February 21, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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On the far side of False Creek, on Quebec Street, sits Vancouver’s reflective dome – Science World. During the 2010 Olympics it’s been transformed into the Russian Sochi House, the focus of the next Winter Games in 2014.
We took an Aquabus ferry from Granville Island, docking at Yaletown and strolling along the seawall under blossoming cherry trees. A flood of red outfits and flags filled our view as Canada hockey fans were preparing for a game and the Russians had just finished one.
At the Sochi House we browsed through their merchandise shop (the Russian designs are red and white with swirly patterns) and had our photos taken with Olympic torches from Beijing and Vancouver. On giant screens, we learnt all about the Krasnodar region, location of the 2014 Games. A Russian couple, Talia and Igor, who now live in Vancouver told us that’s where they were from and urged us to visit. “You have to go to the Black Sea –Sochi is like Vancouver because it’s just by the sea and mountains,” said Talia.
As a Vancouverite, I’d urge people to visit the Science World, which opens again to the public on March 8. Along with its OMNIMAX Theatre, the TELUS World of Science offers unbeatable interactive games, experiments and exhibitions.
In the meantime, check out Science World’s free exhibition Cool Globes – a series of giant globes outside the venue. Designed by artists, communities and school kids, each one features its own solution to global warming. For Unplugged Fun, students have created cool pictures and captions all about how to have fun without watching TV.
February 21, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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“Anybody here from Wales?” asked Stereophonics frontman, Kelly Jones. “YEAHHHHHHH!!” shouted a tiny minority, me among them. A huge Welsh flag was proudly waved in front of the stage, and further back fans wrapped in Union Jacks, Australian flags and of course the Canadian maple leaf, demonstrated just how multi-national these Winter Olympics have been.
We were in BC Place, the cavernous white dome at the far western end of Robson Street and also the venue for the Olympics opening, closing and nightly medal ceremonies. Tonight the medals were being awarded in Whistler ski resort so we watched it all on the big screens, humming or singing along to the British, Canadian, Austrian and Swiss national anthems.
Music of a different sort followed as the Welsh indie-rockers took to the stage. Bashing out old faves, and newer tracks, the Stereophonics kept the crowd happy with hits like: The Bartender and the Thief, Just Looking, and Maybe Tomorrow. Explosions of light as indoor fireworks and streamers filled the dome were a cool reminder that the party just never stops at Vancouver’s Winter Games.
BC Place isn’t normally a music venue though, home instead to the BC Lions Canadian Football team. We normally watch bands at venues like the art-Deco-style Commodore, Vogue and Orpheum theatres on Granville Street. Bigger acts often play at the General Motors Place (next to BC Place) and the Pacific Coliseum (out near Burnaby).
Annual music festivals are a great way of catching bands we’d otherwise miss – we always try to get to the Vancouver Folk Festival at beautiful Jericho Park in Kitsilano – and the jazz, World & classical MusicFest Vancouver is held all over town.
February 20, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
West Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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On yet another gloriously sunny day we rose at dawn for our first 2010 Winter Olympic event: Womens’ Freestyle Skiing at Cypress Mountain. From the Waterfront Station, near historic Gastown, we took the Seabus ferry over to North Vancouver. Pristine views unfurled of the North Shore Mountains ahead, and behind, of the Vancouver city skyline, including the iconic white sails of Canada Place exhibition centre – and the green expanse of Stanley Park.
We docked at Lonsdale Quay, passing through its bustling market, before boarding a shuttle bus up to Cypress Mountain. In all, getting from Downtown to the ski slopes only takes about half an hour, making Vancouver a uniquely accessible winter sports destination.
The Womens’ Aerials were fantastic. Amid beautiful alpine scenery, we watched awestruck as the athletes turned elaborate somersaults high in the air. And the fans were out in force; a group of Ukrainians had a hilarious song and dance number going, and draped in a huge green flag, was Fiona all the way from Australia. “This is the only event we’re going to but we’re loving all the free parties and sights in Vancouver,” she told us.
