Chef Meets BC Grape is the largest tasting of BC VQA wines in Western Canada. Now in its 13th year, this event is a multi-city event series happening in Calgary (sold out), Victoria (May 23) and Vancouver (May 25) designed to celebrate the best of BC Wine and food – highlighting all things grown, crushed, raised and produced in BC.
Chef Meets BC Grape
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East (999 Canada Place, Vancouver) When: Thursday, May 25, 2017 7:00pm to 9:30pm Tickets: Available online now for $90 (Vancouver)
As many as 90 BC wineries will be in Vancouver to pour more than 350 BC VQA wines for attendees, and 68 BC wineries will pour more than 250 BC VQA wines in Victoria showcasing their 2017 spring releases. During these fun and informative walk-around tastings, guests will have the opportunity to compare a variety of exquisite wines representing the distinct growing regions of the Okanagan Valley, Similkameen Valley, Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, as well as some of BC’s exciting emerging regions.
Chefs from top BC restaurants will compete in a pairing challenge, featuring the finest locally grown and sourced ingredients, to earn awards for Judges’ Best BC VQA Pairing, Judges’ Best Dish Award, and Consumers’ Choice Award for Dish of the Night.
This 100 per cent BC-inspired fundraising event brings together the creative talents of winemakers and chefs from around the province to celebrate the best of local wine and cuisine. It also supports local charities with a portion of the proceeds to benefit Ocean Wise, The Arts Club and the BC Hospitality Foundation.
I have a pair of tickets to give away to Chef Meets BC Grape in Vancouver on May 25th. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to #chefmeetsbcgrape @ChefMeetsGrape http://owl.li/RvHO30bBqEh” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at 12:00pm on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Follow Chef Meets BC Grape on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — Views are my own. My treatment was compliments of Raincity Skincare Laser but I would return as a paying customer. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
There are some things I thought I would never do, however I’m always up for an adventure. The next thing you know I find myself clinging to a Via Ferrata line 7,000ft up, kayaking river rapids, or getting the latest and greatest facial treatment. The latter was based on encouragement from a friend, who swears by cold laser treatments and knows the best person in the business is right here in Vancouver. As it turns out, it’s safe, fun, and makes you feel great afterwards – just my kind of (beauty) adventure!
Raincity Skincare
Stephanie has almost two decades worth of experience in the spa, beauty, and medispa industry, and she recently set out on her own, founding Raincity Skincare. She’s very passionate about her work and that has led to building a very loyal client base. She keeps it simple, without pushing products, package deals, or sale pitches.
My Treatment
When you arrive at Stephanie’s she goes over every treatment option with you in detail, along with your medical history and any skin concerns you might have.
When she told me microdermabrasion feels like getting a lick from a cat, I knew she was my kind of person. I laugh typing this out but it’s true! It doesn’t hurt, just feels a bit rough like a cat’s tongue. The process is a gentle exfoliation, that does not thin your skin. “Micro” helps with fine lines, smoothing the skin, hydration, surface hyper-pigmentation (discolouration) dead skin, pore size, acne, and breakouts.
Microdermabrasion can be done on its own, without cold laser, but Stephanie’s clients prefer to do the combination of both micro and cold laser so that’s what I tried. When we moved onto the cold laser, I found it was very quiet, comfortably cool, and soft.
Cold Laser FAQ
So just what is a cold laser facial? It’s a non-abrasive, non-invasive way to heal the skin with no pain and no downtime, and can be done all year round.
Cold laser does not cause photo sensitivity, and prevents sun damage. Cold laser in preventative, it heals damaged collagen, reduces fine lines and sagging.
It is great for all skin types, conditions of the skin, and skin disorders.
It is great before weddings, photo shoots, special events, before the camera, and before auditions.
Stephanie will discuss what she recommends for you, in terms of follow up. During our chat I also found out that we share an affinity for local history so that overtook our conversation as we both geeked out discussing authors, books, and other resources.
This morning I emailed Stephanie to inform her that it’s been days since I applied any foundation makeup – I also stopped using a “skin smoothing” filter when posting selfies online. My face is clear and it feels bright. One could say I have a glow, and it’s been three weeks since my first treatment!
The annual Surrey International Children’s Festival inspires young hearts and minds to greater possibilities, and celebrates our rich and diverse cultural heritage through performing and visual arts experiences. Join in the fun May 25-27, 2017 at Bear Creek Park and the Surrey Arts Centre.
