Archive for the ‘Vancouver area’ Category

• Ice Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink

  Date: 2010.12.06 | Category: Day Dates, Inexpensive dates, Limited Run, Night Dates, Outdoor Dates, Vancouver area | Response: 0

  It is not winter in Canada without ice skating…..or at least watching ice skating.  Another tradition in Vancouver just opened today – free ice skating

  

  Skaters inside the Robson Square Ice Rink

   at Robson Square Ice Rink.  Yes, there is a lot of construction going on around the rink (located underneath the Vancouver Art Gallery) but it is worth the hassle of getting there.  So, Pete and I decided to have a date night by strolling Robson Street, grabbing a hot chocolate from Café Artigiano on Hornby and watching ice skating at the Robson Square Rink.    Okay, yes it would have been better to have a date night where we actually went ice skating – after all, you can rent skates at the rink for only $3 – but both Pete and I failed skating in school so we felt it was in the interest of public safety that we keep our crash and tumble act to ourselves.  Still, it was highly amusing to watch the skaters – some experienced and some not – out on the ice.  The rink is open seven days a week until the end of February 2011 between the hours of 9 am to 9pm.  On Friday and Saturdays, it is open until 11pm.

• Pacific Spirit Park

  Date: 2010.11.18 | Category: Dog Friendly Dates, Inexpensive dates, Outdoor Dates, Uncategorized, Vancouver area | Response: 0

  Last year we got a dog and have discovered one of those  incredible hidden gems in our city – Pacific Spirit Park.  It has become one of our favourite day date places to go.  The park is on the west side of Vancouver (UBC neighbourhood) and is over 54 km of walking/hiking/mountain biking trails.  It is a good idea to grab a map of the various trails so you don’t get lost when you are inside the park.  (Remember Hanzel and Gretel?  They should have had a map!!)

  We love it because it is so tranquil to walk amongst the old growth forest and just relax.  The trails are soft and it can get quite muddy when it rains so be sure to wear old shoes.  The smell of the trees is incredible….it is like walking in your very own oxygen purifier.   Even if it is raining, the huge trees offer a nice protection from downpours.  It is honestly very special. 

  After the walk (or before) there are tons of options for lunch, coffee or window shopping  in Point Grey Village which is located on West 10th.  There is a Starbucks (of course!) at 4582 West 10th and our new favourite place to stop for Chinese food is called Ginger and Chili.  It is located at  4423 West 10th.  Check it out!

• The Hollywood Theatre

  Date: 2010.10.25 | Category: Day Dates, Indoor Dates, Inexpensive dates, Night Dates, Ongoing, theatre, Vancouver area | Response: 1

  I rarely go to movies in the big movie-plexes any more. I think the high ticket cost and  the annoying patrons (Come on, People…stop texting already!!) has taken the joy out of it for me. Pete and I usually watch movies in the comfort of our own home – where I can lie in my sweatpants, drink wine and pause the movie to pee. With our good TV system, we really don’t need to go out…we can stay at home.

  But the one place that can lure me out to watch a movie is The Hollywood. I love this theatre. I really do. There is something so old school charming about it. The Hollywood theatre just celebrated its 75th year of showing movies in its Kitsilano neighbourhood. The single screen movie theatre is almost a thing of the past but this one has managed to keep going. It is a pillar of the community and watching movies there is such a fun thing to do. The seats are old, the movies are second run but the popcorn has real butter and the tickets are insanely cheap. (For adults to see a double feature the tickets are $8 Tuesday through Sunday; on Mondays all seats are $6) You don’t mind watching movies with the masses because that is part of the experience.

  This date night we saw The American with George Clooney (the cost was a grand total of $12 for both of us since it is a Monday. We could have stayed for no additional cost to watch the second feature – Casablanca – but tomorrow is a work day). If you are wanting to extend your evening, there are tons of yummy and inexpensive restaurants and bars in the ‘hood to keep you happy. (if you need some suggestions, just ask)

  Go see a movie at The Hollywood on your next date night. There is something very vintage and romantic about it.

