COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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One Offs & Limited Engagements
THE CELEBRATION OF LIGHT FINALE
Saturday, August 3
10 p.m.
English Bay
Road Access Closed From 6:30 p.m.
Information & Grandstand Reservations Here
With two nights already under our belts this year (India on Saturday, July 27 and Canada on Wednesday, July 31) West Enders are well aware of the delights and drawbacks of this annual fireworks show. The finale on Saturday, August 3 will feature Mironvec Fireworks from Croatia. Both Croatia and India are competing for the first time this year. Saturday’s crowds will be followed immediately by …
THE PRIDE PARADE
Sunday, August 4
12 noon Start Time
It’s been 50 years since the Stonewall riots in New York City when members of the queer community pushed back against police harassment, an event being celebrated world-wide, including here in Vancouver with the annual Pride Parade and attendant events and activities.
The parade itself takes place, as always, the day after the Fireworks finale, with a 12 noon start time, a parade route travelling down Robson from Thurlow to Denman, along Denman, and thence to Sunset Beach for the Sunset Beach Festival. The parade has been known to run for up to three hours.
Parts of Davie Street will be closed to vehicle traffic July 31 through August 6 and designated The Davie Village Promenade for a number of events and activities. Closures include: Bute Street from Davie Street north to See Em La Lane: (laneway stays open) from Wednesday July 31 at 7 a.m. until Tuesday August 6 at 2 p.m.; Davie Street from Thurlow west to just beyond Bute, ending at underground parking from Friday, August 2 at 12 noon until Sunday, August 4 at 2 a.m.
You’ll find the full schedule of Pride events here.
MOLE GALLERY EXHIBITION FOR AUGUST
Aaron Miller
Opening Reception Friday, August 2, 6 to 8 p.m.
Gallery Open Every Friday from 1 - 5 p.m. and, for Auhust only Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The rear of 1157 Pendrell / Access from Jepson-Young Lane
Each month during the summer the Mole Gallery, a pop-up gallery at Mole Hill, features works by a West End Artist. For August the gallery will feature a group exhibition of the works of several West Enders.
PHILOSOPHERS’ CAFE
Thursday, August 8
7 - 8:30 p.m.
Joe Fortes Library
Free
Author Bernard Cornwell popularized “wyrd bið ful aræd”, which means “fate is inexorable” or “fate is immovable.” How does this relate to our world and to us as individuals? A conversation moderated by Bill Arnott.
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS - PERSONAL & FAMILY
Tuesday, August 13
7 to 8:30 p.m.
West End Community Centre / Bidwell Room
Free
Vancouver could be faced with a massive earthquake at any time, but few of us take the steps to ensure that we are prepared. This session covers what is required to develop your family emergency plan, how to conduct a "Home Hazard” search, and what to do when that earthquake strikes. Conducted by the City of Vancouver’s Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program.
GET OUTA TOWN!
Enjoy Two Out-Trips In August …
Nanaimo and the Crow & Gate Pub
Wed. August 14
7:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m.
$129.00
Discover how interesting and varied Nanaimo is as you explore an oceanfront park and local shops, eat in a lovely downtown restaurant, and visit a local artist. Enjoy dessert in the delightful gardens of the famous Crow & Gate English pub. Only six seats available, so register early.
The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts
Friday, August 16
8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
$139.00
Take part in Canada’s longest running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers featuring established literary stars and exciting new voices. The outing to Sechelt includes tickets to “Meet The Writer” public readings, lunch at Saffron Restaurant, all ferry fees, gratuities, and taxes.
Register early at the WECC. For both outings meet at West End Community Centre / Haro St. Entrance at least 15 minutes before departure. Information about this year’s festival here.
Once A Month, Every Month …
COMMUNITY CARE FIRST AID
Prepare For Emergencies
Saturday, August 10
9:10 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
WECC / Barclay Room
$90
Each month the West End Community Centre hosts a First Aid or other health care session provided in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross. The August course will present an overview of First Aid and CPR techniques, taught in an interactive environment, for emergency response in the workplace or at home. A three-year certification is given upon completion.
“TRY IT OUT” OPEN MIC
Every Third Thursday (August 20)
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.
WEST END URBAN GARDENING CLUB
Thursday, August 15
7 p.m.
West End Community Centre / Meeting Room 2
Free / Registration at 604.257.8333
Join the West End Neighbourhood Food Network at a family-friendly monthly gathering. Share gardening information, discuss possibilities for creating more gardening spaces in the West End, pick up a West End Urban Garden Calendar, and learn about the many other West End Neighbourhood Food Network events and activities. The August meeting will see the WeBee pollinators group giving out Mason bee houses (while supplies last) and kids of all ages can take a picture with WeBee.
