March 20th is the First Day of Spring!
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY
(EVENTS, NEWS, & AWARENESS)
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: MY LIFE
MAR 28–APR 06, 2025
March 28, 29 at 7:30pm
March 30th at 2:00pm
April 1,2,3,4,5 at 7:30pm
April 6th at 2:00pm
At The Cultch Historic Theatre, 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver BC
About the Show
Part fantasy, part reality, with huge dollops of whimsy.
Niall McNeil’s Beauty and The Beast: My Life transports audiences into a vibrant realm that references Disney and Cocteau but charts its own unique narrative path through Niall’s experiences and multi-faceted art practice.
With this world premiere, Niall, who identifies as an artist with Down Syndrome, is making his directorial debut and creating the story. He has assembled an incredible team of collaborators and performers, including: Veda Hille, Billy Marchenski, Sophia Wolfe, Kate Franklin, and Peter Anderson—who have come together to centre Niall’s unique approach to art-making.
There is a 2 for 1 ticket offer. If you are purchasing a ticket, you can type in GOOD COMPANY in
the promo code at the checkout. This offer is good for sections A+ A and B.
If a person wishes to be accompanied by a support person, Please call the Cultch Box office at 604 251-1365 and the support person will be given a complimentary Ticket.
Created & Directed by: Niall McNeil
Performers & Collaborators: Billy Marchenski, Sophia Mai Wolfe, Kate Franklin, Peter Anderson
Director Mentor: Debbie Patterson
Composer: Veda Hille
Lighting Designer: Itai Erdal
Costume Designer: Christine Reimer
Sound Designer: Mishelle Cuttler
Set & Props Designer, Technical Director: Paula Viitanen Aldazosa
Pre-Show Projection Design: Candelario Andrade
Dramaturge: Michele Valiquette
Production Manager: Jessica Han
Stage Manager: Jillian Perry
Producers: Joan McNeil, Brian Postalian, John Dippong
Still Moon Arts – Water Woman Remembers: Indigo Dye Community Art Project
Join us to celebrate World Water Day and contribute to a collaborative community art project.
Sip tea and join in a conversation about our relationship with water. Explore your creativity and take part in a natural dyeing experience using Indigo plants and drawing with wax.
We will work together to co-create a dress for a giant puppet named “Water Woman”. Each attendee will use melted wax to decorate a portion of the dress with pictures or words and dip it in indigo to make the image visible. The finished dress will be a vibrant tapestry of our collective stories and wishes for water.
Water is life, and we all have memories and stories that relate to water. From Vancouver’s rainy climate and journeys across bodies of water to learning to swim or catch fish, stepping into the ocean, or drinking a cold glass of water on a hot day. Contribute your memories, stories and hopes to our community artwork.
Date/Time
🗓️ Saturday, March 22, 2025
🕐 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🆓 This is a free event that is open to all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult)
IMPORTANT: If rain is expected, this event will be moved indoors, and we will email those registered with the new location.
About the Artist-Facilitator
Carmen Rosen is a visual artist, singer, and interdisciplinary performer. She is a recepient of the Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award and the Queen’s Jubilee Award for her art with the community. She has an Art History degree from UBC and a diploma from Emily Carr Institute. Carmen is the founder and artistic director of Still Moon Arts Society. Through Still Moon and in collaboration with many community partners, she creates the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival, and other projects and special events shedding light on Renfrew Ravine, Still Creek, salmon in the city, and the community’s creative capacity. She leads art workshops about natural dyeing and making lanterns, giant puppets and costumes. Carmen’s visual art can be seen in the stone mosaic pathways around Renfrew Ravine, public sculptures, and giant puppets and stilt-walking characters featured at local festivals around Vancouver.
Accessibility
- The Colour Me Local Dye Garden is an unpaved grass garden located in the northwest corner of Renfrew Ravine Park, and wheelchairs may require assistance.
- There is free street parking in the neighbourhood.
- Washrooms are not available on site but can be found at the Renfrew Community Centre, located a 6-minute walk away (~350 m). Renfrew Community Centre has gender-neutral washrooms available.
- There are benches available.
About Colour Me Local Dye Garden
Still Moon’s Colour Me Local Dye Garden, located on the West Side of the Renfrew Ravine, is a community-engaged art space focused on planting, maintaining, harvesting, processing, and using plants best known for their pigments. In addition to natural dye extraction, the garden supports pollinators, insects, and wildlife and is home to many Indigenous plants stewarded by our Indigenous neighbours.
About Still Moon Arts Society
Still Moon Arts Society mobilizes community and creates positive change through eco-arts and environmental stewardship programming, and produces the annual Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival. Still Moon is a registered charity whose mission is to inspire vibrant and connected communities by creating artistic experiences and nurturing a passion for nature.
