British Columbia Canada Blog

Your trip to Vancouver this summer won’t be complete until you attend Shakespeare Festival. 2011 Season runs from June 2nd to September 24th. As you like it, The Merchant of Venice, Robert 3, Henry 6 are four main plays for the season and you can see them all for one ticket price of $145/person.

Other Bard on the Beach specials include: Bard B-Q and Firworks, Celebration Red and White and various discussions andlectures. So, if you like Shakespeare than this one is for you.  For more information, prices and schedules, visit: Bard On The Beach.

Know about a cool event in BC? Drop us a line at info@bctravelguide.ca

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Vancouver Attractions

Driving through interior British Columbia during winters could be treacherous but it’s a lovely drive during summer. You can expect beautiful lakes with crystal clear water, small hills, picture perfect picnic spots, campgrounds and hidden hiking trails.
Local attractions while driving from Revelstoke to Sicamous include: Enchanted Forest ( a great hit with kids) and Three Valley Gap. You can also check out the historic site of the Craigellachie Last Spike, hammered by Canadian Pacific Railway Director Donald Smith into the Transcontinental Rail Line that united Canada from coast to coast on 7th November 1885.

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Summer Weekend Getaways

Gong Xi Fa Cai!  I mean Happy New Year of the Rabbit. Chinese New Year has just begun so let’s have a look at Canada’s largest Chinatown located in Vancouver. Vancouver’s Chinatown has always been a great tourist attraction. I personally find it very captivating because of its colorful sights and exotic products.

Did you know that Vancouver is also home to North America’s third largest Chinatown? It provides us an interesting glimpse of Chinese culture and strong Chinese community. The easiest way to get to Chinatown from downtown Vancouver is to go east on Pender Street to Carrall Street and find parking on the street. You can also park in the International Village Parkade at the corner of Pender and Abbott and walk east on Pender and into Chinatown. 

 You know you are in Chinatown when you see paper lanterns, pagoda-style arches, and Chinese dragons. Great restaurants, food stalls and countless shops with imported goods will inspire you to explore this part of Vancouver on foot. 

The Chinese Cultural Centre at 50 West Pender Street, Vancouver, is the heart and soul of the China Town as it hosts variety of cultural programs ranging from lectures, exhibitions on carvings, paintings, ceramics and historical photographs as well as offers language courses in Mandarin, Cantonese and English.

One of the most fascinating part of Chinatown in Vancouver is Bamboo Village which carries an extraordinary array of items that you won’t find elsewhere, from vintage wind-up clocks, vacuum-tube radios, authentic antique oriental furniture, and genuine Chinese. Stop by old- fashioned Garden Villa Seafood restaurant for the best dim sum in town. When you get tired exploring the Chinatown don’t forget to try some Chinese tea which is very refreshing.

Chinatown Night Market which will be held this year from May 20th 2011 to September 11th, 2011 (every friday, saturday and sunday) from 6.30 pm to 11.00 pm on Keefer street/Main street is a must for all tourists. Besides hundred booths for gifts items, fashion and modern electronics it will feature multicultural performances like folk dancing, singing, magic shows, martial arts, lion dance, bands as well as games and prizes.

So, next time in Vancouver, stop by Chinatown.

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Top 10 BC Attractions

The British Columbia Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) will host a new fundraising event and cocktail competition called Dish and Dazzle Fundraiser in Vancouver on Monday, Oct. 25th 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The admission for the event is $250/person. All funds raised will benefit BCHF.

The evening will be one full of fun and energy featuring an exciting Cocktail contest, food and wine bars, live music from “lesismore” and a celebration honouring unsung Hospitality Industry heroes.

For more information, visit: BC hospitality foundation

Nelson Arts and Heritage Festival 2010 which focusses on celebrating local culture and talent will be held this year for a two-and-a-half week starting September 29th and will include a weekend of storytelling, plus concerts and the world premiere of an original Lucas Myers play.

Tentative schedule for the Nelson festival is as follows:

It’s set to open September 29 with a variety show at the Capitol Theatre featuring local musicians. The next night will see storyteller James Murray and singer-songwriter Blu Hopkins team up at the TNT playhouse, and then on October 1 and 2, local funnyman Lucas Myers will premiere his latest one-man opus at the Capitol .

On the weekend of October 2 and 3, storytelling events will be held at TNT, Self Design High School, and a third venue, possibly Central School.

On Oct. 3, Self Design High will host a spoken word event involving students, while musical performances have been pencilled in for the weekend of Oct. 8 and 9 at TNT, along with a yet-to-be-determined theatre production opening on Oct. 15.

