Author Archives: Neena

St. Patricks Day events in Vancouver

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Has it already been three years since you kissed someone for being Irish?

Whether you’re Irish or not (3.5% doesn’t count Stacy) you can still get festive this Thursday, March, 17th. There are a wide variety of activities and Irish-decorated pubs for you to explore.

With covid restrictions recently lifted in BC, paint on your shamrocks and find your best green shirt, because this St. Pats is going to be crazier than ever.

CelticFest Vancouver

Check out Robson Square in downtown Vancouver for 4 days of Celtic celebrations.

Enjoy live music, food trucks, Scottish dancing, sporting contests, a pop-up marketplace, and of course a beer garden.

https://twitter.com/MyVancouver/status/1502343822570840069?s=20&t=w0tt1VriRpzd0DHxcWVU5g

This will be the 17th annual CelticFest, and Vancouver is lucky 😉 to host the largest Celtic event in Western Canada. This family-friendly outdoor event is the perfect way to start your day of celebrations.

St. Patricks Day at The Blarney Stone

From 10 am-2 am the iconic Irish pub, The Blarney Stone promises entertainment all day long.

Get jiggy with the Celtic dancers to live music and a set by DJ Zeus, with indoor and outdoor performances right in the heart of Gastown.

The WISE St. Patrick’s Day

East Vancouver’s WISE Hall is going full out for this St. Patricks Day. Hosting Shane’s Teeth, also known as THE Pogues tribute band, along with Rich Hope and other special guests.

We are happy to hear the WISE hall is continuing with its annual St. Patricks Pogues tribute tradition. What would East Van be without the WISE?

Saint Patrick'S Day, Clover, Background, Horseshoe

It’s spring break, British Columbians have gotten the go-ahead from Miss Bonnie, it’s the perfect weekend to go grab a pint (or two) and go wild in the spirit of Saint Patrick.

Real celeb drama or PR?

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The Kim Kardashian, Pete Davidson, and Kanye West drama continues… today all three of their names are top trending on Twitter.

Fortunately, there’s also some K-pop birthday and BTS buzz to counteract the celeb drama because, at this point, I’m so over this ‘Skete’, North on Tik Tok, Ye on Instagram storyline.

I won’t get into discussing who’s right or wrong. It’s not even worth the conversation because all we are seeing are dumb screenshots and TMZ coverage.

It feels weird that millions of people are watching a mental breakdown and messy divorce via social media.

Humans were not meant to be this nosey. Imagine showing the ancient Mesopotamians that one day humans will be obsessing over the conflict in a random 44-year-old man’s life.

It’s honestly crazy that we can form this empathy and connection to a situation that we have no involvement in. Kanye and Kim’s marriage has no effect on any of our lives, yet people feel the need to pledge allegiance to a side.

It’s like a primal instinct of tribalism is getting triggered in our brain when we sense conflict.

We all know that there are marketing tactics that tap into these exact emotional instincts. Emotional marketing is one of the most successful tools to control the consumer.

What if, this Hollywood drama is all just tactical PR to promote Hulu’s new “The Kardashians,” reality series that debuts on April 14, and Kanye’s ever-confusing Donda 2 album release.

Kanye West’s past controversies and unapologetic social media presence have all conveniently led up to album release dates. And if we know anything about the Kardashians, “any press is good press.”

Worth a thought before we continue to feed into the drama and make the rich richer.

Maybe this is what Kim meant when she told women to “get off their ass and work.”

April 7th Showdown: Tyler vs Conan vs Olivia

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You better start saving money and scrolling through Ticketmaster, because your favourite musician is probably playing in Vancouver in the next few months.

This spring, Billie Eilish, Aminé, Dua Lipa and Denzel Curry will be blessing our city. And as the weather gets warmer, we’ll be welcoming Shawn Mendes, Phoebe Bridgers, Rex Orange County, and even Weird Al Yankovic, if that’s your thing!

However, there’s one problem… everything that shine ain’t always gonna be gold.

On April 7th, it’ll be a battle of the fan bases… a battle of music taste… a night of music to remember.

Tyler, the Creator, Conan Gray, and Olivia Rodrigo all have shows at different venues, in Vancouver, on the same night.

https://twitter.com/Spicytraitor/status/1462655778016292864?s=20&t=_FD7lUEfMKOirtrzgMMutA

The trio’s concert scheduling has already caused problems, with the artists sharing similar fanbases.

Tickets to Conan Gray’s show are being resold by the dozen, in order for fans to attend Olivia’s SOUR Tour.

All three artists have primarily a Gen Z following. Although, they produce completely different styles of music they share quite a few commonalities. Both Olivia and Tyler were nominated for album of the year 2021 within their own genres.

