While I love a crisp, drizzly Vancouver morning sometimes it takes all of my might to slide out of bed and walk over to my computer, never mind running downstairs and down the block for a hot cup of coffee. Having a brewing system in-house is definitely handy.
We have a Keurig system (that does hot or cold beverages) and now there’s a new Keurig MINI Plus Brewing System, for small homes, vacation homes or even right on your desk at work. This mini system produces three different cup sizes, in under two minutes, and comes in several fabulous colours:
Flash (Lime) Green: Though emerald may have been ‘anointed’ colour of the year by Pantone, flash green, a shade of lime, was the real trendsetter on runways including Stella McCartney, DVF and many more.
White: There is nothing sleeker than white on white, particularly in the warm weather.
Cobalt Blue: Historically, cobalt blue’s elegant power has been seen on everything from Chinese Porcelain to Bristol Glass. The hue is back in force on the runways.
This system (retail: $99) uses Keurig K-Cups which come in over 100 varieties of coffee, tea, cocoa, fresh apple cider and more. It’s also officially summer now and while it’s a bit dreary today, the hot weather is certainly on its way. When it does arrive, you can brew up K-Cup Iced Beverages with a Keurig MINI too like French Vanilla Iced Coffee, Iced Tea, and Lemonade Iced Tea.
I have three Keurig MINI Plus Brewing Systems to give away, one in each colour (cobalt blue, white, lime green). Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming the colour you would prefer or a drink (hot or cold) that you would prepare with the Keurig MINI (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw three winners at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, June 28, 2013. Follow Keurig on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about their brewing systems and iced beverage options this summer.
Update The winners are: Brandon (Blue), Sarah Carol Anne (White), @KimikoGilbert (Green).
Thanks to Salsa Vancouver and DanceSport BC, free dance events return to Robson Square this summer. You can learn to salsa and waltz on hot summer nights or show off your seasoned moves. You don’t need to have experience or even a partner although these events are a perfect compliment to a date night in the city.
Friday Night Dancing
Ballroom dance lessons and showcase demonstrations from DanceSport BC will take place on Friday nights June 28th to August 30th with general music for dancing at 7:30pm and lessons beginning at 8:00pm. A full schedule has yet to be posted on the DanceSport BC website but each night will end with a “Last Waltz” at 11:300pm.
Sunday Afternoon Salsa
Jennifer and Stephen from Salsa Vancouver will host Sunday Afternoon Salsa every week from June 30th to August 25th. Free lessons start at 3:00pm and they will be followed by performances at 5:00pm. It’s free to attend, to learn, and to watch.
Both of these free dance events happen under the cover of Robson Square (where the ice rink goes in the winter) so they will take place rain or shine.
On this day in 1983, the newly-inflated BC Place was opened by Premier Bill Bennett and it forever changed the Vancouver’s skyline. It was the world’s largest air-supported domed stadium until its deflation in 2010 when major renovation work (including a retractable roof) began. In honour of the venue’s 30th anniversary, it’s my Archive Photos of the Day feature today:
1981: Construction. VPL# 85002. Photographer: Daniel O’Neill.
March 1983: Archives# CVA 780-816.
1981-1983: Stills from time-lapse by Yaletown Productions. Archives# MI-250 & MI-251.
1981-1983: Stills from time-lapse by Yaletown Productions. Archives #MI-251.
1981-1983: Stills from time-lapse by Yaletown Productions. Archives# MI-250 & MI-251.
1981-1983: Stills from time-lapse by Yaletown Productions. Archives# MI-250 & MI-251.
1981-1983: Stills from time-lapse by Yaletown Productions. Archives# MI-250 & MI-251.
1981-1983: Stills from time-lapse by Yaletown Productions. Archives# MI-250 & MI-251.
Images are sourced from the Vancouver Public Library and the City of Vancouver Archives for this ongoing series.
This summer Vancouver will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Dancing on the Edge Festival that has brought over 400 different dance artists and choreographers to our stages. Talented members of the dance industry have traveled from across Canada, Japan, Germany, Venezuela, Mexico, Wales, the United States, Poland and China to join local artists each year.
For this special milestone we’ll see 28 different choreographers and dance companies performing at Portside Park, Chinatown and Gastown and at the flagship festival location, the Firehall Arts Centre and the Scotiabank Dance Centre from July 4th until July 13th, 2013.
25 years ago, the contemporary dance scene in Vancouver was flying under the radar with few venues committed to showcasing the city’s growing talent.
Dance companies and artists such as Kokoro Dance, Noam Gagnon, Crystal Pite, Alvin Erasga Tolentino, Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg, Wen Wei Wang, Peter Bingham, 605 Collective, Amber Funk Barton, Karen Jamieson, James Gnam, Joe Laughlin, Jennifer Mascall and Canadian dance companies and artists such as Compagnie Marie Chouinard, Fortier Danse, Dancemakers and Jose Navas were not well known names.
All, along with many others, have been nurtured by the Dancing on the Edge Festival through its provision of production support and venues in which they could perform and hone their skills. Founded by Donna Spencer and Esther Rausenberg in 1988, the Dancing on the Edge Festival was established in response to the needs of local dance artists and since then it has been influential in establishing the success of contemporary dance artists and companies, putting many on the map nationally and around the world. [Source: Press Release]
Vancouver’s dance companies and artists will shine while engaging the whole city during the 25th anniversary year. There will be ticketed shows along with public, site-specific events like Alvin Erasga Tolentino and Alison Denham who will perform 25 gestures within 25 minutes as a ritualistic meditative movement prayer every day at 12:00pm (location is to be announced). You can also catch Dusk Dances nightly at Portside Park/Crab Park with host Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg.
From free performances like this to showcases at the Firehall Arts Centre and elsewhere around town, dance enthusiasts will love what’s in store. A full schedule can be found online.
Tickets are now on sale and they include the EDGE 4 Pack ($85) or 8 Pack ($165) for 4 or 8 ticketed shows and a membership to the Dancing on the Edge Society, and single tickets which range from $22 to 28 depending on the event. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Firehall Arts Centre box office at (604) 689-0926.
If you would like to experience the Dancing on the Edge Festival I have two EDGE 4 PACKS to give away. One winner winner receive both so that they can pick up tickets to four shows of their choice along with a guest. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment here naming your favourite type of dance (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. Follow the festival on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Update The winner is Tania!
Last August, John and I were invited to the Ka’anapali Fresh Festival on Maui, which celebrated locally-grown ingredients prepared by local chefs at a variety of unique beachfront events. On top of the festival, we toured MauiGrown Coffee, had a beer pairing lunch with Maui Brewing, and even managed to fit in a volcano sunrise.
We took plenty of photos and I posted a festival roundup and I finally have got around to writing about our accommodations… Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
