Archive
W2 Belongs To Me: Community Information Meeting – Wed Dec 19, 2012
This is an information meeting about the very real threats by the City of Vancouver to evict W2 programs from the Woodward’s heritage building. Learn background info, and find out how you can participate in our community’s response to the attempt to evict W2 on December 31.
We’ll also discuss W2’s financial challenges which threaten W2’s capacity to operate a sustainable community media arts centre. How are we doing, how we plan to be sustainable, and what we and our partners are doing.
The City, landlord and property management company are working to push W2 out over non-payment of $90,000 in amenity/strata fees and because they simply do not like what we do.
This eviction of our programs is delivered, despite our clear demands in correspondence as far back as February 2012, that W2 needs to receive services for amenity fees levied. Instead of hiding behind “legal” arguments about how they cant do anything, City Councillors should respect the local communities’ capacity and ability to build a centre inclusive for all – not just the market.
Instead of attempting to gentrify W2’s grassroots community and inclusive programs and services out out of Woodward’s, City Council and staff should be stepping in to address their own failures to act on City policies for City properties like the Woodward’s heritage building that despite our complaints discriminates against low-income people, persons with disabilities vis-a-vis wheelchair access and public bathroom policies.
W2 has persevered against 4 previous City attempts to block community access to Woodwards. Now we are building a community-engaged media arts centre that works to unite Vancouverites across race, gender and class. Let’s work together to make it last. If we can’t we are forced to move again ~ would be W2’s 6th home in 5 years if you are counting 😉
If we work together, we can demand the Woodward’s development works for the community, not just retail and commercial interests. Woodward’s was meant to be more than that.
This is your opportunity to learn more about what we are doing, help you connect with people with similar interests to defend W2, and get more involved with building a campaign. W2 (R)evolution needs your help now!
W2 Belongs 2 Me members’ meetings are designed to help connect fans of W2 to be more active participants. The session will be important for members, programming partners, volunteers and staff to find our common interests in order to protect the grassroots values of W2 in an otherwise hostile gentrified Woodward’s environment.
Background:
http://www.straight.com/news/w2-hopes-avoid-eviction
http://www.mayorofvancouver.ca/w2
————————————————-
PLAN AHEAD! DEC 31 IS THE CITY EVICTION DATE AND OUR CELEBRATION IF INDIGENOUS, LATINO, AND ELECTRONIC MUSIC!
W2 LIGHTS NYE is taking on more meaning this year as we fight for a genuinely inclusive Vancouver, not one racially segregated and only for the middle class. We do not know if this event will take place at Woodward’s or a new site. Stay tuned and participate! http://www.facebook.com/events/500924206594289
Woodward’s Indigenous Winter Market
-
-
12 December at 11:00 until 16 December at 18:00
-
-
Our second year presenting a 4-day community festival and market supporting local artisans, artists, and performing artists with a focus on local Indigenous Peoples. We are also extending invitations to our non-Indigenous friends and neighbours in the inner-city to celebrate the creative talent and sharing and dialogue opportunities.Aboriginal Life In Vancouver Enhancement (ALIVE) in partnership with W2 Community Media Arts Society and the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre are pleased to pres ent the 2nd Annual Woodward’s Winter Aboriginal Market.Supported by RayCam Community Centre, Inner-city Economic Strategy, Hastings Crossing BIA, BC Government & Services Employees Union, Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival (VIMAF), and City of Vancouver’s Local Area Planning Process||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||||||||SCHEDULE*subject to change
Daily: Aboriginal Artisan Market, 11am-8pm
Daily: Urban Screens NFB Winter Film Classics, 8am-10pm on the Atrium’s videoscreens
winter classics from the video vaults of the NFB.Daily: Baking & Canning Workshops: Join us on Sunday in the cafe with Zoe and Karen to learn about making Christmas preserves and holiday baking. The cost is just $10-20 (sliding scale) for supplies and you get to leave with the delicious treats you make.
