

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Wear Shorts for St. Paul’s on July 26th and you can make a difference in the future of healthcare in Vancouver! The new St Paul’s health campus will put people first by delivering innovative health care that sets a new standard. This week, organizations big and small will join arms with St. Paul’s Future Leaders, raising funds with the help of digital media using the hashtag #Shorts4StPauls.

Shorts for St Paul's

Ways to Participate & Fundraise

  1. Register as a corporate team or as an individual.
  2. On July 26, 2019, wear shorts with your regular work attire and encourage your company, colleagues, friends, and family to participate with you.
  3. Share the message on your social media channels using #Shorts4StPauls and tag @helpstpauls.
  4. Donate!

Shorts for St. Paul’s Celebration 

Come out and celebrate Shorts for St. Paul’s presented by Concord Pacific at Tap & Barrel and meet other champions, supporters and sponsors.

When: July 26, 2019 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: Tap & Barrel, 76-1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Tickets: Admission by donation

Artist's rendering of concept for the new St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver.
Artist’s rendering of concept for the new St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.

St. Paul’s Foundation raises funds for enhanced patient care, capital projects, equipment needs, research, teaching and innovation to improve the care of patients at St. Paul’s and other Providence Health Care hospitals and residences in British Columbia. Follow on Facebook and Twitter for more info about this campaign and more.

Blue Cabin Floating Artist Residency Open House

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The historic Blue Cabin Floating Artist Residency launches on August 25th with a public open house at the Plaza of Nations in False Creek. The yearlong inaugural program Skeins: Weaving on the Foreshore examines Coast Salish weaving practices and includes three research and residency periods by Angela George (Squamish/Tsleil-Waututh), Janice George and Buddy Joseph (Squamish), and Debra Sparrow (Musqueam). Australian Indigenous artist and activist Vicki Couzens (Gunditjmara) will be the first international artist-in-residence from September 15 to October 31, 2019, presented in partnership with Australia Council for the Arts.

Blue Cabin - Original Location - Photo by Sande Waters
Blue Cabin – Original Location – Photo by Sande Waters

Skeins: Weaving on the Foreshore emphasizes engaged programming and intergenerational knowledge exchange, including workshops, classes, and presentations around weaving, language, and design. Each of the artists-in-residence brings to the program a long history of community involvement, reclamation, and activism.

“The cabin — and the broader region we now call the Lower Mainland — is inextricably linked to the colonial displacement of Indigenous peoples. As a heritage-focused project, one of our core values is to reflect and engage with the stories of the traditional owners of these lands: the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Master weaver Buddy Joseph considers weaving a catalyst that entwines language, storytelling, and ceremony; we curated the inaugural program to pay our respects while bringing together diverse publics. As a floating structure, the Blue Cabin provides a new way for artists and the public to look at the city — from the water.”

Glenn Alteen, Blue Cabin Committee Member and Program Director of grunt gallery.
Blue Cabin - Dry Dock Drop - Photo by John Zuk
Blue Cabin – Dry Dock Drop – Photo by John Zuk

Originally built in 1927 as a floating house in Coal Harbour, the Blue Cabin was re-located to North Vancouver for more than 80 years. Artists Al Neil and Carole Itter used the space as a studio from 1966 until their eviction in 2015, when the cabin’s site next to Cates Park was purchased by Polygon Homes. When the structure was scheduled for demolition, grunt gallery, Other Sights for Artists’ Projects, and Creative Cultural Collaborations (“C3”) led a campaign to save, restore, and re-launch the cabin as a residency. Their success brought in artists Jeremy and Sus Borsos to repair the cabin and salvage its cultural history. In 2018, artist Germaine Koh and architect Marko Simcic were engaged to build a small 500-square-foot deckhouse; the energy-efficient structure features off-the-grid water and power systems.

Blue Cabin Floating Artist Residency Open House

Where: Plaza of Nations Aquabus Stop (750 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver)
When: Sunday, August 25, 2019 from 11:00am to 6:00pm
Admission: Free, tours every 15 minutes

Five artists-in-residence examine local histories and resurgent Indigenous traditions from Canada and Australia during first yearlong moorage in False Creek

  • Vicki Couzens (September 15–October 31, 2019)
  • Angela George (November 15, 2019–January 15, 2020)
  • Skwetsimeltxw Willard “Buddy” Joseph and Chepximiya Siyam Chief Janice George (February 15–March 31, 2020)
  • Debra Sparrow (April 15–May 31, 2020)

Couzens has led the resurgent practice of making possum cloaks and, as a Gunditjmara language keeper, is involved in linguistic training programs. Angela George, Janice George, Joseph, and Sparrow are each pivotal artists in the recent cultural revival of Coast Salish weaving in the 21st century. The local artists are currently undergoing eight-week research phases during which they will envision their project, followed by six-week implementation residencies at the Blue Cabin during fall 2019 and spring 2020.

Blue Cabin - Dry Dock  - Photo by Henri Robideau
Blue Cabin – Dry Dock – Photo by Henri Robideau

The August 25th public launch will include the announcement of the Blue Cabin Floating Artist Residency’s first season of programming as well as tours of the facility, including the interiors of the Blue Cabin studio and the newly constructed sustainable deckhouse. Participants will be limited to 20 people per tour and will be first come, first served. Additional open house dates will be announced at the public launch. Mr. Bannock Indigenous Cuisine and Rico n’ Lalo All Natural Frozen Bars will be on-site serving food and refreshments.

Follow The Blue Cabin on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates about their latest artists.

Vancouver Bach Festival 2019: Win a Prize Pack of Tickets

Comments 21 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Early Music Vancouver (“EMV”) presents the return of the Vancouver Bach Festival, July 30 to August 9, 2019 at Christ Church Cathedral and the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts.

