Hendrik Beune | AHA Media

Downtown Eastsiders to take a mock SRO to Pt. Grey for High Tea in Vancouver

November 9, 2010 ahamedia 1 comment

Media Advisory

Downtown Eastsiders to take a mock SRO to Pt. Grey for High Tea

Downtown Eastside residents and supporters plan to invade Point Grey with a mock SRO and two not-so-beloved creatures, Itchy the Bedbug and Creepy the Cockroach. They then plan to serve High Tea at a mystery location. The action, sponsored by Raise the Rates, will contrast living conditions for the poor and rich and point out that extreme income inequality actually shortens the lives of people who are poor and that unequal countries have more social problems than more equal countries.

The media was invited to:

·         See Downtown Eastside residents protest extreme wealth in the midst of poverty;

·         Learn facts about the impact of inequality;

·         Learn how inequality could be reduced.

Raise the Rates is a coalition of BC groups that want governments to reduce poverty and inequality.

To the owner of 4707 Belmont Drive

We are a gathering of individuals, members of community groups, and representatives from various organizations concerned with the levels of poverty and homelessness in BC, and the increasing degree of inequality in our province. Some of us struggle with poverty every day, others know poverty and homelessness through friends and family who are affected by these realities, and all are committed advocates for social justice. What unites us is our understanding that rampant inequality generates significant harm to individuals and communities, and undermines social health and well-being.

As the owner of one of the most expensive homes in Vancouver, you occupy the opposite end of the economic spectrum from us. Those on income assistance receive $375 for monthly rent, and the Single Room Occupancy (SRO) hotel rooms available at that rate are mostly unfit for healthy human habitation (10’x10’ rooms without washrooms or kitchens and infested with bedbugs, cockroaches and mice). By contrast, your $31 million home has extravagant space (45,000 sq ft) and luxurious amenities (swimming pool, squash courts, etc.) for you and your family, far beyond what most families in the city or province would consider reasonable, adequate housing.

We are here today to highlight this immense inequality, and to call on you to publicly support the demands we have put forward. These demands call on the provincial and federal governments to raise welfare rates, end the barriers to receiving income assistance, increase minimum wage, build 2000 units of social housing per year in BC, replace the SRO housing stock in the Downtown Eastside with new units of social housing, and increase taxes on corporations and wealthy individuals. We ask you to contact the provincial and federal ministers of finance, housing and income assistance to assert your support of these demands.

Implementing such policies would significantly reduce poverty and homelessness in our province, and improve the lives of those most afflicted by the deprivation of basic necessities; it would also make our communities stronger and healthier for all. As recent studies have shown, rampant economic inequality has widespread negative social impacts. Life expectancy, homicide rates, drug abuse, child well-being, levels of trust, involvement in community life, mental illness, teenage birth rates, children’s math and literacy scores, the proportion of the population in prison, prevalence of racism, sexism and homophobia, and voter turnout are all worse in countries with greater inequality than those with more equality.

We invite you to add your voice and energy to this call for greater economic equality and the elimination of poverty and homelessness in our province. We do not seek charity but true justice in the political, social and economic structures of our collective lives.

Categories: AHA Media, April Smith, CCAP, David Murray, Downtown Eastside, Hendrik Beune, Homelessness, Jean Swanson, Richard Czaban, Vancouver, Vancouver Downtown Eastside

Association of United Ukrainian Canadians Community Concert & Supper for 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver on Sunday Nov 7 2010

November 8, 2010 ahamedia Leave a comment

Community Celebration
ASSOCIATION OF UNITED UKRAINIAN CANADIANS COMMUNITY CONCERT & SUPPER
Sunday November 7, 3pm
Ukrainian Hall, 805 E. Pender
The AUUC is pleased to present their season opening concert for the closing afternoon of the Festival. Featuring all of their performing arts groups, the Barvinok Choir, the Vancouver Folk Orchestra and the Dovbush Dancers, the concert offers a welcoming atmosphere of Ukrainian traditions. Enjoy this afternoon of lively music, invigorating dance, colourful costumes, and an array of special guests including: a welcome song with Squamish elder Sam George; the ferocious and compelling flamenco music and dance of Kelty McKerracher and Celina Tinio, baile (dance), Juan de Marias, toque (guitar), and Maria Avila, cante (song); and the internationally renowned recording artists, gospel trio The Sojourners (Khari McClelland, Marcus Mosely and Will Sanders). The Festival is thrilled to welcome back Marcus along with his fellow songmates, accompanied by guitarist Paul Pigat. While it wouldn’t exactly be right to call The Sojourners a new act—given that each member of the group has been in the music business for around fifty years—the sound, energy and commitment they conjure any time they get together would be the envy of singers half their ages. Echoes of doo wop, R&B, country and blues weave together with gospel to create a unique sound that has all but vanished from today’s world, www.thesojourners.ca. “These guys are as authentic as the well-worn pews and well-used Bibles stationed in any Church welcoming the sounds of Gospel songs. Rich and textured voices that harmonize along a rolling sea of sound waves; The Sojourners take you on a gentle walk down the back alleys and pathways of the soul and have you cathartically ending up on the other side.” – AnEVibe.com
Stay after the concert for the hall’s delicious traditional Ukrainian Supper. Concert and supper $15. Be sure to book your tickets in advance for this very popular event. For tickets call 604-879-2089.

