Vancouver Whitecaps FC kick off their 2015 season against Toronto FC tomorrow at BC Place in front of a sold out crowd. John and I have been Whitecaps season ticket holders since 2012, and members of the Southsiders supporter club since that time as well. With our faces, and supporting scarves, gracing Page 3 of The Province this morning, I thought I would share my Top 5 Reasons to Attend a Whitecaps Match in 2015:
5. Our Players
There are 22 returning players in the 2015 season, a new Whitecaps FC record for their time in Major League Soccer (“MLS”). Our captain, Pedro Morales, was the 2014 MLS Newcomer of the Year, goalkeeper David Ousted led the league in clean sheets, Matias Laba led the league in tackles, and Kendall Waston averaged the most clearances per game and eventually scoring the goal that sent Whitecaps FC to the playoffs. Fan favourites also include Mauro Rosales, Gershon Koffie, Kekuta Manneh, Russell Teibert, and many more.
The Whitecaps brought in six new players, including Uruguayan striker Octavio Rivero, and they also have 8 homegrown players – the most in the league – supporting and growing Canadian talent. We also have Whitecaps FC 2, our new USL team that will be playing out at UBC.
4. Championship Matches
The Whitecaps won the Cascadia Cup for the 5th time (a trophy presented by the supporter groups in Vancouver, Seattle and Portland), and they’ll be defending their title during the regular season but on top of that, they will also play matches in for the Amway Canadian Championship (“ACC”) and the CONCACAF Champions League.
The ACC involves all of Canada’s five professional clubs, including FC Edmonton and Ottawa Fury FC who play in the North American Soccer League.
MLS welcomed two new teams this season, NYC FC and Orlando City Soccer Club. Much-talked about players set to face off against Vancouver this year include Spanish World Cup-winning striker David Villa (NYC FC), Steven Gerrard (coming to LA Galaxy this summer), Frank Lampard (coming to NYC FC this summer), Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Kaka (Orlando City SC away only), and more.
Of course it’s always exciting when our Cascadia rivals come to town. Vancouver will play Portland on March 28th, Seattle on May 16th, and Seattle again on September 19th.
2. Food and Beverage Options at BC Place
This morning BC Place announced their food and beverage lineup for their concerts, events, BC Lions games and Whitecaps FC matches this season.
New craft beer options include Vancouver’s Parallel 49 Filthy Dirty IPA, Steamworks Pilsner, Central City Brewing Red Racer IPA, Stanley Park Windstorm, and the return of staples like Budweiser, Kokanee, Shocktop, Keith’s, Corona, Stella, Bud Lite Lime, Bud Chelada, and Bud Lite Chelada. A new craft beer hub, the Thirsty Pigeon, will have 20 options while concessions around the stadium will offer a varied assortment.
New food options come from a permanent Vij’s concession area that will serve up Creamy Chicken and Chickpeas with Cilantro, Vegetarian Navy Bean Curry with Kale and Garam Masala, and Sirloin Beef and Spinach Curry.
Other concession food choices will include multigrain quinoa salad, garden greens, assorted sushi, cheese and charcuterie plates, cold smoked BC sockeye salmon and shrimp on a bagel, Montreal smoked meat paninis, grilled vegetable paninis, honey lager sausage on a pretzel bun, BBQ chicken leg, bacon burgers, Oceanwise halibut burgers, vegetarian poutine, chicken poutine, steamed pork dumplings, bacon fried rice, and more.
1. Fan Experience
We had 11 sold out matches last year with over 20,000 average attendance, which is 4th best in the league – not too shabby! The Whitecaps also have 3 official supporter clubs, which are groups of fans that come together socially to cheer on the team both at home and on the road. These are the Southsiders (established in 1999, the largest organized supporters group in Canada); Rain City Brigade (2010) and Curva Collective (2011). Located mostly in the south end of BC Place, all of these groups stand, chant, and sing for a full 90 minutes. They all have home bars (including family friendly restaurant partners), and create their own tifo (which is choreographed fan displays, like banners and flags).
