My life is governed by a little widget called “Google Calendar” (and it’s iPhone Calendar equivalent). I need to schedule my life to the very last minute in order to manage to complete everything I set myself to finish. So, in times of extreme workload (such as final exams, grading, keynotes and research paper submission), the one thing that gets removed from that calendar is ‘Exercising’. I schedule my workouts in the morning so I can get more energy and get it out of the way. But the problem is, when I’m sick or overworked, I often ignore the little alarm that says “you should be doing cardio right now“. And just keep working. 12, 14, 16 hour days. Though for the most part I’ve been in control of my life, lately I missed 2 weeks of exercising.
I decided to stop that this week.
I decided that, no matter what, I needed to get back to working out in the mornings. It’s only been this week (e.g. about 3-4 days) that I’ve been back to the gym but I can feel the positive effects. It’s 7:30pm and I’ve already put in a 14 hour work day and I still feel energy. Obviously, I need to sleep more (because that’s when my cells regenerate) but I’m going to bed at a fairly reasonable hour. And I’m eating well.
It’s a fact, I can’t let my workouts lapse. I need to stay fit so I can be healthy and productive in my work. And lucky for me, a holiday is coming up soon.
I still remember freshly when Minna hired Yvonne to work for The Network Hub. She said “we need someone amazing, who can run the things we need, whom we can trust, someone who will be there and do amazing stuff and grow with us the way we have grown”. And she found (via our common good friend Michael Yurechko) the lovely Yvonne Lum (@ylizabeth on Twitter).
Yvonne is the second from the left. Photo credit: Nicky Tu
Yvonne, I think I speak for all of us at The Network Hub in saying that we absolutely love having you in our team, we love your commitment, your capacity to work and your ability to just be fun with us and have fun and build a strong, cohesive team. We do love you, sweetie. Enjoy your birthday!
The more Yaletown densifies the more I am in awe. It’s a beautiful neighbourhood with great density, but with ZERO affordability.
I honestly wonder what residents of Yaletown, particularly creekside, feel about it. I have a tonne of friends who live in this area, particularly the marina side. I’ll have to ask them!
Indian food is second to Ethiopian food as my comfort food. And the great thing about UBC is that you can have at least 2 or 3 Indian food outlets. One of the most recent ones, Rasoee, has been creating a lot of buzz for their curry wraps.
I was invited to Rasoee’s media launch a couple of months ago but was unable to make it so I made a point to come and eat there myself. I ordered a mango lassi ($2.95, absolutely delicious) and a chicken curry with rice ($7.99). Overall, I loved the curry with rice as it was spicy and comforting, and it had LOTS of pieces of chicken (which is great).
Overall, it’s good comforting Indian food (slightly on the high price for UBC students, I think) and I would definitely come back again.
When people ask me what do I write about, I always say “my life in Vancouver – the places I eat at, the wine and cocktails I drink, the places I travel to, in general, Hummingbird604.com is a lifestyle blog”. The irony is, despite the fact that I’m not actually drinking right now, I do in fact write about wine. In fact, you may remember that earlier this year, I covered Parksville Uncorked, which in itself is a food and wine event.
I’m very fond of New Zealand wines. The first time I had an opportunity to try them was last year, and they’ve stayed close to my heart. And since the New Zealand Wine Fair in Vancouver 2011 is coming up, I am proud to announce that I have a pair of tickets for entry to the festival, to take place on Monday May 2nd at the Roundhouse Community Centre, from 7pm to 9:30pm.
All you have to do is tell me what is the brand of the last wine you sampled (whether it’s New Zealander or not it’s not relevant for the purposes of this giveaway). I will draw a random winner from all entries here and via Twitter on Sunday May 1st at 4pm.
In every glass of New Zealand wine is a world of pure discovery. Sample over 100 proven performers and stars-in-the-making at this once a year exclusive tasting. Meet the winemakers and make this your opportunity to discover New Zealand in a Glass. Discover the sensational taste experience of New Zealand wines accompanied by a sampling of fine foods and cheeses.
Donate to the Christchurch Earthquake Relief Fund and enter for a chance to WIN* a trip to New Zealand courtesy of Air New Zealand and Goway Travel.
The cost of the ticket cost is $60, which is pretty reasonable for all the variety of great wines you will get to sample. And you can get tickets online.
Participating Wineries:
Allan Scott Family Winemakers
Astrolabe Wines
Babich Wines
Churton
Constellation New Zealand
Elephant Hill Estate & Winery
Georges Michel Wine Estate
Gladstone Vineyard
Goelet Wine Estates
Jackson Estate Ltd
Konrad Wines Ltd
Kumeu River Wines Ltd
Marisco Vineyards Ltd.
