June 13th has traditionally been called “Vancouver Day” as a number of significant city events happened on this day in history. Here are a few items of note thanks to Chuck Davis’ Vancouver History:
June 13, 1792: Captain George Vancouver explored Burrard Inlet
June 13, 1859: A seam of coal was discovered at Coal Harbour
June 13, 1886: The Great Fire — the entire city burned to the ground.
June 13, 1933: Major J.S. Matthews declared the Vancouver City Archives officially open
1938 – Major J.S. Matthews signs a document to appoint responsibility for the Archives’ holdings to a board of trustees. Archives item #Port P352.4
In 1931, Major J.S. Matthews’ extensive personal collection of photos and documents relating to Vancouver was moved to the Holden Building, Vancouver’s temporary City Hall at 16 East Hastings. This included thousands of documents and photographs, such as interviews with early pioneers and aboriginal people, relating to the history and development of the City of Vancouver.
Matthews’ collection would become the basis for the City of Vancouver Archives. However, it wasn’t until June 12, 1933, that Matthews was appointed as Vancouver’s first City Archivist by Vancouver City Council for a rate of pay of just $25 a month, the equivalent of $400 dollars a month today, a salary that remained unchanged until his death on October 1, 1970. [Archives History]
In 1972 the Vancouver Archives building that we know today (at 1150 Chestnut) opened. It was the first building in Canada built specifically as a city archive and is called the Major J.S. Matthews Building.
Thanks to Major Matthews, we have collections of early photographs, stored maps and documents to help tell the story of our city’s growth throughout its 126-year history. If you’re interested, there’s a 7-volume book called “Early Vancouver” — now available online — that was written by Matthews between 1931 and 1956. There’s also a book about Major Matthews by Daphne Sleigh called: “The Man Who Saved Vancouver“.
The archives have a host of information, documents, and resources in person, online, and on their blog. You can stop in to do research, browse old photographs, and purchase prints, post cards, note cards, pamphlets, DVDs, and more. I was fortunate enough to get a behind the scenes tour in 2009 and use it often as a resource.
The first “Vancouver Day” was celebrated in 1925, with the date chosen by Mayor L.D. Taylor, although its last occurrence was in 1929. I wanted to take the opportunity to wish every a Happy Vancouver Day today and offer praise to the Vancouver Archives for carrying on Major Matthews’ work while they move forward with preservation and digitization.
Follow the Vancouver Archives on Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, History Pin, or their blog.
The Vancouver Park Board is offering more than forest strolls, beach blanket sunbathing, swimming lessons, and bike rides through Stanley Park this summer as they introduce Dance at Dusk. This new program is absolutely free to join and will take place every Monday and Tuesday from now until August at Ceperley Meadow.
Scottish Country Dance
Mondays: June 11th to August 13th, 2012
From 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Patterns, turns, passes, play, exercise. Dance with members of the Scottish Country Dance Society (kilts optional).
International Folk Dance
Tuesdays: June 12th to August 14th, 2012
From 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Vancouver International Folk Dancers will participants in line and circle dances from Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
No partner is necessary to participate and the dances will run depending on the weather. All levels are welcome and instruction is provided.
Dances will take place along the south side of Ceperley Meadow which is located in Stanley Park between 2nd Beach and Lost Lagoon.
Canada Day long weekend will be filled with more than celebrations on July 1st as Carnaval del Sol returns June 30th. Thousands will gather downtown for this free festival that celebrates Latin American arts and culture.
Photo credit:
Michael Kwan on Flickr – Submitted to the Miss604 Flickr Pool.
From 10:00am until 10:00pm on Saturday June 30th, 2012 you can enjoy activities, music, dance, and food on Granville from Smithe to Hastings. Take salsa and zumba lessons, watch a street soccer tournament, make some arts and crafts, and much more. Granville will be closed to vehicles and become a giant pedestrian-only celebration zone.
Satellite Events
What: Inspiring Latino Award Ceremony. Vancouver’s first regional awards ceremony to recognize contributions of distinguished members of the Latin American community.
