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It’s set to be a brutally hot day in Metro Vancouver.
On Saturday, August 12, Environment Canada issued a heat warning, alerting residents that “a prolonged heat wave will affect the South Coast.”
In addition to Metro Vancouver, affected areas include Fraser Valley and Howe Sound.
Temperatures are expected to soar to 33°C, and overnight lows should be around 17°C, according to the advisory. Residents are being urged to take precautions as it’s only going to get worse from here, with an intense heat wave expected to start from Sunday until Thursday.
It’s going to be so hot that it warranted a press conference by the BC government, who spoke at length about wildfire and drought conditions in the province.
Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, referred to the forecast as a “heat event.”
Conditions could feel as hot as they have been in Havana if the forecast pans out. Temperatures should start to fall to more seasonal values by Friday.
So what’s behind Saturday’s extreme weather?
“A strong ridge of high pressure will bring rising temperatures to the South Coast this weekend,” reads the statement. “Well above seasonal daytime temperatures combined with elevated overnight temperatures will mean little relief from the heat. However, daytime temperatures will be several degrees cooler near the coast due to breezes from off the water.”
It’s definitely well above average temperatures: the average high for this time of the year is 22.2°C, and the average low is 13.7°C.
Check HealthLinkBC to learn about heat-related illnesses and how to protect yourself.
With files from Amir Ali
There’s a lot of “Bad Blood” between Canadian Taylor Swift fans and Ticketmaster after the first round of stressful Eras Tour presales.
Many fans came out of the Wednesday and Thursday presales empty-handed, while resellers seemed to come out on top. Not even an hour after the sale started, sites like StubHub and Seat Geek were already reselling tickets for thousands of dollars.
Swifties took to social media to blame the “horrible experience” on Ticketmaster.
This is for Toronto venue and this was at 11:15 How does major Resellers get so many tickets, Ticketmaster / Taylor Swift tell me how this happens. Unbelievable!! pic.twitter.com/71W0G75EVL
— Bev Jenkins (@Tornado2u) August 9, 2023
On Friday, outraged fans in Canada took it to the next level. A change.org petition is now live, demanding that Ticketmaster change its policies surrounding resellers and its Verified Fan registration process.
“Presale codes have gone out, using the ‘verified fan’ registration process through Ticketmaster, however tickets are immediately being priced with dynamic pricing and being purchased for resale on third party ticket websites and social media for astronomical pricing,” reads the petition.
The petition says this gives fewer fans a fair opportunity to purchase the presale tickets.
It claims that more resellers than actual fans are getting through the Verified Fan process and purchasing the max amount of tickets to resell for a jacked-up price.
“Fans are tired, hurt, frustrated and disappointed,” reads the petition. “We want to be able to support Taylor but feel like we have had our voices and opportunities taken away from us. She has taught us to be brave and stand up for ourselves, so now we are.”
Swifties aren’t the only ones to speak out about concert ticket reselling. Canadian Indie Pop duo Tegan and Sara recently put resellers on blast on Twitter.
The petition has just over 900 signatures as of Friday afternoon.
“I want tickets at a normal price!” commented one person who signed the petition.
“You should only be able to buy tickets if your going to use them,” added another.
Swifties are also urging fans to file a complaint to Consumer Protection Ontario for the Toronto Eras Tour shows.
“Demand change for Ticketmaster’s resale policies and for laws to be implemented to cap resale prices at 50% above the original face value,” reads the petition.
You can sign the petition here.
If you’re one of the unlucky Swifties who has yet to secure a ticket, this upcoming sale will give you one more chance.
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Lizzo has finally released a statement after a bombshell lawsuit by her former dancers alleges they were sexually harassed and weight-shamed working for the singer.
In a response posted on Instagram Thursday morning, the “Truth Hurts” rapper denied the claims, calling them “unbelievable” and “too outrageous not to be addressed.”
“These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,” wrote Lizzo.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)
If you haven’t been keeping up with the story, here’s a quick recap.
On Tuesday, August 1, NBC News published an exclusive report about the lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles.
