Denyse Waissbluth has traveled to over 20 different countries and experienced teatime in every single one. In her new children’s bookTeatime Around the World, she pairs her sweet, simple poetry with facts about tea cultures worldwide.
Teatime Around the World
With illustrations by Chelsea O’Byrne, this poetic picture book takes children of all ages on an adventure around the world to discover new cultures and friends through tea. I had the chance to chat with Denyse about the book and her own global adventures with tea.
Chanterelles in Stanley Park. Photo by Peter Woods
Using the ingredients and tools the land provides us is something we can all learn and appreciate, especially given the bountiful place which we call home on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam Nations.
At this time of year, the forests can open up with unique seasonal plants and fungi that can be used in a variety of ways. You can learn and put to practice some of these uses when you sign up for these upcoming foraging events in Vancouver:
Foraging Events in Vancouver
Saturday, October 24, 2020 Lessons from the Forests: Natural dyeing with mushrooms, lichens, and plants Join wildlife ecologist and mushroom dyer Zoe McDonell and local Musqeaum artist Rita Kompst as they provide an overview of foraging and harvesting natural dyes from the forests of the Pacific Northwest using mushrooms, lichens, and plants. Discover how to ethically harvest mushrooms as they discuss the deep roots of these colours through blending traditional Coast Salish knowledge with modern science. This webinar is for anyone looking to view the forests around us in a different light and for anyone who wonders what is out there after the rains come.
When: Third Wednesday of the month at 4:30pm (ends Wednesday December 16, 2020 at 5:30pm)
Join each month for a celebration of Black lives, Black culture and activism, and Black musical and poetic expression. Each event is hosted by Ndidi Cascade and will feature a live performance followed by a moderated Q&A with the artist.
Lineup
September 16, 2020: Marcus Mosely (watch recording) Marcus is a member of the Entertainment Hall of Fame, The Sojourners (singing trio), and has sung throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, Australia and the Middle East. Originally from Ralls, Texas, Marcus grew up immersed in the music and culture of the Gospel tradition. He moved to Vancouver in 1985 and became a Canadian citizen in 2008. In 2016, he was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame.
October 21, 2020: Tonye Aganaba (sign up) Tonye Aganaba is a multidisciplinary artist, musician, and arts facilitator residing on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam & Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Their new album ‘Something Comfortable’ is an intentional and devotional endeavour inspired by their battle with Multiple Sclerosis. The album serves as the score to ‘AfroScience’ an immersive performance and workshop series fusing live music, dance, visual art/digital media and storytelling to stimulate conversation and action around identity, public health, and expression.
November 18, 2020: Ndidi Cascade & Shad (sign up) This event will feature a performance by host Ndidi Cascade, followed by a Q&A with Shad.
Ndidi Cascade, who is of Nigerian-Italian-Irish-Canadian heritage, is a Vancouver born and based hip hop vocalist. She is also a songwriter, recording artist, educator and program facilitator. Ndidi has showcased her music across North America and internationally– from classrooms to stadiums, and her music has been featured on Much Music and MTV Canada. She has shared the stage with talents such as Wu-Tang Clan, Femi Kuti, Digable Planets, The Mad Professor, De La Soul, K-OS and K’naan.
Juno Award-winning rapper, Shad, is considered a leading voice in Canadian rap. With his six studio albums–four of which have been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize–Shad has developed a reputation for skillfully blending pop craftsmanship with serious subject matter, from the personal to the political and philosophical. Shad has also lent his voice to the industry in other ways – as the host of CBC Radio’s “q” and as current host of Netflix’s Peabody Award-winning docuseries Hip Hop Evolution.
December 16, 2020: Dawn Pemberton (sign up) Vibrant, genuine and soulful, Dawn has deep musical roots that take her powerful voice from gospel and soul to jazz, funk and world music. She has become a staple of the Vancouver music scene and can often be found “tearin’” it up as a vocalist, pianist, teacher, adjudicator, choir director and “go to girl” for live performances and studio sessions. Her debut solo album, Say Somethin’, released on DoRight! Music won Best Urban Recording at the 2015 Western Canadian Music Awards and has received praise from around the globe forecasting her as “…the new queen of Canadian soul.”
Follow the UBC Equity and Inclusion office on Facebook and Twitter for information about these events and more.
Following an incredible second year, the Vancouver Podcast Festival, presented by DOXA, returns for its 2020 ‘At Home’ edition. The virtual festival takes place November 18-22 online.
Vancouver Podcast Festival
When: November 18-22, 2020 Where: Online Tickets: Event prices range from free or pay-what-you-can to $5 (students, seniors, reduced income) and $10 (adults) per ticketed event, and $25 (full festival pass).
Given the pandemic, VanPodFest has refined its programming, but still offers a robust mix of live events, workshops, panels, and VanPodFest’s first-ever pitch session over five days.
The much-loved Hope in Shadows calendar from Megaphone Magazine has been re-designed this year as a more functional, conveniently sized day planner.
Hope in Shadows is a photography project that shares the stories of people experiencing poverty and homelessness through their own lens, and in its 18-year history, it has put more than $1 million directly into the pockets of low-income vendors in BC.
The 2021 day planner features 13 beautiful photographs captured by photographers from the Megaphone community. It also includes memo space, tear-away notecards, stories, and much more.
