Author Archives: Abby Hunt

The Zolas: Live in Vancouver

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Are you a fan of local indie/alternative rock and looking for some new recommendations, well look no further. The Zolas are playing a show at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver this Friday, Nov. 27th.

The Zolas are based in Vancouver and consist of five members, but the core of the group is the duo of Zachary Gray on vocals and guitar and Tom Dobrzanski on piano. Both of which were originally part of the band Lotus Child and then moved on to form The Zolas in 2009. Their debut album, Tic Toc Tic, put their name on the market. They worked with Howard Redekopp, who helped produce the album. Redekopp has also worked famously with The New Pornographers and Tegan and Sara. The majority of this album was actually recorded in a recording studio Dobrzanski built in his parents’ basement while he was studying at the University of British Columbia. This studio was actually used by other popular Vancouver bands such as Said the Whale and Hey Ocean!.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRhJH-YsyS3/?utm_medium=copy_link

Their later album, Swooner, released in 2016, got them some real recognition with a Juno nomination for Breakthrough Group of the Year for 2017.

Frontman and lead writer Zachary Gray ended up stepping away from the band and taking some time to support with writing for other artists such as Carly Rae Jepsen. He is credited with writing and producing on the track LA Hallucinations from her third studio album, Emotion.

While Gray was away, Dobrzanski and the band dove into some new material to shake up the sound with something a little different and new. They leaned into something a bit more political for their album Come Back to Life album released in summer 2021.

As most bands are yearning for live shows again, they will continue touring for the rest of this year into 2022.

KILLY: The Rise of The Canadian Rapper

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No sad, no bad days for this artist, Khalil Tatem or as most of his audience know him as KILLY. He is a Filipino-Canadian artist who was born in Toronto, at around 8 years old he moved in Victoria and then back again to Toronto in his teens. During his younger years he took up music as a hobby and an outlet of expression and as he got older, he began to focus more of his time and energy on creating and producing his music. He started out recording and releasing his tracks on Soundcloud and as they created some conversation throughout Toronto nightlife and music industry he dove deeper into his work.

In February of 2017, he released his single “Killamonjaro” and it blew up, big time. Today this song has over 62 million listens on Spotify and over 36 million views on YouTube. Although he was only 19 years old when this dropped, he seemed as if he had been working in the industry for years, he was calm, collected and his talent was plain to see. This song eventually went platinum in Canada. Another way this young artist stood out among the rest is by starting his own label, Secret Sound Club.

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After the undoubtably popular release of “Killamonjaro”, he quickly dropped the album Surrender Your Soul in spring of 2018. This album contained some of his most played tracks such as “No Sad No Bad”, “Doomsday” and “Distance”.

After these released, he was nominated for Breakthrough Artist at the 2019 Juno Awards. During his rise to fame, he joined rapper Nav on his Bad Habits Tour and was on the set list for a number of major music festivals across North America and Europe.

https://www.instagram.com/p/By0iiuRJ6hn/?utm_medium=copy_link

Around 2018, he dropped an EP titled KILLSTREAK, which is a fan favorite, years later he had finally released his long awaited KILLSTREAK 2 which features artists including Yung Bans, Tommy Lee Sparta and AJ Tracey.

He currently has a tour date for December 11th at Fortune Sound Club in Vancouver.

Why Vinyl is Better: Redrum Records

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Spotify, iTunes and other streaming services, step aside, old school listening is back. Just like how people often prefer reading from a physical book instead of an e-reader, well it is becoming the same with music. Lots of people enjoy that feeling of hand picking out a vinyl, dropping that needle and hearing that sweet authentic sound of the vinyl. But why is listening to a vinyl record on a turn table better than just a digital recording?

Well, an MP3 file we may listen to is compressed to make them small enough to fit thousands of them in your pocket that it loses some of the quality whereas there is no audio data lost when pressing a record, it sounds exactly as the producer or band intended. With the grooves in the vinyl the waveforms can be much more accurate and will be heard in the warm richness of the sound. The only downside to vinyl is that you may hear some cracking or scratching as the record tuns, but most people believe that this just adds to the listening experience.

Lots believe that listening to vinyl over digital is more of an experience, you have to physically put the record on, sit down and enjoy the listening. Whereas, with how assessable streaming services are these days, it had become just background noise and not an actual event.

