Heads up: A little dirty dirty.

Word.

Just a note on the last two posts.. If you like free gift cards, nummy food, live music, bargoons from Holts to Underworld, bartending competitions and the sexy sexy vibe of Granville you should check out this street party.

Yes, there's still some gravel, but what's a little dirty dirty between friends. Cmon down. I'll be there too.

Have a hot weekend.

P/S REAL bargoon hunters don't wear flip flops.

SALES GALORE THIS WEEKEND!

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

400 BLOCK

Breathe Spa: Free pedicure with ‘Signature Facial’

Dunn’s Tailors: Up to 60% off

Trees Organic Coffee and Roasting House: Enjoy a FREE latte with the purchase of a cheesecake slice

500 BLOCK

Grand & Toy: Grab 20% off everything in-store

Holt Renfrew: Savings up to 60% off end today

Ingledew’s: Enjoy an additional 10% off for the day

Moores: Buy one suit get one free sale

600 BLOCK

Black’s Photography: Get your photo taken at the event and pick up a free print in-store

Blenz: Sampling Shaken Ice Tea

Buffalo Jeans: Up to 70% off on select merchandise

H&M: Look out for our H&M street team offering great deals

Hudson’s Bay Company: Visit our street team to get a special one day offer

Pacific Centre: Watch for our Show Girls cruising Granville with goodies from Pacific Centre retailers and handing out ballots for a chance to win a $1200 Shopping Spree

Parasuco Jeans: The entire store is 50% - 70% off

Sterling Shoes: Get ½ off the white sticker price

700 BLOCK

Bedo: Up to 70% off the entire store

Cuiscene Restaurant: BBQ on the Granville side of Sears. Beef skewers or chicken satays with fresh vegetables for $2.50 each. Giving away 10% off vouchers

Downtown Chiropractic: Visit our tent to learn more about what we offer

Eco Outdoor: Up to 70% off select merchandise

Future Shop: Enter to win a $500 shopping spree on July 25th from 2pm-8pm

Helly Hansen: Up to 70% off

Ideal Jewellery: All gold and silver jewellery up to 70% off

London Drugs: Spin the wheel to win prizes, plus more demos and giveaways in-store

Ottico: Sunglass Sale up to 40% off, including prescription eyewear. Special giveaways for children under 3, while supplies last

Sears: Grab a bite and enjoy the entertainment on the stage from our street side BBQ

Shoe Warehouse: 2 pairs for $60 and 50% off sandals

Starbucks Coffee: Enjoy Shaken Ice Tea samples and cool off at the summer patio part

Winners: Watch for our team handing out $10 gift certificates while quantities last

Zennkai Salon: Drop in for a FREE hair styling touch up and new guests can grab $5 off their next appointment

800 BLOCK

adidas Originals: The annual summer sale is in full swing, 50% off

Aldo Shoes: Get your FREE tote bag with purchase

American Apparel: Hundreds of your favourite pieces to choose from, prices as low as $5

Burger King: Today only, get two Whoppers for $5

Camouflage: Select Converse Shoes 30% off, T-shirts 15% off, pants 15% off

Cherry Bomb: 2 for 1 T-shirt transfers and up to 50% off

David Gordon Shoes: Final clearance on all seasonal product (Diesel, Converse, Naughty Monkey and more.) This weekend, all custom order Dr. Martens 20% off

Granville Optical: 20% off prescription eyeglasses and no tax on sunglasses

Hart and Sole: $10 tees (regular $45) and more savings up to 70% off the entire store

The Lennox Pub: Stop in for a drink and a bite, watch the crowds stroll by from the patio

Mavi: $10 off any purchase $25 or more, today only

McDonalds: Free Iced Coffee samples from 2pm–7pm. McChicken Sandwiches only $1.99

Payless Shoes: Buy one get one half off, on top of the 15% off clearance event

Puma: This Saturday only, enjoy 30% off your purchase

Quiksilver: Get 30% off denim for Granville Showcase only

Shuraku: Free yam sticks with order of a Sapporo pitcher

Spank: Get up to 50% off the entire store

Underworld: Up to 60% off, Underworld brand apparel 40% off or 2 for 1

Venue: Watch out for our promo team and find out where the party’s at later tonight

