Sunday- Free Salsa Dance Lessons!

Sunday Afternoon Salsa at Robson Square  Source: About.com Sunday afternoon Salsa at Robson Square is an annual series of FREE, outdoor salsa dances held at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver during the summer months of July and August.

If you've never experienced Sunday Afternoon Salsa at Robson Square, check out this video that perfectly captures the event, by local photographer and videographer Trevor Jansen who dropped by one Sunday last year and filmed this.

The 2013 Sunday Afternoon Salsa season runs for nine Sundays throughout the summer, from June 30 until August 26.

The 2013 dates are:

June 30,

July 7, 14, 21, 28

August 4, 11, 18, 25

We are able to make the events FREE to the community thanks to the generosity of our event sponsors: the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, Provence Restaurants, MarketPlace IGA, and The Georgia Straight.

Try the free lessons at 3pm, watch the performances at 5pm, or just check out the social dancing throughout the afternoon and see how much fun it is!

The Robson Square salsa dances are open to everyone and you are welcome even if you've never danced a day in your life.

Happy BC Day!

Indigenous peoples have inhabited British Columbia, as described in their oral traditions. There are claims by the English to have explored the region in the 16th century, but it was the Majorcan-born Spanish navigator Juan José Pérez Hernández who did the first documented travel 1774. In 1778 English explorer James Cook reached Nootka Sound and set foot on British Columbian soil. There were several gold finds in British Columbia in the 1850s. The British colonial office responded to this situation by establishing British Columbia’s mainland as a crown colony in 1858, naming it the Colony of British Columbia. In 1871 British Columbia became the sixth province of the Dominion of Canada.

BC Day History

The first Monday of August is known as British Columbia Day, BC Day or B.C. Day, in the province of British Columbia. It is a statutory holiday and gives Canadians in the province the chance to celebrate their achievements or relax with friends and family members.

Where is B.C Day come from?

The British Columbia Day Act was first introduced to the Legislative Assembly in 1974. The aim of the Bill was to create a statutory holiday on the first Monday in August to recognize the pioneers in the province and the act gained royal assent in 1996.

Source: TimeandDate.com

Will you be in Vancouver for the long weekend?

TOP 5 AUGUST LONG WEEKEND EVENTS IN VANCOUVER FOR 2013

by REMY SCALZA in EVENTS on July 30, 2013

Photo credit: refreshment_66 | Flickr

Ready to celebrate the 2013 August Long Weekend in Vancouver?  Here are five activities for making the most of the weekend and B.C. Day holiday, Aug. 3-Aug. 5.

Celebration of Light Fireworks, Saturday, Aug. 3: The final instalment of this year’s Celebration of Light sees Thailand lighting up the night sky above English Bay for an estimated 400,000 spectators.  The party starts around 5 p.m. with Shorefest, free concerts at two stages at English Bay and Sunset Beach.  Crowds are treated to a special Red Bull Airshow at 8:10 p.m., followed by the fireworks at 10 p.m.  There are also plenty of Vancouver’s award-winning food trucks on site, as well as Jamcouver, a pro skateboarding expo.  Fireworks start at 10 p.m. on Aug. 3 at English Bay.  Details.

Powell Street Festival, Saturday, Aug. 3-Sunday, Aug. 4: This annual celebration of Japanese-Canadian culture is held in the heart of edgy East Vancouver, at Oppenheimer Park.  Get ready for taiko drumming, sumo wrestling, tea ceremonies and, of course, a fantastic spread of authentic Japanese food.  There are also historical walking tours of the neighbourhood, which has long been a stronghold of Vancouver’s Japanese community.  The Festival runs 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Aug. 3-Aug. 4, at Oppenheimer Park (400 Powell St.).  Details.

Vancouver Pride Parade, Sunday, Aug. 4: Join an estimated half-million people on the streets of downtown Vancouver for the biggest Pride parade in Western Canada. Hundreds of rainbow-coloured floats make their way down Robson and Denman Streets, ending up at Sunset Beach.  And that’s where the real party starts.  The Sunset Beach Pride Festival features food carts, live music and 150 tents, all on the waterfront.  The parade starts at noon on Aug. 4 at the corner of Robson and Thurlow Streets, followed by Pride Fest at Sunset Beach from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.  Details. 

Food Cart Fest, Sunday, Aug. 4: Twenty of Vancouver’s finest food trucks circle up outside of Olympic Village for a day of feasting and live music on the False Creek waterfront.  Expect everything from fusion fish tacos to Aussie hand pies, wood-fired pizzas and gourmet grilled cheese.  The Fest also features vendors from the hip Eastside Flea, a monthly community market featuring handmade goods, vintage clothing and other bits and bobs sure to leave hipsters slavering.  The Food Cart Fest ($2 admission; free for kids) runs noon-5 p.m. at 215 W. 1st Ave., between Olympic Village and the Cambie Bridge. Details.

