In keeping with a classical arts theme I began Wednesday with Naked Girls Reading, I'd like to highlight a challenge that asks kids across Canada to draw in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. That means all funds raised will go to help kids, parents and grandparents in Africa whose lives are affected by HIV and AIDS.
The Dare to Draw challenge is a group effort organized by several family-friendly websites, including Bunchfamily. ca, Parent Central and Bad Moms Club, which have all formed teams and are asking readers to do the same.
The 30-day challenge, which begins Jan. 16, gives kids a daily drawing assignment and encourages parents to sponsor their efforts. The goal is that by creating a drawing a day on a provided theme, children in Canada will learn about the issues kids in Africa deal with every day due to the AIDS pandemic in that continent. The assignments are kid friendly and the challenge includes information sheets and a pledge card, which are available at darecampaign. ca/dares_draw.cfm.
Jan. 13
Speaking of Africa, Team Awesome is hosting "The Polaroid Party" charity event tonight at Canvas Lounge on Powell Street with 100 per cent of proceeds going towards imagine1day.org, an organization and website dedicated to sending Ethiopian kids to school, and the Dalit Freedom Network, which helps send children in India to school. The event brings together 20 local photographers who will collectively display Polaroid images they shot for the project. The party starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10, which includes entry and a drink, and are available at the door or at polaroidparty.eventbrite.com.
Jan. 21
They say art is in the eye of the beholder, so I'm sure the "kinky" photo booth at an upcoming fetish party will be a big hit with the creative types attending.
The NOIR Fetish Ball takes place from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Cobalt, 917 Main St. The event has a "strict" fetish dress code, which rules me out as a party guest because my rubber cat suit is at the cleaners.
DJs Logik and spaz will provide what I assume will be appropriately kinky music and a dungeon play space welcomes all naughty boys and girls. Details at noirvancouver.com.
Jan. 22
Kink not your thing? Then get ready for the Gluten Free Expo, which is rolling into town Jan. 22 and is expected to draw large crowds of starving people who can't eat wheat.
And what a party. Participants can expect to mingle with gluten-free manufacturers, attend information sessions and sample new gluten-free products. The goal of the expo is to "reinvigorate your gluten-free life." The expo is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr. For more information, visit glutenfreeexpo.ca. Admission is by donation to the food bank.
[email protected] Twitter: @sthomas10
