Words by Christina Lanteigne

The newly opened Olla Urban Flower Project is bringing beautiful and socially-conscious floral creations to Gastown in their studio space at 235 Cambie Street.  Specializing in locally grown and ethically traded botanicals and containers, Olla works to green the urban landscape with unique, locally grown and ethically traded plants and flowers.  The Olla project is an important addition to the neighbourhood buying local and fair trade plants, creating positive job opportunities and working towards a zero waste mandate.

Olla

olla

With a wide array of containers and plants to choose from stop by Olla and improve your home or work space.  Right now be sure to check out their new arrivals featuring fair-trade roses, local delphiniums, anthuriums, call lilies and urban hydrangeas.  Beginning August 18th Olla presents their fall 2010 workshop series, every Wednesday evening from 7-9pm.  Learn how to build your own terrarium, create Japanese flower arrangements and professionally carve a pumpkin just in time for Halloween!

Olla Workshop

Words by Christina Lanteigne

Ultra Cool Inventory Stockroom Hits Gastown

Gastown just got even cooler with the recent addition of Inventory Magazine’s new shop Inventory Stockroom open at 45 Powell Street.  The Inventory brand is self-described as “A Curation of Ideas in Product Craft & Culture.”  The brainchild of Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director Ryan Willms consists of Iventory’s magazine, shop and collaborative projects based on his personal tastes and vision.

Photo by Greg Washington

The Stockroom is part of the  ever-growing ensemble of ultra-hip menswear shops to open in the neighbourhood offering a carefully edited collection of high-end clothing, shoes and accessories.  Carrying a selection of items from Iventory’s  favourite brands and publishers like The Real McCoy’s, Margaret Howell, Arkitip and Arc’teryx.  The space is quite stunning with pieces beautifully displayed in the modern heritage building along with offices tucked away at the back of the store.  Check out these amazing must-have’s at the Stockroom:

Mark McNairy Bucks $350.00

The perfect summer shirt and it’s made in Vancouver!

National Anthem Top $80.00

Get ready for fall with the amazing Inverallan Cardigan $350.00

Inver Allan

Inventory Magazine’s Second Edition featuring stories from some of the most interesting and talented people in the biz from around the world.  $20.00

Inventory Magazine

Words by Christina Lanteigne

The W2 Storyeum in Gastown is gearing up for some sure to be epic summer nights happening this weekend.  The space located across the street from the new Woodwards development at 151 W. Cordova St. brings arts and creativity to life in the Downtown Eastside.  Be sure to check out these awesome events happening this Friday and Saturday at W2.

The PUBLIC x Roy Was Here Animation Party
Friday July 23rd 7:30pm to 11pm

Animation Party

The city holds a plethora of talented animators each with their own style and ways of bringing drawings to life. The Public magazine and Roy Was Here Collective are collecting films to show for one evening; films done by animators who come from all walks of life. From experimental to slap-sticky goodness, this animation party doesn’t discriminate. Our aim is to foster a connection between artists and animators from different backgrounds through the enjoyment of their work. There will be popcorn.

Screening starts at 8pm and after-party will happen after.
Come check it out and see films by animation school grads, industry professionals, as well as independent artists.
Admission is $5 or two for $8.  Money raised will support sending a child to summer day-camp at the Gordon Neighbourhood House.

www.thepublic.ca

www.roywashere.ca


Love Dancing & Good Faith
Friday July 23rd 11pm-2am

Summer nights

Disco, boogie, house, funk, & soul with DJ’s Jesse Proudfoot, Chris Allen and Jordan Matt.  Playing the original underground dance musics emerging in the mid ’70s to early ’80s in places like the Loft, the Paradise Garage, the Music Box, and the Gallery.
Cover is $5.

Illuminares
Saturday July 24th 4pm-10pm

Illuminares

This Saturday the annual Illuminares Festival presented by Public Dreams will take place in and around W2 Storyeum.  It will be a departure from years past, but remains a celebration of community, art and light. 

This year’s Illuminares promises be a new and spectacular event spreading thru W2 Storyeum’s large indoor spaces, and out into Trounce Alley and around the Woodward’s site. RSVP on the Facebook event!

Zone 1: “Intimate” will involve live vocal and instrumental music including Cultural Medicine Cabinet, Mehlinda Heart and her Harp Choir, Her Jazz Noise Collective.

Zone 2: “Kid Friendly” will include jugglers, face painters, storytellers and hula hooping. This will be a mix of performances and interactive workshops.

Zone 3: “Center Stage” will include a Flash Mob performance, Ache Brazil Capoeira. Demonstration and the Leanne Voyce dance troupe.