When: Thursday, June 28th, 2012 6:00pm to 12:00am
Where: CBC Vancouver – 700 Hamilton Street (Studio 700)
What: Mini World Cup Street Soccer Tournament. Teams can sign up to participate and represent a country in this preliminary event. The championship will take place during Carnaval del Sol the following Saturday.
When: Sunday, June 24th, 2012 10:00am to 6:00pm
Where: Granville from Robson to Georgia
Carnaval del Sol is a production of Latincouver. Follow them on Twitter or Facebook for more information and news throughout the year.
The Arts Club Theatre Company is lacing up their rollerskates in their latest production of Xanadu. This upbeat disco-dancing musical is based on the 1980 Universal Pictures Film that was adapted from the book by Douglas Carter Beane (To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar; The Little Dog Who Laughed).
Marlie Collins and Gaelan Beatty in Arts
Club’s XANADU. Photo by David Cooper
Take a magical ride to a world where fantasy, romance, and shiny satin jumpsuits reign! A beautiful Greek muse descends from Mount Olympus in an impenetrable disguise of leg warmers and an Aussie accent to help mortal Sonny realize the greatest artistic achievement of all time: to open a roller disco! Featuring the cult classics “Suddenly” and “Xanadu,” this musical is “Magic” on roller skates!
This “outlandishly zany spoof” stars Marlie Collins (in Olivia Newton-John’s role from the film) Gaelan Beatty as Sonny. Xanadu will run from June 21, 2012 until August 4, 2012 at the Granville Island Stage.
The Arts Club has offered up a prize for one Miss604 reader that includes two tickets to opening night (June 27th) and a $100 gift card for dinner at The Sandbar on Granville Island. The Sandbar has been consistently voted one of the best patios in Vancouver and they host a variety of events, have live music, brunch on Father’s Day, and are currently hosting their own Pacific Salmon Run Contest.
Here’s how you can enter to win this prize pack:
- Leave a comment on this post naming your favourite disco-style tune (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter
I will draw one winner at random from all entries next Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 1:00pm.
Update The winner is Jennifer!
Vancouver event planner Marc Smith recently made a career change and has taken on a bold challenge while he realigns his professional goals. He’s decided to create 30 Day Adventures, a blogging initiative that has him experiencing a new adventure around Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley daily from June 1st to July 1st.
Langley Wineries
While this is Marc’s first time writing blog posts every single day (complete with photos and video), he’s no stranger to social media. He’s actively looking for adventures to complete and document this month and has been welcoming suggestions online. My idea was to do a local wine tour so Marc made a few calls and we set out for Langley yesterday morning.
Vista D’Oro
Stop 1: Vista D’Oro Winery
Location: 346 208th St, Langley
Our Host: Lee Murphy, Owner
Highlights: Samples in the farmgate shop and tasting room, fresh scones and preserves on the patio, property tour, spotting barn owls.
Find them on: Twitter & Facebook
Neck of the Woods
Stop 2: Neck of the Woods Winery
Location: 3033 232nd St, Langley
Our Host: Trent Blackwell, Owner
Highlights: Sparkling wine upon arrival, production tour, tastings paired with cheese and chocolates, learning about their large portfolio of wines.
Find them on: Twitter & Facebook
Township 7
Stop 3: Township 7 Vineyards
Location: 21152 16th Ave at 212th St, Langley
Our Host: Cindy Murphy, Retail Manager
Highlights: Learning about Township’s many events and how they are the official wine of the Calgary Stampede. Cottonwood fluff floated around us like snowflakes on the wind and we ended the day at the picnic table on the lawn chatting with the ladies from Stimuli Magazine who stopped by for a visit.
Find them on: Twitter & Facebook
Each winery was a completely different experience but there was one common thread — they all care deeply about the community and their craft. At the end of the day Marc and I jested about returning to Vista D’Oro with marshmallows to roast on the fire pit we spotted on the 10-acre property. With rolling pastures and views of majestic Golden Ears, we took a day to escape the city and enjoy the country.
The rest of my photos from the day are available on my Flickr set. If you have a suggestion for Marc, submit it online as he still has a few weeks to go in his 30 Day Adventures campaign.
