April 4, 2009

April events rundown: Earth Run, films, music, art and political events

April’s looking great for activities and the weather is improving too. I think I’ve compiled everything I know of for the month. There’s something for everybody.

This weekend

East Coast Music Awards recipient and Great American Songwriting Competition winner David Myles plays the Rio Theatre with Jill Barber tonight. Doors at 7:30.

The Projecting Change environmental film fest continues through Sunday at Fifth Avenue Cinema with a screening of Blue Gold tonight and a second screening of End of the Line tomorrow, among others.

Tuesday: Save the UBC Farm: the Great Farm Trek

Speaking of which, The Great Farm Trek 2009 is on Tuesday, April 7 at 3:30 pm. It’s a big, fun-filled festival and a walk that follows this route to the farm. More info including entertainment details. I have never been to the UBC farm so I’m really looking forward to this!

Wednesday

The next Vancouver Bloggers Meetup is Wednesday at 6pm. Location TBD. Sign up for updates and RSVP at Meetup.com.

Stop Gateway has organized a protest at Kevin Falcon’s constituency office. Wednesday 3pm – 5pm at the sidewalk adjacent to his office at 17700 No. 10 Highway (56 Ave) in Cloverdale. And if I still lived there…

Kevin Falcon is BC’s Environmental Enemy #1. His massive highway, port and airport expansions collectively pave more than 7,000 acres of BC’s finite farmland.

He destroyed the environmentally sensitive wetlands and raptor forests of Eagleridge Bluffs, and his South Fraser Perimeter Road is poised to seriously harm Burns Bog.

While he is pouring public funds (that BC taxpayers cannot afford) into paving away our aspirations for a livable region, he is chronically underfunding public transportation.

This is a rally for farmland, wildlife habitat, fisheries, clean air and a healthy, livable region.

Saturday, April 11

Rail for the Valley and Gateway to What? team up for Highway 1 Day of Action, 11am – 1pm. More info at the Facebook event page.

Hard rock and metal fans: my friend Dan plays the 5/4 time in ODDCHiLD, which plays the Red Room with Macula and Drums of Autumn. Doors at 8pm, show at 8:15, $10 cover.

April 15: Philosopher’s Cafe

A Philosopher’s Cafe discussion on ethics of the 100-mile diet goes down at the Heritage Grill in New Westminster (447 Columbia St, near Columbia SkyTrain station).

Saturday, April 18: Rally for BC Political Alternatives

Vancouver Art Gallery’s Georgia Street Plaza, 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Speakers include Eddie Petrossian, BC Conservative Candidate, and Jane Sterk, BC Green Party Leader. “Come out and Rally for BC’s real political parties!!! On April 18th we will be holding a Rally at the Vancouver Art Gallery to advocate 3rd Parties and independents, the backbone of our political system. WE MUST oppose the backwards ways of the Liberals and NDP. It’s not fair that British Columbian’s only two choices are the bad government of today and the bad government of the 90’s.” More info at the Facebook event page.

Earth Run: April 26, 2009

Join me, David Suzuki, on a Sunday nature run with your family, community and the David Suzuki Foundation Team. On April 26th, you can participate with hundreds of runners, joggers, walkers and wheelers from across the country in the inaugural Earth Run.

Happening in three Canadian cities and others worldwide including Spain and the US, Earth Run is happening in Vancouver beginning at Lumbermans’ Arch, Stanley Park. Site and registration open at 7am, run/walk starts at 8am. Register online. $25 includes a t-shirt and a tote bag! Don’t feel like running? Help Team David Suzuki reach their goal of raising $7,500. They’re more than halfway there! You can also volunteeer. More event info and registration at EarthRun.org.

April 26: Pilgrimage to Burns Bog

After you’ve recovered from the Earth Run, please join us to this important event. The BC government’s Gateway project includes plans to build the South Fraser Perimeter Road which poses significant risks to the ecosystem of Burns Bog and to residents of the area. Several groups have joined together to organize a “pilgrimage” to the Bog on the afternoon of Sunday, April 26. Details at greeningspirit.ca and this article by Douglas Todd.

Ongoing: Save the CBC!

In just over a weeks, Avaaz’s new petition asking the federal government to support the CBC has garnered 115,922 signatures! (At time of this writing.) Please sign the petition and pass it on to your friends so we can reach 125,000!

How Soon is Now @ the VAG through May 3

The Vancouver Art Gallery has a number of exhibits on right now, with Legacies of Impressionism in Canada: Three Exhibitions closing April 19 and Western Landscapes running through May 10. How Soon Is Now is “a selection of recent art from the province of British Columbia.” Vermeer, Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art opens May 10.

Canstruction Vancouver: April 26 – May 3

Canstruction Vancouver 2009 is on at the Vancouver Convention Centre East, 10am to 6pm each day. Can sculptures and proceeds from this annual event benefit the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.