  Website for The Hollywood Theatre

  ***** Sadly, the Hollywood Theatre closed on May 29, 2011.  Thank you to the owners for all the nights of laughs, tears and joy you brought us with your movies.  We wish you much happiness.  **************

• Fright Nights at the PNE

  Date: 2010.10.25 | Category: Limited Run, Night Dates, Outdoor Dates, Vancouver area | Response: 0

  I am not a huge fan of things that go bump in the night but Pete loves them so this past Sunday we found ourselves at Fright Night.  Fright Night happens every October when the PNE fairgrounds are converted into a big haunted playhouse.  The tickets were a bit pricey – $28/ adult but we bought them online for $25 each.  We went late (at around 9pm) and it was busy but still fun.  We had a great time people watching in the line up.  It is definitely a younger demographic at this event as I am sure we were the only people in line who could legally buy our own beer but the vibe was super fun. 

  There are a variety of theme haunted houses for you to visit.  Inside each house the mood is super creepy and you will scream when things/ people/ creatures pop out at you.  I can’t image touring these haunted houses if you are high It could be dangerous for you and the poor student actors who are poorly paid to make you scream!  (although some of our line up friends were up to the challenge – there was enough “skunk” in the air to ensure none of us would pass an Olympic drug test). 

  Before leaving, we grabbed a bag of the requisite mini donuts and headed for home.  It was a fun/ scary date night. 

  Fright Night runs until Oct 31^st.

  Here is some info:

  Fright Nights at the Pacific National Exhibition

  PS: Oh and yes, you can ride the wooden roller coaster but after seeing the Fright Night promo video don’t say I didn’t warn you!!! 🙂

• Gutenberg! The Musical!

  Date: 2010.09.25 | Category: Comedy, Limited Run, Night Dates, North Vancouver area, theatre, Vancouver area | Response: 0

  Pete and I  saw Gutenberg!  The Musical! last year at the Fringe and it is super insane and wacky.   We plan on seeing it again in the next couple of days but thought we should bring it to your attention now before the run ends.  

  The musical is actually a two-man low-budget pitch session trying to sell you –  the audience –  their historical fiction account of the life of Johannes Gutenberg (the man who invented the movable type press and printed one of the first Bibles.)   There is not a lot of historical accuracy in the play but there are a lot of hats, references to dead babies and great comic bits. 

  Gutenberg!  The Musical!  is playing in North Vancouver at Presentation House from now to October 9.   Tickets are $24 to $28. 

  Information and review contained below:

  Gutenberg!:  The Musical! 

  Review in Georgia Straight

• Vancouver TheatreSports League

  Date: 2010.09.25 | Category: Comedy, Drink Dates, Indoor Dates, Inexpensive dates, Night Dates, Ongoing, theatre, Vancouver area | Response: 0

  Pete and I love to laugh and find that the most consistent comedy bang for your buck is at the Vancouver TheatreSports League.  Having just moved into their beautiful new home at The Improv Centre on Granville Island, it is a fun place to have a date. 

  Yesterday, we went to the Friday 10pm Vancouver TheatreSports League show and it was hilarious.  For those of you who have not been to VTSL (or not been for a while), they do improv comedy, which means the performers have no script.  They rely upon suggestions from the audience to give them an idea and they must build a scene around it.  We go a lot and always find the shows fun and entertaining.  As a warning, the later the show, the looser the players get.  If you are more conservative, you may want to stick with the earlier shows. 

  This was another relatively cheap date night as the cost for two tickets totalled $40.  We each had one drink and that was about $15….so a super fun night for under $60. 

  If you want to expand your date night, the location gives you tons of options.  Now that they are fully licenced, VTSL has a cool bar area where you can sip a drink and look out over the yachts anchored in False Creek either before or after the show.  Prior to that you can grab a snack or dinner at any of the great restaurants on Granville Island like Sandbar, Bridges, Cats Social House etc.  After the show, you can wander the boardwalk around the outer edge of the Island and look at the incredible views. 

  Get information on shows, ticket prices, cast lists and schedules at:

  Vancouver TheatreSports League Website