btvancouver

Hey Peeps,

Check out my review for “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore” and “Dinner for Schmucks”…

Have a great long weekend!

-Thor

So…we all know I love food, and I could casually call myself a “Foodie” but let’s face it, I am a babe in the woods compared to some of the “Foodies” out there. I am speaking about  the Bloggers, the Chefs, and the Sommolier’s in training who continue to educate and excite all off us when it comes to the Lower Mainlands top restaurants!

So at this time, I dedicate today’s blog to Richard Wolak, or Vanfoodster who recently celebrated his 1 Year Anniversary at  Canvas (and incorporated a cover charge that benefitted the Greater Vancouver Food Bank ).

Thor, Richard and I

Here is a montage of raw footage and well wishes taken at the party!

Until we eat again,

Dawn

Sara Davis Buechner

On Friday’s BT, I’m going to introduce you to Sara Davis Buechner. She’s an amazing pianist who’s performing at the Queer Arts Festival in Vancouver on Friday night. Sara is a master piano instructor at UBC, tours the world performing her music, and has had an incredible life full of ups and downs.

You can catch her performance of words and music at the Roundhouse Community Centre on Friday night at 7:30. Tickets are $15-25 at the door.

For more information — visit Sara’s website here.

K

Will who? Forget about that guy from Will & Grace, Eric McCormack successfully reprises the role of Ricky Roma, the infamous real estate agent character with “concrete” balls (as he so eloquently stated in character) on the Stanley stage for opening night of Glengarry Glen Ross.

This is an infamous play and a classic flick. Playwright David Mamet’s words provide a comical, yet expletive laden look at capitalism, as a group of real estate agents all struggle to close their next lead to keep their heads above water. It’s real, intense and will teach you different ways to creatively use the F-bomb. Whoa daddy!

Glengarry Glen Ross was a stage production before a movie, so there were some clear distinctions. There is no Alec Baldwin role in the play, the set design in Act II makes it feel like you’re watching the movie all over again and Eric McCormack needs to play a villain in his next project. He’s so bad, it’s good!

RM

Inception continues to blow my mind…

Hans Zimmer, the film’s composer, has revealed the entire score is from one Edith Piaf song!  Check out the article here.

I also found this YouTube video that does a fairly good comparison of the original version of “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” and the slowed down version that serves as the film’s dramatic score.

BONUS: You may also recall Marion Cotillard (who plays Mal in the movie) won an Oscar for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in “La Vie En Rose”!

WOW!

-Thor

Hey Peeps,

I came across some amusing links on this fine Wednesday…

You may have seen Inception but you haven’t seen this delightful mashup- Bill & Ted’s Excellent Inception!

And, this is very cute…

A family shot some video of  a black bear having some fun while they were on a chairlift in Whistler.  Check it out here.

Have a good one!

-Thor

So I’m standing outside the Centre in Vancouver last night and I hear some guy negotiating ticket prices for the Drake concert. Two tickets in the Centre Orchestra for $500 a pop. Are you kidding me? Then as I watched the show I got it, this guy is the real deal.

 I remember interviewing Aubrey Graham aka Drake aka Jimmy Brooks from Degrassi: The Next Generation years back after his reign on the hit teen show ended. He mentioned his next focus would be music. Who knew he’d be the face of the next generation of hip hop. The first Canadian rapper to go platinum, both in Canada and the US, owned the stage last night. The sound was tight and Drake’s undeniably got the charisma the ladies loved and the ferocious rhymes that commanded the respect of the sell out crowd that was clearly in awe of the 23 year old. He’s 23 and already this big. Well done!

 It was a great vibe in The Center, with a relatively younger crowd in attendance. I walk away from the show with two afterthoughts: 1. Drake will be a force in hip hop for years to come 2. After seeing the skirts (or lack there of) of the ladies at the show….I’m never having a daughter. Yikes!

 RM

Had an amazing dining experience last night on the School Of Fish Floating Restaurant – simply amazing. 

Imagine being only one of 720 people to ever enjoy dining on a six course meal, wine pairings included,  in a restaurant that only seats 12 people  in False Creek that floats on plastic bottles!  All the materials to build the restaurant and food has donated so all money raised will go towards creating a course for student chefs on the importance of using sustainable seafood throughout their careers.  The School of Fish Foundation is the brainchild of Shannon Ronalds and wholeheartedly supported and endorsed by Chef Robert Clark, a pioneer himself in the education of the public when it comes to the sustainability of the food we eat and buy. 

I will admit, this dinner is pricey at about $225 per person (it’s a communal table for 12, so you can book for 1, 2, 3…any amount – up to 12 people), but when you have an opportunity to experience something  that only a few can…it is priceless. It’s only open until the end of September (so the opportunity is limited) and if you make your reso before the end of July (to dine anytime until end of September) there is a reduced rate.

If you can afford it…it is an experience not to be missed- it truly was magical and memorable - but even if you are cash strapped, it’s still worthwhile learning about how the Floating  Restaurant will benefit all of us as a consumer no matter what restaurant we choose to patronize not only here, but hopefully around the world. (BTW – Shannon is in talks with London to have the restaurant at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games ) . For a behind the scenes video of how this all came together, here it is .

You can learn about the Floating Restaurant , the menu (which is different all the time depending on what is in season, available and of course sustainable) by clicking  here  or  reservations can be made through SOFF web site www.schooloffishfoundation.org or by calling Shannon at 778-997-6977.

 Have a great day!

Dawn

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard people say, “It’s so hard to meet a guy/ girl in Vancouver!”

I admit it has been a few years since I needed to “meet” someone – worst part is  that pressure to ” find someone” and yet, sure feels great when you do…unfortunately the timing if often off when it comes to desire and availability. I mean, where do people meet these days? Online seems to be a big one, although I myself am still a little old fashioned. Face to face time is best.

Earlier this week I had the chance to check out the The Dirty Apron Cooking School at 540 Beatty Street as they were just getting ready to launch their monthly  ”Singles in the City” Cooking Series. Seems to me like a no brainer…think speed dating (10 dates in one night), but with a spatula!

on BT with Dirty Apron Owner David Robertson

Let’s face it, both love and cooking involve chemistry, and what a great way to see how people are under pressure, following directions, and doing the dishes!  Could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship (or at least a beautiful meal!)

If you missed it, here\’s the clip !

Enjoy,

Dawn

Hi Everyone,

If you have air conditioning and some free time why not check out one of this week’s DVD/Blu-ray titles?

Click here for my review of Clash of the Titans, Repo Men & Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon on Blu-ray.

-Thor