Even if you’re not a part of a supporter club, you’ll love the atmosphere at BC Place, especially on a day like tomorrow when the roof will be open with the sun shining in. Fan-led chants pump up the action on the pitch as our boys in blue and white play for our city with all of their hearts.
Those are my top reasons, although I could even mention the history of the club (since 1974), the coaching and front office staff, the community outreach championed by Carl Valentine, the best anthem singer in the league (Marie Hui), and the support of families and young players — after all soccer is the most widely-played sport by kids in Canada with over 750,000 kids playing on organized teams.
My mom’s old Pontiac had the best radio. Big buttons, a smooth turning dial, and an 8-track player where she slotted in a cassette converter. There were many trips to school and places like Surrey Place Mall that were soundtracked by the voices of Fred and Cathy on CFUN, where the two hosted a morning show from 1984 to 1993.
The on-air pair were married in 1987 and the names “Fred and Cathy” were so frequently mentioned that I always thought they were close personal friends of my mother (and everyone else’s mother). In 1993 when the show moved over to KISS FM, as did the audience who loyally tuned in every day for Latremornings.
Yesterday, the news broke that Fred Latremouille passed away at the age of 69. The Vancouver radio industry expressed their deepest condolences on social media and in various articles online. It wasn’t just sadness that I was reading about, it was heartbreak and complete devastation.
To me, Fred Latremouille’s voice was my childhood, through the car stereo speakers. To others, the man himself was an iconic broadcaster and co-worker, a mentor, and a friend.
“From his earliest days as a broadcaster, Fred Latremouille was known for his generosity to fellow broadcasters, as well as his willingness to encourage aspiring young talent wanting to make it in the profession. His work for charity included starting the Pan Pacific Christmas Wish Breakfast, which helped the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau raise funds for needy children, and has raises hundreds of thousands of dollars since its inception.
In November 2007, Fred Latremouille’s exceptional career in broadcasting was recognized by his induction into the CAB Hall of Fame.” [Canadian Communications Foundation]
Fred hadn’t been on the airways in Vancouver since 2007 but his voice is something an entire generation will remember and associate forever with their hometown.
The weekend is here as we launch into Spring Break mode. Festivals, Women’s Day events, markets, and the launch of the 2015 Whitecaps season fill the calendar. I also have some event-based contests on now including the chance to win two tickets to the see Delhi 2 Dublin at CelticFest and a 4-pack of tickets to PlayDome at BC Place.
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green below.
Miss604 is pleased to announce a new promotional partnership with the Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards (the “Jessies”). On the first Thursday of every month, I feature a list of productions that are registered for the Jessie Awards, including their dates, locations, and more. The goal of this partnership is to promote eligible shows and further the Jessies’ mandate of educating the public about professional theatre in Vancouver. Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blogger of The Jessies.
Vancouver Theatre Listings March 2015
Sister Judy. Photo of Jenny Wasko-Paterson & Lili Beaudoin. Photo by David Cooper
Arts Club Theatre Company presents Sister Judy by Shawn Macdonald
At the Arts Club Revue Stage (1585 Johnston St, Granville Island)
March 4th to March 21st, 2015
ITSAZOO presents The Competition is Fierce by Sebastien Archibald
At The Shop Theatre (125 East 2nd Ave, Vancouver)
March 5th – March 21st, 2015
What You’re Missing Productions presents What You’re Missing by Tamara Micner
At the Norman Rothstein Theatre (950 W 41st Ave, Vancouver)
March 10th to March 15th, 2015
Dirt Road Theatre Presents Iceland. Photo of Lindsey Angell, Munish Sharma & Georgia Beatty. Photo by Tim Matheson
Dirt Road Theatre presents Iceland by Nicolas Billon
At the Presentation House Theatre (333 Chesterfield Ave, North Vancouver)
March 18th to March 29th, 2015
Ghost Light Projects presents The Singing Butler by Randie Parliament
At Performance Works (1218 Cartwright St, Granville Island)
March 14th to April 4th, 2015
Seven Tyrants Theatre presents Mozart & Salieri
At the Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery St, Vancouver)
March 4th to March 14th, 2015
Tagged. Photo of Scott Button & Lindsay Winch by Moonrider Productions
Green Thumb Theatre presents Tagged by Dave Deveau
On Tour to Secondary Schools
Now through April 2015
For more information about professional theatre in Vancouver, follow the Jessies on Twitter and Facebook.
