Downtown Eastside
The Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival includes 90 events at 25 venues throughout the neighbourhood.
The event marks the 11th year of the popular festival, which this year runs now through Nov. 9 with music, stories, songs, poetry, cultural celebrations, films, theatre, dance, processions, spoken word, forums, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibits, mixed media, history walks and numerous artists.
To celebrate and launch this second decade of the festival, organizers dubbed 2014’s theme “Keeping the home fires burning,” in reference to the inspiration offered by Downtown Eastside residents and artists who they say carry the flame of the community.
A festival highlight is the Theatre in the Raw production of The Raymur Mothers, an original musical from Bill Sample and former Vancouver Sun reporter Bob Sarti directed by Jay Hamburger. Featuring 13 original songs, the play brings to life the inspiring story of single moms living on Campbell Avenue at Stamps Place (Raymur) Public Housing Project. In 1971, the mother’s took action on nearby train tracks, fighting for a pedestrian overpass to get their children safely to school.
Other highlights include some surprises as well as festival favourites, including the Carnegie Jazz Band, Barrio Flamenco, Sawagi Taiko, Dovbush Dancers, Keepers of the Flame: A Celebration of Poetry and much more to be announced. For more information, visit heartofthecityfestival.com.
Grandview Woodland
Live at the WISE presents a “rip-roarin’ rock n’ roll double header” with Cousin Harley and Rich Hope and His Evil Doers, Friday Nov. 14.
Cousin Harley is the rocking hillbilly persona of Paul Pigat, a guitarist who’s opened for such legendary acts as Brian Setzer and Wanda Jackson. The band has a hard-earned reputation for delivering everything from hot-rod rockabilly to foot-stomping, vintage country to western swing. Meanwhile Rich Hope and His Evil Doers, made up of Hope and Adrian Mack, are described as “Vancouver’s balls-out blues duo who never fail to remind us that evil never sleeps.”
Tickets are $20 and available at Red Cat Records, Highlife Records, online at brownpapertickets.com, at the WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac St., or by phone at 604-254-5959. Doors open at 8 p.m. For more information, visit wisehall.ca.
Kensington Cedar Cottage
The B.C. Pain Society presents the first annual CannaFest, a tribute to everything marijuana Nov. 15, at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr.
Headlining the festival are well-known Canadian rock bands Helix, the Headpins, Prism and up-and-comer Catalyst. Comedian Shuli Egar, medicinal marijuana and accessory vendors and at least one medical professional for those needing a consultation for prescription. A portion of proceeds will go to research the benefits of marijuana and cancer treatment. Medicinal marijuana users will be able to “medicate” outside the venue in a secure fenced off area. Doors open at 4 p.m. For more information visit bcpainsociety.com.
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