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Canada Day in Vancouver
Hastings Community Centre is offering the ‘Passport to Fun’ and a chance to win prizes at the nearby spray park. The family-friendly celebration begins at 11 a.m. and includes a dunk tank, cake, live entertainment and magic show. At Sunset Community Centre from noon to 4 p.m., there will be bouncy castles, petting zoo, live entertainment, face painting, environmental art, cupcakes and more. Other community centres offering Canada Day celebrations on July 1: (unless otherwise indicated) are: * Thunderbird – June 28, 12-3 p.m. on Cassiar Street outside the community centre. * Britannia – 12:30 to 3 p.m. in Victoria Park. * False Creek – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the community centre and nearby water park * Kensington – 12 to 3 p.m. in Kensington Park * Renfrew – 1 to 5 p.m. in Renfrew Park. Canada Day celebrations are free (there may be a charge for food) and will take place rain or shine. Residents are encouraged to contact their local community centre or 3-1-1 for additional information.
Celebrate at Surrey Canada Day 2014
Tuesday, July 1, 10 a.m.to 10:30 p.m. at Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre (176nd Street & 64th Avenue). Opening ceremonies with Surrey Mayor Dioanne Watts at 1:30 p.m. This year’s main stage, presented by Chevron, will feature headlining Canadian rock icon, Matthew Good, and Vancouver rising stars, Daniel Wesley and Kyprios. Other highlights will include: * a half a million square feet of site area * an expanded Kids Play area * over 100 exhibitors * Shooting Star Amusements with superior midway games and rides * fireworks grand finale at 10:15 p.m. This is a free public event. Visit the Surrey Canada Day website www.surrey.ca/canadaday for more information.
South Asian Seniors: Group Birthday
Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian senior members to celebrate group birthday of 15 senior members born in May and June on Saturday, June 28, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 – 140th Street, Surrey. It will start with serving snacks, tea and pop, and there will be live entertainment by talented members. Cake-cutting ceremony will take place and pure vegetarian pizza will be served for lunch. Registration required for non-members. Contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for registration.
Vancouver International Busker Festival
Coming to Granville Street and the Art Gallery, June 28-29, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. In addition to over 100 shows by 27 local, national and international street artists ranging from circus, juggling and mime to tall unicycles, chain escapes, magic, spray paint arts, music and comedy we will also have 16 of Vancouver’s best food trucks and over 20 arts and crafts vendors.
All Star Wrestling
Richmond on Saturday, June 28 at the Fridge. This show will feature former WWE Star, Gangrel the Vampire Warrior vs Kyle Sebastian for the ASW Trans Canada Title. ASW Tag Team Titles: The Breakers vs Azeem The Dream & Christopher Ryseck (Champions). ASW Cruiserweight Title: Collin Cougar Meat Cutler vs The Great Kasaki. Toga Boy, Lonewolf McCoy and more. Tickets $18 row and $15 general admission. Meet the Wrestlers after the show at Pioneer’s Pub. www.allstar-wrestling.com. Phone: 604-710-0872.
Langley Canada Day Celebrations
Langley International Festival Society has joined hands with the Township of Langley, Tourism Langley, Langley Events Centre, Langley School District, Fraser Valley Regional Library and many others to put on a four-day spectacular celebration, from June 28 to July 1. Sponsors and vendors are asked to email at info@internationalfestival.ca or visit the www.internationalfestival.ca/ or www.langleycanadaday.ca website for further details.
MADD Metro Vancouver Chapter
Strides for Change is MADD Canada’s annual walk-a-thon. The annual 5 km walk supports Chapters and Community Leaders in their efforts to educate the public about the dangers of impaired driving and to help victims in their communities. Highlights of the event include a special unveiling of the MADD Metro Vancouver Chapters Memorial Bench. There will be food, refreshment, goodie bags for all participants and exciting raffle prizes. The walk takes place at Bear Creek Park in Surrey on Saturday, June 28. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Candlelight vigil and Memorial Bench unveiling will take place at 11 a.m. with the walk following. Those who can’t attend in person can still take part as a Virtual Walker and walk from home in your favorite chair, or make a donation online. Visit: www.madd.ca/vancouver to register, donate or get more information.
