thevancouverguide: Ruth is a travel journalist, writing instructor and editor/publisher of an online travel 'zine www.travelthruhistory.com You can read her travel blogs at http://travelthroughhistory.blogspot.com She's a member of the B.C. Association of Travel Writers and The Federation of B.C. Writers.

Vancouver Welcomes the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games

The paralympic torch relay, celebrating the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, arrived in Vancouver yesterday. It had started from Ottawa March 3 and made its way across Canada with approximately 600 torch bearers. The theme of the Paralympic torch relay is “spark becomes flame…that fires...

March 13th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Kickstart Festival 2010: Disability arts & culture

The Kickstart Disability Arts and Culture has been presenting visual and performing artists with various disabilities from all over the world for more than 10 years. Their goal is to present the best of a dynamic global cultural movement and to encourage collaboration between professional artists...

March 13th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Good Food and Live Entertainment at the Revel Room, Gastown

For a relaxing and romantic evening try the Revel Room in historic Gastown. It’s a cozy little restaurant/bar with a menu that includes West coast cuisine served in a casual atmosphere. There’s a brunch, lunch and dinner menu and light snacks for evening fare. And the well stocked...

March 11th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Going, going, gone! Olympics Treasures up for Auction

Who wants to buy some Olympics gear? Now that the 2010 Winter Olympics is over, hundreds of items have been listed on the Official 2010 Auction on Ebay. One of the hottest (and most expensive) items offered for sale is a jersey signed by Sidney Crosbie. So far bids have reached $5,000. Bidding ends...

March 10th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Chutzpah! A Showcase of Jewish Performing Arts

Chutzpah! The Lisa Nemetz International Showcase of Jewish Performing Arts opened on Thursday with the Idan Raichel Project, at the Chan Centre for Performing Arts and continues through to April 8. This annual festival presents an exciting collection of music, dance, and theatre by Jewish artists at...

March 7th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

The Cultural Olympiad Continues to March 21

A Cultural Olympiad showcase of Canadian and international artists in dance, music, theatre, visual arts and film continues until March 21 in Vancouver. U Theatre of Taiwan, master of martial arts and percussion will mesmerize audiences with “Sound of the Ocean” at the Centre for Performing...

March 6th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Get Ready for Another Party: The 2010 Paralympic Winter Games

I’m not sure if Vancouverites can survive another wild 17-day party like we just experienced the last two weeks during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. But I certainly do believe that the paralympic athletes who will compete during the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games here between March 12 –...

March 5th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

The 2010 Paralympic Winter Games Torch Run Begins

The torch relay for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games began Wednesday in Ottawa, Ontario. The flame was ignited on Ottawa’s Victoria Island by Aboriginal fire keepers of two Algonquin bands. Arnold Boldt of Moose Jaw Saskatchewan paraded the flame into the House of commons to a standing ovation...

March 4th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

The Olympic Party’s Over. Now what?

The party’s over. The people are gone. So is the joyful, exuberant cheering of the crowds, the red and white colours everywhere the flags, the toques, the hockey jerseys, the red mittens What do we do now? Today, riding the buses and skytrains, they seemed oddly empty, quiet, bereft of life and...

March 2nd, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Were Those Olympic Bouquets Made of Broccoli?

Everyone watching the 2010 Olympic Winter Games awards ceremonies wondered why the green bouquets, and what were they made of? Some people questioned if they were made of broccoli or a kind of decorative cabbage, and at a distance that’s what they resembled. The truth is, these were special bouquets...

March 1st, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

The Olympics Introduces the World to Our Country’s First Nations

From the spectacular Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics, and all throughout the Games, the Four Host First Nations involvement in these Winter Olympic Games has been a showcase to introduce the culture of our country’s Aboriginal people. The Four Host First Nations, the Lil-wat, Musqueam,...

February 28th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

See the Wonders of Haida Gwaii at Haida Gwaii House

Located near BC Place Stadium, tucked in a small studio on the ground level of the Hampton Inn, the Haida Gwaii House is a mini-showcase of Haida art and culture. Haida ambassadors, some in their Haida regalia, are on hand to answer your questions and tell you about where they live. Some of these...

February 28th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Coca-Cola art bottles celebrate the Four Host First Nations

Have you seen the giant decorated coke bottles on display at the Four Host First Nations Pavilion and Aboriginal Artisan Market? The Coca-Cola Company, one of the sponsors of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games selected 15 Frist Nations, Inuit and Metis artists from across the country to participate in a...

February 27th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Visiting the Olympic Pavilions Downtown

One of the major attractions during the 2010 Winter Olympics has been the free Olympic pavilions that offer a virtual visit (and sometimes a taste) of the world. Sometimes it has required patience to be admitted because of the long line-ups, but last night I lucked out and hardly had to wait at all...

February 27th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Vancouver’s 2010 French Quarter: Place de la Francophone

The friendly hosts will greet you “Bonjour!” This is Place de la Francophone 2010 on Granville Island, Vancouver’s French Quarter during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games where you can celebrate the Games in French. There is free entertainment with performers from Canada and all over...

February 26th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Lots Happening at Concord Place Community Celebration Zone

The old Expo ‘86 site has been turned into a celebration zone for the 2010 Winter Olympics. You still have time to go down there and enjoy a night of celebration at the various venue located on this vast area at the north east end of False Creek, between Science World (Russian Sochi House) and...

February 26th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Olympic Pin Trading: A different kind of sport

The pin traders on Robson and Granville Streets are doing a brisk business. Crowds of adults and kids gather around swapping stories and trading pins they’ve collect during the 2010 Winter Olympics, or at other Olympic Games. Apparently pin-trading has become just as established a ’sport’...

February 26th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

Jugglers, Comedy Acts, Musicians: It’s all part of the Olympic entertainment.

You don’t have to go to a Live City site to be entertained during the 2010 Winter Olympics. There’s plenty of acts to amuse you anywhere you go in the downtown core or Granville Island. And the busker and street entertainers are making big bucks in tips. There are performers of all kinds...

February 26th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

The Colours of the Olympics

Red, White, Blue and Orange have been the predominant colours of these 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Everywhere you look you’ll see a sea of folks wearing their national colours, and because these Games are Canada’s Games, there’s red and white wherever you look! The symbolic Maple...

February 24th, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More

The Talking Stick Festival Honours Aboriginal Traditions

This week, until February 28, the 2010 Talking Stick Festival takes place in Vancouver, presented by Full Circle First Nations Performance. This is an extraordinary festival of Aboriginal artists, both established and emerging, national and international performing live music, dance, theatre, multimedia,...

February 23rd, 2010 | Vancouver | Read More