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||||||||Wednesday, Dec 12: 7-9pm, HipHop Bingo featuring prizes and your cohosts JB The First Lady and Ostwelve||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||||||||Thursday, Dec 13: 8pm, An Intimate Winter Evening with George Leach & guests. 19+ Combine one of Turtle Island’s premiere blues musicians, with an evening of beer tasting (courtesy of Scandal Brewing, Cariboo Brewing, and Pacific Western Brewing Company)||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||||||||Friday, Dec 14: The Edward Curtis Project – Reading, 7pm, with hot chocolate & treats.Marie Clements Playwright’s Reading of ‘The Edward Curtis Project’ in advance of its Production
at the National Arts Centre in Spring 2013. The work is based on the original production
commissioned and produced by Presentation House Theatre.In 1930, photographer Edward Curtis’ landmark series, The North American Indian, recorded
for posterity what he termed a “vanishing people”. Decades later, Metis/Dene playwright Marie
Clements and Canadian documentary photographer Rita Leistner went in search of those
same First Nations peoples and communities. Their three-year journey has become a visually
stunning, thought-provoking drama. Present-day Aboriginal journalist Angelina – traumatized by
chronicling the freezing death of three Native children – interacts with Curtis’ photo images and
the controversial man himself, questioning the ethics of her work and assessing the collateral
damage of being a witness.Marie Clements, is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, performer, director, and producer,
and is Simon Fraser University’s Ellen and Warren Tallman Writer-in-Residence for Fall-Winter
2012-13.||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||||||||Friday, Dec 14: 2nd Annual Holiday Hustle, Doors 9:30pmSome of Vancouver’s most celebrated electronic musicians and bands come together for this
Beatroute Magazine fundraiser for W2 Community Media Arts Society. Lots going on including
photo booth, artisan market, with performances by: Mandai, Vandettas, Bastet, Cherchez La
Femme, Drugzndreamz, Frank Grimes, Andrew Van Hassel, Krusha vs Expendable Youth,
Willisist vs Dubconscious, Woodhead, The Librarian vs Self Evident, HxdB vs Cure. $15
advance, low-income DTES residnets receive discounted entry by calling 604-689-9896.||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||||||||Saturday, Dec 15: Lifeskills’ PHS DTES Market is taking place adjacent to the Market, 12-5pm||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||||||||Saturday, Dec 15: VIMAF presents Charlie Zone feature film with short, 7-9pm.Sunday, Dec 16: VIMAF Children’s Program in the NFB Studio Cinema, 12-2pm
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
||||||||Sunday, Dec 16: Community Carolling, 4-5pm with complimentary hot chocolate, cider and
treats.||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our Place Community Forum at W2 Media Cafe on Wed Nov 21, 2012
Our Place – Promoting Local Access & Community Empowerment
Community Forum
Our place is a multi-faceted community based initiative and You play play an important role in determining the overall success of our coordinated strategy to grow healthy children and families in a healthy community.
The Community Forum is an opportunity to share ideas on the Inner City. Sessions will focus on:
Home – Social Housing for Families and Seniors
Family – Parent to Parent Advocacy Training
Work – Opportunities for a Sustainable Economy in the Inner City21 10:30 to
Join us and share your ideas for OUR PLACE:
Wednesday November 21 10:30 to 2:30
W2 Media Cafe, 111 West Hastings
Mad Dogg of WoodSquat 2002 speaks on WoodSquat 2012 – 10th Anniversary in Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES)
Ten years ago Vancouver’s most famous squat kicked off and impacted the future of the Downtown Eastside. An open community exhibition, screening and dialogue series marks the anniversary and questions the legacy of the autonomous direct action housing initiative over 92 day starting September 15, 2002.
Hendrik Beune of AHA MEDIA and Mad Dogg, one of the original Woodwards Squatters share their reflections and stories 10 years today on Sept 12, 2012
W2 and AHA MEDIA are pleased to be at the 6th Annual Fair in the Square 2012 at Victory Square Park in Vancouver Downtown Eastside (DTES)
Fair in the Square: Celebrating together in the Inner City
Sunday, May 27th, 11 am – 2 pm
W2 and AHA MEDIA are pleased to be at the 6th Annual Fair in the Square!
Alongside dozens of social enterprises, artists, and community organisations, terrific local bands and musical artists will donate their talents to entertain from the Victory Park stage while a delicious BBQ including cupcakes, beverages and more are served up by the dedicated faculty, staff and students from Vancouver Community College’s Culinary Arts program.
Fair-goers are encouraged to wander the park and visit the tables set-up by a diverse range of social enterprises and neighbourhood non-profit community organizations providing an opportunity to chat and reach out to a network of neighbours, connect with services available, and admire talent coming from the inner city.
All of this is possible with the support of literally hundreds of volunteers who prepare, staff and strike the Fair site in addition to the donation of food, drinks and other goodies from generous corporate partners.
Follow Us!
AHA Media 