If you read my blog frequently enough you will know that I am, at heart, a scientist (even though lately I am more of a social scientist than natural, but I do have background in chemical sciences and engineering). Moreover, I am a trained dancer, so I always love dance events. And this time, EXPERIMENTS gives me an opportunity to combine both. LINK Dance, in partnership with SFU’s Centre for Dialogue and The Dance Centre, presents the World Premiere of EXPERIMENTS: Where Logic and Emotion Collide at the Scotiabank Dance Centre, November 25‐27 at 8pm. “A world of ideas comes alive on stage” is their byline.
A collaboration between scientists and artists, EXPERIMENTS captures the creativity, experimentation and intuition employed in both disciplines to understand the world around us. For three years, LINK Dance Artistic Director Gail Lotenberg researched this piece with a group of dancers and world‐class ecologists, who specialize in the study of non‐verbal communication. The final result: a dance piece that interweaves movement, sound, video and lighting.
I have been lucky to score a pair of tickets to give away to my readers. Since this is an intermingled science/environment/dance performance, my question to you would be – what environmental issue worries you the most? For many Canadians, it’s climate change. In my own research, though, I explore many other themes, including wastewater and solid waste management.
Drop a comment on this blog post for one entry into the contest, and copy-and-paste the sample tweet on your Twitter stream for a second entry. I will draw a random winner on Wednesday November 24th, at 5:30pm.
I want to win tickets to EXPERIMENTS from @hummingbird604 and @linkdance – check it out http://is.gd/hy0vS
EXPERIMENTS: Where Logic and Emotion Collide is playing for a limited engagement at Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St (at Granville), Vancouver. Performances are on November 25, 26, and 27 at 8 pm. Tickets are $26/$18 (students, seniors, Dance Centre and CADA members), and are available online through Tickets Tonight, or by calling 604‐684‐2787.
Check a video interview with Gail Lotenberg, Artistic Director of LINK Dance below.
The role of social media in the day-to-day lives of public relations practitioners changes by the minute and has revolutionized the way we do our jobs. Social media and the constantly shifting online landscape will continue to impact the public relations industry. It is impossible for communicators to ignore this rapidly evolving and increasingly important tool, now a staple in the communications mix.
Social media is now a part of the regular curriculum in many Lower Mainland post secondary schools and is a hot topic at many of the industry’s professional development seminars. This workshop endeavors to offer students a unique, interactive approach to learning about online communications and best practices.
I am delighted to share the stage with a variety of very talented folks in the Vancouver social media realm.
Dale Tournemille, eMarketing Manager, Coast Capital Savings
Natasha Netschay Davies, Director Social Media, Peak Communicators
Gus Fosarolli, Senior Client Relations Manager, Marketwire +Sysomos
and of course, yours truly
The format allows participants to rotate tables throughout the evening allowing you to meet, chat with and learn from each of the four speakers. You can join at a special CPRS Vancouver Student Member price of just $10, which includes refreshments. If you are not yet a CPRS Vancouver Student Member, you can attend the event for $15 or sign up for a yearly CPRS Vancouver Student Membership for just $40 here.
I can’t wait to be part of this event, particularly because I am passionate about social media and sharing my experiences with students and recent graduates (remember, I am a university-level educator, so I’m definitely a big supporter of student-run events). The event takes place on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, 5:30-8:00pm at the SFU Harbour Centre campus, 515 West Hastings Street, Second floor, PR classroom room 2200.
A few months ago, you may remember that I reviewed “Greece does Grease“, a wonderful burlesque show. I am a fan, a supporter and a lover of all forms of arts, and burlesque, I find, is one of the most interesting ones. I have been approached by Screaming Chicken Productions to give away a pair of tickets to a lucky reader for The Taboo Revue Variety Burlesque Show, which is Vancouver’s longest running burlesque show with big production acts including musical numbers, comedy sketches, parodies and striptease. As indicated by the producers:
This show could also be compared to Saturday Night Live meets the Muppet Show tailored to an adult audience. We empower our performers and our audience members alike giving them an opportunity to see the world in a different way and to partake in something fun and a little silly. The Taboo Revue really gives our audience the true flavour of who Screaming Chicken is as a society and burlesque troop. All of our performers are volunteers, the proceeds of our shows go back to our society as our mission is to make the performing arts more fun, provocative, empowering and accessible.
