Community Events

There are two musical fundraisers coming to our neighbourhood to promote two excellent causes!

On Saturday, March 11, acoustic guitarist Stephen King will be hosting an evening of good music and good company to raise funds for those affected by the recent Upper Lonsdale apartment fire. Non-perishable food donations to the Harvest Project are also welcome at the door, as the Harvest Project has been helping those rendered homeless with some immediate needs.

The concert will take place at St. Clement’s Anglican Church, 3400 Institute Road, starting at 7 p.m. Details are here.

And over at Lynn Valley United, a great evening of world music is being planned for Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. According to their post:

This concert is a fundraiser for North Shore United Refugee Response, a cooperative effort by the seven United Churches on the North Shore to sponsor two Syrian families fleeing their homeland and currently waiting in a refugee camp for entry into Canada. More than sponsorship, this endeavour will re-unify the refugees with families that have already settled in the Lower Mainland.

In celebration of diversity, fascination with all cultures, and building harmony through the language of music, you are invited to join us at Lynn Valley United Church on Sunday, April 2 at 3:00pm for an auditory and visual feast of music and song.   From Indian tanbur to a children’s choir and Syrian guitar, from didgeridoo to string quartet, come hear the many colors of instruments in our world.

So if you’re looking for a way to get out and enjoy a new musical experience without having to travel out of your neighbourhood – and like to know that you’re supporting a good cause at the same time – these concerts might be what the doctor ordered!

For decades, Lynn Valley United’s red-brick church was a community landmark at the corner of Mountain Hwy and Harold Road, just across from Lynn Valley Elementary School. Even non-churchgoers enjoyed its annual fall fairs and encouraging notes on its message board near the street.

Now its members are ready to welcome the public again, this time into a brand-new building on the same location. For well over a year, the church has been using temporary locations in the neighbourhood for worship, administration and its Friday Night Live gigs while its property was redeveloped into residential units that curl around a bright new church.

Members have been getting the feel of their new worship space since just before Christmas, and are looking forward to throwing open the doors to all on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. Everyone is invited for church tours, refreshments, a ribbon-cutting and more.

One feature of the new sanctuary is the incorporation of a labyrinth on the floor. “Walking the labyrinth” is an ancient Christian meditative practice that has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the past number of years. Those interested in learning more are invited to a free mini-workshop taking place on Sunday, Feb. 26 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Learn more about both events, and about its revamped Friday Night Live offerings, here.

The season of Advent is almost upon us, and the valley is starting to prepare for Christmas.

If you’re wanting your Christmas tree dollars to go to go to work in your community, be sure to head to the Lynn Valley Lions Christmas tree lot, opening on Saturday, Dec. 3. It’s at a new location this year – you’ll find it in the sports box adjacent to Karen Magnussen Rec Centre. Hours are Monday to Friday 2-8pm, and 9am-9pm on the weekends. The trees sold out in two weeks last year, so don’t delay!

The neighbourhood’s very own “gingerbread house” (known the rest of the year as Mollie Nye House) lights up as always on Thursday, December 1, and everyone is welcome! The 13th annual Bright Christmas is being hosted by the Lynn Valley Services Society (LVSS) at Mollie Nye House, 940 Lynn Valley Rd., from 7 – 8:30pm that evening, and those wishing to join the lantern parade from Karen Magnussen are invited to be there at 6:30 pm sharp! The countdown and light-up will take place at 7 p.m., and festive sing-alongs, gingerbread and ornament decorating, Mad Scientist demos and other activities will carry on until 8:30 pm. Santa will be there, and so should you!

Once again dozens of community organizations and businesses have sponsored trees in the Christmas Tree Walk organized by the Lynn Valley Community Association, and set to light up Lynn Valley Village for the pleasure of all. Watch for neighbourhood elves out putting the trees up on Friday, Dec. 2, and decorating them on Saturday the 3rd.

The grand light-up ceremony takes place on Sunday, December 4 at 4:30 p.m. This is definitely a neighbourhood “come one, come all” gathering, and we look forward to seeing a village square full of people!

There will be much to enjoy during the month of December, so keep your eyes on our Events Calendar to make sure you don’t miss out. We’ll update it regularly – so if you’re organizing a public event, be sure to let us know so we can spread the word! Just send your details to [email protected], and feel free to post your news directly on to our Facebook page as well!

While October 31  focusses on trick-or-treating and fireworks, that costumed caper is only the beginning of a three-day “Hallowtide” festival that has evolved over the past thousand years.

The following two days, All Saints Day on November 1 and All Souls Day on November 2, predate Halloween traditions (“hallow” means “saint,” and “All Hallow’s Eve” has become “Halloween”). All Saints began as a fourth-century feast to commemorate the Christian martyrs, while All Souls was added in the early 11th century to give people an opportunity to honour those members of their families or communities who had died.

St. Clement’s Anglican Church will be holding its annual All Souls service a little ahead of time – on Sunday, October 30 at 4 p.m. During a contemplative time of candlelight and prayer, the names of the departed are read aloud. Every year, St. Clement’s parishioner and Argyle grad John Stowe puts the word out to Argyle  alumni  and others and invites them to submit names of people from the school community who have passed (you can reach him at [email protected]), while the Rev. Elizabeth Mathers, deacon at the church, encourages Lynn Valleyites to send her the names of anyone they would like remembered ([email protected]).

Elizabeth describes the service as very “user-friendly” and one that is often attended by people who wouldn’t otherwise describe themselves as church-goers. If you would like to spend a few quiet moments remembering a beloved family member or companion, you are warmly welcome. If you would simply like to know that their names are being read and remembered for All Souls, please send them to Elizabeth or John.

St. Clement’s is located at 3400 Institute Rd. More information is here. (And a recipe for traditional Souls’ Day cookies – the original Halloween treat – is here.)

An annual celebration of Polish food and culture  returns to Lynn Valley Village on Sunday, September  4.

The fourth annual Polish Cultural Festival will feature Polish music, singing and folk dancing and a special program for children and youth with puppet theatre show, arts and games activities, sing along, balloon lady, face-painting and more.

The children’s program will kick off at 1 p.m., with the official grand opening declared at 2 p.m. Vendors will be selling Polish T-shirts and accessories, jewellery, arts and crafts, as well as plenty of delicious traditional Polish food such as sausages, perogies and pastries.

The special guest Groove ‘n’ Tonic, Vancouver’s high energy party band, will be playing from 6 to 7:30 p.m., so if you are in early withdrawal from the village’s Friday night concerts, come on down!

Admission is free, and the organizers from the North Shore Polish Association Belweder look forward to welcoming people of all ages!