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May Long Weekend Round-Up

May 17th, 2012
 


Photo: The Cloverdale Rodeo. Source: Alain Limoges via Flickr.

It’s the unofficial start to summer this weekend and there is LOTS going on in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. If you have no plans for the long weekend, here are a few ideas to get you started…

Cloverdale Rodeo – Surrey

Now in its 124th year, the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair is the largest rodeo in the region and it’s taking place all weekend May 18-21. Whether you’re seeking rodeo events, live entertainment, or the Fraser Valley’s largest midway, there’s plenty of fun for the whole family.

Hyack Festival – New Westminster

The 41st annual Lowe’s Hyack Festival Week kicks off on Friday, May 18 with opening night celebrations at 7pm and fireworks at 10pm. The weeklong festivities also include the DiverseCity Multicultural Festival on Saturday, the 28th annual Hyack Antique Fair on Sunday and Monday, as well as the longest-running May Day celebration in the British Commonwealth.

Night Markets – Richmond

There are two night markets in Richmond this year! One is the Summer Night Market while the other one is the Richmond Night Market. Both will be open Friday to Monday this weekend and both are easy to get to. Simply take the Canada Line to Bridgeport where you can walk to the Richmond Night Market or take the free shuttle to the Summer Night Market. Better yet, visit both! Bring an appetite and your cash.

Teddy Bear Picnic – Harrison Mills

Bring your teddy bear out to Kilby Historic Site this Sunday, May 20 for a picnic in your bear’s honour. Included in the price of admission, both child and bear will enjoy complimentary tea and cookie! This year’s activities include the dress up Tickle Trunk, a sing-a-long with Bert and Cherry, a photograph booth, decorating cookies and crafts.

Roberts Creek Arts Festival – Sunshine Coast

Take the 40 minute ferry to the Sunshine Coast where the Roberts Creek Arts Festival is happening only a 20 minute drive away from the ferry terminal! This two day festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday and is loaded with contemporary culture, music, film, art and design. Explore beautiful studios, galleries, gardens and fields, filled with creativity, performances, delicious local food, drink and engaged people.

May Day Parade & Festivities – Fort Langley

Join thousands of visitors along Mavis and Glover Roads to watch the 90th Annual May Day Parade starting at 11 am on Monday, May 21 followed by activities at Fort Langley Park. Back at the Fort Langley National Historic Site, activities begin at 10:15am with an Historic Weapons Demo and continue right on until 5pm. Admission is free so come and enjoy the festivities all day!

Rick Hansen’s Many in Motion Relay – Surrey & White Rock

Come out to the Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex this Saturday, May 19 from noon to 3pm for Rick Hansen’s Many in Motion Relay Community Celebration. Welcome to medal bearers and relay team while enjoying sledge hockey demos, children’s activities, presentations and entertainment. Likewise, White Rock is hosting their Rick Hansen Relay End of Day Celebration, also on Saturday. Welcome the medal bearers and relay team while enjoying live entertainment, a BBQ, and lots of family fun.

Farmers Markets

Many of the region’s farmers markets have kicked off this month, including some you may not even have known existed. Use the long weekend to discover what awaits at the Mission City Farmers Market on Saturdays (9am-1pm) and the Coquitlam Farmers Market on Sunday (9am-1pm).

Hiking Lynn Canyon – Vancouver’s North Shore

What better way to spend the day than with a walk through a temperate rainforest? Lynn Canyon Park‘s always been one of my favourite places for a short nature walk through the woods as it has the free suspension bridge to cross, a variety of trails, waterfalls and beautiful scenery. And the best part? It’s free!

Whistler Mountain Bike Park

It’s officially mountain bike season! The Whistler Mountain Bike Park will be opening this Friday, May 18  from 10am until 5pm where it will remain open daily throughout the summer. Don’t have a mountain bike or appropriate gear? That’s okay; you can rent that all in Whistler too.

BC Motocross Races – Pemberton

If you’re heading to Whistler for the weekend and you’re interested in motocross, you may want to drive the 20 minutes north to Pemberton where the BC Motocross Races will be happening. Held at the the Green River Motocross Track, drop by on Saturday for day one of racing, or come by on Friday to register yourself in the race.

River Rafting – Fraser Canyon

With the spring meltwater surging local rivers, now is the time to be river rafting! Local river rafting operators include Kumsheen, Hyak River Rafting, Chilliwack River Rafting, REO Rafting Resort and Fraser River Raft Expeditions offering rafting adventures of all types along the Fraser, its tributaries, and the Thompson.

