Still Swinging: Legendary bandleader Dal Richards parties on for his 95th birthday. After marking the occasion at the Orpheum Theatre, the Vancouver icon celebrated playing for friends and family at the Hotel Vancouver where Richards, then in his twenties, got his first break. The historic hotel opened its Panorama Roof for the birthday bash and benefit supporting music programs for kids.

Start Your Reservations: Never imagining her idea would turn into the largest restaurant festival in the country, Kate Colley, former Tourism Vancouver staffer and founder of the wildly successful Dine Out Vancouver Festival, was on hand for the launch of the 17 days of feasting at Vancouver FanClub. Humble beginnings with 57 restaurants participating in 2003, a record 241 establishments will be serving up tasty $18, $28 and $38 menus. In addition, there are 35 special events including The Grape Debate and Edible Canada speaker series.

True Patriot Love: It's not easy being Canadian. Less than 3.5 per cent of the country's total box office went to Canadian films. First Weekend Club founder and Can-con booster Anita Adams hopes to change that by getting more bums in seats, especially during the critical opening weekend. Her FWC has partnered with VIFF's Vancity Theatre to promote select Canuck films. The new partnership kicked off with a cinema soiree to promote the Quebec thriller Liverpool.

Hear Fred Mondays 8:20 a.m. on CBC Radio's The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM; email: yvrflee@hotmail.com; Twitter: @FredAboutTown or fredabouttown.blogspot.com.