Archive for July, 2011

I’ll take any opportunity I can get to re-run this photo of V.I.A.’s youngest blogger, Arlo, standing in front of the Himalaya Restaurant on Main Street and 50th Avenue last Halloween. Today I’m sharing it to remind you that the Celebration Of Light fireworks competition launches this Saturday with what promises to be an incredible showing by China’s pyrotechnics team.

When you say “The Fireworks” in Vancouver, there’s never any mistaking that it’s the annual competition set to music in English Bay that you’re talking about. While every October you can buy your own from various stores (and, um… restaurants) to put on a mini display in your front yard, this awe-inspiring staple of the culture of summer in this city has been shaped by years of work by The Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society non-profit. Since 1990 they’ve been keeping it alive with help from the city, many sponsors and of course the supportive crowds of us who line English Bay and all of the beaches on the West side from Kits to Jericho.

Last year I was incredibly honoured to be asked to come on board as one of the judges (see my post, “How Do You Even Judge Fireworks?“), and this year I was invited to return! I’ll be joined by the likes of:

Jill Krop (head judge) from Global BC
Councillor Raymond Louie from the City Of Vancouver
Bev Wake from the Vancouver Sun
Matt Meehan from Concord Pacific
Lara Gerrits from YVR
A contest winner from Shore 104.3 FM
And a TBD employee from The Keg

As I said in that post linked above, the idea of the judging panel is that we’re supposed to represent the eyes and ears of all Vancouverites as a sort of “for the people, by the people” panel. This year Shore 104.3 FM is mixing it up by adding a contest winner to truly round out the panel. Entry to their contest closes tonight at 6:00PM, ENTER NOW!

Every day we share a single photo from our Flickr Pool shot by one of our faithful and talented readers (that’s you!)

Going a little minimalist, a little abstract with today’s post. A lot of photographic opportunities are lost simply by not looking for them – by not slowing down to observe our surroundings. For all I know Billy Lam might have been waiting under a bus stop for half an hour or more and had all the time in the world to find and take this shot. But there is something nice about thinking outside the box and taking the chance on a photograph that many would not notice or consider. Don’t take my word for it though – look at the results and judge for yourself.

Here is Wet in July.

Gary

Wanderful is an ongoing feature where each week I throw a hypothetical dart at the Vancouver map and travel there – by foot or by transit, and attempt to capture some of the cool and interesting small details that make that particular neighborhood unique and special. From sidewalks to back alleys, gardens to graffiti, I’ll become a wandering tourist in my own backyard. Armed with only a camera and very little natural sense of direction, it’s an journey of modest proportions, and an opportunity to see more of what makes this city AWESOME!

I hadn’t been standing in the community garden at the bottom of 1^st & Wylie for more than 20 seconds when a friendly couple who were tending a robust plot of vegetables asked me if I would like to have some lettuce. I was a bit taken aback by their offer – so nice! We chatted briefly about the sunshine and gardening, and they told me a bit about the area, and how they had tried for so long to get this little communal space (tucked alongside the Cambie Street bridge) to build this incredible garden. Rows of handsome wooden planters surrounded by gigantic cranes building a community, shadowed by the looming bridge. This is just another great example of one of the hidden gems in this city, and how the efforts of a small bunch of people working together can create something quietly amazing. Had my intention not been on exploring for several hours, I probably would have taken them up on their generous lettuce offer. But as it stood, it was tough juggling what I already had, without adding salad to the mix.

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1960′s Ladies Columbia 3 speed City Bike.

Bike Brake is a simple way to showcase and share some of Vancouver’s beautiful bikes. We are a cycling city and riding a bike in Vancouver is just fun. I love taking pictures and admiring other peoples bikes so every week I will be sharing a new photo of a bike.

Vancouver has a vibrant art and design scene. It is our mission to make this stimulating world accessible to everyone.Artsy!Dartsy! is Vancouver’s online Art & Design event guide. Offering comprehensive event listings since 2008, the site is updated daily to promote current and upcoming exhibits, lectures and shows. It is a resource for casual art-goers, industry professionals and tourists. With a user-friendly format, information is sorted by media, venue, schedule and location as well as handy street maps.For the full listing please head to Artsy-Dartsy.com.

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Olsen Residence, Berkley CA, Architect: Donald Olsen

Coast Modern Film Fundraiser hosted by Ouno Design
Fundraiser: Thursday, Jul 28, 6-late

We’re fortunate in Vancouver to have a great history of West Coast Modern Architecture. Filmmakers Michael Bernard and Gavin Froome are making a documentary film that takes us inside some of the most renown modernist homes, we would normally not have access to. This week they’re having a fundraiser to push for the finish of the film! Get your tickets here: http://coastmodernfundraiser.eventbrite.com/

The event is being hosted in Ouno Design’s incredible converted church in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood. Watch the trailer after the jump…

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Hey, Happy Wednesday!