Fans will have to choose between:

  • Tyler, the Creator’s Call Me If You Get Lost, accompanied by Kali Uchis, Vince Staples & Teezo Touchdown 

An exciting rap/hip-hop/experimental musical performance, with an insane list of opening acts that could fill the PNE forum alone.

  • Conan Gray’s World Tour 2022 with special guest Bu?low
@drewtalkstome

forever obsessed with @conangray…. welcome home!!!! #conangray #conangraytour #conangraydallas

♬ People Watching – Conan Gray

Enter your sad boy/girl era and swoon over Conan Gray at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

  • Olivia Rodrigo’s SOUR Tour with opening act Gracie Abrams

Fans can finally see the young popstar live, after gaining a mass following over the pandemic with her hit “Drivers License.”

 

What’s the deal with Jeen-yuhs: A Kanye West Trilogy

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The final episode of the Netflix mini-series, Jeen-yuhs aired last week.

Filmed over a 20 year period by Coodie, a Chicago filmmaker and stand-up comedian, the series captures Kanye West’s rise to fame.

If we know anything about Kanye, he’s no stranger to controversy, so his journey had no simple trajectory.

(Act I: Vision)

Kanye West wasn’t always a billionaire… Starting in the late 90s – early 2000s the first episode follows Kanye, the scrappy dreamer, who will do anything to be signed to a label as a rapper.

After producing Jay-Z’s The Blueprint (2001), Kanye West was acclaimed for being a talented producer but overlooked as a rapper in the music industry.

In order to prove himself, Kanye began working on The College Dropout.

Seeing Kanye believe in himself when others doubted him is truly inspiring.

(Act II: Purpose)

Finally signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, Kanye is still working to prove himself in the NYC hip-hop scene.

With the support of industry moguls like Pharrell and Jay-Z, Kanye begins recording The College Dropout.

As everything is falling into place, Kanye gets in a freak car accident and breaks his jaw.

Inspiring Through The Wire, where Kanye had to record with his mouth wired shut post jaw surgery.

(Act III Awakening)

After the passing of his mother, Donda West, and the controversies that followed, filmmakers Coodie and Chike were kicked out of Kanye’s inner circle.

At this point, his fame has skyrocketed. It was amazing to see his talent finally being recognized, but there was a dark side to all the glitz and glam.

Kanye’s mental health became a spectacle in the media.

Throughout his career, Kanye has been very vocal about racism and injustice. I believe the sentiment behind (most) things he says is good. But his mental health seems to get in the way of his delivery, and often steers his message off track.

The series is through the eyes of Coodie and has no bias for or against Kanye. However, watching Kanye’s fame as a big picture, you gain empathy for the rapper.

Kanye is flawed in many ways, but his story is more nuanced than simply being a “douchebag.”

Whether you’re a fan of his music or not, he’s such a prominent figure, that I’d recommend this docu-series to anyone.

 

Coming soon: New places to eat in Vancouver

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Uninspired by Vancouver’s restaurant selection? Fear no more! There are tons of new dining options opening up this month in Metro Van, to quite literally, spice up your life!

Coming Soon Hour Glass, We Are Coming Soon Hour Glass

parveender/Pixabay

Menya Itto (1479 Robson St)

Aka the “King of Tsukemen” or the “most famous ramen restaurant in Japan” is opening its first Canadian location in Vancouver this month.

“Our ingredients are exclusive to Menya Itto only; while these elements will provide a moment of bliss with a mental state of harmony and utopia which temporarily allows one to escape from the negativity”

Tsukemen is a ramen dish where the soup and the noodles are separated, for dipping. Rather than having one large bowl of ramen with all the mix-ins, you have a bowl of noodles you dip into a bowl of broth.

(Another) Jollibee

Hopefully, you won’t have to line up 24hrs+ to get some fried chicken at the new Broadway and Cambie Jollibee location opening later in 2022.

Pizza Rubato (561 W Broadway)

Filling the vacant Freshii location, Pizza Rubato will be firing up Neapolitan-style custom pizzas.

Just two weeks ago they had their custom-made wood-fired Mugnaini oven delivered all the way from Italy!

Pizza Rubato has been “coming soon” since July 2nd, but with the oven installed we should be able to get the “Neo-Authentic experience” in the next month or two.

Monarca (181 Carrall St)

A sister restaurant to Ophelia in Olympic Village, Monarco Mexican Kitchen plans to open in the next coming months, as soon as late March.

The Mexican eatery will be in the heart of Gastown, where Coquille Fine Seafood used to be, which closed in 2019.

Get your appetites and vaccine passports ready to hit the town, because spring 2022 has lots in store for Vancouverites!

 

Phoebe Bridgers coming to Vancouver this August

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Earlier this week, Phoebe Bridgers announced dates for her 2022 REUNION tour across North America and Europe.

