For the uninitiated, Culture Days is a national celebration of culture, with a variety of free, behind-the-scenes activities. It all happens this weekend, from September 26-28, across the Lower Mainland and beyond.
The fifth annual Culture Days weekend will feature thousands of free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind-the-scenes,” to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, designers and other creative people in their communities.
With thousands of activities registered on the website, your best bet is to search the listings and narrow things down by postal code and activity.
To get you started, here are five things that caught my interest for Culture Days 2014:
1) Etsy: Made in Canada
Etsy Vancouver and the Emily Carr Etsy Team are taking over Robson Square, with handpicked local vendors in their very first marketplace. Not only is the location an amazing traffic hub, this nation-wide event will be heavily promoted as Etsy is planning a Canada-wide media blitz.
When: Saturday September 27, 10am-5pm
Where: Robson Square (Downtown)
Culture Days: More information
2) 2nd Story
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The Only Animal presents personal stories from and about the area known as ‘Blood Alley’ in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside have been gathered and documented. The area has been chosen for its long, often constructed, history, and as a microcosmic example of a neighbourhood in transition: a SRO hotel and shelter stands across the alley from a new condo development with boutiques and restaurants on the ground floor.
Date: Saturday September 27 – Sunday September 28, 11am-3pm
Where: Blood Alley (Gastown)
Culture Days: More information
3) Camera Obscura Workshop
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / old camera retouching Vintage
Join professional photographers Silmara Albi and Mauricio Orozco for a workshop on Camera Obscura techniques. Participants will learn about the early history of photography, view some vintage cameras, and build their own camera obscura using cardboard, vellum paper & a magnifying glass! All in the comfort of a fully-restored Victorian Mansion in the heart of the West End.
Date: Friday September 26 – 28, 1-4pm
Where: 1415 Barclay Street (West End)
Culture Days: More information
4) 20th Annual Word Vancouver Festival
Word Vancouver, formerly The Word On The Street Vancouver, is a multi-day literary festival held in various locations throughout the city, including Library Square, Carnegie Centre, Banyen Books & Sound, and Historic Joy Kogawa House. Featuring author readings, presentations, workshops, activities, entertainment, an exhibitor marketplace and more, Word Vancouver has something for everyone!
Date: September 26 – 28, varying times
Where: VPL Central Branch (Downtown)
Culture Days: More information
5) BIKEnnale
Photo Credit: Vancouver Biennale
Join the Vancouver Biennale for the highly-anticipated BIKEnnale, a cycling tour of great public art in the world’s most beautiful city. Pack your camera, grab your kids, and hop on your bike for a tour of Vancouver’s most iconic works of art.
Date: September 26 – 28, varying times
Where: Morton Park
Culture Days: More information
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