Welcome to Gastown, Granville Townsite, Terminal City, the end of the line for the transcontinental railway! Rail is a big part of Vancouver with tracks filing through the city like veins leading to the heart. The theme of this week’s collection of photos from the Miss604 Flickr Pool is: Train Tracks.

Photo credit: Eugene’s Likeness on Flickr

Photo credit: Eugene’s Likeness & Eric Flexyourhead on Flickr

Photo credit: rbrtwhite on Flickr

Photo credit: alesha joy. on Flickr

Photo credit:Michael Caswell & Eyesplash on Flickr

Photo credit: colink. on Flickr

Photo credit: Clayton Perry Photoworks & The Vancouver Guy on Flickr

Photo credit: colink. & Ruth and Dave on Flickr

Photo credit: Eric Flexyourhead on Flickr

Photo credit: Eric Flexyourhead & Jason Gallant. on Flickr

Photo credit: Andrew P.L. Wong on Flickr

Photo credit: kennymatic on Flickr

As always, please click through on these images to view more work from the photographers and feel free to share your own photos with the Miss604 Flickr Pool. View all photo collections here.

The UBC Arts Undergraduate Society hosts an annual Arts Last Lecture event and this year their very special guest is the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, former Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, current UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti, and Co-President of the Michaëlle Jean Foundation.

What: The UBC Arts Undergraduate Society Presents: Arts Last Lecture with Michaëlle Jean
When: Friday, March 1, 2013 at 8:00pm
Where: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts

The Arts Last Lecture is an annual event in which a prominent Canadian is invited to deliver a “Last Lecture” to the graduating class in the Faculty of Arts. This event allows graduating students the opportunity to attend a last lecture with their peers, as well as celebrate the end of their undergraduate studies. This event hopes to inspire and empower students with the hope that their education at UBC has prepared them to be agents of positive change in Vancouver, Canada and the world. Former speakers have included George Strombolopolous, Mark Tewksbury, Douglas Coupland, and Peter Mansbridge.

The event is open to the general public with tickets on sale for $13 (student), $20 (UBC faculty and staff), and $25 (general public). If you would like to attend, I have a pair of tickets to give away to a lucky reader. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

Since the event is coming up quickly on Friday this contest will be open for just 24 hours. I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 10:00am. Follow the UBC Arts Undergraduate Society on Facebook and Twitter for more information about their event and other programs.

Update The winner is Ariana!

Being the one of the first towers to shape downtown Vancouver’s skyline, the Marine Building is as popular as ever with another event coming up in March. There’s Sunday at the Marine with the Vancouver Heritage Foundation on March 10th and Heritage Vancouver has also announced their annual Evening at the Marine Penthouse fundraiser.

Photo credit: Uncle Buddha on Flickr

Heritage Vancouver invites you to attend a Special Evening in the ultra-elegant, Jazz Age Penthouse of the Marine Building, “Vancouver’s Finest Heritage Building”. This is a unique opportunity to explore the two floors of the private Penthouse, enjoy the Art Deco atmosphere and the fabulous view, hear about its unique history and share your own personal experiences, stories and photos of the Marine Building.

When: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 from 5:30pm to 8:00pm
Where: Marine Building Penthouse (2000 – 355 Burrard)
Tickets: $100 donation to Heritage Vancouver. Includes wine and hors d’oeuvres reception. Tax receipts will be issued.

Heritage Vancouver President Donald Luxton will lead tours of the lobby of the Marine Building and Heritage Vancouver Board member Isaac Vanderhorst will intrigue with stories about the remarkable history of the Penthouse.

The Marine Building, which opened in 1930, was the landmark project of architects McCarter & Nairne. In 1933, A. J. T. Taylor, managing director of British Pacific, bought the building and built a lavish, Art Deco penthouse on the top floor, overlooking the city. A ride on the tiny period elevator that connects the Penthouse with the 18th floor is one of the highlighst of the evening.

This event always sells out so do not hesitate to purchase your tickets (online with PayPal or by cheque). All proceeds support Heritage Vancouver’s initiatives to conserve Vancouver’s built heritage. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook for more events, tours, talks, and heritage information.

The Vancouver International Salsafestival welcomes the global Latin dance movement through performances, parties, workshops, and more from March 7th to 10th at the Westin Bayshore. Salsafestival is expected to draw over 4,000 participants from beginners to pros and enthusiasts, mixing and mingling with 100 performers from 18 countries.

Festivities kick off on Thursday March 7th with the Red Bull X party and competition followed by The Headstart. Saturday March 9th is Education Day 1 and the Fire & Ice Gala, with Education Day 2 happening on Sunday March 10th which will also host the Grand Finale.

Tickets for various events and workshops start at $15 and can be booked online or by calling (778) 990-6111.

World of Dance Giveaway

World of Dance is the ultimate showcase of all genres of dance on the largest stage, you’ll be blown away at the plethora of talent and choreographies. Whether it’s Colombia or renonwed So You Think Can Dance choreographers, you’ll be in for quite a treat. Then of course there’s 3 dance floors with our international DJs spinning Salsa, Cuban, Top 40, Bachata, Kizomba, and more.

World of Dance takes place from 9:00pm to 4:00am on Friday, March 8, 2013. Tickets are $30 online and $40 at the door. Here’s how you can enter to win a pair of tickets:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Follow the Vancouver International Salsafestival on Facebook and Twitter.

Update The winner is Anita!

March is Music Therapy Month and you can celebrate by supporting Music Heals on Saturday, March 2nd. They are hosting A Night Out For Music Heals, thanks to the participation of over 20 venues, that will benefit local music therapy programs across BC.

When you visit one of these establishements on Saturday, March 2, 2013 they will donate $1 from every cover charge to Music Heals.

Support Music Heals by going out on the town, perhaps even do a pub crawl, and you’ll help make a difference. If you can’t make it out, you can also support the iPod Pharmacy by donating your old mp3 player to Music Heals. Follow Music Heals on Twitter and use the tag #NightOut4MH for updates on this Saturday’s campaign.

The Music Heals Charitable Foundation raises awareness of the healing powers of music and fundraises for music therapy and related services across Canada. Their mission is to unite music therapy-related charitable initiatives, and increase patient accessibility to music therapy in children’s hospitals, seniors’ homes, palliative care facilities, at-risk youth programs and more.