Posts Tagged ‘Cultural Capital of Canada’

Mayor launches Vancouver’s 125th anniversary celebrations

Mayor Gregor Robertson announces year-long celebration plans for Vancouver's 125th anniversary at the opening gala of the PuSh Festival. Photo by: kriskrug.com, staticphotography.com


Mayor launches Vancouver’s 125th anniversary celebrations

Mayor Gregor Robertson today launched Vancouver’s 125th year-long anniversary celebrations by announcing a series of exciting cultural events and celebrations. The celebrations coincide with Vancouver’s designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada this year.

“Vancouver 125 is an exciting year-long celebration of arts and culture that will showcase our vibrant creative communities and the tremendous diversity of our city,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “This year we once again get to show the world all the reasons why Vancouver is an international hub of creativity and cultural expression by exploring our past and celebrating our future as a City. During 2011, Vancouver will be the place to be for arts and culture.”

To mark the day on which Vancouver was incorporated, the City will hold a free Birthday Live event on April 6 at Jack Poole Plaza. July 8 through 10, 2011, the Summer Live event will showcase Vancouver’s vibrant arts scene through a free, multi-stage celebration in Stanley Park.

In addition to the Birthday Live and Summer Live events, Vancouver 125 is supporting the work of cultural organizations which will present events, exhibitions, festivals and other artistic projects throughout the anniversary year.

The Mayor made the celebration announcement at the opening of the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival. The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is a stellar example of why Vancouver’s cultural community is renowned nation wide for innovation and artistic excellence.

Vancouver 125 also includes community events and civic initiatives that bring opportunities to explore Vancouver’s history, diversity and innovative cultural scene in neighbourhoods across the city. Browse the Event Listings and other information available on this new website – CelebrateVancouver125.ca – for full details on the year of celebrations ahead!

Read the full News Release and Backgrounder.

Posted on: January 17th, 2011 by Vancouver125
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
3 Comments

Vancouver is a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2011

Cultural Capital of Canada

Vancouver was awarded Cultural Capitals of Canada status for 2011 at a press conference held on November 12, 2010. Pictured (L-R): Councillor Suzanne Anton; musician Dan Mangan; Mayor Gregor Robertson; Councillor Heather Deal; federal Heritage Minister James Moore.

Vancouver was named one of three 2011 Cultural Capitals of Canada at a press conference in November 2010 where Mayor Gregor Robertson accepted the honour and thanked Canadian Heritage Minister for providing the city with $1.75 million to help celebrate Vancouver’s 125th anniversary.

The designation is awarded for merit, on the basis of a candidate community’s achievements that demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the arts and culture.

“It is a great honour to be recognized for our vibrant, diverse and active arts and cultural community,” Mayor Robertson said. “This past year, we hosted the biggest arts and culture event in Canadian history with the Cultural Olympiad, and with our 125th anniversary in 2011, we’re looking forward to even more events.

“The arts play a major role in Vancouver’s livability and economic well-being, and it’s great that our City’s artists are getting the recognition they deserve.”

Vancouver was named the 2011 Cultural Capital for cities with populations over 125,000. Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Levis, Quebec were the two other communities named 2011 Cultural Capitals by the federal government.

“Vancouver is renowned for its cosmopolitan charm, its vibrant cultural scene, and its wide range of activities,” said Minister Moore. “Our Government is pleased to confer on Vancouver, for the second time in that city’s history, the prestigious title of Cultural Capital of Canada. This honour is well deserved and a fitting celebration of Vancouver’s 125th anniversary.”

Mayor Robertson said the federal funding that accompanied the announcement will support events and celebrations being developed for the City’s 125th anniversary in 2011.

“With this support, we will be able to implement a wide range of cultural events to celebrate the anniversary of the City’s incorporation on April 6, 1886,” Mayor Robertson added. “The federal funding and our 125th anniversary will help us strengthen cultural and community partnerships as we all make plans to celebrate this historic milestone.”

The celebrations will begin in January and continue throughout 2011.

Posted on: January 17th, 2011 by Vancouver125
Tags: , , , , , ,
3 Comments

Birthday Live – April 6, 2011

Join Vancouver’s 125th Birthday Party!

FREE, all-ages event at Jack Poole Plaza featuring: 54-40, Bend Sinister, Olympic Cauldron Lighting, Birthday Cake and more

Date: Wednesday, April 6, 2011 from 2pm to 10pm
Location: Jack Poole Plaza (site of the Olympic Cauldron), outdoor plaza at Thurlow & Canada Place, adjacent to the Vancouver Convention Centre (1055 Canada Place)

The City of Vancouver was incorporated on April 6, 1886 and on April, 6, 2011 Vancouver will come together to celebrate 125 years of history with a free, fun-filled, family-friendly event that honours our city’s diversity, First Nations heritage and distinction as a Cultural Capital of Canada for 2011. The Birthday Live celebration begins with a ball hockey tournament for youth and adults at 2:00 PM and continues until 10 PM with live music, DJs, food, street arts, spectacular video art, special performances and more. Vancouver’s Mayor Gregor Robertson and other dignitaries will be on hand for official ceremonies including lighting the Olympic cauldron and cutting a BIG birthday cake! Close to transit, free bicycle valet on site.

View the full line-up of artists and activities for Birthday Live

Download the Schedule of Events & Location Map

More Information

Social Media: You can also follow Vancouver 125 on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute news and updates.

Transit routes and schedules: Visit Translink.ca or call 604.953.3333

Bicycle routes: Visit Bike Vancouver for more information on cycling maps and routes.

Bicycle valet: The team at BEST will be providing free valet service for bicycles at Birthday Live – ride your bike down to the celebration and have it locked up safe & secure!

Street hockey: Learn more about how to participate and visit the Five Hole for Food website to read about how street hockey games will benefit the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

Posted on: January 17th, 2011 by Vancouver125
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
17 Comments