Stating this, buying, collecting, selling and listening to vinyl records has clearly come back in style. Redrum Records, a local record and music shop, is happy to see this trend is back. The shops name “Redrum” is inspired by the novel written by Stephen King, “The Shining”, which is the owner’s favourite film.

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The shop first opened in Cloverdale and expanded to open two other locations, one in New Westminster and one in White Rock. Although its main focus is vinyl records, the shop also offers CDs, cassettes, DVDs, posters, stickers and even stereo systems and turntables.

Incendiary Sweet: An Emerging Artist

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A new name has risen in the BC music industry, Incendiary Sweet, or as most know her, Victoria Feige. Victoria is native to Vancouver and describes her style as indie rock with a touch of acoustic folk, although she draws inspiration from all genres of music. She often compares her recent work to the sounds of Jack Johnson and Metric.

During the coronavirus lockdown, she was able to invest more of her time and energy into writing and making music. During the summer of 2021, she released two singles, “Disaffected Scrolling Thru” and “Rolling On”. Both of these tunes got recognition across the country. Her most recent release “Fairytales” came out in early October and has quickly become her most listened to song. She teamed up with producer Winston Hauschild to support her in recording her singles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CNjfXl-sN4X/?utm_medium=copy_link

Victoria was originally hesitant to dive into the music business after she suffered from a spinal cord injury. She was nervous to perform in a wheelchair but quickly gained confidence when she realized with the pandemic, she could record herself singing or playing guitar and adjust the camera, so the focus was on the music and not on the wheelchair.

Victoria is a jack of all trades, not only is she an aspiring musician but she is also a two-time world champion in adaptive surfing. After a snowboard accident left her partially paralyzed, she began to compete in adaptive surfing and found a community of likeminded people. She is currently training now to represent Canada in the Para Surf Worlds next month and hopes to reign in her third world title in the women’s division.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTq13W4r2Ta/?utm_medium=copy_link

Victoria has high hopes for the future, she has goals of continuing to record and release music and hopes to one day do a live show and collaborate with some of her idols.

Shine Bright like Diamond Café

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They say if you want to make it big, you really need to put yourself out there. Well, that is exactly what this artist did. Tristan Thompson, who was born in Victoria, British Columbia began his musical journey as a young boy by parading Government Street as a Michael Jackson impersonator.

As he got a bit older, he started to post song covers to YouTube. This was a game changing move as he soon got recognized by an Ontario based record label, Chatter Records. During the ups and downs of creating an album, he got the opportunity to grow and develop as an independent artist. Being so young when his first label found him, he decided to part ways with the label and focus on creating his own styles. With this, he was able to have more creative control, and this ended up leading to the creation of Diamond Café which he stated “sounds kind of cliché and cheesy but it came to me in a dream”.

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His first EP was recorded entirely by himself in his bedroom, and you would never know. Everything that is recorded is him: singing, drums, guitar, keyboard… all of it. He credits his parents as he believes they taught him a lot about music and their fine tastes rubbed off on him.

He likes to describe his work as “bathing in a cloud of honey on a very foggy night”. A very specific sound, I love the imagery. His music is a mix of R&B, funk, soul and synth pop. He’s got a bit of a Bowie, Prince vibe to his work.

His most listened to song on Spotify is “The Way You Used To Love Me” released in 2018.

His latest album is Say You Will which released in fall of this year. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/album/1WGcTHAqRrLOlhtruhqnXx?si=0c2AXdBgQ2GPkGPMPnYEdA&nd=1

Giving the Perfect Christmas Gift

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As the holiday season quickly rolls around, the stress and anxiety of getting all your holiday shopping done comes along with it. As excited as I get when people start to pull out their seasonal décor and putting up those lights, it also fills me with a constant feeling of stress, like time is running out. Although we are still in November, that countdown to Christmas flies by very quickly so it is better to get started early. Every year I tell myself “Next Christmas, I’m going to get all my shopping done early” and guess what happens… I never do. To make this holiday season as seamless as possible, I will be sharing a handful of tips and tricks on how to get the perfect Christmas gift.

 

Skip the Gifts

Do you ever have that one friend or family member that always responds with “no I don’t need/want anything” when you ask what they want for Christmas? Well, if they truly mean it, sometimes the best gift is the gift of giving. Instead of spending money on a present for them, consider giving back. You could donate to a charity of their choice in your name, you could volunteer somewhere, donate some clothes, do a food drive or even make a Christmas box for the less fortunate. One year a big group of my family and friends all headed out Christmas carolling through the neighbourhood asking for food donations, this was a fun way to get people together and still be able to give back.

