Archive for July, 2011

A couple of years back we took home the Georgia Straight’s BEST OF award for “Best Navel Gazing Web Site“, and while our non-profit organization that supports our web site (Vancouver Is Awesome, Inc) is focused on celebrating all of the awesome things that make up our city one of those things is it’s proximity to other awesome places. In Super, Neighbours in British Columbia we take you on adventures to other B.C. locales that we think you should check out. ********** We were recently invited to stay at The Fairmont Empress in Victoria, the city that I have no shame admitting is my second favourite in our province. Yesterday we shared a couple of FERRY SECRETS to help make your next trip to the island a better one and today we’re giving you a look at the accommodations.

The Empress is located at what, as an absolute tourist, I have always viewed is the pinpoint centre of the city of Victoria. Founded in 1908, the hotel sits at the foot of the harbour flanked on it’s left by the Royal BC Museum (which we’ll visit in an upcoming post) as well as the parliament buildings and on it’s right the downtown shopping/tourist district. Victoria is often named as one of Canada’s most walkable cities for good reason; whenever my wife and I visit we either leave our car in Vancouver or park it for the duration of our trip because we simply don’t need it. Everything is close.

Here’s the view that you’re likely used to seeing of The Empress and it’s ultimate grandness. Those like me who view it as the epicentre of the capital city of British Columbia shoot photos like this one because they’re also fond of the craftsmanship, the signage and the ivy that climbs up most parts of the outer walls…

Inside the rooms are charming, elegant and classic while obviously providing modern amenities like flat screen TVs and non-rotary telephones that you don’t have to dial an operator to help you make a call on. The stroller isn’t included though. It belongs to V.I.A.’s youngest blogger, Arlo.

This is what the window of our room looked like from …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

Fantastic news: our friends at artShuffle.ca are launching on TV! The new arts/video sharing web site created by The Knowledge Network launched this past winter and has been cultivating content and becoming a hub for folks to share their creativity. They are now home to hundreds of video performances and stories with the bonus of an art “shuffle” function to randomize your experience. On-air, artShuffle will be a curated television version of the website presenting the most interesting and noteworthy pieces.

Here’s the intro to the show, tune in this Thursday July 28th at 11PM for their debut and then tune in every Thursday after that!

If you’re an aspiring artist or filmmaker with a knack for storytelling, visit artShuffle.ca and upload your video – it just may be selected for broadcast on The Knowledge Network!

I shared this before but just in case you missed it: Something Nice.

Amid all the bad news and negativity in the world today, these simple street posters perpetuate warmth and optimism. Designed to capture attention and create awareness of the moment: suddenly, an opportunity to do something nice. Tear away a tab and keep it for yourself or give it away. Something Nice is for everyone. A gentle, unassuming and public way to spread some goodness.

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It’s a new dog once a week! Click here to find out how to get your dog posted if you haven’t sent in your photos yet!

Today’s dog featured in Dogtown Vancouver is Quincy Jones, Brenda B’s pup. Here’s what she had to say about him…

NAME: Quincy Jones. BREED: Bernese Mountain Dog. HOOD: Kits Point. FAVOURITE SNACK: Pepperoni sticks. OTHER INFO: Quincy is the perfect gentle giant. He’s the most lovable creature on the planet, and always completely astounded when the little dogs get mean with him – I think they are intimated by paws the size of their bodies. He never responds with aggression – I don’t think that emotion is in his repertoire. Big dogs FTW! If you’re interested in adopting a pet, check out our Happy Tails feature. If you adopted your pet from the SPCA and would like to share your awesome story on Happy Tails, send an email to Rory.Blanchard@novusnow.ca.

…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

If this year’s summer hasn’t exactly felt like summer, the coming BC Day long weekend always packs a lot of punch into the city: There’s the fireworks, the Pride festival and the Powell Street Festival, this Saturday and Sunday at Oppenheimer Park, home of Vancouver’s traditional Japantown. The PSF hits its’ 35th annual mark this summer and is still the lower mainland’s longest running community arts festival. Julia Aoki, who is no stranger to the pack, heads the crew this year as interim general & programming manager. She steps in to fill in for Kristen Lambertson’s year away from the role which has Kristen working on some of the city’s other big festivals. Before Kristen, Miko Hoffman held the festival down like a rock from 2003-2008. We spoke to these 3 past festival GM’s on how they got involved with the festival and its’ special place within Vancouver’s many different communities.

The 35th Annual Powell Street Festival
Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st, 2011, 11:30am – 7:00pm
Oppenheimer Park – 400 block, Powell Street
Festival schedule
Festival program
FB event page
Photos, vids from last year’s fest

L-R: Miko Hoffman, Julia Aoki, Kristen Lambertson (photo: Boon Kondo)

Q: How did you all get involved with the festival?

Julia: My sister, Aretha, was on the board of directors and programming committee years ago. I remember visiting her while she was volunteering at the Children’s Tent during one Festival weekend, and after that becoming generally more aware of the Festival. When my sisters and I were children, our parents would file us into the Ford Granada, which we called ‘Old Blue,’ and we’d drive in from the suburbs to attend the festival; but between adolescence and adulthood, I had pretty much forgotten about it. Becoming involved with the Festival (first as a Volunteer Coordinator, then a committee and board member, now the Interim General Manager and Programming Director), happened partly at my sister’s insistence, partly due to the nostalgia I felt for the event, and partly due to the feeling that it was a safe and inclusive space to explore the idea of being Japanese Canadian.

