My two loves (volleyball and the University of British Columbia) are coming together this weekend, as the UBC Women’s Volleyball team will be taking on 3 other teams, for the Final Four in the Canada West Playoffs. The following is some information about the upcoming games, directly from the Head Coach of the UBC Women’s Volleyball Team, Doug Reimer.
The UBC team are four time defending National Champions and this weekend we take on three other teams ranked in the top 5 in Canada, looking to qualify for the National Championships. Volleyball, is as you know a huge participation sport and I think players of all ages would love to come out and see some great university action. UBC’s War Memorial Gym will play host to some of the best women’s volleyball in Canada this weekend! All four teams in the Canada West conference playoffs are ranked in the top 5 in Canada.
I have an exclusive discount code for the games this weekend. Just mention “Hummingbird604” at the box office and receive 50% off single game prices. It’s that easy. All the action starts Friday February 24th at 6:15pm as the #1 UBC Thunderbirds play the #4 Trinity Western Spartans. At 8pm #3 Winnipeg will play #5 Alberta. The winner of those two games will meet in the Gold Medal match on Saturday February 25th at 8pm. There will be poster making and face painting in the lobby before the game(s) for everyone. They will also be giving out exclusive “GO BIRDS GO” playoff towels* to all that attend. (*While supplies last)
Here is some information on tickets:
Individual Game Tickets (2012 Playoffs)
Adults $15
Youth, Seniors, UBC Faculty/Staff & Visiting Students $5
UBC Students & U.N.A.
$2*
Kids 6 and under FREE
*NEW – Family Pass: $20. Includes admission for a family of up to 5. (max 2 adults).
Group Sales
For group rates please call 604-822-3094 or email tickets@gothunderbirds.ca.
AND I have, on top of the discount code, 3 pairs of tickets to 3 lucky readers (or 6, to individual readers). I’ll make entry even easier to do if you just tell me, should you win my giveaway, if you would use one or two tickets (if I only have single entries, then I can give up to 6 tickets, if it’s a mix, well, then it’s going to be complicated. But hey, who cares, I’m just excited to promote one of the best volleyball teams in Canadian history)
Did you know that every year, several UBC varsity volleyball players are part of the Canadian women’s volleyball team, much like Liz Cordonier who was the CIS athlete of the year? The level of play at UBC, and in general in Western Canada, is amazing. So you should totally check these games out!
To give you a preview of what the level of play you will be witnessing this weekend, here’s a video of the UBC Thunderbirds vs. Trinity Western Spartans at the 2011 Canada West Women’s Volleyball. You can also read the Ubyssey’s preview of the playoffs, both for women’s and men’s.
To earn an additional entry to my giveaway, you can also tweet the following:
I entered to win tickets to the Canada West @ubctbirds Volleyball Final Four from @hummingbird604 http://is.gd/COzWzB
I will draw winners on Thursday February at 4pm, so please check your Twitter accounts and this blog post then. It’s a quick giveaway, so enter soon! And I’ll see you guys at the games this weekend.
While the world seems to appreciate Anderson Cooper as a solid journalist (the lead of CNN’s Anderson’s 360, or as a pretty handsome guy, I mostly link Anderson Cooper with his mother, Gloria Vanderbilt. Blame it on the fact that I was in the fashion world once, and that I read a story about him and his close relationship with his mother (and the photo of them together reminded me so much of my own very close relationship with my Mom).
Recently, I found out that on April 5th, 2012, Anderson Cooper will be giving a talk in Vancouver.
TD Bank Group is proud to present Anderson Cooper at The Vancouver Convention Centre on April 5th, 2012. This is a unique, opportunity to see the Emmy Award winning CNN anchor and host of his own syndicated talk show “Anderson” live, unscripted and in person in Vancouver.All eyes will be on the city as delegates fill the Vancouver Convention Centre for what is sure to be a spellbinding day as Anderson Cooper presents his “360 Degree View of the World”. This exclusive and rare engagement will be like nothing Vancouver has seen before.
After a pre-event reception of live music and mingling, a luncheon, and opening remarks from CTV’s Tamara Taggart, Anderson will discuss his life and his experiences while reporting for CNN on just about every major news story on the planet. HootSuite will then host a Q&A while Anderson takes questions from the audience and various social media platforms.
This event sounds like it’ll be a really interesting conversation. I have seen HootSuite moderate online conversations on Twitter and it will be a good opportunity for interaction with Cooper in the online and offline realm. Tickets are $175 and are all inclusive of the program for the day (to be purchased via Northern Tickets)
More on Anderson Cooper:
Anderson Cooper has become “the go to source” for reliable and up to the minute, unbiased views of current events and ground-breaking news. The veteran journalist famously keeps politicians and policy makers honest with in-depth reporting, illustrating broad ways of thinking. His modern approach whether it be through the use of social media or zoning in on relevant pop culture has helped engage a new generation to gain an interest in world affairs keeping viewers of all ages and backgrounds informed and aware of current news and social issues.Over the last year, few people have witnessed more scenes of chaos and conflict than Anderson Cooper. The anchor of CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360°” has most recently reported on the uprisings in the Middle East, the aftermath of the earthquakes in Japan and Haiti as well as the BP oil spill.
This October, for the second consecutive year, Cooper teamed up with the Cartoon Network and Time Inc. for a multi-platform initiative to raise awareness of bullying. The special coverage included a town hall event moderated by Cooper. He also plays a pivotal role in CNN’s political coverage, anchoring from conventions and moderating select presidential debates including the CNN Republican debate from Las Vegas this past October. Cooper and the Anderson Cooper 360° newscast are winners of several major journalism awards, including multiple Emmy awards. In addition to Anderson Cooper 360°, Cooper is the author of “Dispatches from the Edge : A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival”.
