In April of 2013, I climbed a ladder, poked my head through a big metal hatch, and crawled up onto the rooftop garden at the Vancouver Public Library’s Central Branch.
Alongside a small group of local media, we stood among the grass and geese as Chief Librarian Sandra Singh outlined a visionary plan to create a rooftop space for the public. A 28,000 square foot ‘garden in the sky’ serving as the perfect stage for their strategic plan announcement that includes intentions to expand community spaces, create dynamic collaboration zones, and offer high-tech creation spaces for hundreds of thousands of cardholders. Today, that vision came to fruition.
Rooftop Garden at the Vancouver Public Library
Crowds gathered at the official opening of Vancouver Public Library’s (“VPL”) central expansion this morning, taking in the exciting new spaces and rooftop views for the first time since the Central Library opened in 1995. Initially leased to the provincial government, the top two floors of the iconic Central Library building have been transformed into vibrant community spaces. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
FAN EXPO Vancouver is a pop culture convention for fans of comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, cosplay, authors and gaming. The 3-day extravaganza is packed with exciting family-friendly activities, programs, attractions and celebrities.
FAN EXPO Vancouver
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre (West)
When: Friday, October 12, 2018 4:00pm to 9:00pm
Saturday, October 13, 2018 10:00am to 7:00pm
Sunday, October 14, 2018 10:00am to 5:00pm
Tickets: On sale now including child, single day, deluxe, and premium options
Get an autograph or a photo with your favourite guest and get the inside scoop about your favorite movies & TV shows at the celebrity panels. Watch professional comic artists battle it out in our popular Sketch Duels, learn from our “How To” workshops, and take photos with your favourite costumed characters!
This year can’t miss celebrities include Aquaman’s Jason Momoa, the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer Kristy Swanson and Family Matters’ alum Jaleel White aka Steve Urkel.
Other confirmed guests include:
Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Big Bang Theory)
Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy)
Felicia Day (The Guild, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog)
Michael Cudlitz (The Walking Dead)
… and more!
FAN EXPO Vancouver will also welcome iconic voice actors: Kevin Conroy (Batman), Charles Martinet (Super Mario), Sean Schemmel (Dragon Ball Z), Jeremy Shada (Adventure Time), and more, as well as comic creators/artists responsible for creating pop culture’s most legendary stories. The 3-day event will allow fans of all ages to hear from their favourite stars on stage and meet them in person at autograph signings and photo ops, as well as take in the spectacle of over 250,000 square feet of geeky fun.
Win Passes to FAN EXPO Vancouver
I’m giving away a pair of 3-Day Passes to FAN EXPO Vancouver. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Like, comment on, or share this post on Facebook (1 entry)
- Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a pair of 3-Day Passes for @FANEXPOVAN http://ow.ly/6CmI30m0aZO” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.
Follow FAN EXPO Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Update The winner is Ann!
Celebrate ocean wonders on Friday, October 19th at the Toast to the Coast fundraising event in support of Ocean Wise and Vancouver Aquarium, presented by CIBC. This annual event connects food and drink connoisseurs with ocean conservationists for a lively cocktail reception in honour of our ocean.
Toast to the Coast
Where: Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison Way, Vancouver)
When: Friday, October 19, 2018 at 7:30pm
Tickets: Available online now.
Getting There: Travelling to and from the Aquarium for Toast to the Coast is part of the experience. The Vancouver Trolley Company will run its vintage-looking trolleys every 15 minutes between Waterfront Station and Vancouver Aquarium, starting at 7:30pm with the last trolley leaving the Aquarium at 12:45am.
Toast to the Coast proceeds directly support Ocean Wise’s many conservation programs including Ocean Wise Seafood, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, Plastic Wise, Coastal Ocean Research Institute, Vancouver Aquarium and its Marine Mammal Rescue Centre.
As guests connect with charismatic aquatic creatures and ocean conservation opportunities, they will delight in delectable bites crafted by Ocean Wise Seafood champions, including ARC Restaurant, Diva at the Metropolitan, The Lobby Lounge and RawBar, Market by Jean-Georges, Minami, and Notch8 Restaurant, as well as Ocean Wise Executive Chef Ned Bell’s outstanding culinary creations.
Guests will pair their canapés with pours from the province’s top wineries, breweries, and distilleries, including Clos du Soleil, Stags Hollow, Long Table Distillery, Postmark Brewing, Stanley Park Brewing, Salt Spring Coffee, and Walter Caesar. Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, The Pointe at Wickaninnish Inn, and Uno Gelato will tantalize taste buds with dessert.
Toast to the Coast’s silent auction is another highlight of the evening. Guests can bid on an impressive array of auction items that appeal to adventurers, arts and culture buffs, fashionistas, sports fans, luxury travelers, and gourmands. Prizes include a one-week stay for up to six guests at a villa in Mérida, Mexico, an inflatable stand-up paddleboard from Thurso Surf, as well as a bespoke suit from Indochino.
The evening culminates on the dance floor with an after party led by DJ Sherry Freeze from Girl on Wax.
Follow the Vancouver Aquarium on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
The North Pole is coming to Vancouver! The Aurora Winter Festival, a family-friendly event inspired by the North Pole, will launch this November at Vancouver’s Concord Pacific Place. Tourism Vancouver’s Inside Vancouver blog has the scoop:
Aurora Winter Festival
When: Friday, November 23, 2018 to Sunday, December 30, 2018
Tickets: On sale starting October 15, 2018
Enjoy the light displays – like the light dome showcasing the Aurora Borealis – as you skate along the frozen river and take in the sights and sounds of nightly entertainment, including a Ferris Wheel, carousel, a tube park, Christmas market stalls, food trucks and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Santa and a few other characters along the way.
For those seeking further adventure, you can join the Mystical Worlds Quest. The Quest, an interactive app, will lead guests across the four worlds in search of key icons that will help keep the Mystical Worlds energized and beautiful.
Follow Aurora Winter Festival on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.
