The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress will be visiting Vancouver ahead of the Vancouver Pride Parade this week. This 52-foot-tall work of living art is made from the flags of the 68 countries where being 2SLGBTQAI+ is punishable by law. It is used to encourage debate and awareness about inclusion and equal rights even beyond the place where the dress is shown.
Icesis Couture at the National Gallery of Canada. Photo: Amsterdam Rainbow Dress Foundation & Adam Zivo
Amsterdam Rainbow Dress in Vancouver
Displayed outside the Vancouver Art Gallery from 4:00pm to 8:00pm this Friday during the Free First Friday Night.
The dress will be photographed by Jamie Mann in the British Columbia Parliament Building in Victoria, at the Vancouver Art Gallery and on Jericho Beach. During these shoots, the dress will be worn by three well-known 2SLGBTQAI+ community members, Kendall Gender (runner up Canada’s Drag Race season 2), Jaylene Thyme (two-spirited indigenous advocate) and Norma Lize (trans activist and member of Rainbow Refugee).
The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress also includes the flags of eight countries in which homosexual acts can result in the death penalty.
Since its creation in 2016, it has traveled around the world to call attention to the fight for equality, inclusiveness, and tolerance.
Arnout van Krimpen, creator of the dress says: “In addition to our call for eliminating existing anti-LGBTIQ+ legislations, we want to make our own community and our allies constantly aware that freedom needs to be maintained. Freedom needs love, freedom needs care, because it is the most precious thing we have.”
The Netherlands is a strong advocate for 2SLGBTQAI+ rights and in 2001 became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. The Dutch organization for LGBTQ+ rights (COC) founded in 1946, is the oldest worldwide. 2SLGBTQAI+ has been at the heart of the Dutch government’s human rights policy for decades.
The Dress has been modelled by a variety of models from the global 2SLGBTQAI+ community in various countries, including Australia, Denmark, Mozambique, South Africa, the United States and Sweden. In 2021, the dress visited Canada’s east coast.
Follow the Dress on Facebook for more information and updates.
A tradition for the last 25 years, the Chilliwack Corn Maze will be opening for the season on August 10th and they’ll have a kick-off celebration on August 12th.
Chilliwack Corn Maze
When: August 10 to October 31, 2023
August to September Long Weekend – Wednesdays to Sundays
September – Tuesdays to Sundays
October – Mondays to Sundays
Check the website for exact hours each day and on holidays
Admission: Purchase individual tickets online. Season memberships are good for admission August to October and are just $40.
Grandparents are free on Pro-D Days (October 6 and 21)
Activities on site this year include: corn maze, jumping pillow, rope adventure course, bubble bar, pedal cart track, hay bale maze, animal displays, farm carousel, duck races, garden and picnic area, misting stations, ball zone, sandbox/kids area, corn sandbox and more.
Kick-Off Concert August 12th
Celebrate the season and enjoy live music from the Tanner Olsen Band. Concert starts at 6:00pm with opening acts Geoff Moore and Tony Stevens, followed by Tanner Olsen Band from 8:30pm to 10:00pm. Bring your whole family and grab a blanket (leave the chairs at home) and enjoy the show. This all ages event will be fully licensed. Purchase tickets for this event separately. If you’re a season member, this is included for you!
Greendale Acres, home of the Chilliwack Corn Maze, was established in 1999 in Chilliwack and was the first corn maze in all of Canada.
The Food Hut on site will be serving up fun seasonal features such as slushies, buttered corn, pumpkin pie screamers, sweat corn sundae (Birchwood Dairy ice cream), fresh squeezed lavender lemonade, home made kettle corn and many other farm fresh features.
25 years means 25 unique designs in the corn maze. Stay tuned to Greendale Acres’ Instagram account to see what the Chilliwack Corn Maze design will be this year and find out more about the season’s events and offerings.
Fully Charged, the world’s number one home energy and electric vehicle show, is bringing Fully Charged Live Canada to Vancouver September 8-10, 2023. The show will go beyond electric cars to introduce and demo electric vehicles of all sizes (scooters, bikes, boards and more) and spotlight home energy and clean energy solutions.
