Good Things to Do February 7 +

BigNight2014_300x250It may be chilly out there but don’t let that stop you from enjoying yourself this weekend.  Much to sip and savour in this week before Valentines Day!

February 7 tonight Big Night A CELEBRATION OF FOOD & WINE  

Join us as the top chefs in the city serve dishes specially created to match award-winning wines from the 2014 International Wine Competition.

Participating CHEFS & MENUS:

David Hawksworth (Hawksworth) Sunchoke soup, Northern Divine caviar, brioche, meyer lemon paired with Best of Show: CHAMPAGNE LE MESNIL BLANC de BLANCS NV

Rob Feenie (Cactus Club Cafe) Oxtail agnolotti with foie gras, caramelized onions, duck liver, Vacca Rosa parmes

paired with Best Rich Red: THORN-CLARKE SHOTFIRE QUARTAGE 2010  an 

Pino Posteraro (Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill & Enoteca) Cannelloni of natural beef with chorizo  paired with Best Medium Red:  TENUTA SETTE PONTI CROGNOLO TOSCANA 2010

Chris Whittaker (Forage) Pacific Provider Spring Salmon tataki with celeriac remoulade and Northern Divine Caviar   paired with Best Rosé: POPLAR GROVE BLANC DE NOIRS ROSÉ 2012

Angus An (Maenam) Geng gati of mussels (Southern style curry of tumeric and mussels with kaffir lime leaf and young coconut) paired with Best Light White:  DR. PAULY BERGWEILER RIESLING 2012

Thomas Haas (Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie) Smoked vanilla-caramel cream puffs with Hawaiian sea salt  paired with Best Fortified:GONZALES BYASS NUTTY SOLERA OLOROSO SHERRY

Frank Pabst (Blue Water Cafe + raw bar) Seafood paella with squid, prawns, mussels, chorizo, rice and paella foam  paired with Best Rich White: DEVIL’S LIAR MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY 2011

Alain Raye (La Régalade) Duck confit croquette and brussel sprout salad with kumquet and mustard seed dressing 

paired with Best Medium White: LAURENZ V und SOPHIE GRUNER VELTLINER 2011

Wesley You

ng (Wildebeest) Lamb tartare, heritage onions, mustard seed gastrique, Shallot crumb  paired with Best Light Red:

M. LAPIERRE MORGON 2012

Adam Pegg (La Quercia) Ricotta stuffed cannoli, cherry, pistachio   paired with Best Dessert: INNOCENT BYSTANDER MOSCATO 2012

Hosted at the Jewel Ballroom (on 8th Ave off Granville)

Vancouver Theatre

Granville Island Improv

VTSL’s signature festival, now in its 26th year, pits exceptional improv groups from around the world against each other in a tournament for comedic supremacy, with the audience deciding who will advance forward. This year’s contestants include teams from Toronto, Austin, Portland, Slovenia and the returning champions from Edmonton.

“The Massacre Improv Tournament and Festival offers an opportunity for members of the global improv community to come together in a lively and entertaining format,” says Jay Ono, Executive Director at VTSL. “We are incredibly proud to host the festival and look forward to welcoming both local and international teams to The Improv Centre.”

Early in the tournament, Vancouver’s finest improv teams will outwit each other in the TheatreSports™ format. As the action heats up leading to Valentine’s Day weekend, favourite teams from past years and hot new groups will descend on Vancouver to claim the title of TheatreSports™ champions.

Massacre shows will take place at VTSL’s The Improv Centre on Granville Island starting January 22; the international players enter the tournament on February 11. The final showdown will take place on Sunday, February 16.

The Massacre Improv Tournament and Festival 
January 22 – February 16 (times vary)
The Improv Centre on Granville Island
Tickets: Online at vtsl.com.

Hot chocolate fest cup 3

LAST WEEK The VANCOUVER HOT CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL  January 18 – February 14, 2014

New participants for 2014 include: East Van Roasters (Gastown), Last Crumb Bakery & Cafe (Main St.), Koko Monk Chocolates (Kitsilano) and Uva Wine Bar (Downtown)as well as four new franchise owners from Blenz Coffee.

Cool factor …This year for the first time, vendors Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle France and Uva Wine Bar will be offering the option of cold, hot chocolates. Plus the flavour in the cups of hot chocolate at Bella Gelateria will be inserted via gelato master James Coleridge’s new ‘gBARs’ (frozen gelato on a stick).