 

Plan Ahead

Have you ever seen something and thought to yourself, “this would be a perfect gift for so and so” but then entirely forget about by the time Christmas comes around? I found myself doing this, so I began keeping a list in the notes app in my phone. I have a tab for each of my friends and family members and whenever I see or think of something that I know they would love, I’ll jot it down to keep handy for upcoming birthdays and Christmas.

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Offer an Experience

Lots of times, people prefer to be gifted with an experience rather than a physical or materialistic gift. Gifts can often clutter the house or end up not getting used or even just thrown out. Whereas an experience is bound to be loved. Tickets to a sporting event, a concert, a show, an art gallery or a museum would be a perfect gift. Just having something planned out and booked is such a treat. Just be sure to check their schedule to assure they will be able to attend.

 

Supporting Small Businesses

Although it can be a bit easier to just get all your Christmas shopping done online, it is always a great idea to support local and small businesses. Especially around the holidays, there are lots of local farmers markets and craft fairs where you could scoop up some great gifts. If you were hoping to support a local restaurant, brewery or café, you could always purchase a gift card for your recipient. Smaller things like treats, candles, decorations and hand made knick knacks are always easy to find, relatively cheap and often

 

Find the Best Deals

We all know how expensive the holidays can be so might as well take a little time to search out the best deals. Lucky enough, right before December there are lots of places that have great Black Friday sales. To prep for this, I try to have a decent list set out so I can do some research, compare the prices and find the best deals.

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Just Ask

To save time, money and feelings, the easiest way to get the perfect gift is to simply, just ask. Hopefully your recipient is honest about what they need or what they want to give you at least a few suggestions.

 

Staying Organized

It is easy to get caught up in all the gifts that you may over purchase or even miss a gift. I like to keep an on-going list of gifts that I have purchased and gifts I still need to get. I also create a file for all the receipts in case we need to do a return or exchange. The best way to stay on track is to get started early, don’t listen to my father who goes to the mall on Christmas eve!

 

Doing a Little Research

If your recipient is a bit shy or secretive about telling you their special wish list, don’t be afraid to do a little research. What I have done in the past, and it sounds creepy, is search through their social media. I have gone to friends Pinterest pages to see what they are interested in to give me some gift ideas. A lot of bigger businesses these days also have an option for you to create a personal wish list and send it around. This last Christmas, my brother made a wish list of a list of vinyl from a local record store, I was able to get my hands on the list and surprise him with one of the vinyl records that he wanted.

 

Go Green

We all know that gift giving can be rough on the wallet but it can also be tough on the environment. There are a ton of ways to still partake in holiday gift giving but in a more environmentally friendly way. Instead of purchasing a roll of wrapping paper, wrap your gifts in newspaper, magazines or use something reusable like a basket.  I always like to add a sprig of evergreen straight from the Christmas tree to add a little decoration to the wrapping. Think less is more, no need to throw in little gag gifts or small things that will eventually get tossed, just keep it simple. Purchasing gifts from sustainable brands, local businesses and avoiding online shopping is another way. Also, regifting, homemade gifts or an ‘experience’ gift like a gift card, cooking classes or theatre show is even better than a physical item.

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BC Ski and Snowboard Season is Fast Approaching

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It is almost that time of year again… the leaves have fallen, the days get shorter, you feel that chill in the air as you begin to pull out your winter layers. That means ski and snowboard season is fast approaching, the best time of the year if you’re asking me. If you live here in beautiful British Columbia, then you must know how dang lucky we are to live here when wintertime rolls around. For us lucky folks, we don’t have to travel too far to get the full mountain experience. Right in our big backyard sits a range of resorts and slopes to choose from. If you’re new to the ski and snowboard world, let this be a true guide on where you should head this winter season. 