900 BLOCK

Blenz: Sampling Shaken Ice Tea

Ceili’s: Grab a drink and relax on Vancouver’s largest rooftop patio

Deuce Bungalow: 2 for 1 food with the purchase of a beverage before 7pm

Tom Lee Music: Enter to win an acoustic guitar. Draw at the Showcase Stage at 7pm

1000, 1100 and 1200 BLOCKS

The Cellar Nightclub: Granville Showcase Official After Party, doors open at 6:30pm. Watch for our street team handing out flyers for a free drink on us

Doolin’s Irish Pub: Come in for a bite and get 10% off our special event menu

Stratosphere Salon: Manicure and blowstyle $30

Don’t miss the Main Stage entertainment at Granville and Georgia from 2-7pm and get a sneak peak of the Vancouver City Centre Canada Line Station

Watch Granville’s top bartenders compete in the ‘Battle of the Bottle’, 4pm at The Edge (corner of Helmcken) Sample the best Granville restaurants from 4pm-6pm in the ‘Show and Taste’, pick up your passport and tickets at the booth beside the Main Stage or in front of Blenz (corner of Nelson)

Granville Showcase this weekend: Music, Food, Entertainment

Join us on Saturday, July 25th as we celebrate the completion of Canada Line construction on Granville Street downtown!

Featuring fashion shows, dance and live music performances on the main stage, located in the newly redesigned 700 block on Granville Street, be sure to check out one of the best outdoor parties this summer. Granville Street businesses will be celebrating by offering great deals, product sampling, free giveaways and entertaining activities for all.

Keep the party going until 4 in the morning as The Cellar Nightclub will be offering drink features, music and much more as they host the Official After Party! (Dress code: casual to classy, it’s up to you).

PLUS - be one of the first to see inside the new Vancouver City Centre Canada Line station as InTransitBC hosts a Public Open House where one of the new trains will be parked for viewing (enter by Sears on Granville).

Visit www.shoptheline.ca for more information and event updates.

Watch your step! Some blocks along Granville are still being worked on for the streetscape redesign – for more information on the exciting new look, please visit: http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/currentplanning/granvilleredesign/

Schedule of Events:
2:00pm – 7:00pm Main Stage
700 Block of Granville Street at Georgia:

2:00pm Tom Lee Music presents winning performers from the School of Rock and Weekend Warriors re-discovering the fun of playing music!

3:15pm Hot dance performances by Harbour Dance Studio

3:30pm Fabulous Fashion Showcase featuring Helly Hansen, Sears, Underworld, Parasuco Jeans and more

4:15pm The Yale brings you the one-man blues, RICH HOPE

5:15pm The Cellar brings you the United Kingdom of Rock, RADIO ONE

6:15pm The Roxy’s house band JOE’S GARAGE covers it all

Sample bites from Granville’s top restaurants on the ‘Show and Taste’ tour:

Visit the ‘Show and Taste’ table in the 700 block to buy your tickets and passport map. From 4:00pm to 6:00pm take the tasting tour and enter to win the Grand Prize courtesy of Circa Restaurant & Lounge!

Participating restaurants include:

Circa Restaurant & Lounge, Deuce Bungalow, Granville Room, The Refinery, Sanafir, ShuRaku Sake Bar & Bistro, Sip Resto-Lounge, and more!

See Granville’s top bartenders duke it out in the ‘Battle of the Bottle’:

4:00pm at The Edge Social Grille & Lounge (corner of Helmcken), sit on the patio, listen to great music and watch the strip’s bartenders vie for the title of ‘The Granville Showcase Top Tender' and for a fabulous Whistler getaway package courtesy of Red Bull.

The Refinery is Open for Yumminess

In the up and coming Granville dining district, just up a flight of 37 rustic unfinished steps is a hidden New York worthy space. The partners of SIP Resto-Lounge, Peter, Ray and Ryan relaunch The Refinery this week.

Chef Michael Carter's menu introduces elements of charcuterie, cheese culture, cured and fresh seafood, fresh breads, antipasti and all things market fresh to the Granville scene. Nothing but the best, and most of it from BC. A very small, discerning collection of international fare is also included in the offerings.

Indulgences aside, the restaurant touts a sincere commitment to sustainability as evidenced by the decor and the sourcing of the best local wines, cheeses and meats. Chef Carter and General Manager Lauren Mote admit to expeditions to the Okanagan to hand pick vegetables to pickle for the fall menu. The Refinery is also a member of the Ocean Wise Sustainable Seafood Program.

