There’s been no shortage of free outdoor movies this summer around Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, and now the Village at False Creek (formerly known as the Olympic Athletes’ Village) is offering up something new. They started last week and will continue presenting free outdoor movies in August that also have a pay option.
For $20 you can get a reserved bistro table for four (must be over 19 years of age) where you can enjoy some of the food cart fare being offered–from popcorn to pulled pork. You can also bring your own dinner or picnic to the bistro tables or free, general seating area (bring a blanket for the ground there too). It’s something new, something different, and a change in scenery from movies in local parks so it will be interesting to see how this program takes off.
The movie line-up is Casablanca Thursday, August 11th, then The Fighter True Grit Thursday, August 18th, and the series will close with Citizen Kane on Thursday, August 25th. All films will commence at sunset (which is after (9:00pm these days) while the area will open for seating at 8:00pm.
You can register for a bistro table by contacting the Creekside Community Centre. Parking is available in the area but I would recommend taking the Canada Line (walk over from Olympic Village station) or SkyTrain (walk over from Main Street, or take a bus from VCC station).
If you would like reserved bistro seating for one of these outdoor screenings, here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post listing which night you would like to attend, see dates above (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at 3:00pm on the Wednesday before each Thursday screening (so this week’s winner will be drawn tomorrow, Wednesday, August 10th and the others on the 17th and 24th). You must be 19 years of age or older to enter and win as that is the restriction for the bistro seating area.
Update The winner for August 11th is Karen!
Update The winner for August 18th is Samantha Clark!
Update There’s only one movie left… the winner is Steffani Cameron!
The Purolator Tackle Hunger Food Drive, in partnership with the BC Lions for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, is taking place this coming Saturday, August 13th.
This is the 9th annual Tackle Hunger campaign and fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food item donations or cash in support of this cause. Volunteers will be at every gate to collect donations as the BC Lions take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on the field.
The most-needed items currently listed on the Food Bank’s website are canned meat and fish, whole wheat pasta and rice, canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, baby formula and baby food.
Coming off a big win against Saskatchewan on Friday, Empire Field will be the place to be on Saturday. Arrive early for the BC Lions Street Party at 5:30pm. There will be live music, family activities (including free face painting), poster making, games and more. Football fans who bring a donation this weekend will have the opportunity to receive a souvenir photo with the Grey Cup and enter a draw to win two tickets to the 2011 Grey Cup in Vancouver.
If you would like to attend Saturday’s game, I have a pair of tickets to give away as a part of a prize pack that includes 2 tickets to Saturday’s game, a Purolator Tackle Hunger t-shirt, golf shirt, and jacket, BC Lions gear (training camp shirt, pom-poms, towel, noisemakers, hat, yearbook, Tim Horton’s card, sticker, lanyard, and more), and the book “Legends of Autumn – The Glory Years of Canadian Football” by Denny Boyd and Brian Scrivener.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
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 at 10:00am, Thursday, August 11, 2011. Purolator also partners with the CFL throughout the entire season by donating a quarterback’s weight in food (to the team’s local food bank) whenever one gets sacked during the regular season.
Update The winner is Bonnie!
This feature was written exclusively for Miss604 by actor, writer, and producer, Michelle Kim.
Last Wednesday, I attended the Artist’s Circle at the Harmony Arts Festival, hosted by the West Vancouver Museum. The event was an intimate retrospective of famed-Canadian painter, Gordon Smith, now 92 years old, who was joined by two other distinguished Canadian artists, from two other generations—Ian Wallace and Douglas Coupland.
The evening was structured around Smith’s personal photographs (dating back from the end of World War II up to present day) being projected on the screen to the right of the speakers. My favourite photograph was that of Arthur Erickson standing outside in a bathrobe with Margaret Trudeau and a young Justin, looking off through West Vancouver foliage over to the sea. Each photograph had a wonderful story behind it and served as a sort of time-capsule of Canadian history, and led to discussion about other topics that Wallace and Douglas helped expound on, including art, artists, West coast art, and in particular, West Vancouver—a place all three artists call or (have called, in the case of Wallace) “home”.
Over the course of the evening, it became clear that all three artists are close friends, each serving as a mentor to one another is various ways. Both Coupland and Wallace not only spoke of how much they revere Smith’s work but also how much they look up to him as a human being because he is so kind. Smith and Coupland talked about Wallace’s work ethic and talent (Wallace was in fact Coupland’s instructor while he was studying at Emily Carr) and both Smith and Wallace praised Coupland for his work with various mediums including print and for his innovative approach to art—mention Coupland’s piece that was hanging in the tent based on QR codes.
Though these three artists are from different eras and often work different mediums, there were moments where the boundaries of generation and art forms collapsed. At one point, Smith spoke of how his painting really changed with the advent of digital cameras—which he uses often to take pictures and paints from by looking at them.
The Showcase Exhibition in the festival tent was amazing, featuring the works of the three artists speaking as well artists such as Pierre Coupey and Attila Richard Lukacs.
Visit the West Vancouver Museum to see the works of Gordon and his late-wife Marion. The exhibition runs until August 27, 2011. Follow the museum on Facebook or read their blog for more information.
Read all posts contributed by Michelle for Miss604.com and follow her on Twitter @miju.
Robson Square is home to salsa dancing every Sunday this month (and last) from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Organized by Stephen and Jennifer Dancey of Salsa Vancouver, these lessons – followed by dance shows – are totally free.
John walked by yesterday on his way home from Empire Field and snapped some photos. He said there were a lot of people being asked to dance to which they replied, “I don’t know how.” They got up and danced anyway, moving with the rhythm, the crowd, and although some toes may have been squished, it looked like everyone was having a great time.
There are only three Sundays left in the series so be sure to stop by if you want to learn to salsa or show off your skills. August 14th will be led by Ronald Martinez of Bachata Vancouver, August 21st will be with Nina Perez of Baila Vancouver, and the final Sunday, August 28th will be led by Sebastian Molnar from Salsa Kapow.
They may be late but they’re just as sweet. BC fresh blueberries are now in season, after a soggy start to summer, and are ready for picking this month. After publishing my “Where to Pick Strawberries” post I received some great feedback and decided to include more Richmond and Delta farms for the blueberry guide (though there are still some great options in Langley and the Fraser Valley).
Where to Pick Blueberries
No. 5 Blueberry Farm
Location: 7040 No.5 Road, Richmond
Notes: 9am to 9pm, no pesticides/sprays. Cash only, bring your own container for u-pick.
Birak Berry Farm
Location: 9111 No. 6 Road, Richmond
Notes: 8am to 9pm. Available in ready-picked packs from the stand or for u-pick.
DFG Blueberries
Location: 11071 Blundell Road, Richmond
Notes: Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Uses natural growing practices. Cash only.
Bissett Farms (at Westham Island Estate Winery)
Location: 2170 Westham Island Road, Delta
Notes: Look for the big blue barn. U-pick and some ready-picked berries. Bring your own container. Cash, debit, credit cards.
Emma Lea Farms
Location: 2727 Westham Island Road, Delta
Notes: Bring your own container or purchase ready-picked packs. Call ahead for the latest picking updates (604) 946-8216. Find them on Facebook.
Blueberries are known as a “superfruit” as each one packs a punch. In fact you can eat 1/2 cup of blueberries to fulfil the Canadian Food Guide recommended fruit serving each day. They’re also a great source of antioxidants.
Find more information about blueberries, where they grow, where to get them, and delicious recipes from the BC Blueberry Council. A great resource for growing practices and organic certifications can be found on the Pick Your Own site.
