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2019 Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Blooms

CherryBlossoms

The 2019 Vancouver Cherry  Blossom Festival blossoms from April 4th to April 28th, highlighting the city’s vibrant colourful cherry trees. 

This year’s record cold February gave way to some record warmth for the start of spring and now the city’s Cherry trees are coming into bloom to welcome the new season.

Once again the Festival kicks off with the Cherry Jam, a free concert on April 4th, at the Burrard Station concourse. A festival atmosphere, the event features music by Zimbamoto, Katari Taiko, NoriNori & Kage, MNGWA as well as readings by the 2018 Haiku Invitational winners.

April 27th finds the Festival coming to a close with Big Sing, a free choral event that invites choirs and individuals to join the new free event for an uplifting and exhilarating public experience. Rehearsals for the Big Sing take place throughout the month around Metro Vancouver. 

In the midst of the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, Sakura Days Japanese Fair at Van Dusen Botanical Gardens (admission ticket required) returns April 13th and 914h.  The popular event invites the public to enjoy Japanese Traditional Tea Ceremonies, Food, Sake, Haiku readings and Tree Talks and Walks through the gardens to soak up the beautiful blossoms all around the gardens.

Other community events during the Cherry Blossom Festival include; Haiku Invitational writing competition and Haiku workshop, The Big Picnic in Queen Elizabeth Park April 13th, BC Blossom Photo Watch, Bike The Blossoms on April 27th, Lantern Workshops.

Another highlight outside of the official Festival dates is the Sakura Night Gala at Stanley Park Pavilion on May 5th. The gala fundraiser celebrating Vancouver’s top chef’s with an asian influenced menu. 

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival runs all over the city from April 4th to April 28th, 2019 visit vcbf.ca for the full line-up of activities.  Follow the Festival hashtag  #vancherryblossomfest  on social media to find out what others are exploring during the Festival

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Get Supper, Feel Super With Dining Out For Life 2019

Tonight, put your money where your mouth is, by Dining Out For Life.
All day Thursday March 14, 2019 restaurants from New West to Whistler and all stops in between have pledged 25% of their day’s food sales to A Loving Spoonful to help support people living with HIV/AIDS in your community.

From El Santo in New Westminster, to Hunter Gather Eatery & Taphouse in Whistler, and the dozens of other restaurants in between are taking part in BC’s largest restaurant fundraiser.

Just by eating out at one of the participating restaurants, you’re supporting A Loving Spoonful’s programs and services. It’s that easy. For every $3.55 raised, a healthy meal will be provided to someone in need. A Loving Spoonful delivers meals to those affected by HIV/AIDS, helps with nutrition and meal planning, Easter Sunday Dinner with city Chefs donating their time to provide dinners to groups of 50 to 60 people, Family Pantry Program which provides families with healthy pantry staples, healthy Snack Packs for clients and much more.

Visit the Dining Out For Life website to see all the participating restaurants near you, get out and dine. Share your Dining Out For Life experience on social media and follow along at #Vandofl / #DineOutGiveBack, to see where others are dining.

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Surrey Civic Theatres Brings Mature Puppet Performance: ‘Metamorphosis’ to the Stage

Coming next week, Surrey Civic Theatres presents Metamorphosis, a unique piece of puppet theatre. An imaginative and poignant series of vignettes that range from the trivial to the metaphysical, the multi-faceted work created and performed by Iceland’s famed master puppeteer Bernd Ogrodnik is a poetic — and often hilarious — exploration of the nature of our existence, inviting audience members to change how they perceive the objects of their everyday lives.

Metamorphosis photo: EDDI

“There is a surreal quality inherent in puppetry,” says Ogrodnik, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the Iceland-based Worlds of Puppets. “When the audience actively contributes to the process of bringing puppets to life, breathing these fragile figures into existence, they have the capacity to express our deepest emotions, joys, and fears; thereby, creating magic and provoking thought. 

Metamorphosis brings a delightfully eclectic cast of characters to life, ranging from intricate, hand-carved marionettes and rod puppets to unusual characters created simply from silk scarves or Ogrodnik’s own hands and feet. Set on a minimalistic black stage, the 10 vignettes effortlessly journey from one story to the next, captivating audiences through a deeply meditative atmosphere. The presentation, which includes some mature content, offers a contemplative reflection on the varied aspects of the human experience.

Metamorphosis photo: EDDI

Neil Scott, Cultural Production Coordinator for Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall adds, “Metamorphosis is a delight for the senses. Bernd Ogrodnik’s series of original short stories is poetry in motion — a theatrical expression of the nuances of our lives from the ordinary to the sublime. It encourages us to question not just what we see, but how we see it.”

Originally commissioned in 2006 by the National Theatre of Iceland for adult audiences, the 90-minute presentation of Metamorphosis has toured the world extensively and comes to Canada for the first time. Featuring original stories ranging in length from just a few minutes to nearly 20 minutes. Mostly presented in silence, three stories are set to an eclectic mix of musical accompaniment including instrumental melodies composed and performed live by the German born, Ogrodnik.

Metamorphosis plays at Centre Stage at Surrey City Hall on March 13, 2019 at 7:30pm. Visit surrey.ca/theatre for more show information and to purchase tickets.
Audience advisory:  One of the vignettes contains some mature content. This performance is intended for audience members ages 16+. 

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Vancouver Foodster Takes You On A Between The Buns Crawl

Take a walk in the East Village with Vancouver Foodster and find out what’s Between The Buns. The brand new tasting tour, Between The Buns Crawl, takes advantage of the plethora of neighbourhood bakeries and restaurants to celebrate what lies between the bun: salmon burgers, to sandwiches, to custard puffs and anything in between.

Between The Buns Crawls takes in the neighbourhood of East Village (aka Hastings Sunrise) centered between Renfrew and Nanaimo on Hastings Street. This walkable neighbourhood tour means that you can park your car (if you drive) nearby or take transit to the starting point and then walk the event at your leisure.

Participating establishments include;

High Point Beer Wine Spirits: 2769 E Hastings Street

Italia Bakery:  #104 – 2828 E Hastings Street

Wheelhouse Seafoods: 2605 E. Hastings Street

Di Olvia: 2632 East Hastings Street

Delish Gluten Free: 2166 E Hastings Street

Join in this tasting tour on Wednesday March 27 from 6pm until 10pm. Tickets are on sale from Eventbrite now:

Ultra-Early Bird Tickets: $30 per person before March 12, 2019
Early-Bird Tickets: $35 per person before March 18, 2019
Advance Tickets $45 per person after March 18, 2019
Regular $55 per person after March 24, 2019
Note: Eventbrite fee and GST is extra on all tickets purchased online.

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4 More Years of Canada Sevens

As Vancouver prepares to welcome the world to BC Place for the 2019 HSBC Canada Sevens tournament, Rugby Canada announced that World Rugby has awarded Canada Seven 4 more years, taking the tournament to 2023.

During the announcement at the Celebration of Rugby at šx????n?q Xwtl’e7énk Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) dozens of Rookie Rugby kids were mentored by Rugby Canada players, John Moonlight, Ghislaine Landry, Justin Douglas and others. Representing the grassroots growth and recognition in the sport Canada Sevens has brought to rugby in BC and across Canada, these youngsters will get to grow up with a world class event in their backyard.

In its’ first three years, HSBC Canada Sevens has raised the bar for rugby in Canada, sparking greater awareness and growth while generating more than $60million in economic activity.  The city hosts teams from 16 competing nations, including Canada, in addition to fans from near and far, booking more than 2,300 hotel room nights. Teams spend five days in Vancouver prior to the tournament, and visiting schools, community centres or First Nations during their stay to further promote the sport of rugby in the community.

Rugby Canada, Sponsors & Fans at Celebration of Rugby

“The HSBC Canada Sevens Tournament has been a game changer on so many levels, and we’d like to thank World Rugby, HSBC and the global Series partners for the opportunity to once again host this great event for another 4 years,” said Allen Vansen, CEO of Rugby Canada. “The success of this event is due to so many people and organizations.  From the world’s best athletes and fans who shine on and off the field of play, to the dedicated partners and sponsors who are critical in bringing the event to life, to the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to make this event world class – a heartfelt thanks to all for their collective commitment to excellence.”

