Spring Break: Weekend getaways

British Columbia is a vast beautiful province with unlimited road trip possibilities. Head north to the mountains, ferry west to the Island or east to the dry interior.

After two springs of staying in your “designated health region”, all these serene options can make it overwhelming to narrow in on one plan for your spring break. And with gas prices at record-breaking highs in BC, you can probably only afford one trip over your break.

Here are weekend trip ideas for spring break 2022:

Harrison Hot Springs

Only a 1.5-hour drive from Metro Vancouver, Harrison Hot Springs is the perfect getaway for a weekend of relaxation. Surrounded by lush forests and mountains, the natural mineral hot springs provide the perfect reset.

Bowen Island

Located in Howe Sound, less than a 20-minute ferry from the picturesque Horseshoe Bay, Bowen Island is the perfect escape from city life. Sandy beaches, lakeside hikes, and a small downtown strip, with local boutiques and cafes (Snug Cove)

Leavenworth’s Bavarian-style village

Across the border, east of Seattle, WA, is an Alpine German-themed town modelled after Bavarian settlements, with stereotypical buildings, food, and names. The Washingon village becomes quite the spectacle during Oktoberfest, but the novelty of Leavenworth is year long.

Point Roberts

For a closer American novelty town, the basically Canadian, Point Roberts, WA is only a 40-minute drive from downtown Vancouver. On the tip of the Tsawwassen peninsula, Point Roberts offers an easy way to breathe American air, without the hassle of Peach Arch.

Fill up your gas tank, grab some cheap groceries, and make a day of it.

There’s no shortage of weekend getaways for Vancouverites. Whether you’re seeking a rugged adventure or looking to unwind at a relaxing resort, pack a weekend bag and book some time off this spring break and enjoy our beautiful province. You deserve it!

 

The Alice: Immersive secret pop-up bar

Starting March 9th, immerse yourself in the world of Alice in Wonderland in a cocktail-driven adventure.

The Alice Cocktail Experience is a theatrical escape room like no other. You will be led by Wonderland characters through a journey down the rabbit hole where you will need to solve riddles and find clues in order to brew your teapot cocktail.

This isn’t your regular tea party…

Throughout the 90 minute experience you will:

  • Dare to devour an “eat me” cupcake
  • Unlock ingredients through riddles to create your Wonderland cocktail
  • Paint roses red
  • Flamingo croquet
  • And many more mad adventures

The Wonderland immersive adventure has pop-ups across the world, with mad locations in New York, San Fransisco, Sydney, Australia, and more! Vancouver is lucky to be the next city to experience the topsy turvy cocktail adventure from March 9 to mid-April, 2022.

Customers are raving over the immersive fairy-tale,

‘Epic experience! We came for the Alice in Wonderland show/ experience and we were entranced by the effort and detail in the show and the games. The interactive show with the hosts was wonderful. They were funny and high energy. It was a great laugh and a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. They had some great cocktails too! The teapot these was fabulous. Definitely recommend for a fun day out.’

– Holly C.

If you’re wondering where this fun-filled journey will take place, it won’t be that easy. The Alice’s location is a secret, all we know is that’ll be somewhere in East Van.

Book now, and be sure not to be late. Tickets will cost you around $46.50-$49.70.

Reserve for a birthday party or just bring a date! Either way, get ready for riddles and giggles in this Wonderland-themed immersive pop-up!

Vancouver: A growing city

‘Vancouver’ is a fairly young city, at almost 150 years old. Compared to other Canadian cities, like Toronto (229 years) and Montreal (379 years)

The first nations people have had a continuous settlement for much longer. Their life in North America can be dated back to after the last ice age, about 16,000 to 17,000 years ago.

Vancouver is growing in size and population by the minute. The city is not that the same as it once was. For better or for worse, it’s astonishing to see the development and change of our coastal city.

By the 1960s the city had made its name for being a lush green city, where you can ski in the morning, and be sailing in the afternoon.

In the footage above, the narrator mentions the combination of American and British values. It’s interesting to point out how that has shaped what we know today as “Canadian culture.”

Although I believe Canadian culture should center around the Indigenous people as they were here before the British or Americans, I can see where the American and British cultures play a role in the Canadian lifestyle.

The supermarket concept was adopted from the Americans and symbolizes their capitalist influence. While still being a British colony, that values the traditions of parliament and “sophistication” compared to the ostentatious American way of life.

Now compare the 1960s Vancouver travel guide, to a more up-to-date guide from 2016.

“The world’s most livable city” is now a bike path and brewery-filled urban landscape, still known for its jaw-dropping mountains and sandy beaches.

Over the last few decades, Vancouver has seen environmental changes, cultural shifts, and huge population growth. There’s no predicting how our city will look in another 60 years!