Land acknowledgement
All of Still Moon Arts’ programming takes place on the unceded territories of Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
Mount Pleasant Missing Middle Walking Tour
Join us for a tour of Mount Pleasant, home of some of the most diverse and interesting housing in Metro Vancouver, on Sunday, March 23, at 2pm.
On our last tour we surveyed the University Endowment Lands where zoning rules dictate that the only built form is mansions on large properties. For contrast, this time we’ll explore Mount Pleasant, where we can find a wide variety of building types from low rise apartments down to single family homes in close proximity.
Our route will exhibit many “Missing Middle” housing types which are illegal to build in most of Vancouver today. Prior to the introduction of Vancouver’s zoning bylaw, this neighbourhood flourished as it developed with a mix of small apartment buildings, townhouses, and grand houses divided into a large number of apartments. The neighbourhood has also seen some more recent infill multiplexes.
We’ll meet at the Mighty Oak café at 18th and Columbia, also a relic of a more permissive age.
WHEN: Sunday, March 23rd | 2:00PM
WHERE: Meet at the Mighty Oak Cafe (198 W 18th Ave, Vancouver, BC)
COST: Free
Click here for more info and to reserve a spot!
VIFF – Accessibility
VIFF is committed to making our events and screenings accessible to as many people as we can, and we strive to remove barriers to access whenever possible. For more information, please email accessibility@viff.org
Click here to review VIFF’s Accessibility Page
Ticketing
For ticketing assistance, you can reach us at on the VIFF Infoline 604-683-3456 or feedback@viff.org
Wheelchair Positions: We encourage patrons requiring wheelchair positions to call ahead to reserve. The adjacent companion seat is also available to reserve.
Support Companions: Support persons who accompany patrons with disabilities are eligible to receive a complimentary ticket. Contact the Infoline to book ahead or book in-person at the Box Office.
Accessible Tickets: We offer a limited number of discounted tickets to each film for folks who face financial barriers and may not be able otherwise to attend a film. Discounted tickets are available on our website or at the Box Office while quantities last.
Accessible Screenings
Captioned Screenings: Our Wednesday matinee Captioned Screenings welcome Deaf and hard of hearing audiences, along with anyone who benefits from captions.
Relaxed Screenings: Our monthly Relaxed Screenings are open to anyone who could benefit from a more casual, supportive and laid-back experience.
SHOWING: Ennio (Hearing Assistance/Subtitles)
Cinema Paradiso director Giuseppe Tornatore proves the perfect filmmaker to craft this loving tribute to one of the all-time greats: composer Ennio Morricone (1928-2020). Tornatore knew Morricone as a regular collaborator and a friend, and the film is built around a series of interviews they recorded together six or seven years ago. A trumpet player who set out to become an avant garde composer, Morricone was sidetracked by cinema, a medium for which he found had an exceptional affinity. But he never abandoned his avant garde learnings; part of what makes his scores so revolutionary is his openness to go beyond the orchestra to incorporate unorthodox instruments (jew’s harp; electric guitar) and “found” sounds: gun shots, snapping whips, the percussion of hooves and boots. That said, his music could also be unapologetically romantic, witness his scores for The Mission and Days of Heaven. An extraordinary roster of talents testify to Morricone’s genius, but it’s his personal warmth and sensitivity that speaks loudest. Even at 2.5 hours the film barely scratches the surface of an immense career that stretched beyond 400 credits.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 18th | 2:30 PM
WHERE: VIFF Centre – Lochmaddy Studio Theatre (1181 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC)
What is happening in Vancouver in March?
Click on the link below to see what’s happening:
https://www.destinationvancouver.com/events/calendar-of-events/vancouver-events/
Collingwood Neighbourhood House – Community Lunch Menu for March
Join us every Tuesday and Thursday for an affordable three-course meal at our Multipurpose Room (5288 Joyce Street) for only $7-$8 from 12:15-1:30pm.
Buy your tickets at Collingwood Neighbourhood House reception!
For questions, email Susanna Chu at schu@cnh.bc.ca or call 604-435-0375.
- Tuesday, March 18: Cream of leek and potato soup, salad, beef or veggie quesadilla, and lemon muffin
- Thursday, March 20: Beef or mushroom stew, salad, and peanut butter cookie
- Tuesday, March 25: Borscht, salad, turkey or veggie sandwich, and date square
- Thursday, March 27: Baked chicken or tofu with couscous, salad, and coconut muffin
![[ID: Collingwood Neighbourhood House logo.]](https://www.spectrumsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/cnh.png)
Vancouver Community Fridge Project
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The Vancouver Community Fridge Project is a decentralized food distribution network and mutual aid initiative created to provide healthy, free food and essential supplies to our communities across lower mainland.
Our mission is to combat food insecurity by encouraging our communities to take part in laterally-directed mutual aid, starting with providing free, safe, non-policed, accessible and nutritious foods through community fridges and pantries.
