Vancouver's best-kept restaurant secrets

Directly from the Donnelly Group Press Release:

Canada Day Party at The Academic
Featuring DJ Grizzandole
Sunday, July 1st
Academic Public House
1619 West Broadway

Canada Day at the Bimini
Feat. Djs P Deady & Ernold Sane
Sunday, July 1st
The Bimini Public House
1619 West Broadway

Tragically Hipster Canada Day at The Lamplighter
Featuring Tragically Hip cover band Hip Too
Monday, July 1st
Lamplighter Public House
92 Water Street

Canada Day Comedy Rehab at Library Square
Canada Day Long Weekend Edition
Vancouver’s best comics and DJs
Doors at 8:30 pm | Show at 9:30 pm
Sunday, July 1st
Library Square Public House
300 West Georgia Street

Canada Day at Hooker’s Green
Featuring DJ Ana
Sunday, July 1st
Hooker’s Green at the New Oxford Public House
1141 Hamilton Street

Directly from the Sequoia Group Press Release:

A Taste of Summer

With warmer weather just around the corner, Sequoia has come up with a list Signature Summer Cocktails. These unique concoctions have been carefully thought out, tested and tasted, and finally ready to be enjoyed by you! Sip on a Vodka Drenched Caesar, a refreshing twist on a classic and garnished with vodka soaked cucumber swirls. Craving fresh summer berries? The Velvet Jack is a smooth combination of bourbon, black raspberry liqueur & fresh raspberries. With an exciting new cocktail list and the best views in town, come and visit any of our four locations and enjoy a little taste of summer.

Dining Al Fresco

Summer wouldn’t be summer if we didn’t have patios! As we look forward to more sun, enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, and fantastic views on all our outdoor patios. Each of our restaurants is located in some of Vancouver’s most unique & distinctive settings. Enjoy our Spring Board, Chef’s selection of cheese paired with a wine flight, at the Teahouse or Seasons in the Park. Or chow down on a steaming bucket of fresh mussels, with a side of frites and Granville Island brew at Cardero’s. Settle for the evening and enjoy live music all week long at the Sandbar Seafood Restaurant.  Whatever you fancy, we have something for you!

Summer is finally here and our patios are open! Cheers to the summer months ahead!

Bistrot Bistro: 7 days a week 3 course $28 Prix Fixe for July and August.

White Spot: Prime Rib Special.

The Donnelly Group: Just opened Killjoy.

Nando’s Flame Grilled Chicken: Special Facebook Coupon.

The Summer Night Market: Open all weekend.

Hamilton Street Grill: June is Steak Month.

The Salmon House Restaurant: SalmonFest and Naramata Bench Wine Specials.

Quail’s Gate Winery has just won numerous awards.

Directly from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Newsletter:

MusicFest Vancouver presents the Odlum Brown Gala Opening Concert: Here to Stay: The Gershwin Experience

The Odlum Brown Gala Opening Concert: Here to Stay: The Gershwin Experience launches MusicFest Vancouver with the Canadian premiere of a multimedia concert event at the historic Orpheum Theatre that celebrates one of the greatest teams of collaborators in the history of American music.

Our guide for this glittering evening is the renowned pianist and Gershwin interpreter Kevin Cole. The brilliant singer Sylvia McNair, vocalist/tap sensation Ryan VanDenBoom, and our own Grammy Award-winning Vancouver Symphony Orchestra led by guest conductor Leslie Dala, join together for this unique and entertaining insight into the legendary duo, George and Ira Gershwin.

Gershwin family photos, rare video clips, and elegant, visual elements provide a distinctive and unique experience, plus there will be an unforgettable offering of the Gershwin brothers’ best. Performances include The Man I Love, I Got Rhythm, Strike Up the Band, Summertime, ‘S Wonderful and many more.

Friday, August 10, 8pm, Orpheum Theatre

Go to http://www.vancouversymphony.ca to order your tickets online or call 1.877.840.0547 (toll free)

Directly from the FarmFolk CityFolk Press Release:

Announcing FarmFolk CityFolk’s 2012 Okanagan Feast of Fields Sunday, August 12 at Claremont Ranch Organics in Winfield

June 28, 2012; Kelowna, BC: FarmFolk CityFolk is pleased to announce the exciting details of their 2012 Okanagan Feast of Fields event. On Sunday, August 12, Claremont Ranch Organics will host the Okanagan’s fourth annual multi-course celebration of farming, food and wine in Winfield, BC.

