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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by the West End BIA Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
With Lumiere Vancouver entering its last week of beautiful public art, the festival wants to celebrate with a fantastic staycation giveaway from a few of the amazing businesses in the neighbourhood.
Jim Deva Plaza. Photo by Christopher Edmonstone
Lumiere Vancouver Staycation Contest
Here’s what you can enter to win, to enjoy and experience the West End, valued at $400:
In the comments of that Instagram post, tag a friend you’ll be enjoying this staycation with (when safe!)
The contest is open for entries until Tuesday, December 1st at 11:59pm. Must be a resident of the Lower Mainland to win. The winner will be contacted directly via Instagram direct message.
Photo by Christopher Edmonstone
Now in its 7th year, Lumiere Vancouver is showcasing seven amazing interactive art installations adding sparkle and excitement to two iconic sites: English Bay and Jim Deva Plaza off Davie Street. The extension of the event dates this year has been put in place to ensure that visitors can enjoy the artwork without creating a crowd situation, therefore allowing for proper social-distancing and COVID-19 precautions.
The Museum of Vancouver’s next webinar will explore the concept of shopping Indigenous First and outline the importance of supporting Indigenous businesses this holiday season.
MOV Webinar: Shopping Indigenous First
When: Saturday, November 28, 2020 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Tickets: $1-$10 Sliding Scale (+fee/GST)
Have you ever wondered if it is appropriate to wear Indigenous art clothing if you are not Indigenous? Have you wondered how to source Authentic Indigenous Makers?
Ay Lelum will discuss the impact of non-Indigenous allyship and how others should support by wearing and purchasing such products. With the shift in consumer consciousness of wanting to support Indigenous and BIPOC businesses, they will also discuss how a consumer can identify Authentic Makers.
Not only will Ay Lelum outline what they do as a Second Generation Coast Salish Design House, they will also share other like-minded Indigenous businesses and markets to support.
About Ay Lelum’s Latest Collection
Ay Lelum went into full production mode as Sisters, Aunalee and Sophia independently launched their dynamic new collection, presenting it online in photo and video format for the F/W 2020 Season.
The featured brand captured the essence of Coast Salish art, language, and music through their showcase of wearable art garments, featuring Traditional Coast Salish artwork by their Father, William Good and Brother Joel Good of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. The video launch features their exciting new music in conjunction with the collection–available on major streaming platforms.
Join Ay Lelum for a virtual shopping event at 2:00pm (following the webinar) to view their newest collection and interact with them directly on Facebook Live.
Contributed by Bonnie Burnside, Chair, Downtown Surrey BIA
How would you like to give a little cheer to some of the families in need in our community?
Did you know that the Surrey Christmas Bureau assists 1,800-2,000 families per year with toys and food cards to insure they have a Happy Christmas? This makes Surrey Christmas Bureau the largest Christmas Bureau in BC.
This year, we expect that more of our neighbours will need help.
Ways to Support Surrey Christmas Bureau This Season
What can you do? Visit the Surrey Christmas Bureau website and give a donation through the link on their website. You can also drop off a cash or cheque or toys directly to the Christmas Toy Depot at 13853 – 104 Avenue, Surrey (the former Funky Monkey Children’s Play Centre) Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm (wear your mask).
Did you know that most donated toys are dropped off at the Surrey Christmas Bureau after December 1?
This year, we have to do things differently. Parents are picking up their hampers earlier and the shelves are bare. We store enough toys from the previous year to get started but with an earlier pick-up date, parents are already showing up and we are running out of items for all ages.
Toy Donations
How can you help? Drop off your unwrapped toy donations as early as possible. Some ideas for children young children include trucks, dolls and books; for 8-12 year olds – arts & crafts, Lego, Hatchimals, LOL dolls; and for teens – gift card, sports equipment, art supplies. A more complete list is available on the Surrey Christmas Bureau website.
Did you know that over 600 families are “adopted” by service groups, businesses and individual families wanting to spread some Christmas spirit?
Adopting a family is a more personal way to give. You are matched with a family and given some ideas for each child and then purchase gifts. You can either deliver the gifts to the home of the family or drop them off at the Toy Depot where the family will pick up the hamper you have put together.
The Christmas Bureau has a dedicated team matching families with sponsors. Given the new protocols in place (they are all working remotely), they are a little slower than usual so if you have already contacted the Adopt-A-Family team and haven’t received a response, they should be caught up by November 30.
Adopt-A-Family
What can you do? You can contact the Adopt-A-Family team and sign up to Adopt A Family. Remember, families come in all sizes. Please consider adopting a larger family.
