stɑl’əw̓ Pow Wow in Langley

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

All are welcome at the second annual stɑl’əw̓ Pow Wow in Langley happening September 15-17, 2023 at the Langley Events Centre hosted by the stɑl’əw̓ Arts & Cultural Society. This immersive three day cultural experience celebrates Indigenous culture, traditions, music, regalia, and art.

stalew Pow Wow Langley - Photos by Amber Oliver
stɑl’əw̓ Pow Wow Pow Wow Langley – Photos by Amber Oliver

stɑl’əw̓ Pow Wow in Langley

  • When:
    • Friday, September 15, 2023 from 5:00pm to 9:30pm
    • Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 11:00am to 10:00pm
    • Sunday, September 17, 2023 from 10:00am to 6:00pm
  • Where: Langley Events Centre (7888 200 Street, Langley)
  • Admission: Purchase a weekend pass (from $20) or single day pass (from $10) online in advance

At one of the largest pow wow events in the Metro Vancouver area, participants will sing, drum and dance together, immersing themselves in the artistic and cultural traditions that demonstrate the intergenerational and interconnectedness of Indigenous ways of being and knowing.

The stɑl’əw̓ Pow Wow welcomes the 2022 Drum Competition Winners, Black Lodge Singers, as this year’s Host Drum Group, alongside Wild River Singers, who return again this year as Honorary Host Drum.

There will also be a market that supports Indigenous artists and artisans. Shop and enjoy a wide variety of authentic traditional foods, art, jewelry, beading and more from a variety of talented vendors.

Pow wows are Indigenous gatherings and celebrations, traditionally presented by one First Nation to welcome and honour others. The stɑl’əw̓ Pow Wow is open to the public, and everyone is welcome to attend, supporting and uplifting one another on the path of reconciliation. Gathering to share the rich Indigenous heritage of the region helps keep traditional ways alive, and creating an inclusive and safe space for everyone to celebrate Indigenous culture builds important and lasting connections in the community.

stɑl̓əw̓ Arts & Cultural Society is an Indigenous women-led registered charity, located on the unceded territory of Kwantlen First Nation.

stɑl’əw̓, meaning “big river” in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language, is the name of a celebration that reflects the generosity and deep connections local Indigenous communities feel to what is known today as the Fraser River. The river connects Indigenous communities to one another and to the land they call home.

Follow the stɑl’əw̓ Arts & Cultural Society on Facebook for more information.

Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala 2023

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala, presented by Nicola Wealth, is coming up in September with an inspiring evening in support of children and their families around BC and the Yukon.

Canuck Place Gift of Time - Love is Timeless

Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala 2023

  • When: Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 5:30pm
  • Where: JW Marriott Parq Vancouver (39 Smithe St, Vancouver)
  • Tickets: Available online now Single tickets $575 / Table of 10 $5,750

This past year alone, over 871 children and families across BC and the Yukon were supported by Canuck Place through inpatient and community-based care. But there are more children and families who need complex pediatric palliative care, and Canuck Place needs to reach them. 

As a non-profit organization, Canuck Place raises 60% of its operating funds, which is why events like this are so important. Through your ticket purchase, auction participation, or your donation, you can help create a home away from home, where kids get to be kids.

Now in its 19th year, the Gift of Time has raised over $17.7 million to support care at Canuck Place.

When children and their families come to Canuck Place, they already know the end of the story. But how they get there hasn’t been written. Canuck Place aspires to make their story the very best it can be— because while they can’t add days to the life of a child, they can add life to their days.

If you are unable to attend, consider a donation, buy an auction item (auction opens to the public on September 17th), or purchase a raffle ticket (raffle opens on September 12th). Follow Canuck Place on Facebook for more information.

Miss604 is a proud sponsor of the Gift of Time since 2013

Related: Canuck Place Recreation Therapy Helps Kids Just Be Kids

Taking Transit to the PNE

Add a Comment by Alexis

TransLink is boosting bus service, hosting an interactive transit exhibit, and offering discounted admission on Fridays to support the PNE Fair running August 19 to September 4, 2023. The 016 PNE Special express bus has been added in addition to regular bus service and runs every 15 minutes to and from the PNE between 29th Avenue SkyTrain Station and Renfrew SkyTrain Station.

SkyTrain - TransLink Photo
SkyTrain – TransLink Photo

Taking Transit to the PNE, Special Offers, and More

From Renfrew Station to the PNE Fair and PlayLand
Find your way to the PNE Fair beginning at Renfrew Station. From the SkyTrain Station locate the Renfrew Station @ Bay 3 platform 3 (ID 51082). Wait for the 016 PNE Special express bus which runs every 15 minutes to and from the PNE starting 9:30am until midnight every day the fair is open. The bus ride is short 10 minutes and drops off (as well as picks up) outside the Pacific Coliseum. Disembark at NB Refrenew St @ E Pender St. From here, the PNE is less than a 5 minute walk.

