Vancouver’s alleys and laneways seem to be more prominent than any other major city’s. Ours appear in movies and television shows all the time (from the Neverending Story to Deadpool), they get a fun pink and yellow makeover complete with basketball court, and they feature some amazing art.
We also have some alleys that have a lot of historic meaning, like Hogan’s Alley, Gastown’s Trounce or Blood Alleys, or Ackery’s Alley in the entertainment district.
Recently, some alleys in the West End have received some very important names:
Vancouver West End Lane Namesakes
Source: City of Vancouver
Eihu Lane Between Alberni and Robson
With his family, Eihu was one of the original settlers at Kanaka Ranch on the shore of Coal Harbour, an informal settlement of native Hawaiians.
Rosemary Brown Lane Between Robson and Haro
Rosemary Brown (1930-2003) First Black Canadian woman to be elected to a Canadian provincial legislature. After departing politics, she became a professor of Women’s Studies at SFU and was later appointed Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
Stovold Lane Between Haro and Barclay
Kathleen “Kay” Stovold (1911-2001) Community advocate and volunteer for seniors and people with disabilities. In 1979 cofounded and was president of the West End Seniors Network (Barclay Manor). WESN Kay Stovold Memorial Fund was established on her death in 2001, managed by VanCity Community Foundation. Kay’s Place is a drop-in centre in Denman Place Mall.
ted northe. Photo from the Empress of Canada Foundation/
DailyXtra.
ted northe Lane Between Barclay and Nelson
ted northe (1937-2014) A leader in the fight against AIDS and in defining the modern LGBTTQ+ community and human rights movement in Canada. Founded many organizational “firsts”: Gay Businessmen’s Guild, gay sports league and others. Was involved in organizing the first Pride Parade in Vancouver.
Henshaw Lane Between Nelson and Comox
Julia Henshaw was an accomplished writer and botanist who spent part of her life in the West End. She originally came to the Lower Mainland in 1890. She was a founding member of the Canadian Alpine Club, the Vancouver Musical Club and the Georgia Club, was involved with the Imperial Daughters of the Empire and Women’s Canadian Club, worked as a newspaper columnist and literary and theatre critic, and served in the First World War.
1915. Julia Henshaw. Vancouver Archives# Port P1073.
Jepson-Young Lane Between Comox and Pendrell
Dr. Peter Jepson-Young (1957-1992) Medical doctor in Vancouver, diagnosed with AIDS in 1985. Created TV series “Dr. Peter Diaries” which did much to educate the public about HIV and AIDS and put a human face on the disease.
See-em-ia Lane Between Pendrell and Davie
Mary See-em-ia was the granddaughter of Chief Capilano and wife of Indigenous Hawaiians Eihu and Joe Nahanee. She and her family were residents of Kanaka Ranch, a settlement on the south shore of Coal Harbour, near Stanley Park.
1927 Peter Pantages. Vancouver Archives# CVA 99-1786.
Pantages Lane Between Davie and Burnaby
Peter Basil Pantages (1901-1971) Restauranteur and Polar Bear Club founder. The proprietor of the Peter Pan Café at 1180 Granville Street, Pantages established the Polar Bear swimming club and served as its director for 51 years.
Maxine Lane Between Burnaby and Harwood
Maxine MacGilvray (ca 1892-1952) Originally from Wisconsin, ran hairdressing salon at Spencer’s Department Store from 1914, then established very successful salon and beauty school; products locally manufactured with help of chemist husband. Facade of Maxine’s Beauty School preserved at 1209 Bidwell (now a coffee shop).
1936 Maxine’s Beauty School. Vancouver Archives# CVA 99-4477.
Jung Lane Between Harwood and Pacific
Vivian Jung (1924-2014) was the first Chinese-Canadian teacher hired by the Vancouver School Board. During her teacher training Vivian was required to obtain a lifesaving certificate. City policy at the Crystal Pool at Sunset Beach prevented Vivian from entering and swimming with her fellow students and teachers. In response, the group refused to enter without Vivian and, with that action, the long-standing colour bar at the City’s only public swimming pool ended. With her teaching certificate she was hired at Tecumseh school where she taught for 35 years.
You can see the City’s Reserve List of names here, to get a glimpse at approved names that might be used in the future. Want to browse more namesakes? Check out these Stanley Park Trail Namesakes 1, 2, 3.
The MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series returns to the waters of English Bay for another season of paddling fun. The Big Chop is a ten race paddle series that kicks off on Thursday, April 19th, 2018, and runs every second week until the end of the summer. Each race is an incredibly fun night on the water and the Big Chop is open to all levels of paddlers.
MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series
When: April 19 to August 23, 2018 (10 races, every second Thursday)
Where: Vanier Park, Vancouver, BC
Register: The first nine races cost $15 (pay on the night of the race) and the final race is $25. Boat rentals, if you need one, are an additional cost.
The Season’s Pass for the MEC Big Chop Summer Paddle Series will be available online starting April 1st. It’s a great deal that saves you money and gives you exclusive benefits like swag, beer, and quick sign-in on race day. There are 50 passes available and they include:
1. Entry to all ten races, including the year end party
2. A limited edition Big Chop graphic t-shirt
3. An O’Neill tech top (to be confirmed)
4. One free beer per race
5. Post race BBQ (hot dogs/veggie burgers)
6. A chance to win some amazing prizes at every race
COST: $160 (+GST) with a value over $260!
Paddlers can choose between the 4km Little Chop or the 8km Big Chop and use the boat of their choice — kayak, outrigger, paddle board, surfski, dugout canoe, or rowboat — it just can’t have a motor. There is a big rental fleet available as well, and MEC runs introductory paddle clinics prior to every race.
After you finish your paddle, stick around for the awards where you could win some great prizes from the event sponsors. Your entry includes a BBQ hotdog or veggie burger and cold beverages (beer/cider/pop) will be available for sale too.
View the full race schedule here, and follow the Big Chop on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.
Royal City Musical Theatre presents Cabaret, the landmark musical from director/producer Harold Prince, and songwriters John Kander & Fred Ebb. A Tony Award winning musical that has been a play, a musical, and a film.
Royal City Musical Theatre Presents Cabaret
When: April 12 – 29, 2018 7:30pm and 2:30pm on select days
Where: Massey Theatre (735 Eighth Ave, New Westminster)
Tickets: Adults $48, Seniors/Students $39/Children 13 under $29. Purchase tickets online or by calling the box office at (604) 521-5050.
Since opening on Broadway in 1966 the show remains a devastatingly relevant work of art and continues to be both entertaining and unsettling.
Based on a book written by Christopher Isherwood, Cabaret is set in 1931 Berlin in the seedy glamour of the Kit Kat Klub. It’s bawdy Emcee, hard living entertainer, Sally Bowles and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd and leave their troubles outside. This decadent nightlife takes place during a disturbing time with the collapse of Weimar Germany and the rise of the Nazi Party.
Come hear some of the most memorable songs in theatre history, including “Cabaret,” “Willkommen” and “Maybe This Time” along with dance numbers, a love story, and with an overwhelming wake up call and a reminder to be vigilant, that things can change so quickly that suddenly without you knowing, you’re in a scary world.
Come and leave your troubles outside – life is beautiful at the Cabaret – all about following your heart while the world loses its way.
Win Tickets
I have a 4-pack of tickets to give away to opening night (Saturday, April 14th at 7:30pm). Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to see @RMCTheatre’s Cabaret #RCMTCabaret http://ow.ly/L6On30j5tXs” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, March 26, 2018. Follow Royal City Musical Theatre on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information.
Update The winner is Andrea!
Participate in an eggstravaganza of family fun, from North Vancouver to Chilliwack as community centres, attractions, and farms host Easter egg hunts over the next two weekends.
Easter Egg Hunts in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
Specific fees and ticket prices can be found by clicking the link in the title of each event below. In many cases, pre-registration is encouraged to guarantee participation. Some age restrictions may apply as well.
Burnaby
New Westminster
Surrey
Vancouver
- VanDusen Great A-Maze-ing Egg Hunt March 30 – April 1, 2018
- VanDusen Aeromexico Egg Hunt on March 30 – April 2, 2018
- City Square Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 24, 2018
- Easter at Wesbrook Village on Saturday, March 24, 2018
- Easter EGGstravaganza with Kerrisdale Community Centre on Saturday, March 24, 2018
- Easter Eggstravaganza at Douglas Park on Sunday, March 25, 2018
- Easter Eggstravaganza with Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre on Saturday, March 31, 2018
- Spring Eggstravaganza at Hastings Park on April 1, 2018
Richmond
North Vancouver
Tri-Cities Easter Egg Hunts
Langley
Fraser Valley
Sea to Sky Corridor
Have an event to add? Leave a note with details in the comments below or send an event listing in for free via the Miss604 contact form.