Matua Valley Wines Ltd
Mount Riley Wines
Mud House Wines
Nautilus Estate
Oyster Bay New Zealand
Pasquale
Pernod Ricard New Zealand
Rippon Vineyard Ltd
Sacred Hill Wines Ltd
Sileni Estates Ltd
Spy Valley Wines
Staete Landt Vineyard
Te Kairanga Wines Ltd
Villa Maria Estate
Waitiri Creek Wines Ltd
Wither Hills Vineyards Marlborough Ltd
Yealands Estate
You could also earn an additional entry by tweeting the following:
Told @hummingbird604 the brand of my favorite wine 2 enter 2 win tickets to New Zealand Wine Festival http://ow.ly/4HMlX what’s yours?
Vancouver Asian Heritage Month is launching their 15th Anniversary of explorASIAN in Metro Vancouver with BEAT THE STREET: Asian Drum Festival + Remix. This event takes placed on May 1st, at the CBC Outdoor Stage from 12 pm – 4:30 pm and will feature Japanese and Korean drumming, Filipino dancing, Persian ensemble and much more. You can check the trailer below.
This promises to be a great free, outdoor drumming concert which will launch the series of other events that take place in May for Asian Heritage Month. The participating includes (but is not limited to):
· Tetsu Taiko (Japanese)
· Cheondoong (Korean)
· Kathara (Filipino)
· Persian
· Reyhan Turkish-Arabic trio
· Mohamed Assani
· Vince Mai
Beat the Street will launch on May 1st, this coming sunday, at the CBC Plaza on the corner of Hamilton and Georgia, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. It is a free event and you should totally check it out.
You may remember that I gave away tickets to Mambo Italiano a couple of weeks back. I attended opening night, but since it was so close to when my cousin had passed away, I wasn’t in any mood, shape or form to write about this play. But since the show has its last performance on April 30th, I thought I should post about it sooner rather than later.
Photo credit: Emily Cooper. Used with permission.
Thirty-something Angelo Barberini, the oddball son of Italian immigrants living in Montreal, surprises his family by moving out on his own without getting married, and much to the shock of his conservative Catholic family, announces he is gay. Once out on his own, Angelo runs into his childhood friend Nino Paventi who is also gay and deeply in the closet. Angelo and Nino rekindle their friendship, start a romance and end up sharing an apartment. Together at home, they live in coupled bliss, but outside of the house they retain their separate straight acting lives. Angelo decided that he finally wants to announce their relationship, but this decision does not sit well with Nino who fears judgement from his family. Both families struggle to come to terms with their sons’ new lives, eventually planning a setup dinner in the desperate hope of “converting” their sons.
While each one of the cast members is good in and of their own, it’s the actor playing the main character (Joseph Galaccio in the role of Angelo) who carries the performance and steals the show. Demonstrating a candor and tenderness that is hard to rival, Angelo breaks down when he sees who he thinks is the love of his life yielding to family and societal pressures, breaking his heart and leaving him behind. Francisco Trujillo (Nino) also shows a side of an ambivalent closeted gay man that is hard to not forgive, despite breaking Angelo’s heart.
While it’s a funny comedy in some parts, it’s the whole play that demonstrates that, despite much of our progress in regards to gay rights, there’s still a lot to be accomplished. Notwithstanding this, I really enjoyed this show and you should check out Mambo Italiano, I strongly recommend it.
DATES: April 13 – 30 at 8pm, with 2pm Matinees Saturdays and Sundays and 1pm Pay What You Can Matinees Wednesday, April 20 and 27. You can get tickets here.
Disclosure: I had media tickets to attend the play, and I also received tickets for a giveaway for my readers. While I did not pay to attend this play, I would very gladly pay to attend a repeat performance, as it is a great production. This post hasn’t been paid for either. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times, and producers and publicists are well aware of this. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
It’s a well-known fact that musical theatre is the bread-and-butter of Fighting Chance Productions. Ryan Mooney, artistic director of FCP, has built an ensemble of fantastic young actors who give their all in each and every production they perform in. I have had the pleasure of seeing some of their other productions, one of my favorites being their adaptation to musical theatre of the well-known movieThe Wedding Singer. I will fully admit I did not know what to expect from The Wiz, but I am happy with what was delivered to me. Fast-paced, funny and energetic (like most of the work that Fighting Chance Productions does), The Wiz is a must-see, witty, irreverent and funky production.
The Wiz has a variety of musical numbers that will make you tap your feet while you watch. And your neighbour won’t mind, trust me 🙂 Sean Parsons is as always, incredibly funny in his incarnation of The Lion, although for God… that hair, that hair!!!! Nick Fontaine, who owns my heart with every performance I see him at, showcases his voice for the first time since I last saw him in Rent.