Volunteers are needed for the festival so if you are interested, call : 825-0069 or e-mail histerian@hotmail.com

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Nelson Accommodations

BC’s summer wouldn’t be exciting without these interesting summer festivals which are held in the month of July in various cities of British Columbia. We would highly recommend attending some of these summer festivals, if you can to get true taste of BC’s culture and to make your 2010 summer special. You can also plan a summer weekend getaway and have fun at these BC events.

4th Annual North Vancouver Party-at-the-Pier : Celebrating the North Shore’s maritime community, featuring marine-themed activities, displays, entertainment and the Seaspan Tugboat Ballet. - Foot of Lonsdale and the adjacent piers, North Vancouver - July 17 and 18

More info: www.lowerlonsdalebusinessassociation.com

Nanaimo Marine Festival : Features the world-famous Bathtub Race. - Nanaimo Harbour, Nanaimo, B.C. - July 22-25 - Free entrance

More info: www.bath-tubbing.com

23rd Annual Mission Folk Music Festival : Diverse and eclectic lineup of music from across Canada and around the world. - Fraser River Heritage Park, Mission, B.C - July 23-25

More info: www.missionfolkmusicfestival.ca

6th Annual Bonfire Music Festival : A three-day, hassle-free, art-infused weekend of exceptional music, camping and fun. - The Moon Farm, 9506 Pemberton Portage Rd., Birken, B.C. - July 23-25

More info: www.bonfirefestival.com

Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Country Fest : Family oriented, and agriculturally educational annual event.  Maple ridge, BC- July 24 and 25 

More info: www.mrpmcountryfest.com

Caribbean Days Festival : A weekend of tropical rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture as only the Caribbean can offer. - Waterfront Park, North Vancouver - July 24 and 25

More info: www.caribbeandays.ca

6th Annual Honeybee Festival : Celebrates honeybees and our community with a host of amazing exhibits and fun activities. - Honeybee Centre, 176th St. and Fraser Hwy., Surrey, BC- July 24 and 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. - Free,

More info:  www.honeybeecentre.com

Vancouver Early Music Festival : This early-music festival celebrates 40 years with a concert series dedicated to Monteverdi. - UBC Campus - July 25-Aug. 14

More info: www.earlymusic.bc.ca

Kamloops PowWow : One of the largest celebrations of First Nations’ culture in Western Canada. - Kamloops, B.C.-July 30-Aug. 1

More info: www.tourismkamloops.com

Komasket Music Festival : Okanagan’s cultural family music celebration features music and dance by more than 150 performers. - Komaskey Park, Vernon, B.C-July 30-Aug. 1

Kaslo Jazz Etc. Summer Music Festival : A great variety and lineup of groups performing on the unique floating stage that rests just offshore the sandy beach of Kootenay Lake. - Kaslo, B.C - July 30-Aug. 1

More info: www.kaslojazzfest.com

Centre of Gravity Festival : Concert series, DJ and fashion shows, after parties and over 150 pro athletes competing in six different sports. - City Park, Kelowna, B.C - July 30-Aug. 1

More info: www.centerofgravity.ca

The Filberg Festival : More than 120 artisans, great food and lively entertainment for all ages. - Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park, Comox, B.C - July 30-Aug. 2 

More info: www.filbergfestival.com

Spirit of the Sea Festival : Weekend full of free fun, including a children’s carnival and parade, beach games and races, fireworks and continuous live entertainment.  White Rock, B.C - July 30-Aug. 2

More info: www.spiritofthesea.ca

20th Annual Harmony Arts Festival : Brings programs, events and concerts along the West Vancouver’s waterfront– all free of charge. July 30-Aug. 8 

More info: www.harmonyarts.net

7th Annual Vancouver Dyke March and Festival: Afternoon of celebration, music and fun. - March from McSpadden Park to Victoria Park, Commercial Drive area - July 31, march at 12 p.m., festival at 1 p.m. 

More info: www.vancouverdykemarch.com

Tsawwassen Sun Festival : Features a parade, children’s midway, antique fair, marketplace, slow pitch tournament, BMX air show, main stage entertainment, fireworks and food. - Winskill Park, Tsawwassen - July 31-Aug. 2

More info: www.sunfestival.ca

 If you don’t have any plans for mid July weekend then why not head up to Prince George to watch Elton John perform live ?

On Friday, July 16th 2010 Elton John will be performing at the CN Centre (located on 2187 Ospika Road) in Prince George, British Columbia. The tickets for the show are priced between: $215-$575

Various websites online are selling tickets so hurry otherwise they might get sold.

