ariane c design

Vancouver

May9

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Vancouver Jazz Opening Weekend News

Posted in: Music, Vancouver

[John Orysik, Media Director, Vancouver International Jazz Festival]

This afternoon, on the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery, TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival organizers announced the relocation of the jazz festival’s free opening weekend—June 23 and 24—to the heart of Vancouver’s downtown core, on the historic grounds of the Vancouver Art Gallery and Robson Square. Building on the incredible legacy of creativity, community celebration, and innovative spirit unleashed by the 2010 Olympics, the Festival will create an “arts and music village” on the site.

There will be three live performance stages, a family zone with activities for kids, a community fair, art installations, an artisan and food market, two outdoor licensed bistros, busker entertainment, free dance classes and much more.

[Fatima Amarshi, Executive Director, Coastal Jazz and Blues Society]

“Over the last 26 years, the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society has been an integral part of Vancouver’s arts and cultural scene, nurturing and showcasing the great artistic talents this city has in abundance on an international stage. Nowhere is this more apparent than through our flagship event – the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival – which has grown into an iconic event that is at the heart of BC’s busy summer festival season. We are delighted to situate the festival in the heart of the city and show off Vancouver and the incredible music within it in a manner that it truly deserves”, according to Fatima Amarshi, Executive Director of the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society.

“The Vancouver Jazz Festival is not only an event that showcases our beautiful city, our artistic population and our status as a world class destination, it’s also a huge economic generator for the province”, according to Premier Christy Clark. “This exciting move cements Jazz Fest as a must-see attraction in one of downtown’s most vibrant and central locations.”

[Vancouver City Councillor Heather Deal]

Relocating from Gastown to the heart of the city is in keeping with the burgeoning stature of the Festival both locally and internationally. A world acclaimed event that draws over half a million attendees, the Festival is also a huge boost to the economy, generating over $35 million annually in financial activity. By being centrally situated, the Festival will increase its visibility, accessibility, and inclusivity for a wider range of residents and visitors in order to enhance the city’s position as a major cultural destination.

[Charles Gauthier, Executive Director, Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association]

“Staging the opening weekend downtown puts the festival ‘centre stage’ in the heart of our vibrant city,” says Charles Gauthier, Executive Director of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association. “The millions of dollars the festival generates is vital to our local economy and our local member businesses. Downtown Jazz is proof that downtown can – and should – continue to foster large-scale, safe and fun events,” he says. “Our association has worked closely with organizers to ensure this move adds to the vitality of our downtown and can be part of a long- term sustainable growth strategy for the festival.”

This is an exciting, transformative shift for both the Jazz Festival and the City of Vancouver. The Festival has long enjoyed an international reputation for exceptional, innovative programming and a hospitable, joyous atmosphere.
May9

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Rock of Ages: LA’s 80′s Relived

Posted in: Events, Musical, Theater Reviews, Vancouver

[Photo credit: ©Scott Suchman]

Last night, Broadway Across Canada’s Rock of Ages opened to an enthusiastic crowd. Hearing Journey’s “Stone in Love” pre-show was enough to send me back to my teen years living in Los Angeles. Yes, this is a musical set to my LA high school years, dreaming of being old enough to enter many of the Sunset Strip music venues that were evoked in Rock of Ages.

Think Foreigner’s “Waiting for a Girl Like You“, Jon Bon Jovi’s “Dead or Alive“, Jefferson Starship’s “We Built This City“, or Europe’s “The Final Countdown“, married with the interior of one of LA’s hottest clubs, to an evening of dance and rock music that tells the tale of young love.

This production focuses on themes of dreaming big, rock and roll hedonism, 80′s politics, and MUSIC! Get ready to rock; this production is loud, brash, and fun to experience.

Rock of Ages begins in the late 80′s on the Strip, where Sherrie lands in the big city and winds up at the Bourbon Room, dreaming of becoming an actress. Pretty, young, and blond, she’s offered a job at the club waiting tables where she meets Drew, with his own dream of making it big in a rock band. Throughout the two hour, 20 minute (with one intermission) show, the audience is in for brash humour (Lonny, played by Justin Colombo nails the annoying 80′s dude almost to a fault), strong vocals (standouts are Tymisha ‘Tush’ Harris performing in two roles, and Matt Nolan as rock music god Stacee Jaxx), and costumes that range from sexy to outrageous.