The Taboo Revue Variety Burlesque Show takes place on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4, 2010. Doors at 8:00pm, show starts at 9:00pm. Tickets are $17 plus service charges on Brown Paper Tickets dot Com or $20 at the door. All performances at The WISE Hall in East Vancouver, at 1882 Adanac St, Vancouver, BC V5L 2E5.
To get a chance to win these tickets, just drop a comment on this post mentioning what is the most daring thing you’ve ever done. I will draw a random winner (as I always do) from all entries. To earn an additional entry (e.g. if you’ve dropped a comment on this post you will have one, and if you tweet about the show, you will get a second one), you can post the following sample tweet:
I want to win tickets to the Taboo Revue Variety Show from @hummingbird604 & @scburlesque. Learn more about it: http://is.gd/hxH12
JT and I arrived last weekend to Victoria exhausted and sleep-deprived as we had been both working overtime, so we dropped our bags at the Grand Pacific Hotel and headed on to Government Street for brunch. My good friend Lisa Thomas-Tench suggested rebar modern food and I always trust her suggestions so we went there to have a bite to eat. rebar is located in Bastion Square.
Since 1989, rebar has been serving up the freshest, funkiest and healthiest food on the West Coast. Located in Victoria’s historic Bastion Square, rebar is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch
JT ordered pancakes and I ordered a version of huevos rancheros (as you can tell from my Lady Marmalade review, that’s usually my go-to dish when having breakfast. Being Mexican might be the reason). While the flavors were good, the service was pretty dismal (with the waitress – the owner came by and he was super sweet).
Overall, the brunch there was good, and it’s particularly fantastic for those of us who favor organic, locally-sourced ingredients (and it’s ideal for vegans and vegetarians). I would have no problem recommending rebar, although I do like to eat meat once in a while, but this is a funky place. And very busy! We had brunch at 11 and it got completely full by 11.45am.
There’s one thing that Twitter is good for: asking for recommendations for brunch places in a city that you probably don’t visit extremely often. Despite the fact that I’ve been to Victoria more times this year than when I was dating a Saanich resident, I still don’t know where the hot spots for brunch are. So, while I reviewed John’s Place recently, I hadn’t reviewed other places.
Many people recommended Lady Marmalade.. So JT took me there for brunch. I ordered a variation of huevos rancheros that left me a bit puzzled. While not bad, I wasn’t terribly impressed with the food. It was definitely good, but I’m not totally crazy about it, for some reason.
The prices were reasonable without being super cheap. Overall, I think I want to try more places in Victoria before making a decision on which one is my favorite.
Disclosure: JT paid for my and his brunch out of his own pocket.
Today was the first snow fall of the year 2010, and I was ready for it. Last night, after attending the Pier 73 re-opening party in Richmond, BC, I stopped by the Oakridge Mall to buy a couple of pairs of snow boots. You may have seen my tweets about it. Far from being real rampant consumerism, my purchases were smart decisions, I think.
I realize now why I feel so well and strong these days: because I am capable of accessing anything I need. I don’t have everything I want, I have everything I need. I have enough warm clothing to layer up, and the right type of footwear and outdoor gear. Despite having been living within a fairly tight budget, I am blessed to have everything I need, the right equipment for the snow.
I had the pleasure to attend recently Café de Chinitas’ Viñetas del Mozaico (produced by Mozaico Flamenco), with Kasandra “La China” and Oscar Nieto as artistic producers, and featuring bailaoras Shyiang-Chian Strong, Andrea Williams, Michelle Harding and obviously Kasandra as well, with a great Cuerpo de Baile. I was invited and even had a chance to do a ticket giveaway. The performance took place at the Scotiabank Dance Centre.
I loved every single minute of the performance. Flamenco is a style of dance I have always wanted to try and never have had a chance to really master it. I had a little chat with Oscar Nieto after the performance (85 minutes without intermission) and he mentioned that Flamenco as a dance style has evolved a lot (some call it the Nuevo Flamenco).
