MARK YOUR CALENDAR
/Here’s What’s Happening
In Your West End In …
JUNE, 2023
(Click any image to enlarge)
The following are highlights from the many programs available at the West End and Coal Harbour community hubs. Check the websites listed at the end of this section for complete listings of events and activities.
Community Calendar / Arts & Entertainment / Families, Kids, & Teens / Senior Moments / Venue Directory
Community Calendar
COMMUNITY HUB INFO SESSION
When: Sun. June 4 from 2 to 5 p.m. and Mon. June 5 from 3 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: Sun. at the West End Community Centre and Monday at King George Secondary School.
Cost: Free
Details: Big plans are under way for the redevelopment of the “West End Community Hub.” The community centre will be replaced, King George Secondary School redeveloped to provide space for more students and to meet seismic upgrade requirements, Joe Fortes Library expanded, and the current Fire Hall No. 6 relocated, while the renewed community hub will likely have combined and shared programming spaces. Among the potential uses for these spaces include childcare, seniors’ spaces, and arts and culture facilities. Use the directional arrows on our slideshow here to view the three options under consideration.
POLICING CENTRE OPEN HOUSE
When: Sat. June 3 from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
Where: West End - Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre / Jervis between Davie & See-em-ia.
Cost: Free.
Details: Meet the staff and volunteers at our community policing centre and members of the VPD mounted unit. There will be give-aways and prizes, free bike registration, and Child Find IDs.
ROBERTS FUNFEST
When: Sat. June 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Lord Roberts Elementary School grounds / 1100 Bidwell.
Cost: Free.
Details: Enjoy live music, a BBQ, bike tune-ups, a silent auction, bake sale, and Musqueam cedar weaving at this festive carnival-like community party.
INVESTMENT COFFEE CLUB
When: Sun. June 4 and Sat. June 6 from 10 to 11 a.m.
Where: June 4 at the West End Community Centre English Bay Room and June 6 at the Coal Harbour Community Centre Activity Room.
Cost: Free
Details: An informal gathering to discuss current events, the economy, and investing.
The Dragons team member Jaden out on Denman Street advertising the car wash.
KING GEORGE DRAGONS CAR WASH
A Fundraiser For The Basketball Team
When: Fridays June 9, 16 & 30 from 4 to 8 p.m. / Saturdays June 10 & 17 from 12 noon to 6 p.m.
Where: The parking lot behind King George Secondary School, off Barclay east of Denman.
Cost: By donation.
Details: Support the West End’s championship basketball team, The King George Dragons, and drive away in a sparkling clean automobile.
EMERGENCY FIRST AID
When: Sat. June 10 from 9:15 to 1:45 p.m.
Where: West End Community Centre Barclay Room.
Admission: $99.75
Details: This basic course teaches lifesaving first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills for workplace or home. The course meets the legal requirements for provincial worker safety and insurance boards and includes the latest first aid and CPR guidelines.
WEST END URBAN GARDEN CLUB
When: Sun. June 11 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Where: West End Community Centre Bidwell Room
Admission: Free
Details: Join the West End Neighbourhood Food Network’s Urban Garden Club and Village Vancouver at their monthly family friendly gathering. Bring a dish to share for the potluck and your own plate and eating utensils. Each month the club conducts a short workshop on a different food and/or gardening related topic, and a community seed library offers an opportunity to swap, donate, or pick up some free seeds.
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
When: Fri. June 16 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Barclay Heritage Square (1447 Barclay)
Cost: Free
Details: The West End Seniors Network invites the entire community to join them for an afternoon of live music, grand prize draws, a pop-up thrift shop, and many other fun activities … and of course, lots of home-baked strawberry shortcakes ($5 cash sales only, so bring your loonies, toonies and blue bills). Barclay Heritage Square neighbours will get in on the action with an open house and BBQ at Vancouver Friends for Life and museum tours (by donation or with a fancy hat!), a bake sale, and a lemonade stand.
WEST END URBAN GARDEN CLUB
Indian Style Summer Cool Drinks
When: Tue. June 20 / 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: West End Community Centre Barclay Room
Admission: $22
Details: Learn about the various types of cool drinks made in India during the summer season, using spices, herbs, fruits, and yoghurt. Participants will get to taste each of the cool drinks created and get to take some home — so bring a couple of containers.
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE
When: Tuesdays through May 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: West End Community Centre Meeting Room 2.
Cost: Free
Details: Join a weekly conversation circle open to all levels to practice English in a relaxed circle of friendly people. Conversations are guided by experienced facilitators.
