Despite everything that has happened in Vancouver on June 15th, we must remember that there are many wonderful things about this city, like good people producing good art. And though everyone might feel like cocooning in their homes for the next couple of days, I urge you all to get out and see some theatre this week.
Coincidently, this week I’m previewing Alan Bowne’s Forty Deuce—which exposes the dark underbelly of another city, New York City. It’s a dark and gritty drama about violence, drugs, disenfranchised youth, and the families people make when they don’t have any.
“The best way to describe this film is to draw a parallel to early New York films,” explains the production’s director, local actor Martin Sims. “It’s a New York gangster piece, in a sense.”
Sims, who most recently was seen on Bard on The Beach as Don Pedro in Much Ado about Northing and Agrippa in Antony and Cleopatra says that one of the aspects that drew him to the play was its Shakespearian qualities.
“The is such beauty, poetry, and complexity to the language ” he says. “Though it’s ‘street talk’ and technically English, like Shakespearian English, its a slightly heightened, poetic English.”
Sims believes that plays like Forty Deuce offers a lot to a city where musicals and comedies primarily dominate in the larger theatres.
“It’s all about having a balanced diet,” he says. “It’s important to also see something darker, that has some edge to it.”
Forty Deuce runs until June 24 at one my favourite off-the-beaten-track spaces, Little Mountain Gallery (195 East 26 Avenue @ Main). Sims will also be performing alongside veteran actor Donald Adams and some newer performs like Michael Antonakos, Victor Atala, Tristan Bacon, Tom Stevens, and Glenn Crossley.
Tickets are $20, and are available at the door or by calling (604) 879-1613.
This feature was written exclusively for Miss604 by actor, writer, and producer, Michelle Kim. Read all posts contributed by Michelle for Miss604.com and follow her on Twitter @miju.
I first met Jack Christie when we were on a media trip to Prince George last year and now his latest book, 52 Best Day Trips From Vancouver, has a permanent home on my desk for quick reference. Having penned the original book (of the same title) twenty years ago, local travel writer Jack issues updates every few years adding new activities and suggestions.
“The current edition is the natural evolution from that very first book that we brought out in ’89 that went right to the top of the best-seller charts that summer,” Jack said during our chat about the book. “We live in such a volatile, evolving city where there’s always new parks – and for that matter an evolving provincial park system – but there’s always new material to be brought into the book.” With each new edition a few entries are swapped out for updated listings. In the 2011 edition, you’ll find information about Colony Farm Regional Park and the new Sea to Sky Trail that runs between Squamish and Pemberton.
“We try to keep the mix nice and fresh, and of course update the information. A lot of the ‘meat and potato’ stuff is right up front. How far away is it from town, what’s a good time of year to go there, how to get there on transit if you’re living car-free, things like that,” Jack added.
I also noticed listings for off-leash areas and parks that were dog-friendly. Jack told me that they had a lot of people wanting more specific information about where they can walk their dogs (on or off a leash) as well as information about accessibly trails. “Whether you’re pushing a stroller, rolling a wheelchair or just looking for a really easy-going outing with ederly family members who maybe can’t walk great distances but really enjoy getting out.”
Jack mentioned Redwood Park in Surrey as a shining example of accessibility. From easy walking paths to a new accessible children’s playground (you can find it on page 34).
When I asked about a hidden gem, he told me about Maplewood Flats just off Dollarton Highway in North Vancouver. “It’s just this lovely quiet area that looks over the inner harbour on the East side of the Ironworkers Bridge. You get the sense of what the harbour must have been like before europeans arrived. Indian Arm is just around the corner, you’re looking out at Belcarra which is all green, which is nice, and there’s a lot of bird life there.”
It doesn’t take a lot of planning or financial resources to enjoy these day trips either. “All you really need is a desire to get out of the house,” Jack advises. “I think a lot of people, especially with kids, are kind of hard-pressed to plan ahead a lot so if you really want just a quick inspiration, that’s why people like our book. They pick it up and they can scan and find a place that’s really close to where they live and just head out.” In terms of keeping the costs down, Jack says he can’t think of anything in the book that requires an admission fee. All of the suggestions are “like sunshine, they’re free.”
Jack Christie’s 52 Best Day Trips From Vancouver is currently available online (Amazon), in stores (Chapters), and in the iTunes store.
The Vancouver Art Gallery is hosting their signature nighttime art, music, and performance event, FUSE, this Friday June 17th from 8:00pm to 1:00am.
Since its inception in July 2005, thousands of Fuse-goers have converged at the Gallery for this unique adult event. Live performances in the Gallery spaces, DJs, eclectic Gallery tours and unexpected surprises have made Fuse Vancouver’s favourite see-and-be-seen event.
Friday’s FUSE will kick off the summer season with a surrealism theme, “so trade in that iPhone for a lobster, and leave expectations at the door.” Performers include House of La Douche dance troupe, MOVE the company that creates surreal spectacle and movement in the gallery, The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret, Neworld Theatre mash-up of surrealist manifestoes, poetry, drama and contemporary “found text”, and baritone singer & performance artist Joel Klein will sing Surreal opera in the Rotunda, accompanied by Karen Lee Morlang on piano.