Multicultural Heritage Festival
Presented in partnership with Vancouver Cantonese Opera, the event will take place on the City stage at the Minoru Plaza outside the Richmond Cultural Centre on Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29 from noon until 5 p.m. each day, at Minoru Plaza outside the Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate. The festival is moving outdoors and adding a second day of music, dance and martial arts. Canadian artists from China, Great Britain, India, Japan, Russia, Thailand and the Ukraine will share the stage. For more information, call 604-764-8181 or visit www.multiculturalheritage.ca
Connection Through Spirit: Multi Faith Action Society
Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey invites South Asian youths, adults and seniors to attend a facilitator workshop on Connection Through Spirit for youth 15-25 years old, to broaden their spiritual awareness, organized by Multi Faith Action Society and Vancouver Foundation on June 29, 1:30-3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Hindu Temple, 8321 – 140th Street, Surrey. Tea and light snacks will be served after the workshop. Contact Multi Faith Action Society at 604-321-1302 for more information or Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945.
BC Summer Reading Club
Surrey Libraries invites kids of all ages to join the 2014 BC Summer Reading Club. It’s free. This year’s theme is Funny Business. Sign up at the library has started. Every child receives a reading log to keep track of their reading. Kids visit the library regularly to collect special weekly stickers for their reading log, enter contests, and win prizes. Kids that read for 49 days receive an official 2014 medal. Kids can participate in many fun free programs from magic shows, to the one-woman circus act, to a sound-effects performer. As well there are family storytimes, craft programs, book clubs, LEGO clubs, computer and games events, and more. For more information, and to learn about other free library programs, contests and activities for kids, call the Surrey Libraries at 604-598-7445 or visit http://www.surreylibraries.ca/5370.aspx
Do Your Kidz Have Talent?
Langley’s International Festival Society presents a contest for Kids Who Have Talent to motivate and showcase young musicians in the community. The kidz will have an opportunity to perform on the Main Stage at Langley Canada Day celebrations on July 1 at the Willoughby Community Park (next to Langley Events Centre), located at 7888 – 200th Street, Langley. If your son or daughter is 12 or under, who can sing, dance or play a musical instrument, this is a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their talent. The outstanding performer will be awarded a scholarship from Langley Community Music School. You can find the application at www.internationalfestival.ca or www.langleycanadaday.ca . If you have any questions, call Alyssa at 778-298-7703 or e-mail her at office@internationalfestival.ca.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at: Canada Day
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of British Columbia will be holding a fun-filled day of celebrations in honor of Canada Day on July 1. All residents are invited to Baitur Rahman Mosque at 9570 River Road in Delta. The program will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The opening program will begin at 10 a.m. with a prayer, the singing of O Canada and remarks by dignitaries. The celebrations will commence with a flag-raising ceremony and special prayers for the safety and peace of the nation. The rest of the day will consist of various fun-filled programs including free barbeque for the entire family.
Man-Up Against Suicide Photo Exhibit
Man-Up Against Suicide photo exhibit, a project led by UBC professor and men’s health expert, Dr. John Oliffe, from now until June 29 (Tuesday-Sunday, 12-6 p.m.) at 1445 West Georgia Street, Vancouver (former Buschlen Mowatt gallery). Suicide is the leading cause of death among men aged 25-29 and 40-44, as well as a preventable and common cause among other age groups. Men in BC commit suicide at a rate of 17.5 per 100,000. This exhibit illuminates this stigmatized issue by placing cameras in the hands of men and women of different ages and backgrounds who have been affected by male suicide. Their photographs and narratives will be exhibited across Canada as a means of de-stigmatizing men’s mental illness and raising awareness about men’s suicide.
