Craft fairs, markets, concerts, and fundraising galas fill the event list this month as we fall back one hour and move ahead into the holiday season. Miss604 is proud to sponsor the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau’s Jingle Bell Ball happening on November 5th as well as the annual Surrey Tree Lighting Festival on November 21st.
This event list is updated several times a week so check back often and submit your events (for FREE) via the contact form. This list is generated using the events you send in so if anything’s missing be sure to let me know!
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is marking its 20th anniversary this year, after first opening its doors in November of 1995 and becoming North America’s first free-standing children’s hospice.
Having attended the annual Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala for a few years now, I have heard about their incredible work and impact in the community first-hand, from families and volunteers. In 20 years they have helped so many families and I wanted to share a bit more of their story.
20 Years of Canuck Place
Canuck Place supports over 600 of BC’s children and families with respite and family support, pain and symptom management for complex medical needs, art and education, recreation therapy, grief and loss counselling including music and play therapy, and end-of-life care.
“If you love something, love it completely, cherish it, say it, but most importantly, show it.”
“Everyday at Canuck Place I am reminded to make the most of every moment,” CEO Margaret McNeil told the audience of hundreds at the Gift of Time Gala this year. “It’s the courage of these families that reminds us how to be in our own lives.”
In 2009, Canuck Place recognized that we were reaching only 20-25% of children and families in need of pediatric palliative care in BC. Armed with passion, experience and a growing team of inspired individuals and partners, they embarked on a quest to open a second hospice location. The vision for Canuck Place – Dave Lede House, located in Abbotsford, was born.
The Gift of Time Gala is a wonderful event that showcases the love, care, and support the Canuck Place offers. Throughout the evening this year there were musical presentations, including some songs from Canuck Place music therapist Karin Roberts, as well as a story from a Canuck Place Family, the Rosses.
“We are here tonight because for many families, things don’t go as planned,” Regan Ross told the Gift of Time crowd. Regan and Amy’s daughter Gabrielle was on the Canuck Place program. The house served as a place of comfort for their whole family. Allowing them, and a specialized medical team, to tend to their daughter’s needs in comfort. After Gabrielle passed, her parents and brothers have relied on the Canuck Place counselling team and bereavement groups.
“How do you raise a child you know is going to die?” They told of their exhausting experiences at hospitals and how the staff at Canuck Place were like angels from heaven for them, it felt like they were being rescued when they were introduced. “You fall to your knees and Canuck Place picks you up.”
Canuck Place not only offers end-of-life care, but they work with families throughout the entire span of a child’s life; from the point of diagnosis and progression of illness, to death and beyond. They provide clinical care, respite care, nursing phone support, recreation therapy, counselling, end of life car, education & art, and more.
If you would like to support Canuck Place, there’s no time like the present to make your donation. Celebrating 20 years, let’s make sure they are around for another 20 (and beyond) to support BC families. Follow Canuck Place on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information about their community and events.
You know you grew up in Vancouver when you always planned out how well your Halloween costume would fit under a poncho or garbage bag. If it worked with gumboots, even better. It can be pretty miserable out during the last few days of October but if your kids have their heart set on dressing up, don’t let the rain spoil the fun. There are several options for indoor trick or treating in Vancouver, and beyond, this weekend:
Indoor Trick or Treating in Metro Vancouver
What: Halloween Carnival at Coal Harbour Community Centre When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 10:00am to 12:00pm Where: Coal Harbour Community Centre Gym (, Vancouver) Details: Halloween carnival and spooky graveyard (for ages 2-7). Enjoy creepy crafts, terrifying treats, eerie entertainment and much, much more. Come in costume. Parent participation is required. Pre-registration is recommended. $5/child $7/child on day-of event.
What: Halloween Trick or Treat at Capilano Mall When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm Where: Capilano Mall (935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver) Details: Over 25 participating retailers including Purdy’s Chocolates, Dairy Queen / Orange Julius, Wireless Wave, and more.
What: Trick or Treat Parade at Willowbrook When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 4:30pm to 5:30pm Where: Willowbrook Shopping Centre (19705 Fraser Highway, Langley)
strong>Details: $2 per child up to age 12. Registration starts at 3:30pm at the following Willowbrook entrances: Sport Chek, Swimco, Tim Hortons, and Sashimi Sushi. Proceeds from the event will go to the Langley School District Foundation to support innovative and essential school programs for Langley students.