FIRESIDE BOOK CLUB
Fourth Friday of Every Month (August 23)
11 a.m. to 12 noon
Joe Fortes Library / Stanley Court Room
Free
Connect with other avid readers to talk about what you’ve been reading and why you loved it — or didn’t! The August selection is The Imperfectionists, by Tom Rachman.
Set against the colourful backdrop of Rome, Tom Rachman’s wry, vibrant debut follows the topsy-turvy private lives of the reporters, editors, and executives of an international English language newspaper as they struggle to keep it—and themselves—afloat.
Fifty years and many changes have ensued since the paper was founded by an enigmatic millionaire, and now, amid the stained carpeting and dingy office furniture, the staff’s personal dramas seem far more important than the daily headlines. As the era of print news gives way to the Internet age and this imperfect crew stumbles toward an uncertain future, the paper’s rich history is revealed, including the surprising truth about its founder’s intentions.
Pick up your copy now, and plan to join the conversation!
WEST END GAMES NIGHT
Last Friday of very month (August 30)
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.
Tony Kastelic will be in The Labyrinth Friday, August 30.
IN THE LABYRINTH
Music In The Labyrinth
Last Friday of Every Month (August 30)
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. 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 9:30 a.m., and 7 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The last Friday of every month the Labyrinth experience is accompanied by a local musician or group. Music on this last Friday, August 30, will be Tony Kastelic with a repertoire of classical music for viola.
Click here to learn more about the St. Paul's Labyrinth.
Once A Week, Every Week …
DANCE AT DUSK … Mondays through August 19 you are invited to join in (or just enjoy the spectacle) at Ceperley Playground at Second Beach in Stanley Park (by the old fire truck) for the Royal Scottish Dance event, with dancing to pipes, drums, accordions and fiddles. On Tuesdays it’s the Vancouver International Folk Dancers turn, with line and circle dances from Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. No dancing August 5 and 6. Visit here for Scottish dancing information and here for folk dancing details.
COMMUNITY LUNCH ... Mondays through Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. at Gordon Neighbourhood House. An opportunity for community members to enjoy a meal together, meet new people, and catch up with friends in a casual environment. On Mondays it’s a pay-what-you-can (suggested donation $2) vegan hot dish. For Tuesdays and Thursdays, it’s a delicious three-course menu for $5. Wednesdays there’s a a pay-what-you-can Nourish Bowl. For more information contact welcome@gordonhouse.org or 604.683.2554.
FAMILY STORY TIME ... Tuesdays 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.
WEST END FAMILY PLACE … This successful program has now been expanded. West End families can play, learn and grow at Gordon Neighbourhood House. West End Family Place is a drop-in program for children and their parents or caregivers, featuring activities that promote healthy child development, including circle time with songs and stories, free play, and arts and crafts. Mondays everyone is welcome from 9 to 11:30 a.m. On Tuesdays it’s families only from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays are also everyone welcome from 9 to 11:30 a.m., with a families only afternoon session from 2 to 4 p.m. Fridays it’s families only from 9:30 to 11 a.m. And the first Saturday of each month is families only from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
WEST END WRITER’S CLUB … Wednesdays from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Barclay Manor. West End writers gather to share and critique their work. Includes all genres. Members don’t have to read at every meeting, just enjoy and participate in the discussion. Three free visits, after which there is an annual membership fee is $20.
FRIDAY NIGHTS FOR TEENS from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Coal Harbour Community Centre (Multi-Purpose Room). Every week it’s something different, with activities for youth 13 - 18. Upstairs in the Multi-Purpose Room. Info at 604.718.8222.
PRE-TEEN NIGHT … Fridays from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m. at the West End Community Centre. A free program for youth ages 9 to 12. Participants are asked to fill out a waiver, which can be picked up at the WECC front desk.
NAR-ANON FAMILY GROUP … Fridays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Barclay Manor (Piano Room). A gathering for those who know or have known a feeling of desperation concerning the addiction problem of someone near and dear. Confidentiality and anonymity are respected.
WEST END FARMERS MARKET … Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m through October 1. 1100 Block Comox, between Bute and Thurlow. More than 30 farmers, producers, vendors, and food trucks on hand to replenish your depleted larder with fresh fruit, veggies, baked goods, and other locally grown goodies.