I took my good friend Cisco Grajales III to see the performance and we both agreed that Mozaico Flamenco did a fantastic job. I can’t wait for their next performance. Sadly I didn’t have a long-range lens nor a DSLR so I couldn’t really do justice to their fantastic dancing with my little point-and-shoot camera. Maybe time for better equipment.
Disclosure: The tickets to attend Café de Chinitas’ Viñetas del Mozaico for myself and my Plus One were sponsored very generously by Mozaico Flamenco. They have made it explicit that I have no obligation nor commitment to write a review at all (although, in this case, I choose to do so). I am not paid to write the review either. In any review I write, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
There are few things that I love more than castles. I suppose that in a former life, I wanted to be a prince or something. Or maybe I was. But right now, I’m definitely not a millionaire. Albeit, if I had the money, I probably would build a castle, much like Craigdarroch Castle. I love visiting old houses and castles, and I wanted to take the opportunity to visit Craigdarroch Castle while I was there last weekend.
Robert Dunsmuir was born in 1825 near Kilmarnock, Ayrshire into a family of coal masters, who rented mines from the land-owning aristocracy. In 1869, Dunsmuir found a rich seam of coal near Nanaimo. It was the richest coal seam to be discovered on Vancouver Island. Craigdarroch Castle is an example of a “bonanza castle”, massive houses built for men who became wealthy because of the industrial transformation of North America. Three of Dunsmuir’s American business associates were railroad entrepreneurs who had built their own bonanza castles: Collis P. Huntington, Leland Stanford, and Charles Crocker.
[From the Craigdarroch Castle website]
I had an absolutely delightful time at Craigdarroch Castle. Dunsmuir’s luxurious estate really made me ponder how easy it is for some people to spend their money in lavish parties and egregious castles. And well, we are lucky that the castle has been preserved so nicely as it is now a great historical museum.
Disclosure: My visit to the Craigdarroch Castle was sponsored very generously by Tourism Victoria as part of my recent media trip to Victoria. I wasn’t paid to write this post, nor was I required to do so either. The purpose of this blog entry is just to describe my experience visiting a beautiful local attraction in Victoria. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
I love WordPress. I love it because it gives me an opportunity to share my thoughts with the world using a very flexible platform. WordPress also gave me an opportunity to make new friendships.
One of the sweetest texts I’ve ever received was a note saying “it’s not a WordCamp without you here” (sent by one of my closest friends who was attending WordCamp San Francisco). Many of my very good friends are either WordPress bloggers or WordPress developers. Or both.
I am not a WordPress developer by any stretch of the imagination, so I am always trying to think of innovative topics that I can speak about whenever I get invited to speak at a WordCamp. At WordCamp Fraser Valley 2010, I’ll be speaking for the third year in a row, and this time I’m doing a WordPress Blogging 101: Building Your Online Community with WordPress. I think that’s a topic I can speak to.
I met this week with a fellow environmental blogger, who asked me how I grew my online community. I provided her with a few tips to grow her readership, which I will expand on at WordCamp Fraser Valley on Saturday. In addition to a few tips based on the platform itself, I will be speaking about blogging tips in general.
My advice to you, if you are interested in WordPress and can make it to the Fraser Valley (takes place in Surrey, very accessible by transit), you should attend. There will be many WordPress experts there that you can meet in person and ask questions to, including friends of mine like John Bollwitt and Tris Hussey, both of whom will speak too.
I have a very strong loving relationship with BarCamp. I participated in the organization of the 2008 edition (and was that ever a good party!), and been at most of the other BarCamps.
I created numerous, long-lasting friendships and bonds with folks in the tech and social media communities whom I met at one of the BarCamps. At BarCamp 2009, I led a discussion on ‘Freelancing is Not Free’. So, I’m always keen on attending this wonderful event. I wear my BarCamp t-shirt with great pride.