A sold out event in its first three years, Okanagan Feast of Fields is growing in recognition as it helps bring together the exceptional farm producers of the region with the local culinary talent. An estimated 30 teams will present guests with local ingredients, shaped by local chefs and served with local wines, beers or spirits. The event is described by FarmFolk CityFolk’s Okanagan Events Coordinator, Jennifer Vincent as a “four-hour, 30-course, gourmet, wandering harvest festival that highlights all that is wonderful about the Okanagan and Similkameen regions.”

This year’s location in the north Okanagan area of Lake Country is known for its scenic beauty and the numerous lakes that surround it. Claremont Ranch Organics offer a rich farming history with the welcoming shade of the 80-year old pear tree orchard and century old farm house.  In addition to an amazing feast, guests can also enjoy acoustic music, tours of the host farm, a silent auction and access to some of the Okanagan’s best chefs, vintners, farmers and food artisans.

Claremont Ranch Organics is owned by Matt and Molly Thurston who recently purchased the property from Bob McCoubrey of McCoubrey Farms. Prior to buying the land, Matt and Molly had leased it for several years, working closely with Bob to produce crops including Certified Organic pears, apples, plums, peaches, vegetables and salad greens for market. Bob keeps close ties to the land as a mentor and friend as the Thurstons continue farming the land. Matt & Molly both have Bachelors of Science in Agriculture and currently work in the industry - Matt with Farm Credit Canada and Molly with Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative. Both are active in the organic community and Molly sits on the Certified Organic Associations of BC Accreditation Board and is currently President of the North Okanagan Organic Association.

FarmFolk CityFolk utilizes proceeds from their Okanagan Feast to fund their provincial work with emphasis on the Okanagan Region including organizing and filming seed saving workshops for a video series (in production), their SharedHarvest.ca website and their Meet Your Maker Okanagan networking event for small-scale food producers and buyers.

Special thanks to Choices Markets who have sponsored the Okanagan Feast every year. This year, they’ve signed on as our Gold Sponsor. Many local businesses are also sponsoring the event ensuring its success including Kelowna Insta Print, Penticton & Wine Country Information Centre, Sysco Canada and Farm Credit Canada, Canadian Linen and Uniform, and Savour Magazine

Tickets are $85 for adults and $15 return for the Feast Bus from Oliver. They can be purchased online or at Choices Market in Kelowna and the Penticton & Wine Country Visitors Centre. Keep up with all Feast of Fields happenings here.

Things to Know for Okanagan Feast of Fields 2012:

Attendance is expected to be between 500 to 700 people.

There will be no guest parking on site.  A park-and-ride site at Winfield’s George Elliot Secondary School and our Free Shuttle Bus will take guests to and from the event site.

There will be a Feast Bus ($15 return) leaving from Oliver with stops along the way with the last stop in Kelowna. Tickets must be purchased in advance to ensure appropriate transportation arrangements for all guests.

Directly from the Donnelly Group Newsletter:

DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles (Gangstarr Foundation / NYC)

90 Minute DJ set + Premier & Bumpy Knuckles concert

Alongside SonReal and DJ Flipout

Thursday, June 28th

958 Granville Street
Republic Nightclub

KWELI

Talib Kweli
(Black Star/ Reflection Eternal/ Brooklyn NY)

Prisoner of Conscious Tour

Talib returns to Vancouver for a live performance.

Monday, July 16th

1222 Hamilton Street
Bar None Nightclub

Pete Rock
(Pete Rock & CL Smooth/ peterock.com/ NYC)

Down By Law Wednesdays with DJ Flipout

Wednesday, July 18th

958 Granville Street
Republic Nightclub

Directly from the City of Toronto Press Release:

Kick off your summer by celebrating Canada’s birthday this weekend, then follow it up with weeks of sensational music, Ontario produce, delicious food and more!

The Celebrate Toronto eNewsletter profiles events produced by Toronto Special Events, a division of Economic, Development & Culture.