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Rainy Day Activities: 5 Current Art Exhibits

April 30th, 2012
 

Well it looks like we’re in for a week of rain, so what better opportunity to explore the some art showing around the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region? I’ve highlighted five current exhibits that I think are pretty unique…

1. Paint: The Painted Works of Lyle Wilson – Maple Ridge

If you’re interested in learning more about BC’s First Nations art, you will definitely want to put Maple Ridge on your radar this month. The Maple Ridge Art Gallery is hosting a solo show of paintings on cedar and paper by one of the living masters of the Northwest Coast style, Vancouver-based Haisla artist, Lyle Wilson.


“School of Salmon” by Lyle Wilson, 2011.

The exhibition, Paint: The Painted Works of Lyle Wilson, opens this Saturday with a public reception from 2-4pm. As explained on the gallery’s website, “This 20-year retrospective will demonstrate the stunning refinement of Wilson’s work and its unique blending of traditional and contemporary imagery” and “offers a rare, in-depth visual encounter with some 40 paintings on wood and paper, revealing the impressive range of traditional and contemporary elements that inhabit Wilson’s evolving artistic vision.”

When: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm from May 5 – July 28, 2012.
Website: www.theactmapleridge.org/gallery-current

2. Urban Flaneur at the CityScape Community Art Space – North Vancouver

Urban geographers and architecture enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Urban Flaneur exhibit at Lower Lonsdale’s CityScape Community Art Space before it ends on May 12. As described on their website, “This exhibition explores the grandeur and densification of urban space, particularly contemporary urban architecture and an individual’s experience within a city. Four accomplished artists address this theme with an intricate sculptural installation, acrylic paintings, large scale photo-montages, and photo-conceptual multimedia wall pieces”.

When: Monday-Saturday, 12-5pm until May 12, 2012.
Website: http://nvartscouncil.ca/exhibitions/cityscape-community-art-space

3. Positive Fallout at FibreWorks – Madeira Park

Vancouver mixed media artist Wendy Browne brings her exhibit, Positive Fallout to Madeira Park’s FibreWorks Studio & Gallery. Hosted in a collection of yurts, FibreWorks showcases fibre art – basketry, paper, textiles and wood , created by local, national and international artists.


Inside a yurt at Fibreworks Studio & Gallery, October 2011. Robyn Hanson photo.

Browne writes, “My show, ‘Positive Fallout’ is about power, faith, discipline, whimsy, survival, change, spirit, symbolism, and inner essence. It is a reflection of the desire for transformation and the tenacity required of me to create a body of work consistent with and reflective of a cohesive thought process. I have never considered my work to be main stream and I don’t strive to make it so. My wish has been to successfully convey an emotion within the piece, disturbing or pleasing as that may be to the viewer. The discipline required to do this has been a very positive experience. Tenacity is powerful.”

When: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm until May 6, 2012.
Website: http://www.fibreworksgallery.com/artist/wendy-browne/

4. Package Deal at The Fort Gallery – Fort Langley

If marketing and design tickles your fancy, drop by The Fort Gallery this week in Langley to see the Package Deal exhibit before it ends this Sunday. As detailed on their website, packaging is “stuff we barely glance at before throwing it away: it’s the wrapping around the real goods nestled inside, a nuisance factor in our daily lives that clogs our recycling bins and landfills, a gorgeous distraction concocted by marketers to lure us into the consumerist mindset. For artists Claire Moore, Jo‐Ann Sheen and Diana Durrand commercial packaging in all its gaudy, upscale, brash and crinkly forms has become the material of art

When: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-5pm until May 6, 2012.
Website: www.fortgallery.ca

5. Multiverse at the Scotia Creek Gallery – Whistler

      
Featured works in the “Multiverse” exhibit at the Scotia Creek Gallery.

If you find yourself in Whistler in the next few days, drop by Millennium Place and pop upstairs to the Scotia Creek Gallery which currently features the original art works of Mandy Tsung, Russell Alton, Kristian Adam, Nomi Chi and Daniel Tibbits. As described on the gallery’s website, ”In this eclectic exhibit entitled “Multiverse” each artist brings forth their own interpretation of an alternate universe; bizarre & surreal, yet playful & beautiful, this look into another world encourages the viewer to gain a fresh perspective into their existing world.”

When: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 11am-4pm and Sun 4-7pm until May 10, 2012.
Website: http://www.artswhistler.com/scotia-creek-gallery

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5 Art Galleries for a Rainy Weekend

March 2nd, 2012
 

With rainy weather forecast for the whole weekend, why not explore some of the cool art exhibits in some of our local galleries? Here’s a highlight of some exhibits that piqued our interest:

1. Maple Ridge Art Gallery – Maple Ridge


Image: St. Luie by Christopher Friesen. Source: Maple Ridge Art Gallery.