Should Vancouver continue to urbanize and develop, or should it prioritize its famous greenery?

What direction do you see our city going?

Tyler, the Creator turns 31

Tyler, the Creator turned 31 today, March 6th.

The iconic rapper and producer has been in the industry for 15 years now, co-founding Odd Future in 2007, alongside rappers Hodgy and Casey Veggies.

It feels like yesterday when I bought my Odd Future embroidered shirt at Zumiez.

Since then, the alternative rapper has worked his way to becoming a pop culture icon, with critically acclaimed albums like IGOR, Flower Boy, and most recently, Call Me If You Get Lost.

Tyler’s discography is super unique and interesting because each album is so different that you can’t really compare one to another.

In honour of our birthday boy, I will be listing my favourite song from each album:

Bastard (2009)

I’m sorry to deep cut Tyler fans, I can’t pick my fav off of Bastard. I haven’t listened to the album enough to have an informed take. I’m a woman of convenience and it’s not on Spotify.

Call me a fake fan, whatevaaaa at least I’m not a liar.

Goblin (2011)

My favourite track on Goblin is She featuring Frank Ocean.

This song was my top-streamed Spotify song for three years straight.

Wolf (2013)

Call me basic, but I’m going with Tamale as my favourite on Wolf.

Tamale’s crude lyrics and crazy energy set the tone for alt-rap to follow.

Cherry Bomb (2015)

OKAGA, CA featuring Alice Smith, Leon Ware, Clementine Creevy holds a special place in my heart.

Unpopular opinion: I love Cherry Bomb

Flower Boy (2017)

Arguably one of the most hype songs of all time, Who Dat Boy featuring A$AP Rocky

If I don’t see this live before I die…

IGOR (2019)

ARE WE STILL FRIENDS? is the best album-closing song of all time.

Tyler’s IGOR tour was the last concert I attended, therefore this is the last song I’ve heard live in concert.

Call Me If You Get Lost (2021)

Another “basic” pick but JUGGERNAUT featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Pharrell.

This beat is so rich, layered, and psychotic (in the best way possible)

My favourite Instagram foodies

I have a newfound obsession with food bloggers/influencers. At 20 years old I’ve (mostly) grown out of watching makeup routines and Tik Tok dances.

As cliche as it sounds, I know I’m getting old when I get excited over a new recipe to try. I love watching people prepare and talk about food.

My Instagram feed is pretty much only recipe tutorials, restaurant reviews, and cooking ASMR.

As fewer and fewer people subscribe to cable, it’s evident that Instagram foodies are the future of the culinary world and I think it’s time y’all hop on the train and get obsessed too.

Carolina Gelen @carolinagelen

Carolina is the cutest human being in the world and she has some bomb-ass recipes. I chose to share her mici/mititei recipe, as it’s from her home country of Romania. However, Carolina makes dishes from all around the world. It makes sense that she’s a food stylist, as her Instagram is so darn pretty to look at.

Tina Choi @doobydobap

Tina Choi’s Youtube has led me to my current fascination with Korean street food. She has such a warm and charismatic energy and a clear love for food. She’s got me finishing one of those giant containers of kimchi in under a month.

Tina is a Cornell graduate, with a degree in food chemistry, which makes her recipes unique and thoughtful to the scientific process of cooking.

Lisa Kitahara @okonomikitchen

I have so many of Lisa Kitahara’s recipes saved, it’s almost embarrassing. This girl has a chokehold on what I’m eating. The Canadian foodie develops vegan versions of Japanese classics, like yaki curry, ramen, and even sushi!

Vegan recipes can be underwhelming and they get a bad rap, but Lisa turns it out with the veggies and meat/dairy substitutes and creates some delicious recipes, that even a meat-eater like myself enjoys.

Things to do to avoid filling your gas tank

If the Vancouver housing market wasn’t already emptying your pockets, this week’s gas prices will surely have you down to your last penny.

We thought it was bad in February when 180 cents was news, however, it’s only gotten worse for British Columbians.

Today, March 6th gas prices have reached 209.9 cents per litre.

https://twitter.com/DNSWilson/status/1500517347794178053?s=20&t=8xWAUQ1XnRG5SqpLwfOOdw

Unfortunately, gas prices aren’t going down anytime soon, and could even continue to climb.

All we can do at this point is adapt, and of course, complain on Twitter 😉

Here are things to do instead of standing at the pumps and crying:

Get a compass card

The Lower Mainland has a pretty insane transit system. It’s a privilege a lot of us take for granted, but with gas prices this high, it’s time to get your tap on.

https://twitter.com/03champagnemami/status/1499920933095559178?s=20&t=8xWAUQ1XnRG5SqpLwfOOdw

Sure, your car offers privacy and aux, but who knows, maybe the guy with a boombox on the 3 Main, will be playing your jam.

