Girlports was launched by Tanya Churchmuch, a longtime broadcast and print journalist and public relations veteran, as a result of her own frustration with the lack of resources available to lesbian travelers. “It’s so annoying for lesbians looking for easily accessible, up-to-date travel information written just for them, especially free travel information,” said Churchmuch. “Many websites sell themselves as providing resources for the LGBT traveler, but unfortunately, the “G” always seems to win out. I figured if nobody else was going to create the resource I wanted, I’d have to do it myself.”

“

We are happy to announce that we have just confirmed a location for a dance in
Vancouver on March 15th!!
 
The new management at the Howard Johnson’s (formerly the Biltmore) has offered us
a monthly Saturday night for a women’s over-30’s dance. The lounge has an intimate
setting with couches and a good sized dance floor. This is an opportunity to
establish a monthly space for women in a prime location.  There is plenty of free
parking at the hotel and across the street.
 
Dancing begins at 9pm with DJ Susan Y until 1 am.
Howard Johnson’s is located at 12th and Kingsway.
Opening night cover is $7
Please respond by email to reserve your tickets. djsusandyeager@hotmail.com

LQ Current Supporters

The End Result Projects – home renos, furniture, exterior, interior – Janet Weigelt 604-649-9121 (I’ve hired her for renos on my house, and she’s excellent. -editor)

LQ Past and In-Kind Supporters

• Gay and Lesbian Business Association of BC
• Honeysuckle Rose Cottage
• Jett Grrl Bike Studio
• Lesbian Luxury Adventure Vacation
• Sounds and Furies Productions

In case I don’t get the review written in time, my new favourite book with lesbian characters is Fire Logic, part of the ‘Elemental Logic’ series by Laurie J Marks. The central love story is between two women, set in a culture which seems to be flexible in it’s family structures and much lower in sexism than our own. The lesbian and gay and straight romances are woven into a story full of intuition, magic, integrity and bravery. Okay, I’m a computer nerd and like sci-fi and fantasy, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but really, spending some time in this world is good for the soul. I read it twice. In a row. Fortunately, the third book in the series is due out this July.

The first two years were hardest. The location, in one of the oldest parts of the city, with cobblestone streets and heritage brick buildings nearby, has a lot of charm but as yet, low foot traffic, being surrounded mostly by factories and industrial use buildings.

Joanne has made this difficulty into an asset by building community. One summer, Joanne went around personally to all the businesses in the area and introduced herself. She buys her ingredients where possible from local butchers and grocers and doesn’t mind if customers bring in a cup of coffee from nearby JJ Beans. Her casual style diner has become a favourite among the construction workers and longshoremen in the area, so much so that she has to do refinishing work on the floor every summer to recover from a winter of workboots.

Four years after opening, Docker’s is thriving. The retro-style diner is clean and well-managed, open from 7am to 3 pm. Joanne, a straight woman, is definitely lesbian friendly, and reserved a table for breakfast for our wedding party the morning of our wedding last year.

Talking to Joanne got me thinking about all the great women-owned businesses I know of so I started asking around for recommendations. Here’s what I’ve got so far. I invite you to add your recommendations below.

Jessica Brown, a traditional chinese medicine and registered acupuncturist, has a practice in New Westminster and was recommended by her wife Kirn.

The Dragon and Unicorn was recommended by Carol Stewart – “Jackson Berger and her partner Kathy Lewis have The Dragon and Unicorn Farm in Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast.  It is a 4 acre rhododendron farm and art gallery.  Kathy is a surperb woodworker.  They are also very active raising funds and paddling for the Breast Cancer Dragon Boats.  2348 Sunshine Coast Highway, Roberts Creek.” 

Carol notes that “I read the local weekly paper and found that one person has complained that Dragon and Unicorn is contravening an old bylaw that states a home-based business must only sell things they actually produce themselves.  Their gallery promotes local artists and artisans.  It seems that only one complaint is enough to stop the business!  Many people are supporting Kathy and Jackson; I hope they will be given special permission to continue.  In the meantime, any publicity or awards will surely help. ”

Susan Yeager and Diane Driver of Dreamweaver productions have been hosting and providing music services for the over 30’s women’s dance crowd for years, including an affordable and community-style pride dance at the Vancouver Rowing Club each year.