People seem to have forgotten the lost art of just having a cup of tea and read the newspaper. Certainly, with the kind of academic and socialite lives I have, I find that I almost NEVER have the time to just sit down, relax and have a pot of tea and read the newspaper. I live such a fast and accelerated life that I just keep going, and going, and going.
So, I had not visited Coco et Olive on Main and almost 21st, and I now realize that it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in recent history. While the prices aren’t extremely inexpensive, it’s such a small, quaint, local shop that caters to those of us who really want to sit down and relax and take a minute to take in the atmosphere, I really was very upset at the table-hoggers who went and parked themselves for more than 2 hours while taking valuable space (and not buying even more drinks or baked goods!)
This is NOT a place to do work. I repeat, this is NOT a place to work. Go and hog the chain coffee shops’ tables. Coco et Olive is a boutique tea/coffee shop that caters to those of us who will be there for an hour and have some time for ourselves and then go on with our day. Support your local shops and be conscious of the fact that someone else may need that quiet time with themselves.
Coco et Olive is totally worth the trip to Main Street to just take quiet time for yourself. Yes, it’s not inexpensive, and yes, it may feel a bit pretentious, but it reminded me of the cafes in Paris.
The Lisa Nemetz International Showcase of Jewish Performing Arts, aka the Chutzpah! Festival (in its 2012 edition) started on February 11th, and somehow I managed to miss it. Despite the fact that, you know, I write about the arts quite substantially. But, you still have plenty of time to catch it, and I cannot recommend it enough, it’s one of those arts festivals that has a lot of variety for just about every taste.
In their 12th year of showcasing world-renowned artists in a vibrant celebration of the performing arts, the Chutzpah! Festival presents a line-up of electrifying music, riveting theatre and breath-taking dance scheduled for presentation from February 11 – March 4, 2012. Chutzpah! Plus (March 6-11), offers an additional opportunity for audiences to experience outstanding theatrical performance.
This popular, multi-faceted festival includes, in 2012: four extraordinary dance productions including Monger, choreographed by Barak Marshall and performed by L.A.’s Body Traffic, and performances by Noord Nederlandse Dans from Holland; three brilliant theatre productions including a music-theatre adaptation of Joseph Skibell’s A Blessing on the Moon featuring the Warsaw Village Band and Hollywood insider Larry Blum’s Blink and You Might Miss Me at the River Rock Theatre; and internationally-celebrated music, including top-selling Israeli artists Hadag Nahash at the Commodore, and the world music– cantor fusion of New York’s hip The Sway Machinery at Main Street’s Electric Owl.
Chutzpah! continues to expand, opening up the Festival to include more Lower Mainland venues, several of them near and dear to my heart, like the Firehall Arts Centre and now including The Electric Owl. This year Chutzpah! returns to the Commodore Ballroom in addition to ongoing residence at the Norman and Annette Rothstein Theatre, and will also be presenting shows in new venues – the Electric Owl on Main Street and in Richmond’s River Rock Theatre, one of the region’s best theatre spaces.
One additional entry can be earned by posting the following on Twitter:
I entered to win tickets to Hadag Nahash at @commodorevcr http://is.gd/1vMZWT from @hummingbird604 and @chutzpahfest
More info on the bands and the concert itself:
HADAG NAHASH
Opening band Vancouver’s Santa Lucia
One night only!
Saturday February 25
Doors open @ 8pm
Commodore Ballroom
868 Granville Street
Bursting out of Jerusalem, Hadag Nahash is simply the hottest band Israel has to offer, with multi-gold and -platinum awards to their credit. Now, they’re busy taking the international music scene by storm.
This powerhouse sextet performs a sonic melting pot of hip hop, rock, jazz, reggae and electro-funk, with hard-driving grooves and a Middle Eastern flavour. Their music is uplifting and supremely dance-ready, but they’re much more than a just a good-time party band. Outspoken musical activists, their songs call for peace, tolerance and equality and include provocative and controversial left-leaning lyrics of political protest. Hadag Nahash’s music has become part of the soundtrack for progressive struggles within and beyond Israel.
In recent years, the band’s international fan base has grown exponentially as they share stages with the likes of The Black Eyed Peas, Cypress Hill, The Streets, Speech from Arrested Development, Matisyahu and Leeroy (Saian Supa Crew). They’ve toured the UK and the United States several times, contributed their music to Adam Sandler’s movie You Don’t Mess With The Zohan, the TV show NCIS and the soundtrack for the ultra-hip game The Sims 3. They perform in both English and Hebrew and have released their fifth studio album, 6, with internationally-acclaimed producer Yossi Fine.
Vancouver’s Santa Lucia has a sound that evokes the early days of Latin Funk and the likes of Carlos Santana, but with their own blend of rock and funk grooves. This 7-member band plays an addictive combination of Nuyorican boogaloo, West Coast funk and sizzling Cuban rhythms with a horn section, driving percussion and lyrics in both English and Spanish.
I’m way late in writing about one of my favorite events, the Annual Talking Stick Festival, in its 2012 edition.
The 11thAnnual Talking Stick Festival, celebrating aboriginal artists from a variety of artistic expressions, is being held from February 20 – March 4, 2012 in various venues in Yaletown and along Commercial Drive. This vibrant festival provides a stage for extraordinary Aboriginal artists, established and emerging, featuring diverse and varied performances by some of the top local, national and international First Nations arts. Celebrating its 11th year with award winning theatre pieces, live music, dance, slam poetry, storytelling and performance art, the artists of First Nations are truly in full voice!
Tickets are available at Tickets Tonight or call 604-684-2787 Tickets range from $12 – $25, and Pay What You Can performances.
There is a number of amazing performances (and the whole festival starts TONIGHT). Because I’m late writing about this, I will not be able to give away tickets to the opening gala, but there are a couple of really good performances that I have tickets for a contest. One lucky reader of mine will be able to enjoy In A World Created By A Drunken God (Feb 23rd) and another lucky reader of mine will witness Chocolate Woman Dreams The Milky Way.
In a World Created by a Drunken God by Drew Hayden Taylor – Thurs. Feb. 23at 8pm, Roundhouse Community Centre
A powerful drama by one of Canada’s leading First Nations playwrights (Drew Hayden Taylor), In a World Created by a Drunken God raises questions that transcend issues of culture, morality and history, cutting to the heart of what it means to be human in a world stripped of convenient labels and identity politics.
Chocolate Woman Dreams the Milky Way by Monique Mojica – Tues. Feb. 28 at 8pm, Roundhouse Community Centre
The Talking Stick Festival and Chocolate Woman Collective present Chocolate Woman Dreams the Milky Way an innovative blend of physical theatre, visual story-telling and traditional Kuna aesthetic. Written by Toronto playwright and performer Monique Mojica and directed by internationally renowned Kuna actor and director Jose A. Colman.
To enter my giveaway all you need to do is to tell me if you have ever acquired First Nations art and from which band. As you may have noticed, I have lots of hummingbird-themed memorabilia, most of it from the Haida Gwaii nation, although I have some art pieces by artists who are from the Squamish nation. I’m actually very proud of the First Nations artistic heritage that Canada has and how I have incorporated it into my day to day life.
I will draw a winner for the first piece on February 22nd at 2pm, to leave enough time for the winner to be contacted, and the second winner on February 26th. At any rate, you should totally check out the Talking Stick Festival 2012. For an additional entry, as usual, you can tweet the following:
Talked about First Nations art on @hummingbird604’s blog to enter to win tickets to the Talking Stick Festival 2012 http://is.gd/4ydznn
You will be amazed at some of the wonderful dance and theatre pieces the program offers. And the tickets are extremely affordable.
This is hopefully just a phase in me, but I’m loving these performances of classic tunes I have always loved, like Janet Jackson’s Control. The Glee cast performs Control, and I melt.
The reality is, River Market is poised to be one of the best markets/development zones in the Lower Mainland, and specifically, it’s demonstrating how local businesses in New Westminster can thrive when being surrounded by an ecosystem of wonderful shops. It’s amazing how many different businesses are now located at River Market, and how complimentary they are. We all need to eat, and there’s a number of options for you within the configuration of River Market. One of these cases is The Crab Shop.
Want fresh crabs? We’ve got the freshest catch in town! Owner Marcel Gregori takes pride in personally catching local crabs daily during the crab season. Once the crabs are caught, they are immediately transported off the boat to The Crab Shop. They are then processed and ready to enjoy in the form of cooked, freshly shelled crab meat or ready-made crab cakes on your plate that evening. You can’t get any fresher than that!
But wait, we’re not just about crabs. We also offer the freshest selection of wild seafood and shellfish. The majority of our seafood is brought in fresh and filleted on site. The catch we display is always of the highest quality.
I ordered a salmon-patty burger $4.75, which was more than enough to satisfy my hunger. It took all of 6 minutes to cook, and while I did not order any side dish, like fries, I really found the patty extremely well done, moist, fresh and flavourful.
I would definitely recommend The Crab Shop to anyone who wants to come to New Westminster, because it’s right by the water. During the summer, this will be one of the best places for lunch. If you are into seafood, you MUST visit The Crab Shop. There’s a very broad menu waiting for you.
One word sums up the Arts Club’s production of Lynn Notable’s Intimate Apparel from top to tail: craftsmanship. Starting with award-winning script it weaves through the resourceful set design, perfect-fit casting, meticulous costumes and precise acting.
It’s 1905. New York City. 35-year-old Esther is an independent African-American woman who makes a good living sewing exquisite undergarments and corsets for brides-to-be. But she yearns to wear one of her own creations. When a mysterious stranger from the Caribbean strikes up a pen-pal relationship, the romance that blooms promises to fulfill all her dreams.
Marci T. House and Marsha Regis in the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of Intimate Apparel. Photo by David Cooper.
The story unfolds in 1905 New York and revolves around Esther (Marci T. House) a single thirty-five year old seamstress who specializes in elegant intimates. She is strong willed and dreams of owning her own beauty salon. When Esther receives a letter from a mysterious suitor, we are introduced to George Armstrong (Daren Hebert) a Caribbean laborer working on the Panama Canal. George (Hebert) hooks the audience at first glance with his good looks and idyllic charm. As the correspondence continues the audience anticipates his next appearance like Esther craves George’s next letter.
Things play out in multiple sets that provide a voyeuristic view into the various boudoirs including Esther’s own boardinghouse room. Set designer Pam Johnson accomplishes a lot with the limited space at her disposal. I felt transported to Brooklyn at the turn of the century and learned some interesting things about the era, not the least of which is how little the challenges of love and relationships have changed over the last hundred years.
The plot is tied together with series of orders for hand-made corsets. Fortunately for Esther, and us, her business requires regular trips to Mr. Marks’ (Jonathon Young) shop for fine fabric and delicate flirtation. Mr Marks’ always has the choicest fabrics and is an artist in his own right. He spins romantic yarns about each fabric’s provenance while seducing Esther (willingly) into buying more than she came for. In a performance that reminded me of John Malcovich, Jonathon Young adds spots of color and comedy with his quirky Romanian accent and curious diction. For me the moments in Mr. Marks shop managed to outshine the other already glowing scenes.
The performance moves along with the rat-tat-tat of a well-oiled machine accompanied by an old time rag tune. With perfect pacing the two-hour show went by quickly and I didn’t want it to end. When the fast paced banter slowed, it focused attention onto the highly intimate exchanges between characters. This and the strong performances by the entire cast got the audience deeply invested. For me it was literally a gut-wrenching scene when it becomes clear to Esther and the audience that life is not always the stuff of dreams and love letters.
