Local and international designers will once again get the chance to design an entire block of downtown Vancouver this summer with the return of the 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.
The 2015 competition, presented by VIVA Vancouver and the City of Vancouver, is now open for registrations. Like last year, a jury will select a single winning team to design, build and install a temporary public space installation for summer 2015. The theme of the competition is connection: people’s connection to one another and to urban space. New for this year, the jury will place a high priority on the inclusion of both artists and designers on teams.
A full design brief and timeline is available online. An info session will take place on Monday, January 12, 2015 at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Deadline for registration is January 30, 2015. Deadline for submissions is February 13, 2015.
Now here are 5 very sweet words: Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Festival! Presented by Persephone Brewing and the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Powell River chapter, the event will take place in Gibsons — which is in a beautiful corner of the “604” — on Saturday, January 31st.
This will be the first annual fundraiser for the Sunshine Coast Association for Community Living (SCACL) and will showcase some of the finest craft beers and spirits in BC today. The festival will include a tasting room event with ten craft breweries, one distillery, and one cidery. Ticket holders will get a 4oz tasting glass to roam the room and enjoy samples with cafe service from Farm to Feast and Carmen’s Cuisine.
After this main event, you can hop on a shuttle bus to check out two of Gibsons’ local craft beer hot spots (Gramma’s Marine Pub and The Blackfish Pub) where they’ll tap a cask or two and host a mini tap takeover featuring beers from participating breweries.
When: Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
Where: Gibsons Public Market (473 Gower Point Road) a quick ferry away from Horseshoe Bay
Tickets: Festival passes can be purchased online and are $25 for CAMRA members and $35 for non members. This includes your tasting glass and first 3 drink tokens. Additional drink tokens may be purchased for $1.50 each. Shuttle bus service is by donation.
If you’re looking to stay the night in Gibsons, the festival has partnered with The Cedars Inn for a special rate. Follow Persephone Brewing on Facebook and Twitter for more information. Must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly.
We often want to eat local, but what about drinking local? Granville Island’s own The Liberty Distillery is the only distillery of its kind in BC to make all of their spirits from local, certified organic wheat and barley that is grown in Vernon and Armstrong, BC.
Specializing in vodka, whiskey, and gin, The Liberty Distillery’s cocktail lounge offers an old world atmosphere, having brought in an original bar from Philadelphia circa the 1800’s and using the highest quality traditional distillation equipment from Germany.
Their spirits include: Truth Vodka, the perfect base for a classic Martini or a lively cocktail; Endeavour Gin, with a clean, fresh, long lasting, and smooth finish; perfect for preparing classic G&T’s and sipping martinis; Endeavour Origins, a Gin with a rich, long lasting, and smooth finish; Railspur No. 1 White, an artisan spirit that has an amazing ‘mix-ability’ factor, with a clean and pure finish that is powerfully complex; Railspur No. 2 White- Wildflower Honey , with a rich and pure honey finish that is powerfully complex; and Trust Whiskey , Liberty Distillery’s single pot triple distilled Aged Whiskey.
Stop by for a tour, tasting, and a sip or two in their cocktail lounge at 1494 Old Bridge Road on Granville Island. Liberty is open Sunday to Thursday from 11:00am to 7:00pm; Friday and Saturdaay from 10:00am to 8:00pm; and 11:00am to 7:00pm on holidays.
Liberty Distillery Giveaway
I have a bottle of their sold out Old Tom Gin and a bottle of vodka to give away along with a private tour for two (total value $200). Here’s how you can enter to win this very unique local experience:
- Leave a comment naming one of their spirits you would love to try, or have tried (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Twitter and Facebook for more information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, January 12, 2015. Must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly.
Update: The winner is Kim!
Love is in the air for brides and grooms to-be all across Metro Vancouver and as appointments for flower arrangements, photographer bookings, and dress shopping fill calendars over the next few months. To make it easy on the happy couple, there are several wedding shows in Vancouver and the surrounding area that will have everything they need to plan their very special day.
Photo credit:
Daniel on Flickr
Wedding Shows in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
The Westin Bayshore’s 38th Annual Wedding Fair
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tickets
Where: Westin Bayshore (1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver)
When: Saturday, January 10th and Sunday, January 11, 2015
Details: Visit over 170 exhibits from over 150 of the Lower Mainland’s top wedding businesses. Visit Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm with fashion shows at 12:00pm, 2:00pm, and 4:00pm.
My Dream Wedding Show
Website | Tickets
Where: Ramada Plaza & Conference Centre (36035 North Parallel Road, Abbotsford)
When: Saturday, January 10th, 2015 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Details: Enjoy a glass of bubbly as you chat with wedding professionals, get pampered in the exclusive Beauty Lounge, and grab a seat for the couture fashion show. Bridal Gown Sample Sale room with stunning gowns starting at $99.