All fridges and pantries that are apart of the VCFP network will be operating on a strict no policing, no-shame policy. This means, the VCFP does not condone patrolling how fridge users engage with the fridge, gatekeeping, or any exclusionary or harmful behaviours. The fridges should be accessible, welcoming places based on trust and communication of needs, established by and for the community.
FINANCIAL UPDATES
Credit Counselling Society
The Credit Counselling Society is an accredited non-profit that helps Canadians solve their money problems. We do this by providing free credit counselling, low-cost debt solutions, and education to help you manage your money better.
Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools for building the financial success that everyone deserves. We’re here to help you through your difficult times and towards a better future.
Disability Alliance BC – MY DTC
The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a tax benefit from the Government of Canada. It is meant to help people with disabilities and their families reduce the amount of income tax they have to pay. Benefits like the Registered Disability Saving Plan and the new Canada Disability Benefit coming in July 2025 can be accessed when you have the Disability Tax Credit.
My DTC is a free online guide to the Disability Tax Credit created by Disability Alliance BC. It has information on benefits, eligibility and the overall process, as well as tools to help with applying. Please note, My DTC does not allow people to apply for the DTC directly. This is done through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Visit My DTC here to explore the guide.
BC Hydro – Customer Crisis Fund
If you’re a residential customer experiencing a temporary financial crisis, such as a loss of employment or benefit income, unanticipated medical expenses, or a death in the family and you’ve fallen behind on your BC Hydro bill, you may be eligible for a grant payment to avoid disconnection of your service.
Eligibility for a grant
To receive a grant from the Customer Crisis Fund, you need to meet a few criteria:
- Be a residential account holder.
- Be applying for a grant for your primary residence account.
- Your account must have payments overdue by at least 21 days or be facing disconnection. You can apply as early as when you have a balance owing on your account, but your application will be on hold until your payment is 21 days overdue or your account is facing disconnection.
- You must have experienced a life event, within the last 12 months, that caused a temporary financial crisis.
- Have an outstanding balance of $1,000 or less, and have demonstrated some attempt to make payments towards your bill.
You may receive one grant per account holder annually (one per year). If a grant application is denied and your circumstances change, you can apply again in the same year.
Click here for more information and how to apply!
![[ID: logo of BC Hydro Power Smart]](https://ecofitt.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/bchydro.jpg)
Inclusion BC Provincial Budget Alert 2024-2025
Spectrum is a member of Inclusion BC and supports their provincial advocacy on behalf of individuals and families with developmental disabilities.
Click here for their report on the provincial budget announced for 2024-2025.
![[ID: logo of Inclusion BC]](https://files.constantcontact.com/5484ef30101/c09a3cee-3809-41f2-964f-ab73cfcb439f.png)
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Plan Institute Webinars
The Plan Institute has FREE upcoming regular webinars on the topics of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) and Wills, Trusts and Estates Planning.
RDSP
The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a Canada-wide registered matched savings plan for those with disabilities to better financially plan for their futures. The Level 1 webinar is meant for those who want to learn about what the RDSP is, who qualifies, and how to apply. The Level 2 webinar is for those who already have a RDSP, or have already taken Level 1.
Next Level 1 Webinar: Thursday, April 10th | 4:00PM – 5:30PM
Next Level 2 Webinar: Wednesday, March 26th | 10:00AM – 11:45AM
Click here to register and for more information
Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning (BC Only)
This webinar is meant for those who want to become better informed on the process of wills, trusts and estate planning to better secure the future of your relative or loved one with a disability. There is a limit of 60 participants so early registration is encouraged!
Next Webinar: Thursday, March 20th | 7:00PM – 8:30PM
Click here to register and for more information
Community Support for Spectrum
Spectrum is a registered charitable organization that fundraises to provide the extra things that aren’t covered by government funding. We appreciate the support our community provides in these ways:
Donations: We receive donations through our monthly giving program from both community members and our employees.
Different ways you can donate to Spectrum Society
- You can make a donation online through CanadaHelps.org on our secure donation page here.
- You can complete this Donation Form and send a cheque to our office.
- You can join our monthly giving club and provide us with permission to make a monthly deduction from your bank account. Complete this Donation Form and email it to donations@spectrumsociety.org or mail it to our office.
- As an employee, you can give us permission to make a deduction from your payroll each pay period. Complete this Donation Form and email it to donations@spectrumsociety.org.
- Remember Spectrum Society for Community Living when you are preparing your Will. We have an Endowment Fund that provides us with regular income to assist in providing supports to people with disabilities in the Community. Please call if you have any questions about this.
Click here for more information!
REFERRAL PROGRAM
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Is there anyone you know that is looking for meaningful work?
If you have a friend, family member or meet someone in the community that is interested in joining the team and you refer them to Spectrum, you could be eligible for a referral bonus!
If the person referred is hired and maintains at least 6 months of consistent employment with Spectrum, we will award a $250 Referral Bonus.
*for more information on the program, please email hr@spectrumsociety.org
We thank you for bringing us quality applicants/employees!