Despite experiencing the mildest weather in 100 years, Cypress Mountain has gone all out to create enough snow for the Olympics, and on March 9 it opens again to the general public for downhill skiing and snowboarding. I love the Nordic area too and highly recommend the chocolate fondue snowshoeing tour, as well as the cross-country ski trails and snowtube park.
For now, nearby Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour ski resorts are open to all and offer the same exhilarating range of snow sports.
February 20, 2010 | Field Reports >
Squamish, Skiing & Snowboarding
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I received an email from some friends that decided they wanted to show their enthusiasm and appreciation for Maelle Ricker's Olympic Gold Medal effort in winning the Snowboard Cross event. They painted a huge banner and then climbed up the face of the Squamish Chief and hung it for all to see! Maelle Ricker Rocks!
February 20, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Festivals & Events
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The 2010 Cultural Olympiad has brought to Vancouver and Whistler hundreds of amazing events – music, theatre, dance, puppets! – during these Winter Games. And it’s some of these ticketed events that have been really special. Last night I was at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for the second night of Hal Willner’s Neil Young Project, a three-hour+ tribute show featuring some tremendous Canadian and US performers including members of Toronto’s Broken Social Scene, Ron Sexsmith, Metric and, spectacularly, the most venerable Lou Reed (pictured in the middle of photo) and Elvis Costello.
I’ve never been to the Queen E (located right next door to the Aboriginal Pavilion on Hamilton and W. Georgia in Vancouver) and it’s a slick, modern theatre with great sound. While the show itself was a bit slow at times (not sure about the choice of some of Neil Young’s more sleepy rareties), there were some amazing gems as well: Emily Haines’ from Metric doing “A Man Needs A Maid” Ron Sexsmith’s covers of “New Mama” and “Star of Bethlehem”, Eric Mingus (son of jazz great Charles Mingus) doing a spoken-word version of “On the Way Home” and Elvis Costello’s “Cowgirl in the Sand” and “Cinnamon Girl” (which he performed brilliantly with NYC’s Joan as Policewoman). Lou Reed did a crunchy rock version of “Helpless”, which sounded awesome.
In all, I felt proud to be among happy music fans who were in such high spirits during these Olympic Games – and it was nice to be able to show off a sunshiney and glistening Vancouver to these great out-of-town-artists!
February 20, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Fernie, Skiing & Snowboarding
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We just enjoyed 5 days of skiing and family fun at Fernie Alpine Resort. Some tips to enjoy Fernie for your family - don't be fooled by the few that say Fernie is great for experts... it is but there is amazing beginner and intermediate skiing as well. We found a green or blue run off every lift for our daughter. She enjoyed skiing with us the entire day!
We also suggest playing a great family game - Ski the 5 Alpine Bowls! Fernie Alpine Resort in Southeastern, British Columbia has huge terrain that feature 5 Alpine Bowls. Some fun names too- Lizard Bowl, Curry Bowl etc. Over 2500 acres of terrain will keep your kids entertained all week!
We also enjoyed the recent Helly Hansen Big Mountain Challenge which had 30 teams roaming the mountain to find check-points. Throw in a ski in/ski out cabin, some good family friendly dining, dog-sledding and fun family activities - like our favorite geo-caching, and the horse drawn sleigh ride to the cowboy barn and you have an amazing family destination!
February 19, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Theatre & Performing Arts
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Anyone experiencing a sense of humour failure from waiting in too many Olympic lines – needs a dose of Teatro Tatro – the Magical Theatrical Vending Machine from Slovakia. My absolute favourite of all the free Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad events – this live improv comedy troupe are hilarious.
Using their rustic truck as stage, backstage and even home, these Slovakians dress in baggy woolen jumpsuits and re-enact Olympic sports as spoofy sketches. A small child usually gets to spin their wheel of chance – and the winning number dictates the winter sport. Cue ski-jumping from the top of their caravan, fighting off aggressive seagulls, or dubious looking luge positions. Meanwhile, Josef the giant polar bear keeps sweeping the stage of imaginary snow – a joke on the lack of white stuff at Cypress Mountain.