This year’s BarCamp Vancouver 2010 will take place over the Friday and Saturday of this coming weekend, November 19th and 20th. It sounds like it’s going to be an extremely cool event, and amazing value for the price (a mere $20 if you buy your ticket literally, like… NOW). The format is really awesome, as it begins with a party at The Waldorf Hotel (which has just been revamped), an overnight stay where you can work in a shared hotel room on your presentation (or your demo, whatever you want to build) and the next day, Saturday November 20th, a full-on day-long BarCamp-style unconference.
Having been to several BarCamps, I can tell you it will be an amazing event, and being friends with most of the organizers this year, I know for a fact they’ve put their heart and soul into it. And it tends to sell-out, so I’d suggest you purchase your ticket right about NOW.
What is BarCamp, you ask? From their EventBrite:
BarCamp is an ad-hoc un-conference born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos and interaction from attendees. All attendees are encouraged to give a demo, a session, a presentation, or help with one. All attendees are expected to be participants. All presentations are scheduled the day they happen. Prepare in advance, but come early to get a slot on the wall. Presenters are responsible for making sure that notes/slides/audio/video of their presentations are published on the web for the benefit of all and those who can’t be present. Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join.
I strongly encourage you to attend, as it will be an amazing event, and kudos to the organizers, as usual. As you may (or may not) know, none of us who organize conferences for the community (especially, ‘Camps’) do it for the glory. We do it because we are part of, and want an integrated community. Tickets are selling fast, so act now.
I took a short 1.5 day holiday this weekend but had to do some work nonetheless. Much of my work (academia, consulting and my non-paying-yet-rewarding-in-so-many-other-ways social media stuff) depends on having an internet connection. It was amazing to realize that I can’t answer my students if I don’t have access to email. I can’t upload documents on to the collaborative sites that have been designed for that purpose.
By the same token, much of the work I do as a consultant relies on having access to the web. It’s a bit scary, though. It’s not an addiction, it’s dependency. So, I just paused to ponder – how much of everyone’s professional lives does depend on the web now?
I have to admit that I am a bit of a fan of The Fairmont Empress Hotel. And I’m even more of a fan of the Fairmont Empress Gold Rooms. You’ll see, in my recent media trip to Victoria, I was expecting to stay at the Fairmont Empress but in a normal room. But when I got to the front desk, I was greeted with a cheerful smile and a “oh, I see that you’ve been upgraded to a Gold Room”.
Featuring luxurious, rich furnishings and fabrics, marble bathrooms with oversized walk-in shower or bath tub and shower combo, flat screen televisions and personalized appointments you have come to expect on Fairmont Gold.
You can imagine my surprise. Because, seriously, I was NOT expecting this. A very kind and generous gesture on the part of The Fairmont Empress (who didn’t need to do this, because to be quite honest, I would have raved about them anyways – I already have raved about them!). But I’m glad they did.
All Fairmont Gold Rooms are non-smoking and offer business amenities, private direct-dial telephone with complimentary business cards and personalized wake-up calls. Nightly turn-down service, overnight shoe-shine and morning newspaper delivery are services provided to all Fairmont Gold guests.
I had a really hard time leaving my Gold Room, to be quite honest. My photo set doesn’t really do justice (oh how I wish I had a DSLR!), but it gives you an idea of the kind of room I got.
An extremely classy gesture on the part of the Fairmont Empress, and much appreciated. I had a fantastic stay, as usual.
Disclosure: My stay at the Fairmont Empress Hotel was sponsored very generously by the hotel as part of my recent media trip to Victoria. My expenses to travel to and from Vancouver Island were covered by BC Ferries. I wasn’t paid to write this review, nor was I required to do so either. The purpose of this blog entry is just to describe my experience at the hotel. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
I recently took my good friend Naomi Devine (another force to be reckoned with in the world of sustainability in British Columbia) for lunch at Commune Cafe. Naomi was in town to give a guest lecture and therefore she had a little bit of time so we shared a meal. I had wanted to try Commune Cafe for a long while and I am glad I did.
Lunch at Commune Cafe is a bit more expensive than in other fast-food joints, but only marginally. The ingredients are organic, fresh and locally-sourced. Located at the corner of Nelson and Seymour, it’s close enough to my office at The Network Hub that I can walk there for lunch. Naomi and I were surprised not to see Commune Cafe totally full, but it probably was just a lucky fluke.
