Canvas Lounge

At the height of the Olympic hype, Gastown’s own Canvas Lounge transformed into a high-energy Ultra Lounge. Local, national, and international media personnel came to party where many of the medal bearing athletes celebrated. Canadian gold medalists Jon Montgomery, Ashleigh McIvor, and Alexandre Bilodeau among many others were spotted. Check out the awesome videos below.

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Jon Montgomery, Gold Medalist & Melissa Hollingsworth

Ashleigh McIvor, Gold Medalist; Kirk Pengilly (INXS); Danielle Poleschuk (Ski-Cross); Jenny Owens;
Billy Bush (Access Hollywood); Matt Andreas, Silver Medalist from Austria; Eric Archer, Coach for Ski Cross; Brian Bennett, Skier

Alexandre Bilodeau, Gold Medalist; Adaline

Les we forget, the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games are just around the corner! There’s no reason for the spirit of the games in all of us to die down. Having said that, Gastown is and was one of the best places to be during the Games. Lets keep the great energy going and celebrate the amazing achievements of all our Canadian athletes. Looking forward to partying with you in Gastown.

Did you happen to see stars and celebs in Gastown? Let us know by posting your comments below…Better yet, if you have a photo, share it with us on our Gastown Facebook fan page.

The Ronnie Hayward Trio performs at The Revel Room in Gastown! Starting at 9pm tonight, Revel will be featuring Authentic original Roots Music & Blues by Ronnie Hayward (stand-up bass & vocals), Steve Kozak (guitar and vocals) and Steve Taylor on drums.

Revel Room

Come check out these legendary cats who can still get it poppin’ with the best of them, a real treat. Revel will be there to tend to your thirst and appetite. Also come see the new installation that they put up last week. Support local music, we need to take out the ear piece and get all the senses in motion, come on down!

This week, the Gastown Blog team shines the spotlight on one of Gastown’s best performing musical artists – JayKin. In a special addition to the Blog, JayKin tells us about his experience has been like, from the stages of Tokyo back to the cobbled stoned streets of Gastown.

JayKin is one of Vancouver’s best known aspiring hip hop artist, whose On the Humble album documents his recent yearlong stint living in Japan. Jay’s smooth-flow and fresh-spin on wordplay shows him as Vancouver’s best to break out nationally. Here’s what he had to say.

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When I returned back to Vancouver after living in Tokyo, Japan, it was a reverse culture shock for me. Seeing so many different cultures was an adjustment and soon after I returned, I immediately began working at ALIFE starting last summer of ‘09. I was pleased and surprised to see the large amount of Japanese citizens in Gastown who were here as tourists, students, local workers under a visa or a permanent residents of Canada.

JayKin

It was hard at first for my untimely return but my attitude quickly changed from this surprise. Being away from Vancouver for so long has given me a new appreciation for my home and spending this much time in Gastown at ALIFE has been a heavy influence in everything I do from the fashion I wear to the music I create. In Gastown there are so many styles and personalities ranging from hipster to sneaker heads, which throws me off every now and then by this random mix, but I think that’s what makes this corner of Vancouver stand out so much.

JayKin

ALIFE is definitely suited for this area due to its disclosure and humbleness that comes from its laid back environment, which is exactly how I am low-key and & humble, it wouldn’t be a common thing for any common downtown area. Gastown has given me the chance to meet celebs, people from various countries here learning English (Gastown is surrounded by a lot of ESL schools), a chance for me to stay sharp on my Japanese and make a whole lot of friends from Japan too.

The result of me in Gastown has basically pushed me to just be myself more and more in all I do, to the shoes I wear and the lyrics I write. With so many foreigners here, I am anxious to return to Japan to continue my language studies and pursue my career efforts in music.

To see more of his work, visit JayKin’s site and don’t forget to follow @jay_kin on Twitter!

If you would like to be a guest writer for the GastownBlog, send us an email to info[at]gastownblog.com

Salt Tasting Room is having another great Cellar Series that will take place next Monday, March 15th. Hosting many “Salt Cellar Series” events throughout the year,  these series are always a great way to try international and local wines for great value, paired with the abundance of local charcuterie and delicious cheeses. This time they will be featuring the infamous Cedar Creek Winery from the Okanagan Valley.  Checkout the details below!

Photo Credit: Etep

After over 20 years of wine growing experience, Cedar Creek believe that they have the right varietals planted in the right sites. They grow the Okanagan aromatics Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Ehrenfelser plus the more full-bodied whites; Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris to the north at CedarCreek and Greata Ranch. Their vineyards in Osoyoos – with the extra heat units – are dedicated to Merlot, Meritage, Syrah and the occasional Cabernet Sauvignon. Almost half of the CedarCreek Vineyard, along with 6 acres at Greata Ranch, are planted to the quintessential food wine – Pinot Noir.

