Fan Expo Vancouver returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre with a star-studded lineup of celebrity guests, events, cosplay, comics, gaming and more this Family Day Long Weekend.
Fan Expo Vancouver 2022
When: February 19-21, 2022
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place)
Tickets: Available online now. Select from Single Day passes, Three-Day passes, Premium and VIP packages. Children under age 12 can attend for free on Sunday and Monday with the use of the Kids Free Coupon.
All tickets provide full access to the Expo, including workshops and panels, celebrity Q&A’s, hundreds of vendors and artists, gaming areas, cosplay contests, and more.
Evening events, photo ops, and special packages are sold separately.
The 11th annual event features an all-star line-up of pop culture’s hottest stars and beloved icons including Ming-Na Wen (The Book of Boba Fett, Mulan, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), William Shatner (Star Trek), “Jay and Silent Bob” (Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes) reuniting with three of their Clerks castmates, the Trailer Park Boys (Mike Smith, John Paul Tremblay, and Rob Wells), Billy West (Futurama), Tom Welling (Smallville), as well as today’s hottest creators, artists, cosplayers, and more.
Fan Expo Vancouver Photo
The three-day event features more than 150,000 square feet of pop culture fun for every kind of fan: guests can browse hundreds of artists and vendors selling everything from custom art and vintage collectibles to the hottest pop culture swag, meet their favourite stars and creators, and enjoy the epic cosplay of their fellow attendees (or cosplay themselves) on the show floor or on stage at the Vancouver Cosplay Craftsmanship Cup.
Fan Expo Vancouver Comics Photo by John Bollwitt
Guests can take part in 50+ hours of on-stage and interactive programming like celebrity guest panels, live sketch duels, hands-on science demos, more anime programming than ever before (VA Q&A’s, dance shows, screenings, and more), and a new series on Vancouver’s true crime and paranormal history. Plus, the return of the Cosplay Red Carpet and the FXV Family Zone, perfect for fans of all ages and families celebrating the Family Day long weekend in true fan fashion.
A full health & safety plan was released 30 days prior to the show and continues to update as recommendations and restrictions evolve. To ensure attendees can maintain social distance to their comfort, organizers have capped attendance and added an extra hall (halls A,B,C), expanded aisle and queues, and will only permit masks to be removed in dedicated food and beverage areas. All staff and participants over the age of 12 will be expected to provide proof of vaccination via QR and accompanying government issued I.D.
Win Weekend Passes
I have a pair of full weekend Fan Expo passes to give away (value $180)! Here’s how you can enter to win:
There will be a new way for tourists (and fun-loving locals) to get around town this summer as Vancouver has approved business licensing for quadricycle pedal tours.
City of Vancouver photo
Quadricycle Pedal Tours Approved in Vancouver
The four-wheeled pedal-powered cycles will transport groups of passengers on pre-approved routes to businesses like breweries and other areas of interests in the city. Tour operators will be required to obtain both a valid vehicles-for-hire business licence and street-use approval prior to operating.
“With this new licensing, residents and visitors will experience a new way to travel in groups between local destinations and businesses,” said Sarah Hicks, Chief Licence Inspector. “We know the last two years have been challenging, and this is an opportunity that will help businesses with their economic recovery, keep a few more cars off the road, and bring some fun and enjoyment to the city.”
Quadricycles will be permitted on streets during the following times:
Monday to Saturday: 7:00am to 10:00pm
Sundays and holidays: 10:00am to 10:00pm
“The introduction of quadricycles is a new, fun way for locals and visitors to explore Vancouver and aligns with our climate emergency goals of reducing carbon pollution from how we move on our streets,” said Paul Storer, Transportation Director. “We will work with tour companies to ensure quadricycles operate safely so they don’t impact the movement of other road users.”
To help maintain safety on the streets for other vehicles, bikes and pedestrians, tour operators will need to submit proposed tour routes for approval prior to using the quadricycles on any road.
Quadricycles will generally be restricted to minor streets and laneways, and will be prohibited in protected bike lanes
Organizers of quadricycle tours are encouraged to arrange private parking. If private parking cannot be arranged, parking is permitted at any legal parking space provided any parking fees for that space are paid.
Per Provincial regulations consumption of liquor and/or cannabis is prohibited while operating or on a quardricycle.
Herstory in Focus is the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre’s annual fundraising gala and this year it’s taking place virtually on March 10th. The 6th annual event will include musical acts, a silent auction, performances, comedy, and more. The goal of the virtual gala is to raise $100,000 to help fun the DEWC’s expanding meals program.
Herstory in Focus 2022
When: Thursday, March 10, 2022 Where: Live streamed from the Vancouver Art Gallery Tickets: Available online now! Earlybird tickets ($35) are on sale until midnight February 16th.
Herstory in Focus will be hosted by Savannah Erasmus! A “vintage” comedian based in Vancouver. She was raised in Kikino Metis Settlement and Cold Lake First Nation, in Treaty 6 Territory (Northern Alberta). Her Indigenous perspective and fashion focused lens create a fresh and unique stand-up persona that audiences adore. Stay tuned for more announcements on performers and special auction items.
About the DEWC
Founded in 1978, DEWC is one of the few safe spaces within the Downtown Eastside exclusively for self-identified women and their children. High levels of violence, homelessness, addictions and poverty characterize the Downtown Eastside community. Women and children are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, injustice and injury. They provide practical support to over 700 women and children every day.