I ordered a Toulouse sausage with caramelized onion mustard picalili (shown in the photo below) which I thought wouldn’t fill me, but in fact it did ($9). I accompanied my picalili with a Cyoni orange juice (which at Commune Cafe goes for $3.25). Overall, lunch was fantastic, the company was great and I would strongly recommend Commune Cafe for a lunch meeting or date.
Disclosure: I paid for both my lunch and that of Naomi’s out of my own pocket. I just thought people should know about this little cafe. As usual, if you are concerned with any of my reviews, feel free to contact me. I retain editorial control of any review I post on my site.
I went to The Beagle Pub with my friend Chris and his girlfriend for a pint before we went for dinner to Prima Strada Pizzeria, and we had a great time. We ordered a Strongbow ($7.75) and 2 pints of Race Rocks ($5.25 each), which was not very expensive. My friend Chris tells me that they’ve been there for food and they’ve had a good time.
To me, The Beagle Pub looked very much like The Regal Beagle in Vancouver, a bar/pub with bar/pub fare and atmosphere. Not bad, to be quite honest. I might come back next time I’m in Victoria!
Sometimes, in-between blog posts where I seem to be totally obsessed with traveling (hey, I did travel a lot this year, so why not) or food (um, 241 restaurant reviews MUST say something about me, mustn’t they?), I throw a little Blogthings quiz. So this one asks you whether you are a hipster. Given that I live in Mount Pleasant (on South Main Street, or SoMa as some call it), you shouldn’t be surprised that I tested myself to see if I was a hipster (East Vancouver is hipster-heaven). Here are my results.
You are definitely not a hipster, but you are often on the cutting edge of trends.
You are proud of your taste. You like what you like, and you never try to show off how obscure or ironic you are.
You are into good food, good music, and good fashion. You are well known for your discoveries.
You don’t mind if the things you love eventually become mainstream. You may be hip, but you don’t have a complex about it!
My good friend Chris Walts and I had been to The Pond Tapas Bar and Grill on Commercial Drive a few months ago, but truth be told, we never got around really sampling the food. So when my good friend Francisco Grajales III invited me to enjoy tapas at The Pond Tapas Bar and Grill, I figured “but, OF COURSE”. I haven’t really found another tapas place that I am totally enthralled with.
But now I do. The Pond Tapas Bar and Grill is going to be my next tapas favorite place. Even beyond La Bodega (which I also love).
For obvious reasons I love Spaniard food. I love chorizo, I love olives, I love capers. Everything that has to do with Spain, I love (Flamenco, and Spaniard food). I will admit that The Pond offers Mex/Spa tapas. The spicy chorizo and spicy meat balls are definitely not Spanish, but more Mexican.
Cisco and I ordered chorizo tapas (a double plate, $6 each), albondigas ($6), ceviche ($7 if I’m not mistaken) and olives ($5 if I’m not mistaken). The chorizo and albondigas were very well done, although I expected the chorizo to be drier and more Spanish-like. The albondigas were to-die-for. The ceviche was most excellent, although not as spicy as I expected ceviche to be. Our bill came to about $50 before tax and tip (with wine included).
Overall, we were pleasantly surprised with the music (which was fantastic), the food (which was awesome) and the space. Admittedly, we had the full The Pond for us because we arrived late. But our hostess/waitress was absolutely excellent. She kept the restaurant open even though it was late! Overall, big kudos to The Pond. I’ll certainly be back! Highly recommended.
Disclosure: Both Cisco and I paid for our dinner on our own dime.
I remember when I did my MBA, my fellow student colleagues and I used to come downtown to Granville Street to have fun (I will fully confess I did the Roxy, the Stone Temple, etc.) But truth be told, it wasn’t until I went for a walk with my good friend Chris Walts recently that I realized that there are a lot of places on Granville Street that are good for food (and by Granville Street I mean downtown, although there are some fantastic ones on South Granville, just past the Granville Bridge).
It occurred to me to do a quick round-up of where I can remember I have been for food/drinks recently on Granville Street. Do feel free to add your own favorites.
