PuSh International Performing Arts Festival Is a Treasured Winter Event in Vancouver, BC

December 15th, 2012
Push Festival logo

2013 Push Festival (Vancouver, BC) The PuSh Festival returns to Vancouver, BC.

The 2013 PuSh Festival, a signature winter performing arts event in Vancouver, BC, returns for its ninth season January 15 through February 3 at venues all across the city.

Vancouver is one of British Columbia’s primary cultural centers. Groundbreaking productions and performances are the hallmark of this festival, so come with an open mind to experience international, regional and Vancouver artists presenting cutting edge displays that bend genres, blend disciplines and offer unique artistic visions.  In addition to the live performances, attendees and artists alike can also enjoy the film festival, artist talks, an opening gala, and much more.

Attendance for the 2012 season was 23,376 with 4 of 5 seats sold on average and 31 sellouts, so it is recommended that you purchase your tickets and make your Vancouver BC lodging plans now.  To make the most of your stay in Vancouver, we recommend our member bed and breakfast inns. Read the rest of this entry »

2013 Freeride World Tour Starts in Revelstoke, BC for the Second Year in a Row

December 8th, 2012
Freeride World Tour Logo

Freeride Word Tour Freeskier at Revelstoke Revelstoke again hosts the opening of the Freeride World Tour.

The Swatch Freeride World Tour by The North Face (FWT) is the preeminent free snow skiing and boarding tournament in the world and will, for the second year running, start off at Revelstoke in the Kootenay Rockies of British Columbia, Canada.

The Freeride World Tour holds the records as both the largest and longest running mountain competition in the history of freeriding skiing and boarding.  Athletes from all corners of the globe will converge on Revelstoke to kickoff the competition for $100,000 in cash prizes.

The action is guaranteed to be thrilling.  Freeriding, whether on skis or a snowboard, combines Olympic-level athleticism with the untamed beauty of natural ski runs.  It’s been called “a vertical free-verse poem on the mountain” by FWT.  Without the use of man made obstacles or even ski run grooming, freeriding is snow sliding sport in its most natural state and is breathtaking to watch.

Attendance is expected to be high for this free admittance event.  It is recommended that you make your Kootenay Rockies lodging plans now and consider a stay in one of our member bed & breakfast inns to make the most of your FWT experience. Read the rest of this entry »

BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops Lights up Thompson Region with 15th Annual Wildlights Festival

December 6th, 2012

BC Wildlife Park Wildlights BC Wildlife Park after dark celebrates the holiday season with displays of light.

A lovely corner of the beautiful Thompson region of British Columbia will be especially illuminated for the holiday season when BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops hosts it’s 15th Annual Wildlights Festival.  This festival runs daily at 5-9:00 p.m. from December 14th through January 6th.

Wildlights events and activities range from touring through nearly 400 light sculptures, to wagon & train rides, to visits from Santa Claus & an entertaining clown and much, much more.

Come to BC Wildlife Park for the wildlife viewing and stay late to enjoy the many events of the Wildlights Festival.  Match up your unique festival experience with a stay at the Thompson BC lodging offered by our member bed & breakfast inns.

Sculpting Nature with Light

380 rope-light sculptures featuring over 600,000 individual lights in a nature theme are the focus of the Wildlights Festival.  The artists use light and color to create displays that evoke both the majesty and whimsy of nature.  There are many ways for visitors to experience these displays, including illuminated wagon and miniature train rides around the park. Read the rest of this entry »

Peak of Christmas Returns to Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, BC

December 1st, 2012
Grouse Mountain, Vancouver BC logo

View of Vancouver from Grouse Mountain Grouse Mountain in North Vancouver, BC is a majestic setting for Christmas celebrations.

The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain celebrates the holiday season in North Vancouver, BC with a variety of events that run through December 24.

The events at this year’s Peak of Christmas cover the spectrum of the coming winter holidays in this beautiful area of British Columbia.  From visits with Santa and real life reindeer, to sleigh rides, musical entertainment, ice skating lessons and sessions with a skate champion, holiday meals and more, you’re sure to have treasured memories of your time at Grouse Mountain.