The 27-year-old indie singer-songwriter will be making a stop in Vancouver and rocking it out at the Orpheum Theatre on August 20th, 2022.

In 2020, Bridgers released her second studio album, ‘Punisher,’ a lyrically rich emo-folk album. Prominent musicians credited on the album include Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, Christian Lee Hutson, Jim Keltner, Blake Mills, and Conor Oberst.

Punisher received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics.

“A marvelous, […] candid, multi-dimensional, slyly psychedelic, and full of heart. Her music has become a world unto itself.”

(Pitchfork’s Sam Sodomsky “Best New Music” )

The indie-rock album produced hits like Kyoto, Garden Song, Saviour Complex, and Moon Song.

Kyoto peaked at 15 on the Billboard charts in July 2020.

If you’re wanting to see the indie rockstar live, move quickly because tickets go on sale this Friday, March 11th, at noon Pacific time on Ticketmaster.

Tickets range in price from $42.50 to $75.50.

If you’re unable to catch the all-ages show in Vancity, Bridgers will be hitting two other Canadian cities in June.

North American Tour Dates:

04/13 Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Federal Theatre
04/15 Indio, CA @ Coachella
04/22 Indio, CA @ Coachella
05/13 Las Vegas, NV @ The Amp at Craig Ranch
05/14 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Block Party
05/17 Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
05/19 Dallas, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
05/20 Austin, TX @ Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
05/21 Houston, TX @ The Lawn at White Oak Music Hall
05/22 Gulf Shores, AL @ Hangout Fest
05/24 Tampa, FL @ The Cuban Club
05/25 St Augustine, FL @ St Augustine Amphitheatre
05/27 Atlanta, GA @ Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
05/28 Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival
05/31 Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
06/01 Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room Outdoors
06/03 Milwaukee, WI @ BMO Harris Pavilion
06/04 Chicago, IL @ Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
06/07 Toronto, ON @ RBC Echo Beach
06/08 Montreal, QC @ MTelus
06/09 Portland, ME @ Thompson’s Point
06/11 Washington, DC @ The Anthem
06/12 Washington, DC @ The Anthem
06/13 Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony Summer Stage
06/15 Brooklyn, NY @ BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival at Prospect Park Bandshell
08/07 Saint Charles, IA @ Hinterland
08/18 Spokane, WA @ Spokane Pavilion
08/20 Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre
08/23 Redmond, WA @ Marymoor Park
08/25 Troudale, OR @ Edgefield Amphitheater
08/27 Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Amphitheatre
08/28 Los Angeles, CA @ This Ain’t No Picnic

 

Cirque Du Soleil’s Alegría coming to Vancouver

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The world-renowned French-Canadian acrobatic performance group, Cirque du Soleil will be pitching their iconic tent in Vancouver from March 25 – June 5, 2022, putting on the reimagined classic, Alegría.

Cirque Du Soleil never ceases to wow audiences with breathtaking acrobatics, surreal costumes, mind-boggling sets, child-like humour, and Grammy-nominated soundtracks.

Speaking of mind-boggling sets, remember when Cirque Du Soleil had an underwater show, “O”?

Alegría comes from the word “allegria” which translates to “cheer up” or “joy” in Italian and Spanish.

Cirque Du Soleil describes Alegría as the quintessential Cirque du Soleil spectacle.

“At the heart of a kingdom that has lost its king, Alegría witnesses the power struggle at play between the old order and a new movement yearning for hope and renewal.”

During the creative process of creating Alegría, was the tragic murder of 3-year-old James Bulgar. Set designer Michel Crête, stated that the show’s themes of oppression and the abuse of power were inspired by the horrific real-life event.

“We couldn’t get over it…I remember thinking ‘How can a human being pretend the right to exercise such power over another human being’? What really struck me was that it was children acting in such an evil way. For me, Alegría about the abuse of power.”

The Alegría being performed in Vancouver is a reinterpretation of the 1990’s Cirque Du Soleil classic.

In 2019, they reimagined the show, to honour its 25th anniversary.

For more on behind the scenes of Alegría, check out Cirque Du Soleil’s web series that follows rehearsals, tour stories, and much more!

I’m curious to see how this deeply unsettling feeling can be translated into the fantastical performance art of circus. Nevertheless, I have no doubts, as to whether the show will jaw drop and dazzle.

Keep your eyes open for a giant tent at Concord Pacific and get your tickets here before it’s too late!

Canadian women in music

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I’m no longer surprised when I hear that one of my favourite artists is Canadian, it figures. Canada is home to some of the most successful musicians of our decade.

Like many industries, the music business is male-dominated, and to this day, women in music are horribly objectified for their bodies while their talent is overlooked.

Unfortunately, the sexualization of women makes men a lot of money.