The majority of the show takes place inside the Bourbon Room, utilizing a smartly designed revolving stage that sets apart some of the scenes. Palm trees, neon signage of the Roxy Theatre, Whisky, Venus Club, as well as Angelyne’s classic billboard pose hang above a wall of posters, LPs, and other memorabilia. A video screen in the centre cycles to show sunny blue skies, LA scenery, and glimpses of the Reagan years. The back of the stage is where the house band (a talented group of guitarists and drummer) lets it rip to the production’s 28 tunes.

Back to Lonny for a moment. Some of his lines (with regard to the story) were completely unnecessary and sometimes added filler to an already two hour+ performance. While everyone’s known a Lonny type, I personally thought that the story could have done without some of his antics.

And while my partner and I loved young Drew’s (Dominique Scott) vocal talent, we both felt that Sherrie’s (Shannon Mullen) vocal range didn’t work well with Dominique’s. Aside from that, this is a tight, fun, and silly production sure to recall that decade to those who lived through it; for those who were too young, I can assure you that this show represents that decade pretty well.

Rock of Ages is presented by Broadway Across Canada and continues at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts through May 13 (Tuesday through Saturday, 8 pm; Sunday, 7 pm; Saturday, Sunday matinées, 2 pm).
May8

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Design Every Day at Emily Carr

Posted in: Architecture, Art Installation, Education, Exhibitions, Granville Island, Graphic Design, Inspiration, Typography, Vancouver

DESIGN EVERY DAY, a one month design institute at Emily Carr University is an open call for typographers, designers, architects, urbanists and artists to reimagine everyday encounters with letterforms, imagery, objects and spaces, and to reconsider the processes and products of design. Coming in June, a selection of free workshops and fee-based one day courses will be offered through the University’s Continuing Studies Program.

The institute is curated by Laura Kozak, who will also be teaching one of the two workshops entitled Spatial Typography. I recently sat down to speak with Laura about the courses and what attendees can expect from this exciting, offbeat design program.

Design Every Day is offered several times per year as a suite of courses and events. This approach aims to push the boundaries of Emily Carr’s regular slate of courses by bringing in audiences and design practitioners not typically part of the university culture.

Design professionals are able to break out of their offices and teach practical skills not often found in the workplace. Workshops are more playful and make use of Emily Carr’s resources as well as bring people together to discover new creative outlets. The Concourse Gallery space will serve as a focal point for Design Every Day’s collection of events.

I will be attending one of the upcoming day-long workshops and blogging about my experience in a future post. As a graphic designer, typography is something that’s always been close to my heart. It forms part of our daily communication and without it, life would be terribly boring.

Here’s a list of both courses and free workshops available during DESIGN EVERY DAY:

Installation: Scaffold
Founded in 2009, Fieldwork (FW) is a Vancouver based collective of eight emerging industrial designers (as well as former Emily Carr students). FW offers an array of experiments, interpretations and narratives through a range of outcomes — exhibitions, group shows, and product design. FW aims to shift the perception and understanding of design. Scaffold will showcase the inventive and exciting results of idea generation throughout Design Every Day.
June 11 to June 25, 9 am to 5 pm daily
 Emily Carr Concourse Gallery 
FREE

Micro Exhibit: DISPLAY Magazine
DISPLAY Magazine is a curated publication of contemporary design in Canada. With emphasis on emerging design communities, DISPLAY showcases Canadian design culture. A micro-exhibition of DISPLAY Magazine’s archives will be presented daily to the public as part of Design Every Day.
June 12 to June 25, 9 am to 5 pm daily
 Emily Carr Concourse Gallery
 FREE

Workshop: Screen Calibration for Designers and Photographers
Aimed at both designers and photographers, this workshop teaches correct screen calibration to dramatically improve the colour accuracy of your output results. Screen calibration is one of the first steps in creating a “what you see is what you get” workflow. This short workshop provides a better understanding of calibration and colour management.
Carlos Mendes 
Course code: CEDA 220 SU01
 Wednesday, June 13, 6 pm to 9 pm (3 hours total)
 $60