STANDARD FIRST AID
When: Sat. July 8 from 9:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Where: West End Community Centre Barclay Room
Cost: $140
Details: A comprehensive course offering first aid and CPR/AED skills for those who need training due to work requirements or who want more knowledge to respond to emergencies at home. The course meets legislation requirements for provincial worker safety and insurance boards and includes the latest first aid and CPR guidelines.
ONCE A WEEK, EVERY WEEK
The following events almost always take place as scheduled but things do get moved around, so if you’re not sure, check the relevant website or call ahead. Contact info at the end of this calendar.
WEST END FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays through October 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the 1100 block Comox, between Bute and Thurlow. Thirty farms represented, as well as food and coffee trucks. Find a full list of West End vendors on their Market Map and if you are looking for a particular vendor or product you can find them with the help of the Vendor/Product Search Tool.
TOASTMASTERS: Tuesdays from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. in the West End Community Centre Bidwell Room. Free. Learn and practice public speaking, impromptu speeches, and leadership skills at this weekly meeting.
WEST END WRITERS: Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Free. Writers Club of all ages and experience are invited to join in reading works-in-progress and receiving feedback. Visit here for more information.
Arts & Entertainment
Ellie King plays the formidable and fearsome Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
When: June 2 to 4.
Where: PAL Studio Theatre
Cost: $32. Tickets here.
Details: Western Gold Theatre presents this beloved Oscar Wilde satire of Victorian social hypocrisy, also titled “A Trivial Comedy for Serious People”, directed by Anna Haga. In this brilliantly clever comedic masterpiece, which was called “the only pure verbal opera in English” by W.H. Auden, wealthy gentlemen Jack and Algernon have chosen to lead double lives to evade the tedium of polite society. However, when they attempt to win the love of two women, who declare they will only love a man called Earnest, chaos begins and hijinks ensue. The two gentlemen and their ladies are in for more than they ever anticipated when the formidable Lady Bracknell begins sleuthing around. The Importance of Being Earnest is a tale of mistaken identities, rapid-fire wit, and cucumber sandwiches.
ART EXHIBITION @ BENTALL CENTRE
Kelsea Chatburn, André Guyot and Arega Grigoryan
When: June 1 - 30 / Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Art@Bentall Gallery / Bentall Centre Underground Mall / Suite 305
Admission: Free.
Details: This month’s exhibition at the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation’s gallery, will be the paper painting works of Kelsea Chatburn, André Guyot and Arega Grigoryan.
Kardinal Offishall will be among the artists performing at the Black Culture Festival Celebration.
BLACK CULTURE FESTIVAL CELEBRATION
When: Sat. June 17 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Sunset Beach Park
Cost: $40 to $70. Tickets here.
Details: The second annual Black Culture Celebration Festival will feature local hip-hop artists, dance showcases, a food market, art exhibitions, beer gardens, and more. The event will showcase a diverse range of performers and activities, including live music from Kardinal Offishall, Rascalz, Maestro, and Choclair. Dance performances, cultural displays, raffles, art exhibits, a marketplace, and a variety of food vendors serving flavours from Jamaica, Ghana, and other nations. There will be a special focus on celebrating the achievements and contributions of Black leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, and artists. Adding to the day of festivities, BIPOC rollerskating organization ‘Bad Bounce’ will provide free skating lessons to attendees on a first come, first served basis.
LUNCHTIME CONCERTS
When: Thursdays to June 29 from 12:15 to 1 p.m. except June 16.
Where: St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church
Admission: By donation.
Details: Bring your lunch and enjoy some of Vancouver’s finest musicians and vocalists. The June lineup includes: June 8 - The Meeks Piano Duo; June 22 - clarinetist Benjamin MacRae; June 29 - the Grande Prairie Boys’ Choir.
The Hot Mammas are at the Sylvia Thursday, June 29.
LIVE AT THE SYLVIA
When: Every Wed., Thurs., and Sunday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: The Sylvia Hotel Restaurant & Lounge.
Admission: Free.
Details: Three evenings a week enjoy live music at the lounge with a great view of English Bay. The June lineup includes: Sun. June 4 - Jazz with Peter Tam; Thur. June 1 - Jazz and blues with the Weaver & Werth Band; Wed. June 7 - Rockin’ Roots with Chapter 11; Thur. June 8 - Roots & blues with Harris & Debray; Sun. June 11 - TBA; Wed. June 14 - Singer-songwriter Stephen Spender; Thur, June 15 - Jazz & blues with Arsenic & Old Lace; Sun. June 18 - Indie-Folk with Little Fox; Wed. June 21 - Singer songwriter Jana Seale; Thur. June 22 - Jazz and blues with the Weaver & Werth Band; Sun. June 25 - Roots & blues with Harris & Debray; Wed. June 28 - Rockin’ Roots with Chapter11; Thur. June 29 - Classic covers with The Hot Mammas..
