The 84th Annual Academy Awards take place this Sunday, February 26, 2012 as millions will watch as achievements in film this year are celebrated. You can watch Billy Crystal take to the stage from the comfort of your own home, online, or at events around Vancouver.
Hamilton Street Grill Oscar Party
Where: Hamilton Street Grill at 1009 Hamilton in Yaletown
When: Starting at 4:00pm
What: Viewing of the awards show on the big screens, light canapes, prizes for costumes and Oscar voting ballots, popcorn, games, and more.
Tickets: $20 per person, call (604) 331-1511 to reserve your spot.
VIFF Oscar Par-tay
Where: Vancity Theatre 1181 Seymour
When: 4:00pm
What: Oscar viewing party on the big scren. UPDATE: This event will support Out in Schools.
Tickets: Free if you have a Vancity Theatre Membership or purchase one for $2.
Cinema Public House
Where: 901 Granville
When: From 4:00pm until 3:00am
What: Red carpet treatment with champagne fountain upon arrival. A 3 course prix-fixe menu, 4 Oscar-themed cocktails, and prizes including a $100 Holt Renfrew gift card for the best-dressed guests and winners of the Oscar voting.
Tickets: $35 VIP tickets for the prixe-fixe dinner and 2 drinks, or $25 tickets for dinner only. Available online.
VOKRA Oscar Party
Where: The Morrissey (1227 Granville St)
When: 3:30pm (earlybirds get free appetizers). Red carpet 4:00pm, broadcast 5:00pm
What: A benefit for the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association.
Tickets: Admission is a suggested donation of $20 for VOKRA. Reservations can be made for groups of six or more by calling (604) 682-0909.
Delta’s Oscar Party
Where: Sharkey’s Restaurant on the Water, Ladner
When: Doors at 4:00pm, pre-show at 5:00pm
What: Red carpet welcome, screening of the telecast, dinner, swag bags, Oscar ballot contest, and more. Net proceeds will support the Arts in Delta.
Tickets: $30 each and available online.
Watch Online
CTV will have the Oscars in Canada with red carpet coverage starting at 3:00pm Pacific time. Lainey Lui will be live-blogging from the press room and you can join an Oscar live chat.
Tonight in New Westminster, you can join Translink at a workshop to learn about their latest plans to get the bridge replaced by 2018.
The two-year consultation process getting underway is shaping up to be a tussle between Surrey and New Westminster over how big a bridge is needed.
Surrey’s mayor has demanded a six-lane bridge – which TransLink also leans toward – but many in New Westminster fear it would pour too much traffic into their already congested city, resulting in gridlock. Some suggest the bridge be angled further northeast to it bypass New Westminster altogether and connect better to Coquitlam and Highway 1.
That option has been ruled out, TransLink roads director Sany Zein said, because Burnaby- or New West-bound traffic would have to detour too far, more roadwork would be needed and the river there is wider, doubling the bridge’s price. He said TransLink’s base case calls for a six-lane bridge – four lanes for general purpose traffic and two reserved for trucks. [New West News Leader]
The workshops this week will aim to gather public feedback about the bridge and the proposed configurations that would connect King George, Scott Road and Surrey’s South Fraser Perimeter Road to Royal Avenue, McBride and Columbia in New Westminster.
New Westminster at 6:30pm, presentation at 7:00pm
Where Centennial Community Centre (65 East 6th Ave)
Date Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Where Inn at the Quay
When Thursday, February 23, 2012
Surrey at 6:30pm, presentation at 7:00pm
Where Surrey City Centre Library (10350 University Drive)
When Wednesday, February 22 & Monday, February 27, 2012
The last time I wrote about plans for the new Pattullo Bridge it was September, 2010. Since 2006, I have been writing about the 75-year old bridge, its history, its random fires, and its dangerous corners. You can have your say by attending the workshops or by filling out an online questionnaire until March 9, 2012.
The Museum of Vancouver is launching Art Deco Chic next month. Starting March 8, 2012, this new exhibition will showcase the popular design style from the 1920s. Visitors can browse over 65 original garments from around the world and a collection that was worn locally.
