Art supplied: Art patrons and artists gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery for DESIRE, the gallery's signature art auction and gala. More than 70 works donated by renowned artists such as Jeff Wall, Fred Hertzog and Ian Wallace were auctioned. Chaired by Phil Lind, Bruce Wright and Gordon Smith, the mega art auction and blacktie Four Seasons dinner generated a reported $1 million in support of VAG exhibitions and educational programs.
Victoria vibe: Our capital city is striving to shed its sleepy image. Victoria's food and cocktail scene is leading the way. Zambri's, Brasserie L'Ecole and Ulla rival any of Vanhattan's finest. Hip spaces such as Veneto and Clive's Classic Lounge are forging an impressive cocktail trail for drink enthusiasts. Even Fairmont Empress Hotel's Bengal Lounge is drawing attention with a DJ spinning cool tunes every third Thursday of the month. Victoria's ninth annual Dine Around and Stay in Town festival (until March 16) is the perfect occasion to sip and taste the emerging community of cool.
Movers and shakers: Vancouver once again played host to the second Tales of the Cocktail event. The Rosewood Hotel Georgia kicked things off with a 1930s prohibition-themed party. The three-day celebration of spirits saw local bar stars shaking and stirring concoctions with the world's best.
Hear Fred Mondays 8: 20 a.m. on CBC Radio's The Early Edition; email: [email protected]; Twitter: @FredAboutTown or fredabouttown.blogspot.com.
