COMMUNITY CALENDAR
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One Offs & Limited Engagements
PUB NIGHT FUNDRAISER
A Night In Support Of The Community Policing Centre
Thursday, May 2
5 to 8 p.m.
The Park at English Bay (Sands Hotel / 1755 Davie)
Admission $22
Tickets Here
Enjoy a few hours with music by Route 62, a 50/50 draw, raffle prizes, and food and drink in support of the West End - Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre (WEHCPC) which, since 1997, has been the local resource for answering the crime & safety concerns of our neighbourhood.
Admission includes a fresh, made-to-order BBQ burger, and a beer (or house wine or non-alcoholic beverage). Raffle and silent auction items include gift cards to the movies, eight different restaurants, and shopping; tickets to shows and games; housewares; personal accessories; hotel stays, and more!
The WEHCPC takes part in or facilitates many public events and activities, including safety talks, auto theft awareness campaigns, bicycle anti-theft registrations, and women’s personal safety demonstrations. They provide a watchful presence at Car Free Days, the WE Arts Summer Sounds Festival, the Strawberry Festival, and community days at West End schools - just about everywhere that West Enders gather to celebrate their community.
The West End-Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre is a volunteer-driven registered charity in the Province of BC. Donations through fundraising events such as this Pub Night are important to the sustainability of this community resource.
ART IN THE CITY
Exhibition and Sale at WECC
Vernissage: Friday, May 3, 7 to 9 p.m.
Exhibition & Sale: Saturday, May 4, 12 noon to 5 p.m & Sunday, May 5, 12 noon to 4 p.m.
West End Community Centre (870 Denman)
Art in the City is the premier fine arts market in Vancouver’s historic West End. The three-day event is held at the West End Community Centre and showcases fine art in a variety of media and styles, including painting, sculpture, and photography. In addition to the market, Art In The City features live music, art workshops, and activities for attendees of all ages. Experience the diverse creative talent of Vancouver and unleash your inner artist!
Vernissage Opening Night Preview: Everyone is invited to celebrate the opening of Art in the City. Stop by the West End Community Centre Friday night to view the art, meet the artists, and support the arts in your community.
Exhibition Hall: Up to 50 artists will exhibit and sell their works in the Art in the City Exhibition Hall. Find a special new piece for your apartment, meet the artists, and learn more about their work.
WEST END SPRING ART MARKET
Saturday, May 4
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Denman Place Mall
Local creativity takes over the concourse at Denman Place Mall as The West End Art Market springs into the new season with a day of exhibitor vendors offering everything from fine arts to crafts, literary works, and one-of-a-kind collectibles. The market is a space for artists and neighbours to come together and form connections while contributing to the creative economy of our neighbourhood.
LAWN BOWLING CLUB OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, May 4
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SPLBC Clubhouse (2099 Beach)
Free
If you’ve ever been curious about the lawn bowling activity near the Beach Avenue entrance to Stanley Park, here’s an opportunity to learn more, have a go, and maybe become a regular.
The Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Club (SPLBC) features two greens with a total of sixteen rinks, with plenty of room to enjoy the sport and relax. The clubhouse is first-rate, and the view of English Bay is unsurpassed.
Now the largest lawn bowling club in Canada, the SPLBC welcomes new members of all ages and abilities. Bowling season goes from May to September, and lawn bowling lessons are offered at the beginning of each season. Along with regular daily draws and events, the club hosts club, inter-club and district tournaments, and holds clinics for players and coaches. Off season there is indoor bowling, Bridge and Euchre afternoons and evenings.
For more information visit here.
Two of the three houses (Roedde House just out of view left) at Barclay Square. (Joe Mabel Photo)
JANE’S WALK: A HERITAGE TOUR OF BARCLAY SQUARE
Sunday, May 5th
11 a.m. to 12 noon.
Meet at Roedde House Museum
Have you ever been curious about the quaint park in the heart of the West End?
Explore Barclay Heritage Square and learn about the different buildings on the block and some landscaping highlights. The walk ends at the Roedde House Museum where visitors can have a free tour to learn about this heritage house. Billie-Ann Woo, the Roedde House Preservation Society president, will lead the tour.
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS
For Apartment Dwellers
Tuesday, May 7
7 to 8:30 p.m.
West End Community Centre / Bidwell Room
Free / Pre-Registration Required Here
The City of Vancouver’s Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program offers this session for apartment/condo residents, who have unique challenges when preparing for emergencies or disasters. Living in Vancouver, we could experience a serious earthquake, yet few of us take the steps to ensure we are prepared. This session covers what is required to develop your emergency plan, how to conduct a Hazard Hunt, and what to do when an earthquake strikes.
ANOTHER MYSTERY AT BARCLAY MANOR
The Ringing Bell For Murder
Tuesday, May 7
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Barclay Manor / Piano Room
Admission $10
Spring ushers revival, but not at the Barclay Manor. Mystery producer Trevor Jenkins invites the devoted lovers of a jolly good Agatha Christie style murder mystery to test their sleuthing skills at The Ringing Bell for Murder. Two lovers believe they have found a true spring romance, only to discover the corpse in the garden ties one of them to murder.
