About.com Vancouver, Canada

Eastside Art, Bald Eagles & Taxidermy - Weekend Picks

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:55:25 +0000

Rain or shine, there's plenty to do this weekend for people of all ages.

Eastside Culture Crawl 2009
Now in its 13th year, the Eastside Culture Crawl is a free visual arts festival featuring Eastside artists, painters, potters, weavers, glassblowers and more! Runs Friday, November 20 - Sunday, November 22.
Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival
Take a trip outside the city and head for the annual Bald Eagle Festival, a popular event that celebrates North America's third-largest gathering of bald eagles. Runs Saturday, November 21 - Sunday, November 22.
Ravishing Beasts at MOV
If it rains all weekend, use it as an excuse to visit the Museum of Vancouver's (MOV) latest exhibit, Ravishing Beasts: The Strangely Alluring World of Taxidermy. Runs through February 28, 2010.

Eastside Art, Bald Eagles & Taxidermy - Weekend Picks originally appeared on About.com Vancouver, Canada on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 23:55:25.
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Park Board Cuts Threaten Bloedel Conservatory, Stanley Park Farmyard

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:39:40 +0000

If you haven't heard, the Vancouver Park Board is facing a major budget deficit this year (who isn't?), and, in addition to a 4% across-the-board increase in fees at park facilities, one plan to help tackle the deficit is to close the Stanley Park Children's Farmyard and the Bloedel Floral Conservatory.

According to the Province, both the Farmyard and the Bloedel Conservatory require annual subsidies, $160,000 and $250,000 respectively, despite the fact that the Farmyard attracts 150,000 visitors a year and that the Conservatory reports only a $23,000 annual budget loss.

(For the Conservatory, the Park Board says the real savings will come in not needing to upgrade or maintain the 40-year-old structure.)

Wow. Cutbacks are never pleasant, and raising fees at the facilities--especially when they'll be raised by the HST anyway--sucks, but close the Bloedel Floral Conservatory?!

The Farmyard, I have to admit, has never impressed me much, and there is another petting zoo in North Vancouver, but the Conservatory is a unique Vancouver attraction. It's a great place to visit on a rainy day; I took my visiting in-laws there one summer and they loved it. Plus the top of Queen Elizabeth Park would be so naked without it!

I understand the Park Board has to cut something, but I really do feel like we'd lose something precious if the Conservatory was closed.

What do you think?

_{Photo by Dana Lynch}

Park Board Cuts Threaten Bloedel Conservatory, Stanley Park Farmyard originally appeared on About.com Vancouver, Canada on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 16:39:40.

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Ravishing Beasts at MOV

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:05:15 +0000

With the rain pouring down, finding fun indoor activities is a must. And if you haven't already seen the latest exhibit at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV), Ravishing Beasts, then this weather gives you a perfect excuse to visit.

Ravishing Beasts explores the "strangely alluring" world of taxidermy, displaying MOV's extensive taxidermy collection for the first time in decades. (Most of the MOV collection came from donations by Vancouverites.)

The exhibit challenges visitors by confronting the visual impact of taxidermy, its cultural aesthetic and scientific history, and, of course, the ethics of, essentially, displaying dead animals. Taxidermy's revived presence in contemporary art is examined, too, both with examples of taxidermy used in fine arts media, and in the exhibit itself, which more closely resembles an art display rather than a natural history one.

Ravishing Beasts has received lots of positive attention in Vancouver and is definitely worth a trip. Don't miss your chance to see the exhibit and to support the continuing evolution of MOV.

Ravishing Beasts is at MOV from October 22, 2009 - February 28, 2010.

_{Photo by Dana Lynch}

Ravishing Beasts at MOV originally appeared on About.com Vancouver, Canada on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 16:05:15.

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Circle Craft, White Christmas & Luxury Wedding Show - Weekend Picks

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:24:43 +0000

It's a Christmas- and white-themed weekend, with the biggest annual Christmas market underway, plus musical premieres and a wedding show like no other.

2009 Circle Craft Christmas Market
Now in its 36th year, this annual Christmas market brings together 260 Canadian artisans at Western Canada's largest craft fair at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Ends Sunday, November 15.
White Christmas, The Musical
It's the first weekend for t Arts Club Theatre Company's 2009 holiday offering, a stage version of Irving Berlin's famous film that's perfect for kids and adults alike. Runs through December 27.
Cr�me de la Cr�me - Luxury Wedding Show
The most luxurious wedding show of the year, this high-end event includes Haute Couture and trendsetting bridal designs at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Happens Sunday, November 15.
Circle Craft, White Christmas & Luxury Wedding Show - Weekend Picks originally appeared on About.com Vancouver, Canada on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 20:24:43.
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Circle Craft Christmas Market November 11 - 15

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:16:41 +0000

You know the winter holidays are fast approaching when the annual Circle Craft Christmas Market hits the Vancouver Convention Centre. Now in its 36th year, this craft market--the largest in Western Canada--has become something of a tradition.

If you've never been to the Circle Craft Christmas Market, it's worth a trip. To see so many B.C. artisans in one place is worth the price of admission, and the Canadian-made (and designed) women's fashions are fabulous. Be aware, though, that prices at the fair are much higher than terms like "craft market" may imply. These are hand-made and often high-end items, and most of the clothing, jewelry, and clay and metal work was over $100.