Zone 4: “Forest” will include live ambient music by 2 bands experimenting with various instruments.

Zone 5: “Bonus” Hula Tutu’s – Dancing Grandma’s and Monica Trejbal and troupe.

Zone 6: Welcome Area – Mind of Snail – Shadow Show.

Zone 7: “Open Area” Dusty Flower Pot Troupe, Gamelan.

Zone 8: “Staged” Live improve – Bobbers, Rosa Parks and live Marimba band Russell Shumksy and friends.

In addition the site will be animated with 10 stilt walkers, and 5 ground performers and an aerial performance. To end the evening Sambata and Carnival Band will process through the crowd ending up at a finale fire show by Radiant Heat.

Summer Sales This Weekend in Gastown
Words by Christina Lanteigne

It’s going to be a great shopping weekend in Gastown with some serious sales happening in the neighbourhood beginning this Friday July 23rd!

If you haven’t summer-ized your patio or yard yet, this is your chance.  Inform Interiors (50 Water St) is having a sale, with up to 50% off in-stock outdoor furniture!  Be sure to check out their amazing rooftop deck and incredible pieces like the EZ Rocker by Royal Britania.  Sale ends September 21st.

EZ Rocker

Driade

Located at 38 Water St. in Gastown,  Ishara’s annual summer sale starts this Friday with up to 40% off!  Stock your wardrobe with the spring/summer pieces your closet is missing at Ishara this weekend.  Finish off the season in style with discounts on brands including Prairie NY, Plastic Island, Designers Remix, Tibi & more!

Ishara Summer Sale

This weekend only, Gastown’s ultra-chic boutique (212) will be offering 50% off absolutely everything in the store!  Stop by the shop at 454 West Cordova Street and snap up some amazing pieces before they’re gone.

(212) Sale

Nouvelle Nouvelle’s summer sale is here with 30-50% off.  The hip boutique is stocked with rare men’s and women’s wear.  With labels from Brooklyn, to Australia including Dusen Dusen, Rabbit On The Run, Something Else and Cheap Monday you can be sure to find the perfect piece to spice up your summer wardrobe.

nouvelle nouvelle

Words by Christina Lanteigne

AVEDA institute Vancouver

Tomorrow night: Thursday July 22nd – Aveda will be throwing a “Welcome to Gastown” block party.  What better way to celebrate their arrival to the neighbourhood!  The latest Aveda Institute opened their doors in Gastown just a few weeks ago at 101-111 Water Street in a stunning space featuring a salon, styling institute, academy and shop.

AVEDA block party

The block party starts at 6:30pm and runs until 10pm with plenty of free drinks, swag, treats and a even photobooth!  With DJ’s My!Gay!Husband! & Genie spinning, the party is sure to be a great Gastown night.

Afterwards stroll on over to Post Modern for the Blastramp after party.  Just a block away at 7 Alexander Street from 10pm-2am.  No cover before 11pm and tons of drink specials.

Örling & Wu

The much anticipated decorative fabrics and objects shop Örling & Wu opened it’s doors in Gastown last week at 28 Water Street.  The enchanting space is filled with linens, wall-coverings and furnishing fabrics that are sure to bring out the decorative side in anyone.  Not to mention the amazing garden, dining, lighting, bathroom and accessories collection.  The store’s co-founders Fredrik Örling and Julie Wu met while stuyding in London at the acclaimed Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design.  Together they have always enjoyed hunting out the best in design and bring in some of the most exquisite decorative fabrics and objects from England, Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, and Japan.

Örling & Wu

Örling & Wu

All items are carefully selected in a fresh mix of contemporary, vintage and classic European styles. Örling & Wu are also the exclusive stockists in Canada for a number of suppliers, who have been producing some of the finest textiles and furnishing products for generations.  Such as the exclusive Swedish textile and wallpaper art by Sandberg dubbed “the world’s slowest wallpaper factory.” Each Sandberg wallpaper is produced in its own factory in Ulricehamn where the wallpaper edges are still painted by hand, and every roll of wallpaper is carefully inspected before it leaves the factory.

Exclusive Sandberg Wallpaper as seen in Elle Decoration UK

Visit the store today and start creating your perfect space.  Watch for Örling & Wu’s Autumn Grand Opening Party, visit Örling & Wu’s website for details

By Christina Lanteigne

A weekly spotlight on must-have finds in Gastown

Linen Beach Towels by Deck Towel

These stylish towels are absolutely perfect for a lazy day at the beach or soaking up the sun by the pool.  Light, compact, and sturdy they are great alternative to bulky towels, not too mention easy on the eyes.  They don’t hold in sand or odors like cotton, and are both faster-drying and more absorbent.  Much like the sun, these towels won’t be around forever – so swing by and grab yours today.  They are already on back-order on the company’s online store!