Mixologist Lauren Mote (Uva Wine Bar) will be breaking our former rule of ‘no alcohol’ with four cocktails inspired by traditional hot chocolate. Two without alcohol (one hot, one cold) will be available all day, while those of the boozier sort (crafted with Mote’s own Bittered Sling extracts) may only be sipped in the p.m.

Walk it off … Along with bold and whimsical new logo graphics by artist Stephanie Gilmour, this year we will also be providing a walking map to the neighbourhoods where our vendors are located.  Visit the website for a downloadable PDF, or a list where the large format printed versions may be picked up.

List of Vendors: http://www.cityfood.com/hotchocolate/coming-soon-

Map: http://www.cityfood.com/hotchocolate/your-walking-map

CiderWISE_Teaser_Final_Build_Large

February 8th @ 12:00PM – 4:00PM

More and more people are finding themselves gluten-intolerant and that can make enjoying craft beer difficult, however more and more gluten-free options exist, such as most ciders and the increasing number of Gluten-reduced and Gluten-free craft beers. Join us at CiderWISE to try some of these unique and delicious alternatives. We’ll be showcasing ciders and gluten free beers made locally and from the US.

$25 ($20 CAMRA members) includes 3 tokens and a take home taster glass. Tickets on sale now!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/ciderwise-a-cider-gluten-free-beer-tasting-event-tickets-9620429965

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Extended Dine Out! Check out Dianne Chow of Fabulously Frugal’s List of Extended Dine Out Menus around town.

http://fabulouslyfrugalinvancouver.wordpress.com/restaurants-who-have-extended-their-2014-dine-out-menus/

Farmers Market

Vancouver Farmers Markets Winter Market – February 8 

Head to Nat Bailey Stadium at 4601 Ontario Street at 30th from 10-2 pm

hawkers2014

February 8, 2014 The Hawkers Lineup 2.8.14 Hawkers Market

33 Acres Brewing Beers on Draught
maQ Local Soju Cocktail Bar
Fat Duck Mobile Eatery
FlipTop Truck
Reel Mac and Cheese
The Candymeister
Living Lotus (Vegan) (raw)
6 Legs Good Apiaries
Sincerely Pasta (Gluten Free)
The Wonton Girl
Brown Paper Packages Ice Cream
Oollo Tea
Kombucha by O5 Tea (Mini Workshops)
Bumble and Oak Chocolates
Gems in Our Hands (Vegan)
Sweet Petite Confectioner
Yaya’s Kitchen
Ceiba Gourmet

http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hawkers-market-february-8th-vancouver-tickets-9825477267

 

grouse

February 7 and 8, 2014 Before winter is over be sure to head up to Grouse Mountain. This weekend they’re really celebrating with DJ’s, dining, snow shoeing, movies and more!  

Celebrate on the slopes from sundown to sunrise

While our athletes battle it out at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, we’ll once again open our doors for 24 consecutive hours of winter fun at the Peak of Vancouver! Dance the night away under starry skies as DJ Flipout and Zak Santiago spin your favourite tracks. Glide down The Cut while taking in a spectacular Vancouver sunrise or take in one of the many family friendly activities.

For your convenience, a complimentary shuttle will be running late Saturday/early morning Sunday between Grouse Mountain and key North Shore locations (see schedule below).

Be part of the excitement during Grouse Mountain’s annual 24 Hours of Winter celebration!

Special Events

After-Dark Party (8pm to 4am, Saturday night) DJ Flipout and Zak Santiago, aka Los Hermanos Libres, and Sailor Gerry spin the night away under starry skies at Altitudes Bistro.

Torch Parade (9pm Saturday) The city’s favourite playground will be aglow with enthusiastic skiers carving their way down the mountain. Best views from the Peak Flats and Lower Peak.

Park Jam (11pm Saturday to 1am Sunday) Whether you are a skier or snowboarder, guy or girl, young or old, come on out to win loads of prizing and have a good time!

Junior Pond Hockey Tournament (Saturday/Sunday) Cheer on these young local hockey dynamos as they represent the countries competing at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games.