My first year as Volunteer Coordinator I was struck by the kindness and generosity of a strong community of people: from board members and staff like Miko, Rika Moorhouse, John Yamazaki, Angus McLean, and many others, to the volunteers that return every year, like Kathy Shimizu, Cat Renay, Gweny Wong, Mary Spark, Gary Mah and Kevin Sleziak… the list goes on and, since that first year, it’s continued to grow. Besides the more obvious draw of the artistic programming and the delicious food, the Festival is a testament to the possibility of a collective and committed effort, and it’s really rewarding to be part of that.

Kristen: I actually first became involved in 2008. I had always heard about the Festival when I briefly lived in Vancouver for a few years before moving away, but had never attended. Yet I had been intrigued by its mixture of Japanese Canadian arts and culture, history and its unique relationship to the DTES community. Luckily it all came together when I moved back to Vancouver in 2008 and the opportunity arose to work with the Festival.

Miko: It’s in my blood! My mom was involved from the very early years, and I grew up watching my mom perform taiko there, and when I was old enough to carry a tong, I was volunteering on garbage duty! And I guess I worked my way up, from garbage to the merch table, to coordinating the merch table, to coordinating the festival, to General Manager. And now I’m happy to be back as a volunteer.

Photo: Boon Kondo
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PROVOKE, ENGAGE, ANIMATE. Our vision at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV) is to hold a mirror up to the city and leads provocative conversations about its past, present and future. Linking the historical record and the living experiences of its visitors to what is happening socially, politically and culturally NOW; we honour the material culture of the city: mixing history, archaeology, visual arts, design, architecture, urban planning, music, performance, new media, design, fashion, popular culture and photography. Check us out on our blog, talk to us on Twitter, or stay up to date through Facebook.

Guest MOV series by Anna Wilkinson

photo by Paul Clarke

As someone who’s had a lot of painful crushes in my life—so many that I curated an art show and created a blog around the idea—I’m pretty familiar with pining after someone who seems just out of reach.

You’ve probably felt it at least once. There’s the good: a fantastic conversation or a shared glance from across the room. And the not-so-good: awkward side hugs, night sweats, not knowing whether they like you “that way”.

Weirdly, I’m starting to think I have a painful crush on Vancouver. Like so many emotionally distant relationships, the city keeps giving me the hot and cold treatment: I endure two months of non-stop rain, then suddenly I’m riding my bike through canopies of pink cherry blossoms. I watch as young ruffians light cars on fire and steal Pringles (seriously guys, worst looting ever), and then see a bunch of lovelies clean up the mess and write sweet love notes to the city. I just can’t seem to quit you, Vancouver.

But then again maybe it’s not so surprising that I have such a confusing relationship with Vancouver. I mean, it is consistently ranked one of the most livable cities in the world and one of the saddest cities in Canada.

Maybe part of the problem is that…READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY ON THE MOV BLOG>>>

SCENE AND HEARD showcases the independent music scene here in Vancouver. We interview some of our favourite local artists, post weekly guest playlists comprised of Vancouver artists and ‘Last Week in Music’ highlights some of the concerts happening around the city…

What a way to start the week…the FREE show by F**ked Up at Fortune Sound Club was amazing amazing amazing. I was in a pit in a dress and heels, got bruised and kicked in the head, but check out the photos below! Major switch after that to an acoustic show at Nyala on Main Street, where we bid goodbye to Julia and Her Piano (moving to Edmonton) and saw Ma Petite, and Portage & Main. Then on Saturday ANOTHER free festival (this city is great) on West 4th called KHATSALANO! I managed to catch: Kingdom Cloud, Ma Petite, David Vertesi, Louise Burns, Hannah Epperson and Zach Gray (house show!), Aidan Knight, Sun Wizard, Yukon Blonde, and Nardwuar getting the entire crowd to crouch and jump on my way home. Excellent week.

THIS WEEK IN MUSIC: is slightly laid-back and complimented by fireworks. SHOREfest kicks off on Saturday on 3 different stages, you’ll most likely find me at the YVR Community Stage at Kits Beach! This stage features the Top 10 in The Shore’s Song Search (Saturday is: Ryan McAllister, Billy The Kid, Prairie Dance Club, and Randy Ponzio). THEN after the Celebration of Light, head to the Backstage Lounge for David Ward, Portage & Main, and Bella Monde.

PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO VOTE FOR VIA in the BLOG section of the UCC&Awards – Lifestyle, Sports, Events and…MUSIC! (you can only vote once, and don’t have to sign up, so it’s super easy.)
AUGUST 1ST IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE!!!
(FYI, I’m also in the ARTS>PHOTOGRAPHER section) xo!

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Thrice weekly I bring you personified pieces of our city. Reaching into all of the different neighbourhoods I collect images of all types of inanimate objects, then bring them to life!

OBJECT: Tank
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Downtown