COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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One-Offs & Limited Engagements
WINTER’S DANCE ON ROBSON
Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 1 & 2
6 - 9 p.m.
John Robson Building (1155 Robson)
Free
Winter’s Dance on Robson returns with its third public art installation to kick off the holiday season. Presented by the Robson Street Business Association (RSBA), in collaboration with Small Stage ‘The Music Box Dancers’ will come to life in a burst of light, colour and sound at 6 p.m. each night.
Winter’s Dance is a fusion of live and digital dance with innovative technology to create a unique holiday experience for visitors to Robson Street. A feast for the eyes and ears, the short, whimsical story will be projected onto the façade of the John Robson Building amid the hustle and bustle of Robson Street. Live dancers will also be found performing in a few of the neighbouring storefront windows, enhanced with special augmented reality features.
Performances will be repeated every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. Food trucks will also be on-site offering warm beverages and delicious treats to visitors taking in the show on Robson Street.
WE ARTS HOLIDAY MARKET
Saturday, Dec. 1
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Denman Place Mall
Free
The folks who bring you the popular West End Summer Arts Market are back with a seasonly themed sale at the West End’s equally popular Denman Mall. Get out your most festive shopping bags and prepare to shop!
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Saturday, Dec 8
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
West End Community Centre Auditorium
$5.50 (Register In Advance @ WECC)
Join in a special breakfast, crafts, entertainment event and, best of all, a visit from Santa himself. This is an annual sell out so please purchase your tickets for adults and children in advance to ensure a seat. Pre-registration is required. Children under the age of two are free unless eating food. If child under two is not eating they are allowed to be at event with parent (sitting in lap).
PHILOSOPHER’S CAFE @ JOE FORTES LIBRARY
Thursday, Dec. 13
7 p.m.
Joe Fortes Library
Free. No Registration Required.
Thinking the unthinkable, imagining the impossible, and discussing the improbable. That’s the theme of SFU’s Philosophers’ Café series of informal public discussions in the heart of our communities. Since 1998, this award-winning program has engaged the interests of scholars, seniors, students, philosophers, and non-philosophers through stimulating dialogue and the passionate exchange of ideas. The December Café at Joe Fortes will address taking advantage of the possibility of a longer life, and the new responsibilities and duties to we have in doing so. Diana Davidson will lead the conversation.
Michael Gordon at the November Tales from the West End.
TALES FROM THE WEST END
Wednesday, December 19
5:30 to 7 p.m.
JJ Bean Coffee Shop (1209 Bidwell)
Free
West Enders past and present enjoy an evening of local stories at Tales from the West End.
Six times a year West Enders have an opportunity to hear stories about our neighbourhood’s colourful and fascinating history. In November recently retired Vancouver city planner Michael Gordon regaled us with a slide show and narrative of the area’s night life, from 1912 to 1920, including the venue known today as Celebrities, which over the decades has undergone transformations, from showroom to ballroom to disco to rock and roll heaven to today’s gay community landmark.
The December Tales From the West End will feature community historian Jolene Castillou Cumming who will tell stories of West End women in the news business.
Admission is free, as are coffee and tea compliments of JJ Bean.
WEST END GAMES NIGHT
Last Friday of very month (Dec. 28)
7 - 11 p.m.
Gordon Neighbourhood House (1019 Broughton)
Free
Looking for a spot to play board games with friends? Or do you want to meet neighbours and learn new games? Join the fun at the West End Games Night, hosted by Young Ideas and Gordon Neighbourhood House. If you arrive solo, the friendly hosts can help form groups, and teach you new games.
IN THE LABYRINTH
Music In The Labyrinth
Last Friday of Every Month (Dec. 28)
St. Paul's Anglican Church (1130 Jervis)
7 to 9 p.m.
By Donation
The Labyrinth at St. Paul’s Anglican Church is a full 13-metre replica of the medieval labyrinth laid in the stone floor of the 13th-century Cathédrale de Notre-Dame de Chartres, 80Km south of Paris. It is laid on the hardwood upper floor of St Paul's Church Hall in a space once used as a theatre and a basketball court. The Labyrinth is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and Sundays from 9:30 to 12:30 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.
The last Friday of every month the Labyrinth experience is accompanied by a local musician or group. Click here to learn more about the St. Paul's Labyrinth.
FIRESIDE BOOK CLUB
Second & Fourth Fridays (Dec. 14 & 28)
11 a.m. to 12 noon
Joe Fortes Library / Stanley Court Room
Free
Connect with other avid readers to talk doubt what you’ve been reading and why you love it — or didn’t! Every second and fourth Friday of the month.
Dec. 14 is Reader’s Choice - Potpourri (as is the first meeting every month) when you can discuss whatever book you’re currently reading or recently read and share why you liked it, or didn’t. The December 28 title will be "Behold The Dreamers" by Imbolo Mbue.
“TRY IT OUT” OPEN MIC
Every Third Thursday (Dec. 15)
7 to 9 p.m.
Barclay Manor (1447 Barclay)
Free
Got a story to tell, a song to sing, a tune to play? Share your interests and your talent in an informal gathering of friends and neighbours, or just come to listen and enjoy. It’s an opportunity to share music, stories, poems, comedy, interpretive dance, or to just listen and enjoy. “Try It Out “has seen first-time performers as young as five and seasoned performers who are — well, ageless! Everyone gets 10 to 15 minutes (enough time for up to three songs) depending on the size of the group. Sign up at 7, first come, first served. One mic, acoustic guitar amp, and piano provided.
Once A Week, Every Week …
FAMILY STORY TIME ... Every Tuesday from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. at Joe Fortes Library, join this program for parents and caregivers with young children. Songs, rhymes and stories are shared. Suitable for pre-schooled and toddlers of all abilities to enjoy and learn together.
FRIDAY NIGHTS FOR YOUTH @ Coal Harbour Community Centre … Every Friday it’s something different, from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. with activities for youth ages 13 - 18. Upstairs in the Multi-Purpose Room. UPDATE. Info at 604.718.8222.
