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If you were to create a Venn diagram where one circle was labeled “cheap” and the other labeled “awesome”, the middle point where they cross over could be labeled “Vancouver on the Cheap”. In other words, this is a weekly series on things to do and places to go in Vancouver that fall into that magical category of being both cheap and awesome. Got a cheap-living tip you’d like to share? Send it in!

Turns out there are two entry-by-donation art parties this weekend! Tonight is The Confessional 2.0, and tomorrow night is Zig-a-Zigallery: A Spice Girls Art show. Yes. Spice Girls art. I don’t know about you, but I am more than intrigued – I am tickled.

Turns out this is the third in a series of pop culture art shows, Bill You Murray Me? and Steven Seagallery. Anyone is invited to submit art inspired by the pop culture icon of choice, and then a party is born full of accessible, fun art.

A quick Q&A with creator Christina Chant.

What’s the idea behind the pop culture art shows? Why did you start them?
The pop culture shows first started as a fun idea for Burning Man last year. My best friend and I were planning a camp and wanted to give back to the community and do something fun and interactive. A close friend of ours had always joked about doing a Steven Seagallery – so we asked for his permission to go forth and create and he gave us the go ahead. A few art parties at my house later and we had a collection of Steven Seagal based art. When I came back from Burning Man I had all of this art left over and hilarious memories and thought, how can I get this in Vancouver? After getting some help and consulting with an acquaintance of mine – we put together a ramshackle show at the Toast Collective and it was great!

Following that response, I realized that it was a great way to get people together who don’t typically create or participate in art. Plus, pop culture is something everyone can connect on – even if it’s irony, humour, love or nostalgia, it’s a common thread and usually, everyone has a story about it. Which is also why we haven’t restricted the mediums; people can express themselves in the way they see fit.

Has anything new or unexpected come up while doing these shows?
So many things! At the Bill you Murray Me? Show we had over 600 people attend which was insane. It was an incredibly positive experience and we had over 150 pieces of art from a variety of mediums/skill sets. I also really appreciate that a lot of contribution were a first for some artists and I was humbled to hear that people felt less intimidated to participate in the show. I also got to see a large private collection of Spice Girls memorabilia and that was pretty cool!

Are you artists yourselves?
I often joke that we have a “No talent necessary policy” so that I can put my own crayon drawings in the show. Ola Volobuyeva, who is a wonderful illustrator, is my right hand lady and she is wickedly talented. She has made the posters for the show and you can check out her work here: http://olavola.com/. I work as an Outreach Nurse in the DTES for Aboriginals with HIV and also, work in clinics in the DTES. It is my first love and is the reason I am so good with organized chaos.

Anything exciting coming up for the Spice Girls show?
SO many things! We have live instrumental remixes of Spice Girls songs by Mark Woodyard, a surprise performance by the Spice Boys (the men in the posters), 90s beats from DJ Chants Roommate and around 70 pieces of art to share with everyone. So far our submissions range from hand sewn pieces, Insane Clown Posse and Dune inspired drawings, a massive oil painting, some 3D art and spoken word. And that is just the tip of the iceberg…Some of the art will be for sale as well and 100% of the proceeds go to the artists.

What should someone expect to experience when they come?
A really fun, positive environment. Lots of people dressed up as the Spice Girls! We got a lot of kudos last time for throwing a great party, even from the bar staff.

Anything else you want people to know?
We keep things tongue and cheek. Plus, we’ve been trying to get a hold of the Spice Girls.. so maybe, just maybe, they’ll show up…

Zig-a-Zigallery: A Spice Girls Art Show
Saturday, July 7th from 7pm-2am
FALL tattoo and art gallery (644 Seymour St)
Entrance by donation
Costumes encouraged

If you were to create a Venn diagram where one circle was labeled “cheap” and the other labeled “awesome”, the middle point where they cross over could be labeled “Vancouver on the Cheap”. In other words, this is a weekly series on things to do and places to go in Vancouver that fall into that magical category of being both cheap and awesome. Got a cheap-living tip you’d like to share? Send it in!

Lo and behold, yet another fun and cheap event in Vancouver! Next week on Friday, Xua Xua Productions is hosting a party called The Confessional 2.0. Billed as “a dance party with absolution”, The Confessional is a little different from your average party. Sure, it’s got the bar and awesome DJ’s (hello, Gal Pals of FRIENDS Thursdays at the Electric Owl), but it’s also got a confessional booth. The idea is that you hop off the dance floor and into the confessional booth, write down your confession, and then watch as it’s turned into art by being integrated into projections designed by Chloe Horowitz. There will also be artists on hand to give you confession-inspired body art, if you’d like.

