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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by The Improv Centre Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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The Improv Centre (TIC) on Granville Island presents a family-friendly summer show, Tall Tales: The Quest Is Up To You!, Fridays and Saturday nights from June to August.
Raf Rogers, Riley Hardwick, Holly Collis Handford, Alex Gullason, Emily Schoen. Photo by Jalen Laine Photography
Family-Friendly Improv Show on Granville Island
When: 7:30pm from June 29 to August 19, 2023
Show duration: 90 minutes including an intermission
There will also be a special opening night on Thursday, June 29 at 7:30pm and an additional Canada Day long weekend performance on Sunday, July 2 at 7:30pm
Where: The Improv Centre (1502 Duranleau St, Granville Island)
Tickets: Starting at $26.50 and are available online or in person at the TIC Box Office. Tickets for opening night (June 29) will be priced at $15.
Join our hero on a fantastical journey where the audience is the author. Inspired by fantasy fan favourites like The Princess Bride, Labyrinth and Lord of the Rings, Tall Tales: The Quest Is Up To You! will whisk audiences off to a faraway land where laughs and larks abound. What happens along the way? It’s up to YOU!
TIC ensemble member and creator of Tall Tales: The Quest Is Up To You!, Mary Saunders, says: “There’s something very appealing about a classic story arc to me, and fantasy tales are a really fun, limitless way to explore that. I wanted the format to reflect some predictable and nostalgic elements of storytelling while still being unpredictable in nature as well as rich and diverse in content. It has been exciting figuring out how to create a form that can both reflect those fantasy storytelling elements while being fresh each time. I’m looking forward to our ensemble getting the time and space allowed by long form to explore character arcs more extensively and dive into the richness of the world we build based on unique suggestions from our audience.”
Youth can also check out The Improv Centre’s Teen Camp! Intro to Improv Comedy for Grades 7-9 and 10-12 either July 17-21 or July 31 to August 4.
Sunshine, crisp waves, and the convenience of a quick bus ride makes Vancouver area beaches hard to resist. These sandy destinations the perfect places to take in the gorgeous weather not to mention fantastic local views. Of course, sometimes the easiest way to get around is to leave the car at home. Here’s a list of 5 local beaches, made easy to get to with transit, all beginning at a SkyTrain Station.
Spanish Banks Beach Granville SkyTrain Station to Spanish Banks Beach Located along the shores of English Bay in the West Point Grey neighbourhood, Spanish Banks boasts gorgeous views of mountains and downtown Vancouver, refreshing surf, and plenty of area for your favourite beach activities. Find your way to Spanish Banks beginning at Granville Skytrain Station, locate the bus stop a short 3 minute walk up Seymour Street. The 004 Blanca arrives every 12 minutes, ride for 21 stops – totalling around 30 minutes – and get off at WB W 4th Ave @ W Georgia St. Finally, from this destination Spanish Banks Beach is a quick 10 minute walk west on Sasamat Street.
Second Beach Burrard SkyTrain Station to Second Beach Second Beach is found in Stanley Park featuring picnic shelters, stand-alone barbeques, a heated pool, and scenic views. From Burrard Station Bay 1, the 005 Robson (arriving every 7 minutes) takes you down Robson Street for 8 stops where you disembark at SB Denman St @ Pendrell St. From here, a 13 minute walk on Morton Ave – which then turns into Beach Ave – until reaching the Stanley Park Seawall Path. Lastly, follow the path all the way to your destination Second Beach.
Burrard SkyTrain Station to Second Beach (alternative) From Burrard SkyTrain head north to Pender and catch the 019 Metrotown-Stanley Park bus and select the stop just before the roundabout as you’re entering the park. Exit there and cross the street, do under the causeway overpass, and follow Lagoon Drive or the Lost Lagoon gravel path all the way west out to Second Beach.
Centennial Beach Bridgeport SkyTrain Station to Centennial Beach Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen features a spacious playground, numerous walking trails, sheltered picnic areas, and a café. From Bridgeport SkyTrain Station in Richmond, the 602 Tsawwassen Heights arrives every 60 minutes. Following this, stay onboard for 4 stops and disembark at South Delta Exchange @ Bay 2, exchange buses for the 619 Boundary Bay. Next, ride the bus for 12 stops and get off at SB 67 St @ 3rd Ave. Finally, a short 10 minute walk down centennial Pkwy takes you to Centennial Beach. Furthermore, this trip totally just under an hour.
