Vancouver 125 celebration logo

This evening, The Five Sixty Club hosted the dual 2011 Vancouver PuSh International Performing Arts Festival Gala opening and Vancouver 125th anniversary kick-off events, with Mayor Gregor Robertson announcing a series of cultural celebrations that will tie in with Vancouver’s title of Canadian Cultural Capital of 2011.

Mayor Gregor Robertson Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret Dancer

My Flickr photo set of the night’s festivities can be viewed here.

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.”

Vancouver 125 will also include community events that aim to unleash Vancouver’s history, diversity, and innovative cultural scene in neighbourhoods around the city. Information on events, blogs, photos, videos and social media for Vancouver’s 125th anniversary will be available at newly-created website CelebrateVancouver125.ca

Some of Vancouver 125’s celebration highlights will include:

March 8, International Women’s Day. Poster-making workshops will be held at community centres throughout Vancouver. The workshops will honour women with diverse cultural and First Nations heritage, as well as those who led change in the Disability and LGBT communities.

April 6th, Vancouver’s official day of incorporation. The City will hold a birthday event at Jack Poole Plaza. There will be a birthday cake, unique cultural performances, and the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron.

From July 8-10, Summer Live will showcase Vancouver’s vibrant arts scene via a free, multi-stage celebration in Stanley Park. Free to the public, this event will celebrate Vancouver’s vibrant cultural community, draw on its rich ethnic diversity, Aboriginal heritage and creativity.

The City of Vancouver’s Summer Spaces program will launch Open Streets this summer to encourage non-profit community organizations to transform a section of commercial street space into accessible and creatively used public space.

From September 30-October 2, Vancouver will take part in the national Culture Days event.

For information on Vancouver 125 anniversary programs, including the 125th Anniversary Grants program (deadline to apply is February 25, 2011), phone 3-1-1 or visit the Vancouver 125 website.

Social media updates can be found on Twitter and Facebook.

Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret Dancers

Happy Birthday, Vancouver! Here’s to another 125 happy years!

1 Comment

  • Pingback by 2011 Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival | ariane c design — February 1, 2011 @ 9:20 am

    […] Cherry Blossom Festival will begin on March 26 and run through April 22. With Vancouver’s 125th birthday in mind, 3,000 Birthday Blossom trees will be available for purchase to home owners around the […]

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