Adding to the cool factor, it’s being held, of all places, in a chocolate shop. CocoaNymph is already well-known for its delicious location on W 10th in Point Grey, but they’ve opened a new location recently in Mount Pleasant and that’s where the party will be going down.

What’s cheap about it? Cover is a recommended donation of $5 and drinks are $4. Can’t get better than that.

Some Q&A fun with Confessional co-creator Dani Bryant:

Where did the idea for The Confessional come from?
A few years ago we produced a play called Bash in which each character confesses their deepest, darkest secret. Before the secrets were revealed they appeared to be the most upstanding citizens, those people that others aspire to be. But, in revealing their secrets, you realized that there is a potential monster in all of us. It got us thinking about how you don’t ever really know your neighbours; you tend to only know what they decide to share.

Why bring it back?
The simple answer? We had tons of people ask us to bring it back. I guess people have a lot of confessing to do.

There is something cathartic about confessing; it allows you to let go of those things that you are too afraid to share with the world for fear of being judged. By projecting the anonymous confessions on the wall, an element of excitement is added to the mix. Your friends are going to see the confessions – will they recognize it was your confession? Will others have similar secrets to your own? Will someone confess their love for you?

A lot can happen when you give people a public forum to anonymously share their secrets.

What will people have to do at The Confessional?
If they choose, they can go into the confession booth and anonymously write down their confessions. This choice tends to become more popular as the night wears on and the alcohol flows.

Why should someone come?
Penance through partying. Who can say no to that?

Anything else you want to make known about it?
DJ duo the Gal Pals from The Electric Owl’s Friends Thursdays will be spinning some great tues and we will have artists on hand for those people who want to wear their sins on their skin.

The Confessional 2.0
Friday, July 6th form 8pm ’til late
CocoaNymph (4 W 7th Ave at Ontario)
Cover: $5 recommended donation

If you were to create a Venn diagram where one circle was labeled “cheap” and the other labeled “awesome”, the middle point where they cross over could be labeled “Vancouver on the Cheap”. In other words, this is a weekly series on things to do and places to go in Vancouver that fall into that magical category of being both cheap and awesome. Got a cheap-living tip you’d like to share? Send it in!

There are a bunch of cheap theatre options coming up this summer! Without my usual pre-amble, here they are:

[un]box[ed] – July 4-9 at The Railway Club
CHEAP DEAL: 2-for-1 preview Tuesday, July 3rd brings the ticket price down to $10

This is a series of four short plays written and performed by the playwrights. Very cool concept of do-it-yourself theatre creation by four incredibly talented ladies. The subject matter of the plays runs the gamut from the do’s and don’ts of the women’s washroom to a Mamet-esque dark mystery. Produced by Scarlet Satin Productions, ticket and show info available on their website.

Press photo for [un]box[ed]

Armed – July 18-21 at Pacific Theatre
CHEAP DEAL: Pay-What-You-Can preview Tuesday, July 17th, and all tickets are $10 in advance

When Joe loses everything that made him a Real Man, there is only one thing left to do: compensate. Unfortunately, he can’t afford a luxury car. There is, however, one thing that might do the trick. One thing that will give him indisputable strength and power. One thing that will never grow flaccid, wither, or die. That thing is a cannon arm. Yeah, you heard right: Joe’s getting a cannon arm. An over-the-top comedy of epic proportions produced by Xua Xua Productions, tickets are available through Eventbrite.

Darren Boquist in Armed. Photo by Jesse Caswell.

The Neanderthal Festival – July 19-29 at The Cultch
CHEAP DEAL: Sunday, July 22nd features pay-what-you-can performances

An entire festival of new works by some of the coolest emerging companies in Vancouver. This is actually the festival where Armed was born last year! Check out their website for more info.

The press shot for Stationary, playing at The Neanderthal Festival

If you were to create a Venn diagram where one circle was labeled “cheap” and the other labeled “awesome”, the middle point where they cross over could be labeled “Vancouver on the Cheap”. In other words, this is a weekly series on things to do and places to go in Vancouver that fall into that magical category of being both cheap and awesome. Got a cheap-living tip you’d like to share? Send it in!

Way back when I wrote my very first post ever for Vancouver is Awesome, I gave some basic principles for cheap living. One of those principles stated that if you’re trying to live on the cheap, you’ve got to avoid dependents. Whether human or animal, dependents can cost a lot of money, and no matter how much they repay you in love, joy, and affirmation of the true meaning of life, those qualities don’t help replenish your bank account.

Less than five minutes after the article went live I started receiving messages from friends asking if I had forgotten about VOKRA.

Indeed, I had forgotten about VOKRA.