Indo-Africa Chairtable Society
Invites all to Shivpuran Katha by Shree Giri Bapu in Hindi at All Saints Parish Church, 1405 Como Lake, Coquitlam, from June 30 to July 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. Pooja: 6:30 p.m. by Shree Sharadbhai Shastri. Maha Shivpuran Katha: 7 p.m. Priti Bhojan from 5:30 to 7 p.m.Shri Mukeshgiribapu is known as ‘Giribapu’ among his followers. Along his Shivkatha, Shri Giribapu inspires and motivates for free plantation, literacy, giving up addiction, preventing dowry, preventing infanticide, protecting animals and birds, and being vegetarian. For more info, contact Vasant Lakhani, President, Indo-Africa Charitable Society, at (604) 987-1925.
MOSAIC Free Community Workshops
English & Multilingual. * Canadian Citizenship Preparation on July 2 and 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at New Westminster Public Library, 716–6th Avenue. Registration required: Call 604-438-8214, ext. 112. * Becoming a Permanent Resident on July 2, 7–8:30 p.m. at Vancity Community Room, 5066 Kingsway, Burnaby. Registration required: Call 604-292-3907.
Indian Summer Festival
Event: Opening Gala – A Culinary Tour of South Asia, Curated by Vikram Vij. Date: Thursday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden Cost: $85 / person. * Event: Dinner By Starlight, With Vij and special guest The Dabbawalas of Mumbai. Date: Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m. Where: Secret Location (revealed to ticket holders only). Cost: $350 / person. * Festival Dates: July 3-12. Event schedule: http://indiansummerfestival.ca/events/ Ticket information: http://indiansummerfestival.ca/tickets/ Location: SFU’s Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. For more updates: Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/IndianSummerCanada or on Twitter @IndianSummerCND.
YVR Take-off Fridays
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) getting ready to host its 5th summer celebration event YVR Take-Off Fridays at Domestic, International & U.S. Terminals, Departures Level 3. Every Friday from July 4 to August 29, YVR will come alive with fun-filled activities, free entertainment, delicious food samples and deals for travellers and locals alike. Running Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event features live entertainment by local performers and beats courtesy of the Lower Mainland’s hottest DJs. For the little ones, caricaturists and balloonists will be onsite, complemented by face painting and photos ops with the beloved YVR mascots. Lunch and shopping specials also await visitors. Plus, back for a second consecutive year is the popular YVR Take-Off Fridays’ Paper Airplane Competition, scheduled for Friday, July 11 at 11 a.m. Participants of all ages are invited to vie for the chance to scoop up huge prizes, as they square off to create an airplane that will soar past their competitors. Paper airplane expert Ralph Heldt will coach participants on the aerodynamics of paper airplanes and which folding methods will yield the farthest flights..Enjoy a special YVR Take-Off Fridays parking rate of $5 for up to four hours in YVR’s Parkade, or begin your adventure on the Canada Line and get to the airport in 26 minutes or less.
Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar
On July 5, 5:30-8 p.m., the gurdwara organizers are inviting all communities and faiths to join them for a GNFK (Guru Nanak Free Kitchen) Mediation Evening – Celebrating Community Harmony. Bring your friends and families – and meditate together for peace and harmony. There will also be activities for children.
Carnaval del Sol
Carnaval del Sol is back on Granville Street Mall on July 5 and 6. It is part of a week-long celebration of Latin America week in Vancouver. Scheduled events include locally and nationally renowned Latin musical artists, folk dance troupes, a marketplace that displays the work of Latin American artisans and childrens’ games. There will be tasty homemade Latin American cuisine as well as a wide range of local food trucks, serving up some of Vancouver’s very best street cuisine. * New this year is the Latin America House at Edgewater Casino which joins the World Cup Celebration from June 12-13. Throughout the tournament you can watch the games on a super-size screen. You can also sign up your team for Carnaval del Sol’s Mini World Cup which is supported by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Keeping Kids Safe in Vancouver: Cancelled
The July 6 event at Dueck GM Marine, 400 Marine Drive, SE Vancouver, has been cancelled.