For more comedy improv in Vancouver, I love the TheatreSports League who perform on Granville Island (audiences throw out scenarios and the actors take it from there). Yuk Yuk’s at the Century Plaza hotel downtown, is great for stand-up comedy, attracting local and international stars.
Come summer, I usually head outdoors for my theatre fix, catching Shakespeare plays at Bard on the Beach in Kitsilano (tip: go on a fireworks night) or musicals at Stanley Park. For Broadway hits, the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts is the place to go – and the Vancouver Playhouse puts on quality classical and contemporary plays.
February 19, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Dining
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While at the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion in Vancouver for their Globespotting show, we decided to make a night of it and sample some Aboriginal food too. As it turns out, ‘Lounge Night in the Jack Poole Hall’ was the best choice we could have made.
Situated near the Romanesque-style Vancouver Library, Queen Elizabeth Theatre - and not far from trendy bars and boutiques in Yaletown, and historic Gastown – it turned out that the Jack Poole Hall was just about the ONLY place to eat, drink and sit and watch the Games. There was no cover charge and even a DJ. Every other bar or restaurant was jam-packed and the streets were alive with jubilant hockey fans.
Run by the Olympics four host First Nations: Lil’Wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, the Aboriginal Pavilion offers a full schedule of fashion shows, cultural films and music. And of course food! We tucked into pizza made with BC forest mushrooms, bison skewers, ‘bear paws’ – fried bannock (flat bread) and little quiches made from Salt Spring Island cheese.
February 19, 2010 | Tips from Travellers >
Whistler, Cross-Country Skiing
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We took a day trip to the Callaghan Valley Ski Trails located about 20 minutes south of Whistler for a day of cross-country skiing just before the trail system closed down for the 2010 Olympic Games. Callaghan Country and next door Whistler Olympic Park have a huge trail system.
We decided to take our time and classic ski on the Mainline Trail up to Callaghan Lodge for lunch. It took us about 2.5 hours to get up there, but we stopped to snap lots of photos on the way up. The views up to the Lodge and on the Ring Valley Loop (that starts just outside the lodge) are amazing. Nothing like it!
We took our time and enjoyed the break with a 3-course lunch offering. A pretty fancy lunch, but a nice treat and quite affordable! Even though some of the trails are closed off this season for the Games, you’ll still get a great XC ski experience. Nice wide trails! We’ll definitely be back XC skiing and snowshoeing up there once the trails open again on March 1.
February 19, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Historic & Heritage Sites
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“It’s a bit dangerous when black fella’s got technology,” chuckled Tjupurru. A descendant of the Djabera Djabera tribe of West Australia, Tjupurru brings ancient Aboriginal culture bang up to date into the 21st Century with his mind-blowing Didjeribone playing.
He was without a doubt, the highlight of the Globespotting show at the 2010 Aboriginal Pavilion, Vancouver, where we were all celebrating International Indigenous Day. This Aussie, with a sense of humour as big as the tent we sat in, showed us how Aboriginals of all races are real people with contemporary culture, not just old ways confined to museums.
Soon we were all up rocking out to Tjupurru’s ‘Didgitronica’ – bringing me right back to my clubbing days. His unique ‘Didgibone’ works like a cross between a didgeridoo and a trombone, and along with his ‘Face Bass’ (a seismic mouth sensor ), Tjupurru is a one-man band (plus his two talented young sons), creating live samples and soundscapes that transported us straight to the Outback in Oz.
Also at Globespotting, we were treated to hip-hop/alt rock diva Kinnie Starr (of Mohawk heritage). With her raw, punchy vocal-style, she channelled Amy Winehouse, backed superbly by the fiery Borealis Quartet from Vancouver. Coloured lights played across the ceiling of our domed tent, creating an ethereal beauty.
Closing the night was the dreamlike, spiritual Adjagas from North Norway. In ornate fringed and beaded costume, they sang yoiks – unique reflections of people and places that come from the Sami tribe.