One of the most impactful moments of any Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala is when guests get to hear from a Canuck Place family. With courage, strength, and love, these families share their stories and make a lasting impact in our community.
Toews Family – Canuck Place Photo
Canuck Place is a Beacon of Light and Lasting Memories
The journey of parenthood can be filled with joy, excitement, and anticipation. However, sometimes unexpected challenges arise, requiring families to navigate uncertain and difficult paths.
Parents Marie and Wes Toews, received the heartbreaking news of a Trisomy 18 diagnosis during Marie’s pregnancy in 2022. Trisomy 18, also known as Edward’s syndrome, is a chromosomal disorder caused by having an extra copy of chromosomes in the cells. In their time of need, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice emerged as a steadfast support for the Toews, providing compassionate complex care, helping them create cherished memories with their daughter, Sophia.
Canuck Place is the sole provider of pediatric palliative care in BC and the Yukon. They offer a wide range of services, including medical care, pain and symptom management, grief and bereavement counselling, recreation and music therapy, and end-of-life support. Canuck Place care helps improve the quality of life for children and their families, by easing suffering and providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support during difficult times.
Now in its 33 year, the festival connects people to exceptional books, ideas, and dialogue.
The festival welcomes CBC Commotion host and bestselling author of Son of Elsewhere, Elamin Abdelmahmoud, as this year’s Guest Curator. Abdelmahmoud’s curated events include Blackness as a Portal, exploring relationships of Black writers to Blackness from different vantage points; On the Edge focusing on environmental decline and inequality and Using Pop Culture, which examines how pop culture can serve as a connector.
Other events include Between the Pages, a conversation with the 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize finalists; a discussion with Naomi Klein about her new book Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World, blending tragi-comic memoir with political and cultural insights; Matt Galloway of CBC’s The Current weighing on the climate crisis with noted thinkers Rebecca Solnit, Chris Turner and John Vaillant; and an exploration of identity, colonialism and ecology with Cherie Dimaline, acclaimed author of The Marrow Thieves.
Iconic Festival offerings such as the Poetry Bash, Literary Cabaret and Afternoon Tea continue, and this year patrons can bookmark their Festival season with four special events, including: Canadian actor and stand up comedian Brent Butt in conversation with Charles Demers on October 3rd, and political satirist and TV personality Rick Mercer in conversation with singer Jann Arden on November 18th.
Youth Events include workshops, keynotes and discussions with bestselling and beloved children’s authors and illustrators including Jon Klassen, Kirsten Pendreigh, Tui T. Sutherland, Crystal Smith, Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Ben Clanton, Alan Barillaro and Michelle Kadarusman.
For a full lineup of events, visit the Fest online.
The Shipyards District Business Improvement Area (SDBIA) presents much-anticipated return of North Vancouver’s Shipyards Festival on September 23rd. The annual event will showcase musical acts across two distinctive stages, host a beer garden, food trucks, vendors, and more.
Shipyards Festival
When: Saturday September 23, 2023 from 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Where: Lower Lonsdale, The Shipyards and Carrie Cates in North Vancouver
Admission: Free
Headlining the Shipyard Festival will be SonReal, a JUNO Nominated singer, songwriter, and rapper known for his dynamic stage presence as well as Miina, a fresh project by the band previously known as Carmanah. North Vancouver’s beloved artist, Tourist Company, is set to make a return to the stage after an extended hiatus. Other must-see acts include Sol, Garret T. Willie, Ruin Garner, Michaela Slinger, Lady Sinncere, and many more.
Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the sitewide license, allowing those 19+ to sip on beverages from house-hold brands such as North Point Brewing, Streetcar Brewing, Swandive, Strongbow, and Olé.
Families venturing to the Shipyards Festival also have the opportunity to check out the Seaspan Family Zone, located in the Pipe Shop. This family-friendly zone will host many activities, including bounce houses, face painting, glitter tattoos, and arts and crafts.
Car Free Day North Vancouver
The Shipyards Festival isn’t just about the music either! It’s a community celebration that welcomes friends, family, and loved ones from near and far. Car Free Day North Vancouver, presented by TransLink, will be a large component, happening at Carrie Cates Court (12:00pm to 10:00pm) where attendees will be able to enjoy even more music, learn about new sustainable transportation options, and shop local vendors.
Music Lineup
The Common Stage: Presented by Lonsdale Quay Market SonReal, Sol, Garret T. Willie, Noxious Obs Society, Lady Sinncere, Eagle Ex Machina, Raw Honey, Emilyn, and Cate Bateman
Shipbuilders Square Stage: Presented by WAVE 98.3 Miina, Run Garner, Michaela Slinger, Norine Braun, Ayla Tesler-Mabé, DM Elektrik Co., Ruthie Ha, and Clara Sanchez
Car Free Day Stage: Presented by TransLink Tourist Company, Devours, Project Vancity, Adam Mah, Dani Camacho, Glisha, Logan & Nathan, and more to be announced.
SeaspanFamily Stage Katie Brock and Mike Battie
Burrard Dry Dock Kiérah and Sweetpan
Cates Deck: Presented by Vancouver’s North Shore Etienne Siew, Jessica Benini, Silent St. J, Joe Abbott, and Francis Baptiste
This is the third installation of a three-part summer series, in partnership with the West End BIA, showcasing all the wonderful, delicious, and engaging things to do around this iconic Vancouver neighbourhood.
West End Car Free Day
You can get a great taste of the neighbourhood on Sunday, September 24, 2023 during Car Free Day. Festivities run from 12:00pm to 7:00pm all along Denman Street from Robson to Davie.
Things to do in Vancouver’s West End
Public art is abundant in the West End, with Vancouver Biennale sculptures and legacies, and new Vancouver Mural Festival pieces brightening up every corner of the community. The latest major art piece in the West End is a ground mural, Crossing Paths by artist Jake Johnston, on Davie Street past Denman at Morton Park.
This weekend you can visit a Pow Wow in Langley, a comedy festival in Stanley Park, a beer and music festival in Delta and so much more! Find the big list of events and things to do around Metro Vancouver below and follow the September list for more inspiration throughout the month:
