Contributed by FestivalSeekers

The 18th Annual Powell River Film Festival kicks off on a high note on February 8th with an opening party featuring Jazz music by Retro and a special screening of Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes, directed by Sophie Huber.

The festival, which runs from February 8 to 17, 2019 will be screening an eclectic mix of international, Canadian and locally-produced films guaranteed to delight any discerning film buff who’s looking for something different.

“It’s not about big names and big directors for us,” said Gary Shilling, executive director and programming member for the Powell River Film Festival Society. “For us, the story is the most important thing. Will it resonate with our audience? Will it tell the story clearly and is the story unique?”

Visit Festival Seekers and discover more on this unique film festival »

Discover how a group of precocious teenage science nerds set out to, not only win a prestigious competition, but change the world or why a symbolic canoe could heal Canada. If Pippi Longstocking was a heroine of your youth, learn about her creator, a film that’s a stark contrast to another where the lens shines the light on the Internet and how it’s turning shy would-be entertainers into superstars.

And there’s more. Musical divas, young thieves, adventurers, dysfunctional families, unsung NBA heroes and dreamers all get along nicely with horses, contemporary art queries and otherworldly spirits, all adding to this film festival’s growing reputation which has been spreading south along the Sunshine Coast into Vancouver and the lower mainland as a must-attend festival.

Another component that makes this film festival different from others is all the films will be screened in Powell River’s historic Patricia Theatre. The theatre opened in 1928 and still retains it’s velvet curtains, orchestra pit and fresco-style wall art; it is as much a feature of the festival as the films are.

Powell River is 170km from Vancouver, which involves a scenic drive along the Sunshine Coast and a couple of short ferry rides, and is well worth the trip as Pow Town is a really unique and charming place to visit and stay a while. The community of Powell River offers plenty of options and activities to enjoy in-between film screenings, plus excellent restaurants, historic boutique hotels, shopping and outdoor pursuits.

Sunshine Coast Tourism can help you with your plans.

For more inspiration for your next festival getaway, read and follow FestivalSeekers.

The 27th annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival returns January 20 to 27, 2019. As one of the largest gay and lesbian ski weeks in North America, the festival brings a schedule packed with skiing and snowboarding, parties, daily après, a comedy night, and its signature pride ski parade.

Festival guests will be eager to hit the slopes at Whistler Blackcomb as the resort recently celebrated a record-breaking 384cm of snowfall for the past month of December, making it Whistler Blackcomb’s snowiest December on record. Festival guests can enjoy the prime conditions with daily guided ski and snowboard groups followed by free après ski sessions at CABN in the Aava Whistler Hotel from January 21 – 26, 2019.

Additional schedule highlights include:

Flying High with Pam Ann January 23, 2019
Whistler Night of Comedy presented by Delta Air Lines
International celebrity entertainer Caroline Reid returns to Whistler as famed air-hostess Pam Ann, bringing with her a brand new show; an entertaining night of comedy not to be missed at the Whistler Conference Centre.

Whistler Pride SkiOUT and March January 25, 2019
Skiers and riders can join in the annual pride parade as participants swoosh down Olympic Run on Whistler Mountain towards the village. The parade will continue from the mountain base, through the Village Stroll and end at the Whistler Conference Centre where the festival’s T-Dance party will begin featuring DJ Corey Craig.

Jackie Beat is going Downhill Fast! January 26, 2019
Guests can join iconic drag star Jackie Beat at CABN along with her razor-sharp comedy and hysterical song parodies. After the show, DJ Foxy Moron will hit the stage for a night of dancing.

Snowball with DJ Abel January 26, 2019
Guests can continue the dance party as international DJ and Grammy-nominated producer DJ Abel headlines the festival’s closing dance party at the Whistler Conference Centre.

View the full schedule here »
And book your getaway using the official Whistler central reservation system here »

For guests looking to celebrate pride in Whistler, a wide range of accommodation along with Travel Alternative Group (TAG) approved options can be found throughout Whistler Village.

Follow Tourism Whistler on Twitter and Facebook for more info

A scintillating night of sizzling, sexy topics… featuring sea creatures! The next adults-only Vancouver Aquarium After Hours event takes place on Valentine’s Day, making for a fun – and very unique – date night out.

