Vaisakhi Parade – Photo by Kiwinki

Culture comes to us in a number of different forms, and this weekend presents an opportunity to experience a range of these. Among the highlights: the festival and parade of Vaisakhi, a public memorial for Jim Green, a musical presentation on Vancouver’s ‘acoustic cartographies’, a wicked garage sale at the Tool Library, a fundraiser and variety show in support of the Rio Theatre… and an urbanists meet-up. Have fun!

And for those who feel like diving into some good ol’ fashioned volunteer public space advocacy, please note that our regular Urban Design and Transportation meetings have been rescheduled to next week… along with our Democratic Spaces, and Downtown Public Realm meetings. Check out our meeting calendar and Working Group pages for more info. Lots of options for the public space aficionados out there!

Saturday, April 14 @ 11:00am – Vaisakhi parade

From the City’s press release: “Vancouver’s streets will be swirling with bright colours, music and floats on as the Sikh community celebrates Vaisakhi with its annual parade.

Vaisakhi (which falls on April 14) is one of the most significant holidays in the Sikh calendar. It commemorates the establishment of the Khalsa (the community of baptized Sikhs) in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib,Punjabby the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.”

The parade is expected to run from 11 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. It starts at the Ross StreetTemple, then winds its way west along SE Marine, north on Main, East along East 49^th and then south along Fraser.

Saturday, April 14 – HellRaiser II @ 8:00pm – Fundraiser for the Rio

A Night of Cabaret, Agitprop, Theatre, Comedy, Music, Dance and HELLRAISING in Five Acts – all intended as a fundraiser for the Rio Theatre and in support of ALLVancouverindependent venues.

From the invite: “The Hellraiser nights are a series of fundraisers to help our friends at the Rio survive LCLB Licensing Hell, and also a concerted effort to grow solidarity and partnerships among the many musical, cultural, artistic, sexual and political communities in East Van.

Hellraiser II is all about mixing live musical acts with BIG audience participation, theatre, comedy, and activism. Think Agitprop & Provocation turned WAY up to RED: Brechtian antics mixed with Theatre of the Absurd in a Political Cabaret format. This will be a smorgasbord mass gathering where Street Bands, Megaphoners, Musicians, Stripteasers & Actors are invited to move beyond the stage, spilling through the entrance and onto the sidewalks.

Now that the Rio is banned from technically screening movies, we’re turning April 14’s Hellraiser II and the Rioitself into a Real LIVE Action Movie, with you right in the centre of everything.” Doors open at 7 pm, 19+. Entrance by donation

:: More info – Rio Theatre Webpage – http://riotheatre.ca/events/

Saturday April 14 @ 1:30pm – Public Memorial – Celebrate the Life of Jim Green

When community activist and former City Councillor Jim Green passed away on February 28, he left behind a tremendous legacy of city-building work. Join MC’s Am Johal, and Councillor Geoff Meggs as they lead a tribute featuring DOA’s Joey Shithead, Bughouse Five’s Butch Murphy, Bob Rennie, Vancouver Opera’s Jim Wright, Woodwards Community Singers’ Vanessa Richards, MLA Jenny Kwan, and others.

This event is open to anyone who would like to join us in celebrating Jim and the legacy he has left us all. Takes place at the Orpheum Theatre, 884 Granville. Doors open at 12:30pm

:: RSVP to rory@roryrichards.com or jim.eventbrite.com

Sunday, April 15, 10:00-2:00pm – Vancouver Tool Library – Garage Sale

Garage Sale season has started! The good folks at the Vancouver Tool Library are kicking it off in style, with a sale to sell duplicate tools that they longer need in the shop.

From their notice: “Stop by for great deals on used tools, and enter our raffle to win an Adirondack Chair, hand-made by the VTL. Raffle tickets cost $5 and all proceeds from tool sales go towards covering our operating expenses and purchasing new tools!

We are also accepting the donation of tools for the sale. If you have tools you’d like to donate for our fundraising efforts, please get in touch with us at events@vancouvertoollibrary.com. Receive a free ticket for theAdirondack chair raffle with any tool donation!” Takes place at the Tool Library,3448 Commercial Street, Vancouver,BCV5N 4E9

:: Book of Face – Event Page

Sunday April 15 @ 3:00 – Urbanist’s Meet-up

Like beer? Like talking about urbanism? Join like-minded locals in East Van for a friendly gab on the subject of city-building.

“This month marks a making a long overdue return to Commercial Drive. We’ll be meeting on Sunday, April 15th from 3-5pm, at The Charlatan. Come out to enjoy a drink, say hi to your fellow urbanists, and disucuss the latest in Vancouverurban planning and development.

As always, feel free to drop in when you can and stay as long as you want. We’ll be there from 3 pm until at least 5 pm. If you are early, the reservation is under “Yuri.”

