The Vancouver International Film Festival is known for showcasing homegrown talent and this year the festival is presenting the largest collection of Canadian films in the country. Last night John and I attended the Canadian Images Gala and literally rubbed elbows with some great local film talents.
The gala was at Joey’s on Burrard where they served up delicious cocktails, canapes, and featured an oyster bar. The party was packed although we were still able to spot local celebs, film fest notables, and our pal Heather Watson.
VIFF has programmed 89 Canadian films for 2009: 33 features (20 dramatic features, 13 nonfiction features), five mid-lengths, 50 shorts; selected from 641 submissions. Included in the line-up is the Opening Gala film A Shine of Rainbows, directed by BC’s Vic Sarin, and the Special Presentation film The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, a Vancouver-based production directed by Terry Gilliam. The Canadian Images programming strand is home to 83 of the domestic films. The remaining six are shown in other programming strands including Galas, Special Presentations, Follow the Moneyand The Way of Nature.
I already profiled some picks in another post but here are a few more films to check out at VIFF this year.
Coopers Camera
Directed By: Warren P. Sonoda
Playing: October 3rd & October 4th
Puck Hogs
Directed By: Warren P. Sonoda
Playing: October 4th & 5th
Gratitude Week is happening the week of Thanksgiving in Vancouver and if you’ve been looking for a way to give back to your community, this campaign is for you.
At this point in my life I have so much for which I am thankful. I think the most important element that has kept me going is the kindness of others; from friends and family, and even strangers both online and off. In just over a week you can express your gratitude for even the simplest comforts in life that many of our neighbours downtown cannot enjoy. Here’s how you can get involved:
The Gratitude Gathering
Daily (11am – 2pm ) Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza
Mental Health Awareness Forums
October 13 – October 16 (12:30pm – 1pm & 1:30 – 2pm)
Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza
The Gratitude University Street Collection
October 14, (6am – 10am)
The Mala Collaboration: A Social Collaboration to End Homelessness
Donate
“Gratitude Week will ensure that every possible dollar donated goes directly to the renovation of two buildings in the Downtown East Side that will make a measurable contribution to End Homelessness Now. The expectation is that these projects will in the very near future transition people into a better quality of life by providing safe, clean and affordable living conditions.” The two building are Gratitude House @ 31 W Pender Street and Hotel Gastown @ 110 Water Street.
Author Chuck Davis, who runs the ultimate Vancouver history website, has been publishing an online series called “A Year in 5 Minutes“.
The “New” Orpheum on Granville Street – Photographer: Jack Lindsay – ITEM #: CVA 1184-2290
Hosted over at re:place Magazine, Chuck has been highlighting one year every week starting with the incorporation of our fair town in 1886. He’s just past the 50-year mark and I thought it was worth taking a look at some of his posts to learn a bit more about how our city has taken shape.
In the series:
The First Decade: Public transit, Stanley Park and water.
The Second Decade: Public library, Interurban and gold!
The Third Decade: The PNE, a building boom and war.
The Fourth Decade: Fire, floods and Spanish Flu.
The Fifth Decade: Burrard Bridge, Vancouver Airport and the Great Depression.
Each “Year in 5 Minutes” post packs 365 days of history in one single blog page and features photos from the City of Vancouver Archives. The series is now up to 1937 and will keep going every week (posted every Monday) until we reach present-day Vancouver. It’s definitely worth checking out especially if you love local history like I do.
I’m a big fan of television and every fall there’s a new show out there that captivates my attention, makes me laugh, and inspires my writing. We may not watch shows when their air live but being at home on the couch with my husband is downtime that I truly value. If Olivia Dunham, Sheldon Cooper, and Tommy Gavin happen join us, all the better.
A few weeks ago I got a tour of the newly-renovated Morrissey on Granville and last night Keira and stopped in for a bit to check it out at night. The renovation of this watering hole with a loyal customer base represents far more than a design overhaul; it’s a non-pretentious, laid back, yet really cool place to grab a drink which over the last 20 years or so, was next to impossible to find on Granville.
Anyone who has been to Vancouver knows that Granville street is a pretty interesting place. At night it’s club district is filled with short skirts, egos and testosterone-fueled spats. In the light of day, especially now that the street is undergoing a revitalization, it’s like a blast from the past. The architecture is from a different time, actually more so from various different times.
Art Deco theatres now house night clubs or stores, while hotels from the 1920s have been turned into hostels or parking lots. Piercing shops and tattoo parlours speckle the landscape in between adult novelty stores with neon “25 cent peep show” signs. Just down the block there’s a Burger King, a Payless Shoes, and private parties for things like BC Fashion Week. This eclectic mix of old and new, posh and rough, trendy and edgy makes it an area of the city where you either go to have fun, or avoid like the plague.
I met with the designer of the new Morrissey, Reisa Pollard, who said that the renovation was to be the antithesis of EarlStonesClub. However, it was still supposed to be friendly and welcoming to the hotel guests, as it is a part of the Ramada. A classic live venue that has hosted rock and roll acts for a pint or five, she also didn’t want to lose that part of its history. Taking an Irish-themed hotel pub and turning it into a relaxed tribute with antique highlights was definitely a challenge but I’d say Reisa and her team pulled it off.
Before
After
The Morrissey is located on Granville between Davie & Drake, and its building – the Austin Motor Hotel, dates back to 1906. Some of the elements you’ll see out in the open, as a part of the design, are either original or throwbacks to that time period. During the renovation Reisa removed the wood paneling from the back wall and uncovered the original wallpaper and you’ll also notice band stickers on the bar stools, funky pillows, and old radios stacked up on the walls.
Music has always been an important part of the Morrissey and they still have live performances and every Saturday night at 10:00pm they will feature current buzz bands, indie, punk, rock, electro, old school hits and rotating DJs.
Keira and I really enjoyed hanging out there last night. The staff was friendly, helpful, and courteous, and the music was simply fun. Once a Beastie Boys song turned into Tears for Fears Keira exclaimed, “I wish they would play some Duran Duran.” I assured her that given what we had already heard that night, it was probably on tap. Sure enough the very next song was Planet Earth. I would recommend checking it out and if you do, I’d love to hear about your experience.