Photo credit: Rebecca Blissett for MOV
From the Museum of Vancouver: “Notable Vancouver items on display include a black beaded gown worn to the opening of the Commodore Cabaret in 1929 and a red and gold lamé evening dress made from fabric depicting the battles of the Trojan War.
Many items on show are exquisite designer dresses with labels such as Chanel, Lanvin, Vionnet, Patou, and Schiaparelli. To contrast these high fashion items is a piece from the MOV’s collection – a modest, yet stylish, navy polka dot dress made by the Aurora Dress Company of Vancouver around 1927.”
Thanks to Ivan Sayers and Claus Jahnke, who are sharing their private collections, you can check out stylish handbags, shoes, jewelry, and more.
I have two passes for opening night of the exhibition on March 7th. Attendees are encouraged to wear vintage glam while they enjoy champagne and other refreshments. Here’s how you can enter to win you way in:
- 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 next Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Art Deco Chic runs until September 23, 2012.
Update The winner is Winnie!
Flipping through the pages of Chuck Davis’ History of Metropolitan Vancouver I came across an image of a man with a mop standing on top of the Challenger Relief Map. Created by George Challenger, to this day it’s the largest map of its kind in the world.
Via the City Archives on Flickr
Since his arrival in British Columbia in 1896 George had probably traveled over more of the northern part of the province than any other white man, and his experience as prospector, miner, survey crewman, logging and sawmill operator uniquely fitted him for the map making project. It was his desire to instill in British Columbia’s youngsters the same sort of pride in the province that finally prompted him to build the big map.
Challenger Relief Map of BC
1954: Unveiling ceremony. Archives #CVA 180-5609.6.
1954 – Bank of Commerce directors viewing the map.
VPL Accession Number: 82619A & 82619B. Photographer: Art Jones.
The map was built over a seven-year period, (1947-1954), from three-dimensional cutouts of quarter inch fir plywood donated by MacMillan Bloedel. With help from his wife and his son Bob, George Challenger cut, painted and assembled the 986,000 pieces individually on 180 4-by-8 foot and 16 4-by-4 foot panels of plywood at a total cost of $252,000. [Challenger Map]
Challenger donated the map to the PNE where it was first on display in 1954. I remember visiting the piece in the BC Pavilion when I was younger, and I’m sure other locals and visitors might recall this unforgettable map as well until the pavilion was demolished in 1997.
In 2010, after being in storage for almost a decade, the South West section of the Challenger Map reappeared at RCMP headquarters in Richmond as a part of the 2010 Winter Olympics Integrated Security Unit.
As far as I know, the map is back in pieces, packed away in storage, as a permanent home has not been found. You can donate to become a Guardian of the Map, assisting with restoration and preservation efforts for this Guinness World Record-holding piece.
Update: It’s Coming Back to the PNE
August, 2021: The Challenger Relief Map is coming back to the PNE this season! According to the Vancouver Sun: “The Challenger family and the PNE signed a memorandum of understanding to return the map to Hastings Park. During the 2021 fair, it will be on display in the livestock barns, with a permanent location to be determined.
Challenger’s grandson Bill said the family has been trying to find a home for the legendary map since the B.C. Pavilion was torn down in the “greening” of Hastings Park […] A fundraising initiative is being launched to restore the map, which may cost upwards of $1 million. The eight panels that were restored for the 2010 Olympics were repainted to reflect the geography — mountains were done in a deep forest green, for example, some with white snowcaps and blue glaciers.”
Last November there was a series of Open Houses and public consultations regarding North East False Creek, on some of the land between Stadium Station and Science World. The conversation has picked up once again and tonight you can attend an Open House regarding development immediately surrounding Rogers Arena.
According to the Vancouver Public Spaces Network: “The West Tower is a 22-storey office tower, which has already been re-zoned and is just completing a prior-to approval process. The East Tower would be built above the existing Canucks team store and would be a 31-storey mix of retail, office space, and residential. The South Tower, located just south of the Georgia Viaduct, would be a 32-storey all-residential tower.”
Where Queen Elizabeth Theatre Salons (650 Hamilton)
Date Monday, February 20, 2012
Time Open House is 5:00pm to 8:00pm (drop-in) with a presentation at 7:00pm
Walking Tour Departs at 6:00pm rain or shine
If you cannot attend tonight’s events you can also provide feedback online.
