Canada’s favourite late-night host, George Stroumboulopoulos, is bringing his hit CBC show out to Vancouver for a few days next month.

The last time Strombo landed out West there was an overwhelming response for tickets to his shows where he interviewed Betty Fox, Heritage Minister James Moore, the Sedin twins, Raine Maida and more.

While his guests for April 11th and 12th have yet to be announced, tickets to the show are a hot commodity and only available online through an application form.

Luckily, there are two spots saved for a lucky Miss604.com contest winner and their guest who will get to attend the April 11th taping. Here’s how you can enter to win a spot in George’s audience:

I will draw one winner at random from all entries Friday, April 1st at 2:00pm. By entering the contest you confirm that you have read and understood the audience regulations for George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight as outlined here.

In case you missed the announcement a few weeks ago, George was also recently appointed Canada’s first ambassador to the United Nations World Food Programme. You can catch him in Vancouver again this May when he speaks at the EPIC Sustainable Living Expo.

Update The winner is Christine!

Promoted to the front page of Miss604.com April 16, 2011

In the tradition of Winterfest, the Fusion Festival, and Canada Day celebrations, the City of Surrey is hosting Party for the Planet, another free public festival happening this spring in honor of Earth Day.

With an eco-friendly focus for the whole family, the event will have demonstrations and themed interactive activities including Agriculture Alley, the Community Corridor, Energy Avenue, Nature Nook, Landscape Lane, Water Way, and the Transportation Trail. A big attraction will be the green zipline across the Central City Plaza and some amazing home-grown BC talent taking to the main stage that will be bike-powered.

Performers include an appearance by Elmo, Ta Daa Lady, Bobs & Lolo, Shane Philip, Tambura Rasa, Greg Sczebel, George Leach, Aidan Knight, Hannah Georgas, and Spirit of the West.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to take public transit to the event, which is easily accessible by bus and SkyTrain at Central City. Festivities kick off April 15th and performances begin around 11:00am Saturday April 16, 2011. Miss604.com is a proud sponsor of Surrey’s Party for the Planet.

Update: April 16, 2011

Surrey’s Party for the Planet, BC’s largest Earth Day celebration is well underway. Despite it being a bit chilly this morning, thousands made their way through the tents, displays, and earth-friendly activities setup at Central City.

I brought John Biehler along to try out the Wild Play Element Parks zipline and he took the following video with a GoPro camera strapped to his wrist:

The festivities continue tonight with concerts on the main stage from Aidan Knight (6:00pm), Hannah Georgas (7:00pm) and Spirit of the West (8:00pm).

Take a bus, SkyTrain, or park at the free bike valet and get some exercise working the bike-powered stage. Bring some cash for treats and a backyard tree sale otherwise, enjoy all of the free performances and activities for all ages.

More photos are available in my set on Flickr.

The Playland amusement park on the PNE fair grounds will introduce a new ride this year, for the first time in 4 years, according to a press release issued this morning. The $2 million “Star Flyer” will be placed near the pirate ship and stand 5 meters taller than the park’s current height champion, The Hellevator, at 218 feet. If it’s anything like the images my friend Duane found online, it looks like the swing ride, only 218 feet up in the air:

Photo source: Ultimate Roller Coaster

Playland, which has been a part of the exhibition grounds for the last 101 years, will be offering up rides on the Star Flyer with no additional charge this summer. You can ride it for free with your admission or as a part of your ride passport when the PNE takes place later in the summer. 2011 PlayPasses are on sale right now and Playland opens up April 30, 2011. The Star Flyer will make its debut in July.

The last few times I’ve been to Playland, for Fright Nights or with friends on a rainy day, have been a blast. For some reason the bumper cars get more enjoyable with age however – of all 35 rides at Playland – I must admit the 53-year old wooden coaster is still the most thrilling to me.

Update April 6, 2011: Since “Star Flyer” was the manufacturer’s name for the ride, Playland hosted an online vote to select a new name. ATMOSFEAR was the winner and is now the name of the park’s latest addition.

Update July 13, 2011: The Atmosfear will open at Playland on Saturday July 16, 2011 at 10:00am. “Hitting top speeds of 70km/hr, riders will be whirled 360 degrees in the air for two gravity-defying minutes. This ride can accommodate up to 500 riders an hour, making it a “must ride” for all amusement park enthusiasts. ATMOSFEAR is the first new ride at Playland in the past four years.”

The Georgia Straight’s annual Golden Plate Awards have been announced as Vancouverites voted, in 138 categories, for their favourite places to eat and drink around town. Here are a few highlights for me:

Best Richmond Restaurant
Tapenade Bistro (Steveston)

Best Korean
Jang Mo Jib

Best Middle Eastern
Afghan Horsemen

Best Neighbourhood for Restaurants
Gastown

Best Whistler Restaurant
Araxi Restaurant + Bar

Best Pre-Game Restaurant
Shark Club

Best Izakaya
Hapa Izakaya

Best Chain Restaurant
Cactus Club Cafe

Best Budget Restaurant
White Spot

Best Eatery with Live Entertainment
O’Doul’s

Best Ramen
Kintaro Ramen

Best Breakfast
Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe

Best View Restaurant
Seasons in the Park

Best Hamburger
Vera’s Burger Shack

Best Restaurant B.C. Beer Selection
Alibi Room

Best Coffee Shop with Wireless Internet
Waves

Best Restaurant for Cocktails
The Diamond

View a complete list of first, second, and third place winners online, on an interactive map, or in this week’s issue of the Georgia Straight. Remember to support local business and visit your favourites often for the best beer, cocktails, brunch, hamburger, or ramen in town.

I also wanted to make a special note about the Roaming Dragon food truck (that placed 3rd in its category). They catered Vancouver’s Twestival last night and were a huge success. To keep the momentum going, they’re donating 20% of their sales on Monday, March 28th, to our Twestival cause, Beauty Night. Please stop by and see them between 12:00pm and 3:00pm at 1075 West Georgia.

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC hosted its first MLS game at home last weekend at Empire Field. Although the opposing Toronto FC fans had a presence in the stands, it was quickly drowned out by the chants and cheers of Whitecaps fans.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt

The crowd of 23,000 on opening day was electric with excitement and anticipation. Scarves were removed from around necks and held up, flashing the Whitecaps FC logo with pride, songs were sung, and you couldn’t have asked for a better outcome in a soccer game, let alone a premiere home-opening game as Vancouver came out on top, 4-2.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt

In case you were wondering who that large group was that knew all the songs, had their own branded scarves, flags, and attention of the team, they were the Southsiders — the Vancouver Whitecaps’ loyal supporter group since 1999. You can find tickets in their section online, learn their songs, sign up for membership, and support the team at home and on the road.

If you were at the game or know someone who was, you can view a full panoramic photo of Empire Field courtesy of GigaPan. Click on the South or North views and zoom in to see if you can spot yourself in the stands.

The next Whitecaps FC homegame at Empire Field is Saturday April 2nd. Tickets are still available starting at just $20. Follow @WhitecapsFC and @Southsiders on Twitter.