Vancouver Symphony Orchestra New Music Festival

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Inspired by the theme of (re)creation, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is currently hosting the 7th annual VSO New Music Festival featuring a concert of concerti performed by the artists who commissioned them. 

The 2020 VSO New Music Festival showcases works from critically acclaimed composers, performed by renowned artists from around the world.

VSO 7th Annual Music Festival

When: Now until January 16, 2020
Where: Various locations throughout Vancouver
Tickets: Tickets Available For Purchase Online

Tonight (January 13th) it’s VSONMF03 Bizarre Bazaar. Viviane Hagner finds poetry in the new and freshness in the old in a solo violin program weaving together works from five centuries. Kari Kriikku leads the talented members of the VSO School of Music’s Sinfonietta on a bravura global journey blending folk melodies with new sounds and voices.

On January 14th in VSONMF04 (re)flection, Standing Wave presents eclectic reflections on old themes: featuring Missy Mazzoli, and Jennifer Butler’s (re-)imagining of Messiaen’s seminal “The Blackbird”. The remarkable Vancouver Youth Choir juxtapose Palestrina’s Renaissance masterpiece Sicut Cervus with a setting of the same text by contemporary Estonian composer Part Uusberg. Plus – Katerina Gimon’s vibrant integration of voice and movement.

With his entrancing fusion of contemporary classical, post-minimal and alternative popular musical styles, Max Richter is one of today’s most successful composers for stage and screen. On January 15th, VSONMF05: Waltz with Bashir features a film screening with his innovative soundtrack to Israeli director Ari Folman’s 2008 film, Waltz with Bashir, which won Richter the prestigious European Film Award for best composer and vaulted the composer into the international spotlight. Waltz with Bashir also went on to win a Golden Globe in 2009 and became the first animated film nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. A thought-provoking evening at the cutting edge of music and cinema. 

On January 16th, closing night of the festival features the return of VSO Music Director Emeritus Bramwell Tovey for VSONMF06: (re)composed. With virtuoso orchestration, fanciful melodies and ambitious topics, Thomas Adès’ 1995 hit opera, Powder Her Face, took the world by storm. Max Richter (re-)casts The Four Seasons for solo violin, strings and electronics. Emeritus Maestro Tovey and VSO Concertmaster Nicholas Wright present this bold and beautiful re-creation.

For more information follow Vancouver Symphony Orchestra on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Treat Week for the BC SPCA

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s one of the most delicious fundraisers around! Treat Week for the BC SPCA returns this year and you can help the cause by cooking and baking delectable snacks for your friends, family and co-workers.

Treat Week for the BC SPCA

BC SPCA Treat Week

Treat Week runs February 24 to March 1, 2020, a time when animal lovers around the province make, bake or buy treats and give them away in exchange for a donation.  

This year, participants who kick-off their fundraising with a self-donation of $25 or more will receive a special gift to feed their fundraising efforts: an e-book containing both sweet and savoury recipes from some of BC’s best chefs, restaurants, and bloggers. The book includes Rhubarb and Cherry Crisp from The Great Canadian Baking Show Judge, Bruno Feldeisen; Grilled Peppers from celebrity chef Jefferson Alvarez; Baked Vanilla Donuts from @sweetandsimplekitchen blogger Kristie Pryor; and Banana Cake with Chocolate Ganache from blogger turned bakery-owner, Fanny Lam of Oh Sweet Day.

Participants who register at online before Friday, January 31 and raise $50 will also be entered in the early bird draw to win a KitchenAid stand mixer donated by Coast Appliances, the perfect tool for whipping up a wide variety of tasty treats. And corporate donors who raise over $500 during the campaign will be entered to win a special prize that will be announced in the coming weeks.

How You Can Get Involved

  1. Register for FREE at treatweek.ca
  2. Customize your Personal Fundraising Page online and ask your friends, family and colleagues to support your fundraising efforts.
  3. Send your friends and family an email through your fundraising page, encouraging them to show their support by donating online.
  4. Plan your Treat Week event for home, work, school or wherever you think people would love to indulge in treats. 
  5. Hold your Treat Week Party between February 24 and March 1 or any day in January or February that works for you. 
  6. Bake, make, decorate and eat!

The BC SPCA will use the much-needed funds raised from Treat Week to find homes for abandoned, neglected or abused animals, and provide emergency care to injured animals.

Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival 2020

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

CityFood Events presents the 10th annual Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival, partnering with some of the city’s best chocolatiers, pastry shops, bakeries, cafes, gelato and ice cream makers to offer up delicious drinks and snacks that will warm you up this season.

Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival 2019

Vancover Hot Chocolate Festival

When: January 18 to February 14, 2020
Where: Various locations throughout the city

When it launched in 2011, the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival was the first city-wide festival of its kind in the world.  Last year, participating eateries, cafes, and bakeries served up over 70 flavours with proceeds from sales supporting local causes.

In 2019 we had flavours like Great Balls of Fire from Glenburn Soda with spicy cinnamon Callebaut milk chocolate infused with Fireball liqueur served with “fried” ice cream, and the Almond Joy from Baggio Gelateria & Pizzeria with dark chocolate with Baileys Liqueur, vanilla-infused cream and shaved almonds.

For 2020, the participants and flavours have yet to be announced so stay tuned to the newly re-launched website for details on January 9th. On Instagram the festival has confirmed 114 flavours at over 50 locations about the city. Details of a contest will also be released on the website and Instagram #VHCFphotocontest.