There are good deals to be had, but a visit to Circle Craft is more about finding unique items and supporting local businesses than it is about saving money.

Admission is $12; $8 for students and seniors. Get $2 off admission by registering online for an emailed coupon.

The Circle Craft Christmas Market runs from November 11 - 15, 2009.

For more on Christmas and holiday shopping in Vancouver, see my Christmas Guide.

_{Photo by Dana Lynch}

Circle Craft Christmas Market November 11 - 15 originally appeared on About.com Vancouver, Canada on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 19:16:41.

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Phase 3 Sale of Olympic Tickets Postponed Until November 14

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:23:28 +0000

Earlier in the week, I reported that the final sale of Olympic tickets, Phase 3, was starting on Saturday, November 7. But as the commenters on that blog reported--"Pissed Off" said, "What a frigging joke. 10:15 and still cannot get on the site...[.]"--Phase 3 never actually got off the ground.

According to an update posted by Vanoc late Saturday, "Tickets.com, the Official ticket service provider for Vancouver 2010, experienced difficulties with the configuration between the virtual waiting room and the ticketing transaction site."

Phase 3--detailed here--has now been postponed until Saturday, November 14.

You can read Vanoc's mea culpa here.

Phase 3 Sale of Olympic Tickets Postponed Until November 14 originally appeared on About.com Vancouver, Canada on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 22:23:28.

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Heart of the City, VAFF & Tibetan Monks -- Weekend Picks

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:31:46 +0000

Raining? No problem. Here are three indoor weekend picks.

Heart of the City Festival
It's the last weekend of the Now the 6th annual Heart of the City Festival, a celebration of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside with free music, theatre, comedy, workshops, history walks, and more. Ends Saturday, November 8.
Vancouver Asian Film Festival
The 13th annual VAFF features independent Asian filmmakers from all over North America, showcasing over 40 films. Ends Saturday, November 8.
Tibetan Monks in Residence at the UBC Museum of Anthropology
For part of their 2009 Sacred Art Tour, five Tibetan monks will spend 7 days in residence at MOA, creating a sand mandela and answering visitors' questions about Tibetan culture and practice. Runs through November 15.

Heart of the City, VAFF & Tibetan Monks -- Weekend Picks originally appeared on About.com Vancouver, Canada on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 14:31:46.

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Last Chance at 2010 Olympic Tickets

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:58:43 +0000

Phase 3, the third and final phase of Vanoc's Olympic tickets plan goes into effect this Saturday, November 7, which means that if you want Olympic tickets, get ready to get them!

Vanoc, the official organizers of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, have set aside over 100,000 tickets--including tickets to gold medal hockey, curling, opening and closing ceremonies--for sale in this final ticket phase.

Tickets will be sold online at the Vanoc site beginning at 10am on Saturday, November 7, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Only Canadian residents are eligible for these final-phase tickets. High-profile Paralympic tickets will also be on sale.

To get ready, make sure you register for a ticketing account or, if you've purchased tickets before, make sure your account information is up-to-date. (If the ticketing site is closed in preparation for Phase 3, check back regularly to see if you can register for an account in advance.)

More information on Buying Tickets for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

UPDATED November 7, 2009 here: Due to technical problems, Phase 3 ticket sales have been postponed until November 14.

Last Chance at 2010 Olympic Tickets originally appeared on About.com Vancouver, Canada on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 20:58:43.

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Halloween, Heart of the City & Chinese Dance - Weekend Picks

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:39:44 +0000

Happy Halloween! Have fun, be safe, and don't eat all your candy at once.

Halloween in Vancouver
Halloween festivities run throughout the weekend, so use the Halloween Guide to find the best events, haunted houses, trick or treat venues, and 19+ parties in the city.
Heart of the City Festival
Now in its 6th year, the Heart of the City Festival celebrates Vancouver's Downtown Eastside with over 80 events--most of them free--including music, theatre, comedy, workshops, history walks, and more. Runs through November 8.
Strathcona Chinese Dance/Vancouver Academy of Dance Salute 2010
To celebrate the 100-days countdown to the Winter Olympics, the Strathcona Community Centre Association hosts a cultural extravaganza of Chinese dance, with over 200 performers including dancers, acrobats, choirs, and school bands. Happens Sunday, November 1.

Halloween, Heart of the City & Chinese Dance - Weekend Picks originally appeared on About.com Vancouver, Canada on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 10:39:44.
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Ready for Halloween? Halloween in Vancouver

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:27:47 +0000

Since Halloween is coming this Saturday, October 31, I put together a quick guide for all your Halloween in Vancouver needs, complete with events, costume shops, and party planning tips.

Vancouver Halloween Events & Trick or Treat

Halloween Costumes

Where to Buy Costumes in Vancouver & DIY Costume Ideas

Halloween Entertaining

What are you doing for Halloween this year?

_{Photo � Sergio Dionisio / Getty Images}

Ready for Halloween? Halloween in Vancouver originally appeared on About.com Vancouver, Canada on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 04:27:47.

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