April 13, 2012

April 13, 2012–I love art in many forms.  I’m alright at some of them, others I avoid all together.  Dance, music, painting–we love to be surrounded by it.  What’s fantastic is that sometimes what we love is up to something great, specifically raising awareness and funds for non-profit organizations!  I also have a big heart for organizations are raise funds via events for smaller or lesser know organizations.  When you combine art with fundraising, you get Art for !mpact.

Art for !mpact is a local organization that not only features new and upcoming artists in the Vancouver area but use those events to help raise funds for grassroots non-profits in Cambodia, Honduras, Guatemala, and Vancouver.   For their upcoming Art Show this June, they’ve added LEAP (Learning for the Empowerment and Advancement of Palestinians) which not only gives people from Canada and other countries opportunities to learn about what’s happening in Palestine, but it also provides opportunities to Palestinians to be empowered through education.  The theme for the June show is “Eye to I,” and Art for !mpact is still accepting applications from artists wishing to perform or be a part of this event, which will take place in June.

To learn more about Art for !mpact and how you can be a part of what they are doing, visit their website HERE or click on their logo.

April 7, 2012

April 7, 2012–When I learned about public speaking, there was really only 2 snippets of advice I remember: stay on topic and project your voice.  I did happen to win my first public speaking contest when I was 9, so possibly there’s something to be said about both pieces of advice.  When sharing on any topic, no matter the venue or medium, I would say that advice still rings true.

On that note, there’s a big of buzz happening in Vancouver surround the upcoming Projecting Change Film Festival, where important issues are being promoted and shared through films and documentaries as well speakers and other events.  From April 17 to April 22, you can catch over 20 films, 30 speakers, 2 galas and countless other related events for every age and interest all in the name of sustainability, world peace, humanitarian issues, energy, city planning and so on.  All issues of great importance presented in lively and entertaining ways to spark innovation, discussion and solutions.

To learn more about the origin of the Projecting Change Film Festival, to buy tickets and find showtimes and locations, visit their website HERE or click on their logo.

April 6, 2012

April 6, 2012–It may come as a surprise to you that I’m actually not that into writing.  After a year of daily blogs, I’ve certainly improved in content and delivery, or at least in spelling and grammar (I hope).  What isn’t a surprise, especially if you know me of have read a few key entries this past year, is that I love to read.  From fictitious to historical, biographies and short snippets–reading is my number one hobby.   Since my writing is so-so, I truly do admire a well-written bit of anything and so I am please to announcement and showcase National Poetry Month in Canada.

The League of Canadian Poets may not boast a showy website but have it in their mind’s eye to put poetry back into the hands of many with events, awareness and education all surrounding poets and poetry in Canada.  Not to mention, they are a “league” which is just somehow classier than an association.   I think that we are possibly put off of poetry (based solely on my own experience) early on in our lives, as we sit through lesson after lesson of the “same-old-classics.” Without the full experience of what is out there in terms of Canadian poetry, the love and respect of this amazing craft is simply not developed.  Fear not, The League of Canadian Poets is here to represent over 700 Canadian poets so this talented bunch is nurtured and promoted to the poetry-less public.

To learn more about poetry in Canada and what’s happening this month for National Poetry Month in Canada, visit www.poets.ca or click on their logo.

April 4, 2012

April 4, 2012–It’s a pretty time of year.  Yes, it does rain still and the sunny days are outnumbered by the cloudy ones but Spring is in the air and where we are blessed to live (well, those of us in Vancouver) the blossoms are coming out.  I’m specifically talking about cherry blossoms, and when surrounded by these perfect pink trees you really can’t help but feel you are in a fairy tale.

