HALLOWEEN-ING

Originally we were going to spend Halloween in Seattle again, but this year it’s Vancouver that’s got the parties. Here’s our schedule:

Friday

  • Witches and Warlocks Ball
    A very Drive flavoured dance party, featuring BlackBerry Wood, The Creaking Planks, Timothy Wisdom, and Little Woo’s shadow-puppet fairytale “The Silent Kingdom”. Show up in costume, preferably by bicycle, dance until you drop. Commercial Drive Legion, 2205 Commercial Drive. 8 pm – 2 am. $10, or $8 if you arrive with Critical Mass. Facebook link.

    Saturday

  • The Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret presents the Parade of Lost Souls: Secret Souls Walk
    Public Dreams will be hosting an interactive celebration at Britannia Community Centre. Start there to discover the location of the walks. At a mysterious locale, only to be revealed on the day, (though I remember a map floating around a few weeks ago, can anyone explain it?), the Dusty Flowerpot crew will be enticing you into back alleys, streets, and open spaces to awaken our neighbourly spirits, (likely art, shows, and fire performances). Note: no fireworks, no street closures. 5 pm – 9 pm. Facebook link.

    Also, they’re still looking for volunteers: Join in Secret Souls Walk (Parade of Lost Souls). An inspiring awakening of neighbourly souls – already neighbours are pledging their homes to the underworld. Please come along to be a helping hand on this journey! Want to operate a giant puppet, perform, or just pitch in to help out with the myriad of jobs we need covered to make it all happen? We really need your help and hey – you’ll be let in on the secrets way before anyone else! On October 30th this community collaboration will come together- it wouldn’t happen without you! We’re looking for some benevolent souls to help us with setup, set dec, performing, strike, donations, and generally creating magic in the neighbourhood of Commercial Drive. Your involvement counts in bringing the community together to make magic. To volunteer, contact Public Dreams – volunteer@publicdreams.org.

  • Maria in the Shower
    This one’s confusing. We know they’re playing, but when? And where? Conflicting events claim different things.
    1. Halloween Party, A benefit to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of People’s Co-op Bookstore.
    Russian Hall, 600 Campbell Avenue. $10. Doors open 7:30 pm. Facebook link.
    2. The Carnival of Shadows, starring Maria in the Shower, Jeff Andrews and the Crows at Midnight, and The Creaking Planks.
    Cafe Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Drive. $10. Doors at 8 pm. Facebook link.

  • Waldorf Grand Opening
    To celebrate the Grand Opening of the newly renovated Waldorf hotel, the new owners are throwing a gigantic, free, multi-room Halloween party to showcase the entire complex, including the hotel rooms, lobby, restaurants, salon, the freshly restored 1950s tiki bar, the Cabaret nightclub, and the Leetag Banquet hall. Rumour also says they’re setting up an outdoor dance space in the parking lot. Of everything on offer, this might be the best, biggest place to be. Facebook link.

    Sunday

  • Spooky Movie Halloween Recovery Day
    Nursing a candy hangover? Had one too many bloody marys? Come on over and recover while snuggling into our low-key movie marathon! From noon until night, we’re going to draw the curtains, turn out the lights, and wallow in some of the best and worst that spooky cinema has to offer. We’ve got a huge list of films to choose from, or bring your own! My place, 12:00 – 9:30 pm. If you’re uncertain if you’re welcome, just ask. Facebook link.

  • Parade of Lost Souls call-out (apparently they have canceled my damned fireworks)

    A letter from Public Dreams follows:

    Greetings Good People,

    My beautiful mission for the Parade of Lost Souls is to create a field full of altars and shrines dedicated to the memory of people and ideas we hold dear. I’d like you to consider doing this with me.

    Please find attached a little info about what we are doing and the dates and times for our upcoming workshops at 1000 Parker Street. Workshops start this Saturday the 14th. The workshop studio is roughly in the Clark and Venables area but the following link will show you exactly where to find the studio.

    It would be great to have an indication of how many of you might be joining us for the workshops so please do drop me a line and let me know when we can expect you. Merci.

    Feel free to call me or write if you have any questions. It would also be appreciated if you’d pass along the invitation to people or organisations you thought would be interested.

    Wishing you well.

    Vanessa Richards
    Creative Community Liaison
    Public Dreams Society

    Workshops take place on:

    • Saturday, October 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Thursday, October 19 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Saturday, October 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
    • Thursday, October 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

    The door is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To gain access after 4 p.m., press the buzzer or call 778-838-7678.