Heartwood celebrated a full year of community last month with a party! We want to give a big thank you to our performers from that evening: Gavin Kade, Kennedy Arbour, Vi Levitt, and Anoushka Ratnarajah. We are so grateful to be in a community with so much talent and beauty.

Heartwood has changed enormously since opening in September 2014. We give continuous thanks to Lisa, Vinetta and the communities built at Rhizome Cafe for the trust and support they have provided during the transition. Heartwood is space for community collaboration and creation - who we are now is a reflection of the communities built, bridged, and strengthened at 317 E. Broadway. We're so proud! 

We also give a very dear thank you to Trinity United, which has given us such amazing support throughout the past year. Heartwood would not be able to be a physical space for community without Trinity United opening both their hearts and pockets. Our Makeover ContinuesMany thanks again to Rowboat Consulting who designed our logo and continue to work their brilliant with us on marketing and digital storytelling. We also want to have a big shout out to Sign-a-rama for their five-star service in producing and installing our sign. Searching for guidance in marketing and sign-making? Get in touch with Rowboat Consulting and Sign-a-rama! 

We will be continuing our makeovers this November and will be painting new colours on our walls from November 9th to 11th (the cafe will be open for regular hours on November 9th and will be closed on November 10th and 11th). Although we’ll be airing out the cafe during these times, please note that if you are sensitive to chemical scents, there may be residual paint fumes in the days following our repainting. Our apologies for any inconveniences and discomfort. 

In honour of ancestors of resistance, El Cencerrocontinues their two-month exhibition. Their exhibit coincides with the anniversary of the conquest of the Americas. Join us for another amazing month with El Cencerro! 

El Cencerro is an online magazine creating a meeting point for Latin American artistists throughout BC to make visible, develop, promote and disseminate artistic efforts that have contributed to maintaining the Latin American identity beyond its regions of origin. El Cencerro is powered only by its movement. It is through the arts, they believe, that we can participate in the cultural life of all communities.

On Saturday, November 1st, they will be bringing Dios de los Muertos/Day of the Dead celebrations to Heartwood. Come by for activities and fun. Doors open at 6pm! 

El Cencerro in collaboration with Heartwood Community Café bring you Brujas, Ritos y Aparecidos. 

El Cencerro is an online magazine creating a meeting point for Latin American artistists throughout BC to make visible, develop, promote and disseminate artistic efforts that have contributed to maintaining the Latin American identity beyond its regions of origin.The Cencerro, or cowbell, sounds in a space for artistic expression for established and emerging South American artists. El Cencerro is powered only by its movement. It is through the arts, they believe, that we can participate in the cultural life of all communities. 

In honour of ancestors of resistance, the exhibition will coincide with the anniversary of the conquest of the Americas. To commemorate past and present colonial resistance throughout South America, El Cencerro will be bringing weekly events to Heartwood focusing on the solidarity building, celebration, and decolonization throughout October and November. Mark your calendars for exciting events, such as music and dance to writer’s workshops to Day of the Dead celebrations this Fall! 

Brujas, Ritos y Aparecidos’ Art Opening is set for Saturday, October 11th at 6pm at Heartwood Community Cafe. You can check out Heartwood’s online events calendar for El Cencerro’s weekly events in October and November. 

Brujas, Ritos y Aparecidos Art Opening  |  Saturday, October 11, 6pm 
Celebrate with the members, friend and photographers participating in this collective exhibition, in the opening of Ritos, Brujas y Aparecidos: Images of Resistance.

Dances, Dynamics and Dialogues: A Workshop with Afro Vibras Perú  |  Friday, October 17, 6pm 
Join us at the Heartwood Café for an evening of dance and dialogue on Peruvian Afro-descendant cultural traditions and contemporary initiatives. We will also be inviting discussion on the power of folklore for re-visioning and the challenging of norms, and share our own experiences.

The Magic of the Words  |  Friday, October 22, 6pm 
Night of poetry and short stories. Two Indigenous Canadian poets and two latin writers will share their works.

Last month, we had a full calendar of too much goodness! During Ramadan, there was a beautiful night of Radical Muslim performers sharing their talents at an events called “Breaking the Fast.” The night ended beautifully with prayer. As a space that encourages interfaith, it was beautiful to see communities come together for prayer, especially one led by young women. Azaadi BC also brought in full house of young poets for their event, Sounds of Revolution. We’re consistently amazed with how much talent is in the city! FIRST brought in a community discussion led by sex workers called Beyond Bedford, speaking to the current and relevant issues of sex worker rights. Hollaback Vancouver, an organization combatting street harassment, launched at Heartwood! Finally, we had a beautifully angst-y night of Women of the 90's Queeraoke, which Shout Back Fest held as a fundraiser for their upcoming festival! We weren’t lying when we said goodness. 

In the past month, we’ve also introduced two events that will be become regulars to our calendars: Trivia Night with Woody and Latty! and All-Ages Acoustic Pop Punk Nights presented by Van City Royalty! We’re excited for these partnerships! Watch out for their events alternating each month! 

Bert Monterona Auction! If you’ve visited Heartwood this past month, you’ve likely have seen the inescapably beautiful artwork of Bert Monterona. His exhibit will be exhibiting at Heartwood until the end of September. Bert will be auctioning his pieces at Heartwood throughout the remainder of his exhibit. For more information and to make a bid, please visit the cafe! 