What: Halloween in the Forest When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 10:00am to 2:00pm Where: Surrey Nature Centre (14225 Green Timbers Way, Surrey) Details: Learn fun facts about owls, bats, spiders and raccoons, enjoy Halloween treats, and meet the Forest Fairy. This indoor/outdoor event is perfect for families with small children. Free, drop-in, rain or shine.
What: Halloween at Wesbrook Village When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm Where: Wesbrook Welcome Centre (3378 Wesbrook Mall, UBC)
strong>Details: Free children’s trick or treating. Visit participating Wesbrook Village retailers for treats and vote for the best decorated store/costume for a chance to win a $50 Wesbrook Village Shopping Spree.
What: Halloween at Lonsdale Quay When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 11:30am to 4:00pm Where: Lonsdale Quay (123 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver)
strong>Details: Halloween story time 11:30am to 12:00pm; kids crafts and mini pumpkin decorating 12:00pm to 4:00pm; trick-or-treating on the Retail Level from 12:00pm to 4:00pm; face painting 12:00pm to 4:00pm ($).
What: Trick or Treat Central City When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm Where: Central City (10153 King George Boulevard, Surrey) Details: Customer Service will be handing out treats for all kids. See stores with signs for participating tenants.
What: Trick or Treat at Brentwood When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm Where: Brentwood Town Centre (4567 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby)
strong>Details: The Brentwood trick or treat party will have child friendly entertainment, a live DJ, an interactive pumpkin patch and free candy.
What: Aberdeen Centre’s Halloween Spooktacular When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm Where: Aberdeen Centre (4151 Hazelbridge Way, Richmond) Details: Participating Stores on all levels.
What: Halloween at Richmond Centre When: Saturday, October 31, 2015 from 5:00pm to 6:00pm Where: Richmond Centre (6551 No. 3 Road, Richmond) Details: The CF Richmond Centre team will be handing out candy at Guest Services.
Last night, Vancouver City Council voted in favour of tearing down the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts. “This is a once-in-a-generation city-building opportunity,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson in a written statement.
The vote on Monday night meant staff will start detailed planning and land negotiations, and will report back to council in 18 months with an update. The plan to remove the viaducts includes an increase in downtown park space. It also includes two new city blocks that would be used for social and market housing. (Source: CBC Vancouver)
Before (Now)
After
In the Mayor’s statement he said: “There is no decision at the city that has been more scrutinized, studied, deliberated or consulted on than whether or not to remove the viaducts, and after four years, it is time to move forward.”
Vancouver Viaduct History
Vancouver has had viaducts in place, in that area, for close to 100 years. On July 1st, 1915, the first Georgia viaduct opened for streetcar use. It extended over the CPR’s Beatty Street yard and it was named the “Hart McHarg” bridge after a World War I hero. Apparently the viaduct was so poorly constructed that within a few years of it going up, chunks began to fall on, endangering pedestrians below.
1913 – Georgia viaduct under construction. Imagine Rogers Arena to the right, BC Place to the left. Vancouver Archives item# CVA 99-1303. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1915 – Georgia Harris Street viaduct opening. Vancouver Archives item# PAN N100B. Photographer: W.J. Moore
1915 – Car on the Georgia Viaduct, Sun Tower in the background. Archives# CVA 99-18.
It wasn’t until 1963 that, under the leadership of Bill Rathie (the first mayor of Vancouver that was actually born in the city), a 20-year program was drawn up that would involve redevelopment, transportation solutions, low-cost housing, and a downtown revitalization. A new Georgia viaduct was thought up for cars to allow easier access to downtown.
But the replacement viaduct in the 1960’s and into the 1970’s was also part of a larger plan. There was a movement to build a freeway system right into and through downtown Vancouver. Can you imagine Highway 1 ploughing right through East Vancouver, Strathcona, and Chinatown? This was the grand idea and it was thought that the viaducts would nicely connect the freeway to the city’s centre.
Between 1971 & 1981 – Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts from the air. Vancouver Archives item# CVA 780-8.
