DanceHouse and Dancers of Damelahamid present the Vancouver premiere of the politically-charged and spiritually-centred work, Vástádus eana – The answer is land. Choreographed by Elle Sofe Sara, the full-length work is a powerful exploration and reclamation of the central tenets of Sámi cultural identity: community and kinship between people and nature. Enter to win tickets below »
Vástádus eana – The answer is land, Photo credit Knut Aaserud
Vástádus eana – The Answer is Land
Dates: February 23-24, 2024 at 8:00pm
Location: Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
Having been subjected to almost-total cultural obliteration through residential schools, language suppression, and religious conversion, Vástádus eana – The answer is land embodies a critically important message about the foundational attachment arising from community and culture, and offers a return to dignity, healing, and ultimately the possibility of a new relationship with the natural world for the Sámi people.
“For Indigenous communities from around the world, artistic practices such as storytelling, singing, and dancing are an integral part of the celebration and preservation of a people’s cultural identity and overall well-being,” says Margaret Grenier, Artistic Director of Dancers of Damelahamid. “Sharing these practices offers a deep sense of healing and reclamation over their spiritual practices, and offers the opportunity to rebuild community and connection to the natural world.”
Taking inspiration from a poem that foregrounds the relationship between the Sámi people and their homeland, Sofe Sara’s choreography – at once both playful and bold – speaks to the strength and resilience of the Sámi people, as well as the community’s generational trauma caused by hundreds of years of colonialism and forced assimilation. Sámi people are Indigenous to Sápmi, the traditional territory that spans the northern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, including modern day Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia.
Enter to Win
You can enter to win a pair of tickets to the Vancouver premiere on February 23rd, here’s how:
Monsters of the Abyss is opening at the Vancouver Aquarium on February 9th. This is an all-new interactive exhibit that highlights the past and present of aquatic animals through interactive displays, live exhibits, and supersized skeletons such as megalodon and Spinosaurus.
Monsters of the Abyss at the Vancouver Aquarium
Sink your teeth into history as you learn about extinction-level events and discover why these creatures were so universally feared. Come face-to-face with some of the “monsters” still roaming today’s oceans, rivers, and lakes in new, extraordinary live habitats, and dare to get up close during daily expert-led Animal Talks. Until September 2nd, guests will have a daily opportunity to get up close with some of the animals in this exhibit.
“Monsters of the Abyss is a chance to explore and learn about aquatic predators. This exhibit unpacks these little-known species and their unique histories,” said Vancouver Aquarium Executive Director Clint Wright.
Family Day Deal
From February 9-19, 2024 only, get one free child ticket with regular general admission or bring a friend free if you become a member. Spend Family Day under the sea and be amongst the first to explore this all-new interactive exhibit.
The evolution of Oakridge, Canada’s largest redevelopment endeavour, is getting closer to completion as Oakridge Park announces some of the leading global brands, including flagship and boutique stores, scheduled to open in Spring 2025.
Photo submitted by Oakridge Park
Oakridge Park Announces Flagships and Global Brands
Redefining the city’s retail landscape, the inaugural brands that will be part of this world-class destination are Louis Vuitton, Prada, Brunello Cucinelli, Moncler, Versace and Max Mara. Upon completion, Oakridge Park will offer a curated selection of 100+ premium global brands across apparel, beauty, jewelry, watches, home décor, as well as lifestyle and wellness, alongside exceptional culinary experiences.
The first stand-alone luxury fashion boutiques in Vancouver to be announced at Oakridge Park include Maison Margiela, Miu Miu, Christian Louboutin and Alexander Wang, with more retail announcements to follow in 2024. These vanguards of style will anchor the top-tier retail experience totaling 650,000 square feet.
A much-anticipated Time Out Market, the second for Canada, will create a new culinary destination, offering some of the best cuisine from across the globe. The design of the food and cultural market, known for its unique blend of culinary excellence and cultural experiences, will be inspired by the great traditional food halls of Europe and the more contemporary ones in Asia.
Oakridge Park’s first phase is anticipated to open in Spring 2025, welcoming thousands of residents to their new home in four residential towers. Envisioned as a cultural destination and gathering place, the development will have a nine-acre park, the largest library on Vancouver’s West Side, multiple indoor and outdoor performance venues, a flagship academy for the world-renowned Goh Ballet and more.
Oakridge Park began in 2017, transforming what was formerly known as Oakridge Centre into a new five-million-square-foot town centre. Open for 70 years, the venue, was celebrated as Vancouver’s “most stylish shopping destination” and consistently ranked among the top two shopping centres, in terms of sales per square foot, in Canada.
Lunar New Year Celebration
In addition to the retail announcement, Oakridge Park is inviting the community to celebrate the Year of the Dragon at the Oakridge Park Lunar New Year Celebration at the Fairmont Pacific Rim. Now in its sixth year, the festivities are happening until February 25, 2024 with daily programming from 11:00am to 6:00pm. This will include family-focused activities such as children’s ballet classes in collaboration with the award-winning Goh Ballet Academy, Lunar New Year family portraits, floral arrangement workshops, live musical performances and more. Visit the Lobby Lounge for a special Lunar New Year dim sum menu, in collaboration with Mott 32.
