Contact:

Janet Webber, SFU Public Square, 778.782.9479, jwebber@sfu.ca

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

SFU Public Square community summit media guide

On Tuesday evening, SFU Public Square’s inaugural community summit Alone Together: Connecting in the City, a signature project of Simon Fraser University’s strategic vision as ““The Engaged University,” begins with Opening Night at the Orpheum.

The summit, which runs from September 18-23, was designed in response to the Vancouver Foundation’s recent study on Connections and Engagement that revealed a “powerful yearning for stronger connections in and between our communities,” and is the first of its kind in Canada.

In total, the summit features 11 distinct events taking place at SFU’s three campuses (Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey) as well as various locations across the Lower Mainland. For media access to SFU Public Square events during the summit, please contact Scott McLean.

Below is a comprehensive event guide for media for the SFU Public Square community summit.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Event: Opening Night at the Orpheum

Time: Doors at 6pm, show at 7pm

Media interview availability: 5:45 -6:30pm/post event approximately 9:15pm
Location: Orpheum Theatre - 884 Granville Street


Contacts: 

Janet Webber, 778-782-9479, jwebber@sfu.ca

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

Description:

The official launch of the “Alone Together: Connecting in the City” Community Summit featuring four TED style talks by Nora Young, CBC Radio host, Dave Meslin, Toronto-based artist-activist, Larry Beasley, international award-winning urban planner, and Catherine Clement, vice-president of public engagement and communications, Vancouver Foundation. Hosted by Carole Taylor, SFU Chancellor. Live performances by Bend Sinister and Shane Koyczan. The world premiere of the “One Voice” video will be released in the company of its musicians, producer and songwriter.

Other notable attendees include members of the Vancouver Foundation, including CEO & President, Faye Wightman, SFU President and Vice Chancellor, Andrew Petter, and SFU Public Square Executive Director, Shauna Sylvester.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Event: Our Voices: Youth Conference

Time: 9 am - 4 pm 

Location: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre– 181 Roundhouse Mews


Contacts:

Jackie Pichette, 778.782.9442, jpichett@sfu.ca

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

Description: 
A conference for youth 15-26 discussing issues of urban isolation and proposing solutions to Metro Vancouver’s decision makers. These include:  

• Patti Bacchus, Chair of the Vancouver Board of Education
• Laurie Anderson, Executive Director of SFU Vancouver
• Jerry Dobrovolny, Director of Transportation, Vancouver
• Andrew Curran , Manager of Strategy, Strategic Planning and Policy
• Andrea Reimer, Councillor for the City of Vancouve
• Kira Gerwing, VanCity & and formerly with City of Vancouver Planning Department
• David McLellan, Deputy City Manager for the City of Vancouver
• Gordon Harris, President and CEO, SFU Community Trust, Univercity.
  

Points of interest:

• 1:20pm - Presentation by Dave Meslin, Toronto-based Artist-Activity
• 1:45pm - Youth breakout sessions. Topics: urban housing, city space, transportation, role of schools)
• 2:30 pm - Decision-makers present their ideas prompted by breakout sessions
• 3:05pm - Youth present their recommendations


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Event: Lunch Poems @ SFU

Time: 12 – 1 pm  

Location: Teck Gallery, Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings Street


Contacts: 

Kim Gilker, 604.619.7397, jkgilker@shaw.ca

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

Description: 
A lunch-time meet up where George Bowering, Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate and Cecily Nicholson share their works of poetry with an intimate and engaged audience. An interactive audience talkback will take place post-presentation, from 12:30-1pm.


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Event: Big Ideas for Libraries in Communities


Time: 6-8 pm 

Location: Segal Room (1420), Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings St.

Contacts: 
Baharak Yousefi, 778.782.7417, byousefi@sfu.ca 

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

Description:

Ten individuals selected from a number of submissions, present their ideas on how libraries can be a place where community is fostered. Selected by a jury of librarians, these ideas will be detailed in five minutes pitches to an audience.

After 8pm, opportunities are available to speak with idea presenters and organizers.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Event: Creating a Connected City: The Role of Business


Time 11:30 am – 2 pm

Location: Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings Street

Contacts: 
Shauna Sylvester, 778.782.7895, shauna_sylvester@sfu.ca 

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

Description:

Discussion of the role businesses can play in creating community connections; Vancouver business people will join Chancellor Carole Taylor, President and Vice-Chancellor Andrew Petter, Vancouver Foundation’s Board Chair Gordon McDougall and President and CEO, Faye Wightman in roundtable dialogues addressing urban isolation. The Vancouver Foundation will also present their research on isolation and building community connectedness.

There will be a media table during the event, check-in at reception upon entrance.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Event: City Conversations – Lonely in Vancouver

Time 12:30 – 1:30 pm

Location: Room 1600, Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings St. 


Contact: 

Michael Alexander, 778.896.4900, cityconv@sfu.ca

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

Description: 
A popular lunchtime series allows experts and audience members to converse, focusing on the topic “Lonely in Vancouver." Featuring the Vancouver Foundation's Catherine Clement, this event will play host to lively dialogue and the great interaction.

Notable attendees include Catherine Clement, Daphne Bramham of the Vancouver Sun, and representatives from Sentis Research.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Event: Urban Conspiracy Cabaret


Time: 7:30 pm


Location: Fei & Milton Wong Experimental Theatre, 149 West Hastings St. 

Contacts: 
Am Johal, 778-782-8830, amarjotj@sfu.ca

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

Description:

A lively evening of comedy, music, arts and performance, hosted by CBC Debaters' Charlie Demers and Richard Side, will showcase aspects of Vancouver life and community through a variety of performances. Presented in a cabaret style, this event features local artists engaging the audience and presenting the issues of the Vancouver Foundation’s report in a different light.  


Friday, September 21, 2012


Event: Rain City Chronicles – Extra Ordinary 

Time: Doors at 6 pm, show at 7 pm

Location: Vancouver Playhouse

Contacts:

Lizzy Karp, 604.910.2807, thelizzypearl@gmail.com

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

Description:

An event featuring local community members sharing their stories and personal reflections on community hosted by Lizzy Karp and The Peak FM’s Cory Ashworth. After the main program, the audience is encouraged to share their own tales of community building and the 'Extra Ordinary' with old friends and new at the post-show reception from 10-11pm.

The post-show reception is the best time for media to converse with storytellers. To set up an interview please contact Lizzy Karp.


September 22-23, 2012


Event: Alone Together Film Festival 

Time:  7 pm
Saturday & 2 pm Sunday


Location: Westminster Savings Credit Union SFU Surrey Theatre, 102nd Avenue, Surrey


Contacts: 

Novia Shih-Shan Chen, sca141@sfu.ca

Scott McLean, SFU Vancouver, 778.782.5151, srmclean@sfu.ca

Description:

Exploring issues of isolation through film, this event features films from around the world. Spanning over two days, a variety of short films will be screened:

• An Evening Tribute to Shorts: Saturday, September 22, 7:00-9:30pm - Q&A session with four filmmakers following the screenings
     
• Sunday Afternoon at the Cinema: Sunday, September 23, 2:00-4:00pm – Q&A session with one filmmaker and event wrap following the screenings
  

Simon Fraser University is Canada's top-ranked comprehensive university and one of the top 50 universities in the world under 50 years old. With campuses in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey, B.C., SFU engages actively with the community in its research and teaching, delivers almost 150 programs to more than 30,000 students, and has more than 120,000 alumni in 130 countries.

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Simon Fraser University: Engaging Students. Engaging Research. Engaging Communities.