The Rhizome Cafe, owned by life-partners Lisa Moore and Vinetta Lenavat, profiled last quarter. They’re just completing their first year of business and are a great cafe that could use your support – I suggest people go in and eat lots of their good food.  Their weekend brunches are my favourite.

The Roundel Cafe – On Hastings just west of Nanaimo, the Roundel has been purchased and re-opened by new owners Dena Sananin and husband Mick. The atomosphere, food and pricing is a tiny bit upscale of the usual east side diner cafe, but includes free-range eggs and fancier salads along with vegetarian classics like tofu scramble and homemade veggie burgers. She also gets her supplies in the neighbourhood.

Other great women-owned businesses include Commercial Drive’s – Sophie’s Pet Palace (lesbian owned) – which sells pet food and supplies. Mary Brooks, the owner, was sponsor of the Sophie’s Bitches softball team in Vancouver’s lesbian Mabel League. It’s All Fun and Games in the next block is owned by two women and sells a nice selection of quality children’s toys and books. Urban Empire sells lots of kitchy and irreverent items from rubber chickens, political buttons and the Rosie the Riveter action figure pictured above. Of course there are also the lesbian-owned and women-owned businesses already mentioned or profiled in Lesbian Quarterly.

I know there are lots of other women-owned businesses out there. If you have one to recommend (please say why) I invite you to comment on this article below. (To avoid spam, all comments will be approved by a human being before showing up). Click here to read all the great comments we have already (!).

Have you ever taken a look through your drawers and wondered about the bras in there? You have six different sizes and none of them seem to fit right. An undershirt won’t work for sports. You need a new bra.

You’ve tried and tried to go it alone… You went to the department store and surreptitiously took three or four different styles and sizes of sports bras into the dressing room, hoping to guess the right one. You tried them on and bought the one that seemed to fit the best. It wasn’t right, you knew it at the time, but you didn’t know what wasn’t right or what you needed to do to adjust it to make it fit.

Well this could be a thing of the past.

I know a place where you can go and buy the right bra in the right size that will fit you and feel good. Not only that but you’re in and out in less than 15 minutes. No more wandering aimlessly through the bras at the Bay. No more funny looks from the sales clerks at Sears wondering why that young man (oops young lady) is in this department.

Diane’s is a lingerie shop on Granville street. I finally bit the bullet and went in there. The lady asked me if I would like some help and I said “yes?” She asked if I knew what size I was and I said “no not really”. I used to be a B but that was a long time ago and now with menopause and the extra weight things aren’t what they used to be.

She took me in the back change room and pulled my shirt tight around my chest, eyed me up and brought out a couple of all purpose bras. She said “try these on and let’s see”. I got the first one on, a bra that I thought was much too large for me, what was she thinking? Oops, I guess she does know what she’s doing, it fit pretty good. She came into the dressing room and did a few adjustments and loosened one strap and tightened the other.

Wow, this does fit, how about that. I won’t look at the size… I won’t look at the size… I wonder what size it is? OMG I’m what? a D? no it can’t be… well it does fit good and seems to be the right size. I know, it must be a European size, that’s right… European sizes.”

She said “I have this in a few colours, White, mauve and black.” “Black please” I said. Well that wasn’t bad. In and out in less than 15 minutes. If I just slot it into the same spot in my mind as going to the doctor and getting that pap thing then having them size you up isn’t so bad. So if you have ever need a bra and want to be in and out in less than 15 minutes try Diane’s at 2950 Granville Street in Vancouver.

(Diane’s is owned by a straight woman)*Shep Wildwood is a name composed of the name her first pet and a street she lived on.

Wedding Planners—Our budget being on the skinny side, we opted not to go with a wedding planner. However, there is a (reportedly) lesbian-owned planning company for those who can afford this service, which typically takes up 20% of your budget for the entire wedding. You have to search hard on the Belles and Balls website to find their information on same sex weddings. Once I found the page, I realized why. The belles offer a special discreet service for couples who may not be out to work or family (www.bellesandballs.com/weddings.same.cfm). They also work with gay and lesbian vendors.