Clearly the opening night audience appreciated fine work. The actors were with a standing ovation and curtain call. This will not be the only positive review of Intimate Apparel. It is a great live theatre experience that I found very accessible and highly recommend.
Intimate Apparel is playing at the Granville Island Stage until March 10th. Showtimes and tickets are available online on The Arts Club website.
Disclosure and statement of authorship:This guest review was written by Trevor Jurgens in exclusive coverage of The Arts Club’s production of Intimate Apparel for Hummingbird604.com. Trevor attended the play on media tickets in my representation, tickets were provided to Hummingbird604.com. Trevor is, in his own words, a Marketing and Communications professional that connects people to their passions, their peers and the brands that will matter to them. Be it jaded teenagers or exhausted moms, the clever communications he develop engage people and snap them into action. You can read more from him on his site, or follow him on Twitter at @TrevorJurgens. Thanks Trevor for agreeing to guest review for me! As always, I (Raul) retain full editorial control over anything published on my site.
Last night, I had the most amazing opportunity to witness the National Ballet of Cuba stage Don Quijote. Having been a dancer all my life, classically trained during my childhood and a fan of Alicia Alonso, Executive Director of the National Ballet of Cuba and one of the very few prima ballerina assoluta, I was waiting for this day since early last year when it was announced that the National Ballet of Cuba would be touring Canada for a few weeks and offering their amazing spectacle, Don Quijote.
Credit: Jacques Moatti
Riveting, powerful and gravity-defying, the National Ballet of Cuba dancers showcased world-class ballet for the Vancouver public. An almost-sold-out, packed Queen Elizabeth Theatre gave not one, not two but THREE standing ovations to the display of outstanding artistry and athletic prowess displayed by the dancers of the National Ballet of Cuba.
Credit: Jacques Moatti
Don Quixote is a wonderful comic ballet based on the Cervantes story. One of the most technically challenging works ever created, the ballet is rarely performed because of the sheer bravura required. Choreographed by the legendary Alicia Alonso from the original work by Marius Petipa, and set to the music of Ludwig Minkus, the company is being brought to Vancouver in memory of long-time dance impresario David Y.H. Lui (+) by Brent Belsher.
We clapped for a solid 7 minutes on the third standing ovation. Nobody wanted to let the dancers go, and given how sometimes Vancouver publics are a tough sell, I think this speaks for the caliber of classical ballet we witnessed last night.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra tale, Don Quijote is an icon of Spanish culture, an unsung hero who fought imaginary giants, windmills and loved his Dulcinea, in his delirious mind, representation of love. Alicia Alonso’s choreography keeps the performance incredibly faithful to de Cervantes Saavedra’s tale.
Cuban dancers have a unique dance style: they are trained with the classical Russian technique, but blend with it their own Latin American flavor, energy and spice. As indicated in the program, the National Ballet of Cuba is one of the most prestigious dance companies in the world and Alicia Alonso has created a long-standing institution and style of ballet.
While the technical wizardry of all the cast members was absolutely impressive, I was most fascinated with the agility of the dancer who represents Basilio (the barber). And every solo he performed, he knew he had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand. Each performance has different dancers as well, which I find absolutely fantastic. Kitri, Lorenzo’s daughter, is a delight to observe. And all ensemble pieces are a display of technical finesse and athletic prowess. With flawless attementes, arabesques and deboules, each member of this main cast shines without making any fuss about being a central character or not. Towards the end of the show, in the third act, Kitri performs a series of fouettés rond de jambe en tournant that prompted the public to stand and clap even before she was done.
Credit: Jacques Moatti
You still have a few opportunities to access this amazing performance tonight and this weekend. Tickets range between $47 and $97 and are absolutely worth every cent.
Disclosure: My guest and I attended on complimentary media tickets. I have not been paid to write this review, nor compensated otherwise, and no review was expected. Even in the case of a review, it’s not expected that I will provide a favorable one. As always, I retain full editorial control on anything published on my site.
I have been addicted to Indian food for a long, long while. I would say, ever since I moved to Vancouver, which already surpasses the decade. I have tried numerous Indian restaurants, but the ones that really have left an impression in my palate are few and far between. Among these, Original Tandoori Kitchen (in South Main, near the Punjabi Market) will remain at the top of my list for a long time coming.
At the Original Tandoori Kitchen restaurant we have selected dishes that are most sumptuous as they were inspired by Great Indian Emperors. Special emphasis on Tandoori Cooking reflects Chef Sharanjit ‘s vision of bringing Tandoori Cuisine to higher levels of popularity in the Great Pacific North West. Popular accompaniments are our special stuffed naan breads which are baked vertically in the Tandoori oven. At the Original Tandoori Kitchen restaurant you will spice up your lives with our authentic Indian Food, cooked with nothing but the best ingredients and spices.
We ordered a couple of dishes (JT ordered the original Tandoori chicken and I ordered Chicken Shahee Korma, boneless pieces of chicken delicately cooked in a mild sauce with onions and ground cashew nuts. – my experience with Indian restaurants is that I will usually enjoy the Korma as it has lots of nuts and the flavour is strong and full-bodied). We had to order rice and Naan on the side.
At $3 for each Naan (and I chose the garlic Naan), and around $13-$16 for each dish, the price point feels right. The food was delicious, and we had enough food to bring home for lunch the next day.
Our Tandoori signature dishes are first marinated in an exotic blend of spices, as inspired by chefs of bygone eras, before they are barbecued on skewers in the tall high-heat (320c / 600f) tandoor oven over charcoal. A quick stove-top finish follows. This mode of cooking ensures the succulence of the ingredients.