JAZZ ON THE PORCH
Where: Roedde House Museum Lawn.
When: Tues. June 27 at 7 p.m.
Admission: Free
Details: This summer’s Jazz on the Porch series of free outdoor concerts kicks off with Allie Burik (sax), Eli Vavidovici (bass), and Mili Hong (drums).
ONCE A WEEK, EVERY WEEK
The following events almost always take place as scheduled but things do get moved around, so if you’re not sure, check the relevant website or call ahead. Contact info at the end of this calendar.
ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE: Every Monday through August 14 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ceperley Meadow in Stanley Park. Part of the Dance At Dusk! series. Drop by to enjoy the show, or learn a few steps and take part in the fun. No dancing if the ground is wet at 5 p.m.
HOT MIX BINGO: Mondays at 8 p.m. at The Shamrock Pub at 1184 Denman. Fun and games = music and bingo at this popular West End Irish pub.
KARAOKE MONDAYS: At Chef Ron Restaurant from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Free. Reservations at 604.336.98.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCING: Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. through August 15 at Ceperley Meadow in Stanley Park. Drop by to enjoy the show, or learn a few steps and join in the fun.
BINGO FOR LIFE: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at The Junction Pub at 11:38 Davie. Free. Drag diva the unstoppable Conni Smudge presides over a weekly fundraiser for The Vancouver Friends for Life Society.
TUESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: At the Fountainhead Pub at 7 p.m. No cover. An evening of trivia and fun hosted by Richard Romano-Carlsen.
KARAOKE TUESDAYS: At The Park Pub from 9 p.m. to late.
THE WEST END SINGERS: Wednesdays in the Salons at St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church from 7 to 9 p.m. No auditions, it’s just for fun! Currently they're learning tunes by/from Styx, Cold Play, John Lennon, Les Miserables, La La Land, and others.
LUNCHTIME CONCERTS: Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Wesley United Church. By donation. Bring your bagged lunch and treat yourself to some of Vancouver’s best musical offerings featuring classical, gospel, jazz, folk and more with Dawn Pemberton, Corey Hamm, and Katherine Evans.
COMEDY TONIGHT! Thursdays at 8 p.m. / The Park Pub (1755 Davie) / Free / Hosts TheatreSports alumni Denise Jones and David Milchard hold an improv comedy night featuring a rotating cast of up to eight of Vancouver’s top improv artists plus special guests. Tickets $25 here.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE: At the Park Pub from 8:30 p.m. to late. Fridays in June feature: June 9 - Raincity; June 16 - the New Shackeltons; June 24 - Shaina Ireland; June 30 - Lee Nichols.
JAZZ VESPERS: Sundays at 4 p.m. at St. Andrews Wesley United Church. By donation. An afternoon featuring some of Vancouver’s finest musicians and meditations on faith and life. The June lineup starts includes: June 4 - Dan Reynolds and Luciano Rigobelo; June 11 - Conversation on Jazz and Spirituality with Benjamin MacRae; June 18 - Bill Costin’s Latin Quartet; June 25 - Harrison Ivaz’s Benson Project.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE: From 8:30 p.m. to late at The Park Pub enjoy great live music. The June lineup includes: June 2 - Groove & Tonic; June 9 - Raincity; June 16 - New Shackletons; June 23 Shaina Ireland; and June 30 - Lee Nichols.
Families, Kids, & Teens
JELLYFISH PLAYTIME
For Up To Age Five
When: Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat. from 9:30 to 11 a.m. / Tues., Thurs. from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Where: Coal Harbour Community Centre.
Cost: $3.50 drop-in.
Details: Toys, balls, and games, and a play house. Parents are required to help set up and clean up each day. No sessions July 3 and August 7.
ONCE A WEEK, EVERY WEEK
The following events almost always take place as scheduled but things do get moved around, so if you’re not sure, check the relevant website or call ahead. Contact info at the end of this calendar.
FAMILY STORY TIME: Thursdays from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at Joe Fortes Library. Free. This program for parents and caregivers with young children shares songs, rhymes and stories. Suitable for children of all ages and abilities to enjoy and learn together.
PRE-TEEN ART ATTACK PROGRAM: Tuesdays through June 13 from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. at West End Community Centre’s Denman Room. A free art program where kids on fun DIY projects to take home after a sesson of painting, drawing, building, and getting messy while hanging with friends in a relaxed and no-pressure space. Projects may include: coaster making, canvas painting, tye-dye, and more. A Pre-Teen Programs waiver form is required. No programs March 14 and 21 due to Spring Break.
