Growing Room A Feminist Literary Festival

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

North America’s only feminist literary festival, Growing Room, has announced its events lineup of more than 50 events from Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 17, 2019, at accessible venues across Vancouver.

Celebrated writers from across North America will explore some of the most current, pressing ideas in literature today through reading, debating, performing and singing.

Growing Room A Feminist Literary Festival

Tickets: Available online starting February 1, 2019

Growing Room A Feminist Literary Festival

Growing Room A Feminist Literary Festival is Room magazine’s annual literary festival, a celebration of diverse Canadian writers and artists which takes place every March on the traditional, unceded, and ancestral territory of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish peoples (Vancouver, British Columbia).

Curated by 2018 City of Vancouver Book Award-winner Chelene Knight (Dear Current Occupant), along with a programming team from Room including publisher Meghan Bell and Indigenous Brilliance organizers Jessica Johns, jaye simpson, and Patricia Massy, Growing Room seeks to highlight the incredible expanse of work created by talented, often minority authors, while re-sculpting the landscape of stories shared in Canada.

Event Highlights

Int’l Women’s Day Burlesque Show and Dance Party Friday, March 8, 2019
A launch party like no other, Growing Room 2019 kicks off with performances from Virago Nation—an all Indigenous burlesque troupe—and DJ Kookum. Bring your dancing shoes.

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Vancouver Heritage Week 2019

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Heritage Week celebrates cultural heritage and historic places across BC and Canada. In 2019, the theme is “Heritage: The Tie That Binds”.

The Vancouver Heritage Foundation (“VHF”) will be offering events that celebrate the power heritage has to bring people together and create a sense of belonging. VHF is offering several opportunities during the week to explore historic places, and to learn about and celebrate cultural heritage.

Vancouver Heritage Week

When:February 18 to February 24, 2019

Heritage Hall
Heritage Hall on Main Street

Places That Matter Community Celebration
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 6:00pm to 8:30pm
Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street, Vancouver)
Free, all are welcome! After a very positive response to this event in 2018, VHF is bringing a new group of speakers, plus musicians, food and refreshments, and community displays to a new venue (Heritage Hall)

Oakridge Community History Walking Tour
Sunday, February 24, 2019 10:00am to 12:00pm
Register here – $20
Tour the Oakridge neighbourhood with Michael Schwartz of the Jewish Museum & Archives of BC to learn about the vibrant Jewish community’s roots and legacy in this transforming area.

Tea at Chinatown House Saturday, February 23, 2019 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Chinatown House, 188 East Pender Street
Register here, $20 (incl. tax)
The cultural heritage of Chinatown is a core aspect of what makes this neighbourhood unique – as a historic place but also a living community. Join VHF for a visit to Chinatown House, a new hub in a converted building that is providing space for co-working and cultural programming. Hear about the project from Leslie Shieh, co-founder of Tomo Spaces and learn about the intangible cultural heritage of the area from Helen Lee, a planner with the City of Vancouver’s Chinatown Transformation Team. In exploring the important role of intangible heritage to Chinatown’s revitalization and conservation, Helen will be joined by Cantonese instructor and certified tea master, Christine Wong, who will serve tea and discuss its relevance in Chinese traditions and everyday practices. There will also be a special reading from the recently published Journeys of Hope: Challenging Discrimination and Building on Vancouver Chinatown’s Legacies.

BONUS: Architectural Photography Workshop and Tour at the Orpheum
Register here, $30
Outside of Heritage Week – Sunday, February 9, 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Develop your photography skills while discovering the history of the Orpheum, which recently celebrated its 90th anniversary. This 3-hour photography workshop and tour explores the history and architecture of this celebrated theatre. Explore the eclectic mix of Moroccan, Indian, British and Spanish architectural influences with Historian John Atkin. During the tour Architectural Photographer Martin Knowles will offer tips and tricks of the trade to get the best photographs of the lobby spaces. Gain useful information for how to balance light, form and scale to make the most of the beautiful subject matter. Open to all skill levels. Please bring your own photographic equipment. Tripods are recommended.

Heritage Week offers a chance for all Canadians to visit museums, historic sites and cultural centres and connect with others in learning about and celebrating cultural heritage. Follow the Vancouver Heritage Foundation on Twitter and Facebook for more event updates.

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Student Scholarships Exhibition at Circle Craft Gallery

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Circle Craft Cooperative Association is pleased to present their annual Student Scholarships Exhibition in their Gallery in the Net Loft on Granville Island.

Student Scholarships Exhibition at Circle Craft Gallery

When: January 31 to February 24, 2019 daily 10:00am to 6:00pm
Where: Circle Craft Shop & Gallery (Net Loft, Granville Island)
Admission: Free

Student Scholarships Exhibition at Circle Craft Gallery Nico Gruzling

Nico Gruzling, Vancouver Community College, Fashion:

Nico is an emerging fashion designer specializing in innovative designs using foremost technologies. Her computer science background (MSc) puts her on the forefront of made-to-measure technology. Her design background and working in industrial design for several years as a designer for a marine engineering firm has given her a perspective that is unique among her peers, allowing her to conceive and implement new design through the application of CAD design, and to incorporate new construction processes borrowed from other fields.

