Our carefully considered first rate list of super sweet things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week…

TONIGHT

Spirited Away


If you haven’t yet caught Hayao Miyazaki’s flick Spirited Away, here is your chance to do it for free. The UBC Green College is putting on this event (open to the University community and general public) without charge – they’ve learned well, gold coins lead to trouble, don’t they No Face?
March 25 | 8-10pm | Graham House, Green College, 6201 Cecil Green Park, UBC | FREE

Vancouver Fashion Week
This year Vancouver Fashion Week will showcase everything from snowboard to sustainable designs in a series of runway shows, exhibitions and industry lectures. Highlights include an opening night gala, a Canadian Design show (featuring locals Papillion Eastern and Porcia Yeganeh), eco friendly design event (featuring local designer Pauline Siu and her flora&fauna line, a streetwear show and a ready to wear deal. Most gigs are at Storyeum (thank god someone found a use for this place) and there are a plethora of after parties that promise to bring a spark to afterhours adventures in this first week of Spring. For a complete designer line-up, schedule and show info, or to purchase tickets visit Vancouver Fashion Week
March 24 -29 | Storyeum 142 Water Street | Various times and ticket prices

THURSDAY

Cinebar
Something new is going down at Pacific Cinematheque Theatre – It’s called Cinebar. That’s right, the clever folks at Pacific Cinematheque are going to give you free booze when you come to see a great film. Talk about value added! And it’s not like they are screening crap movies that you would have to be drunk to sit through. This is a culturally enlightening experience. Pacific Cinematheque has joined forces with Philippe Dandurand Wines to offer movie goers the pleasure of sampling wines that have been specifically chosen to complement the feel and region of the film they are paired. From a recent media release: “Wine has always been the ultimate accompaniment to dining and fine art — and now, film.” The inaugural Cinebar event tonight (the seminal film Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles by Chantal Akerman) “finds a lasting finish with the robust tones of the Hob Nob Pinot Noir.”
March 26 | 7:30pm | Pacific Cinematheque Theatre | under ten beans

Author Reading
Trevor Cole has been called one of the best young novelists in Canada by The Globe and Mail. His recent novel The Fearsome Particles was a finalist for the 2006 Governor General’s Literary Award.
March 26 | 7:30 | Vancouver Public Library | FREE

Examined Life DVD Screening with director Astra Taylor in attendance.
This sounds fascinating: “Examined Life pulls philosophy out of academic journals and classrooms and puts it back on the streets. Filmmaker Astra Taylor accompanies some of today’s most influential thinkers on a series of unique excursions through places and spaces that hold particular resonance for them and their ideas. This film reveals philosophy’s power to transform the way we see the world around us and imagine our place in it.” Wristbands are required. (They can be picked up from the FilmSoc clubroom on a first-come-first-served basis).
March 26 | 4pm | UBC SUB | FREE

FRIDAY

The Little Green Faerie visits Morton’s
Details from a Morton’s press release: The event gives guests a chance to experience the mystique, allure and ritual of tasting Hill’s Absinthe, a high proof distilled spirit made from grande wormwood and a blend of aromatic herb extracts. Priced at $40 per person including hors d’oeurves, tax and gratuity, the event in Morton’s private boardroom will feature three Hill’s Absinthe cocktails and Hill’s Absinthe served in the traditional ritual, which involves dripping ice water very slowly over a sugar cube that is placed on a slotted spoon over a glass of Absinthe. The water passes through the spoon slots into the drink resulting in a green and flavorful drink. Other tidbits to tempt you: Oysters Rockefeller made with Absinthe, Crab-stuffed mushrooms, Sliced Tenderloin on Crostini and Morton’s famed Miniature Prime Cheeseburgers.
March 27 | 6pm | Morton’s The Steakhouse | $40 | To reserve your place call 604.915.5145

100 bands 19 venues
They call it Junofest. Nearly half of the participating line-up has been chosen locally to highlight Vancouver’s rich and diverse music scene, in addition to performances from 2009 JUNO Award nominees and some of Canada’s national touring acts. Way too many top acts to list here.
March 27 & 28 | various venues | check it out

The Breakmen
“A potent blend of bluegrass, old-timey folk, and vintage country influences. Known for tight vocal harmonies, creative instrumental work, and contagious stage energy” Have a listen.
March 27 | 8:30 and again at 12:30 | The Chapel | $15

SATURDAY

Pick of the week: Free Flicks at the Biltmore.
This week First Annual Local Indie Documentary Short Film Festival featuring the films: A Hockey Pilgrimage by Benn McGuire; Carts of Darkness by Murray Siple; Crows by Mike McKinley; Mountain Pine Beatel by Lindsay Robles; Jacque Lenard; Heritage Moment by Sean Divers and Spacer by Guy Roland. All of this and and a bar just feet away – what else do you want out of a Saturday afternoon?
March 28 | 12 noon – 4 | Biltmore Cabaret | FREE