Twisted Fork Bistro: My friend Rebecca Bollwitt took me here for brunch for my birthday. Really good
Sanafir Lounge and Bistro: We came here for drinks to celebrate John Bollwitt’s and John Biehler’s birthdays. Very good too.
Take 5 CafeThis is my and my good friend Lisa Thomas-Tench’s favorite coffee shop downtown.
Where else have you tried that is on the actual downtown portion of Granville Street? Do feel free to drop comments on this post.
It’s clear to me that Victoria knows where to get breakfast: John’s Place. It’s really rare that I get to eat brunch while I visit Victoria, because usually either (a) I am too busy running around like a headless chicken or (b) I don’t get to stay long enough to enjoy breakfast or brunch. Luckily, recently I got the chance to enjoy brunch with my friends Katharine and Paul Holmes. They suggested John’s Place.
They were right.
I would strongly recommend John’s Place to anyone who is seeking authentic brunch in Victoria. The only problem I saw is that it’s too popular! The menu is great and I loved their food (even if I really didn’t order much, as I already had had brunch at the Empress).
There are few moments in my life where I feel more Canadian than during Remembrance Day (November 11th). November usually marks a month of self-reflection, more so because of the significance of Remembrance Day. From the Veteran Affairs Canada website:
Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. We honour those who fought for Canada in the First World War (1914-1918), the Second World War (1939-1945), and the Korean War (1950-1953), as well as those who have served since then. More than 1,500,000 Canadians have served our country in this way, and more than 100,000 have died. They gave their lives and their futures so that we may live in peace.
I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of ladies who are Canadian veterans and when I put my donation in the box for my poppy, they made sure to locate it where it’s supposed to go (near your heart). It was such a pleasure to have a short chat with them. Even if I have already donated to get my poppy, I always make sure to donate wherever I see veterans. Because we should never forget.
I’ve been reflecting on this topic for a while now, particularly because as my Twitter stream flows, I see some of my friends’ in the social media/PR/foodie scene tweeting from the scene of local events (and even some not-local) that I would LOVE to be attending. I made a conscious decision at the end of this past year (2009) that I would make 2010 the year where I focused on myself. So, I can’t be everything to everyone. I can’t attend every single event I get invited to. I can’t do every media trip I get offered. And it pains me sometimes. But I have to be selective about what I can do, and commit only to what I can physically do. And do it well. Be fully in the moment.
I was reading through my blog this afternoon (it’s Monday, and I’m about to head to the classroom to apply a mid-term for my undergraduate students) and I realized that I love my blog. I don’t really care if anyone else does, I do. I love how much my photography has improved. I love how I now have the technical skills to make the design and layout of my blog look the way I want it to. I love that PR pros keep pitching me stuff and I thoroughly enjoy organizing and hosting contests and giveaways.
It takes time out of me, it’s unpaid (although in the future, I may consider charging a contest administration fee, simply because my time is valuable, and it’s the only commodity I can’t dispose of), but I love it. I love blogging. I do it because I enjoy it. The minute I stop loving blogging and my blog (all of them, even my research blog), I should stop blogging. Hell, I even got nominated to the Canadian Weblog Awards 2010 (in 3 categories, no less! – and totally unexpectedly).
I have six giveaways active right now (see my sidebar), with stuff that is so varied and exciting from Flamenco exhibitions to Métis music festivals to theatre plays. I feel that I am at my best, doing the academic work I want and feeling physically complete.
I can’t be everything to everyone, but I definitely am something to myself and those who love me (and those who love reading my blog). I feel at the peak of my performance. And I love what I do. ALL of it. My consulting, my research, my teaching and my social media.
I can’t be everything to everyone, but I am working as hard as I can to be the best I can be, for me, for my family, my friends, my loved ones, and my students and scholarly colleagues, here in Canada and worldwide.
And I am INCREDIBLY HAPPY. That is something I feel incredibly grateful about.
I’ve always been a jazz lover, so it’s no surprise that Boney James’ songs are some of my favorite. This particular one, Hold On Tight, has been on repeat on my iPod while I write a research paper, so I thought I’d share it with you.