Talk: Ten for Ten
Ten for Ten is a one night event where typographers, architects, product designers, entrepreneurs, information designers and thinkers converge and discuss how their practice has evolved over the past ten years, and how they came to be doing what they are doing today. Each speaker will be given 10 minutes.
Various Contributors 
Thursday, June 14, 7 pm  Emily Carr Lecture Theatre
FREE

Spatial Typography Workshop
Experiment with letterforms in a collaborative, hands-on day of dimensional typography. Create imaginative letterforms and typographic installations using an unconventional palette of modular materials. This workshop is suited to both brand new typography fans as well as to seasoned type nerds.
Prerequisite: None
Laura Kozak
Course code:  CECD 215 SU01 
Friday, June 15, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (8 hours total)
 $60

Grace Partridge 
Course code: CECD 215 SU02
 Saturday, June 23, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (8 hours total)
 $60

Charette: The Bicycle and the City
Cyclists, designers, drivers and city-dwellers are invited to rethink Vancouver’s cycling infrastructure during this hands-on intensive charette. The workshop will be taught by two Emily Carr students: a Landscape Architecture student and a Design Community and Cultural Practice student. Topics for discussion include interventions in cycling infrastructure, Vancouver’s underutilized spaces, and bike culture in Vancouver.
Note: This event is free but requires advanced registration.
Samantha Lefort and Joshua Welsh
Course code:  CEID 272 SU01 
Saturday, June 16, 2 to 4 pm
FREE

Visual Note-Taking Workshop
Learn to quickly and visually record what you see and hear using diagrams, sketches, and mapping. This is a great skill for designers, business professionals, illustrators and students looking to rapidly synthesize and communicate complex information in meetings, lectures, and presentations. This fun hands-on workshop will provide practical and effective skills for visual note-taking.
Roman Izdebski 
Course code: CECD 180 SU01 
Sunday, June 17, 1 to 4 pm (3 hours total)
 $50

There are several easy ways to register for the courses:

Online 
New and returning students can register online.

In Person
Register in person at the Continuing Studies office at Emily Carr University, 1399 Johnston Street, Vancouver. Payment may be made by cheque, money order, cash, Interac, VISA or MasterCard.

By Phone
Call 604.844.3810 and have your VISA or MasterCard information ready.

If you have the Summer Continuing Courses catalogue, you can send in the form by fax or mail:

By Fax
Complete the registration form (page 56) using dark ink, and fax it with your VISA or MasterCard information to 604.630.4535.

By Mail
Complete and return the registration form (page 56) with your cheque or money order (payable to Emily Carr University of Art + Design), VISA, or MasterCard information to:

Continuing Studies
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
1399 Johnston Street
Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9
May4

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The Arts Club Theatre: High Society

Posted in: Musical, Theater, Vancouver

[Todd Talbot and Jennifer Lines]

Snappy dialogue and Cole Porter tunes—such as “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” and “True Love” abound in the sparklingly funny musical High Society.

Cole Porter’s music will liven the Stanley Industrial Stage as the Arts Club Theatre brings this production to Vancouver from May 10 to June 24.

Wealthy socialite Tracy Lord (Jennifer Lines) is planning a lavish second wedding, but which man will she marry? Her straight-arrow fiancé (Steve Maddock), an undercover society pages reporter (Daniel Arnold), or her dapper ex-husband (Todd Talbot)? Needless to say, it’s complicated—and Tracy has only hours to sort it out!

The stage musical High Society is based not only on the highly successful 1956 film starring Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, and Bing Crosby, but also on the 1939 play that inspired it, The Philadelphia Story. The latter was made into an Academy Award–winning film of the same name in 1940 and boasted the all-star cast of Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart.

The work of composer and musician Cole Porter (1891–1964) resonates throughout Western popular culture. His oeuvre includes countless pop standards and his musicals are often revived or reinvented on Broadway. Porter is recognized as a key contributor to the Great American Songbook with a flair for punchy, complex rhymes and rhythms. High Society incorporates the songs that Porter wrote expressly for the 1956 film, but also introduces some of his other famous works, such as 1927′s “Let’s Misbehave” and Red, Hot, and Blue’s 1936 hit “Ridin’ High”.