Three former dancers — Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez — accused Lizzo of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, religious and racial harassment, false imprisonment, interference with prospective economic advantage, and other allegations.
This includes specific claims like calling attention to one dancer’s weight gain and then firing them after she recorded a meeting because of a health condition, reported NBC News.
The dancers also accused Lizzo of pressuring one of them to touch a nude performer at a club in Amsterdam.
Another claim says the group was subjected to an “excruciating audition” after they were falsely accused of drinking on the job.
The captain of Lizzo’s dance team, Shirlene Quigly, is also included as a defendant in the lawsuit. They have been accused of deriding other performers who have had premarital sex and sharing sexual fantasies, simulating oral sex, and publicly discussing the virginity of one of the dancers, reported NBC News.
“The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly, while privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing,” lawyer Ron Zambrano told NBC News.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Arianna Davis (@aridavis5678)
In her response, Lizzo rejects the idea that she created a hostile work environment for these dancers.
“Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team,” she wrote.
The musician says that she’s not trying to play the victim, but also knows that she’s not the villain that the media has portrayed her to be.
She didn’t directly address the sexual harassment accusations but says that while she’s open with her sexuality, she cannot allow people to use that openness to make her out to be something that she’s not.
Lizzo did address the alleged weight-shaming.
“I know what it feels like to be body-shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight,” she wrote.
“I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this.”
Since the lawsuit dropped on Tuesday, other former Lizzo collaborators have also opened up about similar experiences.
Sophia Nahli Allison, a filmmaker who was hired to work on a documentary about the performer, says she walked away after about two weeks on the job.
“I was treated with such disrespect by her,” she wrote in a post on Twitter.
Sharing this because validating other Black women’s experiences is deeply important to me. pic.twitter.com/gd2xEK6szq
— Sophia Nahli Allison (@SophiaNAllison) August 1, 2023
Lizzo still has some concerts coming up, so we’ll see if the lawsuit affects the continuation of the shows.
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Sure, last month, Tim Hortons was offering free hot brewed coffee of any size to anyone IF they had a Ken-like name (to celebrate Barbie), but the unique marketing isn’t slowing down.
From August 5 to 6, the popular coffee chain is running its first-ever Boat-Thru. So what’s a boat-thru?
It’s literally a drive-thru on the water.
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This two-day-only event will be happening on Ontario’s Lake Scugog, serving free cold beverages to guests who arrive by watercraft. The free beverages will be from the summer drink lineup, like Caramel Toffee Cold Brew, Vanilla Iced Latte, and Blackberry Yuzu and Orange Ginger Sparkling Quenchers.
“The summertime Tims Run is an iconic Canadian tradition that’s a must-do when you’re gathering with family and friends,” said Hope Bagozzi, the chief marketing officer for Tim Hortons, in a press release.
“Our summers fly by so quickly and Canadians savour every moment of their long weekends – so we thought why not open our first-ever Tims Boat-Thru so our guests on Lake Scugog don’t miss a minute on the water.”
“There’s no better way to beat the heat this long weekend and all summer long than by enjoying one of our refreshing summer beverages.”
If you find yourself on a boat, jet ski, kayak, or other watercraft on Lake Scugog (at Beacon Marina at 3 Marina Drive in Caesarea, Ontario) this weekend, check out this pop-up on the lake from 10 am to 4 pm.
Following a five-year hiatus, the Toronto Raptors are coming back to Vancouver.
The Raptors and Sacramento Kings will play a preseason game at Rogers Arena on Sunday, October 8. It’s the first NBA preseason game scheduled in Vancouver since 2019, and the first visit by the Raptors since 2018, when Kawhi Leonard made his debut with his new team.
Visits to Vancouver used to be a near-annual occurrence for the Raptors, who held training camp at Fortius in Burnaby on multiple occasions. Rogers Arena hosted Raptors games against Sacramento in 2014, the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015, the Golden State Warriors in 2016, and the Portland Trail Blazers in 2018.
With each visit, energetic fan support from basketball-starved fans in Vancouver was notable.