There will be dozens of local exhibits, informative sessions in the theatre, test drive opportunities, the chance to chat with the Home Energy Advice Team, and so much more.
Fully Charged Live Canada
When: September 8-10, 2023
Where: Vancouver Convention Center West (1055 Canada Place)
Tickets: Use code MISS604 for 25% off your admission! Buy online now.
3 days: $75 (+tax/fee); 1 day ticket: $50 (+tax/fee); free for children 15 and under
This will be one of only six Fully Charged Live events held around the world in 2023, and only one of two in North America.
“It’s not just about electric cars anymore, it’s about everything.”
Inspiring people to #StopBurningStuff, the show will include an array of visitor attractions, two theaters with over 50 engaging and informative sessions with inspiring experts from around the world, exhibition with hundreds of local companies, electric vehicles of all shapes and sizes, and a huge selection of home energy options.
Find out what’s new and next for electrification, renewable energy and clean technologies for consumers and businesses alike, all while enjoying world class presentations from industry experts. The Fully Charged YouTube channel has over 1 million subscribers and you’ll get to see some of their personalities at the show as well.
Win Tickets
I have ten pairs of tickets to give away! Here’s how you can enter to win:
The winners’ vouchers will cover one full day of admission OR winners can use these one-day vouchers toward a discount ($50 off) a full weekend admission.
The Sharing Farm Garlic Festival in Richmond is a celebration of sustainable agriculture and local garlic with fun for the whole family. The event supports the Sharing Farm and their work of cultivating nutritious, sustainably-grown produce for community members facing food insecurity.
Admission: By donation (with a suggested minimum of $5 a person)
Highlights this year include live birds-of-prey flying demonstrations, a nature based kids zone, and workshops on growing garlic and other native plants. Enjoy mouth-watering, garlic-inspired dishes from local food trucks and finish it off with a unique garlic ice cream.
Pick up your own favourite ingredients at the Farmer’s Market for fresh produce, local honey, and artisanal goods. Join in the fun and take the opportunity to learn about the sustainable agriculture practices that take place at the Sharing Farm!
Now in its 13th year, the festival usually attracts around 6,000 attendees from across the Lower Mainland.
The Sharing Farm is dedicated to providing fresh, healthy, sustainably grown produce to community members facing food insecurity. Thanks to the generosity of over 300 volunteers annually, and the devotion of a small core staff, the farm is able to provide an average of 20,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables every year to the Richmond Food Bank and community meal programs.
Car Free Day, presented by TransLink, takes to the streets of Downtown New West on Saturday, July 29th with live music, games, market, food trucks and more!
Car Free Day New Westminster – Downtown New West Photo
Car Free Day New West 2023
When: Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: Columbia Street between 4th Street and 8th Street
Admission: Free!
Enjoy free live music from Vancouver’s own Blonde Diamond, bringing their energetic blend of indie rock and roll, R&B, and disco to the main stage. Canada’s Drag Race’s sensation, Synthia Kiss has also been added to the lineup alongside musical performances by Royal Oak, Dani Camacho, Parlour Panther, Sound Cinema, and William Chernoff Trio. Additionally, the DJ & Dance Stage is back and will showcase breakdance battles and DJ sets throughout the day, culminating in an epic breakdance battle finale.
“We want to encourage people to get out of their cars this summer and experience the region using transit. Car Free Day is a great opportunity for everyone to visit and experience the best of their neighbourhoods using transit, walking, and cycling.”
TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn.
Katie Brock, the fun-loving children’s musician, will be performing at the Kid’s Zone. Joining her will beYoyo national champion Terrance Wang and Yuki the Juggler. Also, in the Family Zone- free face painting, balloon art, a bounce house, and roving entertainers.
Food trucks on site will includeTornado Potato, Crack On, Frying Pan, Reel Mac & Cheese, and many more! Attendees also can enjoy one of the many extended patios along Columbia Street.
Stop by the vendor market to shop local artisans and make sure to visit the awesome storefronts along Columbia Street. Visit the TransLink Zone and make a pledge for a car-free summer to learn how personal steps can make an impact with Climate Action. Play the Transportation Game, for a chance to win terrific TransLink prizes.