Les Boréades de Montreal. Photo by Hugo B  Lefort.
Les Boréades de Montreal. Photo by Hugo B Lefort.

Vancouver Bach Festival

This year’s festival celebrates EMV’s 50th anniversary with performances by many of the top West Coast artists specializing in period performance, as well as gifted artists from across Europe and North America. EMV is particularly delighted to welcome Montreal’s internationally acclaimed Ensemble Les Boréades to participate in their second annual ensemble-in-residence program, which will see members of the ensemble perform in multiple concerts throughout the festival.

The 14-concert festival commences with EMV’s ensemble in residence, Les Boréades, in a spectacular two-night performance of J.S. Bach’s Complete Brandenburg Concertos. The Vancouver Bach Choir will also partner with the festival for the first time to perform a programme featuring Faure’s beloved Requiem with a professional core of twenty of the region’s best professional singers, accompanied by award-winning organist Christina Hutten.

Further highlights include the return of audience favourite soprano Amanda Forsythe with Pacific MusicWorks, in a performance of Handel’s early cantatas, as well as sopranos Suzie LeBlanc and Dorothee Mields’ dramatic interpretations of female composer Barbara Strozzi’s 17th century musings on love and loss. This year, the Vancouver Bach Festival also boasts a record number of partnerships with organizations including the Vancouver Chopin Society, the Pacific Baroque Orchestra (“PBO”), Pacific MusicWorks, and the Vancouver Bach Choir.

The festival’s popular weekday afternoon concert series also returns, offering diverse and delightful selections, and it will conclude with the presentation of Purcell’s Hail Bright Cecilia at the Chan Centre, starring six internationally renowned vocal soloists and the PBO led by Alexander Weimann.

Vancouver Bach Festival

Enjoy any four concerts at the Vancouver Bach Festival for the price of three. Purchases of more than four concert packages will also receive a 25% discount.

Win a Prize Pack of Tickets

I have 4 ticket packs to give away so a lucky Miss604 reader can attend each performance with a guest:

Bach Complete Brandenburg Concertos (Part 1) with Les Boréades
When: July 30 at 7:30pm (Pre-concert talk at 6:45pm)
Where: The Chan Centre (UBC, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver)
Bach Complete Brandenburg Concertos (Part 2) with Les Boréades
When: July 31 at 7:30pm (Pre-concert talk at 6:45pm)
Where: Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard St, Vancouver)
Bach Cantatas (BWV 12, 39,161) with Les Boréades
When: August 2 at 7:30pm (Pre-concert talk at 6:45pm)
Where: The Chan Centre (UBC, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver)
Purcell Hail Bright Cecilia
When: August 9, 2019 at 7:30pm (Pre-concert at 6:45pm) 
Where: The Chan Centre (UBC, 6265 Crescent Rd, Vancouver)

Here’s how you can enter to win tickets to all 4 of these shows!

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a ticket pack to 4 #VanBachFest performances http://ow.ly/vSsD30pc3r6 @earlymusicvan” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

Follow Early Music Vancouver and #VanBachFest on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, July 26, 2019.

UPDATE The winner is Eileen!

Vancouver Pride Parade Route and Event Info for 2019

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s a highlight of summer in Vancouver, and one of the most diverse festivals in the city. The Vancouver Pride Society will host over 50 Pride events throughout the season and none draws as many people as the legendary, inclusive, and super fun 41st annual Vancouver Pride Parade!

Vancouver Pride Parade. Photo by Tyler Ingram.
Vancouver Pride Parade. Photo by Tyler Ingram.

Vancouver Pride Parade

Where: Downtown Vancouver along Robson, Denman, and Beach Ave
When: Sunday, August 4, 2019 12:00pm to 3:00pm

The parade will travel from Thurlow, down Robson St towards Denman. It will turn left on Denman all the way to Beach Ave and flow into the Sunset Beach Festival.

Vancouver Pride Parade Route 2018
2018 Parade Map – 2019 Follows the same route

“A celebration. A protest. A party.” The diverse and colourful Pride Parade is a staple of the Vancouver summer calendar, and with 100+ parade entries, there will lots of amazing floats you won’t want to miss.

Be on the lookout for volunteers along the route again this year collecting donations that will help fund another year of amazing events for the LGBTQAI2S+ community and beyond.

Vancouver Pride Parade 2011

Vancouver Pride Parade Road Closures

There will be road closures and transit re-routes in place until about 4:00pm. Check the City’s VanConnect app for more info.

Sunday, August 4, 2019 7:00am to 1:00pm closures
Robson St from Burrard St to Bute St
Thurlow St from W Georgia St to Nelson St

Sunday, August 4, 2019 10:00am to 3:00pm closures
Robson St from Bute St to Denman St

Sunday, August 4, 2019 10:00am to 4:00pm closures
Denman St from Robson St to Beach Ave
Beach Ave from Denman St to Jervis St
Pacific St from Jervis St to Burrard St

Vancouver Pride Parade 2015

Sunset Beach Festival

The parade ends in style with the Sunset Beach Festival, which will be rockin’ from 11:00am onward at Beach and Broughton. Catch Main Stage entertainment, the Sunset Beach Oasis, a Community Zone, Family Fun Zone, beer garden, food trucks, interactive art and more.

For all of this information and more, follow the Vancouver Pride Society on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

Best Photo Ops at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Call it Insta-worthy, call it memory-making, but you’re going to want to bring your camera to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park during its 130th anniversary this summer. From the local history, to exciting attractions and spectacular natural elements, you’ll want to capture – and share – the fun. Here are my top picks for the best photo ops at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park:

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park Continue reading this post ⟩⟩