While barista sounds echoed and suspended canvases along with looping video screens filled the room at Raw Canvas this morning, I sat with actress Christina Gooding to discuss her art-filled charity event, Seeing Eye to Eye.
Seeing Eye to Eye is a charity event for Operation Eyesight on January 14 @ 7:00pm at the Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown. Music, art and theatre collide for one night.
Gooding was raised in the Vancouver-area although has spent recent years going to school in New York, where she fell in love with the arts community within the bubbling metropolis. She has performed off-Broadway, on television and is now taking to the silver screen.
While returning to Vancouver for a brief period of time she realized that her contribution to our local scene could be to add some globally-infused excitement, while celebrating the local arts community. She then began planning an event that would bring awareness and attention to a formidable cause, while highlighting and showcasing many talented individuals and cultural genres our region has to offer.
Seeing Eye to Eye will feature performances as well as an art showcase. Musical acts include, Adam Woodall Band, Friends with Liam and Fully Loaded, Squamish singer/songwriter Tessa Amy and The Racoons. The open gallery will highlight work from local artists such as Lindsay Mclennan, Eleanor Rosenberg, Simon Haiduk, Amy Alto and more. The first performance of the evening will be a 10-minute play, Katie and Frank featuring Christina Gooding.
Seeying Eye to Eye takes place tomorrow, January 14th at the Roundhouse with doors at 7:00pm and the play will kick things off at 7:45pm. Tickets are $37 for adults and $22 for 26 years/under and are available on this site or by phone (604) 803-0555.
100% of the ticket sales will go to Operation Eyesight, which is “a Canadian non-profit organization, working since 1963 in places like South Asia and Africa to support local eye doctors, educators and community leaders in their efforts to fight blindness.”
The radio situation in Vancouver has been slightly lacking over the years, especially when you compare it to other major markets across North America that have more than one station of each genre on their dials.
An example of this is the rock station in town, which although is ever-changing its approach to rock and roll, has unfortunately settled on a mostly Nickelback and AC/DC format. Mind you this is better than listening to Britney Spears 10 times a day, but I digress. This leaves fans of sweet alternative tunes like myself in search of alternate music source thus moving me away from the traditional dial and toward podcasts, internet radio, or some of our pretty great college stations like Evolution 107.9, CiTR or CJSF.
However, just a few weeks ago 100.5 was unleashed and The Peak FM was born.
The Peak will be an ADULT ALTERNATIVE music intensive radio station that will be putting a huge emphasis on new and emerging artists with a secondary focus on alternative music from the 80’s & 90’s. It’s the only place you’ll hear the hottest rock, acoustic, folk, world beats and much more, all on one station – setting a new standard for great music in Vancouver.
DJ’s will be mature, articulate and professional – never wasting your time with useless banter and chatter – information and news will cover everything from local arts and environmental issues to gastronomical interests and the local music scene. [Puget Sound Radio]
The Peak is also a member of the Pattison Broadcast Group and our pal Raj from Urban Mixer was there in November for the launch party. Since then they have impressed listeners with interesting content offerings such as the EcoZone and spending time at the UGM.
Here’s hoping they can keep doing what they’re doing and grow from here because entertaining my ears with the likes of The Weakerthans, Death Cab for Cutie, Metric, Spoon, and Ben Folds all in one sitting is something I can truly live with.
The Union Gospel Mission is looking for volunteers to help them out in a week-long Thank-a-Thon.
At Union Gospel Mission, we love our donors — thanks to them, we can make a difference in Metro Vancouver. We want to pour some serious time and effort into making phone calls to say “thank you” for the generosity of the people that keep UGM helping people.
But we need YOUR help! If you’ve got a spare hour or two on an evening or a weekend in the coming weeks, would you help us make some phone calls? You’ll be provided with a script, some delicious food to keep you satiated, and your very own desk phone (with real buttons!)
From January 19th until the 30th they will be placing 10,000 calls to thank supporters (no donations will be solicited). As this is quite the task they are looking for volunteers (about 15 a night) to work shifts Monday to Friday, 5:00pm to 8:00pm or 6:00pm until 9:00pm. They also have a Saturday shift, 10:00am to 4:00pm. Training will be provided along with scripts.
If you’re interested in volunteering, you can contact Amy Billingsley (abillingsley [at] ugm.ca] or call (604) 215-5440 ext 343.
Union Gospel Mission is a non-profit urban relief organization serving Metro Vancouver and the City of Mission, providing hope for the hungry, hurting and homeless since 1940.
Last year Mount Seymour introduce their Ride for Breast Cancer Research campaign and since it was such a hit, they’re bringing it back.
Each Monday, when vouchers were picked up ahead of time at various locations in the region, ladies will be able to ride free during evening ski times.
Girls Ride Free every Monday night from the 12th January 2009 to the 16th March 2009.
This great night is to support breast cancer research at the BC Cancer Foundation and is an awesome social night to share with friends. Not only do girls get to ride for free, but we have plenty of draw prizes, and food and drink specials in Elevations Restaurant starting at 8pm each Monday night.
This year’s “Guys Night Out, Girls Ride Free” begins tomorrow. Ladies can pick up their vouchers at Coastal Riders in Surrey, Committed Boardshop in Deep Cove, Comor Sports in Burnaby, Fluid Sports in Maple Ridge or Langley, and Pacific Boarder on West 4th.
Just before Christmas I met up with Ananda of VATA Brasil to chat and learn more about this local company that is producing some extraordinary garments.
VATA Brasil active wear can be found in Canada, US, Mexico and the Middle East however their flagship storefront on is located on Richards street between Dunsmuir and Hastings – right next door to their offices and design headquarters.
Ananda and her husband Mario (who are established freedivers) are very savvy when it comes to sports wear and since Ananda herself is the lead designer of the clothing, she is able to create pieces that work; whether you’re doing yoga, jogging or riding a bike. I personally have been living in my VATA pants over the last few weeks since they’re so comfortable.
One of the keys is that their shirts, pants and jackets are not made of lycra so they are able to stretch, move, and breathe with your body. They’re also all available in one-size, no joke. You can pick up a pair of pants in whichever of the many colours on display and try on any style to get the same great fit.
VATA OneFit is made of a micro-fibre yarn, synthetic fabric with hydrophobic (water-hating) properties versus hydrophilic (water-loving), like cotton, and the fabric has four times the filaments of average yarn.
The small Vancouver-based company is making quite the splash in the industry, having recently designed a line for Bikram Yoga Vancouver and by being the official outfitter of the Toronto Argonauts CFL cheerleaders.
VATA’scollection is bright, colourful, and contains dozens of styles to suit your sport, activity or lifestyle. Prices are comparable to the other yoga/activewear outlets in town but I believe the material and styles truly make the difference.
VATA is also in the middle of a social media makeover with a blog in their near future. For now, you can check in with them on Twitter, their main website, or feel free to swing by their boutique on Richards street.
Disclosure: I was not paid to write this review however I did walk away from VATA with the top and pants pictured above.