Inside Vancouver

Summer Snapshot: 2012 Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival preview

by Remy Scalza in Events on May 8, 2012

Photo credit: John Biehler | Flickr

Each summer, Vancouver hosts the biggest Pride parade in Western Canada: Hundreds of colorful floats and more than a half-million spectators jam downtown streets to cap off a weekend of street parties, beer gardens and summer fun.

Details are already being released, and this year’s festival is shaping up to be one of the most exciting ever. The 34^th installment of the summer classic features a full line-up of Pride-themed events, culminating in the parade Aug. 5. Here’s a preview of what’s in store for you early planners out there: Continue reading:
Summer Snapshot: 2012 Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival preview

20 Unmissable Vancouver events in May 2012

by Taraneh in Events on May 1, 2012

During May, antsy Vancouverites head out and take part in all the hallmarks of the upcoming, sweet summer season, when the town glows and every visitor falls in love and eyes beachfront condo prices.

Where do I begin? May kicks off with the highly-anticipated Spot Prawn Festival in honour of our plump, coastal crustaceans. Add to that the return of the buzzy Chinatown Summer Night Market, plus a new Richmond Night Market, a Bard on the Beach bash for Bill’s b-day and the Victoria Day long weekend. There’s no doubt: sunny, lazy beach season is soon here.

Here are 20 unmissable Vancouver events to help you plan your May agenda. Continue reading:
20 Unmissable Vancouver events in May 2012

Celebration of Light: Summer Fireworks Schedule Announced

by Remy Scalza in Events on April 30, 2012

Photo credit: CEdmonstoneFlickr | Flickr

Vancouver is jam-packed with festivals and happenings year-round, from Dine Out in January to Carol Ships in December.

But I’d wager that – if there’s one event the whole city really gets pumped up for – it’s got to be the Celebration of Light: the 3-day summer fireworks fest on English Bay.

There’s just something about fireworks. I think humans must be hardwired to get a kick out of watching huge balls of color flashing across the sky to a soundtrack of explosive booms. Add in the beautiful backdrop of English Bay on a warm night – not to mention a few hundred thousand of your closest friends - and you’ve got a recipe for a magical evening.

This summer promises to be no exception. The lineup for the 22nd Celebration of Light was announced last week and includes some exciting new faces. And the good news is that after years of financial struggles, this year’s festival has a committed sponsor and plenty of financing. Continue reading:
Celebration of Light: Summer Fireworks Schedule Announced

ExplorASIAN Festival 2012: May’s Month-Long Asian Arts & Culture Fest

by Dana Lynch in Events on April 30, 2012

explorASIAN 2012: Balinese dance at the Gong! The Gamelan Festival. Photo: Gamelan Gita Asmara

May is Asian Heritage Month, which means the annual explorASIAN Festival returns to Vancouver for a month of fantastic Asian arts and culture events, from May 1 – 31, 2012.

Organized by the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society (VAHMS), explorASIAN 2012 has a packed schedule of events, starting with the Generation One art exhibit on May 1—a showcase for Asian-Canadian artists and emerging artists who are first generation Canadians—then kicking into high gear on May 4 with The Magical Encounter Opening Gala, a “Pan-Asian and inter-arts gala” that includes visual arts, Japanese and Chinese music and dance, Persian ballet, and Uighur belly dance.

Continue reading:
ExplorASIAN Festival 2012: May’s Month-Long Asian Arts & Culture Fest

Free Fun: Explore BC Place Stadium this Weekend

by Remy Scalza in Events on April 28, 2012

Photo credit: BC Place Stadium

It’s been more than six months since the renovated BC Place Stadium opened its doors. Equipped with a retractable roof, ultra-wide seats, spiffy new bathrooms and one of the biggest TV screens anywhere, it’s among the sleekest stadiums on the continent.

But have you had a chance to check it out yet?

This weekend is your opportunity to get a free, behind-the-scenes peek at the home of the Vancouver Whitecaps and B.C. Lions. On April 28-29, B.C. Place is throwing open its doors from noon-4 p.m. For all you armchair quarterbacks out there – who’ve always dreamed of sprinting into the Lions’ end-zone – this is your time to shine.

Stand under the new retractable roof and imagine 50,000+ screaming fans. Stare up at the ginormous video screen hanging from the ceiling. Walk the turf where B.C. sports history was made last November when the Lions clinched the Grey Cup.

Members of both the Whitecaps and the Lions will be on hand, just in case you feel like kicking a ball around or throwing a few passes.

Continue reading:
Free Fun: Explore BC Place Stadium this Weekend

Summer Snapshot: 2012 Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival preview

20 Unmissable Vancouver events in May 2012

Celebration of Light: Summer Fireworks Schedule Announced

ExplorASIAN Festival 2012: May’s Month-Long Asian Arts & Culture Fest

Free Fun: Explore BC Place Stadium this Weekend

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