Vancouver B.C. Officials Offer Agenda of Happenings
Published 02/09/2010
(Vancouver, British Columbia) - Any which way visitors turn during the 2010 Winter Games, they'll encounter a veritable bonanza of Olympic-related events, including country pavilions and cultural activities. Vancouver tourism officials have listed some of these hot spots visitors should know about, as well as released some information about walking tours of this one-of-a-kind city.
For those looking to whoop it up a bit, city-sponsored celebration sites include: LiveCity Downtown (February 13-28, March 12-14, 18-21); LiveCity Yaletown (February 11-28); Richmond O Zone (February 12-28); West Vancouver Spirit Square (February 12-28); Surrey 2010 Celebration Site (February 12-28), and North Vancouver Winterfest 2010 at Lonsdale Quay (February 12-28).
For those wanting to take in a little of the arts while in B.C., there’s bundles of that to do as well.
Culture is one of the three official pillars of the Olympic movement (alongside sport and environment). The 2010 Winter Games will honour that pillar with Cultural Olympiad 2010 - the official arts festival, bringing more than 600 ticketed and free arts events to some 50 venues in the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Cultural Olympiad 2010, which runs from January 22 to March 21, includes cutting edge theatre, dance, music, visual arts, new media and more.
Aside from Cultural Olympiad 2010, cultural tourists will find plenty to interest them in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Games, including:
The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) is staging two major exhibitions and offering free admission during the 2010 Winter Games. Along with drawings by Leonardo da Vinci and a major survey of British Columbia's visual art, the Georgia Street facade of the iconic VAG building (Vancouver's original courthouse) will feature a massive hand-painted mural by Taiwanese artist Michael Lin. On the Robson Street side, the VAG will present film and video works on a massive LED screen over the Robson Street facade as part of CUE: Artists' Videos.
A massive light show called Vectorial Elevation will illuminate Vancouver's night sky and False Creek waterway from February 4 to 28. Created by Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer for CODE (Cultural Olympiad Digital Edition), the installation will consist of 20 powerful searchlights moving in patterned sequences. There is even the opportunity for people from around the world to submit their own light sequences online at www.vectorialvancouver.net.
The Vancouver Biennale 2009-2011 is a bi-annual public sculpture exhibition that brings the work of celebrated and emerging artists to public spaces in Vancouver, including beaches, urban plazas and parks. Twenty-seven massive sculptures will be installed all over the city.
More than 140 Aboriginal art works from First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists will grace the Olympic and Paralympic venues as part of the 2010 Aboriginal Arts Program. Many of the pieces are seamlessly integrated into the structure of the venues and will become permanent fixtures.
With a year-round mild climate, the best way to explore Vancouver is by foot. The city is pedestrian-friendly and walking tours offer a great way to get a local's view with the freedom to really experience Vancouver's unique neighbourhoods. Vancouver Urban Adventures offers five different walking tours ranging from a two-hour stroll through the sights, sounds and smells of Gastown and Chinatown; through to a seven-hour nature adventure exploring the dams, canyons and mountains of Vancouver's North Shore. With many tours starting steps away from Canada Place Cruise Ship Terminal, these walk-abouts offer the perfect way for visitors to get some fