West End
From the same folks that brought you sermons based on Academy Award winning movies comes Star Wars Sunday: May the Force be With You — and Also With You.
St. Andrews-Wesley is at it again, but this time is offering a sermon inspired by what’s come to be known as Star Wars Day, May 4 (May the Fourth be with you.)
Besides a Star Wars-based sermon that embraces the movie’s theme of morality, the grand organ will belt out some of the majestic music from the movie while a singing ensemble will perform a commissioned Star Wars choral work.
Rev. Kathryn Ransdell said because May 4 only comes around once a year she thought, why not?
“We’re always looking for ways to engage people in church and what better way to tell our faith story than through the lens of this iconic story of forces of good working to save the galaxy,” Ransdell said in a press release.
The once-in–a-decade service begins at 10:30 a.m. and costumes are encouraged. The church is located on Nelson Street at Burrard and offers free parking with entrance from the lane.
Jericho Beach
The Jericho Sailing Centre is hosting its annual open house with a tongue-in-cheek invitation to “view Vancouver sea mammals in their natural environment.”
The centre jokes it’s released a countless number of sea mammals from landlubber captivity into English Bay, including ocean kayakers, rowers, stand-up paddlers, outrigger enthusiasts, dinghy sailors, Cat sailors, windsurfers and sailing canoe.
The May 10 event is an opportunity for newcomers and weathered veterans to mix from noon to 4 p.m. at the centre located at 1300 Discovery St. near Jericho Beach. Visit jsca.bc.ca for more information.
Marpole
The Marpole Museum and Historical Society is holding a giant community garage May 24 at historic Colbourne House and registration is on now to reserve a table.
The garage sale runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and refreshments will be available for purchase. Call 604-261-0131 to reserve a table. Colbourne House is located at 8743 Southwest Marine Drive.
Various locations
M&M Meat Shops and Crohn’s and Colitis Canada have once again partnered to raise funds for the charitable organization.
The 26th annual Charity BBQ Day, which raises awareness about the disease and money to help find a cure for Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis, takes place May 10 at participating M&M stores. To date, the annual event has raised more than $24 million for Crohn’s and Colitis research.
Grandview Woodland
Hullabaloo: B.C.’s Youth Poetry Festival is back this weekend with 18 teams and close to 100 youth poets taking part.
Groups bringing their A game are from across Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and, for the first time, from Sardis Secondary in Chilliwack — my alma mater. The festival offers youth an opportunity to gain experience performing, writing and honing their skills as well as a chance to meet like-minded artists from across the province.
Hullabaloo runs April 24 to 26 at Astorino’s Banquet Hall and the Prophouse Café. For a complete schedule visit youthslam.ca.
Various locations
On April 27, South Africans in cities around the world, including Vancouver, will celebrate Freedom Day marking the 20th anniversary of free elections in their home country.
In Vancouver, on Friday, April 25, at 4 p.m. the South African flag will be raised at city hall (at West 12th Avenue and Cambie Street) during a public celebration. The event will also include a reading of a proclamation marking South Africa Freedom Day Weekend in the city.
On April 26, from 6:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., a Freedom Day gala reception and dance takes place at the Central Library downtown and on April 27, a free cultural celebration takes place on the North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery from noon until 4 p.m. — following the Sun Run.
In addition, the Vancouver South African Film Festival is hosting a free talk by South African high commissioners Membathisi Mdladlana about 20 years of democracy in that country and the legacy of Nelson Mandela. For a complete schedule visit sacabc.ca.
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