To make the most of your time in the area, we recommend that you match your magical visit to Grouse Mountain with the unique North Vancouver lodging options of our member bed and breakfast inns. Read the rest of this entry »

Christmas Guided Walking Tours of Victoria, BC Bring the Past to Life

November 28th, 2012

Discover the Past Christmas Tours

Victoria, BC is a famously accessible city, whether by car or on foot.  Christmas in Victoria is a magical time, where the city’s charm and history are on full display.

Discover the Past offers a variety of Christmas guided walking tours in various locations throughout Victoria, BC.  Explore Victoria’s Christmas storied history with these guided tours.

Tour Locations range from Old Town to China Town, cemeteries and other historic locations.  Themes range from the traditional Christmas charm of Victoria to its more frightening tales of ghosts. Read the rest of this entry »

Kettle Valley Christmas Train Steams Through South Okanagan

November 24th, 2012
Kettle Valley Christmas Train

The Kettle Valley Christmas Train steams through the scenic South Okanagan of British Columbia in this annual holiday event. Photo by Doug Campbell.

The Kettle Valley Steam Railway of Summerland, BC will celebrate the holidays with The Summerland Christmas Express, its annual Christmas Train ride.  The 2012 dates and times are:

  • Saturday, December 15th at 4 & 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 16th at 4 & 6 p.m.
  • Friday, December 21st at 5 & 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 22nd at 4 & 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, December 23rd at 4 & 6 p.m.

These Christmas Train rides fill up fast, so it’s recommended that you book your reservations and secure your South Okanagan lodging soon.

A Uniquely South Okanagan Christmas Train Experience

The spirit of the holiday season is celebrated with this Christmas train experience.  Sparkling lights on the 3716 steam locomotive (built in 1912) & coaches, the Prairie Valley Station and homes along the route combine with the banjo music of Felix Possak, an appearance by Santa Claus, and the hospitality of the ride’s hosts to create Christmas magic for couples and families.  Children receive a bag full of Christmas goodies to take with them. Read the rest of this entry »

Out of Hand Artisan Christmas Fair Returns to Victoria

October 27th, 2012
Out of Hand Fair

Browse and buy from Greater Victoria’s premier artisans at the Out of Hand Fair.

The 2012 Out of Hand Artisan Christmas Fair celebrates its 24th year at the Crystal Garden in Victoria, BC from November 23-25.  The focus of the Out of Hand Fair is new art and craft works and new artisans from the Greater Victoria area.  Thousands are expected to attend this celebration of fine crafts, artisan food & the decorative arts, the largest professional craft show on Vancouver Island, so it is advisable to make your Greater Victoria lodging plans now.

Greater Victoria Artisans, Artists & Craftspeople Display Their Works at Out of Hand Fair

The works presented by local artisans include art in a variety of mediums, fashion & accessories, jewelry, body care products, foods and much more. Read the rest of this entry »

Eastside Culture Crawl Connects East Vancouver Artists with Art Lovers

October 13th, 2012
Eastside Culture Crawl

Eastside Culture Crawl logo
Participating artists in the Eastside Culture Crawl open the doors of their studios to the public.

The 2012 Eastside Culture Crawl will be held November 16-18 all across East Vancouver, BC. This three-day visual arts event connects hundreds of East Vancouver Artists with art lovers by allowing event goers to see the art and meet the artists in their studios.

Over 15,000 attendees are expected for this free exhibition, so now is a good time to secure your East Vancouver lodging.

Vancouver’s Eastside Artists Present a World of Art Mediums

Over 370 Vancouver artists, ranging from emerging to internationally recognized, are scheduled to display their works and methods at Eastside Culture Crawl. Mediums on display include:

  • Furniture
  • Jewelry
  • Glass
  • Music

Flower Glass Cup

Palette

  • Paintings
  • Photography
  • Pottery
  • Printing
  • Sculpture
  • Weaving
  • Writing
  • and Much More

CREATION II: Birth of a sculpture

Eastside Culture Crawl Covers East Vancouver Visual Arts Scene

The event locations are bound by Victoria Drive and Main Street north of First Avenue in the east side of Vancouver, Canada.  77 individual studios, galleries and other venues will open their doors to the art-appreciating public. Read the rest of this entry »

Whistler, BC Cornucopia Commemorates Local & Regional Food & Wine

October 6th, 2012
Cornucopia Food and Wine Festival in Whistler

Cornucopia festival (Whistler, BC) logo The finest in local and regional wine is celebrated at the annual Cornucopia festival in Whistler, BC.

