Celebrate mom, grandma or the mother figure in your life this Mother’s Day at Metropolis at Metrotown! On now until May 14, 2023, BC’s largest shopping centre has transformed into an ode to mothers everywhere with shopping incentives, atmospheric décor, photo opportunities, and more. Plus, you can enter to win a $500 shopping spree from Miss604!

Mother’s Day with Metropolis at Metrotown

Find the perfect gift with over 330 stores as well as Skytrain access and free parking. While you’re there, enjoy several fun photo opportunities for Mother’s Day – from crystal-encrusted mannequins and
disco balls, to a glitzy selfie wall, and more.

Metropolis at Metrotown’s Mother’s Day décor (May 1-14) will add pep to your step with glittery disco balls and vibrant pink adornments carving a path throughout the shopping centre. And whether you’re shopping alone or with a group, you can enjoy a savoury array of dining experiences to satisfy everyone’s cravings.

Gift Card Incentives

Shoppers who spend $300 or more on gift cards between April 16-30 will earn two tickets to Metropolis at Metrotown’s Mother’s Day Pink Disco Party. If you spend $250 at any retail stores in the shopping centre May 1-14, you’ll receive a $25 reward card, plus a chance to win a $500 shopping spree. Spend $250 on gift cards and receive a $20 reward card.

10% of proceeds from gift card sales from April 16-30 will be donated to Cause We Care Foundation, a Vancouver-based charity that helps single mothers achieve economic security, build capacity, and create a positive future for themselves and their children.

Mother’s Day Pink Disco Party

The Mother’s Day Pink Disco Party is happening in the Grand Court May 13 at 2:00pm-3:30pm, and 3:30pm-5:00pm. It’s set to be an unforgettable afternoon, delighting guests of all ages with an array of engaging experiences, including a live DJ and fashion show; unique photo opportunities; atmospheric décor; tasty food and beverage, including strawberry and raspberry-infused coffee and tea lattes sponsored by Lions Bay Coffee Company and a build-you-own mimosa bar; a flower market providing complimentary custom bouquets sponsored by local florist, The Heart Company; and more.

Win a $500 Shopping Spree

I have a $500 Metropolis at Metrotown shopping spree to give away along with four tickets to the Mother’s Day Pink Disco Party! Here’s how you can enter to win:

Mother’s Day celebrations at Metropolis at Metrotown run from April 16 – May 14. The shopping centre is open Mondays to Saturdays, 10:00am to 9:00pm, and Sundays 11:00am to 7:00pm. Follow Metropolis at Metrotown on Instagram for more information about their shops, services, and special events.

The participating countries for the 2023 Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks in English Bay have been announced! Australia, Mexico, and the Philippines will illuminate the sky this July and while the classic Vancouver summer experience is free for the public to enjoy, tickets for some enhanced experiences are on sale now.

Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks in English Bay

• July 22, 2023 – Australia
  • Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics are leaders in pyrotechnic innovation. They take immense pride in their international reputation for taking major events into the next league, pushing pyrotechnic boundaries with their passion and exceeding audience’s expectations!
• July 26, 2023 – Mexico
  • Created in 2014, Grupo AVACON is a combination of Cabo Fireworks Co. and Atomic Professional Fireworks. With their extensive experience, Grupo AVACON are always looking forward to giving the best and most innovative shows with the use of the latest technology and effects.
• July 29, 2023 – The Philippines
  • Founded by a group of passionate individuals dedicated to their love of fireworks in 2015, Blue Peacock Fireworks The Philippines is regarded as one of The Philippines promising names in the pyrotechnics industry. Their work has won several awards worldwide in Asia and North America.

At 10:00pm each night the fireworks will begin from barges located in English Bay. Music simulcast can be heard on CFMI Rock 101. The winning team will be announced on Tuesday, August 2^nd. The event also welcomes back the Red Bull Air Show, a spectacular pre-show performance happening on all three festival nights.

Premium Experiences

Tickets are available now for the following reserved seating options:

The Concord Pacific Grandstand offers reserved bleacher seating with elevated and direct sightlines to the fireworks barges, making it the most popular of the festival’s ticketed venues for visitors, families or groups. 

The Scotiabank Lounge provides guests with premium viewing in this 19+ venue alongside food and beverage selections from Stanley Park Brew Pub.  Located on the bathhouse roof in English Bay, this venue offers a lively social atmosphere with panoramic views.

Located at the Inukshuk peninsula overlooking English Bay, the Inukshuk Point offers a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, with the closest viewing position to the fireworks display, alongside local food and beverage offerings that are curated based on cuisines from the competing countries.

Located on the top level of the English Bay Grandstands are a limited number of private luxury cabanas perfectly designed for corporate and group hosting. With capacity for a total of 28 guests, each cabana includes a dedicated row of bleacher seats ensuring that your guests get the best view in English Bay!

Positioned on either side of the English Bay Grandstands, are private patios that can host up to 85 people and can offer your guests exclusive access to an elevated view of the beach and fireworks barge. Each modern patio comes with soft seating and cocktail furniture, shade umbrellas, an individual sound system to enjoy music and simulcast, a dedicated server and bartenders, and complimentary water and snacks.

Follow the Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks on Facebook for the latest updates and news.

Tickets are now available for the Canuck Place Spring 50/50, presented by RE/MAX Agents of the Lower Mainland, to support Canuck Place children and families.

Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is British Columbia and Yukon’s pediatric palliative care provider. Over 830 children living with life-threatening illnesses and families from five provincial health regions receive Canuck Place inpatient and community care (in home/in hospital).