The tables are manufactured from reclaimed sorghum straw with the large communal table (pictured above) made from waste and recycled British Columbia Douglas Fir Trees. Reclaimed fir beams from a vintage home roll up the walls in an elegant curve (below). Such a unique space, I've never seen anything like it. Who knew ethical could be so sexy?

I sampled some of their cured meat and cheese boards garnished with a selection of flavourful dried fruits and mixed nuts. Oddly enough the cured meat was comforting while flirting on the edges of adventure.

Similar to a pizza, fresh baked flatbread is topped with ingredients such as brie, prosciutto and onion jam or red wine poached pear, stilton, walnuts then served hot. I admit to surpressing a small grunt of pleasure as I savored one flatbread in particular as the brie made sweet sweet love to the onion jam in my mouth, leaving me wanting another... or a dozen.

I didn't have an opportunity to try the sour cherry goat cheesecake but it's on my hit list.(as it should be on yours)

Check out Granville's new charcuterie inspired restaurant, an new world eatery with an old world feel.
Visit their website and watch their video. Peter Raptis, one of the partners gives you the one minute tour - from their 'green' decor to his illicit adoration of spandex. Funny!

http://www.therefineryvancouver.com

(Don't) Wear Your Sunglasses at Night...

Sigh, sunglasses: the summer essential...Here are some places with killer shades worth mentioning:

Adrenaline Tattoos: Carrying a wide selection of frames like the ones posted below -very Nicole Richie-esque...

USED Vintage: Has in tons of vintage inspired looking frames...if you're wanting something different than the norm then stop by a take a look. Here's one of my favs:

Aldo Shoes: What I mostly liked in here was not the sunglasses themselves (although they are indeed cute), but rather the sunglass case. These cute, animal skin cases are perfect for toting around your frames. At once stylish and functional.

Granville Optical Mall and Ottico: Both these respective optical stores carry high end designer sunglasses like Prada, Gucci, Maui Jims, etc.....If you're wanting to invest in a pair of glasses then I suggest taking a peek in both these stores. You can also get them fitted so you don't have to worry about them falling off your face when you bend down...

Also try H&M, Urban Outfitters, Adidas and Quiksilver.

Perks at Sanafir, Granville Room and Pacific Centre

Visa Perks.

Pay with your Visa Card and get discounts...

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/pdf/visa_perks_2009.pdf

On Granville Street

• 15% off Food at Sanafir
• 15% off at The Granville Room
• Complimentary gift when you spend $200 or more and pay for it with your Visa at Pacific Centre

Motorhead at the Vogue

British Heavy metal band performs songs from their latest album Motorizer at the Vogue Theatre (918 Granville St.) on October 1.

http://www.imotorhead.com/

BIF Naked Performs this August

Canadian Punk Dingers Bif Naked will be performating at the Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville St) on Auguest 27. Tickets on sale now at Livenation.com.

Do you like your Carlsberg but watching your figure?

On July 16, Granville Entertainment Group will become an exclusive carrier of Carlsberg Lite in Western Canada. Finally enjoy Carlsberg beer without (most) of the guilt. Only available at Doolin’s, The Cellar Nightclub, and The Roxy.

New Venue on the street...

Formerly the Plaza Club, a new entertainment hotspot has opened up on Granvile Street called Venue Check out their website. http://venuelive.ca. The layout is a bit strange but kinda neat. Love the idea of a mix tape. zomg when was the last time you made a mix tape. Maybe for some of you kids out there the answer would be never since the closest thing you've come is making a playlist at last.fm.

This Thursday’s is VENUE Grand Opening celebration featuring Victoria Band, HOT HOT HEAT.http://www.myspace.com/hothotheat. This is a PRIVATE party. Sorry kids. Taunting you... but kinda neat to know they are hosting such amazing acts, non?

Listened to their tracks at http://www.myspace.com/hothotheat and its good. Really good. Like The Killers. You should recognise Middle of Nowhere from the radio. Enjoy!