JUNO-nominated Chor Leoni joins with Montreal’s award-winning La Nef for The Return Voyage, a rousing night of nautical songs. The acclaimed ensembles reunite to dive deeper into rich repertoire of sea songs and shanties. You can enter to win tickets!…
Chor Leoni photo by David Cooper
Chor Leoni and La Nef – The Return Voyage
Dates: February 16 at 7:30pm and February 17, 2024 at 2:00pm and 5:00pm
Location: St. Andrew’s-Wesley United (1022 Nelson St)
Tickets:Available from $20-$75, plus applicable fees. 35 and under ticket pricing available
The program encapsulates stories of those lives led abroad in the 18th and 19th centuries, embodying the thrill of dangerous adventure, a longing for loved ones at home, and the joys of seeing the world. The concert features arrangements from renowned Shantyman Seán Dagher whose rich, full-throated voice leads the seven members of La Nef alongside more than 60 voices of Choir Leoni on a rollicking voyage of high seas harmonies.
The 75-minute program is arranged by La Nef member and iconic Shantyman Seán Dagher. The multifaceted artist’s renditions of sea shanties and other songs have been streamed more than 70 million times through Dagher’s Shanty of the Week series and channels. As he sings and plays cittern (a Renaissance-era member of the mandolin family), the members of La Nef will join in on Irish bodhrán, bouzoukis, penny whistle, and more, while the singing lions of Chor Leoni will belt out as enthusiastically as any crew on the high seas.
Enter to Win
You can enter to win a pair of tickets to opening night, here’s how!
Spend time with family swimming or dancing, exploring a museum, taking part in a creative workshop and more across Metro Vancouver this Family Day (Monday, February 19, 2024) and throughout the weekend.
There will be events across the city at recreation centres and local attractions. Enjoy the day with Family at a Toonie Skate, Family Yoga or Zumba classes, a day at the museum, or even a Family Hike. Burnaby Village Museum will be open from 11:00am to 4:00pm with free admission. Visitors wishing to ride the carousel can purchase a ticket ($2.52 plus tax). Last carousel ride at 3:45pm. Due to construction, only the Carousel Pavillion building and surrounding plaza will be open for this event.
Family day events across the city are available for registration online. Join a family yoga or dance class, learn to skate, learn printmaking or button making, or enjoy an indoor playland at various locations across New Westminster.
Investigate the biodiversity hiding under the surface of the living, working Fraser River with free admission on February 19, 2024 to the Fraser River Discovery Centre. Colour a creature to add to a Fraser River habitat map, see what you can spot in the Fraser River, and join for storytime.
Celebrate with the Children’s Art Festival at the Richmond Library/Cultural Centre on February 19th. Enjoy hands-on activities, workshops, and performing arts at the day-long program.
The Steveston Tram is participating in BC Heritage Week with free admission. Visit the museum in person, open daily February 19th to 25 from 10:00am to 4:00pm to see the interactive exhibits and meet our knowledgeable interpreters to learn more.
The Gulf of Georgia Cannery is celebrating family day with guided tours available throughout the day. Follow along to learn about how the fish in out oceans make their way to the tables of families everywhere.
Delta
Join the Discovery Centre on family day for interactive activites and gallery exploration as you learn about Delta’s history and your own family history too.
Surrey
Choose from skating, recreation centre sports or arts events, community centre celebrations and much more from the City of Surrey’s Family Day events list. This includes free admission at the Museum of Surrey, free activities at the historic Stewart Farm, and more.
Learn all about our feathered friends at Fort Langley National Historic Site on February 19th in a bird-centred Family Day with activities and special guests.
A variety of events are available at the Timms Community Centre all Family Day long weekend.
North Vancouver
Get your skates on for a Family Day Skate at The Shipyards on February 19th. Everyone’s invited to a day filled with music, food, and skating.
Explore creation stations and experiment together through artists mediums with support from instructors from ArtStarts in Schools at a free Family Day Open House at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
The Museum of Vancouver is offering Carving Paddles, a day of drop-in paddle making demonstrations and discussions with Jody Sparrow.
The Vancouver Aquarium has a special offer from February 9 to 19 only, get one free child ticket with regular general admission or bring a friend free if you become a member! Spend Family Day under the sea and be amongst the first to explore the all-new interactive exhibit, Monsters of the Abyss.
Celebrate the 1 year to go milestone of the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 with Unconquered Sports Day at Seaforth Armoury. This free Family Day event offers the chance to try some of the adaptive sports that will be featured in the Invictus Games such as Wheelchair Basketball, Sitting Volleyball, Wheelchair Curling, and Indoor Rowing.
Join Family Services of Greater Vancouver as they celebrate Family Day with Vancouver Public Library. Stop by the promenade at Central Branch from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday, February 17th.
Take inspiration from current exhibitions at the Vancouver Art Gallery and discover ways to learn, dream, and connect through art. Free for kids 12 and under, when accompanied by an adult. Free for Gallery Members or with admission. Youth 18 and under always visit free!
Enjoy a full day of free family fun at the Coal Harbour Community Centre in Vancouver with games, crafts, bouncy castle, and baby playtime.
The Robson Square ice rink will be open for free skating on Family Day, and they have a variety of theme nights this month. The next is neon night February 21st.
The Vancouver Maritime Museum is hosting a day of entertainment and education for family members of all ages. Pay What You Wish: Consider a minimum donation of $5 per ticket.
This list will be updated daily until Family Day so check back often! If you have an event, feel free to send it in for a free listing.