  1. Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver

A beautiful bowl sitting at a quick 30 minute drive from Vancouver. I always thought of Cypress as the biggest, local mountain. With a quick drive, you still get a good day of skiing with more run options than a mountain like Seymour or Grouse. Cypress has 53 runs, giving you more variety than the other local mountains. I find that Cypress has iffy visibility due to its location but yet is still a great fun mountain to test out. I also find that Cypress can be a bit pricey for what they offer. As for their opening date, it’s looking like November 21st. 

https://cypressmountain.com/

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2.    Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler

With only a short two hour drive from downtown Vancouver to Whistler, this spot if the place to be. Not only do they have a wicked ski resort but it also happens to be located in a village full of shops, cafes, restaurants and night life. The resort has two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, a Peak 2 Peak gondola, and nearly 200 different runs. This mountain is so big, you’re going to need more than just a day trip to experience it all. Although day passes can hurt the wallet a wee bit, in my opinion, it’s definitely worth it as Whistler is rated one of the best resorts in Canada and in the world. As this is a larger resort, it is often good for groups of friends or family and more experienced skiers/boarders. But that doesn’t mean newbies can’t take this place for a spin. The resort offers many different levels of ski lessons and tours to get you settled in. As for their opening day for the season, it currently is set at November 25th so long as weather cooperates. 

https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/

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3.   Big White, Kelowna 

If you’re someone who thinks bigger is better, you’re best bet is Big White (big is literally in the name). This resort is Canada’s largest ski-in, ski-out resort. Similar to Whistler, this lovely place is operating within a winter wonderland village that’s full of bars, restaurants, shops and more. While this resort is wonderful, it is definitely a longer drive from the city, totalling about a 5ish hour commute and that’s if the roads aren’t a mess. This resort is big and beautiful and perfect for the family getaway. Big White’s opening day is also set to land on November 25th. 

https://www.bigwhite.com/

4. Seymour, North Vancouver 

Calling all ski and snowboard beginners, this might be the perfect place to practice your skills. This mountain is a quick 30 minute drive from Vancouver and would be ideal for day trips. When I was a beginner boarder, I bought a seasons pass for this mountain to learn how to board. This mountain is a lot smaller, sitting at only 40 runs and since this one is located quite a bit closer, its opening day isn’t set till December 5th. In my opinion, this is a good first mountain to learn your skills or take the family for a quick day trip. But after visiting this mountain a handful of times, it can get a bit repetitive. 

https://mtseymour.ca/

5.  Silverstar, Okanagan 

Another fantastic option for a ski-in, ski-out family vacation, Silverstar’s mountain resort has 130+ runs that spread over all levels of ski and board experience. Again, this resort is located a bit further from home if you’re a Vancouver native (about a 5 hour drive) but is a cheaper alternative to a large mountain resort such as Whistler or Big White. As for nightlife, this little ski town is a bit more family friendly than others. Opening date is scheduled for December 3rd.

skisilverstar.com 

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6.   Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver

Another great local options for those new to skiing and boarding is Grouse Mountain. This gem is a quick 20 minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Similar to Seymour, this small mountain is great for those interested in learning, family day trips or those who just want a quick dose of winter wonderland. Unlike Seymour, I find that Grouse imitates that true large mountainous winter feel with their ice rink, sleigh rides and Santas village. But yet again, their total runs is only 33 so you may get bored after a few visits. Grouse’s opening day is estimated to be November 20th.

https://www.grousemountain.com/

Researching and reading about all of these amazing resorts makes you really understand how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful landscape. Whenever I head to larger mountains like Whistler or Big White, I’ll end up meeting folks who have travelled across seas to get the chance to experience our ski mountains and I think that’s such a beautiful thing. Hopefully this guide can help you in your decision on where to shred some pow this year. But when it comes to ski and snowboard season, no matter where you plan on heading, you’re bound to have an exciting time. 

Brewery Guide for the Lower Mainland

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After reading all about the growing trend of craft breweries, I bet you’re wondering about some good locations and events in your area. Well, consider this your ‘all you need to know’ guide on local craft breweries in the Lower Mainland. Since the list of breweries surrounding us is quite a long one, I have created a list of eight of my favourite breweries and some information about them. Let’s check it out!

  1. Smugglers Trail Brewery and Restaurant, Langley

Two best buds and longtime rugby teammates founded Smugglers Trail in 2017 and opened the brewery tasting room in Summer of 2020. The brewery was inspired by the colourful legends of smugglers and miners who traveled through these parts during the Gold Rush. The Smugglers Trail was a secret route for enterprising outlaws to transport beer, gold and other desirable goods, while dodging British tax collectors. Their signature beers pay homage to local rogues and the legends they left behind. Their most popular beers include Flaskers British Ale, Canoe Chase IPA, Wedgehead Kolsch, Black Gold Coffee Stout and Captain Stone Lager. 3 of these brews took home medals in the 2021 World Beer Awards. Each week they have multiple artists playing live music while you’re sipping on your beer. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CV5slLQvDHi/?utm_medium=copy_link