In a risky and daring move, actors/singers in The Wiz were fitted with wireless microphones, which at one point led to a minor mishap. Sound issues seem to appear with relative frequency at Fighting Chance Productions’ early opening nights, but I would attribute that to the technical and sound team, as the deployment of each actor, the choreography and the music itself, as well as the band, are supreme.
Lucas Blaney (The Scarecrow) was a surprise to me. He melted my heart with his portrayal of a brain-less scarecrow, and his vocal abilities are notable. But the one who steals the night and who is absolutely brilliant (without any detriment to the rest of her cast) is Arielle Tuliao in the role of Dorothy. Man, does that girl know how to sing, and HOW! Arielle is going places, trust me on that one.
It was nice to see the choreographic work of Dawn Ewen for the second time in a row (the first being 42nd Street), as I am a trained dancer myself. While there were some minor rough patches in the performances, I was absolutely in love with each and every number. Believe In Yourself is definitely the song of this show.
Jennifer Suratos as Aunt Em, and Glinda (Emily Canavan) have some powerful pipes, and they aren’t shy about showcasing them. Overall, I would encourage my readers to check The Wiz, playing until April 30th at Presentation Works. I had a wonderful time, so did JT and from what I have read from my fellow theatre bloggers, it looks like we weren’t the only ones.
Disclosure: The tickets to attend the play were sponsored very generously by Fighting Chance Productions. Thanks to Ryan Mooney for always being so generous with tickets for me and for my readers. While I did not pay to attend the musical, I will very gladly pay to attend a repeat performance, as it is a great production. This post hasn’t been paid for either. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times, and producers and publicists are well aware of this. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
My good friend Trevor Boudreau (tb communications) celebrates his birthday today (and clearly, I should have planned better as I totally would not have caught it were it not for that handy tool called Facebook). While Trevor and I met in the most traditional way (Trevor worked for Wilcox PR and he pitched me a couple of things to write about on my blog), we’ve built a solid friendship through hanging out.
Trevor also kindly volunteered his time to help me with a component of the public relations strategy for Mental Health Camp and I really appreciated that too. Smart, kind-hearted and generous, Trevor is the kind of friend we all strive to be, and few manage to become.
Trevor, I know I’ve been remiss in hanging out more, but I do hope we get an opportunity to catch a musical or go for a drink to celebrate your birthday. All the best today and every day, my friend! xo
It’s been a while since I have posted an opinion piece on my blog. Mostly, I write about food, theatre, dance, lifestyle, music, cocktails, wine, restaurants, and events. But last night I was browsing websites associated with weddings (ironically, not because I’m thinking of my own wedding, but because of the fact that the Vancouver Parks Board has a few suggested sites where people can get married in Vancouver). Shall make note… but I digress!
Photo credit: European Parliament, on Flickr.
I began reflecting and pondering on the fact that most of the photographic imagery I find on websites that offer wedding services (location rentals, and the like) showcased heterosexual couples. Admittedly, queer folks (gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and double-spirited) are a minority rather than a majority. But you would think that you would find in a country that is celebrating 6 years of the legalization of gay marriage in Canada, many websites would contain queer-positive wedding imagery.
Photo credit: Darcy and Katherine
My good friend Candice Albach (Albach Studios) recently hosted a photography reception called TYPO at the Roundhouse Community Centre, where she aimed to break down stereotypical imagery. She took an absolutely beautiful photo of two gay men and their child (see photo to the right). The way she built the sequence of photographs, you would think that a stereotypical family would be a man, a woman and a child. And I couldn’t help but be profoundly moved by the beauty of the photo that Candice captured. I have many good friends who are gay couples and have children and their families are absolutely beautiful.
Why is it that, despite the openness and welcoming attitude of Canadians, and especially Vancouverites (where the queer population is quite visible and noticeable), we still have predominantly heteronormative wedding imagery on Canadian/Vancouverite provider websites? Or am I just making an absolutely broad generalization (which I shouldn’t make, given my academic background).
Photo credit: CarbonNYC, David Goehring on Flickr.
I’m just noting anecdotes of the numerous websites I browsed that depicted wedding imagery, and I began to ponder. And when I ponder, I turn to my blog to have a conversation with my readers. Would love to hear your thoughts.
This past week, the sun was absolutely glorious and JT and I were headed to The Wiz (the reinvention of The Wizard of Oz by my friends of Fighting Chance Productions) and we wanted to make it on time so we had to use the Aquabus (were we in the other side, we probably could have used False Creek Ferries).
I loved the Aquabus from the first time I ever took it. I have the most fond memories of it particularly because my good friends and I always take it, particularly on good days. Whenever anybody comes to visit me to Vancouver, I always take them on a tour of False Creek on either the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries.