Venues—The Greater Vancouver Regional District has inexpensive, private and beautiful heritage buildings in regional parks for rent. Unlike halls owned by religious organizations, they are not allowed to discriminate against us. We rented Inverholme Schoolhouse, a hall that holds 65 people, for $400 for an entire day and evening (add $100 for liquor permit). http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/parks/facility-reservations.htm

Attire—After a day of hearing skinny straight gals in bridal and formal clothing stores tell me and my mom I’d have to get something custom made to fit my tall curvy frame, it was a great relief to enter Tiffany Plus NY Bridal. I was zipped into my gowns by Chelsea, a friendly and slightly punk looking gal with a lip piercing. Goddess bless East Vancouver. They had lots of dresses in my size, and I’m told this is the only plus sized bridal store in the lower mainland.

Watch out, wedding and bridesmaid dresses are about two sizes up from your normal size. Most of us won’t be wearing the white dress with the big train & veil (you go girl if you want to!), but for fancy formal dresses in a wide choice of colour, the bridesmaid dresses gave me some swank options for the occasion for $250-400. It’s apparently not unusual even for het brides to opt for a simpler and non-white bridesmaid dress. I also learned that these stores only stock dresses in one size and colour, so you may be trying on something way too big or small (they use pins and panels to make it fit you when you try it on) and then ordering it in the size and colour you need. Once it comes in, they alter it to fit close to your wedding date. Tiffany has a standard-size store a couple of doors west as well with the same good staff.

For a renaissance look, (but definitely not plus or tall size), the House Gallery had dresses, capes, beautiful accessories and some lovely and butch friendly handmade shirts, brocade vests and coats that can be made in coordinating fabrics. She was willing to make something for me in my size (most bridal is custom anyways), but I would have liked to have been able to try on at least one dress in each style before committing to that. This woman-owned business was pagan friendly and lesbian friendly. She was respectful to Jeanette and I when we were there, and had pictures of lesbian couples in her change room.

Caterers—Potluck Catering is a social enterprise benefiting a café that serves low-cost meals and trains and employs residents of the downtown eastside of Vancouver. They are members of the GLBA and have done the food at the lesbian ball league tournaments. They also were the only catering site found that specifically mentioned they catered same-sex weddings. Typical cost for a fully catered reception is $25 a person, plus rental of dishes and servers. Too steep? If your venue has a kitchen try catering only a main course and asking guests to bring a potluck item.

Officiants—For the religious, the Unitarian Church (a blend of Christianity, secular humanism Buddhism and earth-based spirituality), Metropolitan Community Church (gay evangelical Christian) and United Church (liberal Christian) will happily perform same sex weddings. Unitarian officiants are also happy to marry interfaith couples. The Unity Church in North Vancouver (liberal Christian) has a lesbian minister who will also perform same-sex weddings. Selected Anglican priests in the Diocese of New Westminster (lower mainland) will perform same-sex blessings but not marriages. This Diocese and it’s Bishop are known world-wide for taking a stand in favour of performing these blessings, and have suffered a lot of censure within it’s own church and broader conservative Christianity for doing so. Quaker meetings are largely self-governing and some unstructured meetings will also perform same-sex weddings. Wiccans can have legally recognized handfastings/weddings performed by priests and priestesses of the Congregationalist Wiccan Association of BC in Vancouver and the Okanagan, and the Aquarian Tabernacle Church on the island. Reform Jewish Rabbis are permitted to bless same-sex Jewish couples and some, like Rabbi Justin Lewis in Kingston, will perform marriages. Some Buddhist priests will perform same-sex marriages as well, and Thich Nhat Hanh, a noted Buddhist monk and author has written a Buddhist wedding ceremony designed to be adapted for same sex couples.All BC Marriage Commissioners are required to perform secular same-sex weddings, and like Unitarians, will let you design most of your own ceremony. Unfortunately, there’s no listing of which ones are lesbian or truly supportive so it’s best to do your own screening. Information on getting married in BC and contact info for marriage commissioners is at: http://www.vs.gov.bc.ca/marriage/howto.html

