Banana Party – 20th Anniversary Celebration

Bananas, Community, and 20 Years of Impact!

On Saturday, April 5, the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House celebrated a major milestone — the 20th Anniversary of our beloved Banana Beat program — with our first-ever Banana Party at the Rickshaw Theatre!

From the moment the doors opened, the energy was electric. Guests were welcomed with banana-themed fun, delicious treats, and lively music from The Golden Archies, who had the whole room dancing from the first song to the last. Volunteers, staff, and community members came together to make this event truly unforgettable.

The night wasn’t just about celebrating — it was about giving back. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our guests, sponsors, and silent auction bidders, we raised important funds for our capital renovation campaign. These funds will help ensure that DTES Neighbourhood House continues to be a welcoming, safe, and thriving space for generations to come.

Throughout the night, we also took time to spotlight some of our programs and the incredible people who make our work possible. Staff members shared heartfelt speeches about the impact of our Family Drop-In, Kids Kitchen, CUBS Tutoring, and Community Drop-In programs, reminding everyone why supporting the Neighbourhood House matters.

We are deeply grateful to all the volunteers, sponsors, staff, and friends who made this celebration a success. Whether you bought a ticket, bid on an auction item, or simply showed up with a smile, you made a difference.

Here’s to 20 years of Banana Beat — and to many more years of nourishing, connecting, and empowering our community. Thank you for being part of our journey!