Canuck Place Spring 50/50 Raffle 2023

• Tickets: Buy online for 3 for $5, 7 for $10, 50 for $20 or 150 for $50
• Anticipated Prize: $500,000 to be split with the winner
• Tickets close: 11:59pm Wednesday, May 31, 2023
• Draw Date:  Friday, June 2 at 11:00am PDT
  • Tickets may be sold and purchased only in British Columbia. Ticket purchasers must be 19 years of age or older. Know your limit, play within it.

Since launching in Fall 2020, the Canuck Place 50/50 has raised $2,668,895! Half has gone to the lucky winners, and half goes to support exceptional care in Canuck Place hospices in Vancouver and Abbotsford, and in communities across BC and the Yukon.

Canuck Place nurses and physicians offer specialized care through the Nancy Chan Enhanced Community Care program. This program ensures families across the entire province have access to Canuck Place care when and where they need it the most. This includes telephone and video conferencing, 24-hour clinical care line, in-home visits by nurse practitioners, and coordinated care planning with local hospital staff in a family’s home community.

For over 25 years, Canuck Place has been providing exceptional complex medical care, while helping children and families embrace living fully with the time they have left together. But not without donor support. That’s where your 50/50 ticket purchase can make a difference.

Canuck Place operates 13 patient beds and 8 family suites through two hospices in Vancouver and Abbotsford. Services include in-hospice medical respite and family support, pain and symptom management, provincial 24-hour clinical care line, music and recreation therapy, education and art, grief, loss, and bereavement counselling, as well as end-of-life care. With donors, research initiatives, our talented team, patient family partners, and over 370 volunteers, we care for children with short lives and the families who love them.

Follow Canuck Place on Facebook for more news and information.

Miss604 is a proud sponsor of this Canuck Place campaign.

A lineup sneak peek and early bird tickets have been announced as the 46th Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival has regrouped, found a renewed energy and enthusiasm, and is looking forward to bringing the music back to Jericho Beach Park Summer 2023!

Vancouver Folk Music Festival 2023

The festival is excited to announce four of the names in the 2023 artist lineup – offering a sample of the brilliant artistry audiences can expect to discover on VFMF stages this summer:

From Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, singer/songwriter Susan O’Neill has been described as “audacity personified, a free spirit, a real performer” with a timeless voice that’s “equal parts balm and blowtorch.” Celeigh Cardinal is a soul-folk songstress from the northern prairies, and a 2020 JUNO Indigenous Album of the Year winner. It’s been said she’s “quickly becoming one of the great Canadian voices”. Cameroonian-born singer/songwriter Blick Bassy is a unique voice in African music. He sings in his native Bassa, but his musical travels include the blues, samba, bossa nova, folk, and far beyond. A Chicano band from East LA., the vibrant music of Las Cafeteras fuses spoken word, an urban attitude and folk music with traditional son jarocho. They sing of civil rights, the United Farm Workers, immigration – their music a tool for inspiring positive change.

The full 2023 Festival line-up will be announced in early May.

Early Bird Tickets are available online until June 5 and offer the lowest prices of the season as prices increases the next day. Weekend passes at adult, elder, student, and youth rates will all be on sale at their most affordable prices.

UPDATE: The full lineup is now available

To stay up to date on the full lineup and ticket sales, follow VFMF on Instagram or visit their website.

Related: Music

5X Festival returns this summer from June 11 to 18, 2023 with a line-up that brings together storytelling, pride, music, and art while celebrating South Asian youth culture! Join in the celebration with a multi-day, multi-venue festival covering music, arts, fashion, and culture.

5X Fest Lineup

5X Press Panel
Tuesday, June 13 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at The Beaumont Studios, Vancouver
If you could build your own futuristic utopia, what would it look like? Multimedia artist Ruby Singh and 5X Press Editor-in-Chief Jeevan Sangha lead us through our imaginations as we dream up a new future in this interactive workshop. Tickets available for $20.

5X Storytelling
Wednesday, June 14 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at The Beaumont Studios, Vancouver
Poetry, prose, and stories are woven together in this showcase of viral poet and singer Robyn Sandhu’s words. Tickets available for $25.

5X Pride
Thursday, June 15 7:00pm to late at Village Studios, Vancouver
A night of love, joy, and Queerness. 5X Pride is co-presented with your favourite desi drag queen Jolene “Queen” Sloan who is bringing some of her most special guests. Shut down the night with a DJ set by Bianca Maeli (No Nazar, LA) and guests. Tickets available for $27.

5X Blockparty
Saturday, June 17 from 2:00pm to 9:30pm at Surrey Civic Plaza
Festival tickets include concert access, an array of food vendors, art installations, and a vendor village of some of the coolest local brands. Tickets are free when you RSVP online, VIP tickets are also available for purchase. Once again, the 5X Blockparty is free to the public. Your RSVP will enter you into a chance to win an All Access Pass 5X Fest 2023 for you and a friend. That means you get to hit up all 5 festival events and party it up with VIP Blockparty tickets!

5X Art Party
Sunday, June 18 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Surrey Art Gallery & Surrey Civic Theatres
Signature art event celebrates creativity and artistic expression. Bringing together some of the most exciting artists Metro Vancouver’s South Asian art scene has to offer. Tickets available for $30.

5X is the essential festival and digital community elevating South Asian youth culture. Run year-round by a young team of activists and thought leaders from Surrey, 5X Fest is the organization’s flagship event. Championing the best of South Asian music, art and culture for millennial and Gen Z audiences, the festival brings the liberated spaces of social media into a real, physical experience.

For more information and updates about the 5X Festival, follow along on Facebook and Instagram.