Sunday April 15 @ 3:30 – 2nd Annual Acoustic Cartographies Event

Public space is a multisensory experience. When it comes to sound, you only have to contrast the pleasant melody of birdsong with the angry roar of a modified muffler to get a sense for the impact that the acoustic environment plays on your appreciation of the city.

This event features an afternoon of audio works created by geography students generated from field recordings throughout the Lower Mainland. Speakers: Dr. Geraldine Pratt, UBC Geography; Dr. Elvin Wyly, UBC Geography; Andrew Pask, Vancouver Public Space Network; and the students of UBC Geography 371. Soundwalk composition by Hildegard Westerkamp. Takes place at The Western Front, 303 East 8th Avenue. Free Admission.

• Friday July 15 & Saturday July 16 (and beyond) – VPSN Viva – Laser Graffiti
• Monday July 25 – Robson Square / Downtown Public Realm – Project Meeting – 6:00pm
• Wednesday, July 27 – VPSN Evening Picnic at Kensington Park – 6:00-10:00pm

OTHER EVENTS

• Friday July 15 – Sunday July 17 (and beyond)- Viva Vancouver – Public Space Events
• Friday July 15 – Vancouver Design Nerds – Viva Collingwood Jam – 6:30pm-9:30pm
• Friday July 15, Saturday July 16 – August 20 – CO-LAB: A Workshop + Exhibition Project
• Saturday July 16 – eatART: Power the VAG – 10am to 6pm.
• Saturday July 16 – Grand Opening – Vancouver Tool Library – 11:00am – 4:00pm
• Saturday July 16 – Robson Square Art Market – 12:00-5:00pm
• Saturday July 16 – Parks Day 2011 – 12:00-8:30pm
• Saturday July 16 – Vancouver Waterfight – 1:00-4:00pm
• Sunday July 17 – Salsa at Robson Square – 3:00-7:00pm
• Sunday July 17 – Remixology 6 – 6:00-9:00pm

Fasten your bike helmets and say a few prayers for nice weather… because this weekend is packed full of public space goodness.

But before we get to planning your social calendar for you, the first few items to pass along are quick updates on some key VPSN activities:

VPSN EVENTS & PROJECTS

Friday July 15 & Saturday July 16 (and beyond) – VPSN Viva – Laser Graffiti

As we noted yesterday, starting tonight, the VPSN is hosting the first of several evenings of laser graffiti! Want to know more? Come on out and try your hand at tagging building walls with digital paint and lasers. It’s all part of some work that we’re doing as part of the Viva Vancouver program – and undertaken in collaboration with the Liveable Laneways crew.

We’ll be in the Mt. Pleasant area this weekend and next, both Friday & Saturday evenings between 9:30pm – 11pm. Find us in the alley behind the Lee Building (NW corner of Main & Broadway).

Be sure to check out our location map to see where we’ll be projecting as there are several potential locations we’ll be visiting in the neighborhood. We’ll update the map with times and locations in real time, so you’ll be able to find us pretty easily.

:: More information – jaspal [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca
:: VPSN Laser Graffiti Map

Monday July 25 – VPSN Expanding Robson Square / Downtown Public Realm – Project Meeting – 6:00pm

The VPSN is continuing its work to secure the 800-block of Robson Street as part of an expanded Robson Square. At the same time, we’ve got a some research and advocacy work underway to support the creation of a downtown public realm plan. We need lots of help with this and will be holding an information and planning meeting to look at these initiatives in more detail.

Weather permitting we’ll be meeting outside on the north steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery. (Rain location TBD). Please RSVP so that we can get a sense of numbers.

:: RSVP to info [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca

Wednesday, July 27 – VPSN Evening Picnic at Kensington Park – 6:00-10:00pm

Kensington Park is a gem among the city’s parks and gardens. Located at Knight and 33rd, it affords visitors one of the nicest panoramic views to be had – a vast sweep that allows the eye to take in quiet residential neighbourhoods, the modern architecture of downtown, and the North Shore mountains… all in one go. 

Join us for a mid-week picnic in the park and check out this stunning spot. We’ll have some BBQs, hotdogs and burgers, and games to play. Come out and meet other public space enthusiasts, participate in a friendly round of bocce, and learn about a few of the exciting projects we have lined up for the fall. The event is FREE but please register so we can get a sense of numbers. BYO drinks.

:: RSVP – info [at] vancouverpublicspace.ca
OTHER COOL PUBLIC SPACE EVENTS

Friday July 15 – Sunday July 17 (and beyond)- Viva Vancouver – Various Public Space Events

This week sees more Viva Vancouver excitement roll out. The City’s Summer Spaces program has sponsored the creation of a number of temporary public space transformations, many of which are launching this weekend. Among the various interventions planned are art markets, laneway transformations and pop-up cafes in Mt. Pleasant, an artist’s plaza in Cambie Village, an upcoming community plaza in Joyce Collingwood (see next item) and the Granville Street activation in Downtown. All this and as well as mobile theatre, art installations and a few other surprises as well… including some cool VPSN lasers (see above)!

