Sheryl interviewing Damian from The Kettle Society 

Last week, CBC’s North by Northwest Radio Host, Sheryl MacKay visited The Kettle Society, a mental health not for profit, to report on the new Kettle Choir, a historic collaboration between Vancouver Opera and The Kettle.

The choir features the voices and stories of Kettle members who have personally experienced homelessness and/or mental illness. Sheryl sat down with a member from the Vancouver Opera, The Kettle, and Geof, a member of the choir and resident at Kettle on Burrard. Each of them shared their thoughts on the choir’s impact and what the program means to them. So far, they have noticed amazing transformations since they began singing together every Monday. Kettle members who were once shy and quiet, are now singing at the top of their lungs, and are more confident than ever before.

The choir is currently working towards Requiem for a Lost Girl, a raw, heartfelt chamber production, which is set to be performed next year at the Vancouver Opera Festival. Requiem for a Lost Girl tells the story of a young girl who lost her life to streets, and explores themes of poverty, mental illness, and addiction, subjects that Kettle members can intimately relate too.

Link to full interview here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/programs/northbynorthwest/sunday-june-11-1.4155849

We are thrilled to be working with The Kettle on this project and will be attending The Kettle’s upcoming Making a Difference Evening on June 15, where the Kettle Choir will perform a special song. Show your support and buy a ticket to this inspiring event. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-kettle-making-a-difference-evening-tickets-33836205000

We are delighted to be working with alumni UBC to publicize Fashioning Cancer, a fundraiser in support of the Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Centre at UBC. The event, part of Western Living Design Week, will feature the auction of ten exquisite evening gowns that were designed as works of art by Jacqueline Firkins, Assistant Professor, UBC Department of Theatre and Film, to encourage honest and open conversations about cancer.

The gowns were inspired by colourful microscopic images of cancer cells and cellular systems and auction and ticket proceeds from the event will go to the Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Centre at UBC.

In addition to the auction there will be a live performance by Canada’s queen of punk, singer/songwriter and cancer survivor, Bif Naked.

The Fashioning Cancer fundraiser will take place in the Porsche Centre Vancouver on Tuesday, September 23

For further information and to buy tickets, visit www.alumni.ubc.ca/fashion.

De Dutch auctions off Vancouver’s best views of Canada Day fireworks In support of breast cancer research

VANCOUVER BC­ (June 21, 2013) – De Dutch, a beloved Canadian restaurant chain with 23 locations across Western Canada, is celebrating Canada Day with Front Row at the Fireworks, a fundraising initiative benefitting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s BC Yukon Chapter.

Through their website dedutch.com/bestseats, nine waterfront tables at De Dutch’s Burrard Landing location at the Vancouver Convention Centre will be auctioned off with the starting bids at $200 for a table of two or $400 for a table of four. Winning bidders will enjoy the best seats for the annual Canada Day Burrard Inlet Fireworks from 9 pm to 11 pm, with a $20 food and beverage voucher from De Dutch included in the bid price.

"We are very excited to be partnering with De Dutch on what will be a spectacular night of fireworks," states Patricia Chu, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation – BC/Yukon Region. "This promises to be a fun community event, not to mention a great opportunity to help breast cancer research."

The fireworks show will take place on the evening of July 1st, 2013, with an estimated 250,000 Canadians expected to attend the Burrard Landing festivities. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s BC Yukon Chapter and help to fund vital research and community health grants to further progress in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care.

“Our Burrard Landing location offers our guests an incredible view to enjoy breakfast, brunch, and lunch,” says De Dutch President Bill Waring. “The Canada Day fireworks show happening in the inlet right in front of us allows us to use our unique location to support both a community event and an important cause.”

Since 2002, De Dutch has supported the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation with its annual Shrove Pancake Tuesday promotion, donating $2 from each pannekoek to the foundation.

Bidding closes June 28 at 12 pm. For more information on the event, visit dedutch.com/bestseats. About De Dutch De Dutch was founded in 1975 with a vision to create unique, quality food inspired by Dutch cuisine. Over the years, our quirky Dutch flair and commitment to quality have helped to establish us as a one-of-a-kind destination for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. With 23 locations and growing, De Dutch is quickly becoming a popular tradition for folks all across Western Canada.   www.dedutch.com