Inside Vancouver

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

by Dana Lynch in Events on September 10, 2011

Stilt-walkers make "fire circles" at the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. Photo: Still Moon Arts Society

One of Vancouver’s most unique multicultural festivals happens next Saturday, September 17: the 9th annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival.

Taking place in East Vancouver, the free Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival honours diverse cultural traditions—including the Chinese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival—with a celebration of harvest abundance, renewal and environmental stewardship. Lanterns for the festival are made by family and friends in the community, and the choice of Renfrew Ravine as the venue further symbolizes community spirit and renewal: the Ravine, today a lovely nature park, was once a garbage pit, transformed through the loving care of the neighbouring community.

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Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

Vancouver International Improv Festival October 5 – 10, 2010

by Dana Lynch in Entertainment on October 4, 2010

Vancouver International Improv Festival

Back for its 11th season and now at Performance Works on Granville Island, the annual Vancouver International Improv Festival (VIIF) brings audiences some of the most innovative improvisation in the world through 20 shows and five days—and you can see every show for just $40!

As Guy MacPherson of The Georgia Straight puts it, “If you’ve never been blown away by improv before, you haven’t been to the VIIF.” As is the case every year, VIIF showcases hip, new improv from both local and international ensembles. 2010 Shows range from the bawdy Puppet This (with the tag-line “Get Felt”), to the poetic Dave Morris: One-man Improvised Storytelling.

The opening night Toonie Tuesday on October 5 gives you a “sneak peak” at what to expect from the festival, and includes the Sunday Service, the toast of Vancouver’s alternative comedy scene—and the show is a crazy bargain at just $2!

Find the complete schedule of shows and buy tickets at the Vancouver International Improv Festival site. VIIF runs October 5 – 10, 2010.

Moon Festival Celebration at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden – Sunday, September 19

by Dana Lynch in Events on September 18, 2010

This Sunday, September 19, Chinatown’s Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden is celebrating the annual Mid Autumn Moon Festival with festivities and activities for all ages.

The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (along with Chinese New Year) is one of the most important holidays in the Chinese calendar. It’s a festival that traditionally brings friends and families together to celebrate the harvest, admire the “harvest moon,” and eat moon cakes. The Garden’s Mid Autumn Moon Public Celebration includes Chinese Games, cooking demonstrations, live music, fortune tellers, and kids’ crafts. There will also be free tours of the Garden and two free Chinatown Walking Tours (leaving the main entrance at 11am and 2pm).

The Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden’s Mid Autumn Moon Public Celebration runs from 10am – 4pm on Sunday, September 19. Entrance by donation.

Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival This Weekend

by Dana Lynch in Entertainment on September 2, 2010

Vancouver Tap Dance Society

There’s just something about tap dance that makes (practically) everyone smile when they see it, from the littlest kid to the oldest fan. Maybe it’s the exuberance of tap, the joyfulness of it, or just the wonderful pairing of sound and movement—whatever it is, very few are immune to its charm.

For a super-fun, totally unique experience of tap, check out this weekend’s Vancouver Tap Dance Festival 2010. Organized by the Vancouver Tap Dance Society, the Vancouver Tap Dance Festival features some of the most glorious moments in tap dance you’ll ever see, including the legendary Harold Cromer and the return of tap star Jason Samuels Smith.

Along with performances in some of Vancouver’s best dance venues, the Tap Dance Festival includes an all-inclusive harbour cruise event on Friday, September 3: a buffet dinner + live show. See the Festival event schedule for details.

The Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival runs from September 3 – 5, 2010.

2009 Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival

by Dana Lynch in Food & Drink on October 19, 2009

One of North America’s premiere literary events happens every year right here in Vancouver: the Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival. Spanning eight days, from October 18 – 15, 2009, the festival brings internationally acclaimed authors to Granville Island, where readers meet the authors, attend lectures, and discuss industry issues.

For 2009, authors include John Irving and Joan London, Canadian luminaries Margaret Atwood, Alistair MacLeod, Lisa Moore, and Douglas Coupland, Quebeçois writers Marie-Claire Blais, Monique Proulx and Dany Laferrière, and B.C. authors Michael Turner, Annabel Lyon and Ashok Mathur. There is also a tribute to Alice Monro.

Complete List of 2009 Festival Authors

Many events are already sold out, so move quickly if you want in on the action.

Complete Schedule of Events for the 2009 Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival

Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival 2011

Vancouver International Improv Festival October 5 – 10, 2010

Moon Festival Celebration at Dr. Sun Yat Sen Chinese Garden – Sunday, September 19

Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival This Weekend

2009 Vancouver International Writers & Readers Festival

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