For the last five years I’ve been writing about Stanley Park (beyond the sea wall) and one of my trusted information sources has always been the Stanley Park Ecology Society. They’ve hosted fun events like the winter humbug hike, were a great resource when I did my coyote sighting map, run programs like Ivy Busters, and always respond to my inquisitive emails.
They regularly host guided walks, covering various aspects of the park from ground to sky, and this weekend you can learn all about the herons with the themed walk – Discover: The Great Blue Herons of Stanley Park.
“In recent years, great blue herons have nested in unprecedented numbers in Stanley Park. On this herony tour, naturalist and heron monitor Robyn Worcestor will guide you through the life cycle of these remarkable birds.” Tickets for the walk are $10 ($5 for SPES members and children) and they start off at the Lost Lagoon Nature House (what used to be the old Boat House, located at the foot of Alberni Street).
This weekend’s walk is on Sunday, from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. If you enjoy this experience I would recommend becoming a member of the society, supporting its education and conservation efforts.
The following was covered and contributed by Rob Jones of The Delete Bin on behalf of Miss604.com.
The reason that the arts are so vital is that they capture the nuances of a culture that are not transferable by any other means. And this is what hyper-local publication and website One Cool Word is all about, dedicated to the promotion of the music and art made right here in Vancouver.
I attended the 2nd annual Spring Fling Party hosted by OCW on Wednesday evening at the fabulous Biltmore Cabaret (395 Kingsway, Vancouver). The crowd gathered to catch local bands, and to join in with the celebratory spirit of the hyper-local publication and website that seeks to highlight vital Vancouver talent. Some ‘guest models’ from Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School Vancouver were also on hand for everyone’s artistically (or perhaps anti-artistically) inclined sketching pleasures.
This is not a one-off event. One Cool Word’s Jake Tobin Garrett has helped to organize other events like this one in local venues in the past. “Each time a quarterly issue of the print magazine is published, we have a party,” he says. “This is the first one we’ve had at the Biltmore, which is a great venue for us.”
Along with short stories, Twitter poetry, and photography, the spring issue of One Cool Word includes an 18-track sampler of local bands. The magazine and these events are a great platform for Vancouver bands that are finding an audience. When the music started we were treated to four, count ’em, four local bands, and all from radically different points on the musical spectrum which only goes to show the impressive range of local talent right here in our own backyard.
The Contemporary Lovers took to the stage first, with a winsome fusion of club date jazz and indie-pop. The group’s sleepy feel on some of the numbers might have set the proceedings at a slower pace than was required. But, the band’s sterling musicianship, demonstrated by an almost telepathic instrumental interplay and a deft feel for mood, kept everyone’s interest.
If jug band music as played by Tom Waits’ feral stepchildren is your thing, then the Creaking Planks should be right up your street. The ‘Planks ripped into cover versions of Radiohead (‘Creep’), Britney Spears (‘Toxic’) Cypress Hill (‘Insane in the Membrane’), and my favourite: ‘Psycho Killer’ by Talking Heads, while also quoting the riff of Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘Crazy Train’. They got the crowd on their feet.
Analogue Bell Service kept the momentum going, with a prog-rock approach that reminded me of Mogwai on their opening instrumental, if Mogwai had a flautist/saxophonist in tow. The group focused on jams, and threw in a welcome dash of ska to the proceedings.
My favourite band of the evening was the Fur Bearing Animals, with an emphasis on highly danceable grooves in post-punk packaging. The crowd responded, and furiously so, on the spacious dance floor of the Biltmore, while guitarist, drummer, and keyboardist/programmer/electric violinist worked them into a frenzy. Too soon, they were finished, and the evening was concluded.
The event was a real celebration, with a warm communal feel to the proceedings. Be sure to check the events calendar on the One Cool Word site for upcoming issues of the magazine, and for launch party information too.
Thanks to Jake at One Cool Word for the invitation, to Rebecca Bollwitt who invited me to attend on behalf of Miss604, and to April Smith of AHA MEDIA who took all of the images you see here along with video footage. Check out the full Flickr stream of the event here.
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Rob Jones is a Vancouver music blogger who has helmed his own blog The Delete Bin since 2003, nominated for best cultural/entertainment blog in the 2008 Canadian Blog Awards.
By day, he works in social media marketing for online building materials company BuildDirect.
I love the song although I find it a little odd that Vancouver 2010 is using a UK band in their advertising (and not local talent). I’d love to hear my readers’ thoughts on this.
Yesterday Vancouver lost an icon who helped shape many city skylines. World-renowned architect Arthur Erickson passed away at the age of 84 and included below are some photos I’ve found that capture just some of his influence on our region.
After we finished our meals my non-smoking husband sat back in his chair and said, “I’m going to need a cigar.” We were enjoying the tastes, sights, and sounds of the New Orleans-style restaurant Ouisi Bistro since it came highly recommended by the good folks I follow on Twitter. Located just two blocks from The Stanley theatre (and with no lineups in sight) it was the perfect pre-show meal.
John went for the classic Jambalaya (simmered with tomatoes, the trinity, smoked ham, andouille sausage, chorizo sausage & served with green rice) while I tried their Pepper Crusted Chicken Breast (which is served under fresh spinach, roasted garlic & brie with red beans, green rice and sauteed vegetables). The artwork of jazz greats is beautiful and the entire place has a laid back feel. We sat inside, although they have a patio, and enjoyed some profiteroles before heading down to catch the Arts Club Theatre Company’s production of Les Miserables.
I’ve seen Les Miserables before but never in such an intimate setting. The Arts Club truly has a knack for creating functional and dynamic set design – able to pack a modest stage with resounding voices, heart-wrenching emotions and perfectly choreographed movement.
Jonathan Winsby and cast – Photo by David Cooper
What stood out for me with this production was not only the power of the ensemble, but the performances of Rejean Cournoyer (as Javert) and Kieran Martin Murphy (Jean Valjean).
I recognized Jonathan Winsby who was Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, as he delivered a powerful and uprising performance as Enjorlas. The costuming was fantastic (as it has been with most Arts Club shows I’ve seen this year) and the children in the production deserve some kudos as well, in particular Joshua Ballard (Gavroche). Energetic and perfectly creepy crowd-pleasing performances by Nicole Lipman and John Mann (the Thenardiers) are also worth noting.
Nicola Lipman and John Mann – Photo by David Cooper
Les Miserables runs until July 19th although there is limited availability between now and June 7th due to popular demand. You can pick up tickets online (about $65 for great seats).
The Arts Club also launched a blog this season and have been providing an inside look at the making of Les Mis – including videos, cast interviews, and behind the scenes photos.
The reason that the arts are so vital is that they capture the nuances of a culture that are not transferable by any other means. And this is what hyper-local publication and website 
