The rain soaks lush green lawns and carries cherry blossom petals downstream as we await those glorious days of sunshine that are to come. Welcome to spring in Vancouver.

Local photographer Henry Low, who has been sending quite a few videos my way lately, just dropped his latest production in my inbox and it’s too good not to share.

You can view more videos of Vancouver that I have featured including spectacular time-lapses by searching my video category or browsing Henry Low’s YouTube channel.

Lip dubs and flash mobs are all the rage these days, taking hours to organize and choreograph often hundreds of participants for that shot at internet stardom (while having a ton of fun in the process).

Lip dubs are described as “a type of video that combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video. It is made by filming individuals or a group of people lip synching while listening to a song or any recorded audio then dubbing over it in post editing with the original audio of the song.”

The fist lip dub that I watched was one this office put together in 2007:

That was followed by one produced by Vancouver-based Strutta in 2008:

It took a few years to catch on but some local schools have now been getting in on the action. First there was UVIC in October of 2010, UBC Vancouver in April 2011 (nearing 1 million views on YouTube), as well as UBC Okanagan this month.

If you love lip dubs then check out LipDubHub.com for the cream of the crop and check the accounts of those who posted originals as “making of” lip dub videos are also popping up. Know of any more Vancouver or BC-based lip dubs? Drop a note in the comments and I’ll add the link to this post.

It was announced earlier this month that the Live at Squamish music festival is returning this summer for two days of bands, solo artists and DJs.

Nestled on the logger sports grounds in Squamish, with the Stawamus Chief in view behind the main stage, Live at Squamish is once again shaping up to be the event of the summer this August 21st and 22nd. Acts are being revealed the the coming weeks such as Stars who now join Weezer, Metric, Major Lazer, Girl Talk, Bend Sinister, The Zolas and more.

Early Bird tickets are still on sale until May 15th but they’re going fast (camping is already sold out). Early Bird Weekend passes are $119 and Early Bird Day passes are going for $79 (plus service charges). Kids under 12 are still free when accompanied by an adult. Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out, I have a feeling that these will be hot items come summer. Squamish, music, laying on the grass, beer garden, local and world-class talent… need I say more?

As a media partner of this year’s Live at Squamish music festival I have the opportunity to give away two pairs of weekend passes right now, before the Early Bird deadline is up. Here’s how you can enter to win:

I will draw two winners at random from all entries next Friday, April 29, 2011 at 12:00pm.

Update The winners are Natalie Burgwin (comment entry) and jeff (@zenspiration Twitter entry) – congratulations!

John and I recently treated ourselves to a quick trip South of the border to enjoy a little retail therapy, the tulip festival, and a Mariners game. Thanks to recommendations from my Twitter followers, we ended up staying at the Four Seasons Seattle.

The hotel invited us down to ART Restaurant for dinner and three hours later, we were sufficiently stuffed with taste buds pleasantly exhausted.

Cocktails (sorry, no photos of these)
Shanghai Bunny (boulard calvados, fresh ginger, carrot juice, ginger ale)
Minetta in Spring (bulleit bourbon, navan, rosemary syrup, cherry bitters)

Starters
Each guest receives a bread basket with red bean hummus and we had an amuse bouche with crab, rolled in cucumber.

First
Baby Gem Lettuce, Shoots Endive
Sunchoke Bisque with Goat Cheese Spring Roll

Second
Seared Indian Spiced Salmon with Alaskan Crab and Yukon Gold Potatoes
Pan Seared Halibut with Fiddlehead Ferns, Asparagus, Spring Morel Mushrooms

Dessert
Walk the Red Carpet (red velvet cake, honey yogurt panna cotta, blueberry puree)
It’s Complicated (gluten-free valhrona bittersweet chocolate tart, pistachio ice cream)
There’s a Hole in My Bucket (vanilla bean dusted donut holes)

This is not a review post, as dinner was compliments of the hotel, but hopefully you will check out ART the next time you’re in Seattle. The Yelp ratings are impressive and now we know why. The ingredients are “market fresh”, which would be expected of a high-end restaurant so close to so much seafood and produce at Pike Place Market. The inspiration behind each dish and the source of the ingredients (whether it be from the farm or from the sea) is explained. The atmosphere is classy and comfortable and the staff was very friendly.

You’ll want to make a point of ordering some of Giorgio’s Limoncello – he’s the restaurant manager and he’ll be sure to tell everyone at your table about how this secret family recipe came to be at the Four Seasons. Even if you’re not a hotel guest, stop by for Happy Hour in the lounge, enjoy some charcuterie and a cheese plate, and catch the game on one of the big screens.

You can find the Four Seasons Seattle on Twitter @FSSeattle as well as @ARTRestaurant.

Disclosure: cmp.ly/2 I was not paid to visit this hotel or restaurant however as stated above, this meal was compliments of the hotel.

The world will be watching April 29, 2011 as Prince William takes Kate Middleton as his bride in the “Royal Wedding of [this] Century”. From souvenir stickers, tea cups, and postcards to virtual guest books, the excitement that was felt around the globe as Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 has been rekindled.

Being a dutiful member of the British Commonwealth, most Canadians are excited to witness these regal nuptials and locally, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has taken charge of celebrating in style – even if festivities do kick off at 3:00am Pacific Time.

Photo credit: RobertoMckenzie on Flickr

On the morning of April 29th, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver will be airing full wedding coverage and Breakfast Television will be broadcasting live from the “Royal Breakfast” event from 5:30am until 9:00am.

900 West Lounge will be serving up a three-tiered breakfast platters (complete with the hotel’s famous scones) for $29 per person, including coffee or tea. Please note that breakfast reservations are required and can be made by calling (604) 662-1900. The Royal Breakfast is a part of Fairmont Hotels’ “Royal Month” campaign throughout April.

Image courtesy of Fairmont Hotels

The hotel has kindly offered up a special contest package so that one of my readers can enjoy this occasion in style. The “Royal Breakfast Sleepover” contest package includes an overnight stay at the legendary Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (Thursday, April 28, 2011) and the Royal Breakfast in the morning of the 29th. The winner and their guest can make their way down to 900 West Lounge to see the live television coverage (starting at 3:00am, if they’re so inclined) and watch BT do their broadcast at 5:30am.

Here’s how you can enter to win:

I will draw one winner at 11:00am next Tuesday, April 26, 2011. The prize is valid April 28th – April 29th and for the Royal Breakfast. It cannot be redeemed for a stay on different dates at the hotel.

Update The winner is @kristenbull (Twitter entry) – congratulations!

Related post: King George VI in Vancouver