The annual Parksville Uncorked event kicks off tonight as lovers of fresh local food, wine, and beer enjoy a series of events on Vancouver Island’s east coast.
Untapped
What: A best-of-BC beer tasting event paired with gourmet local cuisine.
When: Thursday, February 24, 2012 starting at 6:30pm
Where: The Beach Club Resort
Tickets: $49 per person plus taxes. Includes a take-home “Parksville Untapped” beer glass. Overnight packages are available. Call 1-888-760-2008 to reserve.
Sip and Swirl
What: A best-of-BC wine tasting event paired with gourmet local cuisine.
When: Friday, February 24, 2012
Where: Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort
Tickets: $69 per person plus taxes. Includes a take-home “Parksville Uncorked” wine glass. Call 1-800-663-7373 to reserve.
Winemakers Dinner
What: Executive Chef Eric Edwards of Tigh-Na-Mara and Mission Hill‘s Sommelier Jesse Harnden present a five-course menu with pairings. Menu PDF.
When: Saturday, February 25, 2012
Where: Walbran Room at Tigh-Na-Mara
Tickets: SOLD OUT, sorry!
Winemakers Dinner
What: Executive Chef Michael Sproul of Beach Club Resort and Burrowing Owl present a five-course seasonal menu with pairings. Menu PDF.
When: Saturday, February 25, 2012
Where: Beach Club Resort
Tickets: SOLD OUT, sorry!
Brunch and Bubbles
What: Sunday brunch featuring a selection of BC sparkling wines.
When: Sunday, February 26, 2012 from 9:00am
Where: Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa & Resort
Tickets: $29 per person plus taxes. Call 1-800-663-7373 to reserve.
I have visited Parksville over the last 30 years, and participated in a fantastic girls getaway with Keira-Anne, but this will be my first year at Uncorked. If you have the weekend free, consider heading over to not only enjoy the events but to explore this charming seaside community.
Dunn’s Famous is currently hosting a poutine promotion, showing off its 6 flavours and poutine styles. From now until March 21, 2012, diners can enjoy any 3 poutines for $9.99 or all 6 selections for $17.99. You can also enjoy a full size poutine Quebecois and draft beer for $9.99 after 10:00pm.
I stopped by for lunch with my mother to try their 3-poutine special, choosing the Dunn’s, Italienne, and Peppercorn. She preferred the simplicity of the Peppercorn while I enjoyed the multitude of flavours mixed together in the Dunn’s.
To promote the poutine festival, or “bonanza” as our server called it, I have 4 gift cards up for grabs, each loaded with $50 to spend at Dunn’s. I will award the gift cards to 4 different winners so they can try out Dunn’s smoked meat sandwiches and poutine combos with friends. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment here naming your ideal poutine topping (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win 1 of 4 $50 gift cards for @DunnsFamousBC from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/9ejH5
I will draw four winners who will each receive a $50 gift card at 10:00am next Thursday, March 1, 2012. Dunn’s is located at 827 Seymour and is open every day from 10:00am until midnight.
The winners are Jonathan, Amman Hirji, @winniekwan83, @b_yasmin – congratulations!
(Left) 1916 – BC Sugar Refinery picnic. Archives item# CVA 99-429. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
(Right) 1917 – Women dressed for the War Dance. Archives item# CVA 99-495. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1926 – Lord & Lady Byng at the CPR station. Archives item# Port P9. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1927 – Opening day of the Vancouver Exhibition. Archives item# CVA 99-1766. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1928 – Opening day of Landsowne Races. Archives item# CVA 99-1749. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1929 – Woman at LaSalle Recreations. Archives item# CVA 99-2059. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1929 – Society girls. Archives item# CVA 99-2408. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1929 – Polo spectators. Archives item# CVA 99-2583. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
1929 – Skiing on Grouse Mountain. Archives item# CVA 99-2002. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
(Left) 1920s – Mrs. Charlotte Williams. Archives item# Port P612.2.
(Right) 1932 – Miss Violet Barlow. Archives item# Port P490.3.
1930 – At the courthouse leaving for Hazelton. Archives item# CVA 99-2138. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
One of the most popular events at last year’s Vancouver Craft Beer Week was “Women and Beer”. Beers made by women, enjoyed by women, and paired by women. There’s another chance to enjoy an event of this kind (outside of VCBW) in March at Rogue.
WhatA Rogue Women in Beer Pairing Mingler Where Rogue Kitchen + Wetbar (at Waterfront Station) When Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 6:30pm (International Women’s Day) Tickets $55 per person (men welcome) plus taxes. Available online.
There will be 8 beers presented by 8 BC women in beer from 8 breweries paired with 8 creations from Rogue’s Chef Cory Chapman. The line-up includes:
Around the world, there’s the Barleys Angels network which “is committed to involving women in the enjoyment of craft beer by creating environments where women can learn more about beer in a friendly, educational and supportive atmosphere, thus creating more women beer enthusiasts, and, ultimately, involving more women in beer- and brewery-related careers.”
It was announced today that this summer Florence + the Machine will be playing one of our region’s most spectacular outdoor venues, Deer Lake Park.
Catch their powerful anthems, lead by Florence Welch, Friday, July 20, 2012 along with guests, The Walkmen as they embark on the second leg of their North American tour following the release of the album Ceremonials in the last fall.
With recent appearances on Saturday Night Live, GMA, X-Factor, The View, VH 1 Divas and Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Years Eve, Florence fans will get to enjoy the star in a triumphant return to the live stage. Florence + the Machine are expected to perform songs from Ceremonials as well as songs from her multi-platinum debut album Lungs. Florence + the Machine will also be appearing on an upcoming MTV Unplugged in March.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 24, 2012 at 10:00am for $49.50 (plus fees) and this is an all ages, general admission show.
I also have a pair of beat the box office tickets up for grabs. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment here naming your favourite Florence + the Machine song (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win tickets to Florence + the Machine @flo_tweet from @LiveNationWest & @Miss604 http://ow.ly/9cUmF
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:45am this Friday. Update The winner is Ashley! (Comment February 21, 2012 at 6:50 PM).
