Hidden Flowers: A Book Launch with Keiko Honda

Schedule

Tue Oct 21 2025 at 06:30 pm to 08:00 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

Upstart & Crow | Vancouver, BC

Advertisement
A special evening celebrating the new memoir, Hidden Flowers, by the remarkable Keiko Honda, scientist and a Vancouver champion of the arts.
About this Event

Join us for a special evening celebrating the new memoir by the remarkable Keiko Honda, scientist and a Vancouver champion of the arts. This illuminating new work explores the transformative power of artistic self-expression, exemplified by the Japanese concept of “hidden flowers.”

Grappling with emptiness, loneliness, and the challenges of aging following her daughter’s departure for university, Honda faces a new phase in her life — a life that has been filled with amazing achievements and debilitating setbacks — through deep introspection and reflection-in-action.

Hidden Flowers is an exploration of shifting identity, transition, artistic expression and community building. It investigates the forces of attachment, belonging, cultural expectations, and the intricate dance between tradition and modernity. It reminds us of the power of art and its ability to bring people together, especially in an era when isolation is epidemic.

Illustrated throughout with Honda’s watercolour paintings, Hidden Flowers is an inspiring journey that will bolster the spirits of anyone who is experiencing a difficult transition in life or looking for a creative outlet.

This event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP here to reserve your spot. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

More about the author:

Keiko Honda is a scientist, writer, community organizer and painter. She holds a PhD in international community health from New York University and had a research career at Columbia University, which was interrupted when she suddenly contracted a rare autoimmune disease that confined her to a wheelchair for life. After moving to Vancouver in 2009, Honda began hosting artist salons, for which she was awarded the City of Vancouver’s Remarkable Women Award in 2014. She founded the Vancouver Arts Colloquium Society to bridge generations and cultures through the arts and to offer members of marginalized communities opportunities for artistic self-discovery. She teaches the aesthetics of co-creation in the Liberal Arts and 55+ Program at Simon Fraser University.

More about Upstart & Crow:

Upstart & Crow is a not-for-profit creative studio and literary incubator that champions writers, readers and stories, and the role they play in shaping our lives. We develop original programs, support artists and revel in creative projects focused on literature in translation, climate solutions, poetry, civic dialogue, community and skills building, all with the aim of elevating the role of literature and storytelling in our lives. Find us on Granville Island, Gibsons and online at upstartandcrow.com.

Accessibility:

The main studio of our shop is accessible for folks with mobility aids. There is a washroom on the main floor available for attendees.

Questions: hello[at].

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Upstart & Crow, 1387 Railspur Alley, Vancouver, Canada

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

CAD 0.00

Upstart & Crow

Host or Publisher Upstart & Crow

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Vancouver

Fall WCE Mentorship Mixer - The Power of Her Story
Tue, 21 Oct at 05:30 pm Fall WCE Mentorship Mixer - The Power of Her Story

Creekside Community Recreation Centre

HEALTH-WELLNESS
Success with Tropical Plants
Tue, 21 Oct at 06:00 pm Success with Tropical Plants

1896 Victoria Drive, Vancouver, BC, Canada, British Columbia V5N 4K2

WORKSHOPS
Soul Sanctuary~ Libra New Moon Ceremony at FriendsQuarters
Tue, 21 Oct at 06:00 pm Soul Sanctuary~ Libra New Moon Ceremony at FriendsQuarters

FriendsQuarters

HEALTH-WELLNESS WORKSHOPS
Canadian Real Estate & Global Macro
Tue, 21 Oct at 06:00 pm Canadian Real Estate & Global Macro

UBC Robson Square

MICO (TWO SHOWS)
Tue, 21 Oct at 07:00 pm MICO (TWO SHOWS)

Hollywood Theatre Vancouver Canada

ART
MICO, Gabriela Bee in Vancouver
Tue, 21 Oct at 07:00 pm MICO, Gabriela Bee in Vancouver

Hollywood Theatre

ART THEATRE
\u2728Paint & Sip @ Howe Sound Brewing - Oct 21st - 7pm-9pm
Tue, 21 Oct at 07:00 pm ✨Paint & Sip @ Howe Sound Brewing - Oct 21st - 7pm-9pm

Howe Sound Taphouse & Kitchen - East Van

ART FINE-ARTS
Video Game Trivia
Tue, 21 Oct at 07:00 pm Video Game Trivia

The Anza Club

NONPROFIT KIDS
WestTrek WTF Fridays at Cabana
Fri, 03 Feb at 08:30 pm WestTrek WTF Fridays at Cabana

Cabana Lounge

TRIPS-ADVENTURES ENTERTAINMENT
Chill, Comedy! Pro Stand-Up Shows weekly at Vancouver's Newest Comedy Club.
Fri, 25 Aug at 08:00 pm Chill, Comedy! Pro Stand-Up Shows weekly at Vancouver's Newest Comedy Club.

Chill x Studio

MUSIC LIVE-MUSIC
Silly Sundays on Commercial Drive
Sun, 28 Jan at 06:30 pm Silly Sundays on Commercial Drive

1651 Commercial Dr

WORKSHOPS ART
M**der She Improvised
Fri, 06 Sep at 08:00 pm M**der She Improvised

Tightrope Impro Theatre

ART THEATRE
Empowerment Self-Defense for Women and Teens
Sun, 29 Sep at 04:30 pm Empowerment Self-Defense for Women and Teens

Flow Martial Arts, Kingsway, Vancouver, BC, Canada

WORKSHOPS ART
A Date Night Adventure! - Central Delights
Wed, 30 Oct at 08:00 am A Date Night Adventure! - Central Delights

Vancouver Convention Centre

TRIPS-ADVENTURES ENTERTAINMENT
Amazing Scavenger Hunt! -West Vancouver Scavenger Hunt
Thu, 31 Oct at 07:00 pm Amazing Scavenger Hunt! -West Vancouver Scavenger Hunt

5601 Stanley Park Dr

ART TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Cheers To Her Wins: Women's Empowerment  Hangout - Vancouver
Wed, 29 Jan at 04:00 pm Cheers To Her Wins: Women's Empowerment Hangout - Vancouver

Virtual via Zoom

ART FINE-ARTS
Solar Sessions: Songwriter Roundtable
Wed, 05 Feb at 06:30 pm Solar Sessions: Songwriter Roundtable

55 Gore Ave

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Intro to Bartending Class
Thu, 03 Apr at 06:00 pm Intro to Bartending Class

Fine Art Bartending School, West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

WORKSHOPS ART
Bacon & L'eggs All-Ages Drag Brunch
Sun, 13 Apr at 11:00 am Bacon & L'eggs All-Ages Drag Brunch

Howe Sound Taphouse & Kitchen - East Van

BRUNCH DRAG-SHOWS
Still Moon Gardeners\u2019 Gatherings at the Colour-Me-Local Dye Garden
Sat, 26 Apr at 09:30 am Still Moon Gardeners’ Gatherings at the Colour-Me-Local Dye Garden

Colour Me Local Dye Garden

FESTIVALS ART

What's Happening Next in Vancouver?

Discover Vancouver Events