This afternoon we’ll be heading out to Holland Park in Surrey to cover the 2nd annual Fusion Festival. On tap this year is a diverse multicultural mix of food, entertainment and activities for all ages combined into one mega (and FREE) outdoor festival.
There are several stages setup with entertainment all day and some of this evening’s performances include:
On July 25th, from 2:00pm until 7:00pm, there will be a main stage setup on the 700 block of Granville Street that will feature local entertainment while the rest of the street will host a multi-block party. The showcase will highlight style, technology, and beauty businesses to encourage all to return to the street for their shopping and entertainment needs.
Granville isn’t entirely open just yet as some parts are still being worked on as a part of the “streetscape redesign” so sensible shoes are recommended.
The public will also be able to attend an open house of the new Vancouver City Centre Canada Line station at Granville and Georgia.
Yesterday I went for my first personal training session with Andy Shiu at O2 West. Last week John and I met with Andy to get a tour of the facility and learn a bit more about his philosophy, which were equally impressive and borderline mind-blowing.
Andy has a strong background in the fitness industry and leads a very active lifestyle. He knows what it takes to train professional bodybuilders but also how to help seniors become comfortably mobile or how to help brides fit into their dress without drastic dieting. He built up O2 West as a state-of-the-art personal training studio and it absolutely shows. He’s got technology in there that one could only dream of using at a local gym, as well as very basic tools and equipment that can optimize any workout. Walking around and listening to Andy talk about his facility and his training practices you can truly see and hear the passion he has for this industry and lifestyle.
O2 West isn’t a bootcamp facility, they teach and preach proper training techniques for all ages and fitness levels. “I’m not here to break you,” said Andy who firmly believes in total fitness as opposed to crash-course exercising. He added that many people may be intimidated at gyms either by other people, trainers, or even the equipment (by not knowing how to properly use it). He emphasizes education — how to use equipment, how to use and work your muscles properly, and how to get the maximum advantage out of a cross-fit training regime. It’s also a very private facility so you won’t feel like you’re in a fishbowl, exposed to passers-by on the street.
During my 1-hour session, I didn’t look at the clock once (and I swear it only seemed like 10 minutes). I was taught how to use the machines and even how to get the most out of a brisk walk on the treadmill (with short steps, long steps, and inclines). We did so many activities that when it was all over I had no idea (until he told me) that I did 100-200 reps of some of the exercises. That was because we moved so often from one stage to the next, keeping the muscles moving without over-exerting them.
O2 West looks like a dream for passionate trainers as well – and Andy only hires the best. As I could feel my muscles working in ways I haven’t used them in months, I was thinking about how sore I would be today. Andy immediately told me that if you’re sore after a workout, you have the wrong trainer. If you’re using your muscles correctly, working them out yet giving them time to move and flow, you shouldn’t be sore the next day.
If you’d like to check out O2 West, they’re currently having a contest where two couples (who are getting married any time in 2009) can win a full fitness makeover, valued at $4500. The deadline for entries was July 15th but it’s been held-over.
I go back again on Monday since Andy didn’t want to let too much time lapse between sessions in case I forgot some of the proper techniques. So far, I’m thoroughly impressed and I actually can’t wait to start up again next week. As a side (yet important) note, their change rooms also have huge showers and supply complimentary products and personal care essentials for women to use.
O2 West is located in the Oakridge area at 551 West 57th Avenue in Vancouver.
Disclosure: O2 West is also the sponsor of our softball team, the Radio Rockstars
First up after opening act, Ra Ra Riot, was The New Pornographers who played a lovely set for their hometown crowd.
When it came time for Death Cab for Cutie to hit the stage, front man Ben Gibbard referenced another time they played in Vancouver when they first met The New Pornographers years ago over at the Starfish Room. I’m unsure most of the audience knew what the Starfish Room was, but it was a fun little tidbit to be shared nonetheless.
We were treated to classics (and by classics I mean pre-OC) such as “Why You’d Want To Live Here”, “Photobooth”, “Title and Registration”, and we also heard “Marching Bands of Manhattan”, “Grapevine Fires”, “I Will Possess Your Heart”, “Cath”, and “Little Bribes” off of their EP, The Open Door. They finished off the night with an amazing rendition of “Transatlanticism”.
The band was absolutely solid and when Ben took the stage alone with an acoustic guitar (after roaring encore chants) he sang “I Will Follow You Into The Dark”. He was then accompanied by the entire audience who sang along word for word, and almost in perfect harmony.
It was so nice to finally see Death Cab for Cutie live, even if part of me really wishes I could have been at that Starfish Room show nine years ago.
The totally un-canceled Celebration of Light fireworks nightime summer fun extravaganza blitz is upon us once again however this year a new radio station in town is spicing things up a bit.
Shore 104 (104.1 on your FM dial) is presenting the Rogue Folk Shorefest, which is a series of three concerts facing the crowds in English Bay on each of the fireworks nights (July 22, 25, 29, and August 1). These free and unplugged performances will feature the likes of Jim Byrnes, Wide Mouth Mason, 54-40, Barney Bentall, Dustin Bentall, Odds, and more.
Things kick off at 6:30pm in the West End and you can tune into Shore 104 to hear the soundtrack to the fireworks display each night.
As a side note, on July 25th I’ll be participating in my third annual Blogathon in support of the Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver’s Downtown East side. The goal is to blog every 30 minutes for 24 straight hours and we’ll be live on location at Workspace in Gastown. As an added incentive to support my campaign, readers who pledge a minimum of $20 will all be entered to win a fireworks boat cruise presented by Granville Island Brewing. The winner and a guest will enjoy dinner, drinks, and one of the most unique views of the fireworks on July 29th.
