Terminal Avenue
A project that saw dresses created and inspired by colourful microscopic images of cancer cells and cellular systems is culminating in a fundraising auction with proceeds to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Centre at the University of B.C.
The Fashioning Cancer event, part of Western Living Design Week, will feature an auction of 10 exquisite evening gowns designed as works of art to inspire conversations about cancer.
Jacqueline Firkins, assistant professor in the UBC Department of Theatre and Film, found inspiration for the gowns in the microscopic images of cancer cells and cellular systems.
The 10 show-stopping ball gowns are part of a larger project entitled Fashioning Cancer: The Correlation Between Destruction and Beauty, an inter-departmental project at UBC made possible through a Research Mentorship Grant from the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies.
Firkins discovered many women who’ve battled cancer expressed a disconnect with the usual fashion imagery commonly associated with the disease, such as the pink ribbon, a signature fashion statement for breast cancer awareness. The aim of this project was to bring science and art together to encourage a more open discussion about cancer, beauty, and body image as well as to generate artistic imagery closely connected to the disease itself. Singer and breast cancer survivor Bif Naked will perform during the evening.
The Fashioning Cancer auction takes place Sept. 23 from 6:30 to 9:30 at the Porsche Centre Vancouver, 688 Terminal Ave. For ticket information visit alumni.ubc.ca/events/calendar.
Coal Harbour
The Vancouver branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society is celebrating its 2014 International Awareness Day with free introductory classes for the public at Jack Poole Plaza every 30 minutes from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., this Saturday, Sept. 13.
The event will also include presentations, art and a one-kilometre Tai Chi set. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information visit taoist.bc.ca.
West End
Women in Mining B.C. is hosting a fundraising wine and cheese social Sept. 18 at Marquis Wine Cellar, 1034 Davie St.
The $25 cost of admission includes five, two-ounce wine tastings and appetizers with proceeds benefitting the Women in Mining’s Run for the Cure efforts. The 2014 Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and CIBC Run for the Cure takes place in Vancouver Oct. 5. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and themed wine and cheese will be served from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets, for 19 years and older, are available by visiting wimbc.ca.
Mount Pleasant
The Food Connection Harvest Feast takes place at Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. for a celebration of local and seasonal food.
Organizers encourage folks to bring any local seasonal fruits and veggies or other ingredients they can offer to contribute to the soup, salad, flatbread (pizza), and blended “ice cream” dessert.
Suggested ingredients are listed on the RSVP form. Learn a variety of ways to devour seasonal fruits and veggies at food experimentation stations, meet your neighbours and have some fun. To RSVP for the feast visit thefoodconnection.ca.
Granville Island
Vancouver TheatreSports League has announced a second date for Up Close and Personal with Colin Mochrie and Guests.
The non-profit previously sold out two performances Oct. 4 at Performance Works on Granville Island. The two performances taking place Oct. 3, will begin at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at the Improv
Centre on Granville Island offering reserved theatre and cabaret-style seating. Mochrie is considered by many to be Canada’s best-known improviser.
Proceeds from the shows will benefit the league’s new educational Improv Comedy Institute. For more information visit vtsl.com.
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