Participate. Enjoy. Prizes and gifts to be won! Savour delicious spring desserts, fruits and cakes as you uncover the evil doer.
GET OUTA TOWN!
Boat Cruise To Rainbow Falls
Thurs. May 9
8:45 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Meet at West End Community Centre / Haro St. Entrance
$127
Enjoy a two-hour luxury boat cruise on Harrison Lake, departing from Harrison Hot Springs. Float by cascading Rainbow Falls, the rock formations of Echo Island and Sasquatch Park, and enjoy a visit to a local farm. A full lunch will be served in Abbotsford, with dessert to follow aboard the boat. Only six seats available, so register early at the WECC.
NEIGHBOURHOOD CLEANUP PARTY!
Keeping The ‘Hood Litter Free
Saturday, May 11
10 a.m. to 12 noon
Meet at Gordon Neighbourhood House (1019 Broughton)
Healthy, vibrant, and clean neighbourhoods start with you. Gordon Neighbourhood House holds an annual Neighbourhood Cleanup Party with participation from several other community groups and organizations. Enjoy the camaraderie as neighbours get together to tidy up the ‘hood.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE GEORGIA STREET WHITE SPOT?
Open House Set For May 23
An open house to view and discuss plans for the tower that will replace the White Spot Restaurant on West Georgia is scheduled for Thursday, May 23. No further details were available at press time. Further information can be found here.
WEST END FARMER’S MARKET
Saturday, May 25
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
1100 Block Comox / Between Bute & Thurlow
The annual West End Farmers Market launches this weekend with 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. Runs every Saturday to October 19.
BOOK LAUNCH AT THE JUNCTION
Double Melancholy: The Making of a Brown Queer Man
Thursday, May 30
7 p.m.
The Junction (1138 Davie)
Theatre producer/director Chris Gatchalian headed the frank theatre company, a professional Vancouver queer-mandated theatre company, from 2011 to 2017, overseeing several ground-breaking productions including Walt Whitman’s Secret and Miss Understood. Since then Chris has completed a book titled Double Melancholy: The Making of a Brown Queer Man, which will be launched this month at The Junction.
“Part memoir, part cultural criticism” according to Chris, the book is comprised of interlinked essays about the works of art that had a transformative impact on him while growing up. The book contains chapters about Anne of Green Gables, A Streetcar Named Desire, A Room with a View, and Death in Venice. “But virtually all of these works were heteronormative and/or white,” notes Chris, and Double Melancholy explores the tensions between the art that was influencing him and coming of age as a painfully shy queer kid, in the heteronormative surroundings of his Filipinx immigrant family and in the culturally diverse but homophobic schools he attended.
Once A Month, Every Month …
COMMUNITY CARE FIRST AID
Emergency Child Care
Saturday, May 11
9:10 a.m. to 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 May course covers skills needed to recognize and respond to cardiovascular emergencies for adults (CPR Level C) and other topics such as choking, and airway and breathing emergencies in babies and children. A three-year certification is given upon completion.
“TRY IT OUT” OPEN MIC
Every Third Thursday (May 16)
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.
FIRESIDE BOOK CLUB
Fourth Friday of Every Month (May 24)
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 May selection is The Children Act by Ian McEwan in which a fiercely intelligent, well-respected High Court judge in London faces a morally ambiguous case while her own marriage crumbles. The novel was the inspiration for the 2017 movie of the same name, starting Emma Thompson.
GARDENING WORKSHOP SERIES
Sunday, May 26
1 to 2:30 p.m.
West End Community Centre / Barclay Room
Free / Registration at 604.257.8333
Join the West End Neighbourhood Food Network at a family-friendly monthly gathering. Bring something tasty, share some good food and conversation with neighbours, and pick up a West End Urban Garden Calendar. You’ll also learn about the many other West End Neighbourhood Food Network events and activities. Each month’s meeting includes a mini-workshop on a different food and/or gardening related topic, and is followed, from 2:30 to 3:30, by a meeting of the West End Urban Garden Club (separate registration required) where you can share information, help organize food and gardening workshops, and save and share seeds.
The May workshop is titled “Growing Great Tomatoes”.
WEST END GAMES NIGHT
Last Friday of every month (May 31)
7 to 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.
Zlata Mountain will be at The Labyrinth May 31.
IN THE LABYRINTH
Music In The Labyrinth
Last Friday of Every Month (May 31)
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 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, May. 31, will be Zlata Mountain with traditional Balkan folk songs sung a cappella.
Click here to learn more about the St. Paul's Labyrinth.
Once A Week, Every Week …
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-schoolers and toddlers of all abilities to enjoy and learn together.
WEST END FAMILY PLACE … Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Gordon Neighbourhood House. 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.
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. Programs for May include Spaghetti Towers (May 3); Brownie Baking (May 10); Dance Extravaganza (May 17); Jeopardy (May 24); and an evening of bowling at Grandview Lanes (May 31). For the May 31 outing there is a $5 pre-registration at the front office, and the program is extended to 9 p.m. We can’t guess what titles like “Spaghetti Towers” and “Jeopardy” might mean, so you’ll just have to go and find out!
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.
