I'm not sure whether to laugh at this or not...

Well, I bet the person who wins the $500 won't be laughing!
You can win $500 just for telling Santa what you want for Christmas at the Cellar's /Sexy Santa Party/! Not bad! This Wednesday, December 16th you can head to the Cellar (1006 Granville Street) to party it up with free gingerbread and fun prizes. As well, they're collecting donations for the food bank, so bring a non-perishable item with you to get in the holiday giving spirit.

http://www.cellarvan.com/clubnights_detail.php?id=62

(Insert Witty Russian Title Here)

Republic (958 Granville Street) will be hosting the Russian Standard launch party - "The #1 premium vodka in Russia!" on Wednesday, December 16th from 10pm to 3am!

Do you, like me, have a secret fetish for all things Russian? That crazy language? Vodka? Snow? Warm clothes? Hunky men named Vlad?

Check out this vodka launch event Wednesday night at Republic, with DJs Supafly, BZ Black and the Boyscouts.

(I wish I knew a Russian word that I could sign off this post with!)

http://www.dhmbars.ca/republic0events.aspx?1=187&2=187&3=3&4=3&6=86&8=86&10=86&12=86&14=86&16=86&17=187&19=187&21=187&23=187&25=187&27=187&18=186&20=186&22=186&24=186&26=186&28=186

You had me at "Complimentary Cover with any canned food donation!"

Dance away the night to Top 40, Hip Hop and holiday dance hits!! It has always been my dream to go to a club and dance to Christmas music. I don't know anyone who loves Christmas music as much as I do, but maybe I could find my soul-mate at Caprice's Winter Wonderland party next Tuesday, December 22nd.

http://www.capricenightclub.com/event3.htm

Packed Weekend!

This weekend is packed!  There's not even room to breathe in this city!  Well, actually, everything that this weekend is packed with is relaxing, so you'll definitely have room to breathe and relax.  And shop, and go out, and...  you get the point.

Tomorrow, Friday the 17th, will see a variety of activities going on in Yaletown.  I guess everyone there got together and decided to get their name around.  First of all, it's Hot Friday, which means there will be a DJ, performances and retail promos (from noon to 7pm).  Second, and perhaps more importantly, there's a Shopathon!  Discounts, specials, prizes, cocktails and free swag!  Can you turn that down?  Me neither!

Want to do something more cultural?  It's also the Vancouver Folk Music Festival down at Jericho Beach!  Go see Fire and Wine, the Weakerthans, Dan Mangan and a variety of others (those are just the bands I know from the radio!).

This weekend also sees the arrival of the BC Renaissance Festival, if that's more your speed.  You can make the trek to Langley (!) to go to the Renaissance marketplace, see their performances, and wear your chain mail (because, seriously, how often do you pull that one out of the closet?).

And if you don't want to go all the way to Langley, you can go see the Comedy of Errors in Queens Park!  This one is even free!  Shakespeare?  Outdoors?  Free?  Count me in!

Still haven't found what you want?  No Doubt will be in town Saturday night, GM Place, packed with screaming fans while Gwen and her buddies put on a phenomenal show (just guessin').

For more info about any of these items, check out my calendar at the bottom of my blog.

Have a great weekend!!

Gold Diggers

If I was so rich I could spend $130 to go out on a Thursday night (sadly, I'm not), I'd be headed to the Opus Hotel a week from today to check out their Au = Precious Element fundraiser evening for the Arts Umbrella.

The theme is GOLD!  

Your ticket will get you a couple of gold-themed drinks, and you're supposed to dress in gold, too.

You can find all the information you need in my new calendar, at the bottom of this page, or at: www.artsumbrella.com/events/fundraising/preciouselement

And in case you're wondering who they're fundraising for, naturally you can see that, too: www.artsumbrella.com

Side-Tracked at Steamworks

Sometimes it’s nice to try a new restaurant or bar. And I do love trying new restaurants and bars! But sometimes it’s nice to go somewhere familiar, a place that you know is always great.

It has happened to me more than once, where I’ve headed downtown with a new restaurant or lounge in mind and then I’ve gotten sidetracked and headed to Steamworks, beside Waterfront Station. I know that Steamworks will never let me down!

I have not yet had a bad experience at Steamworks. The food is always good, even if I try something experimental (Proscutto Salad) instead of my regular favourite, the Santa Fe Salad.

The best part of going there is sharing a pitcher of Mojitos with a friend. The waiters don’t look at you judgmentally for splitting a whole pitcher between two people. They’ll even offer you another if you finish it!