Thanks to a staff retreat, I was introduced to Deer Lake Park and the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts today. This is yet another Burnaby venue I’ve never been to despite living in the area for over a year. Oops. Anyway, there are a number of cool events coming up in this beautiful recreational area. I certainly will be attending this event on Saturday:

Night of 2007 Lights Lantern Festival
Date: Saturday September 15, 2007
7:00 - 9:30pm
Free Admission
Drum circle : 7:15- 8:30pm
Procession: 8:30 - 9:15pm
Fireshow finale: 9:15- 9:30pm
On site lantern workshop: 3:30- 7:00pm

The City of Burnaby, in association with Public Dreams Society, presents the Night of 2007 Lights. In the tradition of the Public Dreams’ Illuminares held at Trout Lake in Vancouver each year, a magical community lantern procession winds its way around Deer Lake Park. Led by African djembe drums, participants will encounter professional entertainers, whimsical performances and magnificent illuminated lantern installations along the route. A spectacular fire show concludes this magical evening.

Next month, the museum will open up haunted-house style for Halloween. I can barely contain myself.

Skull-head puppet
(Parade of the Lost Souls 2006)

The Parade of the Lost Souls returned to Vancouver, after disappearing last year. This is a hard-to-define-succinctly, hybrid remembrance of the dead/parade/costume street party put on by Public Dreams Society.

Peeking Through the Veil…a Celebration of the Cycle of Life.

Begin at the end of life. The start is a reflection of death. No movement. Static displays.
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Damn, I left my camera at home–so no pics.

Anyway one of my favourite events in Vancouver happened last night. Every year in late July the Public Dream Society puts on a phenomenal free public party (cause i can’t think of a better word for it) in Trout Lake park. There are fire jugglers, stilt walkers, Hare Krishna’s, drum bands, random musicians, wild paper mache lanterns everywhere, and even a modest little fireworks show. Everyone takes part; everyone is part of the show somehow.

They’ve got a couple more events coming up this summer. Check out thier calendar for a list and times, and definately come out for at least one.

It’s time to break out your funny outfits and fancy lanterns for this Saturday’s (July 29th) Illuminares Lantern Procession at Trout Lake. The event is organized by the Public Dreams Society, and goes from 7 until 11 pm (procession @ 9pm).

As dusk falls over Trout Lake Park in East Vancouver, families and friends come together from far and wide to witness an extraordinary celebration of light.

On this night, the Illuminares Lantern Procession fills the air with music, and thousands of paper lanterns come alive with fire. A brilliant spectacle of weaving serpents, birds in flight, planets in orbit, schools of fish, and all sorts of glowing and shimmering creatures of the imagination.

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Coming up this weekend there are two winter (or end of winter) arts events taking place around town.

First there’s Granville Island’s Winterruption, beginning on Friday February 24th and continuing til Sunday. Events include chocolate truffle making demos in the Public Market, a performance by Tango Paradise, a small production by Fringe Festival favorite TJ Dawe, an artist and artisans studio walking tour, ice sculpting at Sunday’s winter carnival, and too many other things to mention here.

For more details see the website [WR] or pick up the printed brochure around town.

On Saturday afternoon and evening, there is the Mountain Mardi Gras [MMG] in the Capilano River Regional Park. The event has been put together by the Public Dreams Society [PDS], a group also responsible for the Illuminares Festival and The Parade of Lost Souls. There will be music, dancing, games, performance, masquerade, and ancient stories. Costumes are encouraged, and they also warn to dress for the elements and bring a cup for cocoa.

Tickets are $5.00 for General Admission, $2.00 for Youth under 12, and free for Children under 5. Check the website for travel directions [TR] as there will be no on site parking.