The number of women accessing their services has grown by 50% since provincial health and safety restrictions were first relaxed on July 1, 2021. Throughout the pandemic, they have continued to serve hundreds of meals daily from the Drop-in Centre, 24-hour Emergency Shelter, and warming and respite spaces. All of the DEWC’s service sites offer safety, community, and respite from the conditions of living in extreme poverty and experiencing marginalization in the Downtown Eastside.
Meals are the biggest draw to their service sites, encouraging social interaction, and acting as a catalyst for women’s access to integrated, trauma-informed programs and services offered through their agency. A woman coming into the low-barrier environment can access a hot meal without intake, and this will often lead her to benefit from other basic needs, such as a hot shower or clean clothing, or lead her a continuum of support services that may help her obtain safe housing, a treatment bed, or income supports.
Kitchen staff purchase quality meats and fish, as well as large quantities of vegetables to ensure that every meal is balanced and nutritious. They also consider special needs, providing options that take into account women living with chronic illness or women with oral health issues who require soft foods, along with a vegetarian option at every meal.
Your support and attendance will help fun the meal program. Purchase your tickets today and follow the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre on Facebook for more info.
Miss604 is a proud Media Sponsor of Herstory in Focus 2022
The BC Home + Garden Show returns to BC Place March 10-13, 2022 featuring HGTV Canada’s celebrity contractor Bryan Baeumler, and HGTV Canada’s Love it or List it Vancouver host, Todd Talbot. The Show will showcase local home renovation, garden and culinary experts with engaging features designed to help bring any home and garden project to life.
BC Home + Garden Show photos submitted
BC Home + Garden Show 2022
When: Thursday, March 10 & Friday, March 11 from 11:00am to 9:00pm
Real Home Advice from Local Trusted Experts. After a one-year hiatus, the spring-filled BC Home + Garden Show you’ve been waiting for returns, with appearances from local experts and celebrities alike. Explore this year’s top trends in cooking, decorating, gardening, renovating and plenty more for four days only.
See HGTV Canada’s celebrity contractor Bryan Baeumler, presented by My House Design/Build and HGTV Canada’s Love It or List It Vancouver host, Todd Talbot on the Main Stage, along with must-see locals including Trisha Isabey, Jarris Neufeld, and Kathy Yuen. Showgoers will also enjoy seminars and live demos from the city’s most respected food and drink experts including Chef Bruno Feldeisen, Great Canadian Baking Show; Chef Jermone Soubeyrand, COAST Restaurant; and Chef Max Straczek, Fable Kitchen. You’ll walk away with trusted advice and inspiration a-plenty to help you level up your home, garden, and kitchen game this season.
Visit the Beach Bar, the Beach Hideaway, the BC Hydro Learning Centre, Art in the Garden, and even a Got Craft? Spring Market pop-up. Visit Vancouver Sun’s Gardening School, the Garden Market, and get questions answered at the Help Desk. View the full Interactive Exhibitor List online to plan your visit.
Win Tickets
I have a four-pack of tickets to give away! Here’s how you can enter to win:
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.
Limitless Potential
No matter where you live, a large city, or even small town, chances are you have seen a young person who is experiencing homelessness. As individuals and as a society, it is important that we do everything we can to support all youth. Why? As a former Covenant House Vancouver youth so eloquently stated, “Given the right environment, we are all capable of greatness.” The term greatness is subjective, so let’s use it in the sense of a person becoming their best self. We can’t predict how a youth’s story will end, but at this stage of their lives, their potential is close to limitless.
Meet creator and artist Makia
In February of 2019, Makia came to Vancouver, and she needed a safe place to stay. “That’s when CHV opened their doors for me. It felt like home.” To Makia, CHV was a safe place where she was heard and appreciated. “[They] helped me with everything. They helped me get a job, get my ID, they helped me enroll in school and look into scholarships.”
“I felt like I was capable of doing anything,” shared Makia. She believes that in order to help prevent youth from becoming homeless, the challenges that youth face need to be tackled at the youth level – and she believes that CHV does this very well.
During her time at CHV, Makia’s confidence grew, and she began to believe in herself. “CHV built my confidence. I would look out the window every day and smile.” Makia has an amazing view on life. She has embraced her journey and her challenges. “Right now, I’m working. I’m planning on going to music school. I’m a musician and I write music. I’m discovering who I am, and I am proud of that. I’m proud of this moment.”
“I am happy that I am able to creatively express myself through art and music. I feel like I am a part of art. It has always felt like it was a therapeutic way of self-expression.” After her stay at CHV, Makia shared her passion for music and her gratitude for all that CHV did for her, by producing her first music video. “The video shows the struggle and the loneliness of those specifically dealing with homelessness.” She hired the videographer, found the locations and “found a special person to be in the video with me.”
Take a moment to enjoy this impactful video
Makia’s message for any young person who is hurting, struggling, or lost
The take-away message that Makia hopes the viewers will carry with them is to have understanding and compassion for those on a different journey than their own. “Sometimes, somethings are just unexplainable.” Makia is inspired by the world. She believes that we can all learn from one another to create bigger possibilities.
Makia has a message for any young person who is hurting, struggling, or lost. “We are all purposeful and important. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. When people are pushing you to be your best it’s because they see the best in you. Continue to push forward to achieve or maintain your happiness.”
Makia has grown as a person and as an artist. She used to feel like she was a failure when things didn’t work out for her. She’s realized that dealing with grief is a process, so she takes her time with each step of her healing and moves forward.
Since 1997, Covenant House Vancouver has been providing love and hope to youth experiencing homelessness. They are the premiere service provider of residential and outreach services for homeless and at-risk youth ages 16 to 24 in Vancouver. Follow Covenant House on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.