Harmony Arts Festival, Friday, Aug. 2-Sunday, Aug. 11: Hop over to West Vancouver for this waterfront celebration of music and art.  There are live concerts, entertainment and plenty of street food on offer throughout the day.  But the highlight is the free Sunset Concerts at 7:30 p.m. each evening.  Don’t miss Vancouver’s own Spirit of the West on Friday, Aug. 2.   The Harmony Arts Festival is centred on the West Vancouver waterfront, between 14th and 16th Streets.  Details.

Going to any other can’t-miss festivals over the long weekend?  Let us know below. 

For more updates on goings-on in Vancouver and beyond, follow me on Twitter@RemyScalza.  

Source: Inside Vancouver!

The Celebration of Lights!

Don't Miss One of Vancouver's Most Popular Festivals

About:
The Celebration of Light is not only Vancouver's biggest event, but it's also the largest offshore fireworks competition in the world and attracts up to 400,000 spectators along English Bay each evening. Owned by the Not For Profit Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society, 2013 marks the 23rd consecutive year of the event, which contributes in excess of $39 million in incremental tourism and hospitality spending each year. Another year of exciting countries vying for the title at the Honda

Celebration of Light Features: 
 July 27 United Kingdom featuring the skills of Pyro 2000. www.pyro2000.co.uk 
 July 31 Canada and Calgary based Fireworks Spectaculars www.fireworksspectaculars.com
 August 3 Thailand; Thailand Fireworks - thailandfirework.net

More than just the Fireworks:
There's more than just the fireworks worth going to see; check out SHOREfest, Red Bull Airshow, or just hit the beach- but get there early if you want to get a spot!

For more information check out: http://hondacelebrationoflight.com/ 

British Etiquette for the Royal Christening

 In spirit of the royal birth, it's always good to brush up on our royal etiquette! Check out these helpful tips from Conde Naste- Daily Traveler

A British Etiquette Guide, in Case You Score an Invite to the Royal Christening

It's a busy weekend in the world of royalty: Duchess Kate is due to give birth any minute now, and the Queen is celebrating the 60th anniversary of her crowning at this weekend's Coronation Festival. In light of all the hullabaloo, we turned to David Morgan-Hewitt, the managing director of The Goring hotel in London. The property holds a Royal Warrant—which means Morgan-Hewitt interacts with nobility on the regular—plus, the 22-year veteran of the property is quite the etiquette guru. He gave us a few tips on what to do if you bump into HRH at the Coronation Festival—or (fingers crossed) the christening.

Be interested

"You should always be interesting. But be interested! Absolutely everybody has a story to tell. I've been lucky enough to sit next to the Queen, and I've also sat next to the most junior waiter we employ, who might be very young and has so much to learn and not an awful lot yet to offer. Both have stories to tell."

Keep calm

"Don't panic. It's a wonderful opportunity if you happen to be at the Coronation Festival and a member of the royal family engages you. A lady would curtsy, a gentleman would bow at the waist. It's not the royal family who insist on that—they're very happy if you don't curtsy. But even people who think they're not going to bow, when they meet them, they're spellbound by how charismatic they are and they tend to curtsy."

Turn off your phone

"There's a wonderful story that's told: At a garden party where apparently the Queen was talking to a lady and her husband. The lady's phone rang in her handbag, and the queen apparently went forward and said, 'You better take that, it might be someone important.' Mobile phones can be a problem—make sure your mobile phones are off if you're meeting a member of the royal family."

Respect the queue

"Don't push into the queue. The British queue beautifully; not all the world does. It's very important; there's nothing worse than when you see someone who should be behind you, standing in front of you."

Be aware

"Modern manners are all about how to treat other people, and how what you do affects people with you. It's all about making sure you know what's going on. Open a door for someone today. In an elevator, always ask if you can press the button for someone. If someone walks in, say 'which floor?' Small things make a difference."

Source: Conde Nast Daily Traveler

The Royal Highnesses have a Prince!

Did You Miss the Royal Announcement? 

Not to worry, Youtube always pulls through!

Vancouver Folk Festival

Do you have weekend plans?

How about going to the beach? How about listening to live music? How about eating some yummy food? How about have a few drinks in a beer garden?

Well you can do it all at Vancouver's Folk Festival!



Said to be one of North America's best folk festivals, grab your friends and family and head to Jericho Beach this weekend and enjoy some amazing talent!

