The Vancouver Icons series focuses on statues, bridges, sculptures, buildings, and other public landmarks that are frequently photographed and shared online. Founded in 1880, Chinatown is one of Vancouver’s most distinct neighbourhoods and is perfect for this showcase. It’s full of culture, unique architecture, character, and it’s also a National Historic Site of Canada. What better place to feature so close to the Chinese New Year:
The Millenium Gate (above) was constructed in 2002 to represent Chinatown’s journey through time, past and present. Its combination of Western and Eastern symbols demonstrates and celebrates a sense of community and unity.
The Dynasty Bell (above, left) was a gift from Vancouver’s sister city, Guangzhou, China, this distinctive bell was given to Vancouver in 1983 to honour the fifteenth anniversary of the twining of the two cities.
The Canadian Chinese Monument (above, right) is a remembrance to the struggles of the ancestors of many who still live in the area and a celebration of multiculturalism. The invaluable efforts by new immigrants into the area is recognized in the two statues on this monument. First, a Railway worker, recognizing the thousands of Chinese Canadians who lived and died building the Trans-Canadian railway system, a dangerous and thankless job. The second figure is a World War II era solider for the six hundred odd Chinese Canadians who volunteered in the War efforts, proving their patriotism which also later earned them the right to vote. [Source: VentureVancouver]
If you haven’t been to Chinatown lately the 40th annual Chinese New Year parade is the perfect opportunity. It’s taking place on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 11:00am and will start out from the Millenium Gate on Pender between Shanghai Alley and Taylor Street. Follow the Chinatown Business Improvement Area Society on Facebook and Twitter to find out more about events, shopping, tours, and more in Chinatown.
Other Vancouver Icons posts include: Lions Gate Lions, LightShed, Granville Bridge, 217.5 Arc x 13′, Canoe Bridge, Vancouver Block, Bloedel Conservatory, Centennial Rocket, Canada Place, Old Courthouse/Vancouver Art Gallery, Dominion Building, Science World, Gastown Steam Clock, SFU Burnaby, Commodore Lanes, Siwash Rock, Kitsilano Pool, White Rock Pier, Main Post Office, Planetarium Building, Lord Stanley Statue, Vancouver Library Central Branch, Victory Square, Digital Orca, The Crab Sculpture, Girl in Wetsuit, The Sun Tower, The Hotel Vancouver, The Gassy Jack Statue, The Marine Building, and The Angel of Victory. Should you have a suggestion for the Vancouver Icons series please feel free to leave a note in the comments. It should be a thing, statue, or place that is very visible and recognizable to the public.
The 21st annual Vancouver Wellness Show is bringing workshops, demos, healthy activities and products together under one roof at the Vancouver Convention Centre East from Friday, February 15th to Sunday, February 17th.
Stop by the Kids Activity Zone or Pet Wellness exhibits, attend Tea Talk and Tastings, and sit in on the Dairy Farmers Cheese seminars. The Celebrity Cooking Stage will feature celebrity chefs, restauranteurs and food writers while the Seminar Stages hosts medical professionals, therapists, and nutritionists. Get moving with fitness, yoga, and dance on the Demonstration Stage, and attend many more workshops.
Show hours are 12:00pm to 8:00pm on Friday, 10:00am to 7:00pm on Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm. Tickets are $16* (general admission), $14* (seniors), $6* (children 6-15), children 5 and under are free. You can also purchase a 3-day pass for $30* or a family pack (2 adults and 2 kids) for $35*.
If you would like to attend the Vancouver Wellness Show, I have two tickets up for grabs along with a prize pack from Organika (one of the show sponsors) valued at $200.
- Organika Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
- Organika Organic Coconut Sugar
- Organika Organic Coconut Vinegar with Mother
- Organika Organic Coconut Vinegar with Raw Wild Honey
- Organika Organic Greens – greens superfood drink mix
- Organika 2013 calendar
- Organika Stylus pen to use with your smart phone or tablet
Organika® is proud to offer a progressive selection of over 477 superior NPN-licensed supplements formulated by industry specialists in our state-of-the-art facilities in Richmond, BC. Leading clinical research, premium formula development and continued support from health retailers places Organika® as a frontrunner in the global market. Positively impacting the health of people around the world is empowering.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment with a quick everyday wellness tip (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, February 8, 2013. Follow the Vancouver Wellness Show on Facebook and Twitter for more event, speaker, and exhibitor information. Follow Organika on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about the company.
*All prices include HST. Check official show page for exact pricing information.
Update The winner is Cecilia!
