Vancouver Erhu Quartet and Market Days  at 8EAST!

Join us for a musical performance of the Vancouver Erhu Quartet 4 - 4:30 pm on the 8EAST Plaza

and Market Days with Chinatown Wonders 12 - 5pmm indoors

Vancouver Erhu Quartet:

Jun Rong 戎峻 – erhu
Lan Tung 董籃 – erhu
Parmela Attariwala – viola
Sungyong Lim 林成容 – cello

Both events are FREE. Reserve seats for the performance here in Eventbrite.

There will be also be space for drop-in attendance!

Market Days with Chinatown Wonders showcases a wide assortment of cultural creations and resources about Chinese clan associations as well as recordings and merchandise that represent improvising communities world wide! This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about initiatives in Chinatown over complimentary tea and pastries. There will be cultural creations from Chinatown Wonders, original Indigenous designs from Pretty Eastvan, NOW Society recordings, local and international recordings NOW Tshirts, totes, and more!

Created during the pandemic year in 2020, the Vancouver Erhu Quartet explores the sonic possibilities combining the erhu (Chinese violin) with western strings. The quartet consists of Vancouver erhu players Lan Tung and Jun Rong, violinist/violist Parmela Attariwala, and cellist Sungyong Lim. The quartet’s all-Asian members represent Taiwanese, Chinese, Punjabi, and Korean communities. Their interpretation of contemporary works is fused with the sensitivity and sense of breath from Asian traditions. At the same time, the musicians have performed/studied various musical styles to explore innovative approaches. Together they bring expertise in various genres, from traditional, contemporary, classical, avant-garde, to world/cross-cultural music.

Known for its expressive sounds, the erhu is one of the most versatile instruments. The erhu has been employed widely by musicians and composers in different contexts around the world. Although the erhu is a traditional instrument, bowed-string ensembles only began to emerge in Chinese music in recent years. In Asia, they are made up of instruments from the erhu family – erhu, gaohu, and zhonghu, in various sizes ranging from quartet to larger ensembles. The Vancouver Erhu Quartet takes advantage of Canada’s multicultural environment to explore the combination of eastern and western bowed strings, as well as diverse influences from collaborating composers. The ensemble’s repertoire includes original works by Jin Zhang, Edward Top, Tim Brady, Jeffrey Ryan, Yawen Wang, Moshe Denburg, Elizabeth Knudson, Mark Armanini, and Amir Eslami. The Vancouver Erhu Quartet’s unique instrumentation provides a new vehicle for artistic expression on the Canadian music scene. The ensemble has performed at the 2022 Sonic Boom Festival and the Vancouver Inter-Cultural Orchestra’s 2022 Global Soundscape Festival.

~ 8EAST ACCESS STATEMENT ~

The 8EAST social space for new culture is a project of the NOW Society, located on the Territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh and səlil̓wətaʔɬ Peoples, in Chinatown, in the DTES, in Vancouver.

We are committed to making 8EAST a safe(r), welcoming and more accessible space. We do not tolerate discrimination based on age, gender, neuro a-typicality, disability, place of origin, cultural background, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. We do not tolerate racism, sexual aggression, assault, or harassment which can include unwanted touch or comments that objectify or sexualize. We adopt and follow the We Have Voice Collective Code of Conduct.

We can accommodate a variety of needs, including assistance dogs, walkers, wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers. To arrange for American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, please contact now@nowsociety.org.

We recognize that access is an ongoing and evolving discussion, and acknowledge that this statement may be insufficient. Concernts or suggestions can be addressed, discussed or expressed anonymously by emailing safety@nowsociety.org.

8EAST ventilation: Open windows and door, 3 HEPA air purifiers and UV lights on return air in the HVAC system. Mask wearing is recommend and masks will be available. Seating, wooden stackable chairs without armrests, is movable.

Seating is generally arranged in groups of two or threes with 1 meter between groups for easy mobility. Wheelchair seating is easily accommodated. The 34 inch wide main entrance to 8EAST has a threshold of approximately 0.5 inches high. There is no door automation. During events, the door is open or can be opened by the Front of House person. There are no ramps or stairs to navigate. Internal floors are smooth concrete. Outdoor plaza events are held on concrete pavers, some are uneven. Paths and hallways are kept free of impediments.

8EAST has a wheelchair accessible, non-gendered toilet on site with a door width of 35 inches. Additional public toilets, not wheel chair accessible, are located in the adjacent hallway. The NOW Society emergency evacuation procedures are in place for all individuals. The Front of House person or a staff member onsite is trained in naloxone administration and will be the contact person in case of emergencies.

GETTING THERE AND PARKING:

8EAST is located within 50 meters of buses 004, 007, 019, 022, 209, and N19 on Pender Street. Stops for buses 003, 008, 014, 016, 020, N8, N20, and N35 are located within 250 metres on Hastings Street. Stadium–Chinatown SkyTrain Station is approximately 400 metres away. General metered street parking is available on surrounding streets. A passenger drop-off zone without a curb is located within 50 metres at 531 Carrall Street. To arrange for HandyDART transportation and accompanying assistants, please contact now@nowsociety.org.

There is a bike rack on the SW corner of Pender and Carrall Street, viewable while inside 8EAST and on the Plaza. Covered bike parking is available at the Main Street – Science World Skytrain Station. From there, one can take the #3 bus, then walk West down Pender to 8EAST (c. 5 mins), walk to 8EAST (c. 15 mins) or ride one skytrain stop to Stadium – Chinatown and walk Northwest to 8EAST (c. 5 mins). The closest Bike Locker to 8EAST is located at VCC Clark. From there, one can take trains to Stadium – Chinatown Skytrain Station and walk NorthWest to 8EAST