Our city is known for its arts and culture, including this very unique event (that I hear everyone rave about each year). After last night’s despicable display downtown let’s try to get back to normal in Vancouver and celebrate what we do have – and what a group of unruly criminals cannot take away.
Admission for FUSE is $22.50 and if you would like to experience one of summer’s best night time events, I have two pairs of tickets and a special gift shop prize to give away. As surrealism is the theme, the Vancouver Art Gallery store is also giving each winner a Dali clock (that has “dripping clocks” on it). Here’s how you can enter to win one of these packages for FUSE tomorrow night:
Leave a comment on this post naming your favourite artist (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw two winners (who will each get a pair of tickets and the Dali clock) at 10:00am tomorrow, Friday June 17, 2011. This event is 19+. Please enjoy responsibly and plan a safe trip home.
Update The winners are @tkwan23 & Judy Bishop!
This post was published on the night of the riot downtown. Please scroll down to view updates and details that have been published throughout the days that followed.
After the Vancouver Canucks lost their battle for the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins over 100,000 people downtown began their journey home. Unfortunately, many of those thousands stuck around to wreak havoc, engage in violent activity, start fires, loot stores, and harm others. Police read the riot act about two hours in and said whoever stayed downtown could get arrested however if you left, you could go home in peace. Unfortunately a mob of criminals (let’s not call them Canucks fans) has been making its way down Georgia Street. They smashed windows at The Bay, looted, and moved on to London Drugs at Granville, Chapters on Robson, and are now moving West.
Throughout all of this despicable activity, cameras have been rolling. We’ve seen looters in plain sight on CBC News, CTV News, and Global. We’ve seen the faces of the men who lit the car fire on Hamilton. We have witnessed unruly men and women throwing newspaper boxes and walking out of stores with goods in-hand. All those of us at home can do is watch, and hopefully get the word out about transportation and alerts – for everyone’s safety.
If you would like to help out in any way – because we all care about our city – here are a few ways:
Upload photos of anyone committing criminal act to either this Tumblr account, this Facebook group, this Facebook page, on this website, or this page on Facebook.
Tag, caption, and make notes of all photos. If you recognized anyone in the images, please identify them to help out the authorities.
There is a cleanup planned for the morning downtown, this Facebook event is calling on the public to help
Update VPD are asking that you hold onto your footage until they are at the point of gathering evidence.
Update VPD are asking the public to send images and footage to [email protected] or call 604.717.2541.
Update June 16 VPD have posted full information on how to get your footage over to them including an anonymous YouTube tipline. You can also get this information from the Vancouver Police on Facebook as their website is experiencing very high volumes of traffic.
Update June 16 VPD said on Twitter that you can also always use Crime Stoppers to report a crime anonymously.
Update June 17 VPD said that you can also text a tip ‘BCTIP’ to 274637.
Help police identify people like this. Photo credit:
CBCChrisBrownThis violence is embarrassing and above all dangerous to emergency crews and the general public. “There’s hardly a window around us,” reported Chris Gailus on Global BC. CTV’s Rob Brown said, “It’s amazing that people feel so comfortable walking in front of their fellow citizens and stealing.”
Even “#canucksriot” was trending on Twitter tonight.
After Vancouver finally showed its beauty and grace on the world’s stage during the Olympics last year, this has bumped us back down a notch. We won’t wake up tomorrow and mourn the Canucks’ loss. We’ll mourn the loss of civility and order that was experienced on the streets tonight.
Update 11:30pm For some perspective, this is happening blocks away from my house. As a Canucks fan, resident of downtown Vancouver, and someone with a voice online, I’ll be sharing updates for as long as it takes to get through this.
Update June 16 12:00am Please read the official statement from Vancouver’s Mayor Gregor Robertson (this was his second of the night) and this article from the Globe and Mail, which is why the more uplifting “#thisismyvancouver” was also trending on Twitter into the early hours of the morning.
“Surveying the damage downtown. Dedicated crews working hard to clean up and fix windows”.
Photo credit: @
MayorGregorUpdate June 16 Ed Lau also posted a plea on his blog, For Our City, For Our Canucks, End the Stupidity Now” and Steffani Cameron has published a fan’s poem. Kimli has also identified several of the rioters on her blog.
Update June 16 8:00am I was on CanadaAM at 5:05am to talk about how people have rallied through social media and started organizing events for the morning to help clean up. As of about 8:00am June 16th several people had already started to assist with cleanup efforts after City crews worked through the night.
Source: @
604foodtography on Twitter
Cleanup photos submitted to me by my friend Natalie Binns (right)
Update June 16 11:20am The Vancouver Chief of Police is saying the riots were caused by anarchists and criminals disguised as Canucks fans.
The support from Vancouverites continues to pour in. There’s even a “Wall of Love” outside The Bay, which was smashed and looted. People are signing it and offering words of encouragement and sympathy… along with apologies.