In this Issue:

Canada Day
Summerlicious
Fresh Wednesdays
Tasty Thursdays
Sunday Serenades
Festivals & Events Calendar

CANADA DAY at Mel Lastman Square Presented by Timothy’s World Coffee
Sunday, July 1, 2012
THIS WEEKEND!

Celebrate Canada’s 145th birthday with live musical performances by Canadian bands and stunning fireworks choreographed to music. Free admission!

Canada Day 2012 performance schedule.

5-8 pm Timothy’s World Coffee Pre-Show
8 pm Saidah Baba Talibah
9:15 pm The Slakadeliqs with Justin Nozuka
10:15 pm Fireworks finale

Visit the Festivals & Events calendar for a list of more Canada Day events in Toronto:  www.toronto.ca/eventcalendar

SUMMERLICIOUS PRIX FIXE
Presented by American Express
July 6-22, 2012

Summerlicious, Toronto’s favourite summer foodie celebration turns 10 in 2012 and shines the spotlight on our fantastic restaurant industry. Enjoy delectable, three-course prix fixe menus, available at more than 180 of Toronto’s top restaurants.

All SUMMERLICIOUS menus are posted online.
Reservations are now being accepted for July 6-22 seatings.

FRESH WEDNESDAYS at Nathan Phillips Square Presented by Timothy’s World Coffee
July 11-August 29, 2012
noon-2pm

Pick up fresh Ontario-grown produce, deli meats, wild honey, preserves, flowers and mouth-watering baked goods at the Farmers’ Market while listening to Canadian music each Wednesday at Nathan Phillips Square.

TASTY THURSDAYS at Nathan Phillips Square Presented by Timothy’s World Coffee
July 12-August 30, 2012 11am-2pm

The perfect lunchtime escape! Enjoy fresh international cuisine at $7 or less and free concerts featuring music from around the world including roots, blues, reggae and Latin sounds.

SUNDAY SERENADES at Mel Lastman Square
Presented by Timothy’s World Coffee
July 8-August 19, 2012
7:30-9pm
Free admission!

Spend Sunday evenings at Mel Lastman Square dancing to some of Ontario’s best big band, swing and jazz acts.

TORONTO’S FESTIVALS & EVENTS CALENDAR

Visit the Festivals & Events calendar for information on a wide variety of events taking place in Toronto:  www.toronto.ca/eventcalendar

Directly from the GI Society Press Release:

Our 9th Golf Marathon will hit the fairways on Monday, September 24 at Northview Golf and Country Club’s Canal Course.

Gastrointestinal illness affects millions of Canadians; chances are you or someone you know suffers with a digestive health issue. This is your opportunity to help and have some fun too!

Here’s how it works:

Golfers gather a minimum of $500 in charitable donations before the event (donors receive tax receipts for 100% of their donations).
On September 24 Golfers receive breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks and the use of a cart to play unlimited golf!
We end the Marathon day with a lively draw during which everyone receives a generous prize.

If you have any questions or comments, please call 604-875-4875 or check out the Golf Marathon blog: http://badgutgolfmarathon.wordpress.com/

Directly from the Tinhorn Creek Press Release:

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Celebrates New Legislation With Canada-Wide Promotion

Oliver, BC (June 26, 2012) – Tinhorn Creek Vineyards is offering free shipping as well as 10% off the purchase of cases of wine this Canada Day. This special one day only offer is extended to wine lovers anywhere in Canada to celebrate the recent passage of Bill C-311 which lifts restrictions on inter-provincial purchasing and shipping and is timely to coincide with the winery’s latest vintage releases.

Although the government of British Columbia relaxed liquor restrictions earlier this month to allow BC residents to avoid additional duties when bringing back wine, beer and other alcohol from other provinces for personal use, wineries wishing to sell directly to out of province consumers were still left in the cold. Archaic prohibition-era laws made it near impossible for vintners producing smaller lots of wine to participate in the trade of wine across provincial lines stifling the growth of the wine industry in Canada until the Federal private members Bill C-311 was passed on June 18th, 2012.