“The Raptors have a deep connection with Canada’s west coast – our preseason games there have been a great way for our team to begin our season,” Raptors GM Bobby Webster said in a press release. “We’re looking forward to seeing Vancouver’s basketball fans at Rogers Arena in October, and to starting another exciting NBA season there.”
The Raptors, who missed the playoffs last season, are headlined by Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, and new first-round draft pick Gradey Dick.
Sacramento is a team on the rise, winning their division with a 48-34 record last season and making the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. They’re led by a pair of NBA All-Stars in De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. The Kings also feature Canadian power forward Trey Lyles.
The Vancouver contest is one of two neutral-site NBA preseason games to take place in Canada this season, as part of the NBA Canada Series. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons will play at the Bell Centre in Montreal on October 12.
“We’re extremely excited about this year’s NBA Canada Series presented by Bell, which comes at a time when basketball popularity and the level of talent coming from Canada are at an all-time high,” said NBA Canada senior VP and managing director Leah MacNab. “Through these two games and the surrounding events, the passionate NBA fans in Vancouver and Montréal will have the opportunity to see some of the best up-and-coming players in the league and several hometown heroes, which will inspire the next generation of fans and players across the country.”
Tickets will go on sale at a later date, with pre-sale opportunities available through the NBA Canada Series website.
Rapper Post Malone is the proud new owner of an ultra-rare trading card purchased from a collector right here in Ontario.
The discovery of one of the rarest trading cards in existence in Ontario sent shockwaves well beyond the collectibles community this summer, thanks in part to its estimated value of over $2 million.
The One Ring card was released back in June as part of a Lord of the Rings-themed card set for the game Magic: The Gathering. Like its namesake ring, the card was produced as a one-off, making it extremely rare and valuable in the trading community.
Finding a card valued in the millions was likely the shock of a lifetime for Toronto collector, Brook Trafton, who got even more excitement this week when the time came to sell off the rare collector’s item.
Trafton shared a video on social media showing the moment the card was purchased by Post Malone.
This is my dream come true, meeting @PostMalone and him buying the One Ring card from me is literally a moment straight out of a fairytale. @PostMalone @wizards_magic you’ve changed my life. Things like this don’t happen to people like me. Forever grateful 🙏 ✨ #mtg #onering pic.twitter.com/VMBlDA1HdD
— Brook Trafton (@BrookTrafton) August 1, 2023
In an Instagram post, Trafton wrote, “When I found the One Ring, the first person who came to mind was @postmalone. I have played MTG since I was a kid and obviously, it would be amazing to keep this card. But for a guy like me, being able to sell it is life-changing.”
“I just really hoped it would go to someone who would appreciate it as much as I do. This is my dream come true, meeting @postmalone and him buying the One Ring card from me is literally a moment straight out of a fairytale. @postmalone @wizards_magic you have changed my life. Things like this don’t happen to people like me, I guess it’s magic. I am forever grateful.”
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Even before the sale went down, Trafton was clearly excited about striking rich. Another video shows his hands visibly shaking before sending off the card for pre-sale grading.
The guy who pulled “The One Ring” Magic card worth $2,600,000 took this video before sending it in for grading… pic.twitter.com/5VnBHFCZ5X
— The Collectibles Guru 🧠 (@ericwhiteback) August 2, 2023
Now a couple million bucks wealthier and with a new celeb friend, Trafton is sure to remember the now-gone card that changed his life forever.
A video from the recent women’s 100m sprint at the World University Games in China is going viral for all the wrong reasons.
Finishing in last place by what seemed like a country mile, Somalian runner Nasra Abukar Ali has apparently set a new record at the event with her 21.81 second run believed to be the slowest sprint ever recorded by the FISU.
And to be fair, calling it a “sprint” is a bit of an overstatement.
The seemingly unprepared athlete finished a whole 10 seconds behind the winner of the race, jogging her way to the finish line.