Arts Club Theatre’s Artistic Managing Director Bill Millerd (and High Society’s director) explained the songwriter’s enduring popularity: “Cole Porter was writing during the heyday of Broadway and movie musicals. His lyrics are witty and his music tuneful—a great combination. His songs also stand alone, perhaps made most famous by Frank Sinatra recordings with Nelson Riddle arrangements. Porter writes about subjects we can all relate to, which make his songs timeless.”

Cole Porter’s High Society
Dates: May 10 to June 24; Tuesday, 7:30 pm; Wednesday to Saturday, 8 pm; Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday matinées, 2 pm
Venue: Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, 2750 Granville Street, Vancouver
Tickets: $29 to $70, including tax and fees; available either online or by phoning 604.687.1644

Photo courtesy of David Cooper.
May1

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Celebrity Chef Cooking Classes

Posted in: Dining, Events, Fundraising, Vancouver, Wine

The Arts Club Theatre Company announces its spring 2012 lineup of Celebrity Chef Cooking Classes, running from May 28 to July 18. These intimate four-course dinners held at private residences throughout Vancouver will provide guests the opportunity to discover the latest trends in food and wine, as well as ways of incorporating in-vogue ingredients into the home cook’s arsenal. Not only are these popular events fun and engaging, but they also raise funds for the Arts Club Theatre, a not-for-profit theatre company.

Each highly sociable evening starts with a glass of wine and an amuse bouche to whet the appetite. The chef then gets down to business: a three hour interactive master class demonstrating professional techniques from the simple to the ingenious. Guests have one-on-one access to some of the most skilled and innovative chefs in Vancouver, who will present dishes that highlight the best offerings of the season.

Each class will showcase the finest vintages from a BC winery with wines from the Mark Anthony Group portfolio, including Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery and Rigamarole Wines. This series features a special spotlight on Mission Hill Family Estate—named Winery of the Year in 2011 by InterVin International Wine Competition.

The spring lineup of classes welcomes new chef instructors: David Robertson, owner of The Dirty Apron Cooking School; TV personality Anthony Sedlak, who recently opened The American Cheesesteak Co. in Yaletown; Tim Evans at Siena Restaurant; and Tom Lee, chef de cuisine at Edible Canada at the Market. Chefs Ned Bell, Quang Dang, and Jefferson Alvarez will return this year.

Celebrity Chef Cooking Classes Lineup:
Wednesday, May 23
David Robertson, The Dirty Apron Cooking School; wine pairings from Rigamarole Wines

Monday, May 28
Ned Bell, YEW restaurant + bar; wine pairings from Mission Hill Family Estate

Monday, June 4
Tim Evans, Siena Restaurant; wine pairings from Mission Hill Family Estate

Monday, June 11
Quang Dang, West Restaurant; wine pairings from Mission Hill Family Estate

Tuesday, June 19
Jefferson Alvarez, Fraîche Restaurant; wine pairings from Mission Hill Family Estate

Tuesday, June 26
Anthony Sedlak, The American Cheesesteak Co., Food Network chef and host of The Main; wine pairings from Mission Hill Family Estate

Wednesday, July 18
Tom Lee, Edible Canada at the Market; wine pairings from Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery

Time: All classes begin at 6 pm.
Tickets: $125 (a $50 tax receipt included); phone The Arts Club Special Events line at 604.687.5315, extension 248.

All photos courtesy of The Arts Club Theatre.
Apr30

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Bard: The Taming of the Shrew

Posted in: Events, Theater, Vancouver

[Lois Anderson, John Murphy in The Taming of the Shrew. Photo credit: David Cooper]

Shakespeare’s romantic romp, The Taming of the Shrew, shines a comic spotlight on the pleasures and misadventures of the search for the perfect partner. Beautiful Bianca has no shortage of admirers, but she can’t marry until her headstrong sister Kate finds a husband. Along comes fortune-seeking Petruchio who sets out to capture the heart of the fiery-spirited Kate. Petruchio and Kate face off in a crackling battle of wits, while three enthusiastic suitors launch their own devious campaigns as they vie for Bianca’s affections.