Before the freeway plans were solid, buildings were being razed in anticipation. This included the Hogan’s Alley community, which was bulldozed to make room for the new Dunsmuir and Georgia viaducts. Buildings on the East side were reduced to rubble and wiped off the city map — and this is where residents stepped in. Strathcona community activists created much opposition to the grand plan and ended up saving their corner of the city.
The 12th annual Diwali Fest will take place November 3rd to November 15th, bringing together people of all backgrounds to celebrate multiculturalism and inclusiveness. Two main festival sites will host events and two theatrical performances with take place on Vancouver stages.
Diwali Downtown Events
Event: Diwali Downtown, Vancouver When: November 7th, 2015 Where: Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver
Diwali Downtown is one of the main events of the festival and a key attraction, drawing thousands of people from all demographics for a South Asian cultural extravaganza. Diwali Downtown is a free event that brings together the best of contemporary and classical Indian culture for the entire family. This year’s event will include over fifteen different music and dance performances, an Indian bazaar featuring South Asian crafts and cuisine, and a room-sized rangoli.
Event: Diwali Downtown, Surrey When: November 14th, 2015 Where: Surrey City Hall, Surrey
Returning by popular demand and at the request of the City of Surrey, Diwali Fest is pleased to once again bring its landmark event, “Diwali Downtown”, to the Surrey audience. This is also a free and family-friendly event.
Diwali Workshops
When: Throughout the festival Where: Various venues in Vancouver
These free workshops feature professional artists and facilitators who lead the group in rangoli design, diya lamp painting, Bollywood dancing, sari wrapping, and mehndi hand painting. This year’s festival will also include workshops on storytelling, poetry, yoga, and roundtable discussions on the history of Diwali.
Diwali Stories and Food
Event: Storytelling & Rangoli-Making When: November 12th, 2015 Where: Richmond Cultural Centre, Richmond
Event: Diwali Cooking Demonstrations When: November 3rd & November 15th, 2015 Where: Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver
Event: Diwali at the Library When: November 4th, 2015 Where: Vancouver Public Library, Vancouver
Diwali on The Drive
In partnership with one of the leading presenters of Theatre in the City of Vancouver, The Cultch, Diwali Fest will incorporate South Asian-themed Theatre for a two-week run (November 3rd to November 14th) at The York Theatre as well as a dance presentation for a weekend at The Historic Theatre at The Cultch. The two productions are Nirbhaya and Sunya.
Show: Sunya When November 10th to 14th, 2015 (Opening: November 10th) at 8:00pm Where: Historic Theatre at The Cultch (1895 Venables Street, Vancouver) Tickets Available at The Cultch’s Box Office, by phone at (604) 251-1363, or online from $20.
Sunya is a celebratory and spiritual journey merging contemporary dance, music of Persian inspiration, and interactive real time video. Guided by the Indo-Armenian dancer and choreographer, Roger Sinha, and Iranian-born gatherer of musical pearls, Kiya Tabassian, four dancers, three musicians, a sound designer, and a video artist break boundaries to create a truly unique artistic experience.
Show: Nirbhaya When November 3rd to 14th, 2015 (Opening: November 3rd) at 8:00pm, 2:00pm matinée on November 8th Where: York Theatre (639 Commercial Drive, Vancouver) Tickets Available at The Cultch’s Box Office, by phone at (604) 251-1363, or online from $30.
Nirbhaya is a story based on real life experiences and the violent incident that shocked Delhi and the world. On December 16, 2012, a young woman boarded a bus in Delhi heading for home. What followed changed countless lives forever. Internationally acclaimed playwright and director, Yaël Farber (Mies Julie) has created a searing new work that cracks open the code of silence around women whose lives have been shattered by violence. For ages 16+. Contains adult themes and mature content.
Win Tickets to Diwali Fest Shows
I have a pair of tickets to give away to opening night of Nirbhaya (at the York Theatre) as well as Sunya (at The Cultch). Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment naming a Diwali Fest event or show you’d like to attend (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win tickets to a @DiwaliFest show from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/TVmDX
I will draw two winners (one for each show) at 12:00pm on Monday, November 2, 2015. Follow Diwali Fest Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information about the festival.
Update The winner for Nirbhaya is Jennifer and Sunya is Jason!