An untrained runner from Somalia has reportedly set a new record for the slowest 100m sprint after competing at the @FISU World University Games 👀
Nasra Abukar Ali posted a time of 21.81 seconds, finishing a full 10 seconds behind the winner⏱ pic.twitter.com/95KOoCrapm
— Eurosport (@eurosport) August 3, 2023
The 20-year-old’s run was so slow that Somalia’s sports minister Mohamed Barre Mohamud publicly apologized on Wednesday.
The minister also ordered that Khadijo Aden Dahir, the chairwoman of the national track and field federation, be suspended in a letter addressed to the Somali National Olympic Committee and tweeted by the ministry.
Suspension of the Chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation, Ms. Khadijo Aden Dahir pic.twitter.com/UZsO0A4UiA
— Ministry of Youth and Sports of Somalia (@MoysFGS) August 2, 2023
When Mohamud addressed the issue, he stated that his ministry had no knowledge of how Abukar Ali was selected to participate in the prestigious event without proper training or preparation. This has since raised questions about the selection process and the criteria used to choose athletes to represent the country at international competitions.
In the report about Dahir, she is accused of “abuse of power, nepotism, and defaming the name of the nation”.
There have also been allegations of the young sprinter being a relative of Dahir’s, allowing her the chance to compete because of it, The Associated Press reported.
The ministry also intends to “pursue legal action” against the chairman of the country’s athletics federation and any other “individuals responsible for falsification of the Somali University Sports Association.”
To make matters worse, on Tuesday, the Association of Somalia Universities said it had not sent any runners to China as part of an official team.
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The BC Day long weekend is upon us, and there’s so much to see and do!
Make the most of your time with our roundup of 20 great events happening around Metro Vancouver from August 4 to 7. Pride Parade, Mural Festival, and more.
And for more fun things happening around town be sure to check out our Listed section.
VANCOUVER PRIDE PARADE AND FESTIVAL 2023
What: One of Vancouver’s most popular summer festivals returns with an expanded festival and new parade route for 2023.
VanPrideFest will stretch from Creekside Park to Concord Community Park and Concord Pacific Place and takes place on August 5 and 6. Pride Weekend’s signature Parade will take place on Sunday, August 6, beginning at the intersection of Davie Street and Denman and ending at the new festival site at Concord Pacific Place.
When: August 5 and 6, 2023 (Festival), August 6, 2023 (Parade) Time: Various times Where: Creekside Park, Concord Community Park and Concord Pacific Place (Festival). The parade will start at the intersection of Davie Street and Denman and end at the new festival site at Concord Pacific Place. Cost: Free
VANCOUVER BLACK PRIDE
What: Afroqueer YVR is a QTBIPOC inclusive event that celebrates the Black LGBTQIA+ community by holding space for queer, femme, trans, genderqueer, and non-gender-conforming Black people.
The fifth annual event will be held at 1100 Bute Street and features an all-black lineup of DJs, dancers, vendors, security, and staff.
When: August 5, 2023 Time: 5 pm to midnight Where: 1100 Bute Street, Vancouver Tickets: $45, purchase online
GREY GOOSE PRESENTS THE LAWN CLUB
What: Grey Goose is bringing The Lawn Club experience to Vancouver. This pétanque experience will run for a total of seven days, with guests given the chance to play a game of lawn bowling while enjoying cocktails and canapés.
The lawn bowling portion of the event will feature a 45-minute round of pétanque, with a refreshing Grey Goose vodka soda or spritz cocktail to keep you cool while you play. Groups can stay at the private and stylish clubhouse for up to two hours after playing, with more drinks available for purchase as well as a selection of chef-made French crêpes.
When: Now until August 7, 2023 Time: Various time slots Where: Concord Pacific Place, Lot 039, 811 Carrall Street, Vancouver Cost: $35 per person; buy tickets here
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS VS TIGRES UANL
What: The Vancouver Whitecaps’ march to international supremacy continues this week when they take on a powerhouse team from Mexico’s top league.
Tigres UANL, the CONCACAF Champions in 2020, will play the Whitecaps at BC Place on Friday, August 4, in the Round of 32. It’s the latest match for both teams in the Leagues Cup, a “World Cup-style” tournament that runs until August 19.