:: For more information – Viva Vancouver Website

Friday July 15 – Vancouver Design Nerds – Viva Collingwood Jam – 6:30pm-9:30pm

On Friday July 15th, please join the Vancouver Design Nerds for a focused jam to generate ideas and plans for a three week festival to be held around the under utilized spaces around Joyce-Collingwood Skytrain Station. The festival is built around the concept of a temporary plaza that will engage and inspire neighbours and commuters alike.

The Jam will take place at Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce Street). The easy walk from Joyce Skytrain Station will give you a chance to observe the site! Potluck / BYOB / + selection of brews will be available a la cash bar.

:: More information – Vancouver Design Nerds Facebook Page

Friday July 15, Saturday July 16 – August 20 – CO-LAB: A Workshop + Exhibition Project

CO-LAB is a cross-disciplinary workshop and exhibition project that focuses on sound, collaboration and the gallery’s physical location. City-related themes and a format strong on public participation. The exhibition features the three new works based on the workshop: Noise/De-noise by Julie Gendron and Emma Hendrix, Map Sense by Germaine Koh and Gillian Jerome, and Vertical City by Andrew Lee and Jennifer Schine. Opens Friday, July 15, 8pm. Co-presented by Centre A and Vancouver New Music. The exhibition runs from July 16 through to August 20. Centre A Gallery (Hastings and Carrall).

:: More information – Centre A Website

Saturday July 16 – eatART: Power the VAG – 10am to 6pm

The Annual Energy Awareness Art Party takes place in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery and includes a pedal powered sound system and an unforgettable outdoor dance party! The event will showcase giant zero emissions kinetic sculptures: Daisy the solar-powered tricycle, Gramorail, the Mondo Spider, Prosthesis, and Titanoboa.

:: eatART Facebook Event Page 

Saturday July 16 – Grand Opening – Vancouver Tool Library – 11:00am – 4:00pm

Libraries make the coolest public spaces, which is why we’re especially pleased to pass on news of this new initiative:

The Vancouver Tool Library will be officially opening on July 16th, 2011! A fun celebration is planned for the big day – free mini workshops on planter gardening and box building (11am-1pm) and bike maintenance (11:30 & 1:30), as well as shop tours, member sign-ups and and collecting tool donations. Enjoy live music and a $5 BBQ lunch, all proceeds support the VTL. You can find the Vancouver Tool Library at 3448 Commercial Street. 

:: Vancouver Tool Library Facebook Page

Saturday July 16 – Robson Square Art Market – 12:00-5:00pm

Held in the underground plaza at Robson and Howe (where the skating rink is situated). A unique outdoor shopping experience showcasing local artisans. Held every weekend.

:: More information – www.robsonsquaremarket.com

Saturday July 16 – Parks Day 2011 – 12:00-8:30pm

Head over to Brockton Point in Stanley Park to celebrate Parks Canada’s and BC Parks joint 100th Anniversary. The free family event features lots of stuff related to our amazing parks and protected areas, workshops in camping, hiking, surfing and fishing, appearances by Olympian Maelle Ricker, and a special Kids Zone. And between 5:00-8:30 you can enjoy a free concerns with K’Naan.

:: More information – Parks Canada – Parks Day Vancouver Webpage

Saturday July 16 – Vancouver Waterfight – 1:00-4:00pm

Who wants to have a waterfight this summer? Raise your hands, and pull your trigger finger, cause we’re going to get soaked. Totally saturated! And no one is going to stop, ’til this town runs dry! The annual super-soaker showdown takes place at Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park. Before you load up, be sure to check out the Code of Conduct on their Facebook page

:: Check out last years photos for additional incentive – Vancouver Waterfight WebPage

Sunday July 17 – Salsa at Robson Square – 3:00-7:00pm

One-two-three one-two-three… Help infuse Robson with some Latin flare and learn a few seet moves in the process. Take in a free salsa lesson at 3:00pm and check out the salsa show at 5:00. Every Sunday in July and August. Beginners welcome. Lots of fun!

:: More information – www.SalsaVancouver.net

Sunday July 17 – Remixology 6 – 6:00-9:00pm

Join the FreshMedia crew and come on out for a fantastic panel of arts and social change makers set to talk about all the things they’re doing to refresh our public space. ReMixology 6 is breaking in a brand new space – the Vinegar Factory (1009 East Cordova)! (Note that the venue is smaller than past Remixology events. If you haven’t signed up on Eventbrite yet, make sure you get your ticket!)

:: Register to attend – http://remixology6.eventbrite.com/