Rantings from Steven smethurst
This 7.8 kilometers long wilderness-like beach, which follows a promontory below an emerald-green forested, 200-foot high, cliff system weathered to beauty akin the White cliffs of Dover, is Canada’s first and largest, legal, clothing-optional beach and is a Mecca to visitors from around the world!
For more information please visit
Wreckbeach.org
The top of this beautifully maintained 52 hectare (130 acre) park is the highest point in the city, at 167m (505 ft) above sea level. From the lookouts, visitors have a 360 degree view of the Vancouver skyline. The park receives nearly 6 million visitors a year who marvel at its superior standard of garden plantings.
A former stone quarry, the park was developed in the 1950s to include a pitch & putt golf course, paths and display gardens, and a large arboretum. The Bloedel Conservatory geodesic dome was added in 1969.
The Celebration Pavilion at Queen Elizabeth Park is presently under construction. This stunning covered facility is a perfect spot for wedding ceremonies, renewal of vows, memorials, baptisms, reunions, receptions, corporate events, meetings and more.
Stanley Park, Vancouver’s first park, is an evergreen oasis of 400 hectares (1,000 acres) close to the heart of Vancouver’s downtown core. Its natural west coast atmosphere offering a back drop of majestic cedar, hemlock and fir trees embraces visitors and transports them to an environment rich in tranquility.
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If you want a real challenge - or at least a serious workout - try the Grouse Grind. A 2.9-kilometre (3700 ft) trail straight up to the top of Grouse Mountain. And when we say straight up, we mean it!
When you do the Grind, it’s recommended you wear hiking boots and carry water. For those in good shape it takes about an hour. An average time would be between one and a half to two hours. The world record for doing the Grind is under 27 minutes!
It’s free to hike up, but it’s not wise (or advised) for you to hike back down so you’ll need $5.00 to pay for the gondola ride to the bottom. The Grind is open from late Spring to early Fall, dependant on weather and trail conditions.
When: 7 days a week, from 6am to 7:30pm.
Where: Grouse Mountain
Cost: $5 down
Average completion time: 1.5 hours
For more infomation please call
the Grouse Grind information line at 604-432-6200.
hiking.grousemountain.com/grousegrind
Anime Evolution is an annual three-day event celebrating Japanese animation and Asian popular culture. Activities that we feature include interactive panel discussions with industry guests, cultural demonstrations, 24-hour video rooms, costume contests, a charity auction, games, and more. It is an event suitable for people of all ages, and families are welcome to attend. Partial proceeds for the event are donated to the SFU Foodbank.Anime Evolution’s focus is entertainment, community and cultural diversity in a fun, inclusive and accessible setting.
Where:
Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Mountain Campus
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, B.C.
Canada
When: August 19 to 21 2006
Who: Apx ~3,800 people
For more information please visit
http://www.animeevolution.com/
A day of alternative & small-press comics, zines, artwork & culture
When: Sunday, Auust 27, 2006 11 AM to 5 PM
Where: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (Main & 15th Ave.), Vancouver, BC.
Who: Creators and publishers appearing (as of 9/7/06):
Cost:
Creator Tables: $30
Publisher Tables: $60
Dealer Tables: $60
Admission: $3.00 per person
For more information about this show, please visit
http://mypages.uniserve.com/~lswong/Comicon.html
The world’s leading fireworks manufacturers consider the HSBC Celebration of Light competition to be the most prestigious and an exciting arena where they can unveil the latest pyro-musical techniques and the most innovative fireworks materials.
For the first time in its history, four countries will be competing in the HSBC Celebration of Light:
On the final night, August 5, 2006, the evening will conclude with a Celebration Finale, a specially-designed show to pay tribute to the event.
HSBC has ploted out some of the best viewing points English Bay, Kitsilano, Vanier Park, Jericho Beach, West Vancouver. The event is free to watch from public parks and beaches.
Who: Estimated annual attendance 1.4 million people.
What: One of the largest FREE fireworks competition in the world.
Where: English Bay, Vancouver ( Directions )
When:
2006 Schedule
Each show last approximately 25 minutes — August 5 show extends to approximately 30 minutes.
Music simulcast begins at 10:00 p.m. on radio station ROCK 101 (101.1 FM).
Hey all you kids out there in bike land - we’re days away from the 4th Thursday of the month -
This thursday, July 27th it’s time once again for the midnight mass!
Who: A bunch of insomniac cycle loving fools with a penchant for cruising this city in its darkened state.
What: A chance to see your city from a new perspective. A social club. A chance to ride in a world without cars. A party on wheels. A place to network and share ideas. A celebration of the bicycle. An adventure - complete with tree forts and secret trails. A bike ride! All of these things and more, sometimes all at once.
Where: We go everywhere - there’s no set route, so bring suggestions (as well as your knowledge of 24 hour joints). We meet at Grandview Park on Commercial Drive @ Charles st. (across from the Havana and Turks).
When: The Second and Fourth thursday of the month (in this case, the 27th) - meet at 11:45, roll at midnight!
Why: Why the hell not? Its more fun than most thursday nights!
Bring your wheels, your lights, your friends, and your secret knowledge of the city and come get your ass to the midnight mass!
Who: Tool Tool is an American rock band, formed in 1990 in Los Angeles, California, when drummer Danny Carey joined the rehearsal of his neighbor, singer Maynard James Keenan, guitarist Adam Jones and bassist Paul d’Amour, when nobody else would show up. His decision proved to be a stroke of luck when the band turned out to become a highly successful act, “introducing dark, vaguely underground metal to the preening pretentiousness of art rock” — most notably due to their influential third album, Ænima (1996). They have gained appreciation and critical praise for a complex and ever-evolving sound, that ranges from “slam and bang” heavy metal on their first release to more progressive influenced songwriting on Lateralus (2001) which “in another era would have been considered progressive rock, ten tons of impressive pretension.”
Where: General Motors Place, Vancouver, BC
When:Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 08:00 PM
For more information (and tickets) please visit
http://www.ticketmaster.ca/
Real humans. Real science. Really amazing!
Never before has an exhibition offered such an intimate look at the human body. Approximately 200 real human specimens—whole body plastinates, individual organs, transparent body slices and healthy and diseased organs—present a one-of-a-kind anatomy and physiology lesson. See how your body’s systems relate to one another and work together to help you function and survive. View firsthand how lifestyle choices impact your health and how muscles and joints work together during athletic performance.
BODY WORLDS 3 was created by anatomist, Dr. Gunther von Hagens, inventor of Plastination, the groundbreaking method of anatomical specimen preservation. The technology allows authentic specimens to be displayed in a lifelike fashion for instruction and education, giving you an opportunity to appreciate what it really means to be human.
Who: Dr. Gunther von Hagens [2]
Where: Science World (AKA: The telus world of science)
When: September 14, 2006 - January 14, 2007
For more information please visit
http://www.scienceworld.bc.ca/whats_on/Body-Worlds/overview.htm
Heineken presents the Yaletown 06 Flamin’ Hot Classic Car Show and Summer Celebration, now revved up for its sixth year. This free event features one of the best boutique vintage car shows found anywhere, plus live entertainment and things to do for everyone in the family.
Who: Heineken
What: Yaletown 06 Flamin’ Hot Classic Car Show and Summer Celebration
Where: Yaletown (Event map)
When: Saturday July 29th, 2006
For more information please visit
http://www.yaletowninfo.com/events/ysccs.aspx
The 13th Annual
MAD HATTER¹S TEA PARTY
This year, the colourful characters of Lewis Carroll’s beloved Alice in Wonderland come alive in three Vancouver parks, offering old-fashioned participatory fun for all.
Children of all ages are welcome to dress as their favourite character, bring a picnic, and join Alice as she meets Humpty Dumpty (before his Great Fall), has tea with the Mad Hatter, plays croquet with the King and Queen of Hearts, and dances the Lobster Quadrille to the fantastic troubadour sounds of Toot-A-Lute.
Where: When:
Saturday, July 22 - Burrardview Park (2600 block Wall St)
Saturday, July 29 - Renfrew Park (22nd & Renfrew)
Sunday, July 30 - Trout Lake (east side of the lake)
All shows are noon to 3pm.
Join in the fun of one of Vancouver’s truly most wonderful and imaginative family events!