When: August 4, 2023 Time: 7:30 pm Where: BC Place – 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver Cost: Various, purchase online
NORTH VANCOUVER’S SHIPYARDS NIGHT MARKET
What: North Vancouver’s Shipyards Night Market is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Lower Lonsdale in 2023. The popular free event takes place every Friday and features a beer garden, live music, market vendors, and food trucks.
The Shipyards Night Market will also be honouring Ingrid Doerr, the founder of the beloved event, this year.
When: Every Friday until September 15, Time: 3 to 10 pm Where: The Shipyards — 125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver Cost: Free
MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
What: Arts Club Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning Million Dollar Quartet, a rocking jukebox musical inspired by true events that brought Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis together for one time only. The show is packed with memorable hits, including “That’s Alright,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and more.
When: Various dates until August 6, 2023 Time: Various times Where: Granville Island Stage – 1585 Johnston Street, Vancouver Cost: starting from $39, purchase online
VANCOUVER MURAL FESTIVAL
What: Vancouver Mural Fest (VMF) 2023, taking place from August 4 to 13, has announced that it will feature over 20 new murals across Metro Vancouver.
VMF will also host daily mural tours, curator talks, the massive Mount Pleasant Street Party during its final weekend, and more for all ages to enjoy.
When: August 4 to 13, 2023 Time: Various times Where: Various locations Cost: Free and ticketed events
MUSIC MOUNTAIN SERIES AT SEA TO SKY GONDOLA
What: The hills are alive with the sound of music at Sea to Sky Gondola. The popular attraction is hosting a variety of acclaimed musicians throughout the summer, including Bluesberry Jam on August 4, Jocelyn Pettit Band on August 11, Los Duendes on August 18, and Ruckus Deluxe on August 25.
When: Every Friday until September 15, 2023 (no concert on September 1) Time: 5 to 8 pm Where: 36800 BC-99 – Squamish Admission: Free with a season pass or day ticket
VANCOUVER DYKE MARCH
What: The Vancouver Dyke March and Festival happens on August 5 on Commercial Drive and is a celebration that centres the experiences of those whose gender identity or expression intersects with their sexual orientation to further marginalize them within the wider LGBTQIA2S+ community.
Everyone is welcome to join the march starting from McSpadden Park at noon and then down Commercial Drive to Grandview Park. The festival will feature live performances, vendors, art creation, and more.
When: August 5, 2023 Time: 11 am meeting at McSpadden Park. Depart McSpadden Park at noon. Festival at Grandview Park from 12:30 to 5 pm Where: McSpadden Park – 2125 Victoria Drive, Vancouver; Grandview Park – 1657 Charles Street, Vancouver, Cost: Free
POWELL STREET FESTIVAL
What: One of Canada’s largest and longest-running community arts festivals is returning to Vancouver this summer, and it promises a lineup of food and entertainment for all.
The 47th annual Powell Street Festival is happening on August 5 and 6 at Oppenheimer Park and the Paueru Gai (the Powell Street area and Vancouver’s historical Japanese neighbourhood).
Whether you’re checking it out for the first or 40th time, Powell Street Fest will be a jam-packed weekend celebrating Japanese Canadian culture, food, and art.
When: August 5 and 6, 2023 Time: 11:30 am to 7 pm Where: Oppenheimer Park and Paueru Gai (Powell Street area), Vancouver Admission: Free
HAPPYLAND FESTIVAL
What: The second annual Happyland Festival, presented by Timbre Concerts and Sunrise Series, is happening at PNE Amphitheatre and Playland. A fully inclusive Pride celebration, Happyland features an epic lineup of performers, including RuPaul’s Drag Race champion Trixie Mattel, Pabllo Vittar with Alaska, Slayyyter, and Priyanka.
The big event will be hosted by Venus, with attendees also enjoying performances from the cast of ENBY6 ft. PM, Venus, Rogue, Kara Juku, MX Bukuru and Amy Grindhouse, Softieshan, and Mygayhusband. Tickets include access to Playland.
