We spend time to go on wine and beer tours, learning about the inner workings of what it takes to get grapes or hops, fermented or brewed, into our glasses to sip and swirl. But what about cocktails? How do infusions work? Why whip an egg white into a creamy foam to top a drink? What’s the difference between shaking and stirring? Learn about techniques, view demos, and concoct some mind-bending creations at the Science of Cocktails.

Science of Cocktails at Science World

• Where: Science World at TELUS World of Science
• When: Thursday, February 4, 2016 from 7:00pm to 12:00am
• Tickets: Available online now. $145 general / $250 VIP. Group tickets 10+ guests are available by calling (604) 443-7500.
• Cause: This event will support the Class Field Trip program at Science World. The event hopes to raise enough to invite thousands of students from under-served schools in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland to Science World one-of-a-kind experiences.

General admission ticket holders will receive open bar, ample hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening, plus access to a variety of special cocktail science activities, demos and programs. VIP tickets will receive the value added benefits of early event access (7:00pm), valet parking, access to the Diageo Reserve World Class VIP Lounge, a selection of premium cocktail offerings, passed canapes service, exclusive event programming, VIP photo opportunity and a special thank you gift.

Event Highlights

Science of Cocktails will transform Science World at TELUS World of Science into Vancouver’s largest cocktail laboratory of the year. Science World is inviting Vancouverites to mix, mingle and be merry, for a great cause. This fundraising event boasts uniquely crafted libations from local, award-winning bartenders, along with mouth-watering food pairings, thoughtfully prepared by Railtown Catering.

• Open bar with 25 different bar stations serving cocktails especially crafted by award-winning bartenders
• Guests who fill out and drop off their Drink Passport at the event are also eligible to win prizes including a Tesla Motors package, where the winner gets to drive a Tesla for an evening; a weekend stay at Fairmont Pacific Rim for 2 people plus breakfast at ORU (valued at $780); a SmartyPantz Group Escape Experience for 8 people; and more.
• Vancouver’s top bartenders will be competing to win the evening’s Cocktail Competition, awarded by a panel of industry judges. Winner will receive a trophy made of a 3D printed martini glass designed for
  astronauts to use in space. Guests can also vote for their favourite cocktails through their drink passports; the winning bartender will be given The People’s Choice award.

Doors open at 7:00pm for VIP guests and 7:45pm for general admission. Guests will learn about the Class Field Trip program at the beginning of the night, which will benefit from the fundraiser.

Demos will follow, including how to prepare a Smoked Apple Martini or an Instant Moscow Mule, as a round robin Cocktail Competition plays out throughout the night. In true Science World fashion, guests will have all kinds of stations to interact and tinker with and there will also be challenges throughout the evening where guests can win prizes.

Check out the Van de Graaff generator; create LED coasters with petri dishes, button batteries and LEDs; Customize your own wine glass charms with glow-in-the-dark and UV beads; see what happens when objects become super cooled using dry ice and liquid nitrogen; watch a friendly and fun shaker competition; take the smell station challenge and use your nose to see if you can smell the different aromatics used in gin infusions; and take a look how the volume of glassware is deceptive by participating in a martini glass illusion.

Get your tickets today and follow Science World on Twitter and Facebook for the latest event information.

Vancouver Bach Choir, currently celebrating its 85th anniversary season, presents Downing’s Phantom of the Opera at the Orpheum this February.

Where: The Orpheum (601 Smithe St, Vancouver)
When: Saturday, February 20, 2016 at 8:00pm
Tickets: Starting at $29, available online now

This version of Phantom of the Opera is not the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, but a score to the 1925 silent film by innovative Canadian composer Andrew Downing. It is a spectacular multimedia work that interweaves a screening of Rupert Julian’s dark & haunting 1925 film, The Phantom of the Opera, with live performance by chorus and chamber ensemble.

Toronto-based composer Andrew Downing’s mesmerizing score returns by popular demand, offering new intensity and nuance to the cult-classic tale of gothic romance, lurking horror, and the unequaled power of music.