Join principals from Cedar Creek who will share two flights of wine with an assortment of Salt’s locally-sourced charcuterie, international cheeses, artisan breads & more!

Tickets are $40 plus tax and gratuity and as per usual, space is limited and tickets will go fast, so hurry and reserve your spot at the Salt Tasting Room’s website

Taitt N’ Tower! It’s the latest praise coined by locals about Gastown’s newest restaurant, Cork and Fin. This expression, referring to taittinger champagne and their delicious seafood towers, is one of many phrases that describe this bistro-style restaurant. This week, the Gastown Blog team was excited to meet owner Francis Regio and executive chef Elliot Hashimoto to get the latest tour. Seafood lovers, you’ll definitely enjoy this one.

“It’s very simple,” Francis tells us. “We’re a wine bar part seafood restaurant but done in a simple way – tapas style if you will.”

Walking through the dining room towards the open kitchen, you get the sense that you’ve stepped into a SoHo New York dining venue – cozy and intimate.

Cork&Fin

“This is a great location for us,” Francis continues. “We’re fortunate enough to be in one of the oldest buildings in the city that survived the Great Fire.” Despite all the changes to the space in recent weeks, Cork and Fin has done an excellent job in combining an Old World backdrop with fresh, contemporary aesthetics.

As we continue the tour, Chef Elliot prepares three signature dishes from their menu. Check out the photos below.

[View with PicLens]

“We have an abundance of local seafood fare,” Francis adds. “There’s no reason for it not to be affordable, everyday.” Cork and Fin’s dishes are all reasonably priced with seafood towers ranging from $35 to $55.

With all the attention surrounding this restaurant’s opening, Cork and Fin is proud to announce that it’s completed and now open to the public.

Cork and Fin
221 Carrall Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 2J2

Giveaway!!!

The Gastown Blog always loves to end its posts on a high note. We are giving away a $50 gift card to Cork and Fin. To win, its easy!

Post a comment below and you’ll have one chance to win.
Become a Facebook Fan of the Gastown Blog and post a comment or like the post and you’ll have a second chance to win.
Follow us on Twitter and comment with @GastownBlog in the message for a third chance to win.

Do all of the above and you’ll have three chances to win! Good luck to all who participate.

Two weeks of non stop fun and excitement has us all undergoing Olympic withdrawals. Well, Gastown’s own Ishara has a quick fix that will have you excited all over again. Ishara is having a 40-70% off on all fall fashion collections, in addition to a under $100 denim rack. That’s awesome! Especially when brands like Rich and Skinny, J Brand, Kasil, Tibi, just to name a few go on sale. Take a look below.

TIBI top 30% off

White denim Anlo jeans 50% off

Assortment of jeans under $100!

Also, the GastownBlog got a quick peek of what they’re offering for the Spring ‘10! Check it out!

Smithe Blazer, Legging Jean by Rich&Skinny

To get a hold of these clothes on discount, visit Ishara on 38 Water Street in Gastown. With sale items like these, who knows how long it will last. Tells us what you bought by posting your comments below.

Obakki is recognized as one of Vancouver’s most successful fashion design houses, with it’s designs being sold in New York, Beijing, and even the Middle East. Their threads have been seen on Nickelback, Audrina Patridge, Kimora Lee Simons and many other celebrities. Aside from having its high-profile position in the fashion industry, Obakki is also well known for their pursuit in philanthropy with the Obakki Foundation.

The foundation has released a limited series of fashion pieces inspired by the words and drawings of 150 orphans living in Africa. Items include men’s and women’s tees, scarves, bags and children’s clothing. Supporters can also purchase first aid kits and other basic needs that will be shipped to Africa – and hand-delivered when Treana returns in May 2010 – with 100% of proceeds going directly to the orphanages.

More information below.

Press Release

The recently launched Obakki Foundation hit the ground running and has already begun funding several important projects in Cameroon, Africa. Founded in 2009 by Treana Peake – entrepreneur, mom and wife of Nickelback guitarist Ryan Peake – the foundation has released a limited series of fashion pieces inspired by the words and drawings of 150 orphans living in Africa. Items include men’s and women’s tees, scarves, bags and children’s clothing. Supporters can also purchase first aid kits and other basic needs that will be shipped to Africa – and hand-delivered when Treana returns in May 2010 – with 100% of proceeds going directly to the orphanages.

While in Africa this past December, the Peakes visited the orphans to show them the pieces that were inspired by their words and drawings. “It was incredibly gratifying and emotional to show the children the power of their words,” said Treana. “They’re seeing that because of their answers, proper food, education and health care will soon be available. They’re giving themselves a future.”

