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Fan Expo Vancouver comes to town

Frederick Linsmeyer • January 28, 2012 • Conventions

There’s a new convention in town. Fan Expo Vancouver is bringing the best of likes of Toronto’s Fan Expo Canada to the West Coast for the first time with big names, games, comics, anime and manga.

Fan Expo Vancouver isn’t just about anime and manga, rather the whole spectrum of comics, movies, science fiction and pop culture. Just like any convention, there’s going to be big name guests, gaming, autographs, panels, swag, artists, exhibitors, workshops, cosplay and entertainment.

Some of the names you might run into are Colleen Clinkenbeard (Fullmetal Alchemist, Kiddy Grade), Trevor Devall (Gundam SEED), Richard Cox (InuYasha), Veronica Taylor (Pokemon), Mike McFarland (Dragon Ball Z, Fullmetal Alchemist) and Brian Froud (Bakugan). Of course there will be other celebrities including Adam West and Burt Ward (Batman), Tom Felton (Harry Potter) and Lou Ferrigno (The Incredible Hulk).

Fan Expo Vancouver runs for two days only – April 21^st and 22^nd, 2012 in the west building of the Vancouver Convention Centre. Tickets will be available for purchase online on February 21^st, 2012 or at the door during the convention itself. Prices range from $20.00 CAD for each day or $30.00 CAD for both Saturday and Sunday.

With the void left by the now defunct Anime Evolution in Vancouver’s convention scene, Fan Expo Vancouver and Anime Revolution (no relationship to Anime Evolution), these should be two events for anime buffs to gather and share their love for the medium.

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The Legend of Zelda concert schedule

Frederick Linsmeyer • January 12, 2012 • Gaming

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses

At long last, the music from the Sacred Realm of Hyrule has escaped and will be travelling through North America. Celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the Legend of Zelda video game series, Nintendo has arranged for an orchestral concert aptly titled: The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses to visit select cities in Canada and the United States.

Last year, two concerts were held; one in Los Angeles, CA and the other in London, UK, to celebrate the series 25^th anniversary which coincided with the launch of the latest game, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. Building on the popularity of both concerts, Nintendo teamed up with Jason Michael Paul Productions Inc. to organize a musical journey for Zelda fans – The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses.

The symphony was most recently held in Dallas, TX just prior to the announcement of the remaining locations and dates. Vancouver, BC will be the first Canadian city to host event with Montreal, QC and Toronto, ON in the following months.

Vancouver, BC – March 14^th, 2012
Seattle, WA – March 16^th, 2012
San Francisco, CA – March 28^th, 2012
Denver, CO – April 7^th, 2012
Phoenix, AZ – April 20^th, 2012
Phoenix, AZ – April 21^st, 2012
Atlanta, GA – May 12^th, 2012
Montreal, QC – May 31^st, 2012
Austin, TX – June 22^nd, 2012
Orlando, FL – July 14^th, 2012
Toronto, ON – September 29^th, 2012

For further details and to purchase tickets, visit the Zelda Symphony web site.

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9 O’Clock Gun

Frederick Linsmeyer • January 10, 2012 • Local

Every evening, the 9 O’Clock Gun belts out a thunderous boom across Coal Harbour and through Downtown Vancouver, an act from which its name is derived.

The barrel of the 9 O’Clock Gun was cast in Woolwich, England in 1816 as a 12 pound muzzleloader. Two crests are stamped into the cannon: King George III and Henry Phipps, 1^st Earl of Mulgrave, Master-General of the Ordnance. The cannon itself does not fire any projectiles, but does still use a black powder charge which is lit electronically.

The gun arrived in Vancouver around 1894 and served as a means for nearby ships to set their chronometers as well as notifying fisherman of closings. As time keeping devices improved, the need for the cannon transformed from practical into a tourist attraction.

Located on the eastern shore of Stanley Park, the 9 O’Clock Gun is only a brisk stroll from the totem poles and faces the brilliantly lit Canada Place and downtown core.

: 9 O’Clock Gun enclosure

: 9 O’Clock Gun

: 9 O’Clock Gun firing at night

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Fullmetal Alchemist movie screenings in Canada

Frederick Linsmeyer • November 2, 2011 • Anime

Canadian anime fans can take part in watching Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos on the big screen! Three events across the country are screening the movie this month: Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival and the Waterloo Festival of Animated Cinema.

If you’re in Vancouver, you catch Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos as part of the Vancouver Asian Film Festival on Saturday, November 5^th, 2011 at 9:15 pm PDT.

Source: FUNimation

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Vancouver at night

Frederick Linsmeyer • October 8, 2011 • Photography

There’s nothing than seeing Vancouver at dusk. The setting sun provides a blend of colours that you just can’t really replicate anywhere else. The open sky with the clouds massed against the North Shore mountains and glow from the city created some interesting light mixtures. See the rest, including some night shots of the recently renovated BC Place Stadium too!

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Streetcar revival for Vancouver

Frederick Linsmeyer • September 23, 2011 • Local

The Olympic Line

Mayoral hopeful Suzanne Anton has announced an expansion of the streetcar service that runs along the heritage rail corridor on False Creek’s south shore ahead of Vancouver’s upcoming civic election.

The line would run from Granville Island east along the existing tracks through the Olympic Village, up north through Chinatown and the Downtown East Side and west to Canada Place. Future extensions would see service to Stanley Park and into Yaletown.

During the 2010 Winter Olympics, the City of Vancouver ran a demonstration line between Granville Island and the Olympic Village Canada Line station with Bombardier’s Flexity streetcars, which were brought over from Belgium. The experiment proved very popular with both locals and visitors alike.

