<![CDATA[Heartwood Community Cafe - Blog]]>Wed, 06 Jul 2016 17:08:58 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Beginning the Farewell]]>Thu, 30 Jun 2016 21:49:06 GMThttp://heartwoodcc.ca/blog/beginning-the-farewellDear Heartwood Community, 

It is with a heavy heart that we announce Heartwood’s permanent closure on Monday, August 15th.
 
We would like to thank Trinity United Church for investing in such a necessary space. We’d also like to thank Rhizome Café for starting the legacy we worked to continue and build. Heartwood has grown in its own ways that leave us in awe of the amount of talent, resistance, and power that our communities hold. We have grown in laughter, full bellies, hardships, healing, vulnerability, and celebration together. With this growth comes the inevitable grieving of a space many of us call home.
 
The closure of spaces like Heartwood can often displace communities. As much of our solidarity building was done with LGBTQ2AI+, racialized, Indigenous, and youth communities – communities who have been marginalized and have limited access to resources – we will work to honour the beautiful connections we have made by figuring out ways we can fill in the gaps our closure might create.
 
As local artist and Heartwood friend, Toni Latour, says, “Let’s heal the divide.”


Moving Together
 
When the Purple Thistle Centre, another amazing and necessary space in Vancouver, closed their doors they likened it to an opportunity for growth, to pollenate their ideas into their own communities and to create projects and initiatives that seeded as a result of the connections made in their space. Heartwood has always hoped for the same. Below are the ways we hope to move together with the Heartwood Community as our time winds down.
 
  • Time to put our minds and maps together! Last year, Heartwood did a call out for social spaces in the city. Share the ones you know to the list!
  • Let’s talk creation and collaboration! Vancouver is infamously known for being a difficult city for financially, physically, and emotionally accessible spaces to thrive in. What spaces are needed? For whom? And what resources do we already have in our communities to spark more? Stay updated on our events calendar as we’ll be hosting community discussions on how we can build community spaces together. Got ideas? Let Melanie (Community Development Manager) know at[email protected].
  • Bring Soup for the People to your space! As a continuation of Rhizome’s Lentils Are Everything Stew, we hope that more spaces offer up accessible and nourishing meals in their neighbourhoods. As a pay-what-you-can or pay-it-forward supported menu, we know full bellies play a key role in community and movement building. Interested? Let’s chat! Contact Ainsleah (Kitchen Manager) at[email protected].
  • Come to our Heartwood Community Celebration and Farewell party on August 12th! The event will be a fundraiser for Gallery Gachet and will showcase our Best Of’s and buddies throughout the years!

​If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with our leadership team.

Anita Sparrow
Restaurant Manager
Email: [email protected]

Ainsleah Hastings
Kitchen Manager
Email: [email protected]

Melanie Matining
Community Development Manager
Email: [email protected]

You can also get in touch with Trinity United Church through Rhian Walker (Minister) at[email protected]. 

Until then and always, we’re living everyday in love and liberation. Thank you to the Heartwood Community for being such an amazing support for the last three years. Now let’s see what else we can create! 

In solidarity,
The Heartwood Crew]]><![CDATA[Back in Business! ]]>Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:22:10 GMThttp://heartwoodcc.ca/blog/back-in-businessHello community! 

Thank you for your patience over last week's closure due to building repairs. We're very happy to announce that Heartwood is back in shape and ready to open its doors for you. We'll be back to our summer hours and ready to serve you on Wednesday, June 22nd. 

Please take note of our summer hours (June to September) below:
Monday & Tuesday - CLOSED
Wednesday to Friday - 10am to 10pm
Saturday* & Sunday - 10am to 4pm 

*Saturday's hours subject to extension if community event has been booked! Click here for our community events calendar.

Our apologies for the inconveniences and hungry bellies during our temporary closure. Come on by for a visit soon! 