When: August 6, 2023 Time: Doors 4:30 pm, show 5 pm Where: PNE Amphitheatre and Playland, Vancouver Tickets: Various prices, purchase online
WHISTLER SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
What: The Whistler Summer Concert Series returns to Whistler Olympic Plaza this summer. Music lovers can enjoy nine nights of free concerts throughout August, including Half Moon Run, Steph Strings, and The Original Wailers.
Each evening’s programming begins at 6:30 pm with live opening DJ sets. Headlining performers take the stage at 7:30 pm.
When: Every Thursday and Friday until August 31, 2023 Time: 6:30 pm (live DJ sets) and 7:30 pm (headlining sets) Where: Whistler Olympic Plaza – 4365 Blackcomb Way, Whistler Cost: Free
RICHMOND SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL 2023
What: The fourth annual Richmond Sunflower Festival will welcome guests to its over 20 acres of sunflowers, dahlias, and gladiolas starting on Saturday, August 5.
Open for as long as the flowers are blooming, the festival features over 90 varieties of stunning flowers as well as plenty of Instagram-worthy spots.
When: August 5, 2023, for as long as the flowers are blooming Time: 1 to 8 pm (Mondays to Fridays), 10 am to 8 pm (weekends and holidays) Where: Richmond Country Farms – 12900 Steveston Highway, Richmond Cost: Tickets are $12 on weekdays, $15 on weekends, and children three and under are free.
THE REALLY GAY HISTORY WALKING TOUR
What: Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours presents a guided celebration of the unsung heroes who helped change the social fabric of the city, including drag kings, two-spirit warriors, queer church ministers, and transgender crime fighters. Led by guide Glenn Tkach, guests will discover the gayest beer parlour in town, learn about pioneers of the LGBTQ2+ community, and more.
When: Every Sunday, plus extra dates during Pride from August 3 to 7, 2023 Time: 10 am Where: Starts outside the Robert Lee YMCA on Burrard Street. Cost: $32, purchase online
NEIGHBOURHOOD PATIO AT BENTALL CENTRE
What: The Bentall Centre’s Neighbourhood Patio pop-up takes place every Thursday and Friday until August 25, with live music, art and dance nights, pop-up markets, and more.
In addition to DJs and live music, the temporary summer patio will offer a chill space to enjoy sips and snacks right in the heart of Vancouver.
When: Every Thursday and Friday until August 25, 2023 Time: 3 to 9 pm Where: The Breezeway at Bentall Centre — 595 Burrard Street, Vancouver Tickets: Reserve a table online
SUMMER CINEMA IN BURNABY
What: The evenings are getting warmer in Metro Vancouver, which means it’s the perfect season to watch a movie outdoors. Good thing that the City of Burnaby is bringing back Summer Cinema to Civic Square throughout August.
When: Every Friday from August 4 to September 1, 2023, plus Saturday, August 26 Time: 8:30 pm Where: Civic Square by Bob Prittie Library – 6100 Willingdon Avenue, Burnaby (except August 26, which is at Edmonds Park – 7433 Humphries Avenue, Burnaby) Cost: Free
COOL OFF AT CULTUS LAKE WATERPARK
What: A mere 90-minute drive from Vancouver, Cultus Lake Waterpark will start welcoming guests for the 2023 season on weekends starting Saturday, June 10, and daily starting Saturday, June 24.
Cultus Lake opened in 1984 and is locally owned and operated. With numerous waterslides, several splash pads, a lazy river, and even hot tubs, the park is the perfect way to enjoy a summer day.
When: Now until September 4, 2023 Time: Various times Where: Cultus Lake Waterpark – 4150 Columbia Valley Highway, Cultus Lake Cost: Various, purchase online
FRIDAY NIGHTS AT 1931 GALLERY BISTRO
What: The 1931 Gallery Bistro at Vancouver Art Gallery will be offering a whole new reason to check out the patio space after seeing an exhibition, as visitors will be able to enjoy the patio every Friday night from 5 to 8 pm.
The 1931 Gallery Bistro usually closes at 4 pm, so this is a rare chance to spend a romantic summer evening on the patio space – plus, admission tickets to the gallery will get you a free drink!
