What's hot in Vancouver this weekend?

Kelly Marion and Evi Vassious

Posted: Oct 27th, 2012

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From (Downtown) East side to West side, this week we're buzzing mostly about democracy, communities and your inner good. Embrace the rain and hit indoors for the sweet events we've picked for you this week.

FYI, Ajay (Masala Bee) has left the Hive for a month to search for some spicy honey out East but you shouldn't worry as we have THREE newBEEs: Vyas (NewBee), Evi (Queen Bee) and Iva (Carniola Bee).

Top Pick

E-volving Democracy Dialogue on Engaging Citizens (Miraj’s pick) Oct 27 | 2:30 - 4:30 PM | SFU Wosk Centre for Dialogue | Free!

Are citizens apathetic about politics, or simply excluded? What could draw them in? This dialogue hosted by Fair Voting BC and Party X will focus on questions related to Engaging Citizens in the political process - do citizens have a real opportunity to influence policy, do politicians listen, and how might we do things better?

HalloSwing - All Ages Event (Kelly's Pick) Oct 26 | 9 PM - 2 AM | Capri Hall | $15/$18

Join other costumed Vancouverites for a Prohibition-Era themed Halloween Party! The night will include elements of immersive theater blurring the lines between performer and spectacle and encouraging participation in a unique series of events. Feeling shy? Summon up the courage to participate with a "Bathtub Gin" at the Spookeasy Bar. Bring cash though as there is no ATM on site.

9th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival (Evi’s pick) Oct 24- Nov 4 | Various times | Mostly free, some events up to $20

Over 80 events at over 25 venues throughout the Downtown Eastside. With a focus on the rich and diverse communities of the Downtown Eastside, the ninth annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival celebrates the creative and committed artists and activists who thrive in the heart of Vancouver. The festival features twelve days of music, stories, songs, poetry, cultural celebrations, films, theatre, dance, processions, spoken word, forums, workshops, discussions, gallery exhibits, mixed media, art talks, history talks and history walks, and a diverse array of artist showcases. The Downtown Eastside is the heart of the City, the founding neighbourhood where Vancouver began, and is the home of choice for thousands of the City’s residents; this year’s Festival reflects the essence of the Downtown Eastside – its local artists and diverse art forms, history, people and cultures.

Honorable Mentions

The Return of the Buffy Musical (Kelly's Pick)
Oct 27 | 12:30 - 3:30 PM | Pacific Cinematheque | $14

An afternoon filled with dancing demons and singing slayers at The Cinematheque. Being so close to Hallowe'en, there will be a costume contest and a spooky warm up show.

Liminal Mined | Exhibit Opening (Miraj’s pick) 25 Oct | 8 PM | Kafka’s Cafe | Free!

Guest-curated by Naomi Horii, Liminal Mined engages the work of four artists ‐ Cecily Nicholson, Erik Haensel, Elisa Chee, and Naomi Horii, with poems by Hari Alluri. It is in proximity to these poems that the visual work of Liminal Mined exists. The artists of this showing honour the conversations between poetry and art, between inward and collaborative processes.

Michael Jackson's Haunted Pumpkin Patch (Kelly's pick) Oct 26 | 9PM - 3AM | 2205 Commercial Drive | $15

It's close to Halloween and something sinful is lurking in the dark. It's MJ! Come for a night of dancing and shenanigans in the naughty pumpkin play room. First five MJ's get in for free!

Feeding Hearts & Minds | Spirited Social Change (Miraj’s pick) 28 Oct | 5:30 - 7:30 PM | Lakeview Multicultural United Church | By donation

Feeding Hearts & Minds is a monthly community dinner and dialogue, hosted by Spirited Social Change. It’s a chance to reconnect with people, to sing together, to remember what feeds your work, and to re-engage in strategic and fulfilling ways.

The House of Forsaken Gods (Kelly's Pick) Oct 27, 28, 30, 31 | 6:30PM | To be revealed | $35/$30

Pandora is dead. Her demons live on. Journey through a haunted house like no other where you'll experience the torrid and terrifying lives of the gods and goddesses, heroes and heroines, monsters and demons of Greek Mythology.

Take Heart, Take Part , Change the world with Art - Dialogue (Evi’s Pick) Oct 27 | 1-4pm | By Donation

Featured presenters from Hope in Shadows Calendar including coordinator Carolyn Wong. Learn what goes on behind-the-scenes each year to create this calendar and hear from winning photographers. Vivian Bomberry will facilitate art-making on the theme of "webs of connection". The car-port/artmaking space will be set up with invasive and abundant plant material to create webs together.