The event was about helping parents keep their children safe with the Safe and Sure Child Car Seat Installation Workshop Program.
India Summer Festival: Culture and the Graphic Novel
Three graphic novelists, who act as modern day minstrels, combining the art of storytelling with a mission for political action and social change, Orijit Sen, David Wong, and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, will speak on their art as an extension of an older form of storytelling. Orijit Sen’s book River of Stories presents a critical view of India’s large dams and the impact they have on indigenous people. His recent work – a giant seven storey high mural for the Khalsa Heritage Museum in Punjab – is rendered like a graphic novel with influences of the Mughal miniature style and chronicles life in the Punjab, with stories of the mundane and the mythic. These three image makers will talk of their work, and the intersections between art, aesthetics, memory and politics. A question and answer session with the audience will follow. The event is on July 9 at 6 p.m. at SFU Woodward’s, Vancouver. It will be moderated by Charlie Smith of Georgia Straight. It is sponsored by Dr. Hari Sharma Foundation. Website link for tickets: http://indiansummerfestival.ca/events/artpolitik/
MP Jinny Sims Annual Summer BBQ
Newton-North Delta MP Jinny Sims’ Annual Community BBQ with Surrey-Newton MLA Harry Bains. There will be games and activities for kids. Saturday, July 12, 12-3 p.m. at Unwin Park, 13313 68th Avenue.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program
People with ongoing health issues may know what they ‘should’ do for better health, but find it difficult to get started – or lose motivation when they run into problems. Richmond Public Library is hosting a free six-week “Chronic Disease Self-Management Program”, offered by the University of Victoria, Centre on Aging, Mondays from now until July 21 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Branch in the 2nd floor Community Place, 7700 Minoru Gate. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/events. To see the program evaluation report or for more information on the program go to www.selfmanagementbc.ca
SikhRi Sikh summer camp
Daily program at this Sikh camp will feature a daily diwan, group activities, sports and fun-filled learning classes. The sessions at the summer camp for Sikh kids will be focusing on gurmat, journey through time; vismad, kirtan, creative arts workshop, gatka, and team building activities that seek to inspire the Sikh values. Other principles of universal significance are also incorporated in the Sikh camp that do not disturb the harmony of the Sikh faith. July 21-25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily at Khalsa School – Newton Campus, Surrey. Theme: Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. Participants: Children ages 5-16. Donations / Costs: $250 or get the Early Bird discount. SikhRi, a non-profit organization, will provide kids with nutritional snacks and meals during the camp hours. To offset the cost of the camp, following donations are suggested: register by June 25: $225 for the first child; $175 / child for additional children in same family. Email: lali.pawa@sikhri.org or call 604-505-0502. This Sikh camp is supported by volunteers who are passionate about Sikhi and Sikh kids. Consider volunteering.
Introduction to Canadian Citizenship
This free program in Punjabi / Hindi caters to permanent residents who are applying for Canadian Citizenship. An introduction will be provided on topics like Canada’ History, Geography, Government and much more. Participants will learn on how to study “Discover Canada”. Every Thursday from August 7-September 11, 1-2:30 p.m. At South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, 6470 Victoria Drive at 49th) in Vancouver. Free Child minding and refreshments will be provided. For more information and registration, call: 604-324-6212, ext. 134.
Chariot Festival of India
The 41st annual Chariot Festival of India also known as Jagannath Rath Yatra is taking place in Downtown Vancouver on August 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Second Beach, Stanley Park, Vancouver. This colourful and fun-filled cultural parade starts at 11:30 a.m. from Beach Avenue at Howe Street (under the Granville Street Bridge) and travelling along Beach Avenue, culminates at Second Beach at 1 p.m. Features: Entertainment on two stages; music & dance; live theatre; mendi hand tattoos; yoga & meditation; face painting; veggie-cooking demos; clowns & balloon artists; free feasting for 10,000; kids fun tents; market bazaar. All families and friends invited. Free admission. Organizer: ISKCON Vancouver. Information: iskconvan@gmail.com