Kicking off on April 5 and running through to April 28 is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival where this magical tree is celebrated with events in the Vancouver area.  Vancouver itself has over 37,000 cherry trees, most of which were gifts from Japan.  These beautiful trees showcase their color in early Spring and we get to be surrounded with petals and flowers that signify the start of Spring and the sunny days (hopefully) ahead.  In 2005, a non-profit society was born with the vision to help Vancouver officially celebrate the bloom of the cherry tree.  This seasonal celebration is cherry-themed, with performances, art and craft exhibitions as well as viewing programs for cherry tree gardens.  This non-profit offers a full guide of the best places to find these wonderful trees, including bike routes and other places in which to enjoy the blossoms whilst they last.

You can learn more about the Vancouver Cherry Blossom festival and the events surrounding it on their website HERE or by clicking on their logo.  So get out there, especially since it’s meant to be sunny this Easter weekend, and enjoy the pink!

April 2, 2012

April 2, 2012–Monday!  I’m actually at work today, in a classroom of kids writing essays.  It’s really exciting, so of course I had to take a few minutes away from the overwhelming frizzling atmosphere to see what Sevenly has up for offer as their Monday cause tee.   I’ve actually already blogged on today’s cause, which is Compassion International.  Sevenly has teamed up with Compassion to raise funds for mosquito nets in Rwanda, which is a necessity for the prevention of malaria.  Click HERE to head over to Sevenly.org to check out the shirts.

How fitting that today of all days I find myself in an English classroom, with all the reading and the writing.  Fitting because today, April 2 is International Children’s Book Day.  Each year on or around Hans Christian Anderson’s birthday, the international community celebrates books created for young people.  Generally, this day and publications related to it, are organized by the International Board on Books for Young People.  This non-profit organization is made up of a network of contributors from over 70 countries, including the IBBY Canada.  Each year one of the nationals gives artwork and authors a theme and story for the celebration.  This year, the author and artist are from Mexico.  This story for 2012 theme, “Once upon a time, there was a story that the whole world told,” can be found HERE.

To learn more about the International Board on Books for Young People and to find links to local organizations, click HERE to visit their website or on the 2012 ICBD poster.

March 15, 2012

March 15, 2012–Well, you probably know what Saturday is.  The obvious signs of green and four-leaf-clovers have most likely made it into peripheral vision, if not right in your face.   I’m way down near the Mexico-Arizona border, and apparently even the desert is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!  In Vancouver, along with the riotous St. Patty’s Day green beers we are also wrapping up Celtic Fest, which actually runs from March 10-18.

Presented by the non-profit CelticFest Vancouver Society, this week and a day long celebration is not just about having some decent music playing in the local bars with green beer and fun hats; it’s about the celebration of Celtic roots for those living in and around Vancouver.   The society contributes to the planning of this annual celebration, in conjunction with the St. Patrick’s Day parade.  There are many events to attend, both free and paid.  From dance performances to concerts, family, food and even a scotch tasting, there is literally something for everyone.  The society has been in operation since 2004, and has the vision of bringing together the community of Canadian-born, and landed persons of Celtic decent for annual heritage celebrations.

So, if you are from or historical related to any of the seven Celtic Nations (which are: Ireland, Wales, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Galicia, Brittany and Cornwall), you should check out the events surrounding Celtic Fest 2012.  Visit the Celtic Fest website HERE or by clicking on their logo.  Happy (early) St. Patrick’s Day!

February 26, 2012

February 26, 2012–You’ve got your nibbles, your wine, your best duds on (well, maybe not) and you’ve sat down for an evening of glamour and glitz, the red carpet and golden statues.  If you’re confused, then I am going to assume that you are not planning on spending the evening watching the 2012 Academy Awards, aka The Oscars.

Films are a big part of our culture, and overall have conveyed to generations stories of hope, despair, love and revenge.  I’m writing this now so if Billy Crystal says any of this in his hosting speeches, I get first dibs on insight and awesome.  Anyways, films.  In BC, and other parts of Canada, we have the opportunity to see the films we love on the big screen go from paper to screen.  Many television productions and movies are filmed in BC, and I always love watching something that showcases our beautiful province, even if they are supposedly elsewhere.  The British Columbia Film & Media Organization (BCFM) has the support of the provincial government to further our role in global film, television and media, with programs and initiatives to expand and diversify the industry here in BC.  From marketing to developing a skilled workforce, the BCFM organization works as a non-profit with a serious calling: sustaining the economic with potentially millions of dollars!