Sandra Stuart, HSBC Bank Canada President and Chief Executive Officer, added: “The Sevens Series in Canada has quickly become one of the most anticipated events each year. We’re excited to renew our partnership with Canada Sevens to further grow and celebrate the sport at all levels for years to come.”

Canada Sevens at BC Place

The 2019 HSBC Canada Sevens hits the pitch at BC Place, Saturday March 9th and March 10th, 2019. Limited general admission tickets are still available, book a ticket, grab a costume and cheer on your favourite team!

If you can’t make it to BC Place this weekend, head across the water to take in the HSBC Canada Women’s Sevens at Westhills Stadium in Langford, BC (outside Victoria) May 11 – 12, 2019.


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Vancouver International Dance Festival brings dance to city stages

From March 4th to 30th, the 2019 Vancouver International Dance Festival (VIDF) brings the world of dance to Vancouver venues. From across the country, across the Pacific, and right here at home, VIDF proudly presents a 2019 festival season, showcasing exhilarating performances by both internationally revered artists and lauded Vancouver performers, engaging workshops, and a host of interactive dance activities.

Dairakudan’s Pseudo Human Super Human by Hiroyuki Kawashima

The 2019 Dance Festival’s program showcases Canadian premieres from Japan’s sensational Dairakudakan — a VIDF audience favourite — as well as Taiwan’s Tjimur Dance Theatre, appearing in Vancouver for the very first time; three world premieres from Vancouver’s own Vision Impure, Olivia C. Davies, and Lesley Telford; and three West Coast premieres from East Coast artists Daina Ashbee (Montreal), Manuel Roque (Montreal), and 10 Gates Dancing (Ottawa), among many others. With 27 days of free and ticketed events, the VIDF program is sure to include something for every dance fan.

Vision Impure’s Pathways by Erik Zennström

“Dance is a unique and powerful medium that communicates and expresses our deepest, innermost thoughts and emotions, transcending the cultural and geographical constructs of today’s world,” says Barbara Bourget, Co-Producer of VIDF. “The VIDF is a platform for an array of international artists to showcase their vision, honour their customs and traditions, remove barriers, and spark dialogue amongst us. Through a thoughtful, curated program showcasing globally renowned artists from Canada and abroad, our goal is to be a catalyst for meaningful expression, connection, and conversation.”

Vancouver International Dance Festival runs March 4 to 30, 2019 at venues around Vancouver, for the full performance schedule, tickets and more information visit vidf.ca

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Join Tasting Plates in Mount Pleasant & Yaletown

As Vancouver Foodster moves into its 8th year of Tasting Plates, a pair of events bring hungry patrons to the neighbourhoods of Mount Pleasant and Yaletown.

Like all Tasting Place events, guests will check-in at their starting location, collect their Tasting Maps & Menus then set off on a flavourful adventure.  Chefs will present tasting plates, dishes and cups that they think best exemplify what their kitchens are all about. It’s your chance to learn from them and mingle with other foodies and friends as you devour the tasting plates offered.

Tasting Plates Mount Pleasant is coming next week, February 27. Restaurants in the Mount Pleasant and Olympic Village area, starting off at Papparoti, include;

Registration Location: Papparoti – 1778 Columbia Street

Maizal – 2815 Main Street

Westcoast Poke – 463 West 8th Avenue

Uma Sushi – 450 West 8th Avenue

Tickets are on sale via Eventbrite: Advance $45 ticket sales close tomorrow, February 22, afterwhich, tickets are $60, GST and Eventbrite fees extra.

Tasting Plates Yaletown takes place March 6, starting at Living Produce Aisle in Yaletown, the restaurants in the neighbourhood include;

Registration Location: Living Produce Aisle – 1168 Hamilton Street

Manoush’eh – 620 Davie Street

Patron Tacos & Cantina – 265 Robson Street

Robba Da Matti – 1127 Mainland Street

Ticket Sales are on sale via Eventbrite: Early Bird $35 tickets are on sale until February 28, Advance $50 tickets are on sale from February 28 – March 3, afterwhich, tickets are $60, GST and Eventbrite fees extra.