Cheers, 
the Heartwood Crew]]><![CDATA[Temporary Closure at Heartwood!]]>Mon, 13 Jun 2016 20:22:56 GMThttp://heartwoodcc.ca/blog/temporary-closure-at-heartwoodHello community, 

We will be closed for the entirety of this week due to building repairs. We apologize for any inconveniences. We’ll be sending out another email to notify you all on our reopening. In the meantime, please check our website for updates as they arise. 

As a community space, especially as a queer inclusive space, we regret to announce our temporary closure amidst mourning of the Orlando Massacre. We extend our love and prayers to communities affected, especially LGBTQ2AI and Muslim communities. Finding places that feel safe can be difficult during this time and we send our love to the communities mobilizing to hold space for one another.
For folks searching for safer queer and trans friendly/inclusive spaces during this time, please note the cafes and centres below:

Big Bro’s Barbershop (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Broadway Youth Resource Centre (open to people ages 12-24)
Canadian Memorial Church & Centre for Peace
East Cafe
​El-Tawhid Juma Circle: Vancouver Unity Mosque (a weekly gathering that is a safer space for queer and trans Muslims)
Gallery Gachet
Our Town Cafe
Qmunity
SFU Women’s Centre (open to queer, trans & gender non-conforming folks, too)
YouthCo
​
Our closure also affects our community events, which have been cancelled this week. You can check out our revised calendar at the link below for rescheduled dates. For more information, feel free to contact our Melanie, our Community Development Manager, at [email protected]. 

Revised Heartwood Community Events Calendar

As a not-for-profit community restaurant and space, Heartwood’s story continues with you. We welcome your donations and support. Click the link below to donate and share with your friends.  

​Donate to Heartwood here!

Many thanks for your understanding. We'll be in touch soon about when we'll be re-opening.]]><![CDATA[Heartwood Launches New Evening Hours & Dinner Menu!]]>Thu, 21 Jan 2016 22:31:24 GMThttp://heartwoodcc.ca/blog/heartwood-launches-new-evening-hours-dinner-menuWe're excited to announce that Heartwood will now be open from 10am to 10pm from Wednesdays to Fridays! Join us at the dinner table and give our new evening menu a taste. We'll be serving up new fresh dishes and a fine selection of local beers.

To celebrate, we'll be launching The Wednesday Series, a weekly event showcasing artists and artisans in the Heartwood Community. Bring a friend, bring your community - you're in good company tonight!  

Check out our poster below for see who'll be visiting the Heartwood stage in January and February. 

- New Hours -
Wednesdays to Fridays: 10am - 10pm
Tuesdays/Saturdays & Sundays: 10am - 4pm  

*Please note that our evening hours throughout the week are subject to change, depending on community event bookings. 

- - - 

Check out what we have in store for the Wednesday Series this month!

The Wednesday Series: January & February 2016

January 29 |  Opening Night with The Pine Siskins & Hosted by Earle Peach
February 3 | Live Music with Craig Williams & Hosted by Earle Peach 
​Februrary 10 | BIPOC Comedy Night & Artisans of Colour Market
February 17 | Come Together: A Queer & Trans Open Mic 
​February 24 | The Free Market with Musical Performances by Ta'Kaiya Blaney
]]><![CDATA[Revolutionary Storytelling for Short People!]]>Sat, 16 May 2015 02:55:05 GMThttp://heartwoodcc.ca/blog/revolutionary-storytelling-for-short-peopleCalling all babies! Move your bums to the movement! Heartwood is hosting children's story time for children 0-18 months. Bring on the revolution! (Before nap time of course). 

We'll be doing a pilot run on Fridays May 22nd, 29th, and June 5th at 12pm. For more information, please contact us at [email protected]. 
]]><![CDATA[Heartwood's Story Continues with You! ]]>Tue, 07 Apr 2015 22:17:23 GMThttp://heartwoodcc.ca/blog/heartwoods-story-continues-with-youHeartwood Community Cafe is a neighbourhood restaurant that relies on the support of our network to continue running as a community arts space and social justice hub! As a member of the Heartwood community, here are some simple ways you can support Heartwood Community Cafe! 
  • Spread the Heartwood story! We've come out with a series of Heartwood Community short films, which you can find here. Share with your friends! The more people that see it, the more people know about us!
  • Check out our menu and bring one friend, two friends, a whole community to the Heartwood table!
  • Book a community event with us!
  • Open your hearts and pockets and donate to Heartwood! 
  • Be part of the conversation! What makes #OurHeartwood your Heartwood? Be part of our story and let us know on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!