You don’t have to be a Canucks fan to enjoy Christopher Friesen’s art, but for his 54″x 54″ acrylic on canvas piece St. Luie, it certainly helps. The University of the Fraser Valley faculty member showcases his works at the Maple Ridge Art Gallery in an exhibit titled Duplicity: Paintings by Christopher Friesen. The exhibit runs until March 17 and showcases three different aspects of his studio practice through three distinct bodies of work: In Media Res; Pulse; and Soft Topographies.

The Maple Ridge Art Gallery is open Tuesday until Saturday from 11am-4pm.

2. Surrey Art Gallery – Surrey


Photo: How do artists picture the city? Perhaps this is one way… Source: Robyn Hanson

Urban geography geeks will no doubt appreciate the current exhibit at the Surrey Art Gallery. Exploring the question, “How to artists picture the city?”, Beyond Vague Terrain: The City and the Serial Image looks at the many sides of cities, especially Metro Vancouver’s, through photography, painting, drawing, and video. Featured artists include Sylvia Grace Borda, Michael de Courcy, Chris Gergley, Jeremy Herndl, Bill Jeffries, Roy Kiyooka, Owen Kydd, Khan Lee, Helma Sawatzky, Susan Schuppli, Jeff Wall, Ian Wallace, and Neil Wedman. The exhibit ends on March 18.

The Surrey Art Gallery is open from Monday and Friday from 9am-5pm, Tuesday to Thursday from 9am-9pm, Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 12-5pm.

3. Gibsons Public Art Gallery – Gibsons


Image: Poster for Amelia Epp’s exhibit. Source: Gibsons Public Art Gallery.

The Sunshine Coast has no shortage of talented artists. Discover Gibsons-based artist and art educator Amelia Epp with her current exhibit Remnants: Strained, Stained and Stitched. Her exhibit will be showing until March 12 at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery. In this exhibit, Epp transforms recycled and found materials to create sculptures, prints, collages, drawings, paintings and mixed-media works.

The Gibsons Public Art Gallery is open Thursday to Monday from 12-4pm during the winter season.

4. Richmond Art Gallery – Richmond Art Gallery


Photo: Once upon a time at Fantasy Gardens. Source: Antirrhinum City.

Anyone who remembers the Bill Vander Zalm era may want to visit the Richmond Art Gallery before April 1st. It’s here where Stuart McCall and Neil Wedman have combined their two separate bodies of work – both drawings and photographs – to create Fantasy Gardens, an exhibit which looks at the history, politics, and changing economics of this now demolished Richmond tourism attraction. If you’re able to visit on March 3, McCall and Wedman will be in the gallery to talk about their work from 1-4pm.

The Richmond Art Gallery is open weekends from 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday from 10am-6pm (Thursdays open until 9pm).

5. The Reach – Abbotsford

Blame it on all the art history courses I took at UBC, but I’m stoked about this Goya exhibit at Abbotsford’s The Reach Gallery Museum. Organized and circulated by the National Gallery of Canada (arguably the most impressive art museum in all of Canada), the Goya exhibit features Los Caprichos (1799) and The Disasters of War (1810-1820) – two two bodies of work which according to The Reach, “have come to be seen as the most influential graphic series in the history of Western art”. This exhibit, in addition to four others, will be on display until March 25.

The Reach Gallery Museum is open Saturday and Sunday from 12-5pm; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am-5pm, and Thursday from 10am-9pm.

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Christmas Countdown – 11 Days: Holiday Activities at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

December 14th, 2011
Christmas Countdown – 11 Days: Holiday Activities at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
 

Photo: The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Source: Squamish Lil’wat Culture Centre via the Pique.

Whistler may be a popular destination during the holidays, but there’s more to this resort than skiing. If you’re seeking a unique take on Christmas, drop by the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre (located a short stroll from the Whistler Olympic Plaza) for a variety of Christmas activities and events flavoured with local indigenous cultures of the Squamish and Lil’wat First Nations.

From December 17th until December 31st, admission to the exhibits are by donation. This allows you to tour their Aboriginal museum, galleries and exhibits as well as their gift shop, café, and theatre. Admission includes a welcome song, guided tour, captivating film and a fun craft activity – what’s not to like?

Want to get creative? Drop by on Sunday, December 18 from 1-3pm for a special Birch Bark Ornament Workshop. It costs $35 per person and includes supplies as well as admission to the exhibits. Lear more information from their Facebook Event Page.