2.   Camp Beer Co, Langley

Bringing a relaxed causal atmosphere to the Fraser Valley, Camp Beer offers a large outdoor and cabin feel brewery as they believe beer is best enjoyed outdoors. Their top beers on the roster include Anorak IPA, Copa Da Floresta Sour, Camp Beer Lager and Dark Lager. As for events, Wednesday nights are date nights where they offer exclusive cocktails and on Tuesdays they have ‘Dogs of Camp Club’ where they host dogs and their owners with special treats, giveaways and deals. To top it off, they provide live music every Thursday and Sunday.

3.   Strangefellows Brewing, Vancouver

The two founders had trouble coming up with a name for their beloved brewery. After months of fumbling through a list of names Strangefellows has been about a blending of ideas and histories with a common vision: that two strangers can have a beer together, look each other in the eye and toast each other’s good health. While they are known for their sour and barrel-aged beers, they also brew a broad range of styles. If you’re looking for an activity to go with your tasting, you found the right place. Strangefellows offers a long list of fun events coming up over the winter months. On November 17th they are hosting a candle making workshop, November 25th they have a beard and moustache contest for Movember and from December 3rd to 5th, they are putting on KrampusMarkt, a winter farmers market with beer, cider and wine tasting to partner with your shopping.

4.  Foamers’ Folly Brewing Co, Pitt Meadows

The brewery opened in 2015 and has hit a local gathering place in the Pitt Meadows and Ridge area ever since. The team values experimentation and is always working on new and unique creations. Some of their current popular brews include Beetlejuice Sour, Yada Yada IPA, Dad Beer Pilsner and Hot Box IPA. As for food, due to COVID-19, they aren’t currently serving food but you’re welcome to bring outside food to pair with your pint.

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5.  3 Dogs Brewing, White Rock

Dogs and beer, what’s better than that? 3 Dogs was founded in 2017 and is a family and friends built, owned and operated craft brewery. They strive to use locally sourced ingredients and offer up to thirteen rotating beers and ciders in the tasting room. Two of their popular taps include Hudson India Pale Ale and Double Dog Dare. As for upcoming events, they are continuing to bring back comedy nights. In addition, they have live music and occasional fun events like paint nights.

6.  White Rock Beach Beer, White Rock

Right around the corner from 3 Dogs is this little gem. Founded in 2013, this microbrewery is the definition of good things come in small packages. The two owners started off this brewery with no background experience in beer making and it is amazing to see how far they have come. Although they offer fewer beers than some of it’s competitors, they dedicate more time experimenting and perfecting the few they do offer. As they like to say, “because beaches and beer go better together.”

7.  Trading Post Brewing Company, Langley, Abbotsford and Oliver

With doors opening in 2016, Trading Post has spread to multiple locations, a brewery and tasting room in Langley, an eatery in the heart of Fort Langley and in Abbotsford and just this past summer opened up a brewery, tasting room and eatery in the District Wine Village in Oliver. Their finest brews include Helles Lager, Best Coast IPA, Smash Saison, Amber Ale and one of my personal favourites is the Tart Cranberry Ale. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CV9CiJrg0EM/?utm_medium=copy_link

8.  Field House Brewing Co, Abbotsford and Chilliwack 

The brewery opened up in East Abby in 2016 and since has expanded to Chilliwack. With Field House located in the historic downtown core of Abbotsford, the owners intention was to bring a more “Vancouver” feel into Abby. One of the company’s core values is to support local in their community by using locally grown ingredients or collaborating with other local businesses.  They always have a ton of fun stuff going on such as their ‘after dark’ beer deals, pizza and beer special and their infamous ‘Field Sessions’ where they host live local artists each week.

lululemon Becomes Official Outfitter for Team Canada at the Olympics

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The 2022 Winter Olympics are less than 90 days away and events are set to take place in Beijing from Feb. 4th to Feb. 20th. Due to the pandemic, we were lucky enough to experience two Olympic Games, Summer and Winter, in one year. Not only is this exciting enough but Vancouver’s very own lululemon has been named the new official outfitter for Canadian Olympic athletes for the next eight years or next four Olympics and Paralympics that extends to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Taking over from Hudson’s Bay who had the last eight-year contract in Canada from 2011 to 2020.