I have no idea why it took me this long to eat at Original Tandoori Kitchen, but I will remain a devoted and faithful customer. The menu (opens to PDF, and it took me A LOT of time to find in a maze of websites) has a lot of variety and you should definitely try coming down and eat here some time.
Disclosure: I paid for my and JT’s dinner on my own dime. As always, I retain full editorial control of what is published on my site.
I’m sure you can tell that I can’t wait for The Avengers to hit theatres. And you can bet that I will be reviewing this fantastic superheroes movie. But in the mean time, you may just want to get a teaser taste of how much fun this movie will be. This is the extended Super Bowl spot for The Avengers, for your viewing pleasure.
While admittedly I do a lot of travel writing about destinations OUTSIDE of Vancouver, it’s undeniable (a) that I absolutely love and adore Vancouver, and (b) that I promote it relentlessly and write about it non-stop. So, when I found out about the “It’s You…Vancouver”, the new musical video that Tourism Vancouver commissioned/created. You can read more about Watasun, the duo that sings the catchy tune “It’s You” and the process behind the creation of the video.
Tourism Vancouver’s new destination film uses multiple platforms to send its message — and it’s unlike any promotional piece of its kind. Incorporating a local band and original song, “It’s You… Vancouver” is the world’s first professionally produced destination film in music video format.
The song is performed by Watasun, a Vancouver-based duo whose music fuses urban beats with traditional folk sounds. One-time buskers on Vancouver’s Granville Street, singer/songwriter Adam Bailie and percussionist Reid Hendry now record, produce and sell their own albums, taking inspiration from the city’s diversity, vibrancy and unity.
Throughout the three-minute video, the duo perform their catchy tune while making appearances in, near or atop of iconic Vancouver attractions, including the Vancouver Convention Centre roof, an Aquabus ferry and snow-covered Grouse Mountain
To celebrate the launch of the “It’s You…Vancouver” video, I have a $75 gift certificate to Charmichael’s at the Hilton Vancouver Airport, for a lucky reader of mine.
Carmichael’s Restaurant is characterized by distinctive West Coast cuisine. The open concept design is spacious yet inviting, while the menu offers a delicious combination of fresh local ingredients prepared with our very own personal touches. With award winning wines and a unique variety of cocktails and martini’s, join us on any occasion for a comfortable, intimate dining experience. Every meal is cared for by our energetic staff that is proud to make food service their profession.
All you need to tell me is what you love the most about Vancouver. It’s clearly not how expensive it is (which it is) nor how unaffordable it is (which it also is). But let’s face it, this city is beautiful, it has some of the nicest people in the world (I know, some also find them cold, but I have had much success in this city). If Vancouver wasn’t a great place to be, we (myself included) wouldn’t be here. I’m very happy and lucky to live in Vancouver. I love particularly sunsets in Vancouver!
To add an additional entry (for a total of two), you can post the following on Twitter:
Shared my love for Vancouver w/ @hummingbird604 & @MyVancouver to enter to win a $75 GC to Charmichael’s http://is.gd/zM8gu5. And you?
I will draw a winner on February 23rd at 2pm, from all Twitter and comment entries, randomized. Good luck everyone, and I look forward to reading from you what you love about our fair city!
So, full disclosure: I hated The Red Door (the previous incarnation of Luke’s Corner Bar & Kitchen near 14th Avenue and Granville) and thus I had avoided a visit. But since I was going to the opening night of Calendar Girls with one of my very best friends, and Luke’s Corner Bar & Kitchen is literally 2 blocks away, I figured I might as well bite the bullet (literally). So, I dropped by for dinner with AF and I have to admit, I really, really liked it.
From the website of Luke’s Corner Bar & Kitchen here is the motivation of why the owner opened it:
“I’ve been to places that served great craft beer, but the food was mediocre; others where the food was great, but the atmosphere left you feeling cold, and others that were actually pretty inviting, but had nothing of interest to drink. That’s why I wanted to open Luke’s Corner Bar and Kitchen. It’s a local place that focuses on good music, a fantastic bar, and most importantly: great food, great people and a great vibe- the kind of place a South Granville tavern should be. Drop by Luke’s and we’ll show you what a tavern’s really all about.”
You’re welcome here.
And yes, welcome is exactly how we felt. We arrived with a little bit of a time constraint (we arrived at 6:15pm and we were going for a 7:30pm show), and we informed the hostess and the waitress of how time-starved we were. They both were incredibly friendly, and despite having a full house and lots of customers, provided us with our food on time, it was tasty and we were out right on time for the theatre show.
The prices are very inexpensive, which is rather unusual for the location (this is over-priced South Granville, after all). We ordered an $18 Dine Out Vancouver menu, and were not disappointed. I started with a Caesar salad with crispy prosciutto (who can say no to prosciutto) which was so filling I had a hard time finishing it off.
My main course was pecan snapper, in a bed of rice and veggies. I have to say, this was tasty but I’m so used to strong flavours that I probably would have appreciated some tapenade on the side, or some hot sauce. Good, nonetheless. And not only do they offer inexpensive food and drinks, and good service, they are also Ocean Wise partners AND offer a gluten-free menu.
I’ll have to come back again, after discovering that yes, second parts sometimes are good, and this reincarnation and transformation of the location a previously not-memorable restaurant into a very good one signals probably a lot of good things to come for Luke’s Corner Bar & Kitchen.
Disclosure: I paid for both of our dinners on my own dime. As always I retain full editorial control on what I publish on my site.
I love profiling non-profits’ work, and the Take A Hide Foundation for Youth At Risk is one of those whose work I have followed closely but for some reason I never get around writing about them. I had an opportunity to peruse their website recently, and loved their approach.
Take a Hike guides and empowers these youth to blaze a trail, a positive path with positive outcomes. With Take a Hike’s guidance, every youth will have an opportunity to blaze their own trail–one that is right for them, that empowers them, that gives them survival skills for life.