Visit on Thursday, December 29th between 10am and 5pm for their Winter Gathering. Experience a full day of First Nations activities, special craft activities, artist demonstrations, storytelling, drum circles, Winter BBQ and much more.

And if you’re in Whistler over the weekend, be sure to drop by on Sunday December 18th between 11am and 4pm for their Winter Farmer’s Market. This is the fourth season of their free indoor winter farmers market where they bring in local farm fresh products, prepared foods, arts and crafts to Whistler locals and guests.

Map of the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

We’re counting down the days before Christmas! For each day until Christmas, we’ll highlight a Christmas tradition that you and your family can do in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. Read our previous post: Christmas Countdown – 12 Days. Read our next post: Christmas Countdown – 10 Days.

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Hidden Secrets for December 2-4

December 2nd, 2011
Hidden Secrets for December 2-4
 

Photo: Santa arrives in Steveston this Saturday afternoon. Source: Steveston Merchants Association.

Wine Country Christmas at Township 7 Winery – Langley

Kick off the holiday season at Langley’s Township 7 Winery this Sunday. They’ll have live Christmas music, new winter wine releases, and a fireside chat with the winemaker. There will also be seasonal craft making and gingerbread cookie decorating for the kids, hot mulled wine, and other campfire goodies will be available by donation to their charity partner, the Langley Christmas Bureau. Bring a new unwrapped toy for the Christmas Bureau – and will receive a complimentary wine tasting for two.

When: Sunday, December 4 from 12-4pm.
Website: www.township7.com

Gifted 2011 Artist’s Reception – Bowen Island

Looking for a unique Friday night activity? Spend the evening on Bowen Island for the artist’s reception of Gifted 2011: the Bowen Island Arts Council annual community art show and sale. Held at The Gallery at Artisan Square, this annual event features the artwork of local Bowen Island artists and will remain open to the public until December 24 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 noon until 4pm.

When: Friday, December 2 from 7-9pm.
Website: www.biac.ca

Christmas in Steveston Village – Richmond

If you want to experience a truly authentic west coast fishing village Christmas tradition, head to the southwest corner of Richmond this Saturday for Christmas in Steveston Village. Santa will be arriving at 2pm by boat at Steveston’s Fisherman’s Wharf. He’ll then walk over to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery where kids can get their photo taken with him. Throughout the village the festive charm will continue with old-fashioned horse drawn carriage rides, Christmas carolers, and the lighting of the tree.

When: Saturday, December 3 from 2-6pm.
Website: www.exploresteveston.com

Carol Ships Parade of Lights – North Shore

The Carol Ships Parade of Lights is a distinctly Vancouver holiday tradition that kicks off this Friday evening on the Inner Harbour of Burrard Inlet. Come down to the North Shore waterfront on Saturday at 8:30pm for a viewing of these beautifully decorated boats, or West Vancouver’s Ambleside at 7:35pm and 8:30pm, Dundarave at 7:50pm and 8:15pm, Caulfield Cover at 8pm.

When: Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4
Website: www.carolships.org

West Coast Christmas Show & Marketplace – Abbotsford

The TRADEX in Abbotsford will be hosting the West Coast Christmas Show & Market Place this weekend. There will photos with Santa, live music, an onsite nursery, a gingerbread competition, a Festival of Trees, festive creation workshops, special presentations, an artisan market and more. And for the foodies thinking of attending, Chef Dale MacKay of ensemble Restaurant and winner of Top Chef Canada will be presenting on the Home for the Holidays Presentation Stage on Saturday at 12:30pm. He’ll be entertaining guests with his culinary skills, sharing tips for holiday cooking projects.

When: Friday, December 2 until Sunday, December 4.
Website: www.westcoastchristmasshow.com

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Hidden Secrets for November 25-27

November 25th, 2011
Hidden Secrets for November 25-27
 

Photo: Along the Fraser River in New Westminster. Source: John Allison via Flickr.

Perfect Strangers + New Works – New Westminster

Want to explore a different neighbourhood this weekend? Take the Skytrain along the Expo Line to New Westminster and get off at the aptly-named New Westminster station. Just across the train tracks from the station is River Market (formerly the Westminster Quay), where there’s a unique art exhibit happening called Perfect Strangers + New Works 2011. This is a three day art show and sale featuring 132 pictures by 51 artists. Most intriguing is the one exhibit where 25 artists were paired up with 25 New Westminster residents to create portraits of the people that make up the Royal City – the Royal City being New Westminster, by the way. In any case, this is a great excuse to explore New Westminster – one of my favourite urban places to visit in Metro Vancouver during the autumn months. Lots of history, character, cool shops, nooks and crannies to uncover. Go there!

