❤️ Award-winning bartender | All-out war on housing costs - February 23, 2024 - Burrard Bulletin

Hey, all. Here are some absolute must-sees and must-dos, plus Live Event Listings for Vancouver.

VIMFF 2024 Makes Fresh Tracks Documenting Mountain Culture (Feb. 23 – March 3)

Maxime Moulin's film, "The Draconians," about a ski-touring trip in Norway,is screening on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Rio Theatre as part of this year's Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival. Photo Credit: VIMFF — Maxime Moulin’s film, “The Draconians,” about a ski-touring trip in Norway,is screening on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Rio Theatre as part of this year’s Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival. Photo Credit: VIMFF

‘Epic’ is the perfect word to describe the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival’s annual mountain sports and culture showcase. Everything about VIMFF 2024 seems grand and heroic. This year’s schedule features over 70 mountain and adventure films, as well as special guest speakers and expert-led workshops on photography, storytelling, and mountain safety skills. Several of the films are world premieres, such as “The Forgotten Coast” (an exploration of Iceland’s remote southern coast by bike and raft) and “Polheim” (a skiing expedition across Antarctica to the South Pole). The in-person festival runs from Feb. 23 to March 3 at various venues around Vancouver, with the films also available online for a global audience until March 24.

Allison Russell Returns to Her Musical Roots at the Commodore (Feb. 23)

Allison Russell, this year’s Grammy Award winner for Best American Roots Performance, is in town for a show tonight at the Commodore Ballroom. Based in Nashville, Russell is no stranger to Vancouver, where she began her career playing in several bands, most notably the folk-country group Po’ Girl. She has been part of the husband and wife duo, Birds of Chicago, for much of the past decade with partner JT Nero. Most recently, she has been performing under her own name, winning worldwide accolades for her solo albums, “Outside Child,” and “The Returner.” Joni Mitchell inspired the latter recording’s title which features performances from the likes of Wendy & Lisa, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, and Hozier. Russell knows a thing or two about bringing people together, and tonight’s performance promises to be something special.

Eagerly-Awaited Dune Sequel Lands in Theatres (opens March 1)

Directed by acclaimed French-Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, “Dune: Part Two” brings the next chapter of Frank Herbert’s legendary 1965 science fiction novel to life on the big screen. Conceived from the start as a two-part adaptation, Villeneuve did not actually have approval from Warner Bros. for the second instalment until they saw how the first one did at the box office. Starring Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson, with a stellar ensemble cast, the film gave them $434.8 million reasons to make the second one. The new film recently premiered in London and has received rave reviews. Lauded as a sequel that not only matches but surpasses its predecessor, “Dune: Part Two” is set for its official release on March 1, with select preview screenings available on Feb. 29.

Vancouver International Wine Festival: Cheers to 45 Years (until March 3)

The Vancouver International Wine Festival, celebrating its 45th year, is consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top food, wine, and hospitality events. Hosted at the Vancouver Convention Centre and partnering venues, the festival features winery dinners, in-depth seminars, and the Bacchanalia Gala Dinner and Auction, focusing on Italy this year. Running from Feb. 24 to March 3, with the opening Gala at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, every pour supports the Bard on the Beach Theatre Society. Some of the events have already sold out. However, there are still tickets available for several tastings, such as The Loft at Earls Yaletown mingler focusing on northeastern Italy and Pinot Grigio on Feb. 27.

Odds n’ Ends…

BC Government is waging an all-out war on the housing cost crisis

Whether you agree or not with the steps taken, Premier Eby and the NDP gang are taking action. Only time will tell whether it helps.

Here’s a recap of what they’re doing:

=> Decimated the short-term rental industry in BC by banning it in most municipalities. IMO,this will probably have the most effect (other than simply increasing interest rates but the gov doesn’t do that. The follow-up issue here is whether there will be enough hotels?

=> Recently legislated a Flipping tax. This strikes me as futile given it only delays sales by a year. Sounds good though; has a nice ring to it. Kudos to the NDP gang for coining that one.

=> Newly built home exemption reduces or eliminates the property transfer tax.

At the end of the day, most BCrs are on board with lower the cost of housing. The only issue is what steps will do the job?

Speaking of the short-term rental industry collapse in BC…

Downtown Best Western hotel rate balloons to $972 PER night when Taylor Swift is in town

The NDP gang shut down short-term rentals just in time for hotels to charge fortunes for rooms when Taylor Swift is in town.

Undoubtedly with the demise of short-term rentals, hotel prices will blast upward… for those fortunate to be able to book a room.

And now for something a little more light-hearted…

Award-winning bartender making a one-night appearance at the Keefer Bar

This article grabbed my attention because it never occurred to me that there could be world-class bartenders. Apparently, there are.

If you appreciate elevated cocktails, head over to the Keefer Bar on March 7 to enjoy concoctions by famed bartender Hisatsugu Saito who is making a one-night appearance.

7-Day Weather Outlook

I see sun in our future…

Contradiction, or so it seems… NEW STUDY suggests those with an e-bike get more exercise than those with a regular bike.

I have one. So many I know have one. There is no doubt in my mind I cycle 10x more than I normally would thanks to having an e-bike. I ride it to work. I bomb around for fun on road and trails. The massive hills around me are meaningless thanks to battery power.

Turns out I’m not the only one. New study reveals that folks with an e-bike get more exercise than those with a regular bike.

And it’s true… you do get exercise on an e-bike. My elevated heart rate while riding is proof of that. It’s akin to a brisque walk. Contrast that to the heart-pounding, lung-screaming effort riding in the same area takes on a regular bike… I’ll take the e-bike every single time.