Community celebrations

Carrall Street Public Forum

The Carrall Street Public Forum was held following a one-night performance event called Carrall Street by Althea Thauberger, which took place on the 200 block of Carrall Street on 30 September 2008. Carrall Street presented the street as a stage, or zone of illumination, where the roles of performer and spectator blurred. The interweaving of organized performers, passers-by and audience members allowed for unforeseen interactions to take place and revealed something of the street’s history, its current issues, as well as its future. Carrall Street was planned in collaboration with local performers and community members.

Japantown Multicultural Neighbourhood Celebration

The first annual Japantown Multicultural Neighbourhood Celebration was held at Oppenheimer Park and surrounding facilities.  This festival was organized by the Vancouver Japanese Language School and Japanese Hall, Tonari Gumi, and Vancouver Moving Theatre, in partnership with several other DTES community organizations. The festival program included:

• a parade to launch the event
• walking tours
• story-telling
• multicultural performances
• historical and cultural exhibits and presentations from local and professional Japanese-Canadian, Latino, and/or Aboriginal arts groups
• an early evening gala performance featuring professional artists and community cultural groups

Heart of the City Festivals (2008 and 2009)

The annual DTES Heart of the City Festival is produced by the Vancouver Moving Theatre in partnership with the Carnegie Community Centre and the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians. The festival supports DTES arts activity in the public realm, artist capacity-building, and community development and engagement through collaborative partnerships, training and mentoring of local artists and residents.

2008 Heart of the City Festival Canoe Launch