While I’m not happy that their schedule is in PDF format and thus not very mobile friendly, I do like their service hours (6:40am to 9:30pm). I really enjoy taking it particularly when I go for dinner close to Hornby (service is Hornby Street downtown to Granville Island on the mainland). You should check it out if you haven’t yet!
I am not much of a runner, but I am indeed a Bank of Montreal customer (have been ever since I moved to Canada) and have always appreciated the support they give to non-profit and sporting events. I heard from my good friend Deirdre Rowland (who is doing the media relations for BMO Vancouver Marathon) about the upcoming (May 1st) event, and I wanted to write about it, particularly because I hear that over 15,000 registrants are expected to take part in the 40th BMO Vancouver Marathon including the marathon’s original winner, Tom Howard. I asked for some historical facts about the event, and this is what they shared with me.
In 1972 the event was known as the “British Columbia Marathon”, organized by the Lions Gate Road Runners. In the first year only 46 runners signed up to run the five loops of Stanley Park. In total 32 runners finished the race with Howard crossing the line in a time of 2:24:08.
When I attended the media event recently, I learned that BMO Bank of Montreal is entering its sixth year as the title sponsor of the BMO Vancouver Marathon. The 2011 event features four races, the Marathon, 21.1 km Half Marathon, 8 km and McDonald’s Kids MaraFun; with the start/finish lines at Concord Place. The course is a Boston and New York Marathon qualifying event, and is attracting elite athletes and recreational runners from as many as 40 countries around the globe.
I enjoyed the fact that the Marathon’s social media strategy for 2011 has provided runners with support, feedback, and access to videos that offer virtual coaching tips, as well as the ability to have conversations with other runners and to find encouragement in tough times. They had also an online T-Shirt contest – for both designers and runners. Vancouver resident Masaru Horie won for his design of an animated cityscape – with close to 2,000 online voters deciding on the winning shirt in only three days.
The event is organized and operated by the Vancouver International Marathon Society. The Society is a non-profit volunteer organization, with a goal to create a world class marathon and 21.1 km Half-Marathon. This is a fast and scenic course, providing both elite and recreational runners, walkers a lasting marathon experience, while enjoying Vancouver’s urban and natural beauty.
Right now, I’m in a fragile emotional situation when it comes to being pitched to write about cancer or any other sort of illness, as you may know that a close friend of mine is on the late stages of cancer, and my cousin passed away less than two weeks ago. On the one hand, I would love to hide my head in the sand and pretend all these deaths around me aren’t happening. But on the other hand, I’m aware of the power of my blog in reaching people and highlighting relevant issues. So I decided to write about the new campaign launched by BC Transplant, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority.
BC Transplant’s social media 2011 awareness campaign, Live life. Pass it on is based on a new Facebook application that allows users to customize their profile pictures with the tag line ‘I Gave My Heart’ to show their social network they support organ donation.
From the information sent to me:
The campaign’s emphasis on social media and visual components reflect the inspiration of late double lung transplant recipient, Eva Markvoort, and the powerful, global movement for organ donation that she created online and through her documentary film, 65_RedRoses. Live life. Pass it on. is an extension of Eva’s passion to increase donor awareness, especially through various social media channels. There are currently more than 350 British Columbians whose lives are in jeopardy while waiting for a vital organ transplant. Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was just a child, Eva Markvoort had been one of these people, but in 2007, she received the gift of life with a double lung transplant, which gave her two added years of healthy life and enabled her to continue her passionate work through an awareness art project with friend and photographer, Cyrus McEachern.
April 17-24 is National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week (something I did not know, but I’m glad I do now). This is a week where the success of organ donation and transplantation is celebrated across the country, but also when awareness is raised about the critical shortage of organs available for transplant. You can register to be a donor online at BC Transplant.
Easter is one of those Anglosaxon traditions that always seems to fly by me. I would have not even realized it was Easter weekend if I hadn’t called my Mom and asked her where she would be and she said “in Mexico City, visiting your cousin, as it’s Holy Week“. WHOA. Holy Week already!? When I lived in Mexico, as students, we had Holy Week and Easter Week (2 weeks of MUCH NEEDED holiday).
But here, as I work 7 days a week, I wouldn’t have known unless, of course, my clients were not working (and the university is, of course, closed for the most part). Clearly, I am using this 4 day weekend as an opportunity to catch up on (what else? work, and of course, blogging). But I remember clearly that my Mom asked me “don’t forget to go to church on Sunday“.
