Yule Duel - A big deal

Yule Duel 2015

Thursday's Yule Duel was my first in my new city, and I have to say that it meant a lot more to me than a bunch of Christmas carols (which I happen to like).  Gastown and the Downtown East Side are, in some ways, a place of deep divisions.  As we all know, this beautiful neighbourhood is one in transition.

It's still the home of many of the city's poorest residents with SRO hotels, shelters, and soup kitchens. At the Carnegie Centre, you'll qualify as a senior citizen at the ripe old age of 45 because of the greatly reduced life expectancy of so many of their regular clients.  At the same time, it's where people come to buy furniture that costs as much as a used car, to browse through arm and a leg clothing boutiques, and to eat in some of the city's best, most expensive restaurants.  

Gastown is a crossroads.  And that's one of the things I love about it. 

Thursday's Yule Duel, a public event open to any and everyone who happened to be out, was another one of those things that have made me fall in love with my new home city.  Taking over the neighbourhood for music and throwing it open to everyone brought every element of Gastown and the East Side into the streets.  It showed off the beauty of the neighbourhood but excluded no one.  We need more events like this in the East Side.  

To the organizers, thanks.  I look forward to next year.