Commodore Ballroom Listings

July 18 and 19 - Social Distortion - http://www.socialdistortion.com/

A major punk band for over two decades, Social Distortion came out of Los Angeles's active hardcore scene of the late '70s and early '80s. Their first album, Mommy's Little Monster, appeared in 1983 and featured the song "Another State of Mind," which aired as one of a few punk videos on mid-'80s MTV. Since then, Social Distortion have further developed their mix of punk and rockabilly with such songs as "Ball and Chain," "Bad Luck" and "Reach for the Sky." To this day, Social Distortion remain one of punk's most exciting and vital bands.

July 20 and 21- Eagles of Death Metal - http://www.eaglesofdeathmetal.com/

July 23 - The Black Lips & Deer Hunter

Contest to win tickets: http://www.straight.com/contest/black-lips-deerhunter

July 29 - Clutch - http://www.myspace.com/clutchband

July 31 - Kenny Wayne Shephard - http://www.kennywayneshepherd.net

Meet Oribu - Makeup Artists to the Celebrities.

Just checked out this email from Bliss Hair. Looks like a promising new artist on our street.

From BLISS HAIR:

We are really excited to introduce another makeup artist, Oribu, to our salon. She will be a great addition to the salon with her expertise in makeup, lash extensions, and eyebrows.

Oribu has extensive training and has worked world wide. Her client list includes actors, models, musicians and other celebrities Check out her website at www.oribuolivia.com

Hair, nails or makeup, call or email us for your next event or just to treat yourself.

604 685 1147

blisshairstudio@telus.net

www.hairbliss.com

Granville is a Great Street!

For those of you who aren't aware, Granville Street is in the midst of a makeover which will result in some sexy new improvements. New wider sidewalks, a Civic Plaza and flex parking are the three of most significant improvements to look forward to. http://vancouver.ca/granvilleredesign

Exposed aggregate sidewalks will be seeded with light blue glass, and some previously puny sidewalks (8 feet) will be expanded to a comfortable 18 feet. This means the street will be host to generous sized patios.. something many of the restaurants and pubs are working on getting up and running as soon as this summer.

Many of you are enjoying our tip of free parking from the 1200 to 1000 blocks of Granville from earlier in the year. This temporary reprieve from parking fees has been implemented during the construction, but once construction is complete - will revert to paid street parking in most locations with a single pay kiosk rather than a meter at each parking spot. Giving more space for maneuverability. Cars will drive up over the low lip of the curb and park right on the sidewalk between the bollard protected trees. These parking spots will be subject to parking regulations once implemented but will keep the 2 lanes in each direction free of parked cars.

The 700 block has been designed with two uses in mind. A flat space to host events, and a transportation hub for the buses that will link up with the Station. The new Canada Line Station is located on the 700 block (Sears, London Drugs and FutureShop) - the same location as our new civic space so arriving at events for this venue will be a cinch! Keep your eye on Granville Street as the future home of many outdoor urban festivals, concerts and events. Maybe even a Sunday farmers market! It could happen!

Special LED lighting exclusively on this block will change with the season/event. Red Green for Christmas, or Green for St. Pats... should be pretty.

Fear not Treehuggers, the trees will be replanted in the fall. Those large 3 foot wooden circles in the sidewalk are actually placeholders for tree pits, which will be the new homes of young beech trees, to match the older more established beeches on the 500 block.

Pedestrians have full access to all the businesses during construction, which is estimated to be complete by November 2009. So don't be shy... Come witness history in the making... the building of a great street.

Click here to see the design

Adidas 50% off sale

This just in from adidas!

Hey there! We’re having our annual summer sale here at adidas originals on Granville Street, starting Thursday July 9th. We only go on sale twice a year, and the savings will be huge: 50% off selected items (and yes, that includes diesel denim!). We’ll see you there!

Bryan Adams Concert

This may be the summer of '09 rather than '69, but Bryan Adams will be making a stop to Vancouver!

Canada's most famous rocker will be playing at the Orpheum Theatre on October 1, 2009. Tickets range from $49.50 to $115.00 (plus tax) and can be purchased at www.livenation.com. I have never been personally, but am told that he absolutely rocks and puts on a GREAT show.

Oh, Bryan Adams...so many good, good songs. Here's a video to get you stoked:

The Soul of Tone event @ Tom Lee Music

Test Drive Any Fender Amp | Get a Free T-Shirt

Visit any Tom Lee Music's 8 Authorized Fender locations between June 1st and August 31st, 2009 to test drive a Fender Amp and get a FREE fender Soul of Tone T-Shirt.

Click here for more info