Somebody told me you shouldn’t talk (or blog) about sex, religion and politics. Truth be told, I think for the most part I stay away from all of those topics, in particular religion. I do believe that there is a God (atheists, please don’t drop a comment on my blog trying to convince me otherwise. Thank you). Despite my believing in God, my relationship with Catholicism has been somewhat severed for various reasons (all of which are private and thus you would not be privy to those – please don’t ask about those either).
But it always amazes me how different meanings Easter has for people, in particular in North America. I hear about the Easter Bunny, Easter egg hunts, Easter brunch. For the Catholic Roman church, Easter marks the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But I do not see the correlation between Easter eggs, Easter brunch and Easter bunnies.
Whatever the reason you celebrate Easter, I hope you have a good one.
There is something amazing about books. Years of research and thinking compressed in one volume for the masses to read. I wrote the draft of one of my research books on water governance in Mexico last December. And I’m still in the process of editing it. I spend countless hours of my day at libraries poring over dozens of volumes, and my EndNote and Mendeley reference databases are filled with book citations.
Thanks to Rossana Ascencio I was reminded about today being World Book Day. I also found out it’s World Copyright Day.
23 April is a symbolic date for world literature for on this date in 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died. It is also the date of birth or death of other prominent authors such as Maurice Druon, Haldor K.Laxness, Vladimir Nabokov, Josep Pla and Manuel Mejía Vallejo. It was a natural choice for UNESCO’s General Conference, held in Paris in 1995, to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this date, encouraging everyone, and in particular young people, to discover the pleasure of reading and gain a renewed respect for the irreplaceable contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity. In this respect, UNESCO created both the World Book and Copyright Day and the UNESCO Prize for Children’s and Young People’s Literature in the Service of Tolerance.
Today (well, technically yesterday 5 years ago was when I began blogging – I posted my first post on April 23rd, in fact, as it was past midnight – but I began composing it on the 22nd – hence why I say April 22nd is my blogiversary), 5 years ago I began a little blog that was originally intended to share my academic research on environmental politics in a layman manner.
Not too ironically, Hummingbird604.com has grown to be more than my personal online canvas, but it’s slowly become a lifestyle blog where readers from all parts of the world (and primarily, Canada) come to check out what’s happening in the theatre, dance, performing and fine arts, music, food, cocktail and wine scene in Vancouver, in British Columbia and other parts of Canada where I travel.
I love writing, and I am a storyteller at heart. Blogging has brought me new friends, access to possibilities that I would never have had otherwise, a broad diversity of activities to try and engage in. Thanks to my blog I have been invited to check more theatre, dance, restaurants and places to visit than I could possibly have imagined in a lifetime.
I have often considered whether I should quit blogging. Sometimes, people forget that I am first and foremost an academic, a consultant and an educator, and that this is my unpaid hobby. While the size of my readership is substantial (and I’m quite honored that people want to read my blog), I don’t do this as a job. But the minute I stop blogging I feel that I am no longer able to share my thoughts with the world. And that’s something I thoroughly enjoy.
Through my blog I have been able to enjoy the good and the bad. I met amazing friends, but also have been attacked online, the target of hate emails, blog posts and comments. I often felt overwhelmed with how many pitches I receive to blog about stuff, but I also have have enjoyed pushing events to succeed, events that would not have had the exposure otherwise. I enjoy the sheer power of numbers, knowing that blogging about something may make the difference between red ink and black ink.
Overall, I blog because I like it. Because it gives me a canvas to tell my personal story. And because it allows me to differ, to have an opinion and a voice, and to have that voice heard. And I’m glad people read my blog, quite honestly.
While my area of research isn’t food policy, I teach Public Policy and Environmental Politics, and I am well aware of the linkages between a healthy food system and our natural environment. I’m also a big supporter of non-profit projects and in particular, events that help inform consumers and the public in general on how to understand and make better choices in regards to the global food system. I like the idea of interrogating questions that range from the use of agricultural land to the politics of food consumption. As the tagline for the upcoming event “Change Through Food Systems” says, “From producer to intermediaries to consumers, how can positive change happen through our food systems? We all play a part – let’s talk it out!”
Change Through _ _ _ _ _ _ – your friendly, local farmers market of ideas – is back. Building on the success of Change Through Public Spaces, join us as four unique individuals spark a conversation about food systems and have your turn to make connections to new ideas, people, and passions. The event has a very intimate dialogue vibe, so all participants – official speakers and not – can have an opportunity to listen and be heard. Due to the event’s intimate nature, space is limited so register now! And since we’re talking about food here, you can probably guarantee that there will be some 🙂 Thank you greatly to our space sponsor The Network Hub.