AUGUST EVENTSThursday, August 7, 2014. 7:30pm - 9:30pm. ThunderPants Presents: Queer Speed Dating!  
Join Thunderpants for a very queer evening of flirtatious five-minute encounters with lovely strangers and all folks ranging from rad, respectful, and romantic. This event is a fundraiser with proceeds to support First Nations Legal Challenges to the Enbridge Pipeline. Pick-up lines not pipelines, baby! 

Saturday, August 16, 2014. 7pm - 10pm. A Night of Music with Heartroot.
Folk Americana duo Heartroot is a musical collaboration made up of multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriters Mindy Dillard and Eric McEuen.

Friday, August 22, 2014. 7pm - 10pm. Non-Douchy Anti-Slam. 
An anti-oppressive space for QTIIPOC (Queer/Trans, Intersex, people of colour), FNMI (First nations, métis and Inuit) and mixed people to share their work and experience. Both a showcase and an open mic. This event is hoping to create a friendly space for those who normally don't get a voice, to share their poetry, spoken word, short stories, or any medium of word they wish to share.

Thursday, August 28, 2014. 7pm - 10pm. Community Film Screening and Discussion with Cafe Rebelde.
Café Rebelde hosts a night of short documentaries and discussion addressing issues on environment, social justice, capitalism, and oppression in various forms of media.

Friday, August 29, 2014. 6pm - 9pm. the frank theatre Presents: Telling It Bent Youth Writers Showcase. 
Telling It Bent is a writing workshop taking place in Unceded Coast Salish Territories for self-identified queer, transgender, Two Spirit, and questioning BC youth, ages 14-25. Join the young writers for a night of readings. 

Saturday, August 30, 2014. 7pm - 10pm. Van City Royalty Presents: Reign-City Unplugged III.
An all-ages acoustic night featuring Vancouver’s talented pop-punk bands. You can look forward to this event happening at Heartwood once every two months! 

April was an exciting month of events. We were so grateful to having amazing musical acts like labour rights activist, Anne Feeney, and radical queer activists, Evan Greer, on Heartwood's stage, along with an insightful book launch for "Thinking With Water" that brought in local writers, such as Rita Wong, and Janine McLeod. We're looking forward to an even busier May! 

Today on May 1st, Heartwood also celebrates International Workers' Day. We commemorate and continue to fight towards collective liberation across the borders of Turtle Island and beyond!


Let us know what you think! 
What have been your experiences at Heartwood? We're taking a technological leap of faith and are delving into the world of social media and we'd love to know what your stories have been with us. Positive, negative, and everywhere beyond and in-between, please share your stories!

Here are a couple avenues for sharing: 
Write a review about us on Yelp 
Write a review about us UrbanSpoon
Like us on Facebook 
Tweet @heartwoodcc
Tag us on Instagram @heartwoodcc

Or just sprinkle on a #heartwoodcc in any of your social media stories about us! 


Events at Heartwood
Thursday, May 8, 2014. 6:30pm – 10pm. Live Music: West Side Meets East Side.
West Side meets East Side: an evening of excellent music brought to you by some of Vancouver's West Sides finest featuring heart wrenching bluesy-folk tales from Leah Barley, sultry jazz piano by Laura Reznek, and epic psychedelic guitar endeavors from Samuel Romero. Event by donation (suggested $10).

Friday, May 9, 2014. 7pm – 10pm. Music & Words II with Gavin Kade, Dia Davina & Special Guests.
Spoken word artist Dia Davina and singer/songwriter, Gavin Kade, and guests come together in an exciting new collaboration of music and words. Come share a night of speaking (up) about breaking binaries and building connection in all its forms. 

Saturday, May 10, 2014. 6pm – 10pm. Board Games Are So Gay!
Come down to our LGBTQ-centred community living room and join us for a laid back night of good old fashion board games. Choose from our collection of games or bring your own! See old friends and meet new ones! Open to all ages and all genders, including allies!  

Friday, May 16, 2014. 7pm – 10pm. GAB Youth’s Spring Cabaret. 
GAB Youth, Qmunity: BC's queer resource centre, flaunts another night of talented queer, trans, and gender non-conforming youth! 

Saturday, May 17, 2014. 7pm – 10pm. International Day Against Homophobia with Rainbow Refugee.
Rainbow Refugee commemorates the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) through an evening of participatory theatre and storytelling lead by LGBTQI artists and queer refugees. Together we will create a space for dialogue on IDAHO and its significance with LGBTQI migrants and refugees.

Sunday, May 18, 2014. 12:30pm – 2:30pm. Vancouver Reclaiming Witchcraft: Chat & Chew (front room).
Join in for an informal discussion about the Reclaiming tradition of WitchCraft while enjoying our delicious eats. All are welcome. Please refrain from wearing scented products. Please RSVP to [email protected].

Thursday, May 22, 2014. 7pm – 9pm. Café Rebelde: Community Film Screening & Discussion
Café Rebelde hosts a night of short documentaries and discussion addressing issues on environment, social justice, capitalism, and oppression in various forms of media.

Friday, May 30, 2014. 7pm – 10pm. Trivia Night at Heartwood!
Bring a team and play 4 rounds of trivia. Prizes for best joke answers, best team name, and for the trivia winners!

Saturday, May 31, 2014. 7pm – 10pm. Live Music: Percheron with Special Guests
A seven-piece lonesome country band from East Vancouver serenades Heartwood with special guest acts. 


Community News
Looking for a learning opportunity to share your stories and build community? Enter: The Story We Be. Now on its second run, The Story We Be are intergenerational writing and performance intensives to hone the craft and power of storytelling across genre for transformative change and collective healing. Applications are open for submission until Friday, May 16th. For more information, contact mia amir, Director and Co-Facilitator of The Story We Be, at [email protected].