Downtown Eastside
Hope in Shadows will kick off its 10th anniversary photography contest this Saturday, June 2, by handing out 200 free cameras to low-income residents of the Downtown Eastside.
The goal of the project continues to be a quest to find photographs that best capture the spirit of that community as seen through the eyes of the people who live there.
More than 3,500 images are expected to be submitted with 12 chosen to grace the 2013 Hope in Shadows calendar, which will launch in October and be sold on the streets of Vancouver and Victoria by homeless and low-income vendors. Other contest categories include Best Colour, Best Black and White, Best Portrait, Best Landscape and What I Value in My Community.
The cameras will be handed out at 10:30 a.m. at Pivot Legal Society, 121 Heatley Ave. A professional photography workshop will take place at 1 p.m. to give pointers to the 200 taking part.
Marpole
Marpole Community Day also takes place this Saturday, but instead of cameras, participants will enjoy free amusement rides and interactive games, as well as stage performances and entertainment.
Support Marpole youth by purchasing food with proceeds going towards fundraising and activities. The event takes place at the Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre so theres also an opportunity to meet recreation staff and try out a new family fitness circuit. New this year, winners of the Marpole Youth Talent Show will perform on stage. Marpole Community Day takes place June 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the community centre, located at the corner of Oak Street and West 59th Avenue.
Granville Island
The Fourth Annual Kids Up Front Rock & Roll Fundraiser takes place Friday, June 1, at the Backstage Lounge on Granville Island.
Entertainment will be provided by the Hair Farmers and Whistler legends Guitar Doug and Grateful Greg. No party would be complete without a visit from the B.C. Lions Felions dance team.
Kids Up Front is a charity that distributes unused tickets to sporting and entertainment events, movies and theme parks to kids in need. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
South Hill
Heres an event even I couldnt have imagined, so I have to hand it to the gang over at Mountain View Cemetery.
Historian Chris Mathieson will lead Food! A Walking Tour of Mountain View Cemetery, during which hell discuss the history of this citys relationship with food through introductions to deceased fishermen, farmers, hunters and shopkeepers. But wait, theres more. Food traditions associated with death and cemeteries will also be explored.
The walk takes place Sunday June 3 at 10 a.m. Meet at Celebration Hall and bring your appetite. (I just made that part up.) Entrance to the cemetery is at 5445 Fraser St., off East 39th Avenue.
Renfrew-Collingwood/Commercial Drive
June is Italian Heritage Month and there are dozens of ways to celebrate. In Vancouver, much of that celebrating takes place at the Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan St.
The month kicks off with Italian National Day June 1 at the centre, where participants can enjoy traditional sweets while listening to the Italian Choir of B.C. Suggested donation is $2. For a complete list of events for the entire family, visit italianculturalcentre.ca. Italian Day on Commercial Drive takes place Sunday, June 10, from noon to 8 p.m.
Twitter: @sthomas10