Petruchio then sets out to tame his new bride, with the help of his sidekick Grumio (Kayvon Kelly). While Kate and Petruchio engage in a lively battle of wits, three hopeful suitors vie for Bianca’s affections: Lucentio (Anton Lipovetsky), optimistic favourite Hortensio (Kevin Kruchkywich) and the elderly but wealthy Gremio (Shawn Macdonald).

While Lucentio poses as a schoolmaster, his servant Tranio (Kyle Rideout) assumes the role of his master. When confirmation of the promised dower is needed, a traveller (Craig Erickson) successfully pretends to be Lucentio’s father until the real Vincentio (Duncan Fraser) arrives. Adding to the shenanigans is a local tailor (Ian Butcher), a widow (Susan Coodin), Baptista’s servant Biondella (Colleen Wheeler) and Petruchio’s servant Curtis (Bob Frazer).

For this Bard on the Beach season opener at the BMO Mainstage, set designer Kevin McAllister has created a pastoral Arcadian landscape with elements that harmonize with the stage’s natural Vanier Park backdrop. Mara Gottler’s costumes add strong, bright colours to the production’s Empire-era, Italian-influenced setting.

The Taming of the Shrew
Dates: May 31 to September 22
Previews: May 31, May 31, June 1, 2, 3, 5, 6
Celebrating Red & White: wine tasting event following the 3 pm matinee and before the 8 pm show on August 18
Venue: BMO Mainstage, Vanier Park, Vancouver
Tickets: $40 (evenings); $21 to $33 (previews and matinees); $30 Youth (6 to 25 years old)
All adult evening tickets are priced at $36 for June
Ticket prices include reserved seating and HST; purchase tickets either online or via phoning the box office at 604.739.0559.
Apr30

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Vancouver Neighbourhood Plans

Posted in: Education, Environment, Events, Urban Planning, Vancouver

[Photo credit: svacher on Flickr]

Three Vancouver neighbourhoods are looking to the future as new community planning processes for Marpole, Grandview-Woodland, and the West End launch in May with events that include walking tours, open houses, and storytelling nights.

Over the next 18 to 21 months, City staff will work with community residents, business owners, students and stakeholders to create new community plans for each area. The plans will guide future development, economic growth, and change in these communities over the next two decades.

According to Mayor Gregor Robertson, “Community plans are the cornerstone to our city planning processes. We know people in Vancouver are passionate about their neighbourhoods and the development that takes place there. Everyone’s ideas are crucial and we want to hear what community residents have to say about their neighbourhoods as we plan for the future.”

[Photo credit: aetherlev on Flickr]

All three communities will be asked “What do you picture?”. The City will consider all answers in order to help shape what these communities might look like in future decades.

The plans will reflect the individual needs and character of each community within established city-wide, regional, and global policies such as Metro-Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy and TransLink’s 10-Year Transportation Plan. The plans will also help to address transportation, housing, social, health, heritage and arts and culture issues.

Along with supporting these plans and strategies, the community plans will directly influence the streetscapes, parks, community amenities and local economy of these areas.

The public is invited and encouraged to participate in one or more launch events, learn about the process, and find out how to add their voice to the discussions.

Marpole
Marpole Walking Tour: Sunday, May 6, 10:30 am
“There’s No Place Like Home” Storytelling Event: Tuesday, May 1, 7 to 10 pm, Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Drive (south end of Granville Street by the on-ramp of the Arthur Laing Bridge)
Community Open Houses:
Wednesday, May 2, 5 to 9 pm, Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre, 990 West 59th Avenue (at Oak Street)
Saturday, May 5, 11 am to 3 pm, 8138 Granville Street

Grandview-Woodland
Grandview-Woodland Walking Tour: Sunday, May 6, 10:30 am
“Stories of Grandview-Woodland” Storytelling Event: Friday, May 11, 7 to 10 pm, WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street
Community Open Houses:
Sunday, May 13, 11 am to 3 pm, Waldorf Hotel, 1489 East Hastings Street
Wednesday, May 16, 5 to 9 pm, Café Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Drive

West End
West End Walking Tour: Sunday, May 6, 10:30 am
“There’s No Place Like Home” Storytelling Event: Thursday, May 10, 7 to 10 pm, Denman Theatre, 1737 Comox Street
Community Open Houses:
Saturday, May 12, 11 am to 3 pm, Best Western Sands Hotel, 1755 Davie Street
Tuesday, May 15, 4 to 8 pm, Empire Landmark Hotel, 1400 Robson Street
Thursday, May 17, 4 to 8 pm, Central Presbyterian Church, 1155 Thurlow Street
Apr26

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Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Posted in: Dining, Dining Reviews, East Vancouver, Vancouver

Now that Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria’s been open just over a week, it was time to taste some of the deliciousness I’ve been hearing about as fellow foodies talked it up on Twitter during/after the restaurant’s media launch.

