Stanley Park
The 28th annual Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life takes place Sept. 22, starting with registration at 10 a.m. at Sunset Beach, home to the Vancouver/B.C. AIDS memorial.
Despite the fact a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS is not the automatic death sentence it once was, having the disease is still challenging, particularly with the side effects of the drug cocktails needed to stay alive. As walk organizers from Positive Living Society of B.C. describe it, living with HIV/AIDS is a battle, but one that doesn’t have to be fought alone.
As of 2011, HIV/AIDS affected more than 71,000 Canadians, 12,000 of whom live in B.C. The Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life spreads awareness of this reality and raises vital funds for those with HIV and AIDS in our community.
Proceeds from the walk support Positive Living B.C.’s Complimentary Health Fund, which reimburses low-income HIV-positive members for health expenses not covered by other plans — up to $35 monthly. Even drinking filtered water and getting the right vitamins can determine the fate of someone with a compromised immune system. So register now at aidswalkvancouver.ca.
Downtown Eastside
Some of the city’s top jazz performers are donating their time to raise money to help upgrade the sound system and renovate the Carnegie Centre Theatre, a public space where residents and friends enjoy free entertainment and programs every day of the year.
Jazzing up the Carnegie includes performances by more than a dozen musicians, including Hugh Fraser, Paul Plimley and Dalannah Gail Bowen, as well as the 17-piece Carnegie Jazz Band and Jazz Combo, led by trombonist Brad Muirhead.
The show takes place Sept. 18 at the Cultch with a reception at 7 p.m. and show at 8 p.m. For ticket information, visit tickets.thecultch.com or call 604-251-1363.
Oakridge
The Prime Chamber Ensemble is holding a concert Sept. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, 949 West 49th Ave. Serenade For Strings will highlight works by Mascagni, Elgar, Vivaldi, Borodin and Mozart. For ticket information, call 778-231-1602, 604-917-0235 or 604-931-0743.
Metro Vancouver
Are you gay, bisexual or just not sure? Need a safe place to talk? HOMINUM is an informal discussion and support group to help gay, bisexual and questioning men with the challenges of being married, separated or single. The group meets every Monday evening in various locations. For information and meeting location, call Don at 604-329-9760 or Art at 604-462-9813.
City-wide
Do you have a Vancouver-based community event coming up? Are you a non-profit group or society, or organizing an event with proceeds going towards a charity to assist an individual or group in need? I’m interested in events produced by schools, community groups, neighbourhood houses or individuals and businesses dedicated to helping people, non-profit groups, kids, animals, the environment — you get my drift. What I can’t write about in Community Calendar is Syria, Israel, your for-profit lecture on cleanses, or your award-winning line of products. I do, on occasion, feature a for-profit event if I know it’s of interest to thousands of people, such as the annual auto or home shows.
I typically forward listing requests about larger concerts, art gallery shows, dance performances or film premieres to the Courier’s entertainment editor, but will include some of those events here if there’s a community focus. Feel free to email me directly at sthomas@vancourier.com if you have an event that fits the criteria. For more general inquiries, please email events@vancourier.com.
sthomas@vancourier.com
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