As darkness encroaches into the afternoon and Vancouver's five months of rain start to pour down in earnest, it can feel increasingly difficult to get out of bed and connect with the city and people around us.
While that can often be a sign that it's time for a much-needed break, it can also be restorative and energising to engage with the cool art and experiences people are creating. The Ubyssey culture staff have compiled a short list of recommended events for the month, with an emphasis on low-key and community-oriented plans that won't strain your energy or your wallet.
Día de los Muertos (MOA, 11/1, 4–9 P.M.)
Celebrate the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at the UBC Museum of Anthropology with an altar, mariachi music and dance, a guided tour of the Xicanx art exhibit, and traditional treats including tamales and pan de muerto.
Free for students.
Thrive by the fire (UBC Bookstore 11/2, 11 A.M.–2 P.M.)
UBC Campus and Community Planning, in collaboration with UBC Wellbeing and the Blank Vinyl Project, is holding a free outdoor concert to promote relaxation and wellness in the community. Stop by the courtyard for some music and wellness resources. [link?]
Free.
19th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival (Various locations, 10/26–11/6)
This art festival features music, stories, poetry, theatre, ceremony, films, dance, readings and more from DTES artists and community members. Their theme is "Community as a Mentor" and festival events will feature discussions of housing justice, documentaries about murals and an opera about a Chinese and Indigenous prop maker.
Most events are free.
Stand Festival (Presentation House Theatre, 11/2–8, times vary)
Presentation House in North Van presents “a celebration by and for immigrant and refugee artists,” including Bharatanatyam South Asian dance, original plays, Nigerian R&B and more.
Performance tickets are $17–24. Workshops are free but registration is required.
Vancouver Black Library X The Hatch (Hatch Art Gallery, 11/10, 6:30–10 P.M.)
The Vancouver Black Library will host a casual party at the Hatch Art Gallery in the Nest. Come through for karaoke, open decks DJ sets, snacks and purely to hang out and build community.
Free.
Vancouver Asian Film Festival (Cineplex Odeon International Village Cinemas, NOVEMBER 3–13, times vary)
Vancouver Asian Film Fest(VAFF) features work from Asian North American filmmakers in a variety of genres, from dramas about Filipina domestic workers in Hong Kong to animated martial arts films. Some films are only playing at the Cineplex Odeon, while others are accessible virtually from home.
Tickets are $10 for students.
Eastside Culture Crawl (Various locations, November 18-21, times vary)
Every November, art studios from Columbia St to 2nd Ave, from Victoria Dr. to the Waterfront, open up for the public to take a look at their work. The crawl also includes events, workshops and artist talks.
Free.