Now I know what you’re thinking, and you’re right – it’s not Monday, which means it isn’t time to hit Nicholson Road and venture out into the suburbs. Instead, I’m making a special appearance today to make sure you don’t miss out on some of the exciting things happening this week!

Photo by Benson Kua

First off, you may have noticed one of the 111 flag-bearers decked in bright t-shirts racing through the region on Monday, from starting points at SFU, UBC, and Whistler (via Grouse, by Helijet). If not, maybe you happened upon the big celebration shortly thereafter at Centennial Square outside the Vancouver Art Gallery? Either way, you should know that Vancouver is the host city to the 2011 GLISA North America Outgames!

The North America Outgames, a celebration of sport, culture, and human rights, provides LGBTQ athletes across North America an opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities in a competitive, and inclusive environment. Thousands of athletes are in town for the Outgames this year with the hopes of winning a medal or two in 13 events ranging from the more traditional, like track and field, tennis, and volleyball, to more unique events like the Eco-Challenge in Whistler, and the 6K Vertical Challenge – a race up the Grouse Grind! Most of the events and celebrations are free to attend, with the exception of the closing party which takes place all day Saturday over at the Plaza of Nations, with performances by Ace of Base (yes, THAT Ace of Base!), Dragonette, and plenty of local talent. Check the Vancouver 2011 Outgames site for venue locations and other details!

Photos by Rich Abarquez

In addition to the various sporting events, the Outgames also has a conference component – the 2011 Vancouver Outgames Human Rights Conference. Covering a wide assortment of topics, the intent of the conference is to move LGBTQ human rights forward in North America. We’re pretty lucky here in Canada, and especially Vancouver, thanks to a local movement that began in the mid 60′s. This week especially, we’re reminded as we look at the beautiful photos and stories coming out of New York, that not many gay or lesbian people in North America are able to marry the person they love. Many still, experience a daily struggle whether it be alienation of the elderly, workplace discrimination, bullying at school, or countless other trials. The Outgames Human Rights Conference focuses on these issues and dozens more, to educate, assist, and help make progress happen!

On top of both of these amazing events, you have to know that this is also Pride Week in Vancouver. All sorts of festivities have been going on, and plenty more are still happening, including the Queer Arts Festival, a showcase of queer expressions of art which runs until August 13th over at the Roundhouse Community Centre; The Pride Ball, the Paris is Burning-inspired night of themed walk-offs (including Body Hair Realness, Yacht Club Couture, and High Fashion EastVan) which takes place Thursday at the Cobalt; and the Caya Davie Street Dance Party, which closes down the streets through Davie Village on Friday for a night of high-energy music and entertainment (and great people-watching!).

As if all of the above isn’t enough homoawesome for one week, of course Sunday is also the 2011 Vancouver Pride Parade! This year marks the 33rd year of the parade, which is recognized as Western Canada’s largest LGBTQ celebration! Last year’s parade drew upwards of 640,000 people who made their way into the West End to enjoy the sights, sounds, and surprises of the parade as it traveled along its route from Robson at Thurlow down to the festival site at Sunset Beach. With 130 registered parade entries ranging from small community groups to full-on rainbow party floats, the Vancouver Pride Parade is always a good time! For a complete rundown on everything there is to see and do in the days to come, pay a visit to the official Vancouver Pride website.

Then make sure to take a few days of rest after the parade and festivities, because on August 11th the 2011 Queer Film Festival kicks off.

…Seriously? More? Yes!!

All this, my friends, is precisely why Vancouver is Awesome!

Our friends at Blim in Chinatown are hosting an incredible new workshop where they’ve brought in a local non-profit group called BC Elders to share their craft of making moccasins! On Saturday, August 20th they’ll be at 115 East Pender passing thier knowledge of native crafts down to some folks, and V.I.A. wants you to be one of them.

We’re giving away one free admission to this workshop, worth $75, to a lucky reader! In order to enter, you’ve got to e-mail us (contact@vancouverisawesome.com) a recipe that was passed down to you, maybe from your mom or dad or a relative or even a friend. It could be a recipe for anything. We’ll publish all of the recipes here on the blog and one of the entries will be pulled out of a hat for a random drawing.

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Every day we share a single photo from our Flickr Pool shot by one of our faithful and talented readers (that’s you!)

There is something that I really like about David Arias‘ photograph summer clouds. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it kind of reminds me of early in the morning on the day of a great expedition of some sort. Be it a hike, or a boat trip, I just get the feeling that this image represented the start of a great day. And while I don’t know where this photo was taken, ultimately I don’t think this lack of information takes away from enjoying it – in fact, it almost becomes universal; allowing the viewer to put themselves in this location and imagine their own great day of summer exploration.

Gary