To plan your next BC trip, visit: BC Travel Guide

Visiting Vancouver in April and looking for some fun? Why not attend Mardi Gras 2010 by Student Nurses of Douglas College in Vancouver on Thursday, April 29th 2010 from 7.00 pm to 3.00 am at Ceilis Irish Pub in Downtown Vancouver on 670 Smithe and Granville St.

The entry fee is only $10.00/person.  MARDI GRAS 2010 is actually a grad fundraiser and proceeds from the event will go towards their graduation ceremony. The event features live bands with east coast music, tons of beads, prizes and 50/50 draw.

Food and Drink specials include:
Buckets of ribs $4
All domestic and premium domestic pints $4
Highballs $4

It’s a 21+ event so be prepared to show your ID.

Interested? For ticket info. email:
laughdancegraduate@gmail.com

 Related links:

Your guide to Vancouver

Cumberland, British Columbia (on Vancouver Island) will host its 2010 Motorcycle roundup on August 7th and 8th 2010 at 2701 Dunsmuir Ave. Cumberland, BC.

If you love motorbikes, then don’t miss this exciting event. The entire business community will be ‘leathered up’ for 2010 Motorcycle roundup and a variety of booths will display everything from motorcycles to leather clothing, tattoos and biker paraphernalia. There are numerous pubs and restaurants on the main street in Cumberland for bikers and visitors to kick back and enjoy excellent food and refreshments, and entertainment.

The Comox Valley has numerous hotels and motels for bikers who wish to spend the night. Comox Lake, located in Cumberland, is only 3 ½ miles away from the downtown area for those who wish a refreshing swim or a forested drive to this recreational area. Camping is also available at the lake at the Cumberland Lake Park Campground.

For reservations, call 250-336-2644

The show will begin on Saturday, August 7^th, 2010 with Show and Shine. The registration will take place from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Judging will be at 1:00 pm with awards for first, second, and third place given out at 3:00 p.m. Registration cost for the Show and Shine is only $10.00 per bike. So, if you are proud of your bike then shine it up for this show. The Motorcycles entered in the Show and Shine will be displayed in the centre of Dunsmuir Avenue, the main street of the Village.

To make the things interesting, there will be a Pancake Breakfast at the Cumberland Legion on Dunsmuir Ave from 9.00 a.m. until 11:00 am on Saturday and Sunday morning for $5.00.There will also be food booths, children’s areas and bike games to follow with prizes. Raffles will be held both days with proceeds donated to Tour De Rock.

On Sunday, August 8^th 2010 the Fistful of Dollars Poker Run will entail a scenic ride through the Comox Valley including a stop on beautiful Mt Washington. There will be a terrific buffet provided by Mt. Washington Ski Hill, and a ride up the ski lift for the driver OR the passenger to get the third card. Five cards will be given out at five locations. The final card will be collected at the Cumberland Hotel where there will be lots of great draws and prizes, even if you don’t have the winning hand. I would say,definitely worth playing for all the fun and adventure.

Registration for the Fistful of Dollars Poker Run is from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and the cost is $10.00 per bike

A quick look at all the details:

Saturday August 7th

• 9am : Pancake Breakfast Cumberland Legion
• 10am - 12noon : Registration
• 12noon : Show & Shine
• 1pm : Judging
• 3pm Awards in Village Square

Bike games to immediately follow awards.Sunday August 8th

• 9am : Pancake Breakfast Cumberland Legion
• 11am : Fistful of Dollars Poker Run - Proceeds donated to Cops for Cancer

For more information, about the show, call: Jean Cameron at 250-336-8746 

If you are looking for a great way to relax after an exciting day on Whistler slopes then try out Scandinave Spa in Whistler.

Situated just north of Whistler Village, B.C., engulfed in a spruce and cedar forest on the edge of Lost Lake and Spruce Grove parks, this unique spa overlooks incredible mountain vistas and valleys. Invigorate and cleanse your body and mind in the hot baths and refreshing waterfalls, melt away with a relaxing massage, and breathe in the invigorating country air.

Scandinavian baths are a year-round spa activity worth trying. This unique bath experience cleanses the skin, improves physical and aerobic conditioning and produces and increases sense of well-being. To enjoy the full benefits of the baths, alternate the body warming with refreshing cold water rinses and relaxation sessions 3 or 4 times. The whole experience should take about 2 to 3 hours. For the ultimate relaxation, complete the experience with a Swedish, Hot Stone, or Thai Yoga massage.

The packages at Scandinave Spa in Whistler start at about $50/person. For more information, visit: Scandinave Spa in Whistler

Plan your next Spa vacation in BC with BC Travel Guide