Is it just for over 50’s?  Yes and no. “Women in their 30’s and 40’s came last year because they’re lesbians. A lot of the content is about growing older but a lot of is about hanging out with lesbians.” says Pat.  Younger women are welcome. There’s a wide range of women who attend, mostly from the US and Canada but some from other parts of the world. The conference is inspired by the American conference ‘Golden Threads’. While the last year had mostly Canadian presenters, this years conference features American presenters and content where relevant, so that American guests can have access to financial and legal information that applies to them as well. Last year’s event had about 185 participants, and Pat and Clare are expecting a full 200 this year, after last year’s blazing success. “For some women, they’d never been to an event where there’s been lesbians before and it’s like a second coming out for them. But for others it was about building community,” notes Pat.

The conference will coincide with the Vancouver tour date of over-50 lesbian musician Cris Williamson, happening on Sunday September 10th, also organized by Pat’s company Sounds and Furies. Musicians who will be performing at the conference include “first lady of folk” Penny Lang on Saturday night and funny feminist folkie Kate Reid on Friday night.
In addition to the featured workshops, this year’s conference includes meeting space and encouragement for registrants to create their own workshops or discussions.
In fine lesbian tradition, the conference is sliding scale and some subsidies are available. Pat and Clare are holding an open-mic fundraiser for the scholarship fund on  June 11th. Information for all of these events is available on the Sounds and Furies website at www.soundsandfuries.com. Women who don’t use the internet can get a brochure by contacting Pat at 604-253-7189.

Hi Lesbians,

The Rhizome cafe is lesbian owned and provides amazing community building along with delicious food on Broadway street near Fraser in Vancouver. Help keep this great business going by having lunch there or attending one of their awesome events. I eat there a lot and really enjoy the atmosphere and community. My favourite regular events are the Board Games are So Gay, the Disco Baby! and the Women’s History Talks. They also have a meeting room for your community org to have a board meeting, talk or other event that can be booked. During the day especially it’s a good place for a meeting.

~LQ Editor

October 2009 at Rhizome Café * Arts Venue * Community Space 317 East Broadway, Vancouver

Dear friends of Rhizome-

Lots of events are coming up this month, and we’re excited to tell you about them.  But first, a fewAnnouncements

Rhizome’s third anniversary party is fast approaching, and we hope you’ll join us!  See the October 3^rd listing below for details.  In addition to coming to the party, there are a few other things you can do to help us celebrate.  All of these contributions will help keep Rhizome going strong into the future as a community space that supports social justice work, provides a forum for marginalized voices, and connects us all to each other.

1)    There’s still time to sign up to do a 60-second performance at the anniversary party.  Poetry, singing, skits, interpretive dance, videos…anything goes, as long as it lasts no longer than 1 minute and is related to the theme of rhizomes.  Email lisa(at)rhizomecafe(dot)ca if you’d like to perform.
2)    Our silent auction is going on now (bidding ends at 10pm on October 3) and includes an amazing array of items donated by members of our Rhizome community.  Thank you to all who have so generously donated their time, creativity and talents!  New items are being added throughout, but at the time of this mailing the auction includes:

• Original artwork (by Claudia Segovia, Vanessa Lowe, Sam Bradd, Lenka S., Pat Beaton, Laiwan, and Krisztina Kun)

• Integrative Energy Healing Treatment (by Denise Woodley, Ripple Wellness)

• A Transgender Day of Remembrance proclamation (donated by Tami Starlight)

• Handmade rhizome-themed notecards (by Dalia Vukmirovich)

• 2 kinesiology sessions (by Amy Ruth)

• Preparation of one simple will (by Tim Louis and co.)

• 2 hours of housecleaning (by Deb Ashcraft)

• A set of 3 handmade bowls (by Amanda Walker)

• A 2-hour blogging tutorial (by Karianne Blank)

• 2 pairs of handmade velour pants (by Niki Westman)

• A 3-hour soapstone carving workshop (by Michelle Sylliboy)

• An 8-session drawing class (by Bernadine Fox)

• Handmade earrings (by Kyla Bourgh)

• A women’s history walking tour (by Jolene Cumming)

• A 1-hour drum set lesson (by Lisa Lambert)

• 6-8 classes of Cuban salsa lessons (by Michael Gabriel Rosen, Mas Movement)

• Computer repair (by Martin Suchanek)

• And a handmade puppet named Ghostie (by Diana Jeffries, Flexible Theatre), begging for you to bid on it and escort it out on hallowe’en.

