Dances for a Small Stage is a popular performance series renowned for bringing unique and innovative contemporary dance, inclusive of all disciplines, to a rough–and–tumble cabaret setting. They are preparing a special series just in time for Valentine’s Day that will examine all angles of the universal emotion of love – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

“Featuring a series of pieces inspired by the emotion that has touched us all, Dances for a Small Stage promises to be an unforgettable evening where truly anything can happen. Bring a date, grab a drink, and enjoy an entertaining night at the Legion on the Drive!”

Dances for a Small Stage 28 will have a three show run featuring performers and choreographers with backgrounds in ballet, contemporary, jazz, and tap at the Legion on the Drive. Tickets are $20 cash at the doors which open at 7:00pm nightly.

(Left) Karissa Barry (choreographer & co-curator). (Right) Yeva & Thoenn Glover. Photos courtesy of movent.

Dances for a Small Stage has been entertaining audiences since 2002 and in 2011 the Georgia Straight’s Best of Vancouver named their shows the “Best place to crack a cold one and cop some culture at the same time”.

If you or someone you know have an appreciation for all things dance, this is the perfect opportunity to experience this one-of-a-kind show. I have two tickets to give away as well, here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment naming your favourite style of dance (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 12:00pm. The winner will have tickets to the show on February 15th. Must be 19+ to attend. Follow Dances for a Small Stage on Facebook and Twitter for more information about this show and others.

Update The winner is Carmelle!

He’s known for his Tasting Plates events and hosts challenges to find the best burger or the best pancake in Vancouver. This February, Richard Wolak is also bringing back his famous Poutine Challenge.

The 2nd annual Poutine Challenge will take place February 5th to February 28th, 2013 at 21 participating restaurants in Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Ladner and White Rock.

The public is invited to these locations to order their poutine dishes throughout February. The restaurants will either be featuring their current poutine offerings or creating specialty dishes just for this challenge. Then, starting February 26th an online vote will open until March 3rd when the winning restaurant will be announced.

At its core, a traditional poutine is simply made with french fries topped with cheese curds and brown gravy — the ultimate in down-home, all Canadian comfort food. However, poutine is popping up on menus across the country combining the basics with some uniquely outrageous toppings. Richard has already leaked a few dishes to look out for: Crispy Chicken & Waffle Poutine from 131 Water Kitchen & Bar, a Spätzle Poutine from Riverway Clubhouse, a Sweet Smokehouse Poutine from Falconetti’s, and Electric Owl Social Club has created a Poutine Tron Limited Edition.

Diners are encouraged to rate the poutines based on originality, creativity, uniqueness, traditional, non-traditional, price, value and most importantly taste. Visit the following participating restaurants next month to be the judge:

Follow Vancouver Foodster on Twitter for more information about the participating restaurants, the poutine menus, and the voting process.

There are just a few days left to enjoy the delicious deals and experiences that Dine Out Vancouver has to offer including special events like the speaker series at Edible Canada at the market on Granville Island. Throughout the course of the festival, Edible Canada has hosted talks about Asian Inspired Cocktails, Canadian Whiskies, Pork, Foie Gras and Caviar, BC Sake VS the World, BC Brews, and Vintage Wines. I was invited to the Coffee That Rocks event yesterday with Salt Spring Coffee to learn more about beans, roasts, and brewing methods.

Over the years I have attended wine tastings, beer tastings, and tea tastings but surprisingly enough, this was my first coffee tasting. Sure, I drown back cups of the good stuff each morning but I have never had someone walk me through different varieties from bean form to brew, sniffing, sipping, and taking note of subtle flavours and aromas.

Kevin McConnell, Lower Mainland Territory Manager for Salt Spring Coffee, and Stamatis Papadopoulos, Quality Assurance & Quality Control Manager, began the session by going back to the very basics — where coffee originated and where their beans come from today. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

One of my prized possessions is an original 1876 Map of Westminster that depicts the Lower Mainland a decade before Vancouver even became a city. Unfortunately for me it’s on loan from my father but I enjoy inspecting it every now and then to follow the lines of rivers and creeks that have disappeared, boundaries that have been erased, and the shape of our region in its infancy of development. This map inspired me today to seek out others thanks to the City of Vancouver Archives. Enjoy!

Vintage Vancouver Maps

1891 – Burrard Inlet. Derived from Archives Item# Map 50

1897 – Lower Mainland. Derived from Archives Item# LGN 1042

1910s – Plan of Burrard Peninsula Estimated for 1950. Archives Item# LGN 558

Check out how far back False Creek goes in these old maps and also how Lost Lagoon isn’t created yet in the Coal Harbour map. There is also a proposed bridge over False Creek, east of Cambie, in the Major Street Plan map.

1910 – Plan of the City of Vancouver. Archives Item# MAP 387

1910s – Coal Harbour Improvements Suggested Treatment of Inner Basin. Archives Item# CVA 789-122

1926 – Major Street Plan. Archives Item# MAP 773

To get a closer look at these maps and other material, pop into the City of Vancouver Archives (1150 Chestnut St) Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

The Stanley Park Ecology Society is celebrating their 25th anniversary with activities this Sunday February 3rd from 11:00am to 3:00pm at the Lost Lagoon Nature House.

Create your own craft creatures or build a cone bird feeder, learn about weaving with natural materials, take a Wetland Wildlife Walk (1 hour), learn about the wildlife that call Lost Lagoon home, find out more about the Stanley Park Ecology Society’s work, and help them cut their birthday cake.

The Stanley Park Ecology Society provides programs for the public and for schools, operates the Nature House, hosts conservation and educational events, provides research and monitoring in the urban forest, and much more.

Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”) – a registered charity since 1988 – began as the Stanley Park Zoological Society. Following the closure of the Park’s zoo in 1995, the society revised its name but continued with its aims of education, conservation and outreach programs. In June 1997, SPES and the Vancouver Park Board entered into a Joint Operating Agreement that documents the nature of our reciprocal relationship. As the primary provider of land-based education interpretive services in Stanley Park, SPES’s role in the stewardship of Stanley Park is undertaken through a combination of: Education, Research, Conservation action.

SPES also advises the Park Board on conservation issues within the Park with an emphasis on wildlife, habitat and Species at Risk. The Park Board provides facilities including the Stanley Park Nature House on Lost Lagoon, the 2nd floor Dining Pavilion offices, and the Earthen Architecture Cob Popcorn Stand in the Miniature Train Plaza.

They also provide symbolic adoption programs that allow the public to support specialized efforts. You can adopt a heron’s nest, adopt an eagle’s nest, or even an acre of Stanley Park. One of their latest initiatives is to raise $10,000 to allow 250 inner city kids to attend an Urban Camping Nature Immersion Program in Stanley Park.

Follow the Stanley Park Ecology Society on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about the 25th anniversary, special events, walks, tours, education, and everything else that pertains to urban wildlife and the nature of Stanley Park.