Exploring Victoria (British Columbia) by foot is one of the most leisurely activities you can have, and I did that just recently. I walked around Government Street and explored Bastion Square, where the Maritime Museum of British Columbia is located.
Researching the history of Bastion Square turned out to be quite a fun activity. While right now it seems to be a substantial centre of economic activity (and a place to hang out and have great food, from what I could see in my recent trips), it wasn’t always the case, as mentioned in the BastionSquare.ca page:
Slowly, but surely, through the 1890s until about 1912 Bastion Square developed as the legal and professional centre of Victoria and British Columbia. However, a depression in 1912, followed by World War I and Prohibition (1917-1920) began to weaken the economic base of Bastion Square and Old Town in general. The rapid growth of Vancouver as the principal port on the west coast drew many businessmen to the mainland. Gradually Victoria started to become a backwater and Bastion Square started to take on a shabby appearance.
Without revenue from saloons, hotels such as the Burnes House were not viable. The Board of Trade Building lost its tycoons to Vancouver. These buildings became storage facilities for moving companies. The Hibben-Bone Block became a hotel, the notorious Churchill Hotel which had a beer parlour in the basement considered one of the roughest in town. Then in 1961 a new courthouse opened on Blanshard Street and the one in Bastion Square was abandoned. In many people’s minds, Bastion Square was ready for the wrecking ball and redevelopment.
I have had lunch here (at The Local Kitchen, but that’s part of another blog post), and had a fantastic time. Bastion Square is definitely a gem of architecture and showcases awesome restaurants and pubs. I never get tired of hanging out here.
In the past few months, as you may have seen, I’ve started to give more coverage to Aboriginal/First Nations issues, and I’m very glad to give an outlet to artistic performances where the merging of cultures is celebrated. That is the case with the Fifth Annual Louis Riel Day Celebration, a Festival of Métis Culture.
Compaigni V’ni Dansi invites Vancouver to celebrate the life of Louis Riel, the Canadian folk hero, with the fifth annual Louis Riel Day Celebration, a festival of Métis Dance, Music and Culture. Taking place over two days, this year’s Festival will also feature a special Métis dinner and dance on Sunday 14 November at the WISE Hall to which everyone is invited. In addition to honouring Louis Riel, the Festival is a chance to celebrate the vitality of contemporary Métis culture both locally and across Canada. Festivities begin on November 13 at the Cultch with an exciting line up of contemporary and traditional Métis artists.
The one thing that really captured my attention was the fact that not only is this a historical celebration, it also will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Northwest Resistance. From what I learned, 2010 has been proclaimed as the Year of the Métis Nation. The motion was passed by the Canadian Parliament on December 10, 2009.
The Northwest Resistance was fought by Métis and First Nations warriors against members of the Northwest Mounted Police. The resistance led to the hanging of the Métis leader Louis Riel as well as other Aboriginal warriors involved in the battle.
I am giving away a pair of weekend passes to the events of both days. Your passes cover the concert on the evening of the 13th and the dinner/dance on the evening of the 14th.
What Fifth Annual Louis Riel Day Celebration, a Festival of Métis Culture When Taking place over two days: Saturday, November 13 & Sunday, November 14 Where The Cultch (1895 Venables) on November 13 and the WISE Hall (1882 Adanac Street) on November 14 How Tickets are $15.00 for each event or $25.00 for both. Special family and friends deal: buy four tickets and get one free, Tickets available for purchase in advance from www.vnidansi.ca Who Compaigni V’ni Dansi, For more information: www.vnidansi.ca or call 604.873.6373.
For a chance to win my weekend passes to the Louis Riel Celebration weekend festival, simply drop a comment on this blog post, indicating whether you’ve ever listened to traditional First Nations music. I will confess that I have never really attended a festival like this and thus I am quite keen in taking in some of the festivities.