In my opinion, it’s about time for a change. Although Hudson’s Bay had the iconic red mittens and toques back in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, their attire had been a bit repetitive and stereotypical for us Canadians. In the last 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics, Hudson’s Bay had the athletes in what seemed to resemble a ‘Canadian tuxedo’ decked out in the denim jacket. Again, in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, athletes were rocking red and black flannels, similar to what a lumberjack would wear.

Although, lululemon is well known as the athleisure icon, this game changing move is allowing them to dip into a whole new market. The company has taken this opportunity to showcase a more modern and experimental twist on the outfitting. The Canadian athletes will be wearing the lululemon attire to the opening and closing ceremonies, the podium, media opportunities and day to day walking around the Olympic village.

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The goal with lululemon’s outfitting was having something the athletes are excited about wearing while being able to support and give back to the competing athletes. The main attraction of the Team Canada collection is the Future Legacy Bag which is a new special edition item consumers can buy. The company says that 10 per cent of the proceeds of all sales on the Future Legacy Bag will support the Canadian Olympic Foundation and Paralympic Foundation of Canada. This is a great way to give back as most people aren’t aware that the majority of Olympic athletes are living below the poverty line.

Another way lululemon is supporting our Canadian athletes is through their ambassador program. Their roster of ambassadors includes: Brooke D’Hondt (Snowboard), Piper Gilles (Figure Skating), Liam Hickey (Para Ice Hockey), Justin Kripps (Bobsleigh), Brigette Lacquette (Ice Hockey), Paul Poirier (Figure Skating), Dawn Richardson Wilson (Bobsleigh), Cassie Sharpe (Freestyle Skiing), John Tavares (Ice Hockey) and Frédérique “Fred” Turgeon (Para Alpine Skiing). Throughput their marketing campaign for the new Olympic outfitting, these athletes are the main focus. Their image is used for all media and modelling the attire.

One of lululemon’s core values is inclusion and it is clear to see that it aligns with the designs for the Olympic wear. The pieces are quite inclusive in terms of gender and body type, meaning most items are gender neutral and customizable. For example, the outerwear is transformable. The coat can be worn in a variety of different ways that suit the athletes needs or style. With the zip off sections, the coat can be worn short or long, turn into a vest or even utilize the straps to wear it as a backpack when you overheat. My favourite part is that the lower section on the bottom of the jacket can be used as a scarf or folded into a travel pillow for a quick shut eye.

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In the 18-month design process, lululemon consulted and worked with Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes to assure they were creating something that the athletes felt proud and comfortable wearing. When discussing design details, Paralympic athlete Cindy Ouellet, was able to provide feedback for things that might go unnoticed for someone who is not in a wheelchair. Ouellet described that when sitting for a longer period of time, zippers or pockets might cause some discomfort if they are placed in the wrong spot.

For their Opening Ceremony look, the athletes will be arrayed in a bold red fit. Starting with the Team Canada 22 Down Jacket on top of the Team Canada 22 Transformable Parka. Both items are windproof and waterproof and contain 600-fill power goose down to protect to minus 10 degrees Celsius.

Underneath the puffy coats is a breathable, seamless half zip, Team Canada Swiftly Tech and Team Canada Metal Vent, both containing Silverescent technology that inhibits the growth of odor causing bacteria, so the athletes stay fresh all day long.

As for bottoms, the two options are the Team Canada Chase the Chill Tights or the Team Canada Surge Joggers both of which are made with a brushed, sweat wicking fabric.

To finish off the outfit, the Team Canada Quilted Trapper hat to keep the head warm and dry while pulling off a true Canadian look. Last but not least, the Team Canada Quilted Insulated Scarf for a bit of accessorizing and a tied together look.

While the athletes are on the podium, walking around the village or attending any media appearances, they will be showcasing a variety of products in a red metamorphic print. This unique, bold print is actually a pattern based on the microscopic view of a maple leaf. The Team Canada 22 Cropped Jacket and the Team Canada 22 Half Zip Pullover both display this pattern and are worn over the Team Canada 22 Navigation Stretch Down Jacket. To pair with the top half, Align High Rise Pants in the metamorphic red.

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And finally for the Closing Ceremony look will be a polar opposite (literally) of the opening ceremony look. Instead of the red, the Canadian athletes will be dawned in full fit of lovely ivory white. The Team Canada 22 Down Jacket and the Team Canada Transformable Parka will be worn in the ivory with an Engineered Warmth Half Zip underneath. On the bottom half, a choice of joggers in ivory. Again, to complete the fit, the Team Canada Quilted Trapper Hat and the Team Canada Quilted Insulated Scarf both come in an ivory version.

