It’s the time of year when talented post-secondary students showcase their work, partners, projects, and more to the general public. If you’re looking for free and low-cost arts exhibits and a chance to view the work of the next big names in arts, design, marketing and fashion, this is your chance!
SFU
Exhibit: BFA Graduating Exhibition 2018: EVERYTHING MUST GO
Hosted by: SFU School for the Contemporary Arts
When: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 7:00pm to 9:00pm (opening reception)
Exhibit runs until April 21, 2018
Where: Audain Gallery (Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 W Hastings St, Vancouver)
Langara College
Exhibit: glō Grad Show
Hosted by: Langara Design Formation
When: Thursday, April 5, 2018 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm (opening reception)
Exhibit runs until April 27, 2018
Where: Langara College (100 West 49 Ave, Vancouver)
KPU
Exhibit: BFA Grad Exhibition
Hosted by: KPU Fine Arts Department
When: Friday, April 13, 2018 7:00pm to 11:00pm (opening reception)
Exhibit runs until April 27, 2018
Where: 120 East Broadway, 2nd Floor, Vancouver at Main & Broadway
Exhibit: The Show – Annual Grad Fashion Show and Portfolio Viewing
Hosted by: Wilson School of Design at KPU
When: April 19 & April 20, 2018
Where: KPU (4th Floor, 5600 Kwantlen St, Richmond)
Capilano University
Exhibit: IDEA Gradshow
Hosted by: Capilano University IDEA School of Design
When: Monday, April 9, 2018 7:00pm to 9:00pm (opening reception)
Exhibit runs until April 13, 2018
Where: Harbour Centre Lobby (555 W Hastings St, Vancouver)
And a very honourable mention to Douglas College‘s marketing students who have been working with the Umoja Operation Compassion Society of British Columbia. On April 11th, they will host a live stream starting at 5:00pm on their Facebook page showcasing some of their work.
YWCA Metro Vancouver has announced 68 outstanding nominees for the 35th Annual Women of Distinction Awards, which will take place on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. For the 9th year, you can now vote for the Connecting the Community Award, presented by Scotiabank!
Vote for the Connecting the Community Award
In addition to the category in which she was nominated, all individual nominees are eligible for the Connecting the Community Award. This is an opportunity for Women of Distinction nominees to gain recognition through social media and raise awareness of YWCA Metro Vancouver’s programs and services in the following areas:
- Early Learning and Care
- Reducing Child Poverty
- Safe and Affordable Housing
- Healthy Choices for Youth
- Preventing Violence Against Women
The recipient of the Connecting the Community Award will be determined via online voting. Each nominee selects a YWCA program area with which she most identifies and submits a quote as to why.
« VOTE ONLINE NOW »
Voting ends Friday, May 11th at noon. The nominee with the most votes will be announced at the Women of Distinction Awards on June 7th. Scotiabank will donate $10,000 in the recipient’s honour to her chosen YWCA program area.
Women of Distinction Awards Nominees 2018
This year’s nominees (who are all eligible for the Connecting the Community Award) are: Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Back by popular demand, National Canadian Film Day (“NCFD 2018”) is taking place on April 18th with a spotlight on Female Filmmakers. More than 700 screenings are confirmed to take place in theatres, educational institutions and libraries across the country, and as far away as Iceland, Egypt, Tanzania and Japan.
National Canadian Film Day 2018
This year, REEL CANADA has curated a 40-film “sampler” of films led by women, but as always, our screening partners are encouraged to explore the full diversity and wealth that Canadian films have to offer.
“NCFD 2018 is defined by the overwhelming appetite Canadians have to see themselves and their stories represented on screen,” said Sharon Corder, Artistic Director, REEL CANADA. “And this is the perfect year to shine a spotlight on the work of female filmmakers. On April 18th, we’ll have the world’s largest audience watching films by Canadian women – ever!”
This year, a number of enhanced screenings are taking place in BC including:
- Vancouver International Film Festival presents 32 Short Films About Glenn Gould (guest TBD), and Double Happiness w/ director Mina Shum in attendance
- Cinematheque Vancouver presents Loyalties with director Anne Wheeler in attendance, and Werewolf with director Ashley McKenzie via Skype
- Powell River Digital Film School Presents Window Horses with director Ann Marie Fleming in attendance
- CineVic Presents Into the Forest with director Patricia Rozema via Skype
Women Filmmakers
Two of Canada’s most accomplished masters of cinema, Deepa Mehta and Alanis Obomsawin, will come together in a once-in-a-lifetime live event at which the women will discuss their storied careers and their considerable impact on the Canadian film landscape.
Signature screenings across the country will include participation from leading female filmmakers, including Mina Shum, Patricia Rozema, Léa Pool, Anne Wheeler, Lynne Stopkewich, Ann Marie Fleming, Sharon Lewis, Doreen Manuel, Mary Young Leckie, Ashley McKenzie, Liane Balaban, Cara Gee and Ingrid Veninger, as well as some of their celebrated male colleagues, including Don McKellar, Elan Mastai, Paul Sarossy and many others.
How to Participate
Attend Public Screenings: Events are happening in places such as cinemas, libraries, legion halls, community centres, military bases and many other locations.
Attend one of the major events in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and St John’s.
Encore+, the Canadian Media Fund’s free YouTube channel makes many memorable Canadian movies of all genres available for fans of any age. A curated NCFD playlist will be available for anyone who wants an easy way to participate from home.
