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Eastside Culture Crawl November 19-22: 457 Artists + 83 Buildings

12 Nov

EastsideCultureCrawlThe Eastside Culture Crawl is back again for 4 days starting Thursday, November 20th.  This 4 day arts extravaganza really is a must see. During “the Crawl” over 400 artists in and around the heart of East Vancouver open their studios to the public. The event which grows each year now comprises some 83 buildings from Main Street to Victoria Drive and First Avenue to Powell Street. The mediums vary and include painters, jewelers, sculptors, textile artists, furniture makers, weavers, potters, printmakers, wood carvers and photographers. There is no set schedule for this event, you go where your mood and interests take you and the array of talent is amazing. To help guide you, the Eastside Culture Crawl has a great rundown of all the artists on their website including a printable .PDF map to help you find your way. The Crawl runs November 19th and 20th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 21st and Sunday, November 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. To figure out what you wish to see and when, check out the Issuu magazine online.

If you wish to mix things up and do some side trips in and around East Vancouver while on the Crawl, there are so many great stops en route. For instance, in Railtown there is Vancouver Urban Winery & Lounge which is a perfect start for brunch in the Belgard Kitchen before the Crawl or for a bit of wine or beer tasting after. There are more beer options if you head West a little ways including Parallel 49 Brewing Company, Bomber Brewing,  Powell Street Craft Brewery and a newcomer Doan’s Craft Brewing. If Belgian beer is more up your alley Biercraft on Commercial Drive which is also a good spot for brunch before the Crawl. If you are looking for the perfect cocktail, we recommend Odd Society Spirits.  Personally, we will be making a stop for brunch first before the Crawl.  There are so many options in the Hastings Sunrise area and on The Drive including amazing coffee shops. If you are looking for suggestions to eat before the Crawl, in Hastings Sunrise there is the Roundel Café, Yolk’s Breakfast and Red Wagon Café for starters. On the Drive, there is Havana Restaurant, Scandillious or for the perfect sandwhich to go (big enough to share) we recommend La Grotta del Fromaggio. While there, we suggest making the walk next door to Fratelli Bakery for something sweet. You won’t be disappointed.

During the Crawl, les amis du fromage, 843 East Hastings, is another great spot to stop in and do a bit of cheese sampling. They will also have some local vendors in store doing Pop Up Shoppes.  On Saturday, November 21st from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm they will have Mixers & Elixers. They produce small batch shrubs also known as drinking vinegar used in soda water and cocktails. Also on hand Saturday will be Grain which sources exclusively Canadian dry good products from farmers and processors they know.   On Sunday, November 21st  Noon – 4:00 pm, you will find SaltSpring Kitchen Co. in store.  Melanie Mulherin makes delicious small batch preserves in some unique flavours such as Meyer Lemon & Lavender Marmalade, Sour Cherry, Rhubarb & Rosemary Jam, Blueberry & Basil Jam and the one that caught our eye Winter Wonderjam (Strawberry, Cranberry, Orange & Bourbon).   Les amis du fromage is perfectly situated in Strathcona within walking distance of many artist studios.

For some more sweet stuff, the Licorice Parlour is a great stop with over 65 flavours on hand. If you are looking for coffee, there are many great options including the Wilder Snail in the heart of Strathcona, Pallet Roasters, 323 Semlin Drive and Platform 7, 2331 East Hastings St. Of course, there are an array of excellent choices along Commercial Drive including Continental Café, Moja’s Coffee and Prado Café to name but a few. If you find yourself in the Stratchona area, might we suggest a stop at Crackle Crème at 245 Union Street. This sweet little dessert cafe serves up artisan crème brûlée and authentic Belgian liège waffles as well as coffee. There will be many local restaurants, breweries and coffee shops at the ready to help you recharge your batteries before, during or after the Crawl.

See you on the Crawl.