Surrey International Children’s Festival
Where: Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park (13750 88 Ave) When: May 25-27, 2017 Tickets: Access to the site is free, as well as participation in Saturday’s parade. However most performances and activities are ticketed. Purchase tickets online now. Learn about festival passes, activity wristbands, and school/group tickets here »
This year’s festival theme is Be Moved! We all have times when we’ve “been moved” by artistic experiences, whether it’s a beautiful artwork, a theatrical or musical performance, or even a movie or TV commercial. This year the festival is investigating performances and experiences where people will feel moved: physically, emotionally, and beyond.
Thursday, May 25, 2017 9:00am to 2:30pm
Celebrate First Nations culture during the opening ceremony (including traditional blessings with songs and dances) and be the first to experience the 2017 site activities. If you can’t fit all of the activities into the first day, you’ll be welcome back. Each arts activity wristband is valid all 3 days.
Friday, May 26, 2017 9:00am to 2:30pm
Experiment the Francophone way! Chantez et dansez and learn new skills at francophone performances and workshops, laugh with bilingual roving performers and be amazed by our bilingual Community Spirit Stage performances. Faites partie du party: fun is all around.
Saturday, May 27, 2017 10:30am to 7:30pm
After enjoying the Festival with your class, come back on Saturday with your family and be part of the action during the Festival Procession.
There are 5 performance venues which will feature national and international performers:
3 venues inside the Arts Centre (Main Stage Theatre, Studio Theatre and Lily Pad Stage)
2 venues in Bear Creek Park (Leap Frog Stage and Community Spirit Stage)
There are hands-on arts activities inside tents, and roving performances throughout the park. It is a unique and festive festival. A one-of-a-kind in Surrey and the surrounding area!
Want to just get your groove on all day long? Performances in the Canadian Maple Leaf Dance Hall happen all day long. All performances are free to attend (not ticketed/no wristband required) in Bear Creek Park.
Win Passes
I have 4-Saturday Festival Passes available to give away to a lucky Miss604 reader! This includes all day access to ticketed performances and all arts activities on Saturday May 27th. Here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win 4 Saturday Festival Passes for @SurreyChildFest http://owl.li/gd7M30bxQkx” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
Miss604 is a proud sponsor of the Surrey International Children’s Festival
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — Views and opinions are my own. I have received media rates from the Magnolia Hotel and Harbour Air in the past. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
It’s no secret that John and I love to get away to Victoria as often as possible. Its beautiful parks, ocean-side walks, ample attractions to brush up on BC’s history, and great food and craft beer are just some of the reasons why. If you’re looking for a summer escape, here’s a list of what’s happening in Victoria this season:
Explore Victoria This Summer
The Royal BC Museum is one of my favourite places in the province and until October 1, 2017 you can check out the Terry Fox: Running to the Heart of Canada exhibition. Start in the First Peoples Galleries, move onto the Modern History, and the Natural History Galleries. It’s fascinating at any age. Catch the Aboriginal Cultural Festival at the museum June 16-18, 2017.
The TD Victoria International JazzFest runs June 23, 2017 to July 02, 2017. This ten-day music festival featuring the jazz, blues and world music of local, Canadian, and internationally acclaimed musicians.
Seals at Fishermans Wharf
Throughout the summer, visit the Bastian Square Public Markets & Sunday Market, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays until October 1st. Situated between Government & Wharf Street and Fort & Yates Street, both markets feature a unique selection of locally hand made products in the location where historic Fort Victoria once stood.
Bites Brews Bands on the Barge is a weekly food truck and craft beer collaboration, happening every Friday until September 22, 2017 on the Breakwater Barge. Musicians will entertain while you indulge with Victoria’s finest truck food, craft beer from Phillips, Hoyne, Driftwood, Sea Cider, and Wine from Artisan Wine Store Mark Anthony.
If you’re heading over July 22nd, the Vancouver Island Vegan Association is hosting Vegtoria, Victoria’s Veg Fest 2017! This event will feature your favourite vegan businesses and animal advocacy organizations from across North America, tons of delicious vegan food to eat, prizes, speakers, bands and more.
Finally, celebrate Canada 150 from June 21 through July 1, 2017 with 10 full days of free outdoor events in Victoria’s beautiful Inner Harbour. Celebrate and enjoy our nation and city’s multicultural artistry, and diverse food and beverage offerings, all culminating with a spectacular fireworks display on Canada Day, July 1, 2017.