Improving the streetcar service with links to existing Canada Line and SkyTrain service would increase access to some Vancouver’s core tourist attractions and provide a more environmentally friendly transportation option for those looking to get around.

There has been word that TransLink, Metro Vancouver’s transit authority, would not be involved with operation and that the city would work with private organizations and various levels of government to develop, build and maintain the system. However, there may be the possibility of integrating fares in with TransLink’s system to allow for ease of travel.

A report published in 2005 put the cost at approximately $81 million for building the infrastructure and an additional $21 million for a six car fleet. The cost would need to be reviewed and updated.

Suzanne Anton is the only member of the Non-Partisan Association in city council. Vancouver’s civic election is on November 19^th, 2011.

Source: The Vancouver Sun

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MexicoFest

Frederick Linsmeyer • September 10, 2011 • Local

Dancers from Oaxaca

There’s nothing like a good old fashioned fiesta on a warm summer day. With Mexico’s day of independence around the corner, Jack Poole Plaza at the Vancouver Convention Centre was brightly festooned in green, white, red and spirit of the Latin American nation. MexicoFest, while celebrating the entire country, put the spotlight on the southern state of Oaxaca with music and performances in colourful traditional outfits along with a performance from pop star Benny Ibarra.

Surrounding the plaza were tents offering up drinks, food, snacks, jewellery and various handicrafts from artisans. I stopped off at the drink tent first getting a bottle (or cup rather) of fruit punch-flavoured Jarritos, a Mexican soft drink for $2.50. As I enjoyed my fizzy drink, I took in the dancing of Guelaguetza, a series of dances passed down from the indigenous ancestors of Oaxaca. After they finished, I checked out a dessert tent which had an impressive selection of sweet treats which I hadn’t seen since being down in San Antonio for San Japan – Barritas, Pingüinos, but no Duvalin (maybe I wasn’t looking hard enough).

I hovered around the area for an hour enjoying in the sights, sounds and smells, but after a long day of walking around Stanley Park, I headed home. I missed the ”El Grito de Independencia” which took place at 6:00 pm; a re-enactment of Miguel Hidalgo’s famous call towards an independent Mexico.

Of course, MexicoFest isn’t over yet, as there are a number of events next week including an evening of Mexican cinema, mezcal tasting, golf tournaments and more. Visit the MexicoFest web site for a full schedule.

Mexico celebrates their 201^st anniversary on Friday, September 16^th, 2011.

¡Viva Mexico!

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Anime Revolution

Frederick Linsmeyer • September 2, 2011 • Conventions

Vancouver has a new event in town – Anime Revolution! Many of us from the Lower Mainland knew that the void left by Anime Evolution would need to be filled, and the organizers behind Anime Revolution are looking to step up. The group appears promising in making the convention their top priority and have already selected a venue for 2012: The Vancouver Convention Centre. Of course, we’ll have to wait until next year when the convention happens – the coordinators have no previous affiliation with the departed Anime Evolution, which makes for a clean slate. The name Anime Revolution is meant to inspire a much needed change and also as a tribute to its predecessor.

Anime Revolution will take place between August 17^th – 19^th, 2012. Check out the Anime Revolution web site for additional information.

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The 2011 Fair at the PNE

Frederick Linsmeyer • August 20, 2011 • Local

Walking through the crowds towards Playland at the PNE.

The 101^st Fair at the PNE kicked off with a perfect August day – sun and heat. It’s not summer without the rides, mini donuts, the Superdogs, music, games, livestock, Dal Richards, and the prize home! Take in the Peking Acrobats at the Pacific Coliseum or escape the crowds by going for a stroll through the forested Sanctuary. The Marketplace is bursting with new and unique gadgets, treats, and other products from the world over.

The evenings come alive with performances from Kim Mitchell, One More Girl, Donny Osmond, Kenny Rogers, Delhi 2 Dublin and more – topped off with nightly fireworks! Check the PNE web site for the complete line up and times.

For those who are brave and can stomach heights, Playland has installed a new high-flying ride: ATMOSFEAR. As a bonus, ATMOSFEAR and the Hellevator don’t require purchasing a separate ride pass-they’re included in the standard Playland ride pass.

The Fair at the PNE is open from 11:00 am PDT and runs until Monday, September 5^th, 2011. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Discounted tickets can also be obtained at Safeway and 7-Eleven stores in the Metro Vancouver area. Looking for save a bit of cash? Get into the fair for free on Monday, August 22^nd, between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm PDT.

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Celebration of Light 2011 – China

Frederick Linsmeyer • July 31, 2011 • Local, Photography

China lights up the night

The first evening of the Celebration of Light started off on the right foot. Although the fireworks festival is down to three days from four, it still was a spectacular show with the first performer, China, setting the bar. Event organizers made some adjustments to help spectators have the best experience – an increased police presence to clamp down on disorderly conduct and public drunkenness, signs that arranged the beaches into alphabetized sections (similar to that of a parking lot) to help people find their friends, and a grand stand for others who just wanted to sit and have a clear view. Even a stunt pilot provided some intense aerial acrobatics for those who waited on the sandy shore of English Bay.

The overcast sky and threat of rain didn’t dampen the spirits or the pyrotechnics. With the barges closer than ever before, everyone was treated to waterfalls of fire, champagne bursts of light, and the thunderous boom of exploding stars. And with a brilliant selection of music, the crowd was definitely pleased. Missed the show? Check out some of the best shots on Gallery!