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Long Table Outdoor Dinner At The Italian Cultural Centre August 26

6 Aug

LongTablePhotosA few years ago, I spent a month travelling around Italy. One of the best meals I had was a long table dinner in a working vineyard in Tuscany. It was a long ornate table set with wine and vin santo (dessert wine) made on site. It was truly one of the most amazing meals I’ve ever had and set in one of the most beautiful places I’ve travelled. The added bonus was meeting and getting to know people from all over the world and hearing about their travels.  Well the Italian Cultural Centre is bringing a bit of that Italian feel of the outdoor long table dinner to East Vancouver. They are hosting a long table dinner which will showcase local, organic and sustainable produce and cuisine. The long table dinner will take place Wednesday, August 26th from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. This event is a collaboration with Slow Food Vancouver and is being billed as an “Urban Farm to Table”. You are invited on a food journey through Vancouver’s urban farms and learn about their sustainability. Tickets are available online or by calling Veronica at the Italian Cultural Centre between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 604.430.3337. We look forward to seeing you. This is one event we won’t be missing.

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1st Annual Best of Craft At The Wise Hall August 19th

4 Aug

BestofCraftLiberty Merchant Company presents the 1st Annual Best of Craft Tasting Event on Wednesday, August 19th at the Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac Street. The evening will feature it all including craft beers, cider, mead & spirits from all over BC along with tasty samplings from Commercial Drive food purveyors. This Liberty Merchant Company sponsored event is also a fundraiser for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society which helps provide food for up to 25,000 people in need each week. All ticket sales and draw prizes directly support the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. Tickets are $24.99 each and you are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation the night of the event. Tickets are available at all Liberty Wine Merchant locations. In East Vancouver, visit them at 1622 Commercial Drive or call them at 604.633.1922. The event gets under way at 7:00 p.m. and goes till 9:00 pm. This is a perfect summer event. Hope to see you there!

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Vancouver Foodster Brings Tasting Plates To Commercial Drive August 12

24 Jul

ILiveInEastVanMarch302013 356Richard Wolak of Vancouver Foodster is bringing  back his Tasting Plates to Commercial Drive.  What is Tasting Plates?  It is basically a culinary roving tour that takes place at different food and/or beverage establishments.  You register for the event at the designated spot in this case, Federico’s Supper Club, 1728 Commercial Drive.  You show up with your printed or digital tickets that you purchased online and in turn receive your Tasting Plates Cards and menus.   Thereafter, you wander whether by bike, foot, car or transit to the various venues and nibble away to your hearts content. Each location will have specific menu items on offer for the Tasting Plates.

Commercial Drive is a place we love to frequent. It has so much offer whether on the Drive itself or the neighbouring streets surrounding the Drive. If you are looking for a bite to eat, a coffee, a drink, live music, or just hanging out people watching, there are so many choices on the Drive. Richard will be featuring many of our favourites during his upcoming edition of Tasting Plates. On August 12th, you will start things off at Federico’s Supper Club.  Outside of enjoying something delectable from Chef Romy and always amazing service, you will have the pleasure of listening to the sounds of Lesismore. Next up on the list is Fratelli Bakery, 1795 Commercial Drive, which is literally a hop across the street.  Fratelli Bakery makes many Italian pastries including  breads, cookies, cupcakes, biscotti and cakes. This is our go to place for St. Honore cake.  Others can try to imitate, but in our opinion, Fratelli’s is the best hands down.   Next up is Prado Café at 1938 Commercial Drive which is all about perfecting great coffee. You won’t be disappointed. Another stop on this tour is Strange Fellows Brewing at 1345 Clark Drive which is one of East Van’s newer craft breweries and they do like to celebrate the strange.  While there, be sure to take a peak in the Charles Clark Gallery aptly named for its intersecting streets.  The gallery has been featuring some great local artists. There is lots to eat, taste and see on this Tasting Plates tour.   Early bird tickets are now on sale for $29 per person until July 28th.  After that date, you can purchase advance tickets for $40 per person after July 28th until August 10th after which tickets are $50.  So planning early is the way to go. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. This is sure to be a tasty tour. Bon Appetite!