3)    There’s still time to contribute something to the silent auction.  Email lisa(at)rhizomecafe(dot)ca if you’d like to contribute.

In other news, our new expanded hours are listed at the end of this message.  We now open at 11am on Tuesdays, and close at 9pm on Sundays.

Please remember that we’re open for lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks and delicious weekend brunch.  [A side note: someone who regularly attends events here told us yesterday, "It just sunk in, after three years, that in addition to events I should also come here for lunch!"  Hence this reminder.]  Also, our Community Meeting Room is available for use by your community group.  Let us know if you’d like to use it.  Our contact information is listed at the end of this message.

Please note that we’ll be closed for Thanksgiving on Sunday, October 11.

We’re now on Facebook.  Join our group by searching for Rhizome Café.

Thanks for all you do to support this space!  We hope you’ll join us for some important and wonderful events this month.  Here’s what’s coming up:

Art on Our Walls

Prints of Resistance, by Angela Sterritt

On display through November

Remarkable Women: Honouring Women from our Vancouver Communities

On display October 6-27, 2009

The Arts and Culture Office of the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, Jolene Cumming, Tania Willard and Kamala Todd have developed a women’s history project that includes a set of 14 posters identifying 14 women from different areas, backgrounds, socio-economic and cultural groups who have formed part of Vancouver’s history.  The poster project will be on exhibit in our meeting room.  Join us on October 20 (see below for details) for an informal chat with Jolene Cumming.

Events

I Could Have Been a Spelling Bee Champ!

Thursday, October 1, registration at 6:30, bee at 7:00pm

Join us for Round 5 of this fundraiser for Towards Aboriginal Health and Healing.  Come spell your way to the top, or bring your spare change to support your favourite speller.  A trophy and prizes will be awarded to the top spellers!  Lucky audience members will win door prizes donated by local bookstores!  F-U-N for all, and a chance to support crucial community services.

$5-20 sliding scale, but no one turned away for lack of funds

Never Forget: Mexico, October 2, 1968 and the Social Movements of the 60s

Friday, October 2, 7:00pm

Building Bridges and New Noise present an evening to remember the October 2, 1968 massacre in Tlatelolco, Mexico; the wave of social movements in 1960s; and to talk about current times.

Free

Rhizome’s Third Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, October 3, 7:00pm to midnight

Join us for an evening of celebration including: tasty things to eat; Coast Salish welcome by Kat Norris; the world premiere performance of the Rhizome Café Bottle Orchestra; 60-second performances by Rhizome community members; presentation of the Third Annual Golden Root Awards; dancing to the tunes of DJ Su Comandante; bidding on our silent auction; an opportunity to socialize with friends, neighbours and co-conspirators; and more.  Please come to our party so we can thank you!  You’ve helped us create a community hub that supports social justice work and connects us all with each other.

$1-$100 sliding scale, all helps Rhizome keep on going.

Rhizome Free Store:  Adults’ Clothing

Sunday, October 4, 5:00-8:00pm

Share what you have!  Get what you need!  This is the second in a series of Free Store events at Rhizome.  Each month we’ll have a different theme, and will share our resources with each other.  This month, we’ll be sharing adults’ clothing.  If you have clothes you don’t want, bring them!  If you need something, come choose some new (to you) items.  Items must be clean and in good condition.  Anything left over at the end of the evening will be donated to the Battered Women’s Support Services stores.

Free

Board Games are So Gay

Friday, October 9, 7:00pm

We’re back with another round of queer-friendly board games!  Bring your favourite games or use ours.  Our house DJs will keep the tunes coming.

By donation, no one turned away.