To learn more about the BC Film & Media mandates and their ongoing work, visit their website HERE or by clicking on their logo.  Enjoy the Oscars, or at least enjoy a good movie in the near future.

February 25, 2012

February 25, 2012–I have something to blog about today that you possibly didn’t know about, what with the bombardment of advertisement about the teacher job action, the economic plan or whatever else the government-slash-unions are throwing on TV these days, so get excited.  It’s Heritage Week 2012 in BC; and yes, we are celebrating until tomorrow so you didn’t miss it!  Heritage Week started February 20 and runs until tomorrow, February 26.

This year’s theme is Energy in BC: A Powerful Past, A Sustainable Future.  Celebrating with the many heritage sites and facilities located throughout the province, Heritage BC will be celebrating in style.  Although, I’m sad to report, many of the events have already occurred.  One that is still a possibility for your afternoon tomorrow is the musical Tea & Tour of the Roedde House Parlor, which is happening at 1:00 pm, with tea and musical explorations.   There is also a snowshoe trek at Cypress Mountain, “Walk Back in Time,” a tour and treat!

So, there you have it.  At least two ways to celebrate the tail end of Heritage Week 2012.  At least find them here on Facebook to “like” them and participate via technology!  Visit the Heritage BC website HERE or click on their logo to learn more about Heritage Week 2012.

February 23, 2012

February 23, 2012–Despite the lack of time to do so (or so it seems) these days, I actually love to read.  I devour all types of books, and always have.  From “chick lit” to historical novels, biographies and other great reads, my bookshelf is varied and really, really random.  From February 26-March 3, Canada will be observing Freedom to Read Week.  Sadly, Freedom to Read Week doesn’t mean taking time off to read on your couch, it’s about the freedom to read all types of books and literature.

Despite our free status as a nation, you may be surprised to learn that Canada does in fact have a mandate and laws concerning a wide-variety of books and literature and hosts a lengthy list of “banned” books.  Many of these books or publications (some are magazines) are seized at the border, where others are brought to the attention of those in charge of our “banned” books.  I would argue that protection of youth against graphic images does make some of the cases legitimate in some cases, where others are simply a matter of opinion, and censorship.  WHAT? Censorship?!  That seems like a bad word to be throwing around in a nation that doesn’t face civil wars, dictatorships or other forms of aggressive political unrest; but of course, it still happens to exist and the point of Freedom to Read Week is help bring awareness to an issue that many Canadians have yet to encounter.

To learn more about Freedom to Read Week, which is sponsored, supported and put on by The Book and Periodical Council of Canada, visit www.freedomtoread.ca or click on the image above.

February 3, 2012

February 3, 2012–There is never really a bad time for puppets.  Well, there are certainly inappropriate times and awkward times but no especially bad times for puppets.   It is a wonder why I have yet to blog about puppets, specifically ‘Muppets’ as, well if you follow the blog or know me, is the name of my dear dog.  Muppet looks like like Jim Henson personally stitched him together, and acts like he’s starring in his own Muppet-puppet movie.  Jim Henson has a foundation devoted to just that, puppets, or if you want to get technical, the art of puppetry.

The Jim Henson Foundation began in 1982 to support those keeping puppetry alive with grants, as well as public awareness events.  Although the Foundation is American, the benefits from what is supported are reaped on an international scale.   For ten years, The Jim Henson Foundation has produces the largest international festival dedicated to puppet theater.  This festival began after the death of Jim Henson in 1992.  The Foundation’s grants are behind some of the largest puppet shows to date, including MacArthur Fellow Julie Taymor, who directed the Broadway hit ‘The Lion King.’  Even here in Vancouver we can ventured only slightly south to see a puppet show in Seattle at the Northwest Puppet Center.

To learn more about puppetry and The Jim Henson Foundation, click HERE to visit their website or below.