Community Calendar: Tripping the aquatic light fantastic at the Vancouver Aquarium
Luminescence, an aquatic light celebration at the Vancouver Aquarium, features Scuba Claus and a glowing variety of underwater sea life.
Photograph by: Photos submitted, for the Vancouver Courier , Vancouver Courier
Stanley Park
Luminescence may sound like the name of the latest Cirque du Soleil production, but instead it’s the return of the Vancouver Aquarium’s holiday celebration of aquatic light.
The exhibit highlights the fascinating ways animals create and reflect light in regular shows running now through Jan. 22, 2013.
From water jellies to emperor scorpions, luminescence occurs in a wide range of aquatic and non-aquatic animals. This glowing exhibit explores how and why animals use and create light. Interpretative staff is on hand to provide daily demonstrations that investigate how aquatic creatures create and manipulate different kinds of light for navigation, finding prey, communication and camouflage. Luminescence features cuttlefish, jellies, anemones, corals, scorpions and more.
The highlight of Luminescence is Jelly Swarm, an interactive light installation created by Tangible Intervention, in collaboration with origami artist Joseph Wu. Take a stroll under the jellies and watch them light up when two eels send out electric pulses. And while you’re there, don’t miss Polar Express 4-D Experience. Jump on board and smell hot chocolate, feel the rumble of the train and see snow falling as part of this classic holiday film. Also making an appearance this winter is Scuba Claus. Santa continues to visit the Aquarium every year to swim among the halibut, rockfish, sturgeon and sea stars. For more information about Luminescence and to view the daily show schedule visit vanaqua.org.
Chinatown
The Blim Annual Holiday Market celebrates with more than 60 vendors this Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Chinese Cultural Centre, 50 East Pender St., from noon to 6 p.m. Enjoy hot food by Open Sesame and music by DJ Darwin Myers. By donation.
Downtown Eastside
A fundraising feast has a goal to raise $10,000 for the Salvation Army Community and Family Services.
The First Annual Operation: Full Kettle food tasting event promises a unique, ethnic culinary journey around the world by way of some of the city’s trendiest restaurants, including Gurkha Himalayan Kitchen, SalaThai, Cache Bistro, Suika Snackbar, Our Place Café and The Reef, in addition to food vendors Almondine and Good Health. Each of the restaurants and vendors will offer samples from their menus, as well as baked goods with a healthy twist.
The event also includes a raffle with prizes such as a 42-inch LCD TV. Full Kettle takes place Dec. 20 from 7 to 10 p.m. at District 319, 319 Main St.
For tickets and information email operationfullkettle@gmail.com.
Downtown
A public forum this Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Vancouver Public Library Square Conference Centre, 350 West Georgia S., marks
the 22nd International Migrants Day, which takes place Dec. 18.
The forum, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m., brings together community, union, church groups and like-minded organizations in the Metro Vancouver area to support and aid migrant workers living here.
The Coalition for Migrant Workers’ Justice/Coalition por la Justicia de Trabajadores Migrantes and Koalisyon para sa Katarungan ng mga Migranteng Manggagawa invites everyone to take part in the discussion. Speakers sharing their concerns and interests regarding migrant workers in B.C include Beth Dollaga from Migrante B.C., Raul Gatica from the Agriculture Workers’ Alliance and Jim Sinclair, president of the B.C. Federation of Labour.
Twitter: @sthomas10
Luminescence, an aquatic light celebration at the Vancouver Aquarium, features Scuba Claus and a glowing variety of underwater sea life.
Photograph by: Photos submitted, for the Vancouver Courier , Vancouver Courier