While on holiday in Naples, founder Justin Lussier fell in love with fire-roasted pizza at Naples’ well-loved Pizzeria Sorbillo. He immediately phoned two friends (and future partners) Jason Allard and Christian Bullock to turn them onto this divine culinary discovery. This led the three to train at the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN), an organization that preserves the standards of true Neapolitan pizza.

“The Famoso boys” opened their first fire-roasted pizzeria in Edmonton. Fast-forward to 2012, where the partners teamed up with Brian Goheen to bring the taste of Naples to The Drive.

[General Manager Ryan Chilibeck tasting the Campania tomatoes at the supplier's factory]

“Famoso is the perfect addition to Commercial Drive. It is true to the neighborhood’s roots but recognizes The Drive’s own transformation. I’m excited to be returning to the neighbourhood,” says owner, restauranteur, and native East Vancouverite Brian Goheen. “I grew up here so launching Famoso is like coming home for me.”

[Famoso Pizzeria Culinary Manager Alex Newton]

Famoso has taken over the now-defunct Alpha Video space at Commercial Drive and Kitchener Streets. This is the company’s first BC location. General Manager Ryan Chilibeck oversees operations while Culinary Manager Alex Newton looks after the kitchen chefs and menus.

The interior is modern; large windows allow a lot of natural light to pour through to the dining sections.

The very friendly staff greeted me as I chose a table near the open kitchen to get a view of the pizza-tossing action. The centerpiece of the kitchen is the beautifully tiled pizza oven. Once seated, I chose from the selection of menus on the table, ordered at the counter, and waited for the dishes to be brought to my table.

I began my lunch with an order of Prosciutto-Wrapped Mozzarella Balls (3 for $10; 6 for $18).

[Prosciutto-Wrapped Mozzarella Balls]

The wonderful scent of freshly-crushed, cooked tomatoes arrived at the table as well. I tasted the tomatoes brought in from the Campania region of Southern Italy. They’re grown in volcanic-rich soil in the Monte Vesuvio region. This terroir is responsible for their unique flavour. Famoso crushes the tomatoes in house and seasons them simply with a touch of sea salt. The meatballs had a slight char on top that also went very well with the richness of the tomato.

[Prosciutto Arugula Pizza, Prosciutto-Wrapped Mozzarella Balls with flatbread]

The accompanying flatbread was nicely seasoned; I tasted the oregano, garlic, and coarse flecks of sea salt. There’s just enough leftover sauce to dip the bread into. I didn’t want to waste any of that sauce!

I ordered a Prosciutto Arugula Pizza ($14.50) from Famoso’s “White Pizza” menu to sink my teeth into next.

[Prosciutto Arugula Pizza]

The pizza has generous slices of prosciutto with arugula and Pecorino romano cheese. The pizza is so simple, so purely flavourful, with a light brushing of olive oil, cured ham, and an arugula that’s not too heavy on the bite. The cheese is creamy smooth, and I was very impressed with the tastes that continued throughout my enjoyment of this winning pizza.

[Smoked Salmon Pizza from Famoso's New World selection]

Famoso’s pizza crusts are made using Caputo ’00′ flour, one that’s highly refined while low in gluten. This unique flour, characteristic of a true Neapolitan pizza, produces a soft, crispy, easily digestible crust. And like the tomatoes, it’s also imported from Naples.

[Margherita Pizza]

[Gorgonzola Walnut Salad]

A variety of antipasti, salads, fire-bread sandwiches, and half-size pizzetas help to round out the menu.

I didn’t have room for dessert, but will return for some of Famoso’s handcrafted, small batch-produced gelato. The current gelato menu includes Key Lime Graham Cracker, Cappuccino, Vanilla Bean, Fior-di-Latte, Burnt Sugar Banana Cioccolato, Salted Caramel, and Chocolate Flake. In addition to gelato, there’s Sorbetto and Tiramisu ($3.50 to $8).