It’s My Wedding
Website | Facebook | Tickets
Where: Tradex Trade and Exhibition Centre (1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford)
When: Saturday, January 17th and Sunday, January 18th, 2015 from 10:00am to 6:00pm
Details: Featuring Monte Durham from Say Yes To The Dress: Atlanta. Thousands in prizes available including a dream honeymoon. Fashion shows daily at 11:00am, 1:15pm, and 4:00pm and Monte will be on stage at 2:00pm each day.
Toes in the Sand
Website | Registration
Where: Waterfall Building (#205 – 1540 West 2nd Ave, Vancouver)
When: Sunday, February 22nd, 2015 from 11:00am to 3:00pm & 3:30pm to 7:30pm
Details: Vancouver’s annual destination wedding and honeymoon show featuring a resort wear fashion show, bridal wear fashion show, beach gift bags, surprise speakers, travel prizes, and more.
Just Add Love
Website | Facebook| Tickets
Where: Heritage Hall (3102 Main St, Vancouver)
When: Sunday, February 22nd, 2015 from 11:30am to 4:00pm
Details: Bringing together a variety of small local businesses bundled up into one heartfelt event. Each handpicked vendor brings you the best of the best, from gown shops with something for everyone to bakers creating the most scrumptious and lavish desserts.
4th Annual Dare To Dream Bridal Showcase
Website | Facebook | Tickets
Where: Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver (999 Canada Place, Vancouver)
When: Sunday, February 22nd, 2015 from 11:00am to 5:00pm
Details: The 4th Annual Dare To Dream Bridal Showcase presents “My Big Fat Multicultural Wedding” with and exclusive designer bridal fashion show by Bisou Bridal at 1:00pm and 3:30pm. Guests include Colin Upright (Upright Decor)
Suzane Lee (Granville Island Florist), Colleen Karavidas (Bisou Bridal), and Claire Newell (Travel Best Bets & Operation Vacation co-host).
A Wedding Affair
Website | Registration
Where: River Rock Casino Resort (8811 River Road, Richmond)
When: Sunday, March 1st, 2015 from 12:30pm to 4:30pm
Details: The 7th annual Richmond Wedding Show, A Wedding Affair welcomes brides, grooms and friends. Exciting prizes will be given out from each exhibitor, expert knowledge from a wide selection of local wedding suppliers, and great visual ideas will be given to the brides to help them envision the wedding of their dreams. In addition, guests will get to taste and enjoy the fine cuisine of the River Rock and a glass of wine courtesy of Peller Estates. Complimentary admission for pre-registered brides. Online registration for pre-registration will close on February 1st, 2015.
Fraser Valley Wedding Festival
Facebook
Where: Cascades Casino Resort (20393 Fraser Highway, Langley)
When: Monday, March 2nd, 2015, 4:00om to 8:00pm
Details: The Fraser Valley Wedding Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary by entering all brides for the chance to win a free wedding. Over 45 vendors with experience ranging from photography, cakes, wedding decorations, and wedding planners will provide anything a bride could need for her wedding. Attendees also receive a free swag bag upon entry. Admission $10 at the door, free for brides.
All Dressed in White
Website| Facebook
Where: Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Boulevard, Coquitlam)
When: Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 from 11:00am to 4:00pm
Details: Pre-registered brides and grooms get free entry. Enter to win $20,000 in prizes including a dream wedding package, bachelor package, and dresses. Over 90 Vendors to help plan your wedding and a ‘Battle of the Brides’ cake dive.
Have more events to add? Submit them here.
The 13th annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival returns this month with more than 70 food-themed events, 25 hotels offering special room rates and packages, a record-setting 277 restaurants dishing up prix fixe menus at $18, $28 and $38 price points (many with BC VQA wine pairings available at an additional cost).
The diverse mix of restaurants participating in the 2015 festival allows diners to sample many of the city’s top-rated restaurants (like Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, West and Chambar), and an impressive array of multicultural flavours (from sushi and Indian to First Nations cuisine), as well as new openings (like Shirakawa, Exile Bistro, Blacktail and Gyoza Bar). From North Vancouver to Langley, Dine Out touches all corners of Metro Vancouver.
Running from January 16 to February 1, 2015 the participating restaurant list will be revealed tomorrow — Wednesday, January 7, 2015 — and reservations are bound to fill up fast. Full menus (with applicable Dine Out price points) will be posted online at that time.
Dine Out Vancouver Events
As Canada’s largest annual celebration of food and drink, Dine Out Vancouver has evolved over the years from offering prix fixe menus to dozens of events as well as “Dine and Stay” packages at local hotels. From a Cognac Masterclass, a Craft Distillery Tour, and a Tea Gastronomy Experience, to Brunch Crawls, an International Chef Exchange, and Street Food City. Everyone’s inner foodie will come out to play for Dine Out.
For the latest information follow Dine Out Vancouver on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, along with the tag #dovf.
