Heart of the City Festival 2011

The Heart of the City Festival will host more than 100 events at over 30 locations in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside from Wednesday, October 26 to Sunday, November 6, 2011.

I’ve been flipping through the extensive online schedule and noticed that events range from art shows and history walking tours to hip hop, jazz, and poetry. Here are just a few of the listings that leapt off the page for me:

Sweet Soul Sisters of the Downtown Eastside
Where: Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main St
When: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 7:30pm
Cost: Free
An evening of blues, jazz and soul that speaks to the story of our neighbourhood. Hear some of the strong women’s voices of the DTES, including Dalannah Gail Bowen, Rosanne Gervais, Heidi Morgan and Peggy Wilson accompanied by local musicians Michael Bellwood on guitar, John Cote on bass, Gary Wildeman on drums and more.

Walking Tour Series
“History on the Verge, Shining Life on Our Old East End Houses” with with James Johnstone
Where: Meet at NW corner of Dunlevy and Railway
When: Saturday October 29, 2011 from 10:00am to 12:00pm
Cost: $10 for non-residents, pay-what-you-can for residents

“Moments of Community History” with Jean Swanson
Where: Meet at entrance to SFU Woodwards, 111 W. Hastings
When: Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 11:30am
Cost: $10 for non-residents, pay-what-you-can for residents

History Talk: Tales of Powell Street
Where: Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall, 487 Alexander
When: Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Cost: Free
Powell Street was the pre-war business centre of the Japanese Canadian community in Vancouver. From boarding houses to baseball games, here is your opportunity to learn about this vibrant history and to see a new permanent exhibit in the foyer of the Language School. You will hear about other projects to preserve Japanese Canadian history. Presented by the Japanese Canadian National Museum and the Vancouver Japanese Language School.

Halloween for Kids at Oppenheimer Park
Where: Oppenheimer Park, 488 Powell
When: Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 11:00am to 2:00pm
Cost: Free
Join Park staff for children’s activities of crafts, treats, food, workshops, and spooky decorations. At 2pm we will hear some good old rock ‘n’ roll with SCOW and the Oppenheimer Music Jam Program, with special guests The Jay Sea Band. That’s singer/songwriter Joe Chow on guitar, Arnold Penniard on bass and Richard McDonald on drums. Skulls will roll – it is Hallowe’en! Everyone welcome!

Carnegie Jazz Band with special guest Dal Richards
Where: Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main St
When: Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 12:30pm
Cost: Free
Comprised of enthusiastic amateur jazz musicians, the Carnegie Jazz Band is under the wonderful tutelage of multi-instrumentalist and composer Brad Muirhead. Joining the Carnegie Jazz Band is special guest and local legend “The King of Swing” Dal Richards. The festival is thrilled that the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia – and jazz fan – will attend.

Aboriginal Artist Showcase
Where: Carnegie Theatre, 401 Main St
When: Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 2:30pm
Cost: Free
This special showcase, assembled for the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, features urban Aboriginal spoken word artists, dancers, singers and musicians, including Wayne Lavallee, Juno nominated and award-winning singer and guitarist.

Most events are free, by donation, or ‘pay what you can’. The entire festival is produced by the Vancouver Moving Theatre Company with the Carnegie Community Centre and the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians. Donations can also be made online. Find the Heart of the City on Facebook for more information.