When: Every Friday night until August 25, 2023 Time: 5 to 8 pm Where: 1931 Gallery Bistro, Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
PRIDE PIT STOP AT BC PLACE
What: BC Place is hosting its first-ever Pride Pitstop with parade and festivalgoers invited to enjoy the beer garden located at Gate E on the outer concourse. Refresh yourself with on-site food trucks and drink service, as well as photo ops and live music by DJ O Show.
You can also head inside Gate E to find additional food and beverage options as well as access indoor washrooms.
When: August 6, 2023 Time: 11 am to 7 pm Where: Gate E at BC Place – 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver Cost: Free
SERATE IN PIAZZA
What: Serate in Piazza is a magical dinner, dancing, and live music evening every Friday at the Italian Cultural Centre. You can register online for these events, which are free to attend, with food and drink available for purchase.
When: Every Friday night throughout the summer Time: 6 to 9 pm Where: Italian Cultural Centre, 3075 Slocan Street, Vancouver Tickets: Free, register online
Get ready Swifties, because Taylor Swift has officially announced her Canadian Eras Tour concert dates.
It’s been a long time coming, with many Swifties up north wondering if they’d be left out in the cold after Swift failed to include any Canadian dates in her latest tour announcements.
Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tried his hand at getting Swift to come to Canada.
It looks like she hasn’t forgotten her Canadian fans after all.
Swift has announced six tour dates in Toronto in November 2024.
The singer will grace the Rogers Centre stage on November 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23.
Turns out it’s NOT the end of an era 😝 Miami, New Orleans, Indy and Toronto: The Eras Tour is coming to you in 2024 with @gracieabrams! Verified fan registration for all shows is open now – visit https://t.co/xw6YMN3GMc for more information pic.twitter.com/DCgFQb2U22
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) August 3, 2023
It seems like Swift is definitely enchanted by Toronto, as this is her only Canadian stop so far.
But we’ll keep hoping that it’ll be a love story for the rest of the country, and she’ll announce more Canadian Eras Tour dates soon.
Verified fan registration for all shows is open now on taylorswift.com, so run, don’t walk to her site!
Sticking to his favourite game has paid off big time for one lottery player who’s now celebrating a six-figure win.
Pasqualino Meffe, 75, is a retired transit operator who lives in Mississauga, Ontario, and has been playing the lottery for quite a while. He enjoys playing games like Cash for Life, Lotto 6/49, and Lotto Max. However, one favourite game, in particular, would prove extremely lucky.
“I’ve been playing Crossword Extreme since it came out,” said Meffe.
After purchasing one, Meffe started to play his ticket, and one by one, he started uncovering one word after another.
In all, he uncovered 11 words, which meant that he had won the game’s top prize worth $350,000.
“I couldn’t believe it and had to scan it twice!” he recalled.
An uncertain Meffe then asked his daughter to check his ticket. And since one can never be too sure, he went to the store to scan his ticket, and that’s when it finally sunk in.
“The cashier saw that I won and was out of breath,” he said about the bizarre and happy moment. “I finally believed it was real when OLG called to confirm my win.”
While Meffe was at the OLG Prize Centre in downtown Toronto to pick up his cheque, he said that he plans to manage his finances.
And to celebrate the occasion, he said, “Maybe I’ll take a vacation, too. This win will help me a lot. It’s a really good feeling.”
His winning ticket was purchased at Lucky Lotto Centre on City Centre Drive in Mississauga.
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So far, most of the progress updates on the construction of SkyTrain Millennium Line’s Broadway Extension have focused on the tunnel boring operation.
Both tunnel boring machines are still making their way westward towards their final destination at Cypress Street, just before the future Arbutus Station. Their next breakthrough is at the future Oak-VGH Station — the mid-way point of their five-km-long journey, after starting from the pit of the future Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station in Fall 2022.
Tunnel boring is expected to reach completion before the end of this year.
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But other aspects of the project, the finer details, are now also starting to take visual shape.
