VIVA Vancouver’s summer campaign that creates vibrant pedestrian spaces around the downtown core is currently hosting their 2015 Robson Redux design competition. Last summer we ate our food truck fare on the Urban Reef, before that we had the Pop Rocks loungers, PICNURBIA, and a cedar plank patio along the 800 block of Robson.

Photo credit: Steve Chou & Steve Chou & Steve Chou on Flickr

The theme of the competition is connection: people’s connection to one another and to urban space and VIVA Vancouver received over 80 local and international entries, some from as far away as Hong Kong, New York, Seoul, and Vienna. People’s choice voting for the 2015 installation is now underway, here are some of my favourite designs that have been put forward so far:

Robson Grove, Gazing Grounds, Touchwood, #icu, Plexus, Robson Reclaimed

All of the designs look pretty great but I chose these because I know that people will congregate, sit, eat lunch, and chill on this installation all summer. It shouldn’t be too high so that people can watch street performers — on both sides — and, based on previous years, they seem to go with minimalist designs with a unique twist. I’m looking for something that’s more than a park bench, will be safe to use, very stylish, comfortable, and striking!

Vote for Robson Redux 2015

Take a look at the entries yourself and vote by visiting the Robson Redux website gallery, clicking on a submission, and rating it using 1 to 5 stars. Voting closes March 15, 2015. Like last year, a jury will select a single winning team to design, build and install a temporary public space installation for summer 2015.

It’s Spring Break at the Vancouver Art Gallery, with family programs being offered now until March 20th. From 12:00pm to 4:00pm daily, families can enjoy exploratory and educational activities while taking in the gallery’s current exhibitions and engaging with Art Agents.

The Making Place
Try a range of hands-on activities directly inspired by the gallery’s exhibitions. In the first week, March 9th to March 14th, the theme will be to look at The Poetics of Space. This includes the exploration of space in within 2D spaces of paintings, how artists use architecture as an inspiration for works, and how artists map space with in their practice.

For the second week, March 15th to March 20th, the theme will look at Cézanne and the Modern: Masterpieces of the European Art from the Pearlman Collection.

The programs and activities are aimed at children age 5 to 12 and their families. Spring Break at the Vancouver Art Gallery is free for members or free with regular admission. Children 12 and under have free admission during this time as well.

Photo credit: Philip Tong on Flickr

Follow the Vancouver Art Gallery on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information and check out the gallery

The Georgia Straight has released the winners of their 18th Annual Golden Plate Awards, the people’s choices for every kind of restaurant, deli, bakery, shop, and bar in Vancouver. With winners in 178 categories, you’ll want to bookmark the Golden Plates winners and pick up a copy of today’s paper to reference the very best in Vancouver food options.

Golden Plate Awards

Over 100 chefs and restauranteurs were also surveyed and their top picks were Ask for Luigi as Best New Restaurant, and David Gunawan of Farmer’s Apprentice Restaurant as Best Chef.

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival is right around the corner as the brown branches we’ve known throughout winter turn various shades of pink. Vancouver boasts 40,000 trees that will burst with blossoms over the next few weeks and there are dozens of ways that you can enjoy the sights, from community events and walks to bike rides, picnics, and photo ops.

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Photo credit: LawrenceH on Flickr

“In the cherry blossom’s shade there’s no such thing as a stranger.”
-Kobayashi Issa

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival was founded by Linda Poole in 2005 and since that time it’s become a kickoff to spring for locals.

“I believe in the power of the blossoms. It’s appreciating the beauty in life that makes life worth living,” Linda told me last year. “In our universal response to their beauty, we are united. Especially during these times we must connect back to nature. The ephemeral nature of the blossoms reminds us to seize the moment and celebrate life now.” Here are just a few of the festival’s major events:

Sakura Night

What: Sakura Night Gala
Where: Tojo’s Restaurant on 1133 W Broadway, Vancouver
When: Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 6:30pm: Cipes Brut Sparkling Welcome, 7:00pm to 9:00pm: Standing Dinner

Let the celebrations begin this spring with an extraordinary dining experience hosted by Tojo’s Restaurant, featuring sensational Japanese cuisine created by Tojo’s Restaurant, Zen Japanese Restaurant, Hapa Izakaya, The RawBar at Fairmont Pacific Rim, Miku Restaurant as well as Zakkushi and Bella Gelateria.

Cherry Jam Downtown at Burrard Station

What: Cherry Jam Downtown Concert
Where: Indoor concourse of Burrard Skytrain station
When: Thursday, April 2nd, 2015 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm

Featuring Ken Hsieh conducting a Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra trio ensemble, the taiko and electric guitar duo LOUD, Langley Ukulele Ensemble, and national yo-yo champion, Harrison Lee.

Sakura Days at VanDusen

What: Sakura Days Japan Fair
When: Saturday, April 11th and Sunday, April 12th, 2015 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden

Haiku Invitational

What: Poetry Competition
When: March 1st, 2015 to June 1st, 2015
Where: Online

This year’s cherry blossom theme is CONNECTIONS: How do you connect to people, places, and moments of experience in the context of seeing cherry trees bloom? Let the spirit of making connections help you this year in writing cherry blossom haiku.

Painting at VanDusen

What: Plein Air Blossom Painting
When: Weekends, April 12th, 18th & 19th, 2015 from 10:00am to 2:00pm
Where: VanDusen Botanical Garden, meet inside the Visitor’s Centre (5151 Oak Street)

Photo credit: Kenneth Leung on Flickr

Photo credit: rocketcandy & rocketcandy & rocketcandy on Flickr

Petal Mat Picnics

What: Cherry Blossom Picnics
When: Saturday, April 4th, 2015 from 11:00am to 2:00pm
Where: Roundhouse Community Centre – David Lam Park (Drake St. side)

When: Sunday, April 12th, 2015 from 11:30am to 3:00pm
Where: Richmond, YVR Larry Berg Flight Path Park (off Russ Baker Way)

When: Sunday, April 26th, 2015 from 11:00am to 2:00pm
Where: Kerrisdale Community Centre – Centennial Park (5851 West Blvd)

There’s also Bike the Blossoms events, the Blossom and Bollywood Kite Dance, and the BC Blossom Watch Photo Contest.

Consult the Community Events calendar and the VCBF Neighbourhood Map online for more activity ideas and follow the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival on Facebook and Twitter for the latest event and blossom-viewing information.

During March and April I will be featuring a Cherry Blossom Photo of the Day, sourced from the Miss604 Flickr Pool and/or the #Photos604 tag on Instagram. You can barely walk a full block in the city without encountering a photographer capturing this pink blooms — or stopping yourself — so it’s the perfect time to start this series. Enjoy!

Photo credit: Bill Kwok on Flickr

View more photography posts on Miss604 along with the Vancouver Photos of the Week – and be sure to tag your photos with #Photos604!