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Moderator:
Anthony Nicalo (@tonynicalo @foodtree)
Anthony Nicalo has spent his career as a chef and entrepreneur dedicated to the notion that story should be a key ingredient in everything we consume: the story of what, the story of where, the story of when, the story of how, and the story of why. His passion for food systems has been demonstrated through Inevitable Table, Farmstead Wines, nonprofit Farmfed, and most recently Foodtree, a global, participatory database of local food.
Speakers:
Arzeena Hamir (@arzeena @rfoodss)
Arzeena Hamir is an agrologist and works as the Coordinator for the Richmond Food Security Society, a non-profit group that advocates for people to have access to nutritious, safe, personally acceptable and culturally appropriate foods, produced in ways that are environmentally sound and socially just. Arzeena worked abroad for many years as a CUSO volunteer in Thailand and as a researcher in Jamaica, India, and Bangladesh. One of her current priorities is to engage the Chinese-Canadian community in Richmond in the food security conversation.
Herb Barbolet
Herb Barbolet is an Associate with both the Centre for Sustainable Community Development and the Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University. Herb helped found and works with Local Food First, a consortium of organizations developing a business approach to re-localizing our food supply. He also is a member of the Vancouver Food Policy Council and Vancouver Peak Oil Executive and a Research Associate with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives where he co-authored Every Bite Counts: Climate Justice and BC’s Food System.
Mijune Pak (@followmefoodie)
Mijune Pak is the creator of the award winning food blog Follow Me Foodie – a restaurant guide detailing culinary adventures locally and abroad, that has now expanded to video blogging and is a trusted online media source for food enthusiasts who have an interest in the culinary scene and enjoy dining out. Mijune is an active proponent of conscious engagement with food especially though facilitating conversation between the producers and consumers.
ABOUT CHANGE THROUGH _ _ _ _ _ _
Change Through is an idea incubator. We provide you with the space to engage in dialogue with diverse, community-minded, ideas and action-oriented culturemakers. You leave inspired to make social change happen. Change Through nights happen throughout the year. You vote on a theme or concept you want to talk about, and we find three or four speakers to provide some context and provoke conversation.
6. You’re a newbie, advanced, intermediate social media person and you want to connect with people. And you are aware of the fact that the most relevant element of social media is its capability to enable new relationships and interaction with other human beings interested in the social web. And Northern Voice provides the best environment for cross-fertilization (of the mental kind, you pervert!).
5. My good friend Theresa Lalonde will speak about being an empath in social media training. And the awesome thing is (and not known by many people), both Theresa and I are half-Betazoid. Just in case you needed to know (Deanna Troy references, Vulcan mind-melds and batteries not included).
4. You need to learn about how to deal with legal issues and avoid being “Courtney Loved” (commoner speak for “being sued for something I said on Twitter”). My good friend Gillian Shaw is organizing a panel on that very topic (Social Media and Online Defamation).
2. My good friend April Smith will be keynoting Friday. April has documented for several years now the struggles, lives, despair and triumph of folks who live in the Downtown East Side of Vancouver. Using video and photography, April has demonstrated that it is possible to transform your life with social media.
And the NUMBER ONE REASON YOU WANT TO ATTEND NORTHERN VOICE 2011:
At the time of writing this post, there were only 100 more tickets available. Snap them while they’re hot!
Disclosure: I’m a speaker this year, but that does not in any way affect my promoting Northern Voice. I would promote it anyways even if I weren’t speaking (as I did in 2008 and 2009, when I did NOT speak).
Back in the day, I would be all about the gin-and-tonic (I still love G&T, even though my alcohol consumption has come to an almost absolute halt these days). The above said, I’m looking forward to summer season and hopefully ONE martini. If you were to choose a bar that offered martinis in Metro Vancouver (anywhere in the area, be it North Vancouver or New Westminster), where would you recommend? Drop all your suggestions on this post! I have had the cheapest martinis at Café Crepe, and some of the best at Delilah’s (formerly Conviction Kitchen and right now I think under renovation).
In the rest of British Columbia like the Modern Café in Nanaimo for Nanaimo Bar martinis, and obviously Clive’s and Veneto Lounge for amazing martinis in Victoria (both Shawn and Simon know my taste well). In North Vancouver, I’m a fan of Arms Reach Bistro‘s mango martinis.
But, tell me – where is YOUR favorite martini being served at?
Eons ago, it would seem, I met one of my former PhD advisor’s PhD students (HZ), when he came to visit our common PhD supervisor and work on his doctoral dissertation. We hit it on, became good friends and stayed in touch throughout the period when we both finished our doctorates.
HZ moved to Vancouver to become faculty at the same university where I teach right now, and our friendship has grown enormously. You may have read about him several times on this blog. His friendship inspires me not only to be a better scholar (we are currently working on a research project together), but also to be a better friend, human being and (in the future) father.