In addition the Peakes checked on current projects and met with village leaders to fully comprehend the needs of the communities, working with them to determine new initiatives that will focus on education, health and water treatment projects. Peake explains, “In Cameroon, everyone must pay for school and health care, so many go without. Our projects range from $25.00 to send a child to school for a year, to $80,000 for a new medical center that will service several villages. Every donation, regardless of the amount, has an immediate and direct impact on these people.”

Their adventures, such as using machetes to access remote jungle locations, sleeping in isolated villages and meeting extraordinary people along the way, are recounted in heartbreaking, exhilarating detail on the Obakki Foundation’s blog and Facebook page (search: Obakki Foundation).

The Obakki Foundation is committed to offering hope, empowerment and the chance for people to learn and grow around the world. The Obakki Foundation provides opportunities to use ideas, art and fashion to assist others in standing up and participating in improving their own lives – and the lives of those around them. All proceeds go directly into the projects. Not just a percentage of the profits, not just some of the money – every penny goes back to the community.

No one can argue that Gastown has become an area associated with creative thinking and expression. This tight-knit community has always been dedicated to promoting arts, fashion, dining and nightlife. Over the years Gastown has attracted critically acclaimed galleries, artists from all corners of the arts spectrum, forward thinking restaurants, and edgy fashion boutiques/retailers.

Amongst those galleries is Baron Gallery. From March 18th to April 30th, Baron Gallery will be holding their latest exhibition called, “Letters to Cuba, Painting and Photography” by Greg Swales. During the opening night, there will be live performances, featuring Keila Ramirez, Tanguy Exhume, Hector Hernandez, Pedro Mota, Carlos Arias, Jullian Kostee and The Boom Booms.

Cesar by Greg Swales

About Greg Swales
Greg Swales is a Canadian Artist of Cuban/British background. As far back as he can remember Swales knew he was destined for a career in the arts. He studied Photography at the Emily Carr Institute. In his last year before completing his BFA, he began to rediscover his passion for painting and upon graduating moved to Cuba to study painting at the Superior Institute of Art in Havana.

His current series is composed of paintings, photographs and mixed media collage. The collage is used to create a visual memory composed of several moments and perspectives. His painting technique works with paint over heavy textures that mimic the political graffiti painted over the decaying buildings in Cuba.

As our top priority, the Gastown Blog team makes sure our beloved readers know about all the awesome events happening in this great neighborhood. Well, we found an appetizing event that’s sure to attract the local foodies! It’s called Social Bites – a food excursion that takes you from one chef’s table to another, serving delicious, appetizing bites. It’s all in good fun, and a great way to meet and mingle with other food lovers. Sounds good doesn’t it? Find out more below.

Photo Credit: Social Bites

Social Bites Dinner Excursion is not your ordinary dinner party. Dinner excursions could take place in your own kitchen, in your neighbour’s living room or in a backyard you’ve never been to before. Our dining events are all about fabulous food made and enjoyed by fabulous people. Dinner excursions are for foodies with foodies. Are you up for an exciting culinary event in Vancouver, B.C.?

How does it work?

Our hobby chefs prepare their favourite savoury dish in their own kitchen. Each hobby chef welcomes four dinner guests in two “sittings”. The hobby chef spends about one hour with the first four guests, serving his/her fabulous dish, mingling and having a jolly good time. Goodbyes are said and the next four guests are welcomed at the hobby chef’s home. Another exciting hour is spent with new friends before everyone heads off to the Social Bites Hot Spot location.

Photo Credit: Social Bites

Photo Credit: Social Bites

Guests judge the dishes they eat at two hobby chefs’ homes. Feedback is polled at the end of the evening and the Social Bites Hobby Chef Award is presented to the hobby chef who dazzled guests with outstanding taste, presentation and hospitality. All hobby chefs are rewarded with a free guest dinner pass for the next dinner excursion and the winner receives a foodie prize package.

If you want to find our more, visit the Social Bites’ website. Their next event is held right here in Gastown on March 27th

From the edgy, hip boutiques to the abundance of lounges and breweries, Gastown is never short of unique places to shop and have fun. Örling & Wu is a new retailer that is going to fit right in. Located on 28 Water Street, this store is perfect for those who are looking to infuse their home with a fresh Spring vibe. Örling & Wu will be open this spring 2010. Be ready!

Photo Credit: Örling & Wu

Örling & Wu is co-founded by two creative individuals, Fredrik Örling and Julie Wu. The couple met whilst completing their Master degrees at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design in England. Together they have always enjoyed hunting out the best in design. Julie is very hands-on and has an eye for the authentic and beautifully made. Fredrik, on the other hand, adores the sumptuous iconic creations. They have searched meticulously to find a collection of genuine and personal brands that work well together. They will be bringing some of the most exquisite decorative fabrics and objects from England, Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, and Japan.

Photo Credit: Örling & Wu