Sister Spit: The Next Generation

Saturday, October 10, doors at 7:00, show at 8:00pm

Sister Spit, the legendary, raucous, rowdy performance gang from San Francisco, lands in Vancouver with a vanload of queertastic, female-centric brilliance! Don’t miss this multimedia literary explosion of zinesters, fashion plates, novelists, performance artists, poets and fancy scribblers. Featuring queer luminary Michelle Tea, hilarious literary force Beth Lisick, trans-licious performance artist Ben McCoy, graphic novelist extraordinaire Ariel Schrag, powerhouse poet Kirya Traber, photographer/myth-explorer Sara Seinberg, and world-traveling novelist Rhiannon Argo.

$12-$15 sliding scale

Closed for Thanksgiving

Sunday, October 11

Mas Movement Salsa Party for Queer Folks and Allies

Friday, October 16, 7:30pm

Whether you’ve only dreamed of Salsa or are already a pro, you are welcome here!  From 7:30 to 8:15 we’ll hang out, listen to some music, eat, and drink. At 8:15 we’ll learn some moves from Michael Gabriel Rosen of Más Movement. From 9:30 onward we´ll party to the sweet rhythms of Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton. No partner necessary.

$5-$10 sliding scale, but no one turned away for lack of funds

Café for Chiapas & Report-back on Zapatista Corn Growing in Local Gardens

Sunday, October 18, 5:00-8:00pm

In the spirit of indigenous resistance and solidarity, local gardeners have been growing corn from seeds provided by autonomous Zapatista communities in southern Mexico.  Come see images of the corn and its harvest, and learn about how growing this corn in the Lower Mainland is an act of solidarity, resistance, hope and re-connection with our roots and our food. Defendamos Nuestra Tierra (Defend Our Land) Artesanias presents this report-back, and will also have Zapatista coffee and handmade creations for sale, including leather handbags and wallets, blouses, handbags, shawls, skirts, pants, cushion covers, earrings, and more.  Come hang out with old and new friends, and support Zapatista communities’ autonomy in education, justice, health, and local government.

Free

In our Meeting Room:  Celebrate Women’s History Month

Tuesday, October 20, 6:00-7:00pm

“Remarkable Women: Honouring women from our Vancouver Communities” Join historical interpreter Jolene Cumming from the Herstory Cafe for a casual discussion on the life and times of the 14 women featured on the poster series on exhibit at the Rhizome October 6-27. The women are from different areas, backgrounds, socio-economic and cultural groups and played significant roles in Vancouver’s history.

Free

Eyewitness Reports from Palestine:  The Ongoing Reality of Siege and Occupation

Thursday, October 22, 7:00pm

Local Palestine solidarity activists Joanna Zilsel and Greg Starr speak about and show photos of their recent trips to Gaza and the West Bank.  Presented by Jews for a Just Peace.

Free

Anti-Olympics Resistance

Friday, October 23, 6:30pm

No One is Illegal presents an evening of creative resistance to the 2010 Olympic Games.  From traditional Indigenous territories to urban ghettos, from migrant workers to low-income families, thousands are being evicted or pushed out.  Once displaced, many become cannon-fodder as precarious labour. Come join us in expressing our dissent with mega-corporate industries like the Olympics and the Tar Sands, and in raising our voices in creative expression against the 2010 Games!

$0-10, no one turned away

DTES Power of Women Storytelling Evening

Saturday, October 24, 6:30pm

The Power of Women (POW) Group is a group at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre dedicated to educating and raising awareness on social issues.  POW is made up of women from all walks of life who are living in extreme poverty.  Many are single mothers or have had children apprehended due to poverty.  Many have chronic health issues, have drug or alcohol addictions, and have experienced abuse.  Many are indigenous women affected by a history of colonization and racism.  These are women who are victims, but are also survivors.  They are oppressed but they are powerful.  They are frequently researched, but it is rare that their own voices are heard.  We hope you will join them on this evening to hear what they have to say about their experiences, struggles, and aspirations.

$0-$10, no one turned away

Disco, Baby!

Sunday, October 25, 4:30 to 7:00pm

Bring the kids for some disco dancing fun!  dj little d will be mixing the old school and the new.

