The Matinée at VENUE

Comments 37 by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s been four years since I met up with Matt Layzell of The Matinée at Roxy Burger to interview him for my E!Online column. The six folk/southern/roots band members (Matt Layzell, Matt Rose, Pete Lemon, Mike Young, Geoff Petrie, and Dave Young) had only been together for a year but their future looked promising.

Live at Squamish 2011: The Matinee
Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Since that fateful night, The Matinée released a self-titled EP, have done a Canada-wide tour, released a full studio album, were featured in Shore 104FM‘s Sounds of Summer contest, and recently placed third in The Peak Performance Project.

Their top-tapping music is real and approachable and their energetic live shows have earned them quite the following. You can catch them January 30th at The Yard Cafe for an acoustic set, at VENUE February 18th, in Whistler at the GLC on February 25th, during CelticFest Vancouver March 15th, and in Toronto for Canadian Music Week March 22nd to 25th.

Live at Squamish 2011: The Matinee Live at Squamish 2011: The Matinee
The Matinee at Live at Squamish Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr


Washboard Union

Matt has offered up 2 tickets for their February 18th show at VENUE to a Miss604 reader. If you would like to check out The Matinée in action with guests The Washboard Union and Good for Grapes, here’s how you can enter to win your way in:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win tickets to see @TheMatineeMusic from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/8HSHa

I will draw a winner at 11:00am next Friday, February 3, 2012. Must be 19 years of age or older to enter and win.

Update The winner is Adam!

Black History Month Vancouver 2012

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Already recognized in Canada and the United States, the City of Vancouver has also officially declared February as Black History Month. Last year I touched on Vancouver’s Black history by doing up a small profile on East Vancouver’s Hogan’s Alley, but there is a much greater story to be told and celebrated.


Governor Douglas ca. 1860 Royal BC Museum
BC Archives# 193501-001. Call#: A-01229

Although often overlooked, there’s a rich tapestry of Black history going back to the early colonial origins of Canada.

In 1858, nearly 800 free Black people left the oppressive racial conditions of San Francisco for a new life on Vancouver Island. Governor James Douglas had invited them to settle in British Columbia. Though still faced with intense discrimination, these pioneers enriched the political, religious and economic life of the colony.

Unknown to many, Douglas was himself the product of a mixed marriage — his father was Scottish and his mother Guyanese. Douglas strove to be known as Caucasian; however, he quickly agreed to the appeal from the San Francisco delegation. In turn, the Black pioneers pledged their support to Douglas and to the cause of British sovereignty.

Many from that initial group have contributed notably to BC life: Mifflin Gibbs became a prominent politician; Charles and Nancy Alexander initiated the Shady Creek Methodist Church; and John Deas established a salmon cannery. The group also formed one of the earliest colonial militia units, the Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps. A ceremony took place on February 20, 2000, in Saanichton, BC to honour the original arrival of Black pioneers in British Columbia. [City of Vancouver]

Vancouverites like Harry Jerome, Emery Barnes, and Dr Rosemary Brown were pioneers in their fields, and the legendary Joe Fortes was named Vancouver’s “Citizen of the Century”.


VPL Number: 21746. Photographer / Studio: Dominion Photo Co.

Local Black History Month Events

What: Women of Our Times, Here & Now. Join The National Congress of Black Women Foundation as they honour: Barbara Howard, Eleanor Collins, Eve Smith, Marcella King, Thelma Gibson, and Jeni LeGon. A reception, a silent auction and live entertainment to follow.
Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012
Time: Doors open 5:30pm, 6:00pm start
Where: James Cowan Theatre, Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
Event Link

What: 5th Annual Pan Afrikan Slam. Poetry and music, presented by Black Dot Roots and Culture Collective. Admission by donation.
Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Time: 8:00pm
Where: Calabasha Bistro, 428 Carrall St
Event Link

What: Movie – The Godmother of Rock & Roll: Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2012
Time: Doors at 6:30pm, 7:00pm start
Where: Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St
Event Link

What: Free movie – The Mighty Jerome
Date: Monday, February 27, 2012
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia

What: Theatre: Intimate Apparel. The story of 35-year-old Esther who is an independent African-American woman who makes a good living sewing exquisite undergarments and corsets for brides-to-be. Set in 1905 New York.
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012
Time: 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Where: The Arts Club Theatre, Granville Island Stage
Event Link

What: Honouring Black History Month Though Oral Tradition: “Family Celebrations: How Does your Family Honour Heritage?”. Admission by donation.
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012
Time: 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Where: Intercultural Hub, Matsqui Recreation Centre, 3106 Clearbook Road, Abbotsford
Event Link

A full list of events is available on the City of Vancouver’s Black History Month homepage.

