B.C. EVENTS  

 

(These are FREE listings. Email: EditorVoice@gmail.com)

 

 MP Jinny Sims Annual Summer BBQ

 

Newton-North Delta MP Jinny Sims’ Annual Community BBQ with Surrey-Newton MLA Harry Bains. There will be games and activities for kids. Saturday, July 12, 12-3 p.m. at Unwin Park, 13313 68th Avenue.

 

Muslim Association of Canada

 

Youth Vancouver would like to invite you to Sisters United for girls grades 7 to 12 every Saturday in Ramadan at MAC Center, 2122 Kingsway, Vancouver. MAC is having a community Iftar every day and everyone is welcome. This Saturday, July 12 the topic is “The Practical ways to seek Allah’s forgiveness.”

 

South Asian Seniors: Healthy Cooking & Tasting

Vedic Seniors Parivar Centre of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society Surrey  invites South Asian adults / seniors members as well as non-members to attend a “Practical Demonstration of Healthy Cooking and Tasting Healthy Food on Demand,” like cooking Sooji Ka Halwa without using any oil or ghee & also cooking mixed vegetables without using any oil or ghee by Suky Chander of Salad Master, Vancouver, on Sunday, July 13, 2-3:30 p.m., at Shanti Niketan Hall of Lakshmi Narayan Temple, 8321 – 140th Street, Surrey. There will be a question-and-answer session after the demonstration. Tea and light snacks will be served. Contact Surendra Handa at 604-507-9945 for further information.

 

YVR Take-off Fridays

 

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) getting ready to host its 5th summer celebration event YVR Take-Off Fridays at Domestic, International & U.S. Terminals, Departures Level 3. Every Friday from now to August 29, YVR will come alive with fun-filled activities, free entertainment, delicious food samples and deals for travellers and locals alike. Running Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the event features live entertainment by local performers and beats courtesy of  the Lower Mainland’s hottest DJs. For the little ones, caricaturists and balloonists will be onsite, complemented by face painting and photos ops with the beloved YVR mascots. Lunch and shopping specials also await visitors. Plus, back for a second consecutive year is the popular YVR Take-Off Fridays’ Paper Airplane Competition, scheduled for Friday, July 11 at 11 a.m. Participants of all ages are invited to vie for the chance to scoop up huge prizes, as they square off to create an airplane that will soar past their competitors. Paper airplane expert Ralph Heldt will coach participants on the aerodynamics of paper airplanes and which folding methods will yield the farthest flights..Enjoy a special YVR Take-Off Fridays parking rate of $5 for up to four hours in YVR’s Parkade, or begin your adventure on the Canada Line and get to the airport in 26 minutes or less.

 

Proper Posture, Healthy Spine

 

Richmond Public Library will host a free program called “Proper Posture, Healthy Spine” on Wednesday, July 16 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Branch, 2nd floor community place, 7700 Minoru Gate. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/events or call 604-231-6413. This program is offered in English. Guest speaker Dr. Natalie Siu, a local family chiropractor, will talk about proper posture, how to be ergonomically safe during daily activities, and symptoms and causes of repetitive strain disorder. There will be an opportunity to learn and participate in simple stretches and postural exercises that can be incorporated into a daily schedule.

 

Healthy Lifestyle for Women

 

Richmond Public Library and S.U.C.C.E.S.S. are partnering to offer a free program called “Canadian Healthy Lifestyle for Women” on Thursday, July 17, 1-2:30 p.m. at Cambie Branch library, located at 11590 Cambie Road. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-273-2223 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/events. This program is in English. Settlement Practitioner Gurpreet Faridkot will give tips on living a healthy lifestyle through nutrition, physical activity and social interaction, as well as tips on avoiding unhealthy choices.

 

Vancouver Folk Music Festival

 

July 18-20 at Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver. www.thefestival.bc.ca. Twitter: @VanFolkFest. Facebook: facebook.com/VanFolkFest. The full schedule of workshops and concerts at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival are now online on the festival’s website. Included are the 6 Saturday and Sunday daytime stages, and all three evenings of Stage 3 and Main Stage concert performances. There’s also the prospect of seeing a variety of diverse artists perform together in what are called “workshop” sessions – stages that are shared for an hour or so by two or more musicians or bands. In the evening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Main Stage concert lineups showcase both some of the festival’s most well known and celebrated names, along with some new and exciting faces. For lovers of the smaller stage, Stage 3 and, on Saturday & Sunday, Stage 5 offer some early-evening concerts featuring an exciting and eclectic mix of musical talent. http://thefestival.bc.ca/weekend-schedule/

 

Fiji Festival

 

Jai Fiji Television and Bula! Fiji Association of B.C. present Fiji Festival on Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Swangard Stadium, corner of Kingsway and Boundary, Burnaby. Free admission. Cultural dances and entertainment. The festival begins with a yagona ceremony which includes various dignitaries.  For more information, call Vincent Puran Prakash at 604-434-3920. Email: jaifiji@yahoo.com. www.jaifijitv.com. Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/252526914935620/

 

Free Rogers Stadium Community Backstage Tour

 