Contact Gary Davis or Kathleen Wood @ 604-876-7979 for details
For more information including pictures please visit
http://www.communityartsworkshop.com
Forest sprites with magical potions create romantic havoc in this deliciously magical comedy. Upset with Queen Titania, Oberon, King of the Fairies, engages Puck to charm her with a nectar that causes love at first sight. Mischievous Puck not only arranges for Titania to fall for a simple weaver named Bottom whom he has transformed into an ass, but he uses the nectar to tangle the affections of four courtly lovers who have sought refuge in the forest. Much hilarity also occurs as Bottom and his friends rehearse a play they hope to present at court.
Who: Bard On The Beach
What: A classic play, Midsummer night’s dream
Where:
Vanier Park, Kits Point at the Foot of Whyte Avenue
Address for Taxis: 1695 Whyte Avenue, Vanier Park
When: June 1 – Sept 24 2006
For more information please visit
http://www.bardonthebeach.org/
As dusk falls over Trout Lake Park in East Vancouver, families and friends come together from far and wide to witness an extraordinary celebration of light.
On this night, the Illuminares Lantern Procession fills the air with music, and thousands of paper lanterns come alive with fire. A brilliant spectacle of weaving serpents, birds in flight, planets in orbit, schools of fish, and all sorts of glowing and shimmering creatures of the imagination.
Processional bands playing world and folk music encourage spectators on the sidelines to join in the journey through the park. Along the way, audiences pass brightly illuminated displays and engaging circus performances of juggling, dancing, clowning, and so much more.
The Illuminares Lantern Procession builds up to an amazing show of art, music, dance, fire sculptures, torch choreography, and dazzling fireworks on the lake.
Where: Trout Lake Park Victoria Drive & 15th Avenue
When: July 29, 2006 - 7 – 11 pm (procession @ 9pm)
For more information (and pictures) please visit
http://www.publicdreams.org/
The Harrison Hot Springs Sand Sculpture Society has invited former World Champions and multiple-medal winners from the past sixteen years of the World Championships of Sand Sculpture to compete as Doubles in the inaugural Tournament of Champions. These proven winners will submit their design for pre-formed blocks of sand by April and the Society will have them ready to carve when they arrive in Harrison Hot Springs in May.
All entries will start carving from the top down over the next thirty-six hours of competition. They will work eight-hour days on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and finish at noon on Mothers’ Day.
Every visitor, attending the event between May 12 and June 30, 2006, will receive a ballot for them to choose their favourite sculpture.
These special Peoples’ Choice Awards are worth $3000 to the Champion, and $2500 to the runner-up. The third place winner will take home $2000. We expect between twenty and twenty-five entries overall. This is an absolutely unique First-in-the-World Event that you won’t want to miss. Adults are only $6.00 with accompanied kids (5-13) only $3.00. Accompanied kids under five are FREE.
Their finished sculpture will remain on display until the end of the World Championships of Sand Sculpture Exhibition on October 09, 2006.
When: Competition Sept 5-10 - Exhibition Till October 9th 2006
Where: Harrison Lake, Harrison Hot Springs
Cost:
Adults are only $6.00,
kids (5-13) only $3.00,
Kids under five are FREE.
For more information please visit
www.harrisand.org
The Annual Vancouver Chinatown Festival is the largest multicultural summer celebration in the vancouver. Attended by families, youths, the general public, and tourists, Chinatown Festival has become a spectacular summer attraction and the number of participants continues to grow each year. The attendance of the 6th Vancouver Chinatown Festival was estimated at 40,000 over the two-day event.
Where: Columbia & Keefer Street, Vancouver Chinatown
When: August 5 & 6, 2006 12PM - 5PM
For more information please visit
http://www.vcma.shawbiz.ca/cf/festival.html
Where: The Abbotsford Airport, a short drive from Vancouver (1 hour)
When: AUGUST 11-13
What: Abbotsford International Airshow
Cost:
Child (5 and under) Free
Child (6 - 12 years) $ 10.00
Adult (13+ years) $ 25.00
Carload ( Not to exceed 8 passengers) $ 80.00
Runway Seating ( In addition to any other admission ) $ 10.00
Parking Free
For more information please visit
http://www.abbotsfordairshow.com/
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