The following was contributed by Miss604.com guest theatre blogger, Megan Stewart

Bill, the inspiration for this one-woman play, might have said, “That was nice, Andrea,” and kissed his granddaughter on the cheek.

“He certainly appreciated the arts,” said playwright and actor Andrea Loewen, the creative force behind Silk Threads, following an affectionate tribute to her grandfather.

At the yesterday’s opening, the audience was largely composed of friends and family who knew Bill personally. They laughed as Andrea put his idiosyncricities on stage, drawing attention to his sparse phone etiquette and affinity for logarithms.

Andrea plays a slightly fictionalized version of herself and delivers a biographical portrayal of her grandfather, Bill, who died in 2006. A Mennonite who emigrated from Russia to Canada as WWII escalated, he found comfort in numbers when English was a challenge. Finally settling in Abbotsford, he had three daughters and was an integral part of the lives of his grandchildren.

But as the mostly biographical play explores, Bill needed convincing that his granddaughter would find success pursuing her dreams of being an artist. As a girl, she wants to be a ballerina, movie star, model, dance teacher and everything else that would put her in the spotlight.

“We don’t all want the same things,” a teenage granddaughter tells her grandfather. I can be more than a wife and a mother, she says.

Family is the heart of his existence, the granddaughter comes to learn, and this guidance was his way of helping her find happiness.

Silk Threads moves between Andrea’s childhood until she is headed to Paris as a young adult to pursue acting. Complimenting her growing understanding of her grandfather’s life, the play visits Bill’s childhood in Russia and the wartime strife and religious persecution of his family once he has left for Canada.

The movements between place and time are not seamless, but Andrea’s performance is breathlessly energetic and engaging. The script is personal and entertaining, with a committed and courageous, 40-minute solo show coming from Andrea.

A tribute from a granddaughter to her late grandfather, Silk Threads is not only about the love of family but also the dedication to faith. Indeed, a portion of the Mennonite congregation from Central Heights Church in Abbotsford attended the performance. Andrea’s questions about the afterlife bring us the title of the play and the most poignant scene of the performance. The closing moment is tender and enchanting.

Editor’s Note: Silk Threads was only showing until June 20th but it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on Andrea Loewen and the Pacific Theatre.

Megan Stewart is an independent reporter currently at the UBC graduate school of journalism. She has covered arts across Canada and Australia and also writes for Newslab.ca.

The following is a guest post, contributed by Paulo Vallejo of the IStyleU blog.

Summer is definitely here. Well, outside of the rain we had this weekend. Nevertheless, shopping at your neighborhood farmers market is a worthwhile activity. What exactly is a farmers market? Essentially, it is a place where local farmers commune to sell fresh meat and produce, a lot of times organic. More recently, its also been a place where local artisans sell their craft to the public.

You’re probably wondering why should buy your food from the back of someone’s truck than going to your local grocery store. People who frequent Farmers Markets do so primarily because of the freshness of the products that are being sold there. The local produce is usually picked inside of 24 hours. You see it ripe, fresh, and full of flavor. Most supermarket food are picked, packed and shipped for weeks and sometimes months before it gets to your plate. Farmers markets also allow you to connect with your community. You get to meet local chefs, artists, and food connoisseurs. And most importantly, not only do you get to eat healthy but also give back to the local economy.

So what are some of the best farmers markets in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland? Here are my favorites:

Trout Lake Farmers Market (E.15th and Victoria, East Vancouver) – I find the quality and variety of the produce and dairy products here to be one of the best in the city. If you like goat cheese, this is the market to go to. Open Saturdays 9am-2pm. May 16-Oct 10, 2009.

Main Street Farmers Market (Station Street at Thornton Park, Vancouver) – This is a great weekday only market. If you’re coming home from work and need something fresh for dinner, this is the place to go. I was there last week and they had a great selection of fruits, vegetables, flowers and fish. Wednesdays, 3pm-7pm. Open from June 10-October 21, 2009.

Ambleside Farmers Market (On Bellevue between 13th and 14th streets, West Vancouver) – If you like to try some spiced jams, home made curry sauces, artisan bread or a cold glass of yerba mate tea, you’ll definitely enjoy this market. There are also some great artisans showcasing their crafts. Open Sundays 10am-3pm, June 7 to October 25, 2009.

To find a Farmers Market in your neighborhood, visit the BC Association of Farmers Markets and Vancouver Farmers Markets websites.

Guest author bio: Paulo Vallejo is a Vancouver-based style artist whose work graces various print media in fashion and advertising. He’s also a freelance writer who pens on topics around personal style and the latest fashion trends across the globe, as well as a personal shopper who works with individuals to define their image and create their unique style.

This weekend John and I are on a new media press trip courtesy of Coast Hotels. Along with Ianiv & Arieanna, Duane, Anny, Karen, Lorraine, April, and guests we’re experiencing some of the best summer treats and events Victoria has to offer.

We started out early this morning aboard the Spirit of British Columbia as we enjoyed the Pacific Buffet brunch offered up by BC Ferries. It’s a nice alternative to the cafeteria and has an ideal location right at the front or back of the boat. The brunch is $19 for all you can eat throughout the 95-minute crossing.

We went for a photowalk along the deck of the boat before disembarking at Swartz Bay and piling into a mini bus to head over to Sea Cider (for which I’ll have a dedicated post later on).

We then checked into the Coast Victoria Harbourside & Marina where we’ll stay for the rest of the weekend and enjoy the 15th Annual Wine & Oyster Fest tonight.

I’ll have a separate post up about each of our adventures this weekend (with photos), which should prove to be a really fun getaway for the entire group.

Last year John and I were able to fully cover the Dragon Boat Festival, from land and the water. We’ll be out of town this weekend however it’s a fantastic free event for all happening June 20-21st in False Creek that is definitely worth checking out this year.

The races are fun to watch, participants are up-beat, there are entertainers, food vendors, a marketplace and there are tons of activities on the shore for the whole family. As a side note, if you’re interested in following someone who lives the Dragon Boat lifestyle, check out @PaddlingGeek on Twitter, or check out her blog.

The 11th Annual Whalley Community Festival is happening this Saturday from 10:00am until 6:00pm. There’s no shortage of activities happening this weekend, from the Ride to Conquer Cancer, to Chip’s Not Dead Yet, and Vancouver’s first ChangeCamp however, this one’s special for me. I’m proud of my hometown, and to say that I’m a former West Whalley Trojan, so I think community events like this are great.

Highlights include entertainers, bands, crafts, magician for the kids, a strawberry tea, silent auction, and a barbecue. The City of Surrey has plenty of fun, free, family events this summer and this is just the first of the season. I’m a media partner and official blogger of Surrey’s Canada Day celebration as well as the Fusion Festival so stay tuned for updates about these festivals in the coming weeks.