AHA MEDIA is very proud to help provide social media coverage of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver from Pre festival events starting Wed Oct 20, 2010 through to the Main Festival during Wed Oct 27 – Sun Nov 7, 2010

http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com

AHA MEDIA is about exploring mobile media production through New Media cameras. For a better quality version of video or for additional footage, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter or Facebook.com/AprilFilms

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Categories: AHA Media, April Smith, Heart of the City Festival 2010, Hendrik Beune, Richard Czaban, Savannah Walling, Teresa Vandertuin, Terry Hunter, Vancouver

DTES Camp at W2 Storyeum for 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver on Sunday Nov 7 2010

November 7, 2010 ahamedia 1 comment

UnConference
DTES Camp
Sunday November 7, 11am-3pm
W2 Storyeum, 151 W. Cordova
A mini-unconference and social media workshop that provides multi-sector learning and collaborative solutions for our DTES neighbourhood. An unconference is a facilitated, participant-driven conference centred on open themes that emerge from the participants. Today’s event will feature film screenings, speakers and open space for DTES residents, activists, business owners, artists, and urban planners. Get inspired and work face-to-face on local cultural, housing, environment, economic and justice solutions. Follows this weekend’s Media Democracy Day program at VPL and W2. Presented by W2 and Heart of the City Festival, includes lunch (by donation). Info: www.creativetechnology.org/events/dtes-camp. Free

http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com

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Categories: AHA Media, Andrew Lavigne, April Smith, Clyde Wright, Community Engagement, Downtown Eastside, DTES, Heart of the City Festival 2010, Hendrik Beune, Irwin Oostindie, J-Hock, Jon Ornoy, Teresa Vandertuin, Vancouver, Vancouver Downtown Eastside, W2, W2 Community Media Arts, W2 Storyeum

AHA MEDIA is very proud to be on the cover of the Carnegie Newsletter on November 1, 2010 for the 7th Annual DTES Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

November 1, 2010 ahamedia Leave a comment

AHA MEDIA is very proud to be on the cover of the Carnegie Newsletter on November 1, 2010 for the 7th Annual DTES Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a photo of Peter Davies of AHA MEDIA holding a copy of the Carnegie Newsletter

Below is a closeup of Alvin Clayton, Clyde Wright, April Smith and Hendrik Beune of AHA MEDIA

Below is our photo in colour!

http://www.heartofthecityfestival.com

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Categories: AHA Media, Alvin Clayton, Carnegie Centre, Clyde Wright, Community Engagement, Downtown Eastside, DTES, Heart of the City Festival 2010, Hendrik Beune, Vancouver, Vancouver Downtown Eastside

AHA MEDIA filmed at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival Opening Ceremonies at Carnegie Community Centre on Wednesday Oct 27, 2010

October 28, 2010 ahamedia Leave a comment

Special Event
FESTIVAL OPENING CEREMONIES
Wednesday October 27, 2pm sharp
Carnegie Community Centre Theatre, 401 Main
Join friends from the neighbourhood and a very special guest for the grand opening of the seventh annual festival! Hear words of insight into the heart and home of the DTES from guest speakers, poets and artists of this community. Featured local artists include: Sam George (Tse-at-sul-tuxch) of the Squamish Nation who will open with a Welcome Song; beloved DTES poet and activist Bud Osborn; powerful traditional dance and music from Mike Dangeli and Mique’l Askren of Nisga’a, Tlingit and Tsimshian descent; neighbourhood treasure Takeo Yamashiro with his ethereal shakuhachi music; poet and community inspiration Stephen Lytton; the swinging Carnegie Jazz Band led by Brad Muirhead; and the uplifting Carnegie Village Choir led by Beverly Dobrinsky. Pre-ceremony piano entertainment from DTES treasure Stan Hudac. Reception to follow with special guest. Everyone welcome! Arrive early to get a seat as a full house is expected.

Below is a photo of Stan Hudac playing at Carnegie Centre

Below are photos and video of special guest, The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point coming into Carnegie Centre at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a video of Carnegie Centre Jazz Band playing at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a video of Kat Norris giving to The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a video of Carnegie Jazz Band playing O Canada, Kat Norris speaks, and Sam George at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a photo and video of Sam George of Squamish Nation playing a Welcome Song in Carnegie Centre at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a photo of special guest – The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a video of The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point welcoming folks to the Opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a video of The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point speaking at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a video of The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point invites the folks at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver to come to Victoria

Below is a video of Gena Thompson, Terry Hunter, Ethel Whitty, Bud Osborn, Takeo Yamashiro at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a photo of Bud Osborn, beloved DTES poet and activist

Below is a photo of Takeo Yamashiro with his ethereal shakuhachi music

Below are photos and video of St James Music Academy choir performing at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is Jenny Kwan, MLA for Vancouver – Mount Pleasant speaking at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below are photos of Vancouver City Councillor Heather Deal presenting a City of Vancouver proclamation ” Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival Day” to Terry Hunter and Gena Thompson at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a photo of Ethel Whitty and The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a photo and a livestream video from a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone of St James Music Academy performing at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

http://qik.com/video/16910586

Below is a video of Dalannah Gail Bowen at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is a photo of the audience at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below is photo and video of Git Hayetsk Dancers performing at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

Below are photos, video and a livestream video from a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone of Stephen Lytton and Carnegie Village Choir perform at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

http://qik.com/video/16912205

Below are photo of April Smith’s hands livestreaming a video using a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone

Below are livestream videos using a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone, videos and photos of Rosanne Gervais and Carnegie Jazz Band at the opening of the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

http://qik.com/video/16913025

http://qik.com/video/16913681

Below are photos and a livestream video using a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone of Diane Wood and Richard Tetrault presenting to The Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver

http://qik.com/video/16914334

Below is a video and livestream video from a Nokia N97 mini cameraphone of Git Hayetsk dancers leading the Lieutenant-Governor of BC, the Honourable Steven Point out of Canegie Theatre at the 7th Annual Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival in Vancouver