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of entertainment in our city with a Rogers Arena tour. See where, for over 15 years, Rogers Arena has staged the best entertainment the world has to offer, from concerts to Vancouver Canucks live matches. Space is limited; register early. Priority for newcomers. July 19, 3:30 p.m. Meet at the Canucks Team Store at Gate 6, located at the corner of Abbott Street and Pacific Boulevard. Registration required: Call 604-254-9626 or email: kgeorge@mosaicbc.com

 

Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

 

People with ongoing health issues may know what they ‘should’ do for better health, but find it difficult to get started – or lose motivation when they run into problems. Richmond Public Library is hosting a free six-week “Chronic Disease Self-Management Program”, offered by the University of Victoria, Centre on Aging, Mondays from now until July 21 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Brighouse (Main) Branch in the 2nd floor Community Place, 7700 Minoru Gate. To register, visit any branch of Richmond Public Library, call 604-231-6413 or register online at www.yourlibrary.ca/events. To see the program evaluation report or for more information on the program go to www.selfmanagementbc.ca

 

Whitecaps FC Open Practice

 

Vancouver Whitecaps FC invites you to the 2014 Whitecaps FC Open Practice presented by Sport Chek on Tuesday, July 22 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Interested participants must register by July 18, while quantities last. Free general admission. This is a great opportunity for fans to watch from the stands, and get an exclusive look at how the pros train. Attendees who bring their ticket will also have chances to win great prizes including Sport Chek gift cards, autographed Whitecaps FC merchandise, and the opportunity to participate in the practice with the team. To register, please visit: www.whitecapsfc.com/openpractice

 

BC Summer Reading Club

 

Surrey Libraries invites kids of all ages to join the 2014 BC Summer Reading Club. It’s free. This year’s theme is Funny Business. Sign up at the library has started. Every child receives a reading log to keep track of their reading. Kids visit the library regularly to collect special weekly stickers for their reading log, enter contests, and win prizes. Kids that read for 49 days receive an official 2014 medal. Kids can participate in many fun free programs from magic shows, to the one-woman circus act, to a sound-effects performer. As well there are family storytimes, craft programs, book clubs, LEGO clubs, computer and games events, and more. For more information, and to learn about other free library programs, contests and activities for kids, call the Surrey Libraries at 604-598-7445 or visit http://www.surreylibraries.ca/5370.aspx

 

SikhRi Sikh summer camp

 

Daily program at this Sikh camp will feature a daily diwan, group activities, sports and fun-filled learning classes. The sessions at the summer camp for Sikh kids will be focusing on gurmat, journey through time; vismad, kirtan, creative arts workshop, gatka, and team building activities that seek to inspire the Sikh values. Other principles of universal significance are also incorporated in the Sikh camp that do not disturb the harmony of the Sikh faith. July 21-25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily at Khalsa School – Newton Campus, Surrey. Theme: Guru Nanak Sahib Ji. Participants: Children ages 5-16. Donations / Costs: $250 or get the Early Bird discount. SikhRi, a non-profit organization, will provide kids with nutritional snacks and meals during the camp hours. To offset the cost of the camp, following donations are suggested: register by June 25: $225 for the first child; $175 / child for additional children in same family. Email: lali.pawa@sikhri.org or call 604-505-0502. This Sikh camp is supported by volunteers who are passionate about Sikhi and Sikh kids. Consider volunteering.

 

Battle of the Beats

 

Battles of the Beats is seeking artists and bands of all types of music to come out and compete. All artists are welcome, from DJ’s to Rock Bands and everything in-between. Battle of the Beats is presented by Beats on the Streets: Surrey’s 10k. There will be prizes for winning bands. Winners will be chosen by our expert panel of judges. This musical competition will be held at Olympia Pizza (10257 King George Boulevard) on July 24 and 25. Each musician will be given a 15-minute set to wow both the crowd and the judges. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and competitors are welcome to bring family and friends. If you are interested in participating or looking for more information, contact at info@surrey10k.com

 

Introduction to Canadian Citizenship

 

This free program in Punjabi / Hindi caters to permanent residents who are applying for Canadian Citizenship. An introduction will be provided on topics like Canada’ History, Geography, Government and much more. Participants will learn on how to study “Discover Canada”. Every Thursday from August 7-September 11, 1-2:30 p.m. At South Vancouver Neighbourhood House, 6470 Victoria Drive at 49th) in Vancouver. Free Child minding and refreshments will be provided. For more information and registration, call: 604-324-6212, ext. 134.

 

Chariot Festival of India
The 41st annual Chariot Festival of India also known as Jagannath Rath Yatra is taking place in Downtown Vancouver on August 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Second Beach, Stanley Park, Vancouver. This colourful and fun-filled cultural parade starts at 11:30 a.m. from Beach Avenue at Howe Street (under the Granville Street Bridge) and travelling along Beach Avenue, culminates at Second Beach at 1 p.m. Features: Entertainment on two stages; music & dance; live theatre; mendi hand tattoos; yoga & meditation; face painting; veggie-cooking demos; clowns & balloon artists; free feasting for 10,000; kids fun tents; market bazaar. All families and friends invited. Free admission. Organizer: ISKCON Vancouver. Information: iskconvan@gmail.com