Harmony Arts Best of the West – Every year the people of West Vancouver get a chance to show everyone just how beautiful life by the sea can be. The 10-day long festival of arts, culture, music and more brings people from all over to celebrate. With displays, markets, food and fun – there’s also theme nights and special events. The Best of the West event was held on Ambleside Pier and combined local restaurants with select BC wineries for a stunning posh pairing evening in the sun. Yummy!
A roundup of January events means there was no time for the winter blues. Instead, there was wining and dining and lots of new ideas, some of them tempting enough to consider giving up a few of those New Year’s resolutions. Cheers.
01 – Toasting the evening at the Blue Mountain and Friends / BC Hospitality Foundation “Feast for the Senses” event are West Vancouverites Mark Bishop, left, Patti Cross-Bishop, Robyn Pickering and Glenn Dorey.
02 – North Vancouver’s Oliver Beckert, Executive Chef at the Four Seasons Vancouver, is a popular guy at the “Feast for the Senses” tasting event thanks to his fabulous lobster mac and cheese dish. Yum!
03 – It’s another job well done by veteran PR / North Shore gal Dana Lee Harris. Seen here with her hubby Dean at the “Feast for the Senses” event, she graciously volunteers her time to work with the BC Hospitality Foundation.
04 – Blue Mountain Vineyard’s winemaker Matt Mavety has been in the biz since he was 14 years-old. Seen here at “Feast for the Senses”, he certainly “nose” his wines.
05 – Kicking off this week’s special Dine Out Vancouver 2011 event are Tourism Vancouver’s Lucas Pavan, left, and Walt Judas who then escorted media throughout the city on a mini food-tour. Dine Out runs from January 24 – February 6 and many North Shore restaurants are featured.
06 – The Ambleside Business Association is getting ready for the future and the redevelopment plans for the 1500 block look exciting. West Van Chamber executive director Leagh Gabriel and Saltaire restaurant GM Todd Whiting welcome invited guests on this night.
07 – West Vancouver Chamber of Commerce’s Andrew Pottinger reveals the new plans for Ambleside to the crowd which included fellow West Van Chamber director Maggie Papas.
08 – Call it a “growing opportunity” if you will. Local inventors Tarren Wolfe, left, and Myles Omand took some time to showcase their new “Urban Cultivator” indoor herb greenhouse last week at a fabulous five-star dinner at C Restaurant put on by sommelier Adam Rennick, middle left, and chef Lee Humphries.
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By Catherine Barr – January20, 2011
Also as seen in print in the North Shore Outlook Newspaper on Jan 27, 2011
It’s a milestone year in West Vancouver as the Harmony Arts Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary. Held in various locations, including John Lawson Park, Ambleside Landing, The Ferry Building Gallery and more, the festival is famous for its art displays, live concerts, lectures and outdoor movies. This year, an outdoor wine garden adds some spice to the mix as does a fashion show by local boutique Leslie Jane. Get out and celebrate this weekend too with an evening concert or a stroll through the craft fair. On until Aug 8.
01 – Sparkling Swarovski crystal jewellery hand crafted by local actress/mom Susie Wickstead, left, is a big seller thanks to the help of girlfriend Dyanne Jack.
02 – Talented West Vancouver interior designer Teresa Bockhold is coaxed onto the catwalk as she models some fabulous fashions for Leslie Jane store owner Walter Giesbrecht.
03 – Camera at the ready, Leslie Jane’s Paul Giesbrecht takes some shots of models like Serena Vassen at the first Harmony arts fashion show.
04 – With their fluffy companion Sasha stealing the show, Gary Howell, left, and Ivan Teo take a stroll through the art gardens.
05 – Helping the models get ready for the big show is Leslie Jane assistant Margaret McCready.
06 – No mystery here as to why Adrienne Lust of Sugar and Co. is so popular with the younger crowd at the Harmony craft fair.
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By Catherine Barr – August 1, 2010
Also published in print by the North Shore Outlook newspaper on August 5, 2010
As we say goodbye to June, it’s time for a look back at several great summer events. First up, the West Vancouver Library Mallet Masters Croquet Tournament was held at Ambleside Greens Golf Course where mulligans are not only allowed, they’re encouraged. Dressed in Hampton’s whites, teams took to the field to pound it out for glory and charity. Next, it was sexy swimwear by Anna Kosturova and art by Tiko Kerr at Bud and Dottie Kanke’s fashionable Goldfish Pacific Kitchen in Yaletown. Entitled “Summer Splash”, all funds raised to go support the Vancouver Native Health Society. Lastly, West Vancouver’s Ron Orr rolled out the red carpet at his Roxy nightclub for “Rockshow” a live heavy metal hair band night celebrating the establishment’s 22nd anniversary.