Vancouver’s original and Irish pub, The Blarney Stone, is celebrating all things Irish this St Patrick’s Day with five days of events, hosting everything from family-friendly activities to a late night countdown for adults only, culminating with an all-day block party.
St Patrick’s Day at the Blarney Stone
Friday, March 13, 2015 Kick off the weekend with an Irish Lunch or after work Happy Hour Irish Cocktails (12:00pm to 8:00pm). Starting at 8:00pm DJ S#arpe will spin Celtic, rock, Top 40 and electronic music. Celtic/rock band The Vagabonds take the stage at 9:00pm. $12 Cover charge starts at 8:00pm. Guest list for priority entry good until 10:00pm. Purchase $10 tickets in advance and get on the guest list online.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Enjoy an Irish Brunch and $4 Irish Caesars with a Happy Hour menu until 6:00pm. There will be live music from Irish Celtic rock band The Unusual Suspects, Sing-A-Long favourites from DJ Steel, along with Irish and Scottish Dancers, pipes and drums. Cover after 6:00pm. $10 Advance tickets are good for entry before 8:00pm. Purchase advance tickets online. There is no regular guest list for this event.
Sunday, March 15, 2015 St Patrick’s Day Parade – Family Friendly
All ages event with Irish Dancers and circus performers, face painting and balloon twisting, street performances by Danny Bhoy and the Legendary Pat Chessell Band. Serving up St Patrick’s Day Brunch (from 9:00am) with $4 Irish Caesars and $6 Irish Pints. Take part in St Patrick’s Day celebrations a few days in advance so you won’t have to miss any school or work. Book here in advance for $10 to reserve brunch seating.
Monday, March 16, 2015
St Patrick’s Day Eve – Sponsored by Keith’s Belgian Ale
Be the first to celebrate St Patrick’s Day at The Blarney Stone with a countdown and balloon drop at midnight. Entertainment will include Irish dances, live Celtic, folk, and rock with The Sheets, and the special is $13.50 pitches of Keith’s all night. $10 Cover Charge from 8:00pm. Guest list valid until 10:00pm. $10 advance tickets include a pint of Shocktop Belgian Ale and priority guest list all night.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Street Party – Sponsored by Magners Irish Cider, Keith’s IPA, and Guinness
All ages event over the entire block of 200 Carrall Street in Gastown. 9:00am to 12:00pm there will be a brunch buffet, live music all day with street performances by Danny Bhoy and The Sheets and the legendary Killarney, Irish and Scottish dances, pipes and drums, circus performers, free balloons and face painting, and music from DJ Steel.
Daytime Cover from 9:00am to 6:00pm is $10 (kids under 12 are free. Minors under 19 are not permitted to remain after 6:00pm). Night time cover charge (4:00pm to 2:00am) is $20. Day and night pre-paid packages including brunch are available as well for $25.
Win Tickets to St Patrick’s Day Eve
I have two tickets to the St Patrick’s Day Eve celebration to give away (must be 19+), here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win tix to #StPatricksDayEve at @bstonegastown from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/JYBY7
Follow The Blarney Stone on Twitter and Facebook for more information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly.
Kick off the weekend with an Irish Lunch or after work Happy Hour Irish Cocktails (12:00pm to 8:00pm). Starting at 8:00pm DJ S#arpe will spin Celtic, rock, Top 40 and electronic music. Celtic/rock band The Vagabonds take the stage at 9:00pm. $12 Cover charge starts at 8:00pm. Guest list for priority entry good until 10:00pm. Purchase $10 tickets in advance and get on the guest list