Real and imagined landscapes collide at the corner of East Pender and Gore in Chinatown in acclaimed author Wayson Choy's life and his award-winning novel The Jade Peony. The intersection will be marked Oct. 15 with a tribute evening the night before. The childhood neighbour and best friend to Choy, who was born in Chinatown in 1939, and Choy's older sister will share intimate anecdotes about their loved one at a dinner at Floata Seafood Restaurant Oct. 14.
CBC Radio host Sheryl MacKay and Gung Haggis Fat Choy organizer Todd Wong will host the event. At 11 a.m. Monday morning, Project Bookmark Canada and Choy will unveil two plaques to highlight the physical landscape rendered in The Jade Peony. Vancouverites are invited to see the unveiling and hear Choy read from the novel. These will be the first poster-sized ceramic plaques, or "bookmarks," to be installed in B.C. by the national charitable organization. The tribute evening starts at 6 p.m. and includes an eight-course dinner. Tickets are $55 in person or $500 for a table of 10. Proceeds will support Project Bookmark Canada. For more information, see ricepapermagazine.ca or phone 778-928-5408.
Laneway tours
Looky-loos can explore laneway homes during the 麻豆传媒映画Heritage Foundation's third annual Laneway House Tour, Oct. 20. "Built behind existing homes, these structures offer added income for the owner, can be a great rental option for young families, and preserve historic homes by in-filling rear yards which allows for gentler densification versus demotion and new builds," reads the foundation's media release. "The homes on our tour best showcase their practical use of limited square footage while maximizing style, economy and green living." The tour includes seven homes and runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $30 plus tax. For more information, see vancouverheritagefoundation.org or phone 604-264-9642.
