Contributor: Thalia Stopa

Portrait

Thalia moved from Winnipeg to Vancouver as a vegan, wannabe Emily Carr student and beer naif. Over a decade later, she is now a meat-eating, craft-brew-swilling shopgirl at the independent shoe boutique, Umeboshi. Thalia’s background includes dance and classical piano training, life drawing and photography; but her most enduring creative pursuit is writing. A lifelong diarist turned prolific live music reviewer and contributor to Snipe News and BeatRoute, her love of the written word is closest matched by her avid beer-drinking. You will often find her indulging in both – probably during Happy Hour – pen or book in one hand and a pint in the other.

Further Afield Trips

Tripping Further Afield in Penticton with Virginia Bray

17 Places

More than a go-to for fashion and homewares, the ad hoc boutique owner is also an awesome resource for Penticton's best spots...

Cool Things We Want

We Want to Take These Not-So-Disposable Cameras on Our Next Big Road Trip

Remember the pre-Instagram days when disposable cameras were a cool and easy way to document good times? They're back...

Vancouverites / Kitsilano

Sipping Cups of Adventure With Professional Tea-Hunter Pedro Villalon

The O5 co-founder will be expounding on his favourite plant as one of the PechaKucha Vol.49 panel members on June 27th.

Drinker

Beer Brief Vol. 21

11 Places

A succinct, bulleted briefing on beer-related news and imminent events (mapped for your crawling and tasting pleasure by Thalia Stopa).

Heads Up / Gastown

Tickets for Inform Interior’s ‘Japan Handmade’ Workshops Now Available

This year's event includes two days of incredibly intimate hands-on opportunities to gain first-hand knowledge from four Kyoto artisans.

Further Afield Trips

Tripping Further Afield in Tofino with Top Chef Canada Winner Paul Moran

10 Places

For this edition of FAT, we're island bound on a guided tour courtesy of the head chef at Tofino Resort + Marina's 1909 Kitchen.

4 Places
Power of Two / Fraserhood

Sweet Dreams and Solid Advice with Earnest Ice Cream’s Founding BFFs

We recently caught up with the cool duo to get first-hand the recipe for their long-lasting and successful business relationship...

Further Afield Trips

Tripping Further Afield With Jesse Keefer

9 Places

The Bodega Ridge's Jesse Keefer is at the helm of this week's day-long eating, drinking and exploring experience on Galiano Island.

Branding Vancouver / Kitsilano

The Story Behind Their There’s Unique Branding

From space-themed socks to milk crate seats, owner and conceptual designer Michael Robbins breaks down the many elements of his Kits cafe.

Vancouverites / Chinatown

Celebrating the Delights of Weirdness With Kiira Saari, Founder of ‘Guts Club’

As she prepped her spring collection, we chatted with the one-woman brand who promotes body positivity, "one weird outfit at a time."

Drinker

Beer Brief Vol. 20

10 Places

A succinct briefing on local beer-related news and imminent events (mapped for your crawling pleasure by Thalia Stopa).

Vancouverites

Picking Up Historical Threads and Weaving Community with Amanda Wood

You can get a first-hand look at the creations of this artist, educator and humanitarian at this year's Crafted Vancouver festival.

Heads Up

A Treasure Map to ‘Top Drop’ Deliciousness

7 Places

Now in its sixth year, the primarily wine-focused festival returns to please Vancouver's keener palates, May 23-24

Vancouverites

Finding Creative Catharsis with Local Artist Nicole Jang of ‘See You Soon Studio’

See You Soon Studio will be making its big debut at the upcoming Got Craft? market (May 4th and 5th at the Maritime Labour Centre).

Cool Things We Want

We Love the Frank Spirit of This Marena Skinner T-Shirt, and We Want One

These original t-shirts are screenprinted by the local artist herself and are currently for sale in a highly limited run.

Heads Up / West End

The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival’s ‘Sakura Night’ Happens May 5th

Commemorate the fleeting cherry blossom season by joining in on the VCBF's delicious one-night-only tasting event.

Drinker

Beer Brief Vol. 19

10 Places

A succinct briefing on local beer-related news and imminent events (mapped for your crawling pleasure by Thalia Stopa).

Heads Up / East Vancouver

Five Reasons to Get Stoked and Save Cash for the Spring Edition of ‘Got Craft?’

The latest edition of Got Craft? takes over the Maritime Labour Centre on May 4/5, and we have a springtime shopping itch to scratch!

Drinker / Gastown

On Minding the Bar and Finding Your Spirits Animal with Kristi-Leigh Akister

In this short Q&A, the local bartender and industry activist gets us up to speed on her wild, whirlwind year.

Drinker / North Vancouver

Windfall’s Nathaly Nairn on Crafting the BC Cider Renaissance, One Pairing at a Time

Her "unapologetically urban cidery" is one of over 30 participating in the now sold out 3rd annual BC Cider Festival.

Definitive Records / Railtown Japantown

These Are the Records That Define the Musical Tastes of One of Vancouver’s Top Chefs

The Mackenzie Room's kitchen maestro is concise yet poetic when describing the vastly different records that impacted his life.

Drinker / The Okanagan

Gettin’ Groovy and Going Natural with Tyler Thrussell of Neon Eon Wine

Get hip to the groovy new Summerland brand that's naturally got the local wine community, including Gastown's Juice Bar, feeling all tingly.

Drinker

Beer Brief Vol. 18

10 Places

A succinct briefing on local beer-related news and imminent events (mapped for your crawling pleasure by Thalia Stopa).

Definitive Records / Port Moody

The Parkside Brewery’s Sam Payne Takes Us on a Musical Joyride

We head to Port Moody's Brewer's Row to pick Sam Payne's brain about the records that have shaped his taste in music.

Vancouverites / North Vancouver

On Growing Up Skateboarding and Taking Badass Portraits With Alana Paterson

We chat with the photographer as she prepares for her upcoming exhibition at the Polygon Gallery, which runs April 13th to May 12th.

The Dishes

Doing ‘The Dishes’ With Joe Chaput & Allison Spurrell of Les Amis du Fromage

12 Places

We tag along with Joe and Allison for a whirlwind crawl of their favourite food and drink spots across Vancouver.

Drinker

Beer Brief Vol. 17

11 Places

A succinct briefing on local beer-related news and imminent events (mapped for your crawling pleasure by Thalia Stopa).

Heads Up / Strathcona

Registration for OH Studio’s Hanami Bento Picnic Workshop Now Open

In this special edition of the popular two-part workshop, participants will get to enjoy feasting amidst blooming sakura.