If all goes as planned, the 5.7-km-long extension of the Millennium Line with six subway stations will open in early 2026.
Here is a rundown of just a few project features based on recently released construction photos:
ELEVATED GUIDEWAY
The short 700-metre elevated guideway between the existing VCC-Clark Station and the tunnel portal is built using steel girder construction.
Construction crews have nearly finished installing prefabricated deck panels on the steel girders to enable a concrete deck to be poured on top of the prefabricated deck panels. After the concrete deck is created on top of the panels, work will begin on installing the railway tracks.
TUNNEL PORTAL NEXT TO GREAT NORTHERN WAY-EMILY CARR STATION
The tunnel portal, where the elevated guideway transitions into a tunnel, is really starting to take shape. It is situated immediately north of the Emily Carr University of Art & Design building, and just east of the future underground Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station
This transition box tunnel portal will be squared shape, unlike the round tunnels made by the tunnel boring machines west of Great Northern Way-Emily Carr Station.
MOUNT PLEASANT STATION
The concrete underground walls that will be seen from inside Mount Pleasant Station are being poured.
Large pieces of blue and yellow formwork are used to shape the walls while concrete is poured inside. Once the concrete is strong enough, the formwork is removed to reveal the finished walls.
BROADWAY-CITY HALL STATION
Crews are tunnelling the footpath tunnels at Broadway-City Hall Station that will allow passengers to directly transfer between the Canada Line platform level and the Millennium Line platform level.
The prolonged lane closures on Cambie Street next to this station construction site accommodated the previous sewer relocation project. The traffic configuration has remained for the current task of building the footpath tunnels, specifically the footpath to reach the Canada Line’s southbound platform under Cambie Street’s southbound road lanes.
OAK-VGH STATION
A waterproofing membrane being installed inside the Oak-VGH Station pit ahead of the breakthrough of both tunnel boring machines.
SOUTH GRANVILLE STATION AND THE 39-STOREY TOWER
The temporarily sealed opening in the wall is the footpath tunnel that leads to the future South Granville Station street entrance within the ground level of PCI Developments’ 39-storey, mixed-use tower under construction.
This opening links the street entrance with the underground station concourse.
Rebar is being installed on top of the orange waterproofing member at the pit of South Granville Station.
The orange membrane will keep the station dry, and the rebar will reinforce the station’s base slab foundation. The next step will be to pour the concrete foundation.
At the southeast corner of the intersection of Granville Street and West Broadway, right next to the subway station pit for South Granville Station, PCI Developments’ is making clear progress on the construction of its 39-storey, mixed-use tower.
The tower has now ascended past its halfway point in height, with workers currently pouring the 24th floor.
The station entrance will be prominently located at the intersection corner, fully integrated into the building. The tower will contain 223 rental homes, 100,000 sq ft of office space, 7,000 sq ft of retail/restaurant uses, and a 22,000 sq ft Loblaws City Market grocery store.
Construction on the tower is scheduled to reach completion in 2025.
ARBUTUS STATION
Compared to the other stations, Arbutus Station is in an earlier construction progress stage, as it is the last station on the excavation route of the tunnel boring machines.
Both tunnel boring machines will end their journey at the site of the future crossover tracks just west of the terminus station’s platforms.
From Arbutus Station, the $2.83-billion, 5.7-km-long Millennium Line Broadway Extension will enable travel times of only 11 minutes to VCC-Clark Station, 12 minutes to Commercial-Broadway Station, 32 minutes to Lougheed Town Centre Station, and 47 minutes to Lafarge-Lake Douglas Station in Coquitlam.
For the remaining journey to the University of British Columbia campus, passengers will board a truncated 99 B-Line service starting from the bus exchange at Arbutus Station, until the Millennium Line is further extended westward to reach the campus.
You might also like:
- First look inside the new tunnels being built for the Broadway Subway (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
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- Potential expanded design for future 152 Street Station on Surrey-Langley SkyTrain includes second entrance and overpass
- Loblaws City Market to open huge new location at future SkyTrain station
- Montreal has opened a massive SkyTrain-inspired driverless train network (PHOTOS)