Force your friends to drive you

We all have that one friend who couldn’t care less about the money they spend on gas.

https://twitter.com/TookieS0_GG/status/1500569443566510092?s=20&t=3cikkiO7GkS2YQKZrC6ULw

It’s the people who say, “what am I gonna do? not get gas?”

Hitch a ride with this fool and remember not to offer money for gas. You’ll get ’em back eventually… Alternatively, find a friend with a Tesla. They’re sitting real pretty right now.

Hoverboard or one of those tourist electric scooters things

I’ll admit it, in the past, I judged hoverboarders.

https://www.tiktok.com/@swagtronusa/video/6998194224776793350?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1&lang=en&q=hoverboard&t=1646602669480

Fine, I still do judge hoverboarders. But, if that means saving hundreds of dollars a week, I’ll happily hover my way around the city.

Run

Full sprint to your destination.

No walking, only running.

Robert Pattinson’s The Batman is now in theatres

Earning over $20 million before opening weekend, the highly anticipated ‘The Batman’ has hit the big screen.

 

Robert Pattinson has been passed the torch to continue on the DC mega-franchise of ‘Batman’.

Also starring Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, Paul Dano as the infamous Riddler, and Colin Farrell as comic book supervillain, Penguin.

The vampire teen heartthrob isn’t exactly who I pictured as Gotham’s new dark knight, but critics say otherwise.

“The Batman is a gripping, gorgeous, and, at times, genuinely scary psychological crime thriller that gives Bruce Wayne the grounded detective story he deserves. Robert Pattinson is great as a very broken Batman, but it’s Zoe Kravitz and Paul Dano who steal the show, with a movingly layered Selina Kyle/Catwoman and a terrifyingly unhinged Riddler. Writer/director Matt Reeves managed to make a Batman movie that’s entirely different from the others in the live-action canon, yet surprisingly loyal to Gotham lore as a whole. Ultimately, it’s one that thoroughly earns its place in this iconic character’s legacy.”

 

Leah Greenblatt of EW calls The Batman (2022) possibly “the Darkest Knight yet.”

The legacy of Batman and the city of Gotham is a story that’s been told countless times.

Director, Matt Reeves had a near-impossible job, to earn his place among Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed The Dark Knight franchise, and Tim Burton’s iconic Batman films.

With odds stacked against The Batman (2022), critics are raving about the franchise reboot on opening weekend, with an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.

And that’s Rotten Tomatoes!

Something about those British Batmen huh?

Now that we know Matt Reeves’ Batman reboot isn’t a total flop, get to the theatres quick this weekend to avoid spoilers… because we all have that one friend.

After Hours Til Dawn Tour coming to Vancouver 2022

Earlier today, The Weeknd announced dates for the After Hours Til Dawn Tour, where he will be joined by pop sensation Doja Cat.

Canadian superstar, Abel Makkonen Tesfaye aka The Weeknd, will be launching his first global tour at home, in Toronto at the Rogers Centre on July 8th.

The Vancouver show will be towards the end of the North American “First Leg,” on August 23rd, at BC Place.

The highly-anticipated tour will feature performances of tracks from The Weeknd’s recent albums, Dawn FM and After Hours.

Nominated for 11 Grammy Awards, Doja Cat has a stage presence like no other. Known for her elaborate costumes, alluring dance moves and goofy charisma, Doja Cat is no opening act.

The Canadian R&B star was featured on Doja Cat’s third-studio album Planet Her. The hit-filled project peaked at #2 on the Billboard. Landing Doja Cat eight nominations at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.

You Right ft The Weeknd on Doja Cat’s Planet Her hit #1 on the US Billboard top 40. The second most successful track on the album, behind Kiss Me More ft SZA.

On March 3rd, along with announcing his tour dates, The Weeknd stated he’ll be partnering with the United Nations World Food Programme, to launch the XO Humanitarian fund. The charity will put $1 from every ticket sold towards fighting world hunger.

The Weeknd, a goodwill ambassador has started the fund with a donation of $500k and $1 million from World Food Program USA.

