Heart of the City Festival
250-111 West Hastings V6B 1H4 Vancouver, BC, Canada

A great project opportunity for a local community-engaged artist. Project details available by contacting Marie Lopes (see poster below for contact info).

The Heart of the City Festival is a big fan and admirer of Still Moon Arts Society and their land-based community-engaged art and ecological work in south Vancouver around Renfrew Ravine. Though their annual Moon Festival won't be until this coming early fall, you can enjoy some of their inspiring and wonderful videos and artwork about their festival on their website.

If you are at all interested in hearing the origin stories of this land, told by the people of this land, here is your chance.

Keep an eye out for the new play We The Same by Sangeeta Wylie (a Ruby Slippers production) that sheds light on the harrowing lived experience and incredible resilience of Canadians of Vietnamese descent who came to these shores as ‘Boat People.’ As Canadians we have all heard about ‘the boat people’ but we know so little about the amazing and dangerous challenges they faced on their journey. Do check it out when it comes public again.

Want to support local community artists AND watch a holiday classic? We got you! Bah Humbug! is an artist and community benefit that you can experience from your home. Get your tickets NOW before December 20th to be entered to win a turkey from Rio Friendly Meats! If you purchase or donate above $50, you'll be entered to win an original print by Richard Tetrault! Get your tickets here: http://www.sfu.ca/sfuwoo//events1/2020-fall/BahHumbug.html... #bahhumbug #christmas #classic #holiday #cheers #show #performance #play #support #community #spirit #carol "

Bah Humbug! 2020 is back this year! From tomorrow (December 15th) until December 30, watch this performance from the comfort of your home! Get your tickets now at http://www.sfu.ca/sfuwoo//events1/2020-fall/BahHumbug.html All proceeds go towards supporting the artists and the Festival! ... #bahhumbug #performance #christmas #holiday #community #artists #carol #spirit #yvr #yvrarts

Thank you SFUW CUltural programs for working with Vancouver Moving Theatre to bring back Bah Humbug this year as a benefit for performers and the Downtown Eastside community. Check out the video, the draw prizes and the online show! "WonderfulHeart touchingVery powerful!... FabulousamazingA life altering experience. Wonderful A+ Best play I have seen in a long time."

What a challenging year it has been for everyone. For VMT, it was a major challenge to realize the 2020 Festival... but we did it - with 100+ events over 12 days featuring 500+ culturally diverse DTES- involved artists and residents! We take strength for our community, our partners, Downtown Eastside residents and organizations and supporters. Thank you everyone! Together, WE HOLD THE LIGHT ... We also need YOUR help. Our work is driven by our passion and commitment to support the voices, stories, hopes and dreams of Downtown Eastside involved residents. We can't do it alone. Please consider making a year end charitable donation to support our community-engaged art practice in the Downtown Eastside. Financial donations from our friends and supporters are greatly valued, appreciated, and needed. Your donation makes a difference and has an impact. There are 2 ways to support us financially: 1 Donate online via Canada Helps and receive an automatic donation receipt: www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/15236 2 Write and mail a cheque, and we'll send you a charitable tax receipt: Vancouver Moving Theatre 418 Main Street Chinatown PO Box 88270 Vancouver, BC V6A 4A5 From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all so, so very much for your continued support. May we HOLD THE LIGHT TOGETHER during this time of year!

It's been just over a month since the Festival launched this year. Here's Terry with a few words!

We want to hear from you! Take our 3 minute survey to be entered to win a free Heart of the City Festival t-shirt*! forms.gle/w3aYzJeuxhDJ8AZJA *must fill in the survey on or before November 28th to enter the draw.

Just 10 days ago, we concluded our 2020 Festival with a celebration of Ukrainian Day, held at the AUUC Strathcona Ukrainian Hall & Performing Arts Society - Vancouver! Traditionally, our final day of celebration is a concert and delicious Ukrainian dinner - but this year, AUUC shared their borscht recipe and history through thought-provoking reflections and discussions, and timeless crafts handed down through generations. What fun! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy ... If you'd like to enjoy the Ukrainian Day celebration again, you may do so here: www.heartofthecityfestival.com/archived-videos-2020/ credit: Julia Siedlanowska

If you'd like to re-watch some of our events, or view other events that you may have missed, you may do so on our website, as we've recorded most of them. Go check them out! http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com/archived-videos-2020/

aaaand, here's our one and only post-festival Grounds for Goodness event, happening tomorrow! This gathering moderated by Ruth Howard will reflect on the challenges of making art with people in these isolating times, and how values and practices of community arts can be upheld in new and surprising ways, including during the virtual residency just undertaken at the Festival! Registration is required, check event below or head directly to: bit.ly/nov12community

A few shots of the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art on Friday! Photo Credit: Jeff Wilson Art

Photos from the Honouring Downtown Eastside Warriors at Crab Park this past Friday! This ceremony honoured those Downtown Eastside Warriors who have worked tirelessly in the Downtown Eastside and CRAB Park. We celebrated those who lift up the community by using their strong spirits to do what needs to be done for those who need it the most. Thank you Warriors Images of First Nations dancer silhouetted against the city, Ceremonial dancers, Blanketing of Don Larson and Wendy... Pederson Photo Credit: Jeff Wilson Art