Found at Old Faithful 320 W Cordova St.

Deck Towel

Michelada

A delicious and spicy Mexican cocktail made with an assortment of spices, lime juice, tomato and sparkling.  This is the perfect summer cocktail and is crafted in Gastown by  some of the city’s best cocktail masters.

Found at The Diamond at Maple Tree Square

The Diamond

Pamela Love Eagle Claw

NYC based jewelry designer Pamela Love’s pieces are stylish and highly coveted.  Her eponymous line has featured wildly unique designs like the
rabbit-heart pendant, crow skull necklace and eagle talon cuff.   Pick up one her classic pieces: The Pamela Love Eagle Claw in sterling silver.
Now on sale for $241.50 reg. $345

Found at Obakki 44 Water Street

Pamela Love Eagle Claw

Words by Christina Lanteigne

Douglas Coupland Roots Collaboration

A new and exciting shop has sprung in Gastown at 36 Powell St across from the Hotel Europe.  The pop-up shop Roots x Douglas Coupland features exclusive limited edition apparel from Canadian author/artist Douglas Coupland who recently teemed up with Canadian iconic brand Roots.  The line is inspired by Canadian identity and iconography with Coupland’s own take on it, a theme he calls “Canada Goes Electric.”

Beaver Matrix T-shirt by Douglas Coupland

The shop is in a beautiful century old brick building that is much like an art gallery.  Inside you’ll find a staggering assortment signature items Coupland has designed including everything from laptop sleeves, skateboards, apparel and more.  There is also original artwork by Douglas Coupland, furniture and leathers including a silver anniversary bomber jacket.

Douglas Coupland Anniversary Jacket

The shop will be open in Gastown until the end of July and the collection is also available online at canada.roots.com

Illuminares 2010 in Gastown!
Words by Christina Lanteigne

Lighting Up W2 Storyeum

One of Vancouver’s most beloved events is happening this summer in Gastown.  The Illuminares lantern procession presented by Public Dreams will be held on July 24th at the W2 Storyeum located at 151 W Cordova Street from 4pm-10pm.  The truly magical event has been held outdoors for the past 20 years at Trout Lake.  The new 31,000 sq. ft. indoor space at the Storyeum holds much promise for an amazing evening.  The move will give the festival an opportunity to evolve and find it’s place in a new neighbourhood.  The festival’s artistic director Sam Shem said “Trout Lake was very different then, it was a community in transition and now we want to give the Downtown Eastside a chance. It’s about building communities.”

Illuminares

Admission is free and visitors are encouraged to be a part of it all by bringing their own lanterns.  The event will also include live interactive performances and all-new art installations created by both local artists and members of the community. Public Dreams has been making magic in Vancouver neighbourhoods for the past twenty-five years. Best known for ‘Illuminares’ and ‘Parade of Lost Souls’ – events iconic to Vancouver’s cultural landscape.  Public Dreams facilitates large-scale community celebrations, and the creation of fantastical performances and public expression through the arts.

The festival is still looking for volunteers.  If you are interested, you can contact volunteers@publicdreams.org for further details.

New Exhibit Oil and Paper at the Marion Scott Gallery
Words by Christina Lanteigne

As the most recent exhibit of works by Andrew Owen ends this week, the Marion Scott Gallery is preparing for their next exciting display: Oil and Paper: New Works from the Studios of Pangnirtung, Nunavut.

Oil and Paper opens July 17th and runs through until August 28, 2010 and comprises over 20 medium and large-scale images with works by Elisapee Ishulutaq, Jamasie Mike, Jessica Akpalialuk, Geela Sowdluapik and Jolly Atagoyu.

Tusiarvik (A Place for Prayer) by Elisapee Ishulutaq, 2009

Rarely do we get to see and experience such vivid unique art from the north.  Pangnirtung has been a vital centre for the production of modern Inuit art since the late 1960s. Known around the world for their elegant limited edition prints and expertly crafted woven tapestries, the artists of this former trading station have made a distinctive and important contribution to the contemporary art and culture of Canada.

The exhibition features bold, colourful compositions by both new and established artists. Included are several works by Elisapee Ishulutaq, a respected Inuit elder and one of Pangnirtung’s best known artists. Taking advantage of the medium’s capacity to cover large surfaces, Ishulutaq has created several images that are monumental in scale, drawing imaginatively upon her memories of traditional Inuit life for inspiration and subject matter. The exhibition also includes works by a younger generation of artists, whose imagery and concerns reveal a more modern sensibility shaped by current realities.