Reading through my favourite local history book (as I am known to do on occasion) I discovered that 1920 was the year that 5 pin bowling came to Vancouver.

When 5 Pin Bowling Came to Vancouver

The game was invented in 1909 by Tom Ryan of Toronto, in response to customers who complained that the 10 pin game was too strenuous. Tom cut 10 pins down to about 75% of their size, and used hand-sized hard rubber balls. [Source: History of 5 Pin Bowling] By 1945 it was more popular than 10 pin.

Commodore Lanes opened up on Granville Street in 1930 originally as 10 pin but switched to 5. It wasn’t the first bowling alley in Vancouver, and I can’t find the location where 5 pin was fist played, but it’s definitely the longest lasting.

Grandview Lanes has also hosted 5 pin fun since 1947, and North Shore Bowl has been North Vancouver’s 5 pin centre since 1961. Over the last few decades though we’ve lost Varsity Ridge Lanes and Fraser Bowlaway, and Hillcrest Bowling Alleys (4280 Main St) and others, I’m sure.

Since I can’t find the alley from 1920, I’ll take Chuck’s word for it and serve up some 5 pin bowling photos from the City of Vancouver Archives.

La Salle Recreations (945 Granville) had a bright neon bowling sign and marquee. I found a 1929 bowling photo of men out front but they were holding 10 pin balls.

See more history posts with images from the archives here »

The Arts Club California Wine Fair fundraiser is the largest California wine-tasting event in Canada! It’s an all-inclusive, walk-around tasting event where wine lovers can sample more than 350 premium wines from the Golden State. 

This event has been postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Arts Club California Wine Fair

When: Tuesday, March 31, 2020 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Where: Arts Club Theatre Company
Tickets: Available online now »

The fundraiser will include a silent auction, featuring wines only available in California. Attendees will also have the opportunity to bid on more than 30 exclusive packages, including weekend getaways and more.

The California Wine Fair Fundraiser is the Arts Club’s all-inclusive, social tasting event where wine lovers have a unique opportunity to sample exquisite selections from the Golden State. This year’s event boasts a selection of over 400 wines from 150 of California’s top wineries. It’s an exclusive opportunity to savour the Napa Valley, Humboldt County, Santa Clara Valley, and more, all without leaving the city. With California producing over 90% of U.S. wine, this is a great way to sample the best from our neighbours in the south.

For more than 50 years, the Arts Club has played a strong role in sustaining live theatre in the community, thanks in part to events like the California Wine Fair. All proceeds from the event will support Arts Club productions, youth and education initiatives, and new play development programs.

The California Wine Fair is hosted in partnership with California Wines in Canada. You must be 19+ to attend.

For more information follow The Arts Club Theatre Company on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

The Frank Theatre and Zee Zee Theatre, in association with Firehall Arts Centre, co-present the Canadian premiere of Trans Scripts, Part I: The Women from March 12–21, 2020, at Firehall Arts Centre. The brave and insightful work, sharing real-life stories of transgender women in their own words, is a meditation on the authentic experiences that make every individual unique, while underscoring the shared human spirit that connects us all.

Trans Scripts, Part I: The Women

Where: Firehall Arts Centre (280 East Cordova St, Vancouver)
When: March 12–21, 2020
Tickets: Available online now or by calling (604) 689-0926

Trans Scripts, Part I: The Women centres on seven diverse stories — a down-to-earth woman looking to blend in, a glamorous beauty queen, a former small-town mechanic, a formidable ex-dominatrix, a runaway turned activist, a hardened survivor of paternal abuse, and a sexagenarian doctor — as they navigate the intricate complexities and liberating joys of their transgender identities. This work of documentary theatre is “full of warmth and vulnerability” (The Herald) and grounds itself in moments of levity, anguish, strength, and resilience. The play unfolds from tales of early childhood insecurities to adulthood ruminations on sex, surgery, and suicide. 

Performed by seven local transgender women, the play seamlessly weaves an inspirational tale of honesty, vulnerability, and vibrancy on the path to finding one’s true self. 

Win Tickets and Dinner

I have a pair of tickets to give away to this play along with $75 for dinner at nearby Belgard Kitchen! Belgard Kitchen at The Settlement Building shares a passion for fresh, local food, BC VQA wine, craft beer, the outdoors, photography, music and design. Located in Railtown, they provide a diverse menu selection with three distinct offerings for lunch, brunch and evening. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter for more delicious info.

Here’s how you can enter to win a night out with great food and tales of courage and resilience:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Click below to post an entry on Twitter

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, March 4, 2020. UPDATE The winner is Emmy!

With a new month comes a new lineup of festivals, shows, activities, and special events. March kicks off on Sunday and you can find a bunch of things to do in Vancouver this weekend in the list below and the new, mega March event list:

Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend

Friday, February 28, 2020
Coastal Dance Festival
Place des Arts Art Camps
The Arts Club Presents: Kim’s Convenience On Tour
Steel Magnolias in Vancouver
Vancouver International Wine Festival Tasting
Grupo Corpo (Brazil) Dança Sinfônica & Gira
Firehall Arts Centre Presents: Talking Sex on Sunday
Le No Show Vancouver
Hidden Wonders Speakeasy Magic Experience
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival
Vagabond Players Presents: Drinking Habits 2
Talking Stick Festival

Looking for ideas to entertain the kids this Spring Break? The fun begins early in Coquitlam, kicking off with some festivals, special events, sports tournaments and camps. 

Oh, but that’s just the start. We’ve compiled a list of ways to keep your kids busy during the break and throughout the entire month.  

Also, be sure to pick up their newly released 2020 Travel & Experience Guide from any Coquitlam City facility (libraries, recreation centres, City Hall) or read it online! 

Spring Break in Coquitlam

Special Events

Festival du Bois (March 6-8, 2020)
This year’s Festival du Bois actually takes place the weekend before the start of Spring Break, so don’t miss out! It’s a family-friendly festival atmosphere filled with live music, dancing, shows and fun activities. Did we mention this weekend celebration of francophone and French-Canadian culture is the largest of its kind in BC? 

Spring Break Festival (March 17-19, 2020)
Spring Break Festival at Evergreen Cultural Centre is a huge hit for school-aged theatre fans! Enjoy DuffleBag Theatre’s fun adaptations of the beloved classics Beauty & the Beast and Peter Pan. Choose from six shows over three days.