UPDATE The flavours are here! There’s Scent of Spring from Koko Monk (vegan wild sage dark chocolate with mint and orange), Split Personality from Glenburn Soda (banana-infused Callebaut milk hot chocolate, strawberry whipped cream), Diwali’s Dream from Caffe Cittadella (India-inspired hot chocolate made from a home made mix of spices blended with almond milk and dark chocolate) and over 100 more »

Vancouver Motorcycle Show 2020: Win Tickets

Comments 12 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Vancouver Motorcycle Show is bringing the best and newest motorcycles, scooters, ATV’s and side-by-sides to Tradex in Abbotsford January 24-26. Powersports fans from across BC and the Pacific Northwest have long considered the Vancouver Motorcycle Show to be a can’t-miss event thanks to its reputation of showcasing the industry’s best vehicles, accessories, technology and expertise.

Vancouver Motorcycle Show+2020

Vancouver Motorcycle Show

  • Where: Tradex (1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford)
  • When: January 24-26, 2020
    Friday 12:00pm-9:00pm; Saturday 10:00am-8:00pm; Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm
  • Tickets: Available online now. Adults $15; Youth (6-14) $11.00; Seniors (65+) $12.00; Children (5 and under) free with adult ticket purchase. A family pass is $42 (2 adult & 2 junior passes) and on Friday it’s Ladies Night with half price admission. Free parking for all motorcycles!

Whether you’re looking for two, three or four wheels, are a hardcore rider or a newcomer to the sport, or a curious fan, the Vancouver Motorcycle Show is the ultimate get-together for riders and future riders. See all the new motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and side-by-sides, all under one roof.  Meet tons of experts, check out the latest gear and apparel, and get all-revved up for your next adventure.

Back again this year to thrill, excite and amaze crowds are the Seattle Cossacks Motorcycle Stunt and Drill Team and attendees will have the opportunity to see a very special customized 2014 military-themed Harley Davidson™ Street Bob® motorcycle, presented by Konquer® Motorcycles, on display at the Parts Canada Drag Specialities booth for the first time this year.

NEW to the show this year is the Vintage & Café Racer Show N’ Shine sponsored by Class6Cycles and the West Coast Classics and Café Racers riding club. Back by popular demand, local stunt group VanCity Stunters. Group founder and Langley resident Matt Bush says the group of riders, which includes none other than Maple Ridge favorite Bill Hitchon, famous for his ATV one-of-a-kind tricks, will have a new show featuring new surprising stunts.

On display this year is Honda’s Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) demo featuring the latest technology of Honda’s Goldwing with cruise control. Speaking of technology, Harley Davidson’s fully electric 2020 Livewire™ bikes will be on display to let attendees and riding fans catch a glimpse of the future of powersports.

Find all this and much more (including the Strider Adventure Zone for kids) at this year’s show. Follow the Vancouver Motorcycle Show on Instagram and Facebook for more info.

Win Tickets

I have 4 pairs of tickets to give away! Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Click below to post your entry on Twitter (1 entry)
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a pair of tickets to the Vancouver Motorcycle Show @thebikeshows http://ow.ly/PpeQ30q7w06″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw 4 winners at 9:00am on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. UPDATE the winners are: Alan, Jeffrey, and Sarah!

Vancouver’s Street Food Festival: Street Food City 9

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Vancouver’s street food festival is back for the ninth year outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, presented by Tourism Vancouver, Street Food Vancouver Society, and the Downtown Vancouver BIA.

Street Food City
Street Food City

Vancouver’s Street Food Festival: Street Food City 9

When: January 17-19 & January 31, February 1 – 6, 2020
11:00am to 3:00pm weekdays
11:00am to 5:00pm Saturdays and Sundays
Where:  Vancouver Art Gallery, šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square
Admission: Free

UPDATE Due to the snow, the first weekend of Street Food City has been cancelled and it will now begin January 31st.

Street Food City is your opportunity to sample from a collection of Vancouver’s Street Food carts all in one convenient location. Over the last nine years, Vancouver’s street food has gone through a huge transformation and now boasts a multitude of delicious cultural options from Indian to Mexican, and from pizza to grilled cheese. 

Last year over 10,000 people feasted on fare from over 20 of Vancouver’s best street food vendors.Picnic tables and music make for a festive mid-winter outdoor picnic.  Special Dine Out Vancouver Festival creations and pricing will be available.

Participating Food Trucks

CANNOLI KINGOLD COUNTRY PIEROGI
CAZBA EXPRESSTHE REEF RUNNER
CHICKPEAREEL MAC AND CHEESE
COME AREPAROLLING CASHEW
DISCO CHEETAHSALTY’S LOBSTER SHACK*
EL CARTEL*SHAMELESS BUNS*
HOLI MASALASLAVIC ROLLS
KAFKA’S COFFEESUPER THAI FOOD
KAMPONGTACOFINO
MAMA’S FISH AND CHIPS*TATERS
MELT CITYURBAN WOOD FIRED PIZZA
MOM’S GRILLED CHEESEVIA TEVERE NEAPOLITAN EXPRESS
MR. ARANCINO* New for 2020

About Dine Out Vancouver

Dine Out Vancouver Festival runs from January 17 to February 2, 2020 and is Canada’s largest annual celebration of food and drink. Attracting more than 100,000 locals and visitors, the festival takes over the city with 17 days of culinary events, prix fixe menus at 300-plus restaurants (at $15, $35, $25 or $45 price points), as well as “Dine and Stay” packages and special hotel rates. The festival promotes local and regional ingredients, BC VQA wines, and the city’s exceptional culinary talent.

Dine Out Vancouver key dates:

  • January 9, 2020 Reservations open and menus available at dineoutvancouver.com.
  • January 16, 2020 Preview festival offerings at The Great Big Taste at the Rocky Mountaineer Station, open to the public. Early-bird tickets are $89.00. 
  • January 17, 2020 – Dine Out Vancouver Festival begins.

Follow Street Food City on TwitterInstagram, and Facebook #streetfoodcity #DOVF.