TOUR DATES:

07/08 – Toronto, ON @ Rogers Centre
07/14 – Philadelphia, PA @ Lincoln Financial Field
07/16 – New York, NY @ Metlife Stadium
07/21 – Boston, MA @ Gillette Stadium
07/24 – Chicago, IL @ Soldier Field
07/27 – Detroit, MI @ Ford Field
07/30 – Washington, DC @ FedexField
08/04 – Tampa, FL @ Raymond James Stadium
08/06 – Miami, FL @ Hard Rock Stadium
08/11 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium
08/14 – Arlington, TX @ AT&T Stadium
08/18 – Denver, CO @ Empower Field at Mile High
08/20 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium
08/23 – Vancouver, BC @ BC Place
08/25 – Seattle, WA @ Lumen Field
08/27 – San Francisco, CA @ Levi’s Stadium
08/30 – Phoenix, AZ @ State Farm Stadium
09/02 – Los Angeles, CA @ SoFi Stadium

2022 JUNO Award Nominations

Today, the nominations were announced for the JUNO Awards, which will be presented on May 15th, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario.

The 51st JUNO award show will be hosted by Canadian actor, Simon Liu from Kim’s Convenience and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Aside from Canadian favourites like Justin Bieber and The Weeknd, this year’s nominations are full of new and emerging artists.

A lot of these fresh faces blew up on Tik Tok over 2021. Going viral on the video-sharing app is the new way to be recognized as an artist.

Who needs a fancy record label when you can gain a following of over 1.7 million on Tik Tok like bbno$?

TIKTOK JUNO FAN CHOICE:

  • 347aidan 
  • bbno$ 
  • Charlotte Cardin 
  • Forest Blakk 
  • JESSIA 
  • Justin Bieber 
  • Loud Luxury 
  • Pressa 
  • Shawn Mendes 
  • The Weeknd 

Most of the notable award categories are being dominated by musicians who have found their fame through 15-second videos.

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

  • Make a Life, Not a Living
    Brett Kissel
  • Meaningless
    Charlotte Cardin
  • I’m not Pretty
    JESSIA
  • Peaches ft. GIVĒON
    Justin Bieber and Daniel Caesar
  • Take My Breath
    The Weeknd

Justin Bieber and The Weeknd are tied with 5 nominations each!

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

PRESENTED BY MUSIC CANADA 

  • Phoenix Charlotte Cardin
  • Dangerous Levels of Introspection JP Saxe
  • Justice Justin Bieber
  • Wonder Shawn Mendes
  • TOO YOUNG TO BE SAD Tate McRae
@jessiamusic

FEELING SO BLESSED RIGHT NOW!! 4 JUNO NOMINATIONS 🤯🤯🤯 @charlottecardin @justinbieber @shawnmendes @tatemcrae1 @The JUNO Awards #juno #nomination

♬ original sound – JESSIA

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

PRESENTED BY SIRIUSXM CANADA

  • Charlotte Cardin Cult Nation
  • JP Saxe Arista
  • Justin Bieber Def Jam
  • Shawn Mendes Island
  • The Weeknd XO

Our OG Candian boys Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, and The Weeknd are all nominated for artist of the year. But wouldn’t it be insane if they lost to a newly discovered artist like Charlotte Cardin or JP Saxe? I’m always here for an underdog story!

How to dress like a Vancouverite

We all know about the Canadian tuxedo, a tried and true classic get-up popularized by American singer, Bing Crosby, on a trip to Vancouver, in 1951.

After a long day hunting, Crosby went to check-in to his hotel and was denied at the front desk for being ‘underdressed’, in his Levi’s denim jacket and 501 jeans.

Upon realizing her mistake, the receptionist corrected herself and notified the concierge of this special guest, at the time considered “the most famous singer in the world.”

And since then has been coined the “Canadian tuxedo.”

The OG denim on denim look will always be iconic,

But a lot has changed his the 1950’s and Vancouver’s uniform has taken a new shape.

@camimendes

today i am a girl in vancouver

♬ umm.. yeah – andrew

How to dress like a Vancouverite:

Vancouver fashion is very casual, athleisure is the common dominator when it comes to Vancouver street style.

There’s actually an MSN Travel article titled, Vancouver 3rd in Worst-dressed City List. 

So what are we Vancouverites wearing to be deemed the worst-dressed city?

Puffer Coats:

Riverdale actress, Camila Mendes’ Tik Tok couldn’t be more spot on. The Aritzia Super Puff is a right of passage to being a Vancouver girly.

A choice every Vancouverite makes: whether to spend $300 dollars on a The North Face Nuptse or an Aritzia Super Puff.

Birkenstock or Blundstone

Which comfy slip-on shoe will you choose? 

Our city’s obsession with Birks and Blunnies is what sets us apart from the rest of Canada. No Torontonian is walking around in chunky socks and Blundstones in the summer or running errands in their Birkenstocks in the winter.

We are madmen here on the West Coast.

But hey, they’re comfortable and reliable! Which are over arching themes and a great way to describe the street style of a Vancouverite.

So zip up your marshmallow puffer and choose between your vegan leather footwear and let’s carry on with our horrendous style in Vancouver. Because who said we had to stop with the Canadian tuxedo?