Inspirational Latin Awards in Vancouver

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Inspirational Latin Awards are being held on Thursday, July 4th as a part of Latincouver’s Carnaval del Sol and Latin American Week in Vancouver. Connecting the Latin community in Vancouver, the awards gala will recognize distinguished members of the Latin American community for their outstanding achievements and contributions in shaping BC’s economy and cultural developments.

Where: Thursday, July 4, 2013 from 7:00pm to midnight
When: Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown, Vancouver
Tickets: Available online now.

Carnaval Del Sol has become the most reputable representation of BC’s rapidly-increasing Latin American community and the bridge with other multicultural groups in Canada. We believe that given the entrepreneurial and unique audiences we serve, a partnership with Latincouver will not only raise your company’s profile to its existing targeted market but also secure a solid presence among the Latin American residents and new immigrants.

Judges for the awards include Anne Callaghan, United States’Consul General; Joel Solomon, Chairman at Renewal Funds; Bob Lenarduzzi, President Whitecaps FC; Fatima Amarshi
, Executive Director for the Jazz Festival; Rick Craig
, Executive Director for the Justic Education Society; and Pedro Guillen, Owner at Mochikas Peruvian Cafe.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to show Vancouver what Latinos are made of,” Camilo Dominguez (aka Camilo The Magician) told me. He will be the host of the awards and will also be performing a bit of his unbelievable magic.


Camilo The Magician

Camilo has been involved with Carnaval del Sol in the past, mostly doing street magic during the main weekend festival, but this year he was invited to host the awards after Latincouver’s founder Paola Murillo attended one of his shows. He is originally from Bogota, Colombia and has been in BC since he was 15 years old. He is also the namesake of the popular Said the Whale song: “Camilo (The Magician).

The Inspirational Latin Awards ceremony will include a cocktail reception and a silent auction along with special guests like comedians Lino Coria and Luis Moncayo, and fusion salsa dancing with Alma Chevere. Purchase your tickets today for the award show as there is little time left before this and other Carnaval del Sol festivities get underway this weekend.

Get Involved

There is still a call for volunteers for the Carnaval del Sol street festival as well as teams to play in the street soccer tournament. Connect with Carnaval del Sol (Facebook, Twitter) and Latincouver (Facebook, Twitter) on social media to follow news and updates. The official hashtag is #CarnavaldelSol and add Latincouver on Instagram for photos.

Miss604 is a proud Official Media Partner of Latincouver’s Carnaval del Sol.

EPIC Sustainable Living Festival

Comments 68 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The EPIC Sustainable Living Festival is changing things up this summer, taking a slight departure from the EPIC Expo format and moving things outdoors for a festival of music, entertainment, food, and marketplace goodies at the beautiful VanDusen Botanical Gardens.

When: Saturday, July 6th & Sunday, July 7th 2013 from 10:00am to 9:00pm
Where: VanDusen Botanical Gardens (5251 Oak St, Vancouver)
Tickets: Admission includes entrance to the VanDusen Botanical Gardens. Tickets are currently available online and will be available at the door.

EPIC will showcase some of BC’s best sustainable food, beverages, local live entertainment, products and services. Now in its 7th year as Western Canada’s largest sustainable lifestyle showcase, EPIC is combining environmentally friendly living with outdoor festivities from sunrise to sunset at this all-new venue.

Look up every once in a while
The beautifully designed roof at VanDusen’s pavillion. Photo credit: kennymatic on Flickr

Also new this year is the Outdoor Concert Stage and live entertainment line-up with performances from Kuba Oms and the Paperboys, last year’s Peak Performance finalists Jordan Klassen, Dominique Fricot, Steph MacPherson and many more. The stage will host rhythmic dance, bohemian rock, jazz funk and relaxing melodies as well.

Another new addition is Food Truck Alley which will compliment the restaurants and caterers serving up tasting plates and sustainable beverages on site at the Sip & Savour Garden. Exhibitors will offer craft beer, BC wines, and locally-distilled spirits.

Van Dusen Botanical Gardens Van Dusen Botanical Gardens Van Dusen Botanical Gardens
VanDusen. Photo credit: Clayton Perry Photoworks on Flickr

In the centre of all the entertainment and food excitement will be the Sustainable Living Marketplace, the heart of the event. “Highlighting the link between the economy, the environment and the community, hundreds of savvy businesses will offer high-quality products and services that are better for your health and friendlier to the earth.” Over 200 companies will showcase their latest sustainable products like clothing, cosmetics, energy-efficient home technologies, jewelry, and more.