Win a Phantom of the Opera Date Night

Forget the pink hearts, red roses, and pre-written greeting cards when looking for a gift for your sweetheart this season. Instead, try a night of passion and gothic romance. Enter to win a uniquely themed prize package valued at over $300! The prize includes:

• Dinner for two at Cannibal Café
• Gift card, t-shirt & ceramic stein from Storm Crow Tavern
• Beginner’s Lesson Package to Academie Duello
• CD Recording of Andrew Downing’s Silents – Music for Silent Films
• 2 VIP tickets for Vancouver Bach Choir presents Downing’s Phantom of the Opera

Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Like or comment on this Facebook post (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. Tickets are for February 20th exclusively. All prizes can be collected at the concert on February 20th. Follow the Vancouver Bach Choir on Twitter and Facebook for more information.

Update The winner is Carolyn Sapach!

The most frequent photos I see that have been taken at Porteau Cove include the Milky Way and the Northern Lights, which says something about this Provincial Park, located along the Sea to Sky Highway.

When “Porteau” (porte d’eau) is translated from French into English it means “Water’s Gate”. This name dates from 1908 when John F. Deeks began mining the extensive sand and gravel deposits here to supply Vancouver. A small community of employees lived here until the beginning of the Depression, enjoying good housing, a schoolhouse, tennis courts, and daily ferry service from the Union Steamship Company. These ferries, Lady Cynthia and Lady Cecilia, operated between Vancouver and Squamish until the railway (then the Pacific Great Eastern) was extended from Squamish into North Vancouver. [BC Parks]

Situated on the most southern fjord in North America, it’s a gorgeous area that’s close enough to the city to make it a lovely afternoon excursion, yet far enough away to provide a brilliant canvas for the stars at night. On the waters of Howe Sound, it’s a popular SCUBA diving location, camp spot, picnic area, and base for night time photography.

10 Photos of Porteau Cove

#604Corners

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The Lions are to Vancouver what the Matterhorn is to Switzerland. They are the two most iconic peaks in the Vancouver area, sitting atop the North Shore mountains at 5,400 ft (West Lion) and 5,269 ft (East Lion).

The Lions are also known as Ch’ich’iyúy Elxwíkn by the Squamish First Nation, which translates to Twin Sisters. It is based on the tale of two Squamish sisters who married Haida twins and created a platform on which peace would be built between the Squamish and Haida people. In 1911, writer and poet E. Pauline Johnson wrote about The Two Sisters:

“The war-canoes were emptied of their deadly weapons and filled with the daily catch of salmon. The hostile war-songs ceased, and in their place were heard the soft shuffle of dancing feet, the singing voices of women, the play-games of the children of two powerful tribes which had been until now ancient enemies, for a great and lasting brotherhood was sealed between them–their war-songs were ended forever.

Then the Sagalie Tyee smiled on His Indian children: “I will make these young-eyed maidens immortal,” He said. In the cup of His hands He lifted the chief’s two daughters and set them forever in a high place, for they had borne two offspring–Peace and Brotherhood–each of which is now a great Tyee ruling this land.”

The use of The Lions is believed to have originated from their appearance at sunset when they glow orange and yellow during alpenglow.

Photos of The Lions from Vancouver

“And on the mountain crest the chief’s daughters can be seen wrapped in the suns, the snows, the stars of all seasons, for they have stood in this high place for thousands of years, and will stand for thousands of years to come, guarding the peace of the Pacific Coast and the quiet of the Capilano Canyon.” ~ E. Pauline Johnson.

December’s earthquake, felt in Vancouver, was a reminder that while we cannot predict when disaster will hit, we can be prepared. The City of Vancouver is hosting a variety of Emergency Preparedness Workshops in local communities throughout January, February, March, and April.

Here’s the full list in case you would like to attend and learn about how you can be prepared as a senior, family, pet parent, or apartment tenant.

Free Emergency Preparedness Workshops in Vancouver

View full details for each workshop (including age restrictions) online. Follow @ParkBoard on Twitter for live updates and tips during the registration period for these workshops, using the #ParkBoardReg hashtag.