White Pine Beach Moody Centre Station to White Pine Beach Beautiful walking trails following the lakes shoreline, sandy beaches, cooling water, and picnic tables make White Pine Beach a popular summer hangout spot for families. Firstly, from Moody Centre Station catch the 182 Belcarra for a 30 minute ride (33 stops). Secondly, disembark at WB Bedwell Bay Rd @ White Pine Beach Rd where you then walk under 20 minutes to the final destination of White Pine Beach.
Crescent Beach King George Station to Crescent Beach Enjoy swimming, nature trails, views from the pier, and so much more at Crescent Beach. To begin your journey, the 394 White Rock Centre arrives every 30 minutes at the King George Station Bay 2. Ride the bus for 13 stops, totally under 40 minutes. Next, exchange buses at the South Surrey Park & Ride Bay 2 for the 352 White Rock Centre bus and stay on for 9 stops. Finally, exit the bus at SB 128 St @ Crescent Rd and exchange for the 350 Crescent Beach. Stay onboard for 3 stops and disembark at WB Sullivan St @ Beecher St. From here Crescent Beach is a quick 5 minute walk.
Also this Summer
TransLink is partnering with local businesses, restaurants, museums, and other regional destinations to provide discount incentives for customers who take transit to get there. Participating organizations and details are on the Ride & Shine Webpage, along with an interactive map with wayfinding information about how to travel to tourism hotspots sustainably.
The #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver (“CHV”). Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV. This month’s post has been written by Jason Bosher.
Happy Pride Month from Covenant House Vancouver!
The Origin of Pride Month
Although Pride Month is considered by many as a celebration, it is important to remember that the origins of Pride began with an uprising against oppression and discrimination; namely the Stonewall Uprising (often referred to as the Stonewall Riots).
Jaden’s Journey
There is insidious disinformation out there that problematizes and pathologizes trans folks. What is armchair philosophy to some folks ends up resulting in harm for trans folks, here and around the world.
At age eight, Jaden ran away from home. Being a trans youth in South Asia was extremely challenging. Jaden was caught and brought back to the family home, where they were hidden from society. Moving to Canada did not change things. Jaden was not allowed to have many friends, and when they wished to express themselves through art, supplies were purchased and brought to the family home. The family thought that they were protecting Jaden, but they were doing the opposite.
Jaden came to CHV from a hospital setting, as they were dealing with their psychosis and suicidality that stemmed from family not allowing Jaden to be transgender. At that time, Jaden’s art was very dark — black and white compositions full of dead or decaying images.
Over time, Jaden came to the realization that they identified as male and female. Now, Jaden looks at their gender as an expression of how they feel that day. Jaden has now moved to the female-identified floor of Rights of Passage. Even early on in their stay at CHV, Jaden stated that “CHV was the best thing that ever happened to me!”
Jaden takes pamphlets that pertain to the trans community, when they meet with family, to try and help them understand. Jaden has learned to have conversations around the pamphlets via text messages, because if the messages are upsetting, Jaden can simply delete them.
A regular occurrence at CHV is teatime, hosted by Kadee, Lead Spiritual Care Practitioner at CHV. It’s a time for youth to gather with Kadee, have tea and chat in a very casual setting. Kadee has noticed that Jaden had begun to practise self-care. Kadee said: “It’s wonderful to see that in a non-dictating space that we provide, Jaden is exploring who they really are. For some, being trans is a linear process where the internal self and the external self align, but I can see that having both a male and a female presence, is very true to who Jaden is. It’s a privilege to see someone trust their own voice and trust their own sense of what they need and who they are.”
Last year, Jaden was able to celebrate Pride for the first time. Their Pride artwork was made into posters and pins. Jaden’s artwork has gone from black and white to a flourish of colour and celebration. Jaden, who is quite shy, is now reaching out to other 2SLGBTQAI+ groups to meet other young people. Jaden wants to take their experiences and work with, and support, other youth.
Jaden’s mental health is stable. It’s been a year since they’ve had an episode of psychosis. Jaden has used their artistic talents to create a comic book in order to help parents understand what it’s like to live as a transgender person. Feeling liberated enough to express themselves has been a huge success for Jaden.
Recently, Jaden met with family and told us that their family called them Jaden for the first time! That was the first expression of acceptance that Jaden has received from their family.
*Name and identifying details have been changed for privacy reasons.
