Uncover the eerie history of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhood on The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour from Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours this season.
Photo Submitted
The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour
Following the trail of our guide’s lamplight, we embarked on a captivating journey of Gastown’s gruesome history earlier this month. The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour explores the unsettling past of the city, featuring Victorian-era stories. On this trip through time, we learned things many locals might not even know, most notable was the true destruction of the Great Vancouver Fire of 1886, and who came to the rescue. And, despite losing hundreds of buildings, one hotel withstood the flames… the tour explains how.
Our guide told of a smallpox epidemic, during which victims of the illness were brought to live out the rest of their days on and island off Stanley Park. The Deadman’s Island quarantine site is the resting place of many who had fallen ill with the deadly ailment.
The tour concludes at the site of an unsolved murder, where we learned of the death of gold prospector John Bray. With multiple fatal shots to his head, Bray had managed to live out several weeks before his eventual passing, but no murderer was ever named.
The Lost Souls of Gastown Tour is sure to offer you a captivating journey through hidden history, making it a thrilling experience if you want to uncover the city’s intriguing, mysterious past. This performance-theatre experience has been awarded the title of one of Canada’s 20 greatest experiences by travel company Viator/TripAdvisor, and you’ll see why.
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours
When: On now until October 31, 2023. Tours run every Night at 7:00pm; Thursday-Saturday at 8:00pm
Where: Various Gastown Locations
Meeting point at corner of Water and Cordova Streets, beside Monaco Cafe
Electric wheelchair accessible and is led on mostly flat terrain (with some historic cobblestones). The tour does start with a small hill, which may be more challenging for guests in a conventional/non-electric wheelchair.
Homes For The Holidays is a quintessential event that kicks off festive season in Vancouver. Happening at UBC’s iconic Cecil Green Park House this November, it’s an enchanting experience that supports a great cause, with all proceeds benefitting the young people in Take a Hike programs.
Enjoy a self-guided tour with music and refreshments, and wander through the exquisitely decorated rooms of one of Vancouver’s most prestigious properties at Homes For The Holidays.
Homes for the Holidays – Photos Submitted
Homes For The Holidays
Step into a world of holiday inspiration as five brilliant interior designers, along with professional florists and home décor retailers, weave their magic through a storied heritage home, adorning it with the most exquisite trimmings. This showcase of uniquely festive décor ideas will range from tablescapes to room vignettes, and attendees are sure to be inspired to reimagine these looks in their own homes.
When: Saturday November 18 & Sunday, November 19, 2023. Time entry between 11:00am and 9:00pm each day.
Where: Cecil Green Park House (6251 Cecil Green Park Rd, Vancouver)
Tickets:On sale now! Regular admission is $50, VIP is $65 dollars and includes a complimentary beverage, no timed entry, and a gift.
After touring the beautifully decorated rooms, wander outside to the covered Terrace of Trees overlooking the gorgeous gardens of Cecil Green Park. Here visitors will be encouraged to linger and admire the sponsored trees which will be beautifully decorated by designers. Also on this terrace, we will be displaying and promoting the items in our carefully curated Silent Auction.
Purchase your tickets now, and be part of something truly special as we come together for a charitable celebration that will leave you inspired and filled with the joy of the season.
About Take a Hike Foundation
Take a Hike Foundation (TAH) empowers youth who experience vulnerability to change the trajectory of their lives with a full-time mental health and emotional well-being program embedded in an alternate education classroom.
Take a Hike Foundation Youth – Photo Supplied
The program engages youth with intentional, continuous clinical counselling, outdoor experiential learning, and community. TAH’s public school district partners provide high quality education, and together, they empower youth with the skills and resilience they need to graduate high school, build healthy relationships, and achieve success – however they define it.
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