His ability to think is only matched by his ability to love. He’s a true friend, a great father to his daughter, a wonderful partner to his partner and to me, he’s yet another brother, one I love, respect and admire profoundly. His research is in the environmental field (not surprisingly) and his birthday coincides with Earth Day (today), and with my 5 years’ blogiversary.
On this day, I remind myself of how lucky I am to have you in my life, brother. Much love always.
If there is something that I feel is *mine* or represents *me* (out of all performing arts) is dance. I’m a trained dancer, formerly competitive and still learner of various styles of dance. So I’m really looking forward to the International Dance Day 2011 celebrations in Vancouver. And I also have a giveaway, two tickets to Sara Coffin’s premiere – for the April 29th opening.
Photo credit: Chris Randle, used with permission
Free daytime events featuring swing, flamenco and more; plus the premiere of a new work by award-winning choreographer Sara Coffin (for which I am doing a giveaway. Daytime events are FREE. 8 pm performance tickets $15 on International Dance Day ($25/$18 on April 30) from Tickets Tonight 604.684.2787. For more information you can call 604 606 6400 or check The Dance Centre website.
Free events include a lunchtime performance of flamenco and other dance styles at the Vancouver Public Library; downtown ‘swing bombs’ with swing champions Tessa Cunningham and Myles Munroe; and studio showings and a photo exhibit at Scotiabank Dance Centre. The evening sees the premiere of taking your experience from mine, a new work by rising choreographer Sara Coffin exploring the impact of digital media on our lives, presented through the Iris Garland Choreographer Award (the performance also runs Saturday April 30 at 8pm).
Here is the listing of all events
Free daytime events
9.30am Working Class at Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie Street): the Training Society of Vancouver invites the public to watch a professional contemporary dance class, followed at 11.30am by an informal studio showing of work in development by local dancers. Coffee, muffins and talkback provided.
12-1pm Downtown pedestrians will be treated to a series of ‘swing bombs’ with surprise appearances by swing champions Tessa Cunningham and Myles Munroe.
1-2pm Lunchtime performance in the main atrium of the Vancouver Public Library (350 West Georgia Street) featuring Karen Flamenco, Mandala Arts and Culture classical East Indian dance, and members of the Urban Tap Squad.
5.30pm Contemporary ballet company the plastic orchid factory hosts a studio showing of excerpts from Dance Centre Artist-in-Residence James Gnam’s new work _post at Scotiabank Dance Centre, followed by a talkback with special guests. The lobby will also host an exhibit of images taken by renowned photographer David Cooper of _post, which is set to premiere in May.
Evening performance
8pm The rapidly evolving relationship between people, technology and online culture inspires taking your experience for mine, an adventurous ensemble work created by Sara Coffin, one of BC’s most exciting emerging choreographic voices. Her new work will investigate how the digital traces we leave behind can alter our concept of self. With so much of our lives on display through social media and governed by digital devices and screens, is dialing into the digital network altering our ability to attune?
Performed by dancers Julia Carr, Amanda Sheather, Meghan Goodman and Jacinte Armstrong, the piece will feature an original score by Coffin’s longtime collaborator Phil Thomson, multimedia design by Andrew Hawryshkewich, and lighting design by Kimberly Plough. taking your experience for mine is presented through The Dance Centre’s third Iris Garland Emerging Choreographer Award, which is awarded every two years to a young choreographer who shows exceptional promise.
Tickets for taking your experience from mine runs Friday-Saturday April 29-30 at 8pm at Scotiabank Dance Centre. All tickets $15 on International Dance Day, April 29; tickets $25/$18 on April 30. Tickets Tonight: 604 684 2787.
Initiated in 1982 by UNESCO, International Dance Day is marked annually on April 29 with events across Canada and around the world. The date commemorates the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810), regarded as the founder of modern ballet. Each year The Dance Centre, BC’s resource centre for dance, presents events which celebrate the art form.
To enter my giveaway, check the website of The Dance Centre and the lineup of events. Come back here and drop a comment on this post telling me which one of the performances you are looking forward the most. I will draw a winner from all entries via Twitter and comments on Wednesday April 27th at 5pm. You can drop a comment on this post and, if you have Twitter, earn an additional entry by posting the below marked text on to your Twitter stream.
I entered to win tickets to International Dance Day from @hummingbird604. You can enter too! http://is.gd/iDDyR9
I’m a big fan of clothing (hell, who isn’t) and after being invited to the Naked boxer brief launch a few months ago, I am again invited to a launch party, this time the MOGO Wear one on April 28th at J Lounge. Tickets are now on sale for $20 with a huge entertainment line-up and tons of amazing silent auction prizes. I have a special promo offer for tickets which will also double as a promo code to get 25% any of MOGO Wear t-shirts and other apparel bought in MOGO Wear’s online store. The entertainment lineup includes The Bobbers, Conni Smudge, Tyrell Witherspoon, Matthew Presidente, Iona Whipp, DJ Mumbles. And personally speaking, I *love* the J Lounge.