If you go behind the scenes, it doesn’t get much better. According to a 2020 study on representation and equality in the music industry, only two percent of producers were female-identifying while approximately 98 percent were male.

This gives me every reason to amplify Canadian women in music because I believe no woman has ever gotten as much recognition as she deserves.

Celine Dion

Billboard calls her the “Queen of Pop,”

Celine Dion brings pride to fellow French-Canadians, with accolades in both languages as the best-selling Canadian recording artist and the best-selling French-language artist of all time.

Truly an amazing and inspirational woman who shaped the sound of modern pop.

Salome Bey

Known as “Canada’s first lady of the blues,” Salome Bey formed a Jazz group with her siblings at the age of 17, Andy and The Bey Sisters.

 

In 1996, Salome was honoured with the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Lifetime Achievement and later was inducted as an honorary member of the Order of Canada.

It’s important to acknowledge that black women work harder than white women to get half of the recognition. Salome Bey should be a household name.

Joni Mitchell

Known for her insightful songwriting and her sweet mezzo-soprano voice. Once described as the “Yang to Bob Dylan’s Yin, equaling him in richness and profusion of imagery,”

Joni Mitchell’s deeply personal and imagery-based lyricism carries heavy meaning. Mitchell is among other “album artists” from the ’60s who didn’t believe in singles, “My music is not designed to grab instantly. It’s designed to wear for a lifetime, to hold up like a fine cloth,”

The best women tattoo artists in Vancouver

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The world of ink is full of talented women who don’t get enough credit for their influence, creativity, and skill in the male-dominated industry of tattoo artistry.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWy1H3ulF2E/

Similar to many industries, many tattoo parlours have been described as “boys clubs,” by women trying to enter the field.

It takes a lot more influence, creativity, and skill to gain respect as a woman than it would for their male counterpart.

Vancouver is home to plenty of female-owned and run tattoo parlours, that can help women get a better footing and establish themselves in the competitive industry.

In honour of International Women’s Day, I want to highlight some of my favourite female-identifying Vancouver tattoo artists.

Rachel Clark

Rachel’s style consists of bold, thick lines that somehow come together to create a beautifully elegant work of art.

Her portfolio consists of lots of animals like eagles, snakes, scorpions and various big cats. Rachel’s tattoos are consistently perfectly clean and unique, I think she’s a great person to go to if you’re looking for a larger tattoo.

Ellie Cryer

A complete contrast from Rachel Clark’s work, but equally as beautiful, Ellie Cryer does handpoking at soft hands studio. Her tattoos are the most delicate and gorgeous things I’ve ever seen.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Caidlhkv4Qf/

Ellie has a selection of flash tats available, these carefully hand-poked flash tattoos are so special. Who knew a tattoo could be cute?

Amelia @aaaearhart

Amelia dabbles in a variety of creative mediums including illustration, animation and of course tattoo artistry. She hand pokes her tattoos, creating a delicate, soft look.

Her stick and pokes are often of pretty landscapes, fruits, and cute little animals like kitty cats, bunnies and frogs. I love how she uses pops of colour in otherwise simple designs. She

 

Influential women of British Columbia

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Today we celebrate International Women’s Day, to honour and recognize the continuous fight for gender equality.

This year’s theme is ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.’

For International Women’s Day, we honour women across the globe.

Today, I compiled a list of influential women from our home province of British Columbia.

Every day we are surrounded by unsung heroes, like mothers, activists and leaders. This list could seriously go on forever.

Margaret Anne Mitchell

No, not the Margaret Mitchell who wrote Gone with the Wind.

Canadian politician, Margaret Anne Mitchell was a social activist, feminist, and the NDP MP for Vancouver East from 1979 until 1993. She fought for women in Vancouver’s downtown eastside, establishing the Margaret Mitchell Fund for Women. 

Margaret Mitchell (City of Vancouver)

During her time in parliament, Margaret demanded justice on the issue of violence against women. She was notably laughed at by male colleagues when she called for the government to take action against domestic violence.

Jamie Lee Hamilton

Jamie Lee Hamilton was the first transgender person ever to run for political office in Canada. Throughout her time in politics, she advocated for fellow residents of Vancouver’s downtown eastside, indigenous people, and sex-trade workers.

She was the center of quite a few controversies during her time, however, that doesn’t take away from her influence on the DTES and her fight for equality.

Juju Milay

Juju is a content creator and social activist, who founded Colour the Trails, an inclusive community group that encourages BIPOC to enjoy BC’s outdoors.

She noticed a lack of representation in terms of who’s outdoors based on narrow stereotypes portrayed by advertisers and the media.

So she set out on a mission to create a safe space for BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ adventure seekers to enjoy sports like cycling, hiking, skiing and snowboarding.