Archive for January, 2010

Charles Demers is the first to admit that if you haven’t read Douglas Coupland’s “ABC book” on Vancouver, City Of Glass, of which I have personally sung praises for on this very blog, then you should probably start with it before reading Charles’ latest book. And while there is the undeniable truth that Doug’s is more easily digestible, appealing to pretty much anyone looking to learn about this awesome city of ours, Demers’ self-deprecating distinction between his book and the legendary Vancouver art-star’s might be based largely on respect for Mr Coupland, because Demers’ new book is seriously next level. In this review I cited City of Glass as being “the most authentic, authoritative and real book about our city sitting on the bookshelves”, a title which I am today revoking and giving to my new favourite book about Vancouver: Vancouver Special, written by Charles Demers and published by Arsenal Pulp Press.

One of the things that I like the most about it is that Charles has not only done a boatload of research on the history of this city (referencing many other books, blogs, essays, newspaper and magazine articles etc), but that he didn’t even really have to in the first place; he’s filled it’s pages with thoughtful and humourous (he is a comedian by trade after all) essays that combine real, fact-based, history stuff with his personal memories and thoughts on growing up here, delivering an incredibly endearing personal touch.

A self professed “left wing political radical”, he and his book are not typically the kind of subjects you’d find on this little blog of ours where we talk about happy, fluffy, lighthearted things that have to do with Vancouver arts and culture. But while we don’t get too serious here with the discourse we have always encouraged you to keep up on the real news, which this book delivers, exploring the “rich legacies of both good and bad decisions here, positive and negative social traditions that we perpetuate”.

If you’re not into politics and you have to Wikipedia what being “left wing” even means, or you don’t know what “Foucauldian panopticon” means, don’t worry; I assure you that as a citizen of this city you’ll get the joke. Laughing along through stories about our neighbourhoods, people, and culture, you will get to know this place (and all of it’s beauty and ugliness) a lot better by the end of it. I almost feel like if you live here you have an obligation to read this book… and that you’ll most likely enjoy fulfilling that obligation.

Thank you, Charles, for taking the time to put together such an incredible piece of work on the city that you obviously love so much. In my view from afar it would seem that the career roadblock you were handed last week when the CityNews List was canceled might serve as an opportunity to hit the keys again, and I doubt I’m the only one who is anxiously awaiting your next book project.

As an aside to our readers: You can win a signed copy of this book! Right here. Or just go down to any good bookstore in the city and buy one.

As promised, check out some shots of the final concert and awarding of the money below…and then follow THIS LINK to see even more… …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

Not only do we refrain from swearing and nakedness, keeping things short and sweet make VIA a great site to surf while you’re suppose to be working.

As you can see, my cubicle is pretty bleak, and a cold cut combo at lunch isn’t much better.  That’s where VIA comes in, for those moments when I’m just about to reflect how many years I’ve spent in my ‘fattening pen’ and the horror of what I’m about to face for years to come…. clickety click and after a few Dogtowns, the headset is back on and away I go.

Send us your pics of your workspace and you surfin’ VIA and we’ll post ‘em to show at least for that moment, like me, you’re : Hardly Workin’!

Note: anyone who owns a gallery, do you not think this would be a great exhibit?  Cubicles?  OK forget that idea…how about ‘Pimp my cubicle’ how’s that for a TV show?  I could use it….Hardwood floors?  Fishtank?

It just keeps getting better for you if you’re interested in seeing live music during the Games. If you want to see Damian Marley, Coeur de Pirate, Wintersleep, Mother Mother, Jully Black, Wilco and a TON of other artists FOR FREE (!!!) then Live City Vancouver is gonna be your spot. Or, I should say, spots! The festival consists of two free, non-ticketed outdoor celebration sites, one in Yaletown at David Lam Park and the other at Georgia and Cambie, and it goes from February 13th until the 27th.

- LiveCity Yaletown in David Lam Park will feature a number of top local, Canadian and international entertainers on the stage, plus big-screen Olympic Winter Games sporting coverage, Olympic sponsor and partner pavilions, educational and family programming.
– LiveCity Downtown at Cambie and Georgia will have a licensed lounge (LIVE@LiveCity) with TV screens showing the Games, and additional live music acts. It will be a place for people to stop by for a drink, watch the games, live music and connect with other people.
- Both sites are all-ages and totally free.

Below is the complete schedule for both sites. Seriously ridiculous! You can learn all about it on the Live City web site or by joining their Facebook fan page.

YALETOWN:

13-Feb-10
5:00pm – 6:00pm Bollywood Olympics with En Karma
6:15pm – 7:15pm Default
7:30pm – 8:30pm Califone!
9:00pm – 10:45pm Wilco

14-Feb-10
5:00pm – 5:30pm Lion Dancers
6:00pm – 7:30pm Silk Road
8:00pm – 9:00pm Mother Mother
9:30pm – 10:45pm Daniel Wesley

15-Feb-10
5:00pm – 6:00pm DJ Spooky and DBR
6:30pm – 7:30pm Grand Dérangement
8:00pm – 9:00pm Malajube
9:30pm – 10:45pm Matisyahu

16-Feb-10
5:00pm – 6:00pm TBC
6:30pm – 7:30pm Kevin Parent with Pornflakes
8:00pm – 9:00pm Vulgaires Machins
9:30pm – 10:45pm Alexisonfire

17-Feb-10
5:00pm – 6:30pm DRUM!
…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

Remember back in December when I told you about Discorder’s BEST OF THE DECADE feature in which the New Pornographers got voted by a panel as the number 1 Vancouver band of the 2000′s? And all that speculation about them breaking up? Well! I am absolutely thrilled to bring to you the news that they’re releasing a new album on May 4th entitled Together !

In other great news, TheNewPornographers.com has been redesigned and has a photo gallery of the group in the studio recording the new album, plus a video peek inside the studio.

In 2009, Phoenix released arguably one of the best albums of the year. Playing their first show of the new year as part of the Cultural Olympiad, they certainly did not disappoint and confirmed that their talent is able to transcend the recording studio. As the crowd waited and more and more audience members began making their way to the front of the stage, the opening keys of “Lisztomania” rang in complete darkness. The instantly recognizable song ignited the crowd’s already intense excitement and began the dance mayhem as they led into the songs “Long Distance Call” and “Lasso”.

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

Tonight we will be having our fun once a month neighborhood rap party EASY NOW at The Astoria! It’s a pretty awesome time! We have local neighborhood kids deejaying – Pat + Pete / Campbell +Miles! Plus very special guests LovenHate which is Beth Richards and Coralie Claffey! Playing all SLICK RICK songs!
Cheap drank! It’s 5 bucks!

The Astoria Jan 23 – 769 E Hastings!

Sponsored by:  Vancouverisawesome  Kitsch  Blvd Skateshop

Since we are having the Lovely Beth Richards come and deejay a Slick Rick set with pal Coralie for our night at the Astoria EASY NOW I thought it would be
fun to do an Almost Famous post with her and The Ruler!

HOW DID THIS PHOTO COME ABOUT ?
I was in Vegas and saw Slick, Shock G, Dougie Fresh and DJ Quik together on stage. A friend knew how stoked I was and asked for a photo op…there I was.

WHAT MAKES YOU FAMOUS IN VANCOUVER?
High waisted acid wash.

FAMOUS SIGHTINGS WHERE CAN WE  YOU NEXT!
Tonight! At the Astoria midnight. Since I’m not a DJ this could be embarrassing. Come for a laugh at least.

Thanks Beth!