Rally up your communities and support Heartwood! Let's see what we can create together. 
]]><![CDATA[New Cafe Hours! ]]>Thu, 05 Mar 2015 19:34:25 GMThttp://heartwoodcc.ca/blog/new-cafe-hours
]]><![CDATA[Want to volunteer at Heartwood? Be our Social Media Volunteer!]]>Sat, 13 Dec 2014 00:29:47 GMThttp://heartwoodcc.ca/blog/want-to-volunteer-at-heartwood-be-our-social-media-volunteerAbout Heartwood
At Heartwood Community Café, our vision is to create a community that nourishes the spirit of social justice and liberation. We believe that everyone is welcome at the dinner table and that collaboration is key to full bellies and full hearts.

Our goal is to actively build and bridge communities that value: solidarity building nested in compassion; creating a queer inclusive space; holding space for marginalized voices to be heard and amplified; using arts as a vehicle for change; and serving delicious local, organic, and ethically sourced food.


Purpose of the Social Media Volunteer
Heartwood Community Café in partnership with Rowboat Consulting have developed a marketing plan that requires active online community engagement. Our ideal Social Media Volunteer fulfill the following traits:
·      Has a clear and aligned understanding of Heartwood’s social justice centred mission and goals.
·      Able to articulate Heartwood’s social justice centred mission and goals and use it as a connecting point for community building and strengthening through social media.
·      Strategically engage and broaden Heartwood’s online community through exciting and responsive interactions.
·      Have interest, experience, and established connections with local community organizations and broader social justice movements.
·      Calm, highly personable, and enjoys working and building collaboration. 
·      Possess strong initiative, flexibility and desire to learn more. 
·      Possess organizational, time management and prioritizing skills needed with attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy. 
·      Have an active, professional, established profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with a minimum of two years experience in social media.
·      Able to work independently.
·      Excellent written and verbal skills.


Deliverables / Duties
Responsibilities of this position: 
·      Actively engage and respond to online community tweets, posts, and images regarding #OurHeartwood campaign, Heartwood events, and community collaborations.
·      Create concise and exciting social media posts regarding Heartwood’s #OurHeartwood campaign, events, and community collaborations.
·      Build and strengthen online membership on Heartwood’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagrams communities.
·      Maintain contact with Community Development Manager and other key Heartwood staff for possible updated tasks in social media strategies.
·      Measure the impact of social media on the overall marketing efforts.


Benefits & Recognition
What we offer in return: 
·      Opportunity to meet and work with awesome social justice centred folks in the Heartwood Community!
·      Support a thriving grassroots community build a stronger community connection.
·      Personal reward and professional development.
·      Written reference letter.
·      Heartwood Community Café gift certificate as a small token of our appreciation!


Position Start Date
As soon as possible


Position End Date
February 28, 2015


Time commitment
2 hours per week

Time & Day of Volunteer Engagement
Weekdays; Daytime


Work Location
Remotely or in café - we’re flexible!


For more information or to apply, please contact
Melanie Matining
Community Development Manager
Heartwood Community Café
E: [email protected]
P: (604) 872-3166

]]><![CDATA[Friends of Heartwood: November 2014]]>Mon, 03 Nov 2014 17:06:38 GMThttp://heartwoodcc.ca/blog/friends-of-heartwood-november-2014Celebrating One Year in Community!
Heartwood celebrated a full year of community last month with a party! We want to give a big thank you to our performers from that evening: Gavin Kade, Kennedy Arbour, Vi Levitt, and Anoushka Ratnarajah. We are so grateful to be in a community with so much talent and beauty.

