Glasvegas

Alt Scottish rock band Glasvegas (experimental/surf/pop) plays tracks from their self-titled debut album. NME says this is the “album of the year, an awesome record of breathtaking depth and beauty.” Glasvegas played Letterman on Sunday night and shows are selling out everywhere. Have a listen. I cleverly picked up tickets for someone as a Christmas gift and then invited myself along. If you don’t have tickets – try Red Cat or Zulu.
Jan 11 | Doors 8:00 Show 9:00 | Richards on Richards | $16.50 and worth every penny.

Feast of Five Firkins

Five brewers, five firkins, five courses. Second annual Feast of Five Firkins at the Whip Restaurant & Gallery. Get yourself sorted – word on the street is that this event is selling out FAST.

Course 1: Langostino Spring roll Salad with Tin Whistle Black Widow Dark Ale.
Course 2: Organic Ostrich Risotto with Spinnakers Mitchell’s ESB
Course 3: Tre Kroner Bisque with Granville Island Porter
Course 4: Organic Braised Bison Prime Rib with Steamworks North by Northwest
Course 5: Chocolate Scotty Cheesecake with R&B Auld Nick.

Jan 11 | 5:30 | The Whip | $85 | What the firk is a Firkin?

Altar Boyz

The Altar Boyz are touring… As described by the Arts Club Theatre: Watch out ‘N Sync, the Altar Boyz are coming to town! Matthew, Mark, Luke, Juan, and Abraham-the gefilte fish out of water-can sing and dance with the best of them, and these heartthrobs want to praise the Lord with funk and rhyme. With lyrics like “Girl, you make me wanna wait” and “Jesus called me on my cell phone” this irreverent (but never mean-spirited) musical-comedy will wash your soul clean with laughter.
Jan 14 – Feb 21 | Various Times / Venues / Prices | Artsclub for details

Beija Flor

Indie band from Calgary, Beija Flor, play tunes from their recently release album The American at the Media Club (with guests Animal Names and A Pale Blue). Visit the Beija Flor myspace page for a listen – should be an interesting show. (Sunnyboy is my fave track)
Jan 9 | 7pm | Media Club | $10

Parks Canada Speakers Series

Life on the Edge: Protecting Marine Ecosystems and Sustaining Coastal Communities Pacific coast marine ecosystems are some of the most productive and diverse in the world, yet they face an uncertain future.
Jan 14 | 7 – 9 pm | Vancouver Public Library Main Branch | FREE

Bluebird North Vancouver Show

Songwriters Association of Canada presents Bluebird North – featuring talented local songwriters and musicians such as Ben Sures, Bob Kemmis and Norman Foote performing on the Roundhouse?stage, sharing songs and stories in the warm, informal ‘unplugged’?atmosphere that Bluebird audiences have come to know and love.
Jan 13 | 7:30 pm | The Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre | $12

Out of Space

In response to the sustainability of artists work spaces, the Eastside Culture Crawl Society is hosting an art show opening (cash bar) showcasing “Multi-disciplinary exhibition which pairs photographs of artists working in their studios and the artwork created by those artists. Putting a face to the space where art is made. This event opens opportunities for discussions around the need to secure permanent, safe and lasting solutions for the creative workers of Vancouver.” As part of the Out of Space art show there will be discussion groups focused on the space challenges unique to artists working in Vancouver and ways in which the arts community can help find positive workable solutions.
Exhibition Opening: Jan 9 | 7pm – midnight | Chapel Arts | FREE
Discussions: Jan 11, 18, 25 | 1 – 4pm | Chapel Arts | FREE

Dr Sun Yet Sen Chinese Gardens

Vancouver Chinese Artist Federation art exhibition featuring original art in Chinese traditional and contemporary styles at the Dr Sun Yet Sen Chinese Gardens. Many more year of the Ox events to follow.

Chip Up

Is your Christmas tree turning in to a dry and crunchy fire hazard in the corner of the house? Get it together – cart it off to the Lions Club Annual Christmas Tree Chipping Event. There is one going on in Kitsilano (Kits Beach parking lot at Cornwall and Arbutus) as well as downtown (Sunset beach upper parking lot, Pacific Blvd & Broughton St).
Jan 10 & 11 | Various locations | Donations of cash and non-perishable food appreciated

Year of the Ox Dinner

At Wild Rice, Andrew Wong and Chef Todd Bright have ‘thought out of the ox’ to bring foodies a modern take on the concept of a traditional Chinese New Year’s banquet with their three-course Year of the Ox Dinner. For a budget-conscious $25 diners will be treated to Steamed Oxtail Half Moon Dumplings, Braised Pemberton Beef Shank, Five Treasure Rice, and a sweet dumpling filled with a mixture of white chocolate and red bean. Chinese New Year’s Eve is on January 25th but you’ll want to make reservations now.
Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Wild Rice | $25 / $45 with wine

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Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended Bond University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives by the beach in Vancouver and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s shops and streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy, and uncooperative camera.

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