By donation

Going against the Grain: 38 Years of Feminist Work, Joy and Struggle

Thursday, October 29, 7:00pm

Vancouver Status of Women invites you to join them for their AGM (at 7pm), to learn more about VSW’s exciting new programs, partnerships and initiatives, and then to enjoy live performances (from 7:30 onward) from local artists.

Free

Book Launch: Not A Conspiracy Theory: How Business Propaganda Jeopardizes Democracy,

Friday, October 30, 5:00-7:30pm

This book, by Donald Gutstein, is about one of the most important unreported stories of recent years. Conservative businessmen and their foundations have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to support so-called independent think tanks and advocacy organizations that argue for smaller government, deregulation and fewer social programs. This money has bought undue influence in reshaping our society and future. Simon Fraser University researcher Donald Gutstein will discuss the book and sign copies.  Presented by Key Porter Books, SFU School of Communication, and the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Free

Board Games are Sooo Gay…Let’s Play Again!

Friday, October 30, 8:00pm

We’re back (for a second time in October) with another round of queer-friendly board games!  Bring your favourite games or use ours.  Our house DJs will keep the tunes coming.

By donation, no one turned away.

A Cozy Place to Hang out on Hallowe’en

Saturday, October 31, at night

Whether you want to get away from it all or come show off your costume, this will be a warm and cozy place to spend your hallowe’en evening.  Bring the kids by for treats!

Day of the Dead Celebration:  Pray for the Dead and Fight for the Living!

Sunday, November 1, 5:00-8:00pm

Join us for one of our most favourite annual Rhizome traditions.  We’ll celebrate the lives and legacies of those who have gone before us, and create a traditional Mexican Day of the Dead altar to commemorate our dead.  Bring photos of your loved ones and others who have inspired you, as well as offerings of flowers, candles, fruits, bread, etc.  We will create papel picado (paper cuttings) collectively. There will be Guatemalan hot chocolate, Zapatista handcrafts and coffee for sale, and more. Organized by Latina women together with their companeras at Rhizome.

Free (Donations welcome for materials)

Thanks!  See you soon!

Rhizome

Café * Arts Venue * Community Space

Where we are:

317 East Broadway

Vancouver, BC, Coast Salish Territory

For more information:

604-872-3166

www.rhizomecafe.ca

rhizome@rhizomecafe.ca

Our regular hours:

Tuesdays:       11am to 10pm  **NOTE: New opening time.

Wednesdays: 11am to 10pm

Thursdays:      11am to 10pm

Fridays:           11am to midnight

Saturdays:       10am to midnight (brunch from 10 to 3)

Sundays:         10am to 9pm (brunch from 10 to 3)  ***NOTE: New closing time.

We’re closed on Mondays.

A note on our name:

In the botanical sense, a rhizome is a root system that some plants (like lilies and orchids and ginger and bamboo) use to spread themselves about.  While the roots of most plants point generally downward, the rhizome is a horizontal root system that runs parallel to the surface of the ground.  The plant sends shoots up from nodes in the rhizome, creating what look like many separate plants.  These seemingly unrelated individuals are actually all connected, through a system that’s not immediately visible to the eye.

The Rhizome Cafe is a lesbian-owned cafe and community venue in Vancouver, on Broadway near Fraser. Lisa and Vinetta would love to see you there.

Art on our Walls

The Muse’s Studio: Drawings by Kyla Bourgh

Events

Film and Celebration:  Country of the People’s without Owners

Saturday,  August 1, 7:30pm

La Chiva Collective and Grupo Atarraya host a screening of “Country of the Peoples without Owners,” a documentary film conceptualized, written, edited and produced by the Communications Team of the Association of Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca (ACIN), Colombia.  What happens when the poorest and most marginal people confront, without weapons, the most powerful regime of Latin America, sustained and backed by the economic, political, military, and media powers of the United States and their transnational corporate allies? The response is apparent in the wisdom of the five point agenda that provided the fuel for Colombia’s Minga of Social and Community Resistance. A short forum will follow the screening of the documentary. Afterwards, enjoy the rich diversity of Colombian beats with DJ La Salsomana.

