Trying to remember what you were supposed to get at the grocery store? Waiting for a friend at a restaurant? Having a good laugh in situations when your parents text or when auto-correct goes terribly wrong?

On April 22nd, the new Canadian film, Textuality – starting Jason Lewis, Vancouver’s Carly Pope, and Arts Club alumnus Eric McCormack – will open in theatres. The film explores the new landscape of dating in the mobile age.

To promote the film, I have a themed prize pack to give away that includes:

If you would like to win this Textuality prize pack leave comment on this post listing a “Do” or “Don’t” of texting etiquette (especially when it comes to relationships).

You can also enter to win by posting the following on Twitter:

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 9:00am Thursday, April 21, 2011.

Update The winner is Joshua Langston!

Fine print: The winner will be notified and will need to confirm attendance by 5:00pm that day in order to qualify. If the winner cannot confirm, another will be drawn, due to the tight time frame for the film screening.

Tourism Vancouver has been commissioning some very cool projects lately like Kris Krug’s photo essays (capturing Chinatown and Downtown neighbourhoods).

Photo credit: Kris Krug for Tourism Vancouver on Flickr

Their latest series is with Sean Horlor (Columnist, Producer, star of Don’t Quit Your Gay Job) creating an online video campaign called “Vancouver in a Day” where, over the next six month, Sean and his partner Steve Adams (Director/Director of Photography) will feature what visitors and locals alike can do around town, in one day.

Since I’m often asked, “What should I do when I’m in Vancouver?” I thought it would be worth finding out how Sean and Steve are selecting their subject matter: “When we’re planning each video, we take into consideration the time of year and build a list of Vancouver spots and activities that we would like to try and that we would like to show to locals and visitors,” said Steve.

“Even after we’ve both lived here for so long, there are a ton of typically Vancouver things that neither of us have tried,” added Sean. “That was my first time on Grouse in the five year’s I’ve been in Vancouver.” The touristy places sometimes aren’t top of mind for locals however they’re popular for a reason. Places like the Vancouver Lookout and even Grouse, as Sean mentioned, are definitely worth exploring while being a ‘tourist in your hometown’.

If Sean and Steve, aside from this project, had a single day to enjoy Vancouver, Steve says he would do a day hike to the Lions for a scenic and intense look at the city and then have dinner with friends at one of the many great restaurants in Gastown. Sean said it would have to be summer and he’d enjoy morning pitch and putt in West Vancouver, then grab some fresh produce, bike to Third Beach and have an afternoon beach BBQ. That would be pretty perfect.

Follow the video series on Tourism Vancouver’s Inside Vancouver blog for the next few months and take note of some great ways to enjoy our city.

It’s been 15 years since News1130 hit the airways in Vancouver offering up all-news, all the time (with traffic and weather on the 1’s). They’ve survived some tumultuous times in the local radio economy and have branched out to social media – even hosting their first Tweetup a few months ago that welcomed about a hundred listeners.

Photo credit: Erin Loxam © News1130

While the current news format has been around since my high school days in 1996, the CKWX call sign has been a part of the Vancouver media landscape for the better part of the last century. CKWX powered up with 10 watts in 1923 and by 1928 they were broadcasting at 100 watts from the top of the Hotel Georgia.

1940s – Group broadcast on CKWX. Archives Item# CVA 1184-2378. Photographer: Jack Lindsay

It’s a little tough to keep track of all the frequencies and call signs but of note in 1941, CKWX 950 moved to AM 980 (which is now CKNW radio) and in 1951 CKWX moved to AM 1130 where it lives today. They were the first Vancouver radio station to broadcast at 50,000 watts, back in 1957. CKWX had adult contemporary programming in the 1970s and were then spinning country through the 1980s and 1990s before becoming a news station in 1996 with headlines cycling through every 30 minutes.

1940s – Group broadcasting on CKWX. Archives Item# CVA 1184-2382. Photographer: Jack Lindsay

Tonight there is a celebration for News1130’s 15th year and you can follow along online by searching the tag newx1130xv on Twitter.

My source for the preceding information is the Vancouver Radio Museum which has an amazing archive of information and photos. You can also read Broadcasting History to find talent including News 1130’s Andy Walsh, Canada’s longest serving on-air personality, and a very young Red Robinson who worked at CKWX as a teen.

The Smirnoff Canada concert series is presenting Tokyo Police Club at the Commodore April 23rd and one of my readers will be able to attend the sound check and get a pair of tickets to the show.

The promotion is through the Smirnoff Canada Box Office, which offers exclusive advance tickets, seats, and unique concert opportunities. Also on the bill that night is Vancouver’s own Said the Whale, as well as Dinosaur Bones. Tickets for the show are $20 (plus service charges) and are available at Zulu, Red Cat and Ticketmaster.

Said the Whale – Photo credit: John Bollwitt

Tokyo Police Club – Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

If you would like to enter to win this experience with Canadian rockers, Tokyo Police Club, leave a comment on this post naming one of their songs and/or post the following on Twitter:

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm, Tuesday April 19, 2011.

Update April 18, 2011: I now have two more pairs of tickets to give away so I will be drawing 3 winners.
Update The winners are Beth, rino, and @iamkaz Stv. Congratulations!
No purchase necessary, must be legal drinking age to win and attend the show. Please enjoy responsibly.

The Lonsdale Quay opened its doors for the first time April 12, 1986. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Quay (including the market, shops, bus loop and Sea Bus terminal) they’re hosting two days of free family-friendly events this weekend.

Photo credit: Urban Shore, Urban Shore on Flickr

Activities include a bouncy castle, face-painting, a BBQ (by donation to the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation), entertainment (Ben Sigston, VOC Sweet Soul Choir, Adam Woodall Band) and more. Festivities run from 12:00pm – 4:00pm, April 16th and 17th, 2011.

Photo credit: AE Creations on Flickr

The Lonsdale Quay hosts market stalls, artisans, butchers, bakers, cheesemongers, florists, eateries, gift shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Its market is great for finding local ingredients for dinner or grabbing an ice cream (during the warmer months) and sitting outside enjoying the view of Vancouver from across the water.