Logan Kenler, Emily Carr University, Ceramics:

Logan explores themes of identity, nostalgia, ritual, and shrine through figurative ceramic vessels informed by traditional and pop-cultural influences.

Francesca Cresciullo, Vancouver Community College, Jewellery Program:

For two years Francesca studied in the Jewellery Art and Design program at Vancouver Community College. For her first year, she was awarded the Artistic Achievement Award 2017 and, for her second year, the Circle Craft Overall Outstanding Achievement Award. During this time, she also received the Emergent Artist Award from the Craft Council BC, and an Honourable Mention for the CJA (Canadian Jewellers Association) 100th Anniversary Design Competition 2018.

In 2003, Circle Craft initiated a student scholarship award program to support new and upcoming craftspeople. This program is part of Circle Craft’s commitment to community outreach programming. For more information, follow Circle Craft on Facebook and Twitter.

Win Tickets to the Pet Lover Show

Comments 19 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Western Canada’s largest pet show, the Pet Lover Show, returns to TRADEX in Abbotsford for the 7th year, February 23 & 24, 2019. This event provides visitors with the latest and greatest for their favourite furry, feathered and scaly best friends. This year’s features promise to be interactive, exciting and educational for pet lovers from all over the Lower Mainland.

Pet Lover Show

Dates: February 23 & 24, 2019
Times: 10:00am to 6:00pm Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm Sunday
Location: TRADEX (1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford)
Admission: Adult (16+ years): $14; Senior (65+) or Youth (6-15): $10; Child (5 years and under): Free; Family (2 youth, 2 adults): $34. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased in advance online at a discounted price.

Pet Lover Show

The two-day event will feature animal-related seminars and speakers, engaging and interactive pet-focused activities, and fun for pet lovers of all ages. The Pet Lover Show is a can’t miss event for pet owners and their well-behaved, four-legged friends in the Greater Vancouver area and the Fraser Valley.

This year’s Pet Lover Show will feature dozens of returning favourites, and some new highlights:

New this year at the show and no stranger to the Lower Mainland will be veteran dog handler and integrated police dog service team member Const. Scott MacLeod with his sidekick service shepherd Argo. Const. MacLeod will talk about the training dogs like Argo must complete successfully to be police dog ready.

Jessica O’Neill, dog behaviour specialist, will talk about the important of providing clear instruction and guidance when training your dog. O’Neill is a Canadian entrepreneur who has been working in the canine behaviour industry for more than 10 years and has developed a number of dog-related products and services such as the JWalker harness and canine rehabilitation programs.

President’s Choice SuperDog Star Search

Back this year by popular demand, the President’s Choice SuperDogs will be auditioning local finalists for the chance to perform this summer with them, at The Fair at the PNE! Does your dog have what it takes to be a SuperDog? We’re looking for dogs who excel in both agility and obedience, as well as just tricks. Head to the Pet Lover Show website to find out how to submit your dog’s audition video.

Pet Experts and Latest in Products

The Pet Lover Show will host a number of top animal specialists speaking on multiple stages throughout the weekend. Pet owners have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and leave a pet expert! The event is a one stop destination to learn all about pet health and behaviour, while browsing the latest in animal-focused products.

Win Tickets

I have three pairs of tickets to give away to this event that’s all about pets. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Click below to post an entry on Twitter

[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to the @PetLoverShow Feb 23 & 24 at TRADEX in Abbotsford http://ow.ly/NDwN30nkoFY” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw three winners at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

For more information, follow the Pet Lover Show on Facebook and on Twitter.

Update The winners are: Zuzana, Francine, and Bonnie!

Women’s Collective Fireside Chat with Hon. Janet Austin

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Women’s Collective is a series of inspirational Fireside Chats, the third of which will take place on January 30th with Hon. Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia in conversation with Lien Yeung of CBC.

Women’s Collective Fireside Chat with Hon. Janet Austin

Where: KPMG (1100 – 777 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver)
When: Wednesday, January 30, 2019 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Tickets: Available online for $25.

Women's Collective Fireside Chat with Hon. Janet Austin

The Fireside Chats are a new series of volunteer driven, inclusive community events, with proceeds going to women’s charities in the Lower Mainland. Founded by Maninder Dhaliwal, President & CEO Lions Gate International, the focus of the event series is real career and life advice for women from real people.

“Our speakers are successful and accomplished females who’ve lived the advice they are offering, and men who have earned the right to be on our stage by being champions of diversity and inclusion, and having a track record of supporting, and mentoring women.”

About The Honourable Janet Austin

The Honourable Janet Austin was sworn-in as the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia in April 2018. Prior to this appointment, she was Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Metro Vancouver, one of the province’s largest and most diversified non-profits. She has served on the boards of TransLink, and the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

Her Honour has been awarded Business in Vancouver CEO of the Year, Influential Woman in Business Award, the Vancouver Board of Trade Community Leadership Award, the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals. She is Chancellor of the Order of British Columbia and was invested as a Member of the Order in 2016. She also holds an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Follow Women’s Collective on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram #WmnCollective for more information about upcoming events.