A conversation on social justice at the Central Library

The Hate Speech, Freedom of Expression, and Transgender Human Rights speaking event by human rights lawyer, Adrienne Smith, was scheduled to take place at the Central library but is now posponed. Yet, here are their words. Working for others Smith, a Vancouver native, is a fixture in the transgender rights community and has been involved in many…

Decolonized voices: celebrating Canadian Black HERstories

Contributions through academic and artistic performance are celebrated at UBC’s Museum of Anthropology with the Black Canadian Women, a series with poetry, discussion and music for Black History Month (Feb. 6). “If they are reaching out to shift this paradigm of race and culture in this city, I’d love to be part of that support,”…

Skyborn: a land reclamation odyssey

The Cultch and PuSh International Performing Arts Festival present Skyborn: A Land Reclamation Odyssey, a world premiere by Musqueam playwright and performer Quelemia Sparrow. Produced by the Savage Society, performances will be held at the Historic Theatre, Jan. 23–Feb 1 and at the Gateway Theatre Studio B, in Richmond, March 19–28. The 90-minute long, no intermission,…

The Rescue: hope in humanity

The 2019 Chutzpah Festival will be back in Vancouver from Oct. 24 to Nov. 24, 2019. The festival showcases music, theatre, comedy and dance from around the world, including Alvaro and Boris Castellanos’s documentary film The Rescue with live musical accompaniment. Since the two filmmakers play bass and piano, respectively, they developed what they call a ‘live…

New efforts and old memories

From Sept. 26–Oct. 11, the Vancouver International Film Festival will showcase over 320 films on screens all around town. The festival will also host 400 film industry professionals who will come and speak at events happening alongside the screenings. This makes VIFF the largest Canadian film event in the world. Festival goers will also be…

Exploring the Taiwanese experience

It’s made in Taiwan…and Canada! The Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Festival celebrates Taiwanese and Canadian artists and their art, says Esther Lin. “Art is an expression and application of human creative skill and imagination and it allows others to appreciate beauty and emotional power,” says Lin, the co-chair for this year’s festival, which will run July…

The disciplined geek

Geektopia will grace the Vancouver Harbour Convention Centre on July 6. Among the many notable cosplayers, writers, actors and fans will be Vancouver’s Eric Chu, a concept artist best known for his work in Battlestar Galactica as well as his storyboards for various animated shows including Beetlejuice. During a break from his studio, Paranoid Delusions, Chu took…

Comics open to everyone

The Vancouver Comic Arts Festival (VanCAF) is back for its eighth instalment. The VanCAF will bring together artists and fans for a series of workshops, panels and a general exhibition that will provide a forum to interact with and discover creators with all sorts of styles and backgrounds. The festival will run May 18–19 at…

Hot chocolate from around the world

As part of Vancouver’s 9th annual Hot Chocolate Festival Kasama Chocolate will be hosting a workshop for chocolate lovers, including cacao with various cultural twists, at the Italian Cultural Centre on Feb. 6, 2019. At Hot Chocolates from the World, participants will explore the history and background of chocolates, with a chance to make their own…

Orchestrating an African cultural tour

ISSAMBA, a 90-minute show filled with African music and dance, will be touring Vancouver and Vancouver Island Feb. 14–23. Produced by the Victoria African and Caribbean Cultural Society (VACCS), ISSAMBA functions as a way for some to celebrate their own heritage and for others to experience African and Caribbean culture in a fun and educational atmosphere. A sense…

Festival of lights and culture

This year’s Diwali Festival in B.C. promises to both entertain and educate. Founded by Rohit Chokhani, Diwali in B.C. is an artistic platform and a celebration of the festival of lights during the Indian New Year. A multi-cultural festival, Diwali promises to engage artists and people from different backgrounds and specialties. Raised in Mumbai, Chokhani…