Heartwood has changed enormously since opening in September 2014. We give continuous thanks to Lisa, Vinetta and the communities built at Rhizome Cafe for the trust and support they have provided during the transition. Heartwood is space for community collaboration and creation - who we are now is a reflection of the communities built, bridged, and strengthened at 317 E. Broadway. We're so proud! 

We also give a very dear thank you to Trinity United, which has given us such amazing support throughout the past year. Heartwood would not be able to be a physical space for community without Trinity United opening both their hearts and pockets. Our Makeover ContinuesMany thanks again to Rowboat Consulting who designed our logo and continue to work their brilliant with us on marketing and digital storytelling. We also want to have a big shout out to Sign-a-rama for their five-star service in producing and installing our sign. Searching for guidance in marketing and sign-making? Get in touch with Rowboat Consulting and Sign-a-rama! 

We will be continuing our makeovers this November and will be painting new colours on our walls from November 9th to 11th (the cafe will be open for regular hours on November 9th and will be closed on November 10th and 11th). Although we’ll be airing out the cafe during these times, please note that if you are sensitive to chemical scents, there may be residual paint fumes in the days following our repainting. Our apologies for any inconveniences and discomfort. 

Art Exhibition 

In honour of ancestors of resistance, El Cencerrocontinues their two-month exhibition. Their exhibit coincides with the anniversary of the conquest of the Americas. Join us for another amazing month with El Cencerro! 

El Cencerro is an online magazine creating a meeting point for Latin American artistists throughout BC to make visible, develop, promote and disseminate artistic efforts that have contributed to maintaining the Latin American identity beyond its regions of origin. El Cencerro is powered only by its movement. It is through the arts, they believe, that we can participate in the cultural life of all communities.

On Saturday, November 1st, they will be bringing Dios de los Muertos/Day of the Dead celebrations to Heartwood. Come by for activities and fun. Doors open at 6pm! 

November Events

]]><![CDATA[Exhibiting Art: El Cencerro’s Brujas, Ritos y Aparecidos]]>Tue, 07 Oct 2014 18:51:19 GMThttp://heartwoodcc.ca/blog/exhibiting-art-el-cencerros-brujas-ritos-y-aparecidosEl Cencerro in collaboration with Heartwood Community Café bring you Brujas, Ritos y Aparecidos. 

El Cencerro is an online magazine creating a meeting point for Latin American artistists throughout BC to make visible, develop, promote and disseminate artistic efforts that have contributed to maintaining the Latin American identity beyond its regions of origin.The Cencerro, or cowbell, sounds in a space for artistic expression for established and emerging South American artists. El Cencerro is powered only by its movement. It is through the arts, they believe, that we can participate in the cultural life of all communities. 

In honour of ancestors of resistance, the exhibition will coincide with the anniversary of the conquest of the Americas. To commemorate past and present colonial resistance throughout South America, El Cencerro will be bringing weekly events to Heartwood focusing on the solidarity building, celebration, and decolonization throughout October and November. Mark your calendars for exciting events, such as music and dance to writer’s workshops to Day of the Dead celebrations this Fall! 

Brujas, Ritos y Aparecidos’ Art Opening is set for Saturday, October 11th at 6pm at Heartwood Community Cafe. You can check out Heartwood’s online events calendar for El Cencerro’s weekly events in October and November. 

El Cencerro Events at Heartwood 

Brujas, Ritos y Aparecidos Art Opening  |  Saturday, October 11, 6pm 
Celebrate with the members, friend and photographers participating in this collective exhibition, in the opening of Ritos, Brujas y Aparecidos: Images of Resistance.

Dances, Dynamics and Dialogues: A Workshop with Afro Vibras Perú  |  Friday, October 17, 6pm 
Join us at the Heartwood Café for an evening of dance and dialogue on Peruvian Afro-descendant cultural traditions and contemporary initiatives. We will also be inviting discussion on the power of folklore for re-visioning and the challenging of norms, and share our own experiences.

The Magic of the Words  |  Friday, October 22, 6pm 
Night of poetry and short stories. Two Indigenous Canadian poets and two latin writers will share their works.
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