For those of you feeling very confused right now, VOKRA, while sounding like something vaguely Klingon, actually stands for Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association. It is a non-kill society of volunteers dedicated to rescuing cats in the Lower Mainland. Instead of operating out of a shelter, VOKRA has about 100 foster homes where these abandoned kitties are housed, loved, and fed until someone is able to adopt them.

Fostering, it turns out, is the key to having a feline-type dependent on the cheap. it allows you all the joy of having a sweet little cat in your home without any of the cost: food and supplies are provided, as well as any health care needs. You don’t even need to make a lifetime commitment if you’re terrified of long-term relationships – all you have to promise to to love this kitty until someone adopts it or until you need to give it back.

Meet Boo, Foster Kitty #1

A couple of my friends, who recently took in a couple of foster kitties of their own, were able to give me a first-hand account on the fostering process.

Why did you decide to foster with VOKRA instead of adopting outright?
I love cats. I have a cat-quota that needs to be fulfilled with cuddle time, or I get sad. Our building doesn’t officially allow pets, nor did our lack of finances and long-term plans line up well with taking on a cat for the next 15 to 20 years. All I had was love and attention to give and it turns out that was exactly what VOKRA wanted.

What was the process like to apply for fostering?
There was an application on their website. That was followed up by a couple emails and phone calls. They thought they found a good match for us pretty quickly, so we went to meet the kitties, find out about their particulars and give affirmation that we were good to go with the match. They set us up with all of the basic needs (food, litter, litter box, scratching post).

What are they looking for in a foster home?
Love and attention. A safe home where the cat(s) aren’t in danger of escaping is also necessary. They also look to fosters to reinforce positive behaviours that the cats will carry into their ‘forever homes’.

Do you get to keep them forever?
No, you only keep them until they get adopted by someone else… but you could always choose to adopt them.

Did you get to pick your kitties?
We let them know in the application what kind of cats we would be up to fostering (adult, pregnant, pregnant with litter, kittens, feral) and then met with cats they proposed to see if they seemed to get along with us.

What were your bottom line costs at the end of the day from deciding to foster to getting your kitties settled in your home?
So far, the only thing we have bought for them is a brush, which cost a grand total of $3.50. Over time I’m sure we will make or buy the random toy as their current ones get trashed. VOKRA supplies specifically required food and litter. If you were extra generous/well-to-do you could always buy your own supplies of the approved stuff, but otherwise they give you supplies that you just have to go pick up.

Any extra time commitment besides what’s normally involved in kitty care?
Probably depends on the particular cat(s). We have one that we are guessing lost her mom too early, giving her some separation anxiety that needs a bit more attention as she adjusts to our home. The other was found wandering on the streets and his wandering heart wants to go outside, which is something he can’t do safely here, so he’s adjusting quite vocally at the moment. They are both unbelievably cute though, so it all evens out. They also ask you to send updates to them with photos and about personalties so they can keep the kitties profiles updated on the website.

Anything else to share about the process of fostering a cat through VOKRA?
It may be hard, the thought of giving the cats up eventually, but it is good to keep in mind that this is in place of the cats living in kennels, or worse yet if it weren’t for VOKRA, in the pound and probably put down. This is so much better for the cats and allows them to grow up in a healthy environment that preps them for a good life in their future homes.

Meet Chai, Foster Kitty #2!

Reports are that VOKRA is currently seeking more foster homes, so if you’re looking for an opportunity to bring a little furball into your home, this could be it. Check out their website for info on fostering, or even adopting.

So it turns out that there are some options for having dependents while keeping your life cheap. If you know of similar options for fostering dogs or other animals, please share them in the comments!

If you were to create a Venn diagram where one circle was labeled “cheap” and the other labeled “awesome”, the middle point where they cross over could be labeled “Vancouver on the Cheap”. In other words, this is a weekly series on things to do and places to go in Vancouver that fall into that magical category of being both cheap and awesome. Got a cheap-living tip you’d like to share? Send it in!

We all know already that thrift stores are a great place to get stuff for cheap. Few things in life beat the thrill of finding that perfect something for only a few bucks, plus the whole ethics vs. price dilemma that us cheapskates often face is moot once you enter a thrift store! Not only are you removed from the production process, but most thrift stores support charities, so it’s a double-whammy of awesome.

One of my all-time favourite places for Vancouver thrifting: MCC at Fraser and 43rd

It can be easy to get lost in the land of the thrift, however. Here are some basic tips on getting the most out of your thrift store experience:

Make Sure You’re in a Thrift Store
Seems obvious, right? But second-hand and thrift are not the same thing and you might be surprised how many people get confused. HINT: if the average price is above $10, you’re not in a thrift store. Also, if the sign has the words vintage, consignment, or some pun about giving clothes a second life in it, it’s probably not true thrift, which means you’ll be paying close to retail prices for used clothes.

Visit Often!
If there’s a thrift store near your home or work, pop in regularly. Most stores put new stuff out a few times a week, if not daily. Don’t go in for a full shop (unless you want to), just poke your head in and give a quick once-over to your favourite sections. That way you’ll be that annoying person who snaps up the best finds before anyone else can get a look at them, instead of that sad person cursing that there’s never anything good available. Bonus: in the smaller shops the staff might get to know you and help you find hidden gems!

Broaden Your Horizons
My Dad used to always tell me to do this, and while he was actually talking about my picky eating habits, I have carried the advice over to my shopping life. Most thrift stores carry much more than just clothes, and that is where the real deals are: books, kitchen wares, decor (if you like a retro vibe), DVDs, jewelry, office supplies, and furniture. Next time you are planning on buying anything stop for a second and ask yourself if it would be disgusting to get it used. If the answer is no, go thrift it up!

David vs. Goliath
I generally prefer the small neighbourhood thrift stores over the giants like Value Village. While you get more volume at the VV Boutique, and thus a theoretically greater chance at finding something awesome, it’s always way busier and picked over, and I usually have less luck overall. I find the prices are cheaper and the quality is better at the smaller shops. Plus, they all support great charities.

Know Your Neighbourhoods
When you go to a thrift store in a ritzier neighbourhood, you’ll generally find nicer stuff. In fact, the general style demographic of your neighbourhood will probably be well-represented at its thrift store (along with the requisite vaguely 80′s-wear of course). Also, be sure to visit a suburban thrift store now and again. They are always better than those in bigger cities, no matter how awesome said cities might be.

If you were to create a Venn diagram where one circle was labeled “cheap” and the other labeled “awesome”, the middle point where they cross over could be labeled “Vancouver on the Cheap”. In other words, this is a weekly series on things to do and places to go in Vancouver that fall into that magical category of being both cheap and awesome. Got a cheap-living tip you’d like to share? Send it in!

As a person who is lucky enough to have a day job working in the arts, I am proud to reveal that I am woefully inept when it comes to drawing. The idea of being able to translate an image from my brain to a piece of paper always sounded appealing, but every attempt has come across as a little “less than”. Luckily, next weekend comes an opportunity to change all that on the cheap with the Vancouver Draw Down.

Vancouver Draw Down is a day-long free event featuring 27 drawing workshops. Just show up, learn how to draw, and have some fun. There are workshops in 18 locations across the city, so it’s best to just check the schedule on the website to find out where the closest one to you is happening.

Photo by Josh Hite

I caught up with Marie Lopes, one of the organizers for a brief Q&A.

Why did Draw Down begin?
The commonly held perception of drawing seems to be that only artists can draw – that it is one of the dividing lines between artists and non-artists. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “I’m not an artist, I can’t draw”… In fact, every time you sign your name, doodle in a meeting, sketch something on a napkin to explain a point, draw a quick map to get a friend somewhere, you’re drawing. While drawing is a very significiant part of professional artistic practice, it is also a fundamental human act. Our goal is to break down those hang ups around drawing, challenge conventional ideas about who draws and who doesn’t, advocate for drawing in everyday life, engage citizens in the huge, delightful, inspiring, satistfying world of making marks!

What’s your involvement with Draw Down? (This year and in past years)
5 years ago, when I was still working at the Vancouver Art Gallery in Public Programs, I was one of the original collaborators who wanted to create a city-wide, hands-on drawing event in Vancouver – along with Jill Baird at the Museum of Anthropology and Kit Grauer in Curriculum Studies at UBC. We were inspired by the Big Draw in the UK. We started small, and then a couple of years ago I made the move to a job at the Roundhouse where my work focusses entirely on community art. This brought the perfect situation to keep working on the Draw Down and helping to make it grow with a much bigger team of collaborators. This year I’m working on the central organizing team for 18 partners – including 8 other Vancouver community centres, the VAG, MOA, Satellite Gallery, Mountainview Cemetery and many others. I’m also organizing our own Draw Down activities at the Roundhouse with Radix Theatre and visual artist Cindy Mochizuki.

What is the main point of Draw Down?
To reconnect people with drawing in everyday life. Humans draw as a way to see, to think, to explain things, to imagine, to document, to play, to spend time together…. AND ITS FUN, satisfying, rewarding, and surprising, regardless of what your drawing ‘looks like’. Drawing isnt the exclusive domaine of professional artists.

What kind of folks tend to come out?
Everyone comes out – one of the greatest things is watching adults who assume that our workshops and events are only for children and then watching them become engaged when they’re invited and encouraged to draw. Some people spend 5 minutes creating drawings, others stay for hours. A highlight is watching people draw together, working on a single drawing. Drawing is a great way to spend time together.

Photo by Josh Hite