Today’s post is to tell you guys about an amazing event I’m devastated (yes, devastated! It’s prom and therefore all about the dramz) to be missing. I lived in Vancouver for a few years during grad school, and have had family living there for all of my life. It’s a wonderful city. When I moved there several years ago, I was pretty choked about the insane rent, but pretty damn jazzed about the vegan eats. Vegan-friendly restaurants such as Café Kathmandu, Wild Rice, Nuba, La Taqueria and many more bring me back to Vancouver again and again for food and visits with friends. Some of those friends are among the team behind the Vegan Prom YVR, and it really kind of embarrassingly but wonderfully brings tears to my eyes to see how the vegan community has come together and grown. I believe that even if you’re not residing anywhere near Vancouver, you will be inspired by this event.
Vegan Prom YVR takes place this Saturday, November 5th, at the WISE Hall in East Van. It starts with an optional afternoon-evening meal courtesy of friends of VOTM—Vancouver vegan brunch masterminds Vegan Mischief. I’m copy-pasting the info here because the mischievous vegans put it best:
The prom starts at 8:00 and your $15 ticket price includes snacks, but vegans like to eat a lot. Luckily, Vegan Mischief’s new location is right next – I mean RIGHT next – to the WISE Hall.
On November 5th, 2011, come by for a meal any time between 2pm and 8pm. Show us your prom ticket (or purchase one from us) and eat a delicious, made-from-scratch vegan meal for only $5.
This will be an open event. Reservations recommended, but not required. Feel free to drop by anytime between 2pm and 8pm on the day of the prom to buy a ticket and eat a meal, or just buy a ticket, or show us the ticket you already have and eat a meal.
The menu will include favourites like The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese in the World, sandwiches, and entrees. We’re focusing on creating food that cannot be found elsewhere in Vancouver. Requests and suggestions welcome.
Gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free options available.
To reserve a spot at any particular time, send us an email at veganmischief@gmail.com and we’ll make sure we save a table for you when you want it.
Image from Vegan Mischief to demonstrate the beautiful food they cook up!
So after you eat The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese in the World, you head over to the hall. What can you find over there? Vegans and non-vegans alike dressed in prom attire (or not—whatever you have works! The theme is thrift store formal to go easy on everyone’s wallet); a selection of vegan snacks with gluten-free and raw options; raffle prizes such as cookbooks, local artists’ music, food, gift certificates for Vancouver’s finest businesses such as Vegan Mischief, Nuba, Fairy Cakes, and more; a live DJ (you can even request songs in advance!); a photo booth with props; a fully stocked vegan cash bar; and an accessible and welcoming environment. My high school grad party took place in a canola field with plenty of Saskatchewan pilsner, hot dogs, and too-few porta-potties. Vegan Prom YVR is an improvement.
You need to get your tickets in advance so please do. The event’s caterer is the amazing Christa from VeganMania. And the prom is open to everyone (except those under-19, unfortunately, as it is a licensed event). My friend and a member of the prom organizing team, Michelle, told me that “we’ve worked to make sure the event is as open, inclusive and safe as possible.” From the website: “That means we don’t permit any kind of body policing or shaming regarding size, gender presentation, skin colour, clothing or any other aspect of a person’s appearance.” I love that. Because it’s a vegan prom, the organizers ask that non-vegans respect this by not bringing or wearing animal products such as meat, fur, leather, feathers, wool, silk, etc. I think people can deal with that!
Please check out these amazing vegans on the move/adorable ladies organizing the party:
Organization Maven Nicole
Volunteer Co-ordinator Lisa
Chef and Food Coordinator Christa
Decor and Atmosphere Pro Melissa
Graphic Designer Michelle
Webgirl Extraordinaire Malloreigh
Be inspired (I expect some vegan prom invites to exotic locales), and for those of you lucky enough to attend, have an amazing time! Oh, and if you are a Vancouverite like I was/am, you’ll be all “sounds great! Just let me see if there is a game on that night.” You’re in luck, Vancouver Canucks fans, there isn’t a game scheduled. No excuses!