Your Home Base
We love the Magnolia Hotel. Not only is it award-winning (one of the country’s top Luxury hotels according to TripAdvisor’s® Travelers’ Choice® awards and Condé Nast Traveler for the last FOUR years) it has all the comforts of home, with the perks of being a boutique hotel in the heart of Downtown Victoria.
We’ve spent several getaways there, including our most recent 11th wedding anniversary. Enjoy Spa Magnolia, or happy hour at Catalano Restaurant & Cicchetti Bar, and grab a cup of tea or cider that’s always available in the newly renovated lobby.
In each room you’ll also find super helpful itinerary cards for however you choose to enjoy BC’s capital city.
Right now you can book the Victoria-to-a-TEA package that includes Magnolia’a TEA-rrific Trail Map, a Victorian Tea Flight at Silk Road Tea, breakfast for two, accommodations for two, and more starting at $279 (May/June). Book any package and receive a complimentary breakfast »
Downtown Vancouver to Victoria’s Inner Harbour in 35 minutes? You can do that with Harbour Air! Embark from the seaplane terminal at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Coal Harbour, soar over the Salish Sea, see how many Gulf Islands you cruise over, and land in no time in the heart of the city.
We actually just walked from our house in Vancouver, to the terminal, then in Victoria we walked from the Harbour Air terminal to the Magnolia Hotel. It was so easy and so stress-free!
One of my favourite Vancouver date night activities with my husband is a dinner and a show, which is why I’m so excited to partner with the Jessie Awards this year to bring you monthly theatre listings.
The Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards are an annual awards ceremony and party produced by the Jessie Richardson Theatre Award Society to celebrate and promote the outstanding achievements of the Vancouver Professional Theatre Community.
May Theatre Listings for Vancouver
Pacific Theatre Presents: Outside Mullingar
Pacific Theatre (1440 West 12th Ave, Vancouver) May 19 to June 10, 2017 A pair of introverted misfits, Rosemary and Anthony’s families have lived on neighbouring farms as far back as anyone can remember, where they battle over property lines and childhood stories but never what matters most.
Urban Ink Presents: Children of God
at the York Theatre (639 Commercial Dr, Vancouver) May 17 to June 3, 2017 In this powerful musical, the children of an Oji-Cree family are sent to a residential school in Northern Ontario. This is a story of redemption: for a mother who was never let past the school’s gate, and her kids, who never knew she came.
Firehall Arts Presents: Circle Game
At Firehall Arts (280 East Cordova St, Vancouver) May 3 to May 20, 2017 The enduring music of Joni Mitchell is re-imagined in this energetic musical experience. Conceived and directed by Vancouver’s theatrical powerhouses (and spouses) Andrew Cohen & Anna Kuman.
Arts Club Theatre Company Presents: Million Dollar Quartet
at the Stanley (2750 Granville St, Vancouver) May 11 to July 9, 2017 Inspired by true events, this rocking jukebox musical takes you into Sun Records Studio on December 4, 1956, to witness the famed recording session that brought together rock and roll legends Presley, Cash, Lewis, and Perkins—for the first and only time.
Arts Club Theatre Company Presents: Hand to God
at the BMO Theatre Centre (162 W 1st Ave, Vancouver) May 25 to June 25, 2017 In a church basement in suburban Texas, three troubled teenagers meet weekly to express themselves through puppetry and learn to avoid the devil at all costs.
Patrick Street Productions Presents: Little Night Music
at the Anvil Centre Theatre (777 Columbia St, New Westminster) May 11 to 21, 2017 Stephen Sondheim’s sophisticated and luscious musical, inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s film Smiles of a Summer Night. The story is a series of trysts, twists, and revelations that climaxes (so to speak) during a weekend gathering at a country estate.
Staircase Theatre Presents: The Hunger Room
at PAL (581 Cardero St, Vancouver) May 25 to June 10, 2017 A a dark thriller that explores loneliness, disconnection and violence. A crisis takes over a suburban high school when a mysterious stalker begins delivering notes written in blood to targeted female students.
Monster Theatre Presents: The Canada Show
at Various Venues May 29 to June 29, 2017 The complete history of Canada in one hour.
Follow the Jessies on Facebook and Twitter for more information about theatre in Vancouver.
This morning I emailed Stephanie to inform her that it’s been days since I applied any foundation makeup – I also stopped using a “skin smoothing” filter when posting selfies online. My face is clear and it feels bright. One could say I have a glow, and it’s been three weeks since my first treatment!