Family rejection is the most common cause of 2SLGBTQAI+ youth homelessness
2SLGBTQAI+ youth are much more likely to struggle with mental health concerns
Organizations, like CHV, that support queer youth are important in the community because, as Kadee puts it: “We see the difference it makes to have a hospitable place for trans, non-binary, and other youth across the gender spectrum. If you believe in helping young people flourish, then supporting all youth is important, across society. For youth to have the experience of ‘I am loved, I am welcomed, I am respected, not in spite of who I am, but knowing exactly who I am,’ is something that they take from here, that serves them for the rest of their lives. And then, they advocate to make that true for others.” If you’d like to help youth flourish, click here.
How do you celebrate Pride? Follow Covenant House Vancouver on their social channels and share the ways that you embrace inclusivity.
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Day of Music is back for its 4th year with over 100 free concerts of various genres on 13 stages around Vancouver on June 10th. Enjoy 12 hours of free music all throughout the city and online!
VSO Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Facebook Photo
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Day of Music
When: June 10, 2023 from 10:00am to 10:00pm
Where: 13 Locations
Admission: FREE
Now in its fourth year, the VSO’s annual Day of Music brings music to people across the province in a way that is unique, celebratory, and best of all, free!
Day of Music embraces the joy that music brings and its power to create meaningful connections with others, while showcasing the range of talent and artistry in the community.
Audiences can enjoy performances across 13 stages, including the Orpheum, Pyatt Hall at the VSO SoM, and the Annex. Additionally, pop-up venues at YVR, Bill Curtis Square in Yaletown, the Vancouver Convention Centre, and the Deloitte and TELUS Garden office buildings on West Georgia Street. Furthermore, those outside the Lower Mainland are able to watch over 20 shows on-demand on the Day of Music website, including a live broadcast of the VSO’s concert at 8:00pm.
“At the VSO and VSO School of Music, we love breaking down barriers and helping new audiences discover orchestral music, along with music of all genres! This is the perfect opportunity to sample everything that the Vancouver music scene has to offer including our phenomenal orchestra, plus music from diverse genres and musical traditions!”
Angela Elster, President & CEO of the VSO and VSO SoM.
The day will culminate with the full Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of VSO Music Director Otto Tausk, playing a free 8:00pm concert at the Orpheum. This special free concert has been curated to appeal to a broad variety of musical palettes.
To honour the VSO’s ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, the concert includes selections from Ancestral Voices, composed by the late VSO Music Director Emeritus Bramwell Tovey, and sung by special guest mezzo-soprano Marion Newman. Also, the concert features some of the most beloved orchestral repertoire around, with music by Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Dvořák, and even an intergalactic Imperial March or two by John Williams.
Day of Music is the VSO’s annual free community celebration of music and musicians. The first celebration took place in 2019 and welcomed over 14,000 people to 100 free performances in celebration of the VSO’s 100th Anniversary.
Tonight at BC Place, in front of a crowd of over 20,000 fans, Vancouver Whitecaps FC defeated CF Montréal 2-1 to win the Canadian Championship and raise the Voyageurs Cup for the second year in a row.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Win Canadian Championship for 2nd Year in a Row
Brian White scored in the 58th minute and Ryan Gauld got the second goal off a penalty shot in the 66th minute to secure the lead – and the win. This is Vancouver’s third Voyageurs Cup win, with the first in 2015 and second in 2022.
Best Young Canadian Player: Ali Ahmed
George Gross Most Valuable Player: Julian Gressel
With the championship in hand, the ‘Caps also become the first MLS club to qualify* for the revamped 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. The Concacaf Champions League, the region’s premier men’s club competition, will be known as the Concacaf Champions Cup starting in 2024.
Of the 27 teams total, up to 10 MLS teams can qualify via different pathways:
MLS regular season and Audi MLS Cup Playoffs: 5 teams (guaranteed)
Leagues Cup: 3 teams (must qualify on merit)
US Open Cup: 1 team (champion only)
Canadian Championship: 1 team (champion only)*
The Concacaf Champions Cup will continue to be played in a direct elimination knockout stage format and will be composed of five rounds: Round One, Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Final.
The first four stages will each include home and away play, while the Final, where the region’s Champion will be crowned, will be played as a single-leg match on a weekend date. Of the 27 clubs that will participate, 22 will begin play in Round One and five will receive a bye to the Round of 16.
The competition provides a qualification route to the new and expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which begins in 2025.