Vancouver Aquarium After Hours Valentine’s Day

Where: Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison Way, Vancouver)
When: Thursday, February 14, 2019 from 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Tickets: Available online: $27 for members and $35 for non-members.

In addition to exploring the Aquarium’s galleries at night, with a spirited beverage in hand, you can also enjoy special programs covering a range of hot topics.

Discover which creatures engage in courting and which species mates for 14 hours straight during a sex talk by Vancouver Aquarium veterinary fellow Dr. Megan Strobel. You can also participate in a naughty puppet show that will have you in stitches or watch the Meet a Penguin program that will bring you toe to webbed toe with these loveable birds. Don’t miss the thrilling shark sex program exploring the four ways that sharks reproduce.

After Hours access to Vancouver Aquarium, including the Wet Lab, all galleries, the 4-D theatre and Vortex – Douglas Coupland’s radical art installation. Follow the Vancouver Aquarium on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

On January 1st, the copyright expired for some of the City of Vancouver Archives’ holdings. These digital materials may now be legally re-used for any purpose, such as some of these pieces which are featured in their recent blog post here »

I have dug around a bit more to find a few more Public Domain gems within the city archives’ vast collections, which you are free to use! Here are some of my favourites and just for fun, I’ve positioned them with some current Google Street View images for a Then and Now effect:

A Glimpse of Home: Viewing the West End from what is now Vanier Park
1910. Archives #AM54-S4-: Dist P1. Major Matthews.

Click the pictures below for a larger view…

Cordova Street and Waterfront Station
1914. Archives #AM358-S1-: CVA 152-7.2. Dominion Photo Co.

I’d recognize that tree anywhere! It’s on Stanley Park Drive.
1898, when the tree was still alive. Archives #AM54-S4-: CVA 466-17.

Burrard Bridge and False Creek
1932. Archives #AM1535-: CVA 99-4213. Stuart Thomson.

RELATED: Here’s my guide on getting photo prints using Public Domain maps and images from the city archives.

Experience unique waterfront attractions showcasing art, history, crafts, science and performances during Winter Wander at Vanier Park on February 2, 2019. Enjoy local food vendors, enter to win great prizes, and get to know your local museum, space centre, archives, and more during this affordable, family-friendly event.

Winter Wander at Vanier Park

When: Saturday, February 2, 2019 10:00am to 5:00pm

Venues include:

Museum of Vancouver
The Museum of Vancouver inspires deeper understanding of the city through stories, objects and shared experiences. Check out their latest exhibits and their permanent collections and exhibition halls.

H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
The Space Centre is BC’s top space science attraction, inspiring visitors with shows, exhibits and some of Vancouver’s most unique special events.

Vancouver Maritime Museum
Make some maritime-themed origami 10:00am to 4:30pm, visit with Parks Canada interpreters 10:00am to 4:30pm, climb on-board the St. Roch and celebrate 90 years of adventure, enjoy music from a string quartet onboard the St. Roch, and more.

City of Vancouver Archives
The City Archives houses over 4 km of documents about the history of Vancouver, containing both government and public collections.

Vancouver Academy of Music
Vancouver Academy of Music (“VAM”) is the city’s premiere centre of music education, serving aspiring musicians from early childhood to collegiate levels.

Bonus: Bard on the Beach performances!

Tickets to visit all 5 venues are just $5 per person (ages 5 and under free). Purchase your ticket on the day of the event from Museum of Vancouver, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre or Vancouver Maritime Museum. RSVP on Facebook for more info.

It’s the second week of January and while everyone emerges from their winter holiday cocoons – back to school and back to work – the event calendar for Metro Vancouver is heating up! Check out some of these events around Metro Vancouver this weekend:

Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend

Friday, January 11, 2019
Sponsored by Miss604: Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam
Alicia Tobin’s Come Draw With Me
London Drugs VSO Pops: Whole Lotta Shakin’ from Swing to Rock
The Odd Couple (Female Edition)
Electric Company Theatre Presents: The Full Light of Day
Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
Sasquatch-Themed Winter Light Festival at Harrison Lake
Skating at Robson Square