The Caribbean Days Festival takes place Saturday July 24th and Sunday July 25th at Waterfront Park in North Vancouver. While out at the Surrey Fusion Festival we came across a family friend manning the Trinidad & Tobago booth. She said we had better put Caribbean Days in our calendar since it’s the biggest event of the year for BC’s Trinidad & Tobago Cultural Society.
Multicultural Street Parade
FREE: The Caribbean Days Festival kicks off in style with a parade through North Vancouver starting at 10:00am Saturday. It begins at Victoria Park (Keith Road & Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver) then winds around the park on the West side. It then turns South on Lonsdale and heads down to Esplanade. It will turn West and arrive at Waterfront Park about 1.5 hours later. You can find a route map online.
Festival in the Park
FREE: The main event for Caribbean Days is the Festival in the Park with live entertainment, crafts, activities, dancing, a community market and an international food fair. Main stage concerts will begin at 10:00am each day.
Waterfront Party
Simmering at sunset the Waterfront Party will keep the energy flowing from 7:00pm until 1:00am over at the Lonsdale Quay. Featuring Moses Revolution, Phase III Steel Band, DJ Carl Sound Vibes, and DJ Kizum there will be live music and dancing all night long. Tickets are $39 and are available online.
Children’s Carnival Parade
FREE: A special parade just for kids rounds out the weekend on Sunday at 1:00pm. The parade will stay within Waterfront Park and congregate on the South side of the stage. Children are encouraged to dress up in Carnival costumes.
Even though the event is family-friendly there is still a beer garden for those of legal drinking age (and I hear it’s where you’ll find a ton of fun in the sunshine). You can take the SeaBus over or one of the numerous North Vancouver buses that head toward the Lonsdale Quay.
Yesterday I finally took in a meal at Q4 Ristorante in Kitsilano. I lived in Kits for about 3 months during the summer of 2005 and since then, I’m afraid to say, I haven’t spent much time there at all. This is a real shame as Broadway and West Fourth are prime locations for fabulous dining establishments created and maintained by local culinary masters.
Q4 is right on the corner of Trafalgar and West Fourth, surrounded by a covered garden patio complete with lounge space. Inside under the wrought iron chandeliers, the atmosphere is comfortable and casual. Families sit around big circular tables, while business associates enjoy cocktails at a quiet table in the corner.
Our server recommended we start with the antipasto platter that we could all share, so we began there.
It was off the menu so I do not have a price listing for the platter. This was followed up by our entrees:
Spaghetti Quattro $17.95
Salmone Carciofi $28.95
Fresh wild B.C. salmon with arugula, sundried tomato pesto and panko crust
Linguine di Mare $19.95
Linguine with baby clams, white wine, peperoncino and Italian parsley
My salmon was candy-like and there was a zesty lemon flavour on the plate that complimented it perfectly. I tried the pastas as well, which were both very well seasoned however I don’t think I would have been able to eat the dishes in their entirety due to the spice (mind you, the server gave fair warning). For dessert they offered four selections and we chose the brownie and the tiramisu.
Lacking tall cavernous ceilings and a pumping house beat that is hard to talk over, Q4 is a great alternative to Vancouver’s usual EarlStonesClub offerings. Current specials include daily thin-crust pizza creations from their new oven and $10 pasta dishes on Mondays and Tuesdays. I think if you stick to specials, cocktails, and share plates (such as the antipasto) this can be a great place to frequent with friends that won’t bust your bank account.
Prior to heading to Q4 I checked out reviews on Yelp. Most praised the food, service, and ambiance. I would have to rate this right up there as well. It was relaxed, friendly, and… (this was also noted on Yelp) ladies can enjoy a special treat in the restroom with the certain facilities that they have available.
Q4 Ristorante was formerly known as Quattro, in case you recognize it under that name like me. Patrick Corsi took over the the ownership (that was a partnership with his father Antonio) and the name change occurred. Over the years the restaurant has won several awards and has established a loyal customer base. They will be opening a second Q4 Ristorante downtown at L’Hermitage this November.
Disclosure cmp.ly/2 My meal was on the house
Today’s Archives Photo of the Day features two children walking along the old pier at English Bay.
Year: 1905
Vancouver Archives item#: CVA 677-227
One of Vancouver’s most beloved Canucks, Trevor Linden, will be inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame this weekend. Born and raised in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Linden spent 10 years with the Vancouver Canucks before moving on to the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadians, and the Washington Capitals.
In 2001 Linden returned to Vancouver where he played out the rest of his career. His number 16 was raised to the rafters of GM Place (now Rogers Arena) in 2008 — his was only the second number to be retired, the first being Stan Smyl’s number 12.
Linden was a driving force behind the team’s 1994 cup and truly put heart into Vancouver hockey, being active with local community groups, non-profits, and Canuck Place Childrens Hospice. Linden took on responsibilities and leadership including being the President of the NHLPA during the infamous lockout of 2004. He’s so well-known and respected in town that there are over 300 groups on Facebook dedicated to everything from naming a street after him to making him the Mayor of Vancouver.
The BC Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Penticton. Previous Canucks family members that have been inducted include Orland Kurtenbach, Pat Quinn, Steve Tambellini, Tom Renney, Cliff Ronning, Brian Burke, Dave Babych, Greg Adams, Harold Snepsts, Fred “Cyclone” Taylor, Geoff & Russ Courtnall, Doug Lidster, and the Patrick Family who shaped the way we play hockey today.
Last night the 2010 Celebration of Light began its run with a performance from Team USA. The colourful explosions above the city could be seen and heard from English Bay to Boundary. After every fireworks night I will be looking through the Miss604 group pool on Flickr for any photos submitted from the previous night’s events. The following are some Team USA photos that have already been added.
Photo credit:
Bryanh on Flickr
Please feel free to add your images to the Miss604 group on Flickr anytime. For some tips on where you can view the fireworks (and get some unique angles such as these) check out my Celebration of Light 2010 Guide including viewing spots, road closures, bike and transit info.