PNE Sweepstakes Exhibit
TransLink’s exhibit at the PNE this year will be spread out at three different locations by the PNE entrances, and includes:

  • TransLink’s Sweepstakes Bus to easily register for the ‘Tap in to Win’ sweepstakes
  • The TransLink Pride Bus, featuring art from local artist Joe Average
  • A historic bus preserved by the Transit Museum Society
  • TransLink’s Ride & Shine Engagement Bus
  • A Car Free Pledge Wall with a chance to win daily concert tickets

As part of the Ride & Shine Campaign, TransLink is partnering with the PNE for a special offer on Friday August 25 and September 1, 2023 where the first 5,000 customers to show their Compass Cards at the gate receive 2-for-1 admission to the fairgrounds.

Related: Take Transit to These 5 Vancouver Area Beaches, TransLink Celebrates 75 Years of Trolley Bus Service, Concerts at the PNE This Summer

Light Up Chinatown 2023

Add a Comment by Alexis

Light Up Chinatown returns as a free two-day community festival hosted in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown. Enjoy live music, cultural performances, inventive food collaborations, tours, and colourful lights and lanterns.

Light Up Chinatown - Photo Submitted
Light Up Chinatown – Photo Submitted

Light Up Chinatown 2023

  • When: September 9 (11:00am to 9:00pm & September 10 (11:00am to 6:00pm)
  • Where: 500-block Columbia St (between East Pender and Keefer Street & neighbouring streets)
  • Admission: Free!

Families can enjoy the dedicated kid’s fun zone and for the first time, the event will be fully licensed so adults 19+ can enjoy beer, wine, and spirits inside the festival grounds. Visitors can collect stamps from vendors for a chance to win prizes and indulge in exclusive discounts across the neighbourhood from local merchants.

Bob Sung of A Wok Around Chinatown will be offering 35 minute walking tours of the neighbourhood ($15 per person) and will include a special tasting. Bob’s popular tours have been featured on National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, Global TV, and more, don’t miss your chance to explore Chinatown with Bob. Purchase your walking tour tickets online now. Proceeds from the walking tours will go towards the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation.

Be on the look out for food collaborations between Bao Bei and The Boss, DD Mau and Boba Run, Kam Wai and Treasure Green Tea, and Chinatown BBQ and Beaucoup Bakery. There will also be a ticketed pop-up event that will bring together local restauranteurs including Michelin star Chef Peter Ho. Look for more details about that very soon.

Everyone is welcome to come to celebrate the history, culture, and culinary creations of this vibrant community with Light Up Chinatown! Follow the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation on Facebook to stay updated.

Browse more Vancouver Festivals this season »

Taste of Abbotsford Fall Food Festival

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Taste of Abbotsford Fall Food Festival is a ten day celebration of Abbotsford’s agriculture and culinary scene. The festival kicks off with a night market followed by a week of unique farm experiences, seasonal bites, spirit, cider, and beer releases, a guided Circle Farm Tour, a foraging workshop, the art and wine walk in Historic Downtown Abbotsford, grape stomping, and more.

Taste of Abbotsford Fall Food Festival
Taste of Abbotsford Fall Food Festival

Taste of Abbotsford Fall Food Festival

The September 15th evening Night Market will be held at Jubilee Park in Historic Downtown Abbotsford bringing live music from local musicians, artisan shopping, and fall flavours from Abbotsford’s makers including farmers, chefs, and winery, brewery and cidery owners. More events include:

Taste of Abby Guided Circle Farm Tour
Saturday, September 16th from 10:30am to 4:00pm

19th annual Arty Awards
Sunday, September 17th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Fraser Valley Artisans Food Hub Showcase
Monday, September 18th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Pickleball and Pints
Tuesday, September 19th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

Grape Stomping at Singletree Winery
Wednesday, September 20th from 12:00pm to 5:00pm

Abbotsford Farm & Country Market
Saturdays, September 16th & 23rd 2023

HarvestFest
Thursday, September 21st from 4:00pm to 8:00pm

Downtown Abbotsford Art & Wine Walk
Thursday, September 21st from 4:00pm to 8:00pm

Foraging Workshop
Saturday, September 23rd from 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Sponsored by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, the week ends with the Food and Farm Excellence Awards, recognizing Abbotsford’s best culinary talents and agricultural producers with awards presented at Eco Dairy on September 24th.

Want to find the best of the season, locally? Shop the Taste of Abby shelf at these locations: Abbotsford Downtown Business Association; Fruiticana; Howard Wongs Farm; Kin’s Farm Market; Lepp’s Daily Market; Maan Farms; Nature’s Pickin’s; Yes Chef.

Healthy Food Systems

The healthy food systems video series will run throughout Taste of Abby. Facilitated by Aaron Pete, host of the Bigger Than Me podcast, four people were chosen to discuss sustainable and heathy food systems in three-to-five-minute videos.

Co-owner and Chef, Jeff Massey, of Restaurant 62 will speak to collaborating with local food growers, Amir Maan from Maan Farms will be discussing ag tech integration and vertical strawberry farming, Paul Sweeting, owner of Raven’s Brewing will share his Indigenous-owned business plans, and MLA Pam Alexis, the Minister of of Agriculture, will talk about the government’s efforts to enable and protect healthy food systems. 

Follow the Taste of Abby Fall Food Festival on Facebook for updates.

Related: Wineries to Visit in Abbotsford