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The Day Trippers Beatles Experience At Federico’s Supper Club July 24

16 Jul

DayTrippersDo you love the Beatles? Well then Federico’s Supper Club, on the Drive has just the evening for you. On Friday, July 24th, Federico’s Supper Club will be hosting The Day Trippers Beatles Experience.   The Day Trippers are a Vancouver based Beatles tribute band. They will transport you back in time to the early 1960s. They will showcase the lively music and spirit that made the Beatles a house hold name. The evening includes dinner, show and dancing for $55.  Reservations are from 6:30 pm with the performance at 9:45 pm. You can make reservations by phone or online at Federico’s Supper Club.

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Le Marche St. George Hosts Evening of Oysters, Wine & Sausages June 20

15 Jun

FundraiserPlayground_nobleedLe Marché St. George, 4393 St. George Street, is hosting an evening of Oysters, Wine and Sausages on Saturday, June 20th.  This event is to raise funds for the Little Mountain Playground and all proceeds will go towards building an inclusive playground for kids in the neighbourhood.  You can expect an evening of beautiful food and wine provided by Curious Oyster, D-Original Sausages and BC Wine Studio.   The event gets under way at 7:30 pm and goes to 10:00 pm weather permitting. Tickets are available on Eventbrite for $85.  We expect this event to sell out.  So if interested, be sure to pick up your ticket(s).

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Italian Day Returns To Commercial Drive Sunday June 14

11 Jun

ItalianDay2015ArtIn East Van, we are fortunate to be home to some great community events. One of our favourites happens this Sunday, Italian Day.  This is your chance to experience everything Italian from the food, to the music to the culture. The 5th Annual Italian Day returns to the Drive with this year’s theme being ART.  So you can expect to find Italian art showcased or you can make your own. The Britannia Community Centre will be hosting an interactive photo-art project between Noon and 3:00 pm in the Britannia Courtyard. As well, I’m Impressed Paper Arts Ltd. will have supplies available so you can create your own art.

The Drive which is very much alive most days of the week will be transformed for Italian Day where you will be able to walk the Drive from Broadway to Venables and find over 100 merchants and guest vendors, a line up of food trucks and carts, more than 20 restaurant patios and an array of things to see from Italian honey bees to classic cars and motorcycles. The Italian Cultural Centre will be hosting live opera at the Grant Street music stage as well as jazz with Cory Weeds.  Of course, you can expect to find Federico Fuoco center stage drawing a crowd as always at the 2nd Avenue Main Stage along with Carmelina Cupo.

For the kids, there will be lots to see and do including arts and crafts in the Little Italy Kids Zone and Funswing amusement rides in Grandview Park as well as balloon twisting and face painting. Other street activities also include the Whitecaps/BMO Fun Zone with kicking cage as well as the Car2Go sponsored Bocce Court. Some new additions to this year’s festivities include a new third stage at Grandview Park which will showcase Italian martial arts demonstrations by Blood and Iron as well as improv by Theatre Temp from Templeton Secondary School and Marionette Puppet Shows by Carnival Sized Cinnamon Hearts. Opening Ceremonies kick off the event at Noon on the Main Stage at Second Avenue and festivities run till 8:00 pm.  There will certainly be something for everyone here. Come out and celebrate all things Italian!

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Italian Market At The Italian Cultural Centre Friday June 19 With A Little Extra Italy

9 Jun

ItalianMarket2015Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre invites you to celebrate Italian Heritage Month with them at the Italian Market on Friday, June 19th. The Italian Cultural Centre is located at 3075 Slocan Street (at Grandview Highway) in East Vancouver and has a number of great events taking place this month, so be sure to check out their website to see what they have lined up.  Although the night market runs every 3rd Friday of the month from 3:00 to 7:00 pm until November 20th, the market on June 19th will have a few extras.  There will be the usual produce grown locally including Fresh Roots and Glen Valley Artichoke Farms with artichokes, fresh greens, beans, tomatoes and herbs as well as Farmhouse Natural Cheeses, Sweet Thea Cakes with fresh pies and baking and Stepping Stone Bakery will have biscotti, cookies and squares. You can also expect to find fresh fruit, vegetables, handmade products by local artisans as well as food prepared by Il Centro’s Chef including house baked breads which will be available for purchase.  Take note seed lovers, Fresh Roots will also be conducting a seed exchange at their booth. So you can bring your seeds to trade with others attendees.