Sliding scale, $5 and up but no one turned away, to benefit the Nasa Indigenous Community Radio Station

Prison Justice Day Benefit

Friday, August 7, 8:00pm

Join us for a screening of the film Prison Town USA, and for performances by LOUD, Lora McElhinney, and Anne Stone, with a Coast Salish welcome by Cease Wyss.  Proceeds from this event will benefit The Word is Out, a women in prison news service.

Sliding scale, $10-$15

Storyteller and Multimedia Artist Chris Chandler, with Paul Benoit

Saturday, August 8, 8:00pm

Poet and storyteller Chris Chandler has joined forces with Seattle blues guitar virtuoso Paul Benoit. Together their styles merge like lanes on an outbound interstate. Delivering vignettes about politics and modern culture with the fire of a Baptist Preacher, the music is rooted in roots, colored with blues, and based in Americana.  Presented by the IWW-Vancouver.

$2 to $20, nobody turned away!

In Our Meeting Room:  Energy Efficiency Workshop for Homeowners

Wednesday, August 12, 7:00-8:00pm

The City of Vancouver presents this workshop on how homeowners can access the Province’s new LiveSmart BC rebate program for energy efficiency, as well as other incentives.  Presenters will share information on the types of renovations or upgrades that make a home more energy efficient and the benefits of an energy efficient home.

Free, rsvp to green@vancouver.ca

Board Games are Sooo Gay

Friday, August 14, 7:00pm

We’re back with another round of queer-friendly board games!  Bring your favourite games or use ours.  DJs HuzCubz will keep the tunes coming!

By donation, no one turned away.

Saturday August 15

Things will be hopping at Rhizome on this night, because we’ll be celebrating a staff member’s birthday.  It’s not a private event, though, so you’re welcome to stop by.  We just thought we’d let you know that this is not the best night for a quiet, romantic dinner at Rhizome!

Project Somos Children’s Village–The Next Phase

Thursday, August 20, 7:00pm

Heather Knox and Greg Kemp of Project Somos are just back from Guatemala with stories to share and information about the next phase of establishing an eco-sustainable Children’s Village for orphaned and abandoned children.  Come hear the exciting news!

Free

Pinoy Poetiks

Thursday, August 27, 7:00pm

The Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance presents an evening of performance by some of Vancouver’s freshest Filipino artists.  Join us in sharing and celebrating conscious talent in forms of poetry, singing and rapping.

$5-$20 sliding scale

Board Games are Sooo Gay—Again!

Friday, August 28, 7:00pm

Couldn’t make it out to Board Games on Aug 14?  Well, we’re giving you a second chance this month!  We’ll be back for another round of queer-friendly board games.  Bring your favourite games or use ours.  Our house DJs will keep the tunes coming!

By donation, no one turned away.

Film Night:

Experiments in Queer DIY Community

Saturday, August 29, 8:00pm

Join us for a screening and discussion of two documentary films. It’s in Liebigstrasse 24 by Liza Lindgren and Siri Hedenstrom tells the tale of a queer house project in Berlin.  Leeway–A Story of Queeruption Vancouver 2007 by Zoey Melinek and Liza Lindgren explores issues of race, accessibility and sobriety that arose during Queeruption, and examines how to make DIY events accessible to everyone.

$3-$300 sliding scale, no one turned away

Save the Date for Rhizome’s Anniversary Party!

Saturday, October 3

Rhizome Café has turned three, and we’re going to celebrate on the night of Saturday, October 3! Save the date for an evening of entertainment, good food, and socializing with friends and neighbours!  Updates to follow…

Thanks!  See you soon!

Rhizome

Café * Arts Venue * Community Space

Where we are:

317 East Broadway

Vancouver, BC, Coast Salish Territory

For more information:

604-872-3166

www.rhizomecafe.ca

rhizome@rhizomecafe.ca

Our regular hours:

Tuesdays: 4 to 10pm

Wednesdays: 11am to 10pm

Thursdays:  11am to 10pm

Fridays:  11am to midnight

Saturdays:  10am to midnight (brunch from 10 to 3)

Sundays: 10am to 3pm (brunch from 10 to 3); and occasionally for events from 4:30 to 7pm-ish

We’re closed on Mondays.