As an academic myself, and one who teaches now university level (though, in case you didn’t know, I also have taught high-school), I am very fond of programs like the Take A Hike. Much like the program I participated in when I was a youngster in Mexico, where I taught adult folks who lived in gang-dominated areas, Take A Hike focuses on at-risk youth (the programme where I taught focused on adults, but I think there is much value on focusing on at-risk youth, at the earlier stages of life development).
Take a Hike youth are in grades 10-12, between 15-18 years old. Participants in Take a Hike struggle with personal issues that inhibit their success in the mainstream school system. Their issues may include drug and alcohol dependencies, legal troubles, and behaviors that often result in suspensions and/or long absences from the school system. Their backgrounds can include addiction, physical and mental abuse, low self-esteem, depression, and/or trauma. Students are typically referred to Take a Hike by school counselors, principals, teachers or social workers for a chance to make lasting change.
Take A Hike Foundation will have an event soon, The Moonlight Snowshoe 2012 at Mount Seymour(one of my favorite mountains) with The Peak (a radio station I love, in Vancouver), on February 23rd. It’s a fundraiser and looks like it’ll be very fun.
A guided moonlit snowshoe trek with great people and delectable treats amongst snow-capped trees. In addition to a $20 registration fee, each registered participant commits to raise over $150 by collecting pledges from colleagues, friends and family.
The best way to make me love a place is to have an incredibly nice owner/manager/customer representative. That’s exactly what happened when I visited the Quayside Wine Cellar in New Westminster (a mere 100 metres away from the New Westminster campus of The Network Hub. I was there just to see what they may have in the form of wine (I ended up buying a Redtree Moscato 2010, which I reviewed earlier this past week) and left with the actual desire to write about the place.
And since I write about cocktails, wine and food, I figured what a better way to promote a local business in the region where I am so focused right now (New Westminster) than to profile the Quayside Wine Cellar (full disclosure: my friend Mike told me about it – it’s so quaint and hidden that you probably wouldn’t find it on first eye sight).
Suite 111 – 960 Quayside Drive
New Westminister, BC V3M 6G2 Canada
Telephone 1.604.522.4245
Fax 1.604.522.4418
Store Hours:
Monday thru Saturday: 10:30am to 7:00pm
Sunday: 1130am to 630pm
I will definitely come back, even if the prices are a bit higher than what I expected to pay from the BC Liquor Stores!
The first thing I wondered as we (Rebecca and I, as we both were invited to the Michelin Ride & Drive Event) were being driven in a limousine to the Estérel Suites, Spa & Lac Hôtel in Estérel, Quebec, was “where the hell is Estérel?!. You’ll see, much as I know some of the basic Quebec, I am totally at a loss with its geography. My former intern Anabelle had told me a little bit about the Laurentides (the Laurentian Mountains), but I knew very little otherwise.
So, I wasn’t prepared to see a hotel of the caliber of the Estérel Suites, Spa & Lac. And given how the hotel was specifically redecorated to the Michelin event, it was even more impressive. To tell you one thing: the digital cards were reprinted with the Michelin logo, and the elevator doors had the Michelin logo too. Yeah. LIKE THAT. And the decoration was top-notch. Frankly, it was like being in a luxury apartment.
Discover the new face of Estérel suites, spa & lac. This iconic Laurentian retreat underwent a major transformation to bring you the best hotel and resort experiences.
Located on the shore of Lake Dupuis, Estérel suites, spa & lac offers you 95 bright and elegant suites equipped with modern fireplaces. Some suites provide you with a beautiful garden view and some with spectacular lake views. There are even a few with direct beach access. The dining room has been completely revamped and with the new wine bar, we promise you an unparallel adventure in an inviting atmosphere, chic design, combining natural lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake. At Estérel suites, spa & lac, we offer you a wide choice of packages that best meet your areas of interest: gastronomy, business, golf or a variety of seasonal outdoor activities. This setting undoubtedly offers the perfect getaway for every traveler. Let your worries flow away and discover a sanctuary of harmony and serenity.
As I was writing this post and looking for my photos, I realized that I brought with me the camera that I don’t really know how to use very well yet, and thus some of my photos are blurry and don’t make any justice to the level of luxury and comfort that we experienced at the Estérel Suites, Spa & Lac Hôtel. The reality is, even the most modest suite (in our case I think we had the Garden view suite)
The suite was WAY bigger than my own apartment, and completely self-contained. It’s clear that the Estérel Suites, Spa & Lac Hôtel does not take lightly their mission and goal of providing serenity and relaxation and the best in a resort experience. I can tell you I did NOT want to leave. We did not have the time to explore the rest, but I now know where I’m going to go away for a week if I decide to write a book! It’s not a short distance from the Montreal Airport (Pierre Trudeau) but just from my experience, if you are a ski or winter sports fiend, this may very well be the place for you.
From Montréal
(about 90 km)
Take Laurentides highway (15 north) until exit 69 toward Sainte-Marguerite/Estérel and take chemin Pierre Péladeau (route 370 east). Continue to follow chemin Pierre Péladeau (route 370 east) for about 12 km and turn right onto chemin Masson (route 370 east). Continue about 2,4 km and then turn left to stay on route 370 east toward Estérel. The hotel will be at about 600 m on the right.
You can find them on Facebook too. I have to say, this was an amazing choice host hotel by Michelin, definitely.
Disclosure: My stay at the Estérel Suites, Spa & Lac Hôtel was covered by Michelin as part of the Ride and Drive media trip. At no point did Michelin (or the Estérel Suites, Spa & Lac Hôtel) require me to write a review, but I think it’s worth showcasing that Quebec has some high-end hotels that are simply spectacular. As always I retain full editorial control over what I post on my blog.