Post edit: I just learned from my friend Raul Pacheco (aka: Hummingbird 604) that the New Westminster campus of the Network Hub is hosting the exhibit as well. Very cool stuff. Thanks Raul!

When: Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27. Opening reception Friday night at 6:30pm.
Website: http://newwestartists.com

MADE in Pemberton

Whistler is enjoying an incredible early ski season, but for those of you looking for a non-skiing activity around Whistler, take the 30 minute drive north to Pemberton this Saturday for the 4th annual MADE (Music Art Dance and Expression) – a community event supporting local artists. Held at the Pemberton Community Centre, the evening will feature events such as painting, photography, sculpture, music, dance and entertainment.

When: Saturday, November 26 at 7:30pm.
Website: http://www.tourismpembertonbc.com/news-and-events/events/2011/11/26/made-in-pemberton/

Chilliwack’s Chinatowns – Chilliwack

Did you know that Chilliwack was once home to not just one Chinatown, but two Chinatowns? This lost segment of Chilliwack’s history is being celebrated this Saturday at the Chilliwack Museum and Archives with the release of a book called Chilliwack’s Chinatowns: A History. Chilliwack historian and author Chad Reimer will be there for a book reading and a book signing. Light refreshments will also be served. If you’re curious to learn more about Chilliwack’s Chinatown history, the Chilliwack Times recently featured the background story that inspired the book. You can read that story here.

When: Saturday, November 26 from 1pm to 3pm.
Website: http://www.chilliwackmuseum.ca

Fine Arts Christmas Sale – Powell River

The Sunshine Coast has a wealth of artists living and producing artwork, and I experienced just a taste of the artistic diversity when I attended the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl a month ago. If you love supporting local artists and you happen to be on the Upper Sunshine Coast this weekend, the Powell River Fine Arts Association will be hosting their annual Fine Arts Christmas Sale on Saturday. This sale features their member’s artwork with pieces range from pottery, weaving, quilting, and painting.

When: Saturday, November 26 from 10am until 3pm.
Website: n/a

4. Steveston Staches Whisker Weekend – Richmond

Support Movember in Steveston this weekend! Our friends Nick and Graham at inSteveston.com have partnered with Steveston Smiles to organize an event called Steveston Staches Whisker Weekend. They write, “During this village-wide event, the community will join Steveston stores and businesses in raising funds all weekend with special offerings and donation deals. Participating businesses will have ‘If you purchase this, we’ll donate that’ kind of deals with a promise of proceeds going to Movember, the annual moustache growing charity event that raises money and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer.” To get a sense of the deals and special offers, check out inSteveston’s website here. Way to go, Nick and Graham – we’re proud of you!

When: Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27
Website: http://insteveston.com/mo

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    About 604 Pulse

    Where should we go this weekend? This is a question we hear a lot, and it’s a question we often ask ourselves. So we had an idea: why not create a website where we explore all the things to see and do in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region, and then share them with you. We’ll provide locals and visitors personal insight into the cool things you can see and do in the region. Each week we’ll give you new tips, highlight upcoming events, share our favourite blogs, and tell you about our travels.

    Vancouver, Coast & Mountains is a non-profit society, which represents business and community tourism interests from throughout the region. VCM invites you to come and discover the four distinct destination areas that make up Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: Metro Vancouver, Mighty Fraser Country, Sea to Sky Country, and the Sunshine Coast.

    Do you have a suggestion for a blog post?
    E-mail us at info@604Pulse.com.

    Blogger Bio

    The voice behind 604 Pulse is that of Robyn Hanson. Born and raised in Vancouver, Robyn is a recognized expert on social media use for tourism operators. She has been an active participant and frequent contributor to online travel communities since 1998. With a keen interest in local history, geography, live music, and photography, Robyn has a passion for the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains tourism region that is evident in the enthusiasm in the posts. Robyn posts almost daily to 604 Pulse and authors all of the site content.

    Vancouver, Coast & Mountains on Twitter
    604Pulse: Want to escape the city and go for a walk in the forest? Head to Lynn Canyon Park: http://t.co/MmpMSo3y
    604Pulse: @SeanEckford Egmonsters? Love it!
    604Pulse: Seeking adventure this weekend? We recommend river rafting in the Fraser Canyon: http://t.co/MmpMSo3y
    604Pulse: Egmont - an unfortunate name for a town but one of the most stunning views on the Lower Sunshine Coast: http://t.co/J7pMmoVC


     
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