Community News & Opportunities
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June is National Indigenous History Month!
June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to shape Canada today. It is also a moment for reflection and to recognize the ongoing impacts of colonization and to reflect on how we can all contribute to reconciliation.
Sunday, June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. For generations, many First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities have celebrated their cultures, languages, and traditions at this time of year. The summer solstice holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for many Indigenous Peoples, marking a time of renewal, connection, and celebration.
Learn & Get Involved - Resources HERE!
June is Pride Month!
In Canada, Pride Season takes place during the summer months, from June through to September. It is an opportunity to recognize, celebrate, and learn more about the countless contributions Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender-diverse identities (2SLGBTQI+) Canadians have made to the Department of National Defence (DND), the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and to the country.
Government of Canada’s website HERE!
First Friday’s are Free!
2-5pm
639 Hornby St, Vancouver BC
The Bill Reid Gallery celebrates the extraordinary diversity of contemporary Indigenous Northwest Coast Art. As the only public Gallery in Canada dedicated to the Northwest Coast, we invite you to immerse yourself in a vibrant cultural experience.
Details at billreidgallery.ca/
Free Art!
4 to 8 PM Reserve your spot in advance to guarantee entry into the Gallery. Walk-in tickets are also available based on capacity.
Call to Action - Your Support Needed!
Friends at Align Entertainment, [presenting shows since 2014, mentoring young & not so young, Musical Performers] is among other users of the Michael J Fox Theatre in Burnaby, who were blindsided by the Burnaby School Board closing the Theatre to outside users as of June 30, 2026.
Excerpts of his letter are below; we cannot loose venues in this town, pls support their efforts to save this wonderful resourse for future creators, non-profits & touring shows.
Hello friends of Align Entertainment,
As you may have heard the Burnaby School Board, who has control over the Michael J. Fox Theatre, has decided to close the theatre to outside user groups as of June 30, 2026. This decision came as a complete shock to not only everyone here at Align but to all the other groups that call the Michael J. Fox Theatre home for their various productions, festivals, concerts, etc.
In regards to the theatre, we have been trying to work with the City and the School Board to try and come to a solution to this situation. I have met with Burnaby City Council as well as the Mayor to discuss things and also attended several meetings with the Burnaby School Board to discuss and present a viable solution to the problem.
For years the theatre was operated by a non-profit board of directors. While this board was in effect the theatre did not lose money and in fact was able to not only cover the operating costs of the theatre but also provide funds to the Michael J. Fox Scholarship Foundation. A cause that Align Entertainment also contributed to over the years. This all went away when the last members of the original board retired or moved on to new things. Unfortunately, there was not a succession plan in place and the School Board was left with running the theatre.
Our plan is to re-constitute the non-profit board and start fundraising immediately, applying for grants, looking at options for corporate sponsors... there are a multitude of options to steer the theatre back to a self-sustaining venue that both the school district and outside community groups can enjoy.
It is however an uphill battle. We need your help. If you have not done so as of yet we ask if you could take a moment to sign a petition to save the Michael J. Fox Theatre. The petition already has nearly 6,000 signatures but if we could get it even higher that would be amazing.
The link to the petition is,
Thank you all for your continued support. We've received many emails and phone calls offering words of encouragement and I would like everyone to know how much that means to us.
We will keep everyone up to date with any new developments.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at any time.
Chad Matchette, co-producer/artistic director
‘Yerma’ by Federico Garcia Lorca
June 4 - 7th, 2026 - 7pm
New Image College Campus - 2nd Floor - 987 Granville St, Vancouver, BC
This timeless Spanish tragedy that has captivated audiences since 1934. Driven by desperate longing, one woman's unraveling becomes an evening of raw passion and powerful storytelling — a night that will stay with you long after the curtain falls.
Co-Directed by Mauricio Romero & Nato Aiva
Assistant Directors Carlen Mills-Buettner and Daniel Williford
Cast: Jesús Alejandro Vadillo, Terrence You, Yurina Shiraishi, Melanie Douglas, Kaiya McGregor, Angela Percival, Tami Grantham.
TICKETS HERE!
PAL STUDIO THEATRE
8th Floor, 581 Cardero Street, Vancouver BC
A fundraiser for Western Gold Theatre & the West End Seniors Network.
Critically acclaimed and toured internationally, Keith Alessi shares his exceptional true story of leaving the world of corporate boardrooms behind to follow his long-delayed passion—playing the banjo! When faced with a deadly cancer, his musical pursuit took him on a journey that became the key to saving his life. Told through authentic storytelling, heartfelt humor, and music, Keith’s story is an uplifting tale of challenge, triumph, and the healing power of the arts and music. Don’t miss it!
With sold out runs across Canada, Australia, England, Off-Broadway in New York City, and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland 3 years in a row, Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life isn’t just a show, it’s a cause. A heartfelt passion project that began as a nudge after Keith Alessi’s life took a major turn, and it has been his mission to raise money for causes close to his heart. Through donations, including 100% of all artist fees, the show has raised over $1.3 Million Dollars (CAD) for various charities including cancer organizations, music programs, community groups and artist funding and development.
Keith is generously supporting Western Gold Theatre’s Creative Accessibility Program & the West End Seniors Network’s delivery of essential services.
Book Your Tickets HERE!
2026 FIFA World Cup Soccer in Vancouver
June 13th - July 19th
Seven of the games take place in Vancouver, at BC Place Stadium. They happen on June 13th, 18th, 21st, 24th and 26th. There are also games in vancouver on July 2nd and 4th. Between June 11th until July 19th, in addition to the live games, there are parties and other FIFA-related celebratory events all over the Lower Mainland, including an official one at the PNE as well as “soccer parties” in Richmond, Surrey, at UBC and other communities.
Vancouver is Awesome Article HERE!
Tightrope Improv
1330 Napier Street, Vancouver
Our mission is to elevate the art of improvisation while providing joy and laughter to our community. Check out our classes & show schedule at our website, below.
TightropeTheatre
Next Celluloid Social Club Event - TBD
Celluloid Supper Club, presented in association with Celluloid Social Club and Shamshiri Caveman Restaurant.
Keep in touch with local screenings happening online at our FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/18306091376
https://celluloidsocialclub.com/
Ongoing Resources & Friends…..
Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver (GEMS) is a member-based organization committed to furthering gender equity in film and television. Previously named Women in Film and Television Vancouver (WIFTV), GEMS incorporated in 1989 as a not-for-profit society registered in British Columbia.
By addressing systemic barriers, GEMS works towards supporting more inclusive, representative media.
The Genre Film Lab / Coffee Chats - past chats available to view online!
gemsvancouver.org
BIZ Books
Your online source for film, television, and theatre books. We invite you to browse through our online store where you will find thousands of titles. Let’s make your creative dreams come true!
Sign up for our newsletter with notices of sales, workshops, blogs & special events at bizbooks.net
GVPTA is a non-profit charitable organization whose membership includes theatre companies, theatre makers and artists, and other organizations and individuals that support theatre. We provide services, promotion of member news and community events, opportunities to connect and network, and hold an annual theatre conference.
Show Listings Here!
First Saturday Open Studios
First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event in Vancouver, North Vancouver, New Westminster, Victoria & the Gulf Islands. Each month a new artist opens their doors to the public to share their work & chat…
Website & details here!
For Reviews of local & international performances & arts events, Colin Thomas [award winning playwright, Theatre Reviewer & Critic for almost four decades] offers thoughtful & insightful gems to consider in the world of theatre & art. Highly recommend!