Be it for media trips, or for my academic research, the reality is that I travel quite a lot and I stay at a lot of hotels. The second night I stayed in Montreal after the Michelin media trip, I stayed at the Montreal Airport Marriott Hotel. While a very nice hotel, and completely convenient because of the location, and with a really good staff, I was a bit disappointed in the Montreal Airport Marriott Hotel.
Our Montreal Airport hotel, located inside the P. E. Trudeau International Airport, boasts vibrant settings, luxurious guest rooms, stylish décor and legendary service. Perfect for both the business and leisure traveler, Montreal Airport Marriott Hotel is only 20 minutes from the excitement that downtown Montreal has to offer and close to top attractions including the Notre-Dame Basilica, Old Port of Montreal, Bell Center, Six Flags Amusement Park, Olympic Stadium and Botanical Gardens. Bijou, this Montreal Airport hotel’s trendy restaurant and bar, features fresh international cuisine in an innovative, upscale setting. The hotel also boasts an indoor pool and fitness and business centers. Unlike other hotels near Montreal Airport, our hotel offers premier meeting facilities with over 14,000 sq ft of flexible event space, perfect for engaging corporate meetings, successful group events and exquisite weddings in Montreal. Experience the newest Montreal hotel near the airport for your next visit to Canada.
Admittedly, it is located right at Montreal Dorval, or Pierre Elliot Trudeau, whichever name you assign to the main Montreal Airport. The source of my disappointment was not related to the service in and of itself, though. You may recall, I recently wrote about charges in hotels for internet access, and I frankly did not appreciate having to pay for internet access.
While it is very nicely decorated, and it was really comfortable, with a pretty lovely desk, the internet issue (having to pay) really did not sit well with me. Also, the shower in the bathroom did not have a sliding door (which I found a bit odd) and given my inability to maneuver the espresso machine, I could not make myself coffee. Nevertheless, the room was impeccable and very comfortable.
But those are, as I have other times said, pretty minor things. I should not complain, because the reality is that I slept really well, and if I had to have again meetings in Montreal, I’d probably stay again at the Montreal Airport Marriott Hotel. It’s incredibly convenient for me (maybe not so convenient for someone who wants to have meetings in downtown Montreal, though!)
Disclosure: My stay at the Montreal Airport Marriott Hotel was covered by Michelin as part of the media trip I was on. As always, I retain full editorial control over anything I post on my site.
Sciué Italian Bakery Caffé is one of those places I *should* have tried YEARS ago and I hadn’t. I came here once to have coffee with my friend Shawn Smith, but I ended up going with him to Joyeaux Cafe for brunch because Sciué was incredibly busy. Today I had the chance to have lunch with my good friend Chris Walts and I found out why Sciué Italian Bakery Caffé is so popular. It looks as though the main item at Sciué Italian Bakery Caffé are sophisticated, gourmet pizzas (what they call the pane romano. I ordered a Salmone Pane Romano (by weight, $30-$35 per kilogram, tomato sauce, misculin salad, smoked salmon).
I paid about $7.00 and it was plenty for me (I *almost* didn’t finish it). The salmon was tender, flavourful and the dough was light despite what you may think for something that looks like pizza. The pizza dough was very easy to digest and I didn’t feel like I needed to walk a mile to ‘burn the pizza off’.
This is how Sciué defines Pane Romano:
A thin, fragrant, crisp and healthy bread, made with simple ingredients, and lightly brushed with extra virgin oil. Served warm and fresh, this long and skinny bread is the basis of a Roman style pizza, enjoyed throughout Italy.
I think Sciué has become one of my favorite lunch spots from now on. And SO close to my office! In the heart of the downtown Vancouver financial district. And lunch for less than $10 in the Financial District of Vancouver? A bargain, really. Will come back.
Sciué Italian Bakery Caffé is the realization of a lifelong passion from a collection of memories of a life spent growing up in Rome. Sciué brings to life the authentic Roman experience of simple yet artisan ‘street’ food, artisan espresso drinks and passionate people, all packaged in a sexy space which allows all facets to seamlessly interact with each other….just as you would find in Italy.
Davide’s experiences have taught him a very simple lesson…people appreciate the real thing, so be authentic with your food, be genuine with your service, and respect your customer by the way in which you present yourself. The focus of Sciué Italian Bakery Caffé is the delivery of an authentic Roman food experience where the food is made fresh every day and throughout the day. It is about geniune Roman-style service, where you get to ‘eat with your eyes’ before eating with your mouth. And it is certainly about providing an inspiring space for you to enjoy your Sciué experience.
“The only reward of virtue is virtue; the only way to have a friend is to be one.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
I used to think of myself as “a professional friend”. I would always be (I always am) at my friends’ reach. I have (and no, I’m not gloating) saved countless lives (I have been a designated driver since I first got my license), and always tried to preclude my friends from getting into way more trouble. My friends always called me, since childhood, when they had issues and I’ve been privileged to be part of so many people’s lives. I count my life in friendships, not in years.
Credit: Heather On Her Travels on Flickr.
For me, Valentine’s Day is an actual day to celebrate. I have someone very special in my life with whom I have celebrated this day for almost a decade. We do dinner, watch a movie, spend time together. We love this day because of what it means. But in Mexico, I celebrated Valentine’s Day by doing something sweet for my (too many) friends. I bought them cards, stuffed animals. I spent a small fortune in phone calls across the continent and up North (I have a lot of friends worldwide).
“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.”
– Henry Ford
As I’ve grown older, my circle of real and trusted friends has grown smaller. True, I have acquaintances, colleagues, buddies, but my friends’ circle is MUCH smaller than you would think. Particularly, friends that I can call upon and ask for help. THAT is perhaps the biggest measurement of how close I am to a friend. If I ask for help or for an opinion/advice, the friendship is definitely very strong.
“Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”
– Helen Keller
February 14th is dreaded by a lot of folks because, I think, it has been framed as a Hallmark holiday, focused on couplehood, being together with someone else. That’s why some people instead celebrate SAD (Singles Awareness Day). In Mexico, the day is celebrated as the day of love and friendship. And for me, it’s always been about celebrating friendship.
I hope this Valentine’s Day, my friends know how much I love them. I get sometimes so overwhelmed with work that I’m not always the best at demonstrating how much I care. But I will definitely carve some time in my rather busy schedule to send notes and texts of love and care to my beloved friends, because they are worth it. Because friendship is worth it.
Because I may not be a professional friend, but I am certainly a very good friend.
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.
I am often flattered that people think that I am an overachiever. False modesty apart, I am very lucky to be able to complete as much in the time I have during the day. The reality is, my mind wanders all the time. I am excited by so many things, thinking of all the great stuff I could do and when it comes down to having to finish everything I commit to do, it’s often hard. So you may ask yourself, how do I do it all, then?
Here are 3 things I do and all of them have one word in common: DISCIPLINE.
1. I’m disciplined in my blogging.
Even on the days I don’t want to write anything, I still make it my priority to at least, answer emails, check who won my contests, write down ideas for posts, etc. I keep the discipline of dedicating at least one hour (and right now, I’m hoping MAXIMUM one hour) to my blog.
2. I’m disciplined in my academic work.
Even on the days I would rather sleep in, I still try to write bits and pieces of my research. I review a draft manuscript, I write an abstract, I add a couple of pages to my book manuscript, I review graphs, or I read journal articles. I always dedicate at least 6-7 hours of my day to my academic work.
3. I’m disciplined in my consulting work.
Even on the days I would rather just go out, I still try to update myself, read e-newsletters with tips on how to do what I do as a consultant better, improve my speaking and training skills, rethink how I will write my slides, and network. Since much of my consulting involves training, speaking and mentoring, I work every day at least 3 hours of my day in improving that.
So, apparently this band (The RAH band) is like more than 30 years old (was first launched in 1977 and formed by Richard Anthony Hewson) so I’m surprised I just found about their music. This is one of my most favorite songs as of right now. Messages From The Stars, for your listening pleasure.
I love musicals, and with the proximity of Valentine’s Day, it’s quite fitting that Intimate Theatre Productions decided to launch a musical about falling in love, I Love You Because. I am lucky that I have been in love, more than once, and that I always feel incredibly lucky and much loved. While you’ve missed the previews on February 8th & 9th and the Official Opening Night and Media Evening on February 10th, you can catch any of their performances Wednesday to Saturday until February 25th. Even more fun, their Special Valentine’s Day performance on February 14th with complimentary refreshments.
All performances begin at 8pm, Doors at 7pm. “I Love You Because” is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW)
A contemporary 6 person musical set in modern day New York City, I Love You Because explores the concept of finding love in all the wrong places. A young, uptight greeting car writer, Austin (Sayer Roberts), has his life changed when he meets a flighty photographer, Marcy (Erin Palm), on a blind date. Along with their eccentric friends and siblings (Diana & Jeff, played by Harper Smith & Victor Hunter respectively), they learn to love each other not in spite of their faults, but because of them.
Directed by Shel Piercy, featuring Victor Hunter, Aaron Lau, Erin Palm, Sayer Roberts, Harper Smith and Sheryl Anne McMillan and playing February 8-25 at Studio 1398 (formally PTC), 1398 Johnston Ave, Granville Island. Tickets ($20-28 HST not incl.) You can get tickets here.
I was not privileged to know the musician Randy Ponzio, but some of my own close friends were friends of his, and I would think his tragic death last year left his children in a precarious position. As you know, if you’ve read my blog for some time, I love to promote charitable causes and I can’t find a better one. When:
February 17, 2012 (Friday)
8:00p.m. – 1:30 a.m. Where:
The Commodore Ballroom
868 Granville St. Vancouver Tickets: $40 (advance)
Line-Up:
Kyprios, Chin Injeti, David Morin, Tonye Aganaba, Foundation, Beauty vs Facts, Valerie Ponzio, Jess Vaira, Alex Maher, Dan Ross, Mario Vaira, Airtights, Un-1, Aspire, Jessi Nicholson, Heads Hang Heavy, Atma, Little T, Kelsey Klassen, Ed Lam, Chantel Upshaw, Asha Moyo
In November 2011, Vancouver musician Randy Ponzio was reported missing 24 hours after leaving an upscale bar in Chinatown. Hundreds of friends and fans immediately launched a search, and mobilized tens of thousands of people through social media. Three short days later, however, the hopes of thousands turned to sorrow when the news spread of Randy’s passing.
Before this unexpected tragedy, his career was on the rise: he won the Shore 104.3 FM Song Search with his song Bigger than You and Me, he performed several shows a month, and continued to gain fans by busking on Vancouver streets. Most notably, he opened for Ziggy Marley at the Vogue Theatre, Ky-Mani Marley at the Commodore Ballroom, and Yellowman at Fortune Sound Club. His album, For the People, was released on November 8th, 2011.
Over the past few years Randy Ponzio was becoming recognized for his pop and soul sound with hints of reggae. Randy’s intense lyrics and soul-stopping voice delivered his message of hope and humanity in his music.
Much of Randy’s inspiration came from the humanitarian work he has done in places such as the Philippines, Mexico, and countries in East Africa. Prior to starting his musical career he traveled to the Philippines where he established a birth clinic and feeding program for pregnant mothers and malnourished children that is still in operation. He has also traveled to East Africa to work with children there, and was in Kenya in January 2008 where he witnessed first-hand the post-election violence the country suffered.
Tickets: $40 (advance) available at the following:
Red Cat Records
4332 Main St. | 604.708.9422
Highlife World Music
1317 Commercial Drive | 604.251.6964
