Unique Humanitarian lives: Steven Lewis and Michael Landsberg

UNIQUE LIVES & EXPERIENCES: STEVEN LEWIS & MICHELLE LANDSBERG

February 4 at 7:30 pm – ORPHEUM

One evening, two incredible speakers. The former UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis is one of Canada's most celebrated humanitarians. His list of awards and achievements is truly staggering: a Companion of the Order of Canada, Maclean's 2003 Canadian of the Year, founder of the Stephen Lewis Foundation... and the list goes on. Known as one of Canada's most tireless and effective social justice activists, his wife, Michele Landsberg, is a highly respected journalist, a recipient of the YWCA Women of Distinction Award, and two national newspaper Awards during her time at the Toronto Star. She discusses issues that others shy away from or ignore, including race and gender equality here at home.

Tickets 1-877-873-8124 Events Unlimited

Ligerie Lunch at Ceilis

RSVP here

Free Ride to Party on Granville

Calling all UBC people, here’s your best student club night in town with The Cellar’s Party Bus!

Get a free lift from UBC directly to The Cellar Nightclub every Wednesday Night for Yard Sale Wednesdays, VIP entry & NO COVER for all Party Bussers, and crazy drink specials.

UBC Pick-ups: 8:30, 9:30, 10:30pm at the SUB, Totem, and The Greek Village

Call 604.605.4340 for more info.

#END

Three Broadway Divas

VSO POPS: THREE BROADWAY DIVAS

January 30 and 31 at 8:00 pm – ORPHEUM
 
Three of Broadway's best singers - Christiane Noll, Jan Horvath and Debbie Gravitte - team up to create Three Broadway Divas, in a concert featuring hit after sizzling hit by the kings of Broadway: Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, Marvin Hamlisch, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and many more. Conducted by Jeff Tyzik.

Tickets 604-280-4444 Ticketmaster Vancouver Symphony

Once Upon a Dream: A Night for the Kids

I'd like to share with you a fun night out for a good cause. The proceeds from this event will go to BC Children's Hospital, to purchase entertainment and toys such as portable dvd players, Nintendo DS units, etc, to go right into the hands of the kids during their hospital stay.

The event begins at 7 pm Thursday, JANUARY 29^TH at The Cellar Nightclub, when you can come in, nosh on appetizers, cocktails, and peruse the mountain of stuff to bid on in the silent auction.

Here are just a few of the great items you could walk away with: A night at the new L'Hermitage Hotel, Canucks Tickets, Snowmobile Tour, SnowBus Ride Pass to Whistler, Gift Certificate from Hy's Steakhouse, Gift Basket from Love Nest, Head Shot Package - Gordon Photography, Therapeutic massages - Sinclair Wellness Center.

Tickets are $15, with all proceeds going to the hospital. Includes reception, door prize raffle, with music by DJ Rosco. Contact The Cellar Nightclub 604.605.4350

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Peter and the Wolf

VSO KIDS’ KONCERTS: PETER AND THE WOLF

February 1 at 2:00 pm – ORPHEUM

Without upsetting the Maestro, three musicians and a conductor's assistant must outwit a fearsome wolf that threatens orchestra and audience alike. The concert hall becomes the dramatic setting and musicians are the characters of the story as Prokoviev's classic musical tale springs to life. Performed by the Magic Circle Mime Company. Conducted by Evan Mitchell.

Tickets 604-876-3434 Vancouver Symphony

The Twisted Fork Bistro: Impenetrable Forktress

Preface: I have the good fortune to have the friendship of a food whore so I've asked him to help me review our trip to Twisted Fork. I doubt I could do it the justice it deserved. Other than, I loved it there, and I'll be back... Read on to get the downlow on our trip.

Guest Blogger and photography by: Marcos Con Polo 

Stepping in the front door, we received a friendly greeting at the door from the owner before finding a spot by the windows. The seats were extremely comfortable, a faux-fur bench along the wall with a nicely finished wooden table.We were then approached by a nice waitress, who gave us our menus as well as a basket of sourdough rolls. The rolls were a nice mix of crispy and chewy on the outside, but soft and sweet on the inside. I could have easily eaten my fill of the bread alone. (and we did)

An order of mussels arrived, a huge steaming plate of them covered with a delicious sauce of cream, herbs, some tomatoes and a pile of frites stacked on top. The sauce on its own was worth the price of the plate, and ended up being especially good slathered on the sourdough rolls.The frites on top are worth an extra mention as well, being a textural grand slam and wonderfully seasoned. The waitress recommended we use the bread to sop up the sauce, which was probably as fattening as it was delicious.

The mains then arrived, my dish of confit de canard sliding in front of me and demanding to be eaten. The food was attractively plated, and the portions generous.The confit was served on a bed of pureed potatoes, and alongside an additional helping of duck breast. There was also a fantastic mango relish, and a serving of ratatouille with perfectly cooked green beans.The breast? I found it wonderfully cooked and very moist. A nice change from the last few helpings of duck I’ve had that felt like I was chewing on an avian Sahara.The mango relish was sexcellente.The confit was a triumph as well, soft, moist, perfectly prepared and painfully scrumptious. In two words: stunning.….The potato was nicely done, managing to be silky smooth but not a pile of goo. While not in possession of a lot of flavour on its own, mixing it with the duck meat or the sauce floating around the plate proved satisfying. The ratatouille was refreshing and tasted wholesome. Obviously a well picked batch of veggies.

For dessert, we bantered back and forth about what to pick, eventually deciding on the Lavender Creme Brulee.It came to us, quite large just by itself in fact, with a compliment of baked goods (biscotti, shortbread) and several tasty raspberries on top.Cracking through the crust, the custard had only a hint of vanilla and lavender, keeping it a light dessert. The biscuits were all prepared in house. The biscotti especially deserves to be complimented for how moist it managed to be while still remaining the same crisp biscotti I know and love.After our meal, we were approached by both the owner as well as the chef, who asked how our meal was. The attention to detail and customer satisfaction was nice, and never once wandered into the territory of “Oh god please just let me alone so I can eat”.

So full. Might die.

Definitely going back.

Dine-out Vancouver on Granville Street

It's already in full swing.... I'm late, I know...

Here's a list of the eateries along Granville Street for you to partake...

Ceilis' Irish Pub and Restaurant

Granville Room

Luxe at Caprice

Doolins Irish Pub

nu Restaurant & Lounge

Refinery

Sanafir Restaurant and Lounge

Sip Resto-Lounge

Stone Grill

Yew Restaurant and Bar

Enjoy!

VSO POPS: THREE BROADWAY DIVAS

VSO POPS: THREE BROADWAY DIVAS
January 30 and 31 at 8:00 pm – ORPHEUM

Three of Broadway's best singers - Christiane Noll, Jan Horvath and Debbie Gravitte - team up to create Three Broadway Divas, in a concert featuring hit after sizzling hit by the kings of Broadway: Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, Marvin Hamlisch, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and many more. Conducted by Jeff Tyzik.

Tickets 604-876-3434 Vancouver Symphony

Feeling Hot Hot Hot!

Okay, it snowed for weeks and now it’s raining. Shivverr. Shivverr. You need to get HOT. Visit Blo inside the Four Seasons Hotel (600 block of Granville at Georgia) Sunday to Wednesday and get a complementary head massage and deep conditioning treatment (valued at $8). To good to be true? Please ask for the signature blo HOT treatment when you make your appointment, or upon arrival. BTW: You can also book online www.blo.vipguestservice.com. Offer ends February 1st.

Two great PUSH festival shows at Scotiabank Dance Centre

This month at Scotiabank Dance Centre check out two great performances as part of the PUSH festival. The first performance is feature one of Japan’s most exciting artists Hiroaki Umeda (Jan 22-24, 8pm). His body movements borrow from both hip hop and butoh, and unfold in response to a crescendo of pulsating sound and light to conjure a futuristic, fiercely poetic landscape. Don’t miss this double bill of solos: while going to a condition and Accumulated Layout.



Jan 28 to 30, Peter Chin's superb Toronto-based company Tribal Crackling Wind in Transmission of the Invisible - Chin’s stunning multi media piece paying tribute to the Cambodians who rebuilt their country’s art in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge regime. Performed by five dancers from Canada and Cambodia the show incorporates shimmering video projections and evocative music.

Shows on Granville

SOLD OUT Sam Roberts Band performance at the Orpheum Theatre (884 Granville Street) tomorrow with opening act the Stills.

AC/DC Tribute band Thunderstruck performs at the Commodore Ballroom ( 868 Granville Street) with Who Tribute Band, Generation Who.

Update: Traffic on Granville

If you have a moment, come down and check out history in the making. From a logging road to a hang out for speakeasys and theatre goers and then finally the hottest nightclub drag in the lower mainland Granville has always been the heartbeat of Vancouver. We're bringing back the Great White Way!

It's not as bad as you think. Construction crews are working on the makeover of Granville Street downtown so that by November 2009, we'll have a gorgeous new street to enjoy all our debaucherous entertainments.

Cement was broken this week on the block between Drake and Davie. Access to businesses on this block such as Stratosphere Salon, 7-11 and Blendz is still full accessible by pedestrian traffic. You can't park there due to the area being fenced off, but it's downtown, and you know you find parking where you can get it, right? Download a copy of the downtown parking map to help in your quest.

Only one block at a time will be closed to vehicular traffic, so it's business as usual for the rest of the street. You can still walk, drive, bike, snowshoe, etc on the rest of the Dtreet except on this one block. If you are coming in to town, take a detour onto the Pacific or Seymour Street exits. If you are leaving, take Howe St or Burrard because you won't be able to drive the entire street. No need to stay away, just be smart about it.

