2011 | ariane c design

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Nov26

Luminescence for the Holidays

Posted in: Education, Events, Exhibitions, Nature, Technology, Theater, Vancouver

Awhile back, I featured the opening of the Luminescence exhibit at the Vancouver Aquarium. Luminescence unleashes the many ways that animals create and reflect light in nature.

Through several exhibits, the Aquarium hopes to answer questions to some of the phenomena of the creatures in our oceans. Bioluminescence is light produced by a chemical reaction which originates in an organism. When both luciferin (producing light) and luciferase (creating a reaction) combine, light is generated as result of the energy released through the combination.

For some animals bioluminescence works as a defense mechanism to startle or divert attention from predators, and can also help to recognize their mate. Lighting also aids in luring prey.

Fluorescence, on the other hand, occurs when light of one wavelength (or colour) is absorbed by a substance and is almost immediately re-emitted or transformed into another wavelength (or colour). Fluorescence requires a light source.

[Electric eel]

I returned over the weekend to check out the exhibits, watch Scuba Santa dive into the pool in search of missing Christmas bells, and experience The Polar Express in 4D.

[All aboard for a 4D experience]

[Scuba Santa]

I loved the experience of smelling hot chocolate and being in a winter scene complete with snowflakes. If you remember the animated film, this is a 15 minute version, captured with some pretty amazing effects.

Luminescence is accompanied by Jelly Swarm, an interactive light installation created by Tangible Interaction, in collaboration with origami artist Joseph Wu.

And while you’re at the Aquarium, don’t forget about the other great underwater creatures!

If you’re with small kids, you’ll want to coordinate your visit to see Scuba Santa at the Strait of Georgia exhibit. He makes an appearance on weekends at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm, and daily from December 19 to 24.

Luminescence runs through January 22, 2013.
Jun6

2011 Hockey Riot Boards at MOV

Posted in: Art Installation, Education, Events, Exhibitions, History, Vancouver

[Photo credit: nickytu.com on Flickr]

A year after the June 15, 2011 Stanley Cup Riots, the Museum of Vancouver will open Reading the Riot Boards, a hyper-local exhibition displaying 15 of the plywood panels used to board up broken windows in downtown Vancouver. Boards will include sections from the windows of The Bay. The exhibition will run from June 15 to September 23.

For the opening of this small MOV Studio exhibition, the MOV invites the public to join in dialogue with Vancouver playwright Kevin Loring, City Councillor Andrea Reimer, and photographer Maurice Li in a multi-faceted examination of how the riots altered our collective conscience, spurred new civic conversations, and changed how Vancouverites see themselves and each other.

Pause, reflect, and share in a discussion that asks: “Is this Vancouver?”

The roundtable will also include a visual street-view storytelling of events by Maurice Li, excerpts from “The Thin Veneer” (a play written as Loring’s response to the riots), and policy insights from Councillor Reimer. A moderated Q&A and closer look at selected boards installed in the MOV Studio will follow.

Is This Vancouver? Reflections on the 2011 Hockey Riot Boards
Date: Friday, June 15, 6:30 pm
Venue: Museum of Vancouver, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Tickets: By donation (suggested $5-10, none turned away for lack of funds); MOV Members free. RSVP online.
Dec28

2011: A Great Year for Local Theater

Posted in: Dance, Granville Island, Music, Opera, Theater, Vancouver

I’ve been incredibly lucky this year to have been a part of so many theater openings in Vancouver. On any given week, there’s a wealth of choices, from musicals and comedy, to dance to drama. From 2011′s collection of productions attended, I’ve capped off my 10 favourites to share with you.

1. August: Osage County
This one packed a punch, with a fabulously talented cast and so much to take in over the three act play. The entire cast pulls together to keep Nora McLellan in the spotlight, as she portrays pill-popping Violet (Vi) Weston, the Matriarch. The audience never loses sight of that title either, as her rock solid performance shines throughout those several hot and humid summer Osage County days and nights.