For information on Bands, Schedules, ticket prices and more, check out http://thefestival.bc.ca/

Enjoy the show!

Happy 4th of July!

What Are you Afraid of?

Time to face them!

TEDtalks: Karen Thompson Walker: What fear can teach us

Happy Canada Day!!!

What are your Canada Day plans?

Check out these top five events in Vancouver:

1. Canada Day at Granville Island

Image Courtesy of Granville Island

What: Granville Island's huge Canada Day celebration includes a Parade, a Truly Canadian Pancake Breakfast, an official Canada Day Ceremony, live jazz, performers, and MELA!, a South Asian cultural fair.
When: 8am - Midnight
Where: Granville Island

2. Canada Day at Canada Place - Waterfront Party & Canada Day Parade

Image Courtesy of Canada Place Corporation

What: Canada Place hosts Downtown Vancouver's biggest Canada Day celebration with a Waterfront Party that includes live music and entertainment on three stages, followed by the annual Canada Day Parade. It also co-produces the Burrard Inlet Fireworks that are Number 3 on this list.
When: Waterfront Party: 10am - 6pm; Parade starts at 7pm
Where: Canada Place; Parade starts at the corner of Georgia Street & Broughton Street.

3. Canada Day Burrard Inlet Fireworks Show

Image Courtesy of Canada Place Corporation

What: Cap off your Canada Day celebrations with this pyrotechnic extravaganza! Happening in Burrard Inlet, the 5th annual Fireworks Show will be visible from Downtown, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Vancouver's west side.
When: 10:30pm - 11pm
Where: Vancouver Downtown and west side

4. Canada Day at the Steveston Salmon Festival

Image Courtesy of Steveston Community Society / Steveston Salmon Festival

What: Steveston, Richmond's historic fishing village, attracts over 70,000 visitors to its joint Canada Day and Steveston Salmon Festival. The festival includes a parade, craft shows, cultural events, and Steveston's famous salmon barbecue, where over 1200 pounds of wild salmon filets are grilled over open fire pits.
When: 6:30am - 5pm
Where: Steveston Village, Richmond

5. Surrey Canada Day

Image Courtesy of City of Surrey

What: OK, this one is not actually in Vancouver....But it has to go on this list because Surrey's Canada Day celebration is both the biggest Canada Day event in western Canada and one of the biggest outdoor concerts in B.C. And it's all FREE! The Fruiticana Fireworks Spectacular follows the concert.
When: 10am - 10:30pm
Where: Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre, Surrey

What are you doing this weekend?

Check out Trip Advisor top 5 activities for ideas!
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Stanley Park

As featured in 3 days in Vancouver and 1 other guide

Ranked #1 of 152 attractions in Vancouver

3,494 reviews

• ”Walk, bike, or rollerblade around the...“ 25/05/2013
• ”Fun family day“ 25/05/2013

Category: Parks

Owner description: North America's third-largest park draws eight million visitors per year, many of whom may skate or walk past you on the... more »

Map | Visitor photos (1170)

Sea to Sky Highway

Ranked #2 of 152 attractions in Vancouver

815 reviews

• ”It's a Highway!“ 23/05/2013
• ”WOW!“ 23/05/2013

Category: Scenic Drives

A two-lane scenic highway passes both the Pacific Ocean and rugged mountain peaks.

Map | Visitor photos (174)

Museum of Anthropology

As featured in 3 days in Vancouver

Ranked #3 of 152 attractions in Vancouver

556 reviews

• ”M.O.A great info....“ 24/05/2013
• ”A gem of a museum“ 23/05/2013

Category: Natural History Museums; Speciality Museums; History Museums; Museums

Owner description: The Museum of Anthropology, on the campus of the University of British Columbia, is an incredible collection of artifacts and... more »

Map | Visitor photos (94)

Lynn Canyon Park

As featured in 3 days in Vancouver and 1 other guide

Ranked #4 of 152 attractions in Vancouver

475 reviews

• ”It's free and less crowded thant Capil...“ 21/05/2013
• ”for everyone“ 21/05/2013

Category: Parks; Bridges; State Parks

Lynn Canyon Park officially opened to the public in 1912 and has been a popular destination among tourists and local residents ever since. Lynn Canyon Park is a great location for... more »

Map | Visitor photos (182)Add to trip

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Ranked #5 of 152 attractions in Vancouver

252 reviews

• ”Fabulous spot to photograph and to eat...“ 25/05/2013
• ”Another great find in the city...“ 22/05/2013

Category: Gardens

This beautiful garden has 22 hectares of plants and trees.

Map | Visitor photos (76)