Sandra Oldfield, Winemaker and CEO of BC’s leading Tinhorn Creek Vineyards has long been vocal in advocating change. “The restrictions on inter-provincial wine trade have prevented tourists and wine lovers from legally taking home a few bottles from their favourite vineyards,” she states. “The unanimous passage in both the House of Commons and the Senate of Bill C-311 will usher in a new era for Canadian wine culture. I can’t be more pleased to see all of our hard work in the vineyard and cellar being available to all Canadians.”

July 1st marks the release of Tinhorn Creek’s highly anticipated Oldfield Series Pinot Noir, 2008. From 100% estate-grown grapes, the wine spent a year in French Oak barrels, on top of aging three years in the bottle and is only available directly from the winery. With a limited production of 250 cases it will not be available for long. Also being released on July 1st is 2009 Varietal Series Pinot Noir, the 2011 Varietal Series Chardonnay and the 16th vintage of The Oldfield Series Kerner Icewine, 2011. The 2011 Oldfield Series 2Bench Rosé is the ultimate summer sipper, perfect for a picnic, barbecue or any patio party.

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards is offering free shipping across Canada on July 1st as well as 10% off the price of each case of wine ordered (Crush Club members will receive 15% off each case). Available for purchase of full cases of wine only on July 1st, 2012 from 12am PST to 12am PST July 2nd. To purchase visit http://www.tinhorn.com/Purchase and enter the promo code CanadaFree.

Directly from the Tourism Whistler Press Release:

Welcome the world in Whistler – Resort celebrates the Intercultural Main Street Festival, Canada Day and the Fourth of July.

Whistler, B.C. – Summer has arrived and that means Whistler moves into high-gear, with celebrations to mark our cultural collective and both the Canadian and U.S. national holidays of Canada Day and the Fourth of July.

In Whistler, every day features a new way to experience the art of summer.

The second annual Whistler Intercultural Main Street Festival takes place June 28. The Whistler Forum hosts this event, where representatives of ethnically diverse communities come together on Main Street from 4 – 10 p.m. transforming the area into a showcase to share their cultures through food, music and dance. This free, family-friendly festival is open to the public.

Patriotic pride abounds throughout the village as Whistler celebrates Canada’s birthday and Independence Day – the national holiday of our U.S. neighbours.

Whistler Street Entertainment brings A Canadian Carnival to the resort June 28-July 2, offering family-friendly festivities throughout the village between noon and 7 p.m. The Canada Day parade winds its way through the village, from Whistler Town Plaza to Mountain Square, beginning at noon on Canada Day.

The Canada Day Celebrations concert lineup includes Vancouver folk singer Dan Mangan on Friday, June 29 and Cuban-born singer-songwriter Alex Cuba (who now resides in Smithers, B.C.) on Saturday, June 30. Both concerts are at 8:30 p.m. in the Whistler Olympic Plaza Pavilion.

On Sunday, July 1, Canadian children’s entertainer Fred Penner takes to the stage at the Whistler Olympic Plaza Pavilion at 2:30 p.m. while Vancouver blues performer Jim Byrnes and the Sojourners take over at 8:30 p.m.

The musical celebrations continue July 6 and 7 with soul power trio Wide Mouth Mason performing July 6 and global fusion giants Pacifika and Vancouver-based Jill Barber on July 7. Both concerts take place at 8:30 p.m. in Whistler Olympic Plaza Pavilion.

Fireworks will light up the night sky at 10:15 p.m. on both Canada Day (July 1) and the U.S. Independence Day (July 4). The fireworks are best viewed from Skiers’ Plaza at the base of Whistler Mountain in the village.

Those interested in the most up-to-date information regarding programming are encouraged to visit www.whistler.com/events where the comprehensive events calendar is regularly updated.

Of course the perfect Whistler summer getaway comes in a variety of forms. Enter the Perfect Whistler Summer Getaway Contest for a chance to win your ultimate summer getaway. Four grand prizes ranging in value from $1,570 to $1,790 are up for grabs: whether you’re in the mood to chill, connect, meander or adventure – it’s all up to you to decide which prize you would like.

Whistler-based travel consultants at whistler.com can also customize a vacation package, taking care of flights, transportation, accommodation and activities. Call 1.800.WHISTLER (1.800.944.7853) to request a no-obligation quote or visit whistler.com for more details and offers. Book your summer vacation package by June 30 to receive a third night free.