The Italian Market will also be hosting two local wineries, Kalala Organic Estate Winery and Township 7 Vineyards. And if that isn’t enough to make you come out, they are welcoming back Bella Gelataria who will be selling their gelato and Demiani Fine foods will be on hand with an assortment of pasta sauces, olive oils and balsamic vinegar and Orazio’s Olive Oil will be sampling their products. And if are wanting to learn to cook your pasta ‘just right’, Peter from Pasta Familga will be doing a pasta making demo from 5:30 to 6:15 pm which will cover all the basics. There will also be an outdoor ‘bistro’ set up where you can sit down and enjoy the food and live Italian music featuring Gianni Fuoco. There will be a few food trucks on hand for your dining pleasure including favourites Via Tevere Pizzeria Nepoletan and the Cannoli King with fresh filled cannoli, Sfogliatelle, chips and dip as well as Hotties with fresh pasta.  We expect this will be another great market. See you there!

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Meet The Makers Expo June 13 At The Makers Lab

15 May

MeetTheMakersStrathcona is an area we love. It is a multicultural neighbourhood and home to one of Vancouver’s oldest residential area. Within Strathcona there is much industry and business which is still fuelled by the railway and port, but there is also so much new industry in this area. The Strathcona Business Improvement Association is a very proactive organization that works with the community to develop this area and promote the businesses within it.  This June, they invite you to check out what is actually made in Strathcona in the Meet the Makers Expo.  You will get a chance to see some unique, innovative and delicious businesses through demonstrations, panel discussions, networking and yes tastings. The event will feature restaurants, breweries and cafes including A.G.R.O. Roasters and Yolk’s Breakfast to name but two. On June 13th, you are invited to come down to the MakerLabs at 780 East Cordova Street from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to meet the makers behind the businesses in Strathcona. This is a free event open to the public.  In order to ear mark your free ticket, visit Eventbrite.

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Italian Market At The Italian Cultural Centre Starting May 15

12 May

ItalianMarket2015Il Centro Italian Cultural Centre invites you to their Italian Market starting Friday, May 15th at the Italian Cultural Centre located at 3075 Slocan Street (at Grandview Highway) in East Vancouver. The Night Market will run every 3rd Friday of the month from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm until Friday, November 2oth. Specifically: June 15th, July 17th, August 21st, September 18th, October 16th and November 20th. The Italian Market aims to bring together the tastes of Italy with produce grown locally including Fresh Roots and Glen Valley Artichoke Farms with artichokes, fresh greens, beans, tomatoes and herbs. Also lined up for the market is Farmhouse Natural Cheeses, Sweet Thea Cakes with fresh pies and baking and Stepping Stone Bakery will have biscotti, cookies and squares. You can also expect to find fresh fruit, vegetables, handmade products by local artisans as well as food prepared by Il Centro’s Chef including house baked breads which will be available for purchase. The Italian Market will also be hosting two local wineries, Kalala Organic Estate Winery and Township 7 Vineyards. And if that isn’t enough to make you come out, they are welcoming back Bella Gelataria who will be selling their gelato and Demiani Fine foods will be on hand with an assortment of pasta sauces, olive oils and balsamic vinegar and Orazio’s Olive Oil will be sampling their products. There will again be an outdoor ‘bistro’ set up where you can sit down and enjoy the food and live Italian music featuring Luigi Tallarico. Have you always wanted to learn a bit of Italian? If so, the first 50 shoppers on Friday, May 15th will receive a coupon for a 10% discount on Italian Language Classes offered at Il Centro. After the Night Market concludes, people are invited to stay for their ‘Serata in Piazza’ where you can dance the night away to live Italian music and enjoy food & refreshments during the summer markets in July and August. Ci vediamo là!

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