Major broadcasters including CBC, APTN, Bell Media, Blue Ant Media, CORUS, CHCH, DHX Media, Hollywood Suite, OUTtv and Superchannel will air Canadian films on TV and streaming platforms throughout the day.
High school students in over 150 schools across the country will engage in RCtv, an innovative livestream event featuring an interactive Q&A with Canadian stars and filmmakers.
And there will be dozens of private events from elementary schools to retirement homes.
Follow National Canadian Film Day on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for highlights and updates leading up to the event, and on the big day itself. Participate in the conversation by using #CanFilmDay.
Pink and white petals are forming a pillowy canopy above the city and the 12th annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival presents a series of events to so you can savour the season.
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Events
April 3, 2018 Vancouver Sings One Song
Vancouver Sings One Song will host 400 singers at Christ Church Cathedral directed by Kathryn Nicholson led by the choir Sound Eclectic, to learn the new Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival song, “Cherry Blossoms For You and Me”. The song was inspired by the Festival Haiku Invitational poem written by Oz Hershfield of Vancouver:
blossoms bursting
each tree is a choir
singing to the sun
April 5, 2018 Cherry Jam Downtown Concert
Spectacular multi-cultural performances, including a traditional Chinese Lion Dance, a Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble collaboration with Chinese er-hu (Chinese violin) paired with tap dance, Tetsu Taiko and shamisen(a traditional three-stringed Japanese instrument) collaboration with Alcvin Ramos, and readings of the 2017 Haiku Invitational winning poems.
April 14 & 15, 2018 Sakura Days Japan Fair
Experience Japan with hands-on workshops and try your hand at calligraphy, origami and other Japanese arts and crafts demonstrations at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
April 14, 2018 The Big Picnic
Bring your picnic mat, or purchase one of the Festival’s interconnecting Petal Mats, prepare a picnic basket, and get ready to have lots of fun and meet new friends. Family-friendly activities planned include face-painting, walking meditation, life-size jenga and connect four and performances by local artists. YYoga is also offering a free 45-minute yoga class.
April 14, 2018 Spring Lights Illumination
Hfour will be illuminating Queen Elizabeth Park with vibrant projections and a new walkthrough experience. As in previous years, the illumination will be set up for unobstructed views ideal for photography! Heather Laura Gray and her dancers will be returning with their spring interpretive dances.
April 22, 2018 Sakura Nights Gala Fundraiser
Sakura Night celebrates Vancouver’s top local restaurants through an exquisite evening of Asian-fusion flavours with wine pairings. Guests will also be able to taste the wonderful health-enhancing Gabaron tea, provided courtesy of Finlandia Healthcare. Renowned mixologist Jay Jones, who oversees Vij’s and Vij’s Rangolis bar team, will add his talents to Sakura Night by creating a distinctly new cherry blossom cocktail experience to greet gala-goers.
Check out the lineup of free talks and walks and use the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival’s Neighbourhood Maps where you can find 2,689 locations of where the city’s 54 cultivars bloom.
Follow the festival on Facebook and Twitter for more info and share your pics online with the tags #TELUSPureFibre and #vancherryblossomfest.
Motown Meltdown is celebrating 15 years of classic soul music! Enjoy a fabulous night of entertainment by some of Canada’s amazing vocalists while benefiting Seva Canada, whose mission is to restore sight and prevent blindness in developing countries.
Motown Meltdown
Give sight to those in need, through the power of song
Where: Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville St, Vancouver)
When: Saturday, April 21, 2018 doors at 7:00pm
Tickets: Tickets: $32.75 + service charge or $45 at the door available online or by calling Ticketmaster 1-855-985-5000.
Motown Meltdown will feature the music and musicians of a powerful era, including Diana Ross, Otis Redding, Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Jackson 5, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight and much more.
Anchoring the 2018 incarnation of Motown Meltdown is a 12-piece band of the most seasoned and veteran session musicians in the country.
Catch all these amazing solo performances in one room, on one night: Karen Lee Batten, Joani Bye, Leora Cashe, Candus Churchill, Oliver Conway, Olivia Steele Falconer, Warren Dean Flandez, Roy Forbes, Marie Hui, Angela Kelman, Linda Kidder, Jane Mortifee, Marcus Mosely, Dawn Pemberton, Will Sanders, Kendra Sprinkling, Catherine St. Germain, Stephanie Standerwick, David Steele, Don Stewart, David Wills, and Garfield Wilson.
Motown Meltdown is MC’d by Gene Valaitis and Hosted by David Wills (Stonebolt) and Angela Kelman. Musical Direction David Sinclair and Steve Hilliam, Produced by Kendra Sprinkling.
“Proceeds from Motown Meltdown will benefit Seva Canada’s sustainable and innovative blindness prevention and treatment programs in 13 of the poorest places in the world.
Founded by an eclectic group including guru Ram Dass, Dr. Larry Brilliant and Wavy Gravy, an American entertainer and peace activist, Seva Canada, a Vancouver based charity has been giving the power of sight to those most in need in developing countries for over 33 years. Many people are unaware that cataracts, the leading cause of avoidable blindness, can be cured in 15 minutes with a sight-restoring surgery costing just $50.” – Penny Lyons, Executive Director
Follow Seva Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
