Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from now until September 8, the Chinatown Night Market is going to be prove to everyone why it should be a summer destination. Several new features have been added to give the block of Keefer Street between Main and Columbia a renewed sense of vibrancy: Winner Winner Chicken on Rice (picture by Jonathan Grand Pierre) and the Pie Shoppe for foodies; Hip Hop Karaoke for those who cant get enough at the Fortune Sound Club; a Street Fighter II arcade tournament for those who are now mature enough to tear themselves away from their games console; and a display of photos by Fred Herzog for those who want to get a feel for Chinatowns past. The upcoming roster of special events includes: the Chinatown Ping Pong Club (June 1 and 14); Okinawa Drummers / Seymour Taiko / VPD Lion Dance Team / and Hastings Street Band (June 7); Rain City Chronicles (June 8); Kin Fun Kung Fu Showcase (June 15); Chinatown Mahjong Social (June 21); and Iron Monkey outdoor cinema (June 22).
Renee Frappier's motivation for training for the Scotia Vancouver Half Marathon this year is simple: she wants to raise money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Canada in honour of the medical team that helped her daughter Anika successfully battle Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and regain her childhood. Debbie Donnelly is in the midst of her second fight with cancer. A Vancouver grandmother who is frequently seen at local farmers markets promoting whole foods, she needs financial help with her ongoing treatments. Firefly Fine Wines and Ales wants to help Frappier and Donnelly in their quest. On June 5, the Cambie Street store is hosting Grapes for Good. Last year it raised $5,000 for cancer initiatives; this year's goal is $6,000. The $30 tickets (donations welcome) give you the chance to taste several wines, beers and ciders. Sponsors include Sea Cider, Blasted Church, Howe Sound Brewing, Clean Slate Wine, Nichol Vineyards, Moon Under Water, Quaff Wines and Spirits, Peacock & Martin Imports, Treasury Wine Estates and Bel Café. Go to GrapesForGood.ca for tickets and information.
On his blog, Urban Sake, Timothy Sullivan shares The Ten Commandments of Sake. Number one is Sake is Japanese Culture in a Cup. On June 5, hell be sharing his passion for and knowledge of sake at a special presentation at Minami Restaurant in Yaletown. Deemed a Sake Samurai by the Sake Brewers Association of Japan, Sullivan is teaming up with Minamis executive chef Kazuya Matsuoka and Minamis sake sommelier Miki Ellis for two hours (5 to 7pm) of perfect pairings of Hakkaisan sake and sushi. Tickets to the patio party are $39 and can be booked at 604-685-8080 or [email protected].
Celebrity chef Chuck Hughes does take a day or two off. How do we know? Hes written a book on it. On June 13, hell sign copies of Chucks Day Off when Barbara-Jos Books to Cooks teams up with the talented team at West. Tickets are $95 and include canapés, drinks, taxes, gratuities and your personalized copy of the book. Go to BooksToCooks.com soon because space is limited.
Ever dream of owning a vineyard in Tuscany? Alberto Antonini, a wine consultant who lives at Poggiotondo in the western hills of Chianti, will share his joys and tribulations during his first public event in Vancouver. House Wine is hosting a special evening with him at Vancouver Urban Winery on June 3 from 7-9pm. Hell join forces with Okanagan Crush Pad to talk about the vintages theyve been working on together since 2010. Tickets are $79 and available at EventBrite.com.
You no longer have to order the burger without the bun if you follow a gluten-free diet and want to indulge in some of your favourites at White Spot. The restaurant chain is highlighting a gluten-free menu that doesnt focus on all the things you cant eat. Instead, it gives you lots of specially crafted menu choices, such as Fusili Alfredo or Marinara and the Curried Quinoa Bowl so you can concentrate on what you do like. As for the burger, it contains no gluten and you can get it wrapped in lettuce.
Stop by the Choices Market at 3493 Cambie on June 1 from 11am to 3pm to help the store celebrate its 15th anniversary. There will be a donation barbeque and many in-store specials. Meanwhile, on May 30 Choices at W. 16th is hosting Gluetn-Free Gets Easier: Cooking Demo and Tastings. Register at ChoicesMarkets.com.
Celebrate the dawn of the Arrival Agency at the OMG Art Bar on June 1. OMG calls itself the new hang out on Main Street. It will be open the first Saturday of every month and other random nights at the On Main Gallery (1965 Main). For the opening night, its welcoming the team behind the former cool hang-out place, the Waldorf Hotel. From 10pm to 3pm enjoy the music of DJs Cherchez La Femme, Mandy Lyn and The Amigos. The event is hosted by Paul Wong.