The Cornucopia fall festival, happening Nov 7-11, 2012 in Whistler, BC, is the area’s most prestigious food and wine event of the year.

For five days, gourmet winery dinners, informative and interactive seminars, celebratory wine tastings and just plain fun after-parties combine to create an event that is a delight for the senses – an impeccable culinary experience that is recognized the world over as one of the most important on North America’s West Coast.

A large connoisseur, bon vivant and gourmand audience is expected to attend this 16th annual celebration and securing your Whistler BC lodging now is recommended.

A Who’s Who of Whistler & BC Culinary & Vinous Personalities and Producers

Many premier, local and regional restaurants & chefs and the producers, breweries, distilleries and wineries that stock them will be on hand for Cornucopia’s many events. Read the rest of this entry »

South Vancouver Fall Celebrates Japanese Art and Culture

September 29th, 2012

South Vancouver in autumn 2012 brings a variety of fall events and activities well worth visiting. October event highlights in South Vancouver, British Columbia include a strong influence on the region: Japanese culture.

Now’s the time to select South Vancouver lodging that will add a personalized touch to your experience with the Japanese culture of the region.

“Japanese Autumn 2012” Exhibition

Autumn in Japan

Autumn in Japan is the inspiration of this fall art exhibition in Richmond, British Columbia.

Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art (Richmond BC)
Daily through October 30th, 2012

The Japanese culture has a deep history in the greater Vancouver BC area that stretches back to the mid-1800s.  In honour of the influence that Japanese people have had on this region, and in the spirit of promoting “borderless” art, the Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art presents the works of artists from Japan.  The “Japanese Autumn 2012″ exhibit displays 15 autumn-inspired works of a dozen contemporary artists from locations across Japan.  These artworks at this exhibit range from watercolor & oil paintings to pen & ink, paper cutout & torn paper, and computer graphics.

These autumn-influenced works are in addition to the over 50 Japanese artworks of the 2012 annual display in the gallery.  More information, including  is available on the Rufus Lin Gallery of Japanese Art website.

To complement this exhibition, you will want to take advantage of the many other Japanese and Asian-influenced attractions of the region, including:

Japanese & Asian-Inspired South Vancouver Shopping

Aberdeen CentreAberdeen Centre Fountains

Aberdeen Centre is the premier Japanese-influenced shopping mall in Richmond featuring many Japan-oriented stores, an arcade with Japanese & Chinese video games, a unique dancing musical fountain, a wide variety of Asian cuisines in the food court and much more. Daiso, one of the stores, sells Japanese CDs, food items, housewares, toys and cute novelties – everything’s priced at $2 and you’ll get more than your money’s worth!

Parker PlaceNo.1 Shanghai Cuisine at Parker Place

Parker Place in Richmond is a quintessential Asian shopping centre.  This labyrinth of narrow halls and 150 small stores offers mainly Chinese, but also some Japanese products & cuisine as well.

Yaohan Centrewindow display of a candy store in Yaohan Centre

Yaohan Centre in Richmond is one of the first Asian shopping malls in South Vancouver and features some Japanese-centered stores.

Japanese Dining in South Vancouversukiyaki

The South Vancouver area offers a plethora of Japanese restaurants, over 30 dining establishments in Richmond BC alone, to complement your experience with Japanese arts and culture.

Restaurants catering to every taste and budget offer up world class Japanese dishes ranging from traditional to contemporary and cutting edge, including sashimi, sushi, maki, charcoal/BBQ, donburi, tempura, robata, teriyaki, sukiyaki and much, much more.

Choose South Vancouver Lodging That’s as Distinct as the Culture of Japan

South Vancouver Bed & Breakfast Inns

The bed and breakfast inns of South Vancouver ensure that your sleep and morning refreshment will be as memorable as the rest of your visit.

Our member South Vancouver Bed and Breakfast inns provide individualized lodging services to accompany your exploration of the Japanese culture in this region of British Columbia.

Enjoy a variety of breakfast options, comfortable guest rooms, and the personalized hospitality & area expertise of the innkeepers at locations all across South Vancouver, British Columbia.

What’s Your South Vancouver Japanese Cultural Expectation or Experience?

The South Vancouver region of British Columbia is a premier destination for Japanese culture in BC, Canada and North America.  Please share your plans for and memories of Japanese cultural experiences in South Vancouver.