If you would like to attend EPIC Sustainable Living Festival, I have a 4-pack of tickets to give away. 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 tickets to @EPIC_fest from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/mD1Fg

I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Thursday, July 4, 2013 at 12:00pm. Follow EPIC on Twitter and Facebook for more festival information. The winner’s tickets are valid for one day of the festival.

Update The winner is @Chloe_lala!

KISS Army Depot in Vancouver

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

There’s always a pop-up store opening up in Vancouver for a season but there’s never been one with as much rock and roll clout as this. Legendary rockers KISS are celebrating the release of their studio album Monster with a month-long Canadian tour and the opening of three KISS Army Depot pop-up shops across the country.

KissArmyDepotVancouver

Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto (Calgary’s was unfortunately cancelled) all have KISS Army Depot stores this month, featuring KISS merchandise, music, and exclusive products. A portion of the proceeds from each of the Pop-Up stores will be donated to local charities. In Vancouver, the participating local charity is Sophie’s Place, at the Centre for Child Development in Surrey.

Sophie’s Place is a child advocacy centre focussed on providing specialized services to physically, mentally or sexually abused children up to age 18 in a child-friendly setting. It provides an opportunity to participate in the safeguarding of our children and in playing a key role in their healing process. Sophie’s Place is named for the centre’s patron Sophie Tweed-Simmons.

Autograph Signing

The downtown Vancouver shop opened last week at 929 Granville/Tom Lee Music and it will only be around for another few days. The official grand opening is tomorrow — Thursday, July 4, 2013 — and the first 200 fans to arrive (check-in is at 10:00am) will have the opportunity to get their Kiss Army Depot merchandise (or small item, no instruments) signed by the band following a press conference. All four members of KISS will be on site, in full makeup, for the event.

Tour

The Vancouver KISS Army Depot will be open until July 7th, Edmonton’s will open July 13th until the 21st at West Edmonton Mall, and Toronto’s will be open July 19th to July 28th at 842 Yonge Street. KISS will kick off their Monster Canadian Tour on July 5th in Victoria, followed by a July 6th performance in Vancouver before heading out to the Okanagan and over the Rockies.

Take Off Fridays at YVR 2013

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Best Airport in North America is once again hosting free weekly entertainment and activities as Take Off Fridays return to YVR.

YVR Observation Area

Take Off Fridays at Vancouver International Airport (“YVR”) run every Friday from July 5th to August 30th, 2013 from 9:00am to 3:00pm both before and after the security areas. Travellers and locals alike can spend some time in this award-winning airport listening to live DJs and musicians, and checking out free entertainment from caricaturists, balloonists, artists, and more. Meet mascots, dance to music, and fold your best paper airplane.

YVR Observation Area YVR Domestic Terminal - Canada Line YVR Observation Area

The free Public Observation Area has interactive displays year-round with history and behind-the-scenes looks at Canada’s second busiest airport. Look out at the airfield through telescopes and learn more about Sea Island.

While you’re at Take Off Fridays, you can enter to win the weekly prize draw for the ultimate “YVR Staycation Package”. This includes a behind the scenes tour of the airport (for a family of 4), one night accommodation at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, and $250 YVR Bucks to spend at the airport’s wide range of shops and services.

If you have about an hour to spare, you can joing YVR’s Explorer Tour for a free one hour before-security walking tour. These depart at 10:00am from the The Spirit of the Haida Gwaii: The Jade Canoe sculpture on Level 3 of the International Terminal (across from the food court).

Other deals on Take Off Fridays include $10 lunch specials from a variety of the airport’s 20 restaurants and $5 parking (in the parkade) for up to 4 hours (between 9:00am and 3:00pm on Take Off Fridays). Parking vouchers available at the Customer Information counters. Regular parking rates apply after four hours. You can also take the Canada Line in, making for a fun-filled day of transportation-themed education and entertainment with the family.

Surrey Canada Day Photos

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Surrey’s Canada Day celebrations at the Cloverdale Millenium Amphitheatre on July 1, 2013 were hot, hot, HOT! With temperatures cracking 30 degrees, the ice cream, smoothie, sno-cone, and water misting stations were definitely the busiest. The midway was rolling, faces were painted with patriotic colours, and the bands on stage were real troopers as they faced the sun and entertained thousands. Here are some of our Surrey Canada Day photos this year:

Opening Ceremony

Surrey Canada Day Photos 2013
Continue reading this post ⟩⟩