Team Canada Olympic attire is now available to be purchased at lululemon.com/team-canada.

BC Brewery Craze

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We all know that beautiful British Columbia is known for its gorgeous mountain landscape, our big city by the sea and our lovely rainy weather, well it’s also known for the most delicious craft beer.

Throughout the entire province but specifically in Vancouver, we are lucky enough to be treated with a very long list of local breweries. Like some say you may see a Tim Hortons on every street corner in Vancouver, well you also may notice a craft brewery.

It’s no secret that Vancouver has reigned the title of the craft beer capital in Canada. With a list of 80 plus breweries in Metro Vancouver and that list is just continuing to grow.

Now, if you’re not a craft beer enthusiast, you may wonder “what’s the big deal with these dang breweries and why are they suddenly so popular?”. Well let me be the one to tell you! There are many reasons why there has been a recent surge in popularity over local craft beer, so let’s dive in.

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  1. People Love to Support Local

The trend or movement of supporting local businesses has been growing immensely over the past few years. People no longer feel as good about supporting mass corporations and instead want to see businesses, restaurants or breweries in their community thrive. Especially with the pandemic, lots of people have invested in themselves to start their own small business. You may already know someone who has their own business and instead of buying from big corporations, you want to support your friend in theirs. With the pandemic, the local economy took a big hit and now more than ever, people feel compelled to support their community and any small businesses there. Even the local craft breweries are doing their best to support other local breweries by showcasing a guest tap or collaborating to make a limited-edition batch.

  1. Constant Innovation

With most craft breweries, new beers are always in production. Their teams are constantly experimenting and trying to bring new and unique flavours to their beers. Unlike larger beer corporations, the beers are always changing. Craft breweries are always pushing the boundaries of beer making and bringing something fun and funky to the table. One key marketing point that lots of craft breweries use is their unique graphic design on their labels. Customers are drawn to the colourful packaging that stands itself out from other popular beers.

  1. Exclusivity

With the constant innovation of beers brings a feeling of exclusivity. Most of the beers released from local breweries are limited edition or seasonal so most costumers feel they got to get their hands on some before the next release. This is where larger beer brands lose their edge as their beers are never changing and always available. Most of the beers created by local craft breweries are not mass produced so portions are limited and made in smaller batches. With this exclusive edge, lots of customers like to collect glassware or merchandise from their favourite breweries.

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  1. A New Experience

What I have recently found is that I not only love the taste of a cold craft beer but even more, the experience of trying a flight of beers at a local brewery. Unlike drinking a simple pint over dinner, breweries bring more of an experience to it. You get to pick out a few beers and sample them to find your favourites. I have found this is a more fun and social activity amongst friends. Lots of breweries give you details on each of their beers to give you a better understanding of what flavours, hops or kind of beer that you enjoy the most. I have even been to some breweries that offer a way to rate the beers you have tried to help you remember which ones you’ve enjoyed but also as a way to give them feedback to better help them formulate their beers.

  1. Fresh or Local Ingredients

Many craft breweries also do their best to support local as well by using locally grown ingredients. In the summertime, BC’s Okanagan Valley is home to many orchards and craft breweries often use these fruits in some of their sweeter, fruit flavoured concoctions. There are also some breweries like Dogwood Brewing, that commit to using local and organic ingredients to make more sustainable beers. Dogwood in particular, only uses organic hops grown in Lillooet.

  1. A Wide Variety

Even if you’re not the biggest beer fan, most breweries offer a wide variety of options, so you’re bound to find something you’ll enjoy. I can for one say that breweries have opened me up to beers or flavours that I may have never tried or even thought I would’ve liked.

  1. Creating a Unique and Fun Atmosphere

Most breweries that I have visited do their best to offer a unique and fun atmosphere that will provide something a little more than your average pub does. Lots provide live music or activities like trivia and arcade games that keep you coming back for more. I recently enjoyed a festival put on by a brewery in my community that offered live music and a variety of food trucks.

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The popularity in craft beer is only continuing to grow and I am here for it. When looking at your weekend plans, consider checking out your local craft brewery, you might be supporting your neighbour and you might just happen to find your new favourite beverage.