Community Events

photo courtesy Linda Mackie

Lynn Valley is lit up for the season of goodwill – literally and figuratively.

On December 1, in front of a huge crowd, North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton, MP Andrew Saxton and MLA Jane Thornthwaite flipped the switch to light up Lynn Valley Village, forested with over 70 decorated trees sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

Mayor Walton couldn’t stay long, however; he was soon off to Mollie Nye House’s Bright Nights celebration, where with the flip of another switch the heritage home was transformed into a must-see roadside attraction.

These events kicked off a pre-Christmas season that is becoming ever more celebratory in this neighbourhood. The “Lynn Valley Christmas” event, organized by the Lynn Valley Community Association, is now in its third year. The Lynn Valley Lions donate the trees for the Christmas Tree Walk, with money raised by tree sponsorships supporting the Lions Christmas hamper program and LVCA community events.  (People can further support this charitable work by purchasing their tree from the Lions in the Karen Magnussen parking lot!)

photo courtesy Linda Mackie

More entertainment is planned for December 21 and 22, when dance, music and children’s activities will run in Lynn Valley Village all afternoon and evening. The events will culminate in a carol sing-along with the L.V. United Church choir on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.

LVL photo

Activities abound

The weeks to come offer a plethora of seasonal events, from a traditional tea at Mollie Nye House on Sunday, Dec. 15 to a screening of Christmas movies at the library community room on Monday, Dec. 9 and Monday, Dec. 16.

People wanting to express their Christmas creativity can make a gingerbread house at Mollie Nye House on Wednesday, Dec. 11, or a holiday centerpiece on Thursday, Dec. 19.

Look for details of these events and many more at our online Events Calendar.

Good Neighbour Award launched

Another recent addition to the season of goodwill in Lynn Valley is the Good Neighbour Award, now in its second year.

LynnValleyLife invites nominations of Lynn Valley people who make the world around them a better place, in ways large or small.

Favourite stories are shared on the LynnValleyLife website and a winner is chosen by random draw to be named the Lynn Valley Good Neighbour of the year.

Nominations are welcomed up until Wednesday, Dec. 18^, and the grand prize will be awarded at the Christmas in Lynn Valley event on the evening of Dec. 22. Send your “good neighbour” nominations to [email protected]!

– Peggy Trendell-Jensen

Growing audiences have been delighted with this season’s line-up of guest performers at the weekly musical improv night held at Lynn Valley United Church.

Friday Night Live has welcomed wellknown Vancouver performers, such as Bard on the Beach’s Andrew Wheeler and Phantom of the Opera’s Jeff Hyslop, along with upcoming talent that’s included magicians, singers, composers and more.

The evening is always a remarkable blend of hilarity and talent; the show is anchored each night by Ad Libretto, improv performers who blend brilliant off-the-cuff acting with Matt Grinke’s equally brilliant off-the-cuff piano accompaniment, with amazing results.

You can enjoy a few snacks in the lobby before the 7:30 start time, buy a glass of wine to take into the show with you, and relax and enjoy the performance. Given our dark, fall-weathery evenings, staying close to home for an evening’s entertainment is even more appreciated!

The fall season will wrap up with a final performance on December 6, so be sure to catch an evening or two or three before then. Click here for the guest line-up; this Friday (the 15th) come out and see composer and performer Simon Kendall, formerly of Doug and the Slugs. (Click here to listen to some gorgeous clips from Simon’s new solo piano CD and his other releases.)

A special ‘gallery night’ is being held the following Friday, November 22, when the work of Millenium Ink tattoo artists will be featured. Doors open at 6:30 so you have the chance to see a range of work on a “human gallery” and enjoy light refreshments; the theme of tattoos as means of expressing human rights and other meaningful causes will be discussed during the show.

New this season is support from community sponsors who believe in having quality, family-friendly entertainment in our neighbourhood. Thanks to title sponsors Royal Bank and Grossman and Stanley, business lawyers, and to Zazou Salon and Spa, Save-on-Foods, Westlynn Meats and Seafoods, Len Grinke Photography, Waves Coffee House (for their complimentary beverages!) and of course, to Lynn Valley United Church, whose brainchild this was.

Tickets are $10 at the door. Books of tickets are available for $100, which includes 10 tickets and two complementary tickets (what a great Christmas gift!)  Family rate is $25, and people under 12 are free.  Get tickets in advance if you’d like, by calling 604 987-2114 or emailing [email protected].

Halloween isn’t just for kids. In fact, this party is for grown-ups only!

The Lynn Valley Legion is inviting members and non-members alike to come out and enjoy an evening of ghoulish fun on Saturday, October 26 starting at 7 p.m.

The theme is “Dress Like a Dead Celebrity,” so put your thinking caps on and get creative! Along with chances at costume prizes, you’ll also enjoy the live band Swayed, food and drink specials, and getting to know your neighbours better!

All info is on the poster below. Have fun, folks!

There aren’t many North Shore residents who can get up from their dinner table on a Friday night, decide against another night in front of the TV, and, just 10 minutes later, be enjoying an evening of live music and comedy.

But that’s the happy reality in Lynn Valley, where Friday Night Live (FNL) has entered its third season. Some things haven’t changed – with a $10 ($25/family) ticket price and no downtown parking costs, you still can’t beat the evening for value.

The performers, too, continue to be stellar. The cast of seasoned improv actors and musicians is headed by Alan Marriott, who launched his theatre sports career in Vancouver in 1980 before spending the next two decades training, performing and teaching in London, England.

Now he orchestrates a roster of fellow improvisers whose antics form the backbone of FNL. Joining them every week is a guest artist; the audience can expect anyone from a magician to emerging or well-known actors or musicians.

What is new this year is that more businesses are stepping up to lend a hand. Originally the brainchild of Lynn Valley United Church (LVUC), the event has turned into a partnership between various organizations who want to support close-to-home, quality entertainment.

Title sponsors this season include RBC, Grossman & Stanley, and LVUC, with support offered by others as well (including Waves, which donates complimentary coffee). The artists, too, pitch in by performing for an honorarium. Now all that’s needed is consistent audience support to keep it all coming together.

“People often assume that if it’s held in a church, it’ll be preachy or hokey,” says Shauna Grinke, a church member who used her business skills to create a marketing approach for the freshly updated FNL.

Just one visit, however, is enough to change their minds. Between the professional quality theatre sports and guests such as talented Vancouver musical performer Jeff Hyslop, word is getting out that FNL is a treat not to be missed. In 2013, it was voted one of the North Shore’s “Best-Kept Secrets” in an Outlook newspaper reader poll.

Church administrator Kelly Jenner calls it “doing church in a radically different way.” It’s about building relationships within the neighbourhood, and creating a venue where people can gather to be inspired by uplifting entertainment. Given the large audience at last week’s season opener, it seems the idea is definitely catching on.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at 3201 Mountain Hwy. For information about upcoming guests, visit www.fnlnorthvan.com.