Update June 16, 2:00pm After scores of people came downtown to help clean up the aftermath, the City of Vancouver issued an official statement thanking them for their efforts.
“The final sparkle to our clean-up effort has been thanks to the scores of volunteers who headed Downtown this morning with determination, garbage bags and other supplies to help with the clean-up. Those efforts are truly inspiring and appreciated. The city is certainly returning to normal very quickly.” The tag #vancouvercleanup was used all day on Twitter by volunteers who were picking up trash, scrubbing storefronts, leaving messages of support – and thanks.
Update June 17 2:50pm It has come to my attention that The Bay downtown will be hosting a FREE pancake breakfast tomorrow, Saturday June 18 from 9:30am to 11:30am. They would like to thank the volunteers and helpful citizens who showed them support after the store was a prime target during the riot Wednesday night. I confirmed with my source at The Bay that this will be taking place and they wanted to get the word out through grassroots channels — the same way word spread about the cleanup.
I spoke to The Bay’s media contact and received the following quote by email from Dana Hall, Store Director: “After seeing the huge amount of support on Thursday morning, the Bay really just wanted to be able to give back to those who volunteered their time and energy to repair our store and the rest of the Downtown core. Not only are we hoping to say thank you to the clean up volunteers but also to those who put themselves in harms way on Wednesday night to protect downtown. We are truly thankful that those people stepped up to show the city what the real Vancouver is made of. It was amazing to see the community come together on Thursday for something good and we wanted to pay it forward.”
A few people have asked on Twitter if they can volunteer for the breakfast. My contact told me that the associates would like to do it for the community but if they need assistance they’ll put out a call.
Update June 18 11:00am The CBC has tracked down the couple from the famous “kissing couple” photo during the riots to get the real story behind the image.
Update August 2011 The Vancouver Police have published a website where they are asking the public to help identify riot suspects.
Update September 1, 2011 The independent review of the riot has been released.
Canucks fans are everywhere; on the streets, in the airports, and on every continent. When we used to do The Crazy Canucks podcast, we had listeners in New Zealand, China, the United States and the UK. Whether it’s expatriates now living abroad or international fans of the game in general, hockey crosses oceans or borders.
On what is most certainly the most important day in Vancouver Canucks history, I woke up at 4:45am and saw John off to work at the station. Usually I’d go back to bed but on a day like today, how would I ever calm down enough to get back to sleep? I decided to hit Twitter to see if someone, a Canucks fan, in another time zone wanted to chat about playoff fever in their neck of the woods. While I was poking around Nuck-Yeah.com, a resource that lists pubs and places to watch Canucks games from San Diego to Seoul, I received a reply on Twitter from Katie @muffinmyth. She lives in Sweden and is fully prepared for tonight’s final match-up.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Katie has been splitting her time between Stockholm (where her Saskatoon-born husband got a job) and Vancouver while she finished her degree at UBC. “I was here for about 6 months of the last year and a half,” she told me. “Tragically, my flight left Vancouver about an hour after the puck dropped on game 1 of this series. I am hoping to get back to Vancouver twice a year, but it’s a long and expensive trip, so we’ll see.” Her allegiance is to the Canucks, or “any Canadian team, so long as they’re not playing against us.”
I asked her how easy it was to catch a playoff game in Sweden. “We had to pay an extra 75 crowns (about $10) per month for some special sports channels, and now we get all of the games. They are played live, and then re-played commercial free a few more times. They are live at 2:00am, so not much interest in going to a sports bar or getting a crowd together to watch, unfortunately. It makes me homesick seeing the crowds in Vancouver.”
Since the Canucks have their fair share of Swedes on the team, I also wanted to know if there’s a visible or palpable excitement around town surrounding the Stanley Cup finals. Katie said there’s “a little” but she has been stopped a few times wearing her Canucks t-shirt. “The Sedins are a pretty big deal here, so most people want to talk about them. My husband plays hockey with some people from work on Friday mornings and he says that every day people are talking to him about the Canucks.”
As for predictions from across the pond? Katie said it will be close, but a win. “And I said that if the Canucks won the Stanley Cup that I’d run naked down my street in Stockholm. My mother-in-law suggested I wear a flag instead, therefore I acquired the flag which is now flying out our window.” She added that most wouldn’t understand why a naked Canadian would run down the street at 5:00am local time so she’ll stick with the flag idea.
There’s much appeal to Vancouver, around the globe and throughout Canada. After all, we threw a pretty great party last year. However, not everyone is a Canucks fan. We don’t get the East Coast vote (for example most Haligonians identify with the Bruins), and it was determined at the beginning of the playoff run that we’re not really “Canada’s Team”… but I think that’s okay with everyone around here.
Who we are is a community of fans who have ridden the incredible roller coaster that comes with being a supporter of this team, some for a full 40 years. There are ups and downs, it’s scary, and sometimes you get flipped head over heels. In the end, there’s no rush like it.
Go Canucks Go!
