Free November Events

Are you feeling stuck at home because you don't have enough money to do anything fun?  Well, here is some good news.Every month, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland offer dozens of events, activities, workshops and concerts that you and your family can attend  for absolutely nothing. That's right. They are free or almost  free. The full list is published at  Free Events October 2011   I have also put it in my list of links under the category things of interest to students and will continue to update it every month, so look for the November list at the end of October. By the way, each of the events has its own website where you can look for more details.

Here is a sample of the kinds of activities you can attend.

The Chinese Culture Festival is today October 1st.

Chinese Culture Festival

http://vancouver.ca/parks/cc/renfrew/website/pdf/renfrew-fall2011.pdf p. 10 

Location: Renfrew Park Community Centre. 2929 E. 22nd Ave. (and Renfrew St.), Vancouver 

Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011, 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Celebrate the rich diversity of the Chinese Cultural Festival, which features Asian food, traditional music, Chinese heritage dancing, Lion dance, Chinese martial arts and many other fun things. Pick-up your free ticket at the Renfrew Community Centre office.

8th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival  

http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com/

Over 80 events at over 30 venues (locations) throughout the Downtown Eastside

Date: Wednesday, October 26/Sunday, November 6, 2011

The festival features twelve days of cultural events, including cultural celebrations, outdoor festivities, processions, forums, workshops, discussions, history talks and history

walks. To celebrate and promote the spirit of our home community. The Downtown Eastside is the heart of the City of Vancouver and the home of choice for thousands of its residents. 2010 Festival highlights include: a community celebration at the new Oppenheimer Park club house; First Nations and Latin American days of cultural sharing; and a diverse array of exciting community showcases.

Thrill the World Vancouver 2011

http://www.ttwvancouver.com/

Location: Check website for new location

Date: Saturday, October 29, 2011, 7 p.m.

Thrill The World is an annual worldwide simultaneous “Thriller” dance for world records and charity and a tribute to Michael Jackson. This year's event takes place on October 29 at 7 p.m. Registration ($10) begins at 2 p.m.

MY NOTE: This one is not quite free, but it is an opportunity for you and your family to participate in a Vancouver event that will hopefully go into the Guinness Book of Records. You can also bet that it will show up on You Tube, just as the one of  the men in the  Philippine prison did. t 

Parade of Lost Souls: Secret Souls Walk

http://www.publicdreams.org/

Location: check website for location

Date: Saturday, October 29, 2011, 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Honour the dead, wake the living and chase away bad luck. Halloween, the Day of the Dead and All Saints Day are traditional celebrations in many cultures. For some cultures, this celebration marks the end of the year. The Parade of the Lost Souls is an attempt to regain some of the significance of these seasonal celebrations. A colourful torch-lit procession makes its way through neighbourhood streets and alleys. Spectral brides dance under the street lights. $5 suggested donation

Grape Stomp & Harvest Party  

http://www.township7.com/events/

Location: Township 7 Vineyards and Winery, 21152 16th Ave. (at 212th St.), Langley, BC Date: October 29, 2011 – October 30, 2011, 12 noon-5 p.m. (grape stomp competition 1-3 p.m.) Get your feet wet at our annual grape stomp and fall release party this Halloween. Vendanges, La Vendemmia, la Vendimia! The Grape Harvest in all cultures signifies not just the picking of grapes but a cause for celebration: The bounty from a year‟s worth of carefully tended vines with extended families and friends gathering to bring in the harvest, which culminates with a traditional harvest lunch.Festivities include a grape stomp competition, new fall releases, and live music. Admission by donation

City of Richmond Halloween Fireworks Festival

http://www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/eventsfall201131077.pdf p. 12

Location: Minoru Park, Richmond, BC

Date: Monday, October 31, 2011, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

A fun-filled evening featuring a live DJ, fire dancers, a magic show, arts and crafts, and a 15-minute fireworks show.

Other Halloween Fireworks in Richmond:

Location: Cambie Community Centre, King George Park, Richmond, BC

Date: Monday, October 31, 2011, 7:45 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Location: Hamilton Community Centre, McLean Park, Richmond, BC

Date: Monday, October 31, 2011, 8:15 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Location: South Arm Community Centre, Richmond, BC

Date: Monday, October 31, 2011, 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Location: West Richmond Community Centre, Hugh Boyd Park, 9180 No. 1 Road, Richmond, Date: Monday, October 31, 2011, 7:45 p.m.-8:45 p.m.

The Vancouver Public Library Fall 2011 Book Sale

http://www.vpl.ca/events/details/booksale

Location: Alice MacKay Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 W. Georgia St., Vancouver

Date: Thursday, October 27, 2011, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Friday, October 28, 2011 and Saturday, October 29, 2011, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, October 30, 2011, 12 noon-5 p.m.

Thousands of books on sale. Prices range from $0.75 to $2.50. Cash and carry. Please bring your own bag. Material is sold as is and all sales are final. ATM is available in the promenade. Shoppers will not be admitted 30 minutes before closing.

MY NOTE:  This event is a terrific opportunity for you and your children to get free books in both  your own language and English. Come early for the children's picture books. There will be a lot of them, but they are ;popular, so they go quickly.