SCHOOL OF FISH: Despite its abundance on the West Coast, seafood for many is intimidating to cook. Looking to alleviate the fears, the Vancouver Aquarium reprised its Fin to Tail cooking class for a second year. Hosted by the aquarium’s own Ocean Wise executive chef Ned Bell, the seafood-focused event featured four of the city’s leading ambassadors of the sustainable seafood movement: chefs Quang Dang of West Restaurant, Andrea Carlson of Burdock and Co. and Shelomme Bouvette of Chicha along with Karen Dar Woon of Your Secret Chef. Inspired at-home chefs feasted their eyes on the cooking demonstrations in the aquarium’s outdoor courtyard, getting an intimate look into how these culinary talents prepare their favourite dishes, with quick and easy recipes. Between courses, guests explored the galleries, including the marine science centre’s newest Steller sea lion exhibit. Among those spotted at the school of fish was Food Network’s Mijune Pak. Proceeds from the culinary class directly supported the aquarium’s ocean conservation efforts.
PIER TO PIER: Two of Metro Vancouver’s iconic piers played host to much-anticipated summer soirees. White Rock pier was party central for the second annual Picnic on the Pier. Yours truly hosted the alfresco long table dinner benefitting the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation. Following the event’s success last year, an additional 100 seats were added to accommodate demand. Event host Landmark Premiere Properties is building three luxury residential towers in White Rock’s downtown core — this year’s event drew 300 guests who made the scene in support of their community hospital. And attendees responded in spades with more than $56,000 netted from the pop up picnic, up $20,000 from the inaugural year. West Vancouver’s Ambleside pier was recently party venue for several events. As part of the Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver’s summer celebration, the landmark pier was transformed into an outdoor bar for Mixology Night, a luau celebrating the rebirth of cocktail culture. Against a gorgeous backdrop of the Lions Gate bridge and Stanley Park, eight of the city’s top bartenders, including Sabrine Dhaliwal (UVA) and Robyn Gray (Prohibition), battled it out for bragging rights and bartending supremacy. By sunset, attendees declared Sergio Grandolfo’s concoction (of Cacao Vancouver) best in class.
VANOPEN RETURN: After a one year hiatus, professional tennis returns to Vanhattan. Led by a re-invigorated committee, and new tournament chair Carlota Lee and director Rik de Voest, the tennis tourney will once again host up-and-coming stars at Hollyburn Country Club. Some 140 players from 45 countries will vie for the $200,000 U.S. purse event. Western Canada’s largest tennis tournament is generally a spring board to greater fame for many players. The event has hosted the likes of Milos Raonic, Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray, Marion Bartoli, Vasek Pospisil and Karolina Pliskova. Prior to the tourney, organizers hosted five lead-up events, including the inaugural Odlum Brown VanOpen Community Day. The event provided youth from Tennis B.C.’s Girls in Action outreach program and CLICK (Contributing to Lives of Inner City Kids) the opportunity to get out on the courts to learn and play the game of tennis. Thanks to sponsors, participants received a free T-shirt, tennis racket and a can of balls to get started. In addition to the on-court experience, the children heard from several athletes who shared their inspiring stories of success.
QUEERS ON FILM: Now in its 29th year, the Queer Film Festival has been reflecting proud lives lived. During the past three decades, the pendulum has shifted dramatically. Early portrayals of queers on film were often depicted as tragic or at odds with social conventions. Coming out stories were de rigueur. As the political climate changed, so did the stories. Of the more than 900 submissions that were reviewed, there was less coming out stories and more stories of people living their lives, said newly appointed artistic directors Anoushka Ratnarajah and Amber Dawn. “We’re also encouraged and excited by the growing number of films by queer women and people of colour,” added Ratnarajah. More than 50 films made this year’s packed program of screenings, workshops and pink carpet parties. I Dream in Another Language from Mexico’s celebrated Contreras brothers, Jacqueline Gares’ FREE CeCe, highlighting the leadership of transgender people of colour, and Fathers, a Thai drama about a gay couple raising their adopted son, highlight the diversity of proud lives and offering at this year’s celebrations. The festival runs until Aug. 20.
Hear Fred Mondays 8:20am on CBC Radio’s The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM; Email: [email protected]; Twitter: @FredAboutTown