I will draw a random winner from all entries up to Thursday November 11th at 5:30pm. For a chance to earn a second entry, you can tweet the following:
I want to win weekend passes to the Louis Riel Festival from @hummingbird604 and @vnidansi. Learn more about it here: http://is.gd/gPi6c
I was intrigued by the nature of a hybrid/combined show (dance, literary & historical information) about which Palma Bjarnason of Silkmoth Dance sent me information recently. Given that November 11th is Remembrance Day, it’s quite fitting that these shows will take place on Thursday November 11th (Remembrance Day), at 7:30 pm (doors at 7). The venue is St James Community Square, 3214 West 10th Avenue (at Trutch), in Kitsilano. I have mentioned earlier on Twitter how I find Remembrance Day an extremely Canadian holiday.
The focus of this show is on two historical groups of women who have been nearly forgotten these days. The first are the vivandières, or cantinières, who were supplying food and drink to army personnel in France (and various other countries) up until the time of the First World War. These women, even if attached to their units in only a semi-official capacity, wore uniforms, travelled with their regiments, and were often on the front lines alongside their families. The second group of women are the “land girls”, or members of the Women’s Land Army. Again, this was not an official branch of the military. Rather, it was an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, to send women to take over the farming work while the men were away at war overseas.
Tickets for Women in Wartime are a mere $10 and you can buy them at the door (children under <12 $5). I have been offered one pair of tickets to give away, and since these shows will take place so soon after I launch my giveaway, I will offer the same modes of entry – comment on this post for a first entry (tell me your most vivid memory of Remembrance Day) and if you are on Twitter, you can earn a second entry by tweeting the following:
I want to win tickets to ‘Women in Wartime’ from @hummingbird604 & Silkmoth Dance. Learn more here: http://is.gd/gOTVc
Half of the proceeds from the show will be donated to Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian organization working to provide emergency medical care for populations in crisis. In connection with this presentation, Silkmoth Dance would also like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of all groups working to end armed conflict worldwide.
I will draw a random winner on Wednesday November 10th at 5:30pm, and will announce it as usual here (and if you are on Twitter, leave your Twitter ID on your comment so I can inform you whether you won!).
Touchstone Theatre is kicking off its 35 year anniversary season with Mimi, or A Poisoner’s Comedy. I’m a big fan of comedies, and it’s been a while since I last been to one. Jennifer Lines is delightful (I have seen her in other Vancouver productions and she is absolutely marvelous) and she will be the lead in the Vancouver premiere of Mimi. Recently, I’ve started to attend many more productions at the Firehall Arts Centre, in the Downtown East Side, in very near proximity to the Vancouver Police Museum. I saw Thunderstick there, and am hoping to catch Mimi there too during its November 10th to 20th, 2010 run. I am also lucky enough to be able to give away a pair of tickets to the Saturday November 13th show of Mimi.
Opening night of Mimi: A Poisoner’s Comedy is Wednesday November 10th.
Mimi: A Poisoner’s Comedy tells the tale of the tempestuous Marquise of Brinvillers, who has repressive father, a young lover, an accommodating husband, and a thrilling new hobby: poison. It doesn’t take long to figure out that murder is even more delicious than an evening of debauchery. Mon dieu – a musical about France’s most infamous serial killer.
Since the theme of this comedy is murder, to enter this giveaway, simply comment on this post with the name of your favourite mystery/detectives TV show. I am always torn between Criminal Minds (which is an extremely complex, psychological thriller) and NCIS: Los Angeles (which is a bit more of an action show than a thriller). I will draw a random winner from all entries that are submitted up to Thursday November 11th at 5:30pm. I will announce the winner on the same Thursday both in a comment here and on Twitter (I will not be online Friday nor Saturday, so I want to leave the tickets arranged before I disconnect).
To earn a second entry into the contest, simply post the following on Twitter (in case you are on Twitter).
I want to win tickets to ‘Mimi’ from @hummingbird604 & @TouchstoneInVan. Learn more here about ‘A Poisoner’s Tale’ here: http://is.gd/gOg11
There will be 2pm Matinees Saturday, November 13 & 20, 2pm Matinee Sunday, November 14 and a few special performances:
2-for-1 Preview – Wednesday, November 10
Opening Night – Thursday, November 11
Post Show Talkback – Tuesday, November 16
Pay What You Can Matinee – Wednesday, November 17 1pm
Audio Described Performance – Wedneday, November 17 8pm
You can buy tickets online. Please note there is a $1 charge per ticket for online orders.
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