Virtual Fundraisers
Did you know that most of the Surrey Christmas Bureau events are run by third parties – groups that support the Surrey Christmas Bureau?
Although we still have supporters, they are finding it more and more difficult to run events and still follow the protocols in place by the Provincial Health Authority. Here are some ideas you might consider:
If you are working onsite, ask your co-workers to bring an unwrapped toy to work. The toys can then be dropped off at the Surrey Christmas Bureau Toy Depot.
If you are working remotely and your company used to organize a Christmas lunch, use the money you would have spent to adopt a family. Or give a portion of the money you have saved not having to commute to the Surrey Christmas Bureau and Challenge your co-remote workers to donate as well.
Ryley and Chloe have been collecting toys and money for the Christmas Bureau for 5 years through their Spaghetti Dinner. This year, they are asking people to drop toys and cash/cheques to the Christmas Bureau every Saturday from 2:00 to 3:00pm. Support them and support the Christmas Bureau at the same time.
If your group or company hosts an annual Christmas Party, use the money that you would have spent on your party and donate it to the Surrey Christmas Bureau. You can send a message to your guests, wishing them a Merry Christmas and telling them that your party money has gone to help families in the area.
Organize a virtual pub or karaoke night and give the proceeds to the Surrey Christmas Bureau. You could even include a Silent Auction.
The Downtown Surrey BIA will be hosting the Gingerbread Village again this year (starting on December 5th) but you will have the opportunity to vote online (every dollar equals one vote) for your favourite gingerbread creation. The creator of the creation that gets the most votes will win $1000 so everyone wins!
However you can help is appreciated. If you need assistance, you can register online.
Book your flight and Soar with Santa this Christmas at FlyOver Canada. Rain or shine, the popular attraction is open with COVID safety measures in place.
Christmas at FlyOver Canada
When: Now until January 3, 2021 daily 3:00pm to 7:00pm, from 11:00am on Fridays and Saturdays. Closed on Christmas Day. Where:Canada Place (201 – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver) Admission: Book tickets online in advance. From Monday to Friday with the purchase of any adult ticket get complimentary admission for one child, a cookie and 50% off a souvenir photo.
Enjoy festive treats and classic Christmas movies on the flight deck or listen to the live entertainment “The Sounds of Christmas.” Then, fly like Santa from the east to west coast before your exhilarating trip to the North Pole.
FlyOver Canada utilizes state-of-the-art technology to reveal some of Canada’s most awe-inspiring sights as you have never seen them before. You will hang suspended, feet dangling, before a 20-metre spherical screen while the film whisks you away on an exhilarating 8-minute journey.
Shows commence approximately every 15 to 20 minutes during operating hours. The total experience will take approximately 25 minutes, including the 8 minutes you’ll spend on the Ultimate Flying Ride.
Mask are mandatory. Follow FlyOver Canada on Facebook for more info.
Highstreet Shopping Centre in partnership with PARK is excited to present Holidays at Highstreet featuring ILLUMINATE: A Neon Art and Music Installation. Holidays at Highstreet will include five unique Instagrammable installations by Canadian artists that you can enjoy safely at a distance.
ILLUMINATE (left) Photo by Tyler Stalman (right) Photo by Ali Miri
Holidays at Highstreet
Where: 3122 Mt. Lehman Road, Abbotsford (Exit #83 off Hwy 1) When: Until January 1, 2020 12:00pm to 6:00pm (9:00pm Fri/Sat) Admission: Free! By private appointment only, book online
Guests will be transported to a holiday wonderland as they walk a 75 foot runway leading to a 65 foot light animated Christmas tree, one of the tallest in Canada. A neon art and music installation, titled ILLUMINATE awaits underneath the tree.
The immersive light experience, ILLUMINATE, is the first of its kind for Highstreet. With music mixed by DJ Joash Charles, guests can download the track in advance so they will never miss a beat during their session.
In addition to their ILLUMINATE experience, visitors will take in a series of modern vignettes and murals designed by Vancouver-based artists Tierney Milne and The WKNDRS. These large-scale, vibrant candy cane hued vignettes will provide plenty of photo-worthy opportunities for families this year.
Keeping COVID-19 at the forefront, Highstreet is committed to the safety of guests while keeping the holiday tradition alive. All guests will be required to reserve a time slot for their ILLUMINATE experience online in advance. For the convenience of guests, time slots will be available 7 days a week (hours available online). Additionally, cleaning will be done in between each session in order to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all.
Anchor tenants at Highstreet include Sephora, Walmart Supercentre, London Drugs, H&M, OLD NAVY and Cineplex VIP Theatres.