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada 2012

Comments 44 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada will be live from Prince Edward Island on the CBC February 11, 2012. Starting at 11:00am, the Edmonton Oilers will face the Ottawa Senators, the Jets will play the Penguins, the Habs will fight the Leafs, and the Vancouver Canucks will face-off with the Calgary Flames at 7:00pm.

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada
Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

Last year I sent John Biehler up to cover Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada in Whitehorse and between the banquet, concerts, alumni, and outdoor activities, I think he had a pretty great time. Aside from the Canadian match-ups, there will be satellite events across the country to celebrate hockey. These include festivities in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Windsor, Nova Scotia; Montreal, Quebec; Thunder Bay, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Richmond, BC. Each event is hosted by a CBC personality and will focus on community hockey, organizations, and initiatives.

Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada
Photo credit: John Biehler on Flickr

Around here, the Richmond Olympic Oval will be the place to be. They’ll have free admission, an NHL Hall of Fame exhibit, NHL trophies, games, live entertainment, and a chance to meet the Canucks’ mascot Fin along with Trevor Linden. There will also be giants screens to watch the CBC games, a day-long hockey jamboree on twin Olympic-sized ice sheets, a public road hockey tournament, hockey skills zone, and prize giveaways including a trip to Japan.

Mark this down in your calendar as a fun, free day in Richmond with the hockey lovers in your family. Catch all the Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada action at the oval from 10:30am to 10:00pm on February 11th.

Update February 7, 2012: I have been offered 3 prize packs to give away to readers in honour of Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada. The prize packs include a Scotiabank Hockey Club bag, jersey, water bottle, puck, toque, scarf and mitts. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment naming your favourite Canadian hockey player of all time (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win a #SHDiC prize pack from @ScotiaHockey & @Miss604 http://ow.ly/8VFFW

I will draw 3 winners tomorrow, Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 12:00pm so we can try to get the prize packs out before the weekend.

Update The winners are Val, Brandon, and @ksceviour!

Ms. Brown is the New M&Ms Spokescandy

Comments 244 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Ms Brown M&MsMove over Red and Yellow, M&Ms have a new spokescandy. Ms. Brown, to be revealed to Canadians this month, is the “Chief Chocolate Officer” at Mars Inc. with a distinct personality and unmatched knowledge of milk chocolate.

Ms. Brown will make her first appearance, after working behind the scenes for the last seventy years, at The Grove in LA and M&M’s World in New York. The event will be broadcast live on Facebook Monday, January 30, at 12:00pm PT.

M&Ms have partnered with blogs across Canada to spread the word about Ms. Brown and I’m their exclusive Vancouver partner for the launch. As such, they have offered up an M&Ms prize pack valued at $90 for one lucky Miss604 reader. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
#BrownisComing! RT to enter to win an M&Ms prize pack from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/8GxmG

I will draw one winner at 1:00pm January 30, 2012. Follow M&Ms Canada on Facebook or Twitter for more information.

M&Ms Ms. BrownUpdate Ms. Brown is here! Check out her new look and stay tuned for the winner announcement for my contest.

Update The winner is Debra, congratulations!

City and Slope Vancouver 2012

Comments 155 by Rebecca Bollwitt

This winter the City and Slope festival will tie in adventures on our local mountains with interactive events downtown. From February 9 to 12, 2012, you can enjoy live concerts, attractions, and snow-filled action on the hills.

City

Illuminate Yaletown: Light displays, music, and more in this heritage district.

City and Slope Vancouver 2012Science World Light Show: Nightly on the dome.

Museum of Vancouver: Check out the Neon Vancouver / Ugly Vancouver exhibit.

Slope

Mount Seymour: Enjoy “80s Day” on Sunday, February 12th. Dress up and enter to win some great prizes.

Grouse Mountain: Enjoy 24 hours of winter at Grouse as it stays open February 11th straight through to February 12th. Sunset and sunrise snowshoe tours, live DJ’s, nighttime ziplining, and hitting the slopes at 3:00am, if you like.

Cypress Mountain: It was 2 years ago that Cypress welcomed the world and was home to Canada’s first Olympic gold medal. They’re bringing the excitement back in a Vancouver 2010 anniversary celebration Friday, February 10th.

Visitors can build a weekend package (hotel stay and activities) from $218. A full schedule is posted online including information about the Hey Ocean, Benny Benassi, Alesso, Ko, Kevin Scott, and Dave Aude performances.

To promote City and Slope, I’ve been offered 2 passes for Grouse Mountain to give away. The winner can use these anytime this season and even during City and Slope’s “24 Hours of Grouse”. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post naming a City and Slope event (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win @GrouseMountain passes from @CityandSlope & @Miss604 http://ow.ly/8FAPP

I will draw one winner at random from all entries next Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 11:00am. Follow City and Slope on Twitter and Facebook for more information and event listings.

Update The winner is @alicejhwong!