A minor inconvenience for what's to come. Can't wait to see the end product can you?

Adrenaline Sales

Adrenaline (982 Granville Street) is having a sale that includes

• 50% off Ladies wear
• 25% off Ed Hardy

Also saw some great necklaces and Glam purse holders that would be worth checking out in person.Busy busy in there!

Spank Clothing Sale

The left wall of the store and a few other racks are part of this special 20-50% off sale. Spank Clothing is at 856 Granville Street.

Mavi Jeans Sale

Mavi Jeans at 850 Granville Street is having sale. 50% off all fashion merchandise, and 20-50% off select denim.

Puma Boxing Week Sales

Boxing day sales at PUMA (834 Granville Street). Pretty much everything is 30% off, except the shoes, which are 20%. Check with the sales associate to confirm. Love these boots!

The Aldo Store has reopened

The Aldo store has reopened on the 810 Granville Street (at Robson). Less outlety than before as they've moved their clearance items down the way to the Aldo Outlet at 972 Granville (at Nelson). I don't know if it's just me, but the stock seems to have a new life. Way hotter than before and still with satisfying sales. If your bargain hunter hunger still isn't appeased, just mosy down a block to the outlet for increased sales goodness.

Lunch Hour Dance Classes

= SORRY THESE CLASSES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED =

The best exercise is always the one you actually do. Dancing is fun! Get fit and have fun in new lunchtime and Saturday morning exercise/dance classes or weekday evening classes.

Salsacise: men, women, all ages welcome, no experience required, not a partner dance class!
Great music and a fun way to exercise! Salsacise teaches the basics of salsa (and other Latin dances) done to hot Latin music for the purpose of cardio exercise. Get off yer butt, dance/exercise the lunch hour away, burn calories with a smile on your face and Latino rhythms coursing through your body. Go back to work invigorated. Starting THURSDAY Jan 22 12:05-12:55, 8 weeks.

Sensual Hip Hop: all ages, women only, no experience required: a sensual hip hop style for ladies that fuses hip hop, jazz and Latin movement: Spend your lunch hour taming your curves so you can justify that ice cream binge later. Angela’s suggestive yet feminine moves taught in this class are also easy to do at a club. Not a choreographed routine like our PussyKat doll classes, this class is more freestyle and cardio/exercise oriented.
Starting TUESDAYS Jan 20 12:05-12:55, 8 weeks.

Beginners Jive/Rock n Roll: partner dancing, no partner required, open to men and women, all ages;Danced to rock 'n roll, big band, or rockabilly, it's fast, fun, and the easiest dance there is. Registration in advance recommended. Starting Wednesday Jan 28 12:05-12:55, 8 weeks.

House Dancing: men, women, all ages welcome, no experience required, not a partner dance class!:
Roll out of bed, grab runners and a coffee and wake up with a driving beat that makes you want to move!
This class crosses house dancing with an aerobic workout. ‘Jacking’ movements, footwork, and a smooth style gives this class a fresh edge. Starting Saturday Jan 17 10:00 –11:00

All classes are $79.05 & GST (or 2 classes for $119.05*, 3 for $143.81.*) for 8 weeks, but you can drop in for $13. (no drop-ins to Jive)

Details and registration at http://www.urbanbeatdanceco.com/

= SORRY THESE CLASSES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED =

ZENNKAI Salon DUO DEAL!

Save $10 on Schwarzkopf BC Hairtherapy litre duos…NOW $32.95!
Choose from Smooth Control, Color Save and Repair Rescue duos which are regularly priced at $42.95. Offer available at all Zennkai locations but you can pick yours up at 772 Granville Street, January 2-31st!

Welcome Back!

Welcome back from holidays shopping hounds! I'll get out there and scout out some late boxing day sales for you later on today so expect them tomorrow morning-ish at the latest.

Cheers!

VSO : SCOTLAND THE BRAVE

VSO TEA & TRUMPETS: SCOTLAND THE BRAVE 

January 29 at 2:00 pm – ORPHEUM

A venerable Scottish theme, featuring music of and about the Old Country. Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Hebrides, as well as Anderson's Blue Bells of Scotland, provide some of the musical highlights. Hosted by Bard on the Beach's Artistic Director, Christopher Gaze.
Tickets 604-280-4444 Ticketmaster Vancouver Symphony

KODO DRUMMERS OF JAPAN

KODO DRUMMERS OF JAPAN

January 28 at 8:00 pm – ORPHEUM

The Hammond Association presents a worldwide phenomenon exploring the limitless possibilities of traditional Japanese drumming. Feel the most primal foundation-shaking rhythms, as old as our collective heartbeat…and quiet reflective pieces constructed with subtle strings and delicate flutes. A dazzling display of kamikaze speed, dexterity, precision and muscular endurance.

Tickets 604-280-3311