I found MOGOMaxx, MOGO’s male superhero spokesperson and gay rights advocate, quite a fun idea. From the information sheet I was sent:
MOGOMaxx gives tips to his teenage Facebook “friends” on how to deal with bullies and sends out inspirational messages twice each day at 3:33am and 3:33pm (before and after school). His friends will also receive “Happy Birthday” wishes because as we all know, our birthday is the most important day of the year. People can also follow @MOGOMaxx on Twitter to see what he’s up to as he’s quite an amusing character.
I am all about promoting causes that deal with anti-gay bullying, particularly because a portion of the proceeds from this event will go to benefit the LOUD foundation and Out In Schools. Thus this event will be one that I’ll be looking at attending on my calendar. You can learn more about the event here.
You can use the promo code “hummingbird” when you purchase a MOGO Wear item on their online store and/or when you buy tickets to the event for a 25% discount. Hope to see some of you there!
Yeah, I was shocked too. I have been to Steamworks about 400 times, I’ve had amazing meals here, drinks with friends, I’ve eaten at the sister restaurant Rogue Wet Bar (heck, I even was higher on Google Search for Rogue even before their own website!) but I had NEVER written about Steamworks Brewing Company (otherwise known as Steamworks Pub). Yeah, surprised? Me too.
This past week, Minna, Jay, Michael, Dammy, Alisha and I went for dinner to Steamworks and we had a fantastic time. The food has always been good (I ordered a panfried tiger prawn linguini with black beans, sauteed red and yellow peppers, cilantro, garlic and extra virgin olive oil, $15.99). I love linguini in any way, shape or form. The one that rivals and perhaps is better than Steamworks’ is Italian Kitchen on Alberni.
My friends ordered anything from burgers (which I have tried and are great) to pizza (with guacamole, who knew!?) to ravioli.
Hanging out with my friends is always a lot of fun.
And the food wasn’t bad either! Overall, good times at Steamworks. I love the fact that they brew their own beer, that they have LOTS of space to accommodate just about any group size and that the food is consistently good. The service was great and I really can’t complain. And it’s literally 2 minutes away from my office downtown. We’ll definitely be back.
Disclosure: We all paid for our dinner on our own dime.
WE: Vancouver – 12 Manifestos for the City will be presented at the Vancouver Art Gallery from February 12 to May 1, 2011. This exhibition examines Vancouver through the extraordinary range of practices, actions and ideas that shape and activate it.
I missed the chance to celebrate with Vancouver Art Gallery and Vancity the Vancity’s Member Day this past April 12th as I had a death in the family. I am, however, very lucky to say that I have 2 pairs of tickets to the Vancouver Art Gallery, courtesy of Vancity, to allow 2 lucky readers an opportunity to see the WE: Vancouver, 12 Manifestos for the City exhibit.
All you have to do is drop a comment on this blog post telling me what your favorite piece of art is. I have a soft spot for the work of Edward Degas, but I am by no means solely an impressionist fan. I will update this post with a mode of entry via Twitter, but I just wanted to make sure that this post went live soon so that my readers can get a chance to visit this wonderful exhibit, and kudos to Vancity for promoting the arts, which have suffered cutbacks in British Columbia for a while now.
I will be drawing a winner on Monday April 25th at 6pm.
Vancity has more than 417,000 members and 59 branches throughout Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria and Squamish and are committed to making a positive impact on the quality of life where their members live and work and beyond.
It’s almost unbelievable to me that this is the fourth year that Vancouver’s Next Gay Top Model (now Gay Top Model 004) competition has been held. Time flies! I think it’s an empowering event that showcases the talent of queer males in our fair city.
Photo credit: Daniel Jolly. Used with permission.
Organized by Terry Costa, and now in its fourth incarnation, Gay Top Model 004’s Finale will take place this Saturday April 23rd at the River Rock Casino, and I have a pair of tickets to give away for a lucky reader to attend the finale. All you have to do is comment on this post and tell me why you want to attend the show (I’m pretty sure that many people will go for the eye candy). But these guys are MUCH more than just eye candy.
I had a chance to interview them and will publish my interview sometime next week, but for now, you should definitely make the time to attend the finale. It promises to be a fun event. You can find more information about Gay Top Model 004 on their Facebook page, or the official site.
I will be drawing a winner for my giveaway tomorrow Friday April 22nd at 5pm. Tickets for the live show can be purchased from Ticketmaster (the lineup of entertainment promises to be awesome)