TEEN NIGHT AT COAL HARBOUR: Fridays from 6:15 to 9 p.m. at Coal Harbour Community Centre. A free program for youths in Grades 8 to 12 (ages 13 to 18). Shoot hoops in the gymnasium, play board games upstairs, or get creative with some art supplies. Snacks provided. Teen Night has in-out privileges.
Senior Moments
SENIORS FIRST BC LAW CLINIC
Where: Kay’s Place in Denman Mall
When: The first Wednesday of every month.
Details: As part of its Satellite Elder Law Clinic program, Seniors First BC partners with the West End Seniors’ Network to offer pro bono legal consultations to eligible older adults.
ICE CREAM DAY
Celebrating BC Seniors Week
When: Wed. June 7 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Barclay Manor Cobblestones
Cost: Free to members. Join here or bring $10 to purchase on site.
Details: The West End Seniors’ Network celebrates its members, volunteers, friends and partners. Start the summer with Rain or Shine ice cream.
ONCE A WEEK, EVERY WEEK
The following events almost always take place as scheduled but things do get moved around, so if you’re not sure, check the relevant website or call ahead. Contact info at the end of this calendar.
FITNESS WITH LAUREN: Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Gordon Neighbourhood House. Free. A weekly fitness class that incorporates resistance band exercises to improve muscle tone and strength. All seniors welcome.
BALLROOM DANCING & SOCIAL: Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. in the West End Community Centre Auditorium through March 6 (no clas Feb. 20). Join a friendly group of ballroom dances and learn, practice, and meet new friends. Singles and those with partners both welcome. Drop-in $1.50 / Eight sessions for $7.60.
YOGA FOR SENIORS: Mondays at 12:15 p.m. through March 6 at the West End Community Centre Dance Studio (no class Feb. 2). A class for older men and women at all fitness levels, including those with some physical challenges. Each class provides a balanced full body workout, adapted to safely meet your needs. $11 drop-in.
CREATIVE QUEST: Thursdays from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at Barclay Manor. The Barclay Manor Artists’ Collective meets for open studio time. Bring your project and supplies to paint with others in a studio setting. No teaching or supplies are given. For information contact Graham at creativequest2022@gmail.com.
VANCOUVER PRIME TIMERS: Sundays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the West End Community Centre Denman Room. Free. Since 1990 this group has been providing mature gay and bisexual men with opportunities to come together for social, educational, cultural, and recreational programs and activities. Contact primetimersvancouvercanada@gmail.com for more information.
Venue Directory
WHERE THEY’RE AT AND HOW TO CONNECT …
If we’ve missed a venue please let us know at editor@thewestendjournal.ca
Art@Bentall Gallery / 595 Burrard St - Concourse #305 / 604.682.3701 / Website
Barclay Manor / 1447 Barclay / 604.669.5051 / Website (West End Seniors’ Network)
Bonta Italian Ristorante / 1047 Davie / 604.687.0055 / Website
Chef Ron Restaurant / 1037 Denman / 604.336.9994 / Website
Coal Harbour Community Centre / 480 Broughton / 604.718.8222 / Website
Fountainhead Pub / 1025 Davie / 604.687.2222 / Website
Gordon Neighbourhood House / 1019 Broughton / 604.683.2554 / Website
Joe Fortes Library / 870 Denman / 604.665.3972 / Website
Kay’s Place / 118 - 1030 Denman (Denman Mall) / 604.669.5051 / Website
PAL Studio Theatre / 581 Cardero / 604.255.4313 / Website
St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church / 1022 Nelson / 604.683.4574 / Website
St. Paul’s Anglican Church / 1130 Jervis / 604.685.6832 / Website
The Park Pub / 1755 Davie / 604.682.1831 / Website
The Pumpjack Pub / 1167 Davie / 604.685.3417 / Website
West End Community Centre / 870 Denman / 604.257.8333 / Website
SUPPORT YOUR WEST END - COAL HARBOUR COMMUNITY MEDIA
The West End Journal, including “Mark Your Calendar”, is made possible by local advertising and monthly contributions from our Faithful Readers Circle. If you would like to support your community media, please visit our fundraising site here to contribute any amount from $5 a month up. If you have a business in the West End / Coal Harbour neighbourhood, check out our advertising rates and information page here.
Thank you!
Kevin Dale McKeown
Editor & Publisher
editor@thewestendjournal.ca
If we’ve missed a venue please let us know at editor@thewestendjournal.ca
