Kitsilano
West Side Family Place is hosting a night of comedy and fundraising in support of its Play and Learn drop-in program.
The annual Fall Frenzy Gala, the non-profit’s major fundraiser of the year, includes a comedy show courtesy of the Vancouver Theatre Sports League at the Improv Centre on Granville Island Oct. 23, with a cocktail reception and live and silent auctions starting at 5:30 p.m.
West Side Family Place offers early childhood learning programs and family support services to more than 500 families annually at the small blue character home at 2819 West 11th Ave. The house is a place where mothers and other care providers drop-in for a reprieve from their isolation at home, with their babies and toddlers in tow, to play and participate in numerous programs and activities, including a toy lending library, kids clothes exchange, story time and activity stations where kids can paint, play, read, join sing-alongs and more. For many families, this sanctuary is a home-away-from-home where they can connect and interact with others in a welcoming environment.
Tickets can be purchased in person at West Side Family Place or online at westsidefamilyplace.com.
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A non-profit group dedicated to protecting young women from violations against human rights and that works to empower girls to take charge of their futures is presenting a documentary play at St. John’s School Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 15 with screenings at 2 and 8 p.m.
Freedom for Our Daughters presents Seven, a film based on personal interviews with seven women who triumphed over enormous obstacles to bring about major changes in their home countries of Russia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Guatemala and Cambodia. The production is a fundraiser for Freedom for Our Daughters, a youth-run organization partnered with the Maasai Women’s Development Organization in Arusha, Tanzania. The group works to help fund education and safe housing for Tanzanian girls.
St. John’s is located at 2215 West 10th Ave. For tickets and information email [email protected]. Tickets will also be available at the door.
University of B.C.
The UBC Apple Festival celebrates one of this province’s favourite fruits.
This family-friendly festival is ideal for everyone, including children learning about the diversity of apples to those who remember tasting the heritage species of their youth. The Apple Festival is a great opportunity to not only discover more about this delicious fruit, but have a whole lot of fun doing it. And don’t forget to check out the new Scarecrow Contest at the garden, 6804 Marine Dr. The festival runs Oct. 18 to 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4 (cash) and children 12 and under get in free.
South Hill/Little Mountain
Preparations for the annual Night for All Souls celebrations at Mountain View Cemetery begin Oct. 16 with volunteer orientation at 7 p.m. followed by a presentation and talk: Creating Personal Memorials. A lantern making workshop takes place Oct. 18 from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Celebration Hall at Mountain View will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 to Nov. 2 for tea and the creation of personal memorials. There are many events taking place during that time including a movie night, sugar skull workshop and a mourner’s tea. Historical walking tours take place Oct. 19 and 26 and Nov. 2, 9 and 16 from 2 to 4 p.m.
All Souls opening night, Oct. 25, begins at 6 p.m. with flowers, candles, music and tea. From 7:11 to 9:02 p.m., Mark Haney will perform a site-specific musical composition commemorating the World Wars dubbed, “11.” For a complete schedule visit vancouver.ca/news-calendar.
Downtown
The Vancouver Public Library’s writer in residence and award-winning Canadian author Gabrielle Prendergast is hosting a three-part workshop for teens who love writing and reading. Teens will have the opportunity to share their work with peers and get feedback and guidance from an experienced author. The workshop includes in-class exercises, take-away assignments, tips and advice about making it in the publishing world. These sessions, for teens aged 13 to 18, take place Saturdays, Nov. 1, 8 and 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the board room on level seven at the Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St. The workshops are free but registration is required at [email protected].
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The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is presenting Nosferatu Oct. 30.
This spooky 1922 silent film will be shown on the big screen with the musical score played live by the VSO conducted by Gillian Anderson — (the conductor, not the X-files actor.)
Nosferatu is the original Dracula movie, but forget the handsome charming creatures of more recent times. In this film, the monster is a living corpse who feeds mercilessly on his victims, which means the kids will love it. The event is a special, one-night-only presentation of this Halloween spectacular and tickets always sell fast. VSO prizes will be awarded for the best audience member costume. Visit vancouversymphony.ca.
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