Famoso offers both Italian and international red and white wines, sparkling wines (glasses start at $6.75; bottles at $30), Italian cocktails, liqueurs, sodas, speciality coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria is located at 1380 Commercial Drive and is open from Sunday to Thursday, 11 am to 11 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11 am to midnight. Visit the website for detailed information and menus.

Disclosure note: My lunch was compliments of Famoso Pizzeria cmply.2 .

Apr26

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Hotel Tonight for iPhone, Android

Posted in: Apple, iTunes, Lodging, Software, Technology, Toronto, Vancouver

If you’ve ever run into the scenario of being stranded at an airport due to flight delays, or been convinced to stay “just a night longer” while visiting friends, there’s now an app for spontaneous travel decisions like these.

HotelTonight is a last-minute hotel booking app currently available in over 30 American cities. It will launch in Canada on April 26th for the Vancouver and Toronto markets, with more cities to follow. Here’s a great solution to booking for a same-day stay. The app promises to find and book a deeply-discounted (up to 70%) room at one of the hottest local hotels for you. Sounds good so far.

Here’s how it works:
Each day at noon local time, HotelTonight releases three featured deals for that night in each city (via the free iOS and Android apps).

You can scroll through each hotel’s details and book in “just three taps and a swipe.” You’ll have until 2 am to complete the reservation, and will be able to book one to five nights at a time.

Notable hotels include Toronto’s Cosmopolitan Hotel and Thompson Toronto, and Vancouver’s Moda Hotel and Pan Pacific.

This will be great for visiting friends and family who are looking for a great deal and perhaps have already booked their flight weeks earlier, in order to take advantage of a cheaper fare.
Apr25

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2012 Epic Expo Vancouver

Posted in: Dining, Environment, Events, Exhibitions, Fashion, Gadgets, Recycling, Sustainability, Technology, Toys, Vancouver

Mother’s Day weekend marks the return of the 6th annual EPIC Sustainable Living Expo at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. This is Western Canada’s largest sustainable lifestyle showcase, giving eco-conscious consumers a taste of the very best in organic, local, and sustainable goods and services, plus some of the smartest trends supporting a healthy lifestyle.

Over 300 eco-friendly exhibitors will be on hand showcasing the latest in high quality, sustainable products, services, and ideas – including over 100 new exhibitors. This year’s theme, “All Things Food – Local, Organic, and Healthy” will give attendees the chance to explore everything from cooking demos and composting to organic produce and fair trade products.

The EPICurean Food Corner is onsite to sample an assortment of the best organic beer, wine, and gourmet treats while showcasing locally-produced, seasonal, and organic foods. Take in new recipes and techniques at the Whole Foods EPICurean Stage, where chefs will dish up delicious samples and cooking demos galore.

Craving more? Drop by one of the hundreds of displays for everything from food to fashion, weddings, home technology and décor, health and beauty, and transportation. EPIC Vancouver offers something for everyone – including some great contests and giveaways.

Stop by the Main Stage for inspiring presentations from leading sustainability experts, green gurus, and special guests, then head over to the Fair Trade Pavilion to get information and purchase products that support producers in developing nations.

Eco-chic attendees will love the Fashion Marketplace and EPICatwalk. Here you’ll find the latest earth-friendly fashions and sustainable styles in clothing and accessories from over 40 exhibitors.

In addition, guests considering a greener ride will enjoy exploring the complete lineup of Toyota and luxury Lexus hybrids on display at Ride ‘n Drive – they’ll even get to test drive one.

The EPIC KidZone offers future eco-enthusiasts a chance to demo the latest eco-toys, and take part in hands-on, kid-friendly activities with the Granville Island Toy Company.

EPIC Sustainable Living Expo
Dates: Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 13
Friday, 1 pm to 8 pm
Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm
Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
Venue: Vancouver Convention Centre West
Tickets: Adults $15 ($12 online); Seniors, Students, Youth, $12.00 ($9.00 online); Children 12 and under FREE
*All prices include HST. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Multi-day passes available.

Visit the website for more information on EPIC: The Sustainable Living Expo.