Non-Stop Activities

Skiing/ Snowboarding (9am Saturday to 10pm Sunday) Subject to periodic run closures for grooming and maintenance

Terrain Park (9am Saturday to 10pm Sunday)

Mountaintop Ice Skating (11:30am Saturday to 10pm Sunday) Subject to closures for the Junior Pond Hockey Tournament

Snowshoeing (9am to dusk, Saturday and Sunday, plus special night tours) Complimentary guided tours at sunset (5pm Saturday), midnight (11:30pm Saturday) and sunrise (6:30am Sunday). 1.5 hours in duration. Headlamps are required. Conditions permitting. Please meet at the Fireside Hut

Ziplining (10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday, plus special night tours every 2 hours between 6pm and 6am, subject to bookings)Please book through Guest Services. Rates apply.

Eye of the Wind (11am, 1pm, 3pm, 6pm Saturday; 6am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm Sunday) Please book through Guest Services. Rates apply.

Theatre in the Sky (9:30am to midnight Sat, 9:30am to 9pm Sun) 9:30am-7pm Sat & Sun: “Extremely Wild” and “Tyto’s Triumph” every half hour; “Born to Fly” top of every hour.  3pm – 7pm Sat: NHL Hockey, Canucks vs. Leafs.  7pm to midnight Sat:Action sports films by Quiksilver and Red Bull

Shopping
Outfitters open 9am Saturday to 10pm Sunday. Spirit Galleryopen 10am-10pm on Saturday and Sunday

Dining Schedule

Grouse Grind Coffee Bar (8am Saturday to 10pm Sunday) Alcohol-free zone entire weekend. Short closure 7am-8am Sunday.

Lupins Cafe (11am Saturday to 8pm Sunday) Alcohol-free zone 10pm Saturday to 11am Sunday. Breakfast served 7am to 10am Sunday morning. Short closure between 10am to 11am Sunday.

Altitudes Bistro (11am Saturday to 10pm Sunday) No minors past 8pm. Limited a la carte menu 10pm to 4am Saturday night. Brunch served 7am to 10am Sunday morning. Short closures between 4am to 7am, and 10am to 11am Sunday morning.

The Observatory (5pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday) Reservations recommended.

Complimentary Night Shuttle

Leaves on the top of the hour from the Lower Terminal (West Ramp) between midnight and 7am late Saturday/early Sunday.

Route: Nancy Greene Way, Capilano Road, Edgemont, Queens, up Lonsdale (to Prospect @ Rockland), down Lonsdale to Lonsdale Quay (Chadwick Court at the end of Chesterfield Place), Esplanade/Forbes/3rd Street/Marine Drive, up Capilano back to Grouse Mountain

Hop-off: Guests can hop off at any point along the route. They must advise driver in advance.

Designated Hop-on Spots: Edgemont Village (in front of Starbucks), Upper Lonsdale (Prospect @ Rockland), Lonsdale Quay (Chadwick Court at the end of Chesterfield Place), Marine Drive & Capilano Road (at the Petro Can parking lot), Capilano Road opposite the Capilano Suspension Bridge.  Please note that if there is no one waiting at the above stops, the driver will not stop, and will continue along the route. Route and schedule subject to change.

Above 24 Hours of Winter schedule is subject to change

The-Odd-Couple-arts-club

ARTS CLUB THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE ODD COUPLE Until February 23

THE ODD COUPLE*

By Neil Simon

The Classic Comedy of Mismatched Roomies at Midlife
Meet Felix Ungar, the neurotic, neat-freak news writer. Meet Oscar Madison, the slovenly sportswriter.When life changes bring them together as roommates, will these two friends learn to meet in the middle? Or will their irreconcilable differences split them apart? The Odd Couple, the now classic play that earned Neil Simon his first Tony Award, is one of the playwright’s funniest and most affecting works.

By Asha and Ravi Jain – A Why Not Theatre Production – Presented with the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival
A Heartwarming Tale of Love and Marriage
You think your mother is opinionated? Then say hello to Asha, who is determined to see her son, Ravi, married-even if she has to arrange it-and is not shy about saying why, in the most droll way, of course. In this unusual and unusually funny show, real-life mother and son share the stage and tell their entertaining true story of generational and cultural clash. As Asha declares, “I am Indian. Ravi is Canadian.”

Robson-Square-ice-rink

Robson Square Skating Until February 28

It’s FREE skating for those with skates. If you don’t have skates, you can always rent some at the rink. It’s a magical place to enjoy the holidays with your friends, family and loved ones.

Dates and Times:
SUNDAY to THURSDAY: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
FRIDAY and SATURDAY: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

 More Events HERE:

https://goodlifevancouver.com/vancouver-area-events/