01 – The benevolent Bud Kanke, left, owner Goldifsh and Joe Fortes, teams up with the legendary Umberto Menghi to donate a dinner to die for at the Summer Splash event.
02 – Organizer Andrea Maglajlija greets guests to the Summer Splash event at Golfish with artist Tiko Kerr.
03 – Former West Vancouver mayor Mark Sager and his talented team made it all the way to the finals of the West Van Mallet Masters Croquet Tournament.
04 – West Vancouver’s Ron and Val Orr walk the red carpet amid mohawks and mullets at the 22nd Anniversary “Rockshow” party at their Roxy nightclub.
05 – West Vancouver Library Foundation coordinator Diana Matrick, left, and event chair Nicole Brown rally the teams for the big finals of the Mallet Master Croquet Tournament.
06 – There were big cheers for the gang from Saltaire restaurant who generously served up “Pearfect” pear flavoured martinis for the Mallet Masters Croquet Tournament cocktail hour.
07 – They’re the best in the biz. Event planners and PR gals extraordinaire Tammy Preast, left, and Sharon Chan-Knight made sure everything went off without a hitch at Mallet Master Croquet.
08 – West Vancouver mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones and her teammates took home the trophy for first place at the Mallet Masters Croquet (now how many mulligans was that again?)
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By Catherine Barr – June 17 and 18, 2010
As seen in print in the North Shore Outlook newspaper on July 1, 2010
Words almost can’t describe it. At first, it was sheer excitement at the site of the colourful Moroccan themed private tent suites. Then, it was pride as opening acts like the Sarah McLachlan Foundation Choir took to the stage and cruise ships sailed past Ambleside beach. Finally, as night falls on a near perfect day, it was magic as Sheryl Crow, Neil Young and Sarah McLachlan, three of the biggest names in music, performed to a sold-out crowd the likes of which we have never seen here in West Vancouver. It was a once in a lifetime VIP experience that I hope we get to do all over again next year, and next, and next. Congrats to everyone involved.
01 & 02 – Glowbal Catering executive chef Jeremy Atkins and sushi chef Yoshi prepare food fit for concert royalty as they serve up mango california rolls, ahi tuna, lamb chops and lobster grilled cheese (my fave) to those in the VIP suites.
03 – The Shore 104 Radio program director Patrick Zulinov, left, parties like a rock star with Keg Restaurant empire owner, and now part-time radio owner, David Aisenstat in his VIP suite.
04 – It’s been a long time since Dr. Robert Lee tapped me on the head for graduation as UBC Chancellor back in 1995. This night, he and wife Lily bask in the sun in his VIP suite next to Sarah McLachlan’s dad and family to enjoy the show.
05 – He’s a member of CBC’s the Dragon’s Den, but in real life Brett Wilson is a real sweetheart who is a big fan and supporter of the Sarah McLachlan Foundation.
06 – West Vancouver’s Graham and Angela Lee deserve a lot of the credit for making this concert happen. It was Graham’s original idea that got the ball rolling – thank you thank you thank you.
07 – Singer Nadina Zarifeh, left, is mobbed by hundreds of thousands of fans when she appears in the Middle East, but this day she gets to enjoy some quiet time at someone else’s concert with friend Petra Muir.
08 – Nettwerk Records’ CEO and YYOGA co-founder Terry McBride has had a busy week with the planning of this concert AND the opening of his latest Flow Wellness studio in downtown Vancouver. Congrats Terry – you rock!
09 – Glowbal Group owner Emad Yacoub, left, and managing partner Jack Lamont work it behind the scenes keeping food and fans happy.
10 – Always part of the VIP scene and known for their philanthropy are West Vancouver’s Harald and Sharlene Ludwig and John O’Neill.
11 – Candace Alderson and Martin Charlwood cuddle under the stars as Sarah takes the stage.
12 – Surrounded by a halo of guitars, music legend Neil Young plays a mellower, unplugged set in front of 9,000 fans who just couldn’t get enough.
13 & 14 – Sarah McLachlan and Sheryl Crow team up for duets on Crow’s “Strong Enough” and McLachlan’s “Angel”, giving everyone goosebumps. HItting high notes with no effort at all, and with no signs of the laryngitis she had been battling earlier in the week, McLachlan ended the show by asking “So if we do this again would you all come back?” You bet!