The Vancouver Comedy and Arts Fest will be bringing a splash of laughter to town this week with international and local performances. Running February 7th to February 17th, here’s just a taste of what’s in store:
Opening Gala with Martin Short
Martin Short will host the festival’s opening gala on Friday, February 8, 2013 at The Centre in Vancouver. Joining Short will be other festival performers Reggie Watts, Jon Dore, Kristen Schaal, Matt Kirshen, Wil Anderson, and Phil Hanley. Full details »
Live from New York
Check out this showcase of comics who call New York home on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver. Performers include Gary Vider, Joe List, Mark Norman, Phil Hanley, and Sam Morril. Full details »
My Nasty Valentine with Bob Saget
Bob Saget hosts this showcase at The Centre on Friday, February 15, 2013 with Brendon Walsh, The Wet Spots, Toby Hargrave, Patrick Maliga (our own People’s Champ of Comedy founder in Vancouver), Sam Morril, and Sophie Buddle. Full details »
Margaret Cho “Mother”
Returning for a second year, Margaret Cho will be performing her standup show “Mother” at The Centre on Saturday, February 16, 2013 with The Wet Spots. Full details »
Catch other performers such as Paul F Tompkins, Marc Maron, Tig Nataro, Scott Aukerman, and more in a variety of shows throughout the festival.
There are over 40 performances in total happening at The Centre, Lafflines, VENUE, The Biltmore Cabaret, The Rickshaw Theatre, The Kozmik Zoo, The Playhouse Theatre, Yuk Yuk’s Vancouver, The Comedy Mix, and The Orpheum. Make a night of it and book a hotel room package along with your show tickets starting at $159.
Follow the Vancouver Comedy and Arts Festival on Facebook and Twitter for more information about upcoming shows, performers, and festival details.
The Great Digital Film Festival is coming to a Cineplex theatre near you this month as they return cult classics and beloved favourites to the big screen. For the next week only the Scotiabank Theatre downtown and the Colossus Theatre in Langley will be playing the following:
Sunday February 3rd
Gremlins 12:00pm
An American Werewolf in London 2:15pm
Jaws 4:35pm
The Fifth Element 7:15pm
Cockneys vs Zombies 9:50pm
Monday February 4th
2001: A Space Odyssey 1:00pm
A Clockwork Orange 4:00pm
Battle Royale 7:00pm
Oldboy 9:25pm
Tuesday February 5th
Battle Royale 12:00pm
Oldboy 2:20pm
Gremlins 4:50pm
Goodfellas 7:05pm
Casino 9:55pm
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Wednesday February 6th
The Fifth Element 12:00pm
Gremlins 2:35pm
An American Werewolf in London 4:50pm
Jaws 7:10pm
The Matrix 9:45pm
Thursday February 7th
Goodfellas 1:00pm
Casino 4:00pm
Reservoir Dogs 7:30pm
Pulp Fiction 9:40pm
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All screening are $6 each, check local listings to confirm showtimes.
If you’re looking for more film events this month, Canada’s Top Ten Films are at The Cinematheque, there’s a French Film Festival, and the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival are all coming up.
Though it’s commonly known outside of the country as a beanie, wool hat or a knit-cap, it’s a toque to us and it’s playing an important role on Tuesday as it helps find long term solutions to end homelessness in Canada.
Toque Tuesday is a part of the national campaign that has been running for the last 16 years and this coming Tuesday over 40,000 volunteers across the country will be selling toques for a cause. They’ll be $10 each with 80% of net funds staying right in the communities where they are sold. The remaining 20% of funds raised from toque sales will go to Raising the Roof’s national projects. In Vancouver the beneficiaries are the Lookout Emergency Aid Society and Pacific Community Resources Society.
Head to one of these locations on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 to purchase your toque:
Vancouver
7:00 to 11:00am at SkyTrain & Canada Line Stations
Waterfront, Granville, Vancouver City Centre, Burrard, City Hall
7:00am to 11:00am at First Baptist Church (969 Burrard at Nelson)
Breakfast of coffee and muffins with the purchase of every toque.
6:30am to 6:00pm at TD Tower at Granville and Georgia
Volunteers will also be at the UBC Student Union Building on Wednesday, February 6, 2013.
Surrey
7:00am to 9:00am Surrey Central SkyTrain Station
Outside of the North Surrey Recreation Center (10275 City Pkwy)
10:00am at Chuck Bailey Rec Centre (13458 107A Ave)
Stop by the Raising the Roof Hockey Challenge with teams from the Surrey Fire fighters, RCMP, BC LIONS, Surrey Eagles, Local MLA’s and representatives from Community Service providers such as the Surrey Urban Mission and KEYS.
New Westminster
6:30am to 8:30am, 11:30am to 1:30pm, 3:00pm to 5:30pm at SkyTrain Stations
Columbia, New Westminster, Sapperton, Braid (TBC)
9:30am to 5:30pm at the New Westminster Public Library (716 6 Ave)
9:30am to 5:30pm Starbucks Coffee (601 Columbia St and 800 Carnarvon St)
9:30am to 5:30pm Douglas College (700 Royal Ave)
9:30am to 5:30pm Hume Park Elementary (TBC) (521 Fader St)
North Vancouver
10:00am to 12:00pm at the Lonsdale Quay Seabus Station
If you can’t get to any of these locations, you can order a toque online. Follow Raising the Roof on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about Toque Tuesday and other national and local initiatives.
Raising the Roof provides strong and effective national leadership on long-term solutions to homelessness through partnership and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, investment in local communities, and public education.