Japantown
Japantown Multicultural Neighborhood Celebration at the Chapel. I don’t have many details about this event – but what little I do know makes me curious. This is one stop on a multi-venue circuit that celebrates the history and diversity of Vancouver’s Japanese community. The intention of this cultural event and public forum is to reflect upon the journeys of the past, the diversity of the present, and the promise of the future. Sounds like something that might be worth checking out.
March 28 | 11am -2pm | The Chapel | FREE

Under The Cherry Tree
Breathe in the beginning of Spring with the Cherry Blossom festival and Sakura Days… a multitude of Japanese cultural arts, crafts products and demonstrations as well as Japanese food. As a bit of an aside – I understand there will be unique eco-friendly Japanese cars and motorcycles on display outside.
March 28 & 29 |10am – 5pm | VanDusen Botanical Gardens Floral Hall | FREE

Portobello West
If your feeling the itch to do some Spring shopping? Why not buy local? Portobello West market is the perfect venue – head down to the Rocky Mountaineer Station (1755 Cottrell Street) to see some of the hot new fashion and art created by Vacouverites. We are looking forward to checking out new duds by Floating Gold Iceberg and Love Punk as well as belts by Catalyst Creations and the serenely beautiful and almost creepy work of Poodlebreath (I love the Blue Sinking Fairy Tale pendants and the Helping Hands wall sculpture).
March 28th and 29th | 12pm to 6pm | Rocky Mountaineer Station | 2 bucks

SUNDAY

Eat Local
Head to the Winter Farmers’ Market at WISE Hall to pick up some hearty root vegetables, home-baked bread, crafts, and plenty of other cool bits. Visit EatLocal.org to see the full list of vendors (Scout goes for Pasture to Plate, Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and always a visit to The Fruit Guy for died Okanagan fruits to snack on) or click here for a Complete Seasonal Availability Chart.
March 28 | 10am – 2pm | WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street at Victoria Drive | FREE

Blim Community Market
People of Main Street rejoice! Blim is hosting their first community market today. This event will include 30 vendors, live music, hot food, beverages, and entertainment. We’re talking food, fashion, accessories, supplies, fine art, vintage items and records, and not be limited to craft. From the Blim organisers themselves: “There will be a focus on nurturing and promoting creative production in our community. We want to appeal to young, old, hip, plain, babies, animals, men, women, everyone…We are very excited about this event and what it can contribute to Main Street’s artistic vitality, and how it can help support and encourage the local creative community.” Dude – get it together and check out what your neighbours are doing! Just a few of the goodies you will see at the market: Jewellery from Basement Sweet and It’s Your Life; Cupcakes from Coco Cake Cupcakes; Blim (clothing and accessories); creative textiles by Down Home Amy; handmade cards by Baby Elephant and Jackie Dives; as well as some District Thirty and a healthy does of Civil Disobedience as well as Hot Japanese Snacks by Michael Tora Speier and Live Music by Fine Mist.
March 29 | 11am -5pm | Cambrian Hall | FREE?

I Puritani
Opera Pro Cantanti presents Bellini’s final masterpiece, set in the English civil war.
March 29 | 7:30 pm | Cambrian Hall (215 E. 17th) | Pay by donation. Info 604-646-0406;

Magic Carpet Ride
If Opera isn’t your thing, maybe Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five will do the trick… “Dont push me, cause I’m close to the edge. I’m trying not to loose my head”
March 29 | 10:00pm – 3:00am | Pop Opera, 686 West Hastings | Early bird tickets are $20

Next Week Heads Up

On Tuesday, March 31st Bishop’s and La Parran Wines and Spirits will host a very special dinner to feature wines from three French wineries: Bastide du Claux (Luberon), Domaine Challias (Rhone) and Domaine Le Grand Vallat (Provence). Special guest for the evening is Marc Valentini, winemaker from Le Grand Vallat.

“As none of the six wines being poured are currently available in B.C., we wanted to capitalize on the fact that Mr. Valentini was coming to Vancouver for the International Wine Festival, and use the opportunity to showcase his wines with our wonderful local ingredients,” comments John Bishop. “It’s a unique opportunity for our residents to taste some extraordinary wines.

Wines were specifically chosen to complement Chef Andrea Carlson’s four-course menu featuring Duck Confit and Potato Gnocchi, Roasted Lamb Loin, Bison Tenderloin and ending with sampling of Natural Cheeses from Farm House Cheese in Agassiz.

The dinner with wine pairing is priced at $85 per person including tax and gratuity. As seating is limited, reservations are a must and can be made either by calling the restaurant at 604-738-2025 or at www.bishopsonline.com

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