2. The Graduate
A classic by any right, the Granville Island Stage Theatre’s production was also high on my list of excellent nights spent at the theatre. Actors Kayvon Khoshkam and Camille Mitchell play so well together, with his humour and innocence bouncing off of her worldly attraction and life experiences. Not only was the cast well suited in their roles, but the stage design was particularly spot on, depicting the 60′s decor and mood to a t.

3. A Christmas Carol
This was the most recent play I took in, again a classic tale told in a unique way, courtesy of Ron Reed. One man and a fiddler brought the intimate Pacific Theatre stage to life this month with a rousing tale already embedded in our conscience. Both the keen attention to stage set detail and Reed’s storytelling add to a beautifully told holiday tradition.

4. Roméo et Juliette
As an invited “opera ninja”, I was treated to a backstage glimpse into the sets, props, and costumes of this glorious four performance run at the Queen E Theatre. It was beautiful to watch the story unfold and listen to Simone Osbourne (Juliette) and Gordon Gietz (Romeo) conduct their love affair in front of packed audiences for each and every performance.
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Dec27

Sushi Bella in Kitsilano

Posted in: Dining, Dining Reviews, Vancouver

[Sushi Bella exterior; photo from website]

My husband and I ventured out to Sushi Bella’s Kitsilano location last week. The original Bella is located on the North Shore. The sister Kitsilano restaurant opened its doors this past August. Owner/Chef Youngki (Kadel) Kim (formerly of both Executive and Fairmont Hotels) combines Japanese and French influences in his cooking.
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Dec25

Christmas at Kits Beach

Posted in: Holidays, Inspiration, Photography, Vancouver

Not technically red and green, but my favourite capture of today’s walk along the beach in the sun. Happy Holidays to all my readers! May 2012 bring a fruitful, healthy year filled with accomplishment.
Dec23

Clough Club Launch Party

Posted in: Cocktails, Dining, Events, History, Interior Design, Vancouver, Wine

Last night, I attended the opening of Donnelly Group’s Clough Club, a brand new eatery in Gastown. The establishment is named after John Clough, 19th century Gastown’s booze-addled lamplighter and jailer. Clough Club adds to the already colourful collection of Abbott Street’s burgeoning dining and watering holes.

The Clough Club melds classic style with tasteful modernity and features dark spirits. Craft cocktails are the highlight here, with three pages of classic cocktails, modern classics, and house cocktails to choose from. Bourbon, whiskey, and scotch also play a role at the Clough. There’s also a well-rounded beer, wine, tequila and rum selection.

[Lighting a Wax Poetic: Bourbon, pink grapefruit, agave nectar, lemon juice, Peychaud's bitters, egg white, flamed grapefruit peel]

[Clough Club bartender Sam Lacroix]

[Clough Club Apiary: Bourbon, honey syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, egg white, Fee Brother's walnut bitters]

[Clough Club Cocktail: Bourbon, amaro, agave syrup, Peychaud’s bitters, lemon juice, egg white]

As for food, there’s one page devoted to South American tapas, including tasty plantains served with a citrus-garlic dipping sauce, prawn ceviche, Albacore tuna crude, rare beef salad and assorted empanadas. All ingredients are locally sourced and organic.
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Dec22

Holidays: The Rosewood Hotel Georgia

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

Thinking of splashing out this holiday season while staying local? Both the Rosewood Hotel Georgia and Hawksworth Restaurant have put together two fabulous evenings to celebrate the tradition of the holidays.
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Dec15

Chewies Steam and Oyster Bar Launch

Posted in: Craft Beer, Dining, Events, Vancouver, Wine

Chewies Steam and Oyster Bar is a new Kitsilano restaurant with a New Orleans-inspired menu. Fresh, local seafood plays a starring role here, in a comfortable interior with lots of wooden tables, booths, a steam bar and 14 seat oyster bar.

This is the first location for co-owner Richard Chew, who together with partners Mel and Jamie Haddad hope to work Chef Tyrell Brandvold’s magic into the hearts and appetites of Vancouver.

Chewies also has a working relationship with The David Suzuki Foundation, supporters of the restaurant’s sustainable menu and food standards. Speaking of sustainable measures, Chewies uses the Vivreau water bottling system in house.

I was invited to the opening last night to sample the menu and meet the team behind Chewies.

Oysters are the focus here, however the theme is Deep Southern cuisine. Think New Orleans style gumbo, étouffée, fried chicken, Creole Mussels, and fabulous beignets, royally sprinkled with powdered sugar and served along with a chicory coffee anglaise.

[French Quarter Beignets, $6]

We ordered these off the menu last night and were wowed by the light, sweet, decadent flavour and texture. The ingredients are brought in from world-renowned Café du Monde, in the heart of the French Quarter.

We started with a selection of fresh shucked oysters from Deep Bay, Fanny Bay, Kumamoto and Ships Point. Chewies plans to showcase BC, Washington State, and east coast oysters on its menu, depending on availability and the condition of the waters from where they’re fished.

The steam kettles line the bar close to the entrance. Further along is an upstairs seating area with the oyster bar and several booths and tables.

After our fill of oysters (served with horseradish, lemon, parsley and various sauces), we ordered a few of Chewies’ amazing buttermilk biscuits ($3), drizzled with honey.

I chose the BBQ shrimp and grits ($15) as an entrée; my husband ordered the Gumbo, with prawns, chicken, and Andouille sausage ($15). The shrimp sauce is made New Orleans style with beer and rosemary in the mix, while the grits were tastier (and less salty) than I remember grits to be. Chewies adds parmesan cheese to theirs. It went so well with the BBQ sauce.

[BBQ shrimp and grits]

The Gumbo is rich, spicy, and flavourful.

[Gumbo with prawns, chicken, Andouille sausage]

[Two day marinated buttermilk Southern Fried Chicken, beans, Cajun honey butter drizzle, $16]

[Cayenne Chocolate Cake, $6]

We enjoyed a Chilean 2009 Reserva Veramonte Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley, $8/glass, $40/bottle) with our dishes. At present, the wine menu covers BC, Australia, California and Chile. The ‘big ass’ 20 oz draft beers include lager, pale ale, amber ale, honey brown, cream ale, 1516, seasonal tap, and Guinness, and range in price from $6 to $8. A selection of bottled (and big bottled) beer is also available, not to mention some pretty amazing looking cocktails.

[Caesar, $9]

[First time trying oysters?]

We thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere, selection of old classic rock tunes, and the entertaining, outgoing staff. We’ll be back to try the Creole mussels, fried chicken, caramel custard bread pudding and more of those delightful oysters!

Chewies is located at 2201 West 1st Avenue (corner of 1st and Yew) in Kitsilano. Visit the website for opening hours and contact/reservation details.
Dec14

Beauty Night Celebrates 11 Years

Posted in: Charity, Events, Inspiration, Vancouver

Since 2000, over 500 volunteers have donated their time, expertise, and hearts to provide over 16,000 life makeovers to women living in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. On Monday, December 19, dozens more life makeovers will get underway as Beauty Night Society celebrates its 11th anniversary. I was lucky to have attended last year’s party, and I expect no less from the wonderful, caring women behind Beauty Night this year.
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Dec13

Vancouver Cooks 2 Book Signing+Party

Posted in: Books, Canadian authors, Charity, Events, Vancouver

[Halibut with Morels and Brown Butter Sauce, from Pied-à-Terre, Andrey Durbach]

This Thursday, December 15, join some of Vancouver’s top chefs for an exclusive book signing of Vancouver Cooks2, with wine and canapés, from 5 to 7 pm at Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks. Bishop’s John Bishop, Maenam’s Angus An, Hamilton Street Grill’s Neil Wyles and C Restaurant’s Robert Clark are a few of the chefs that will be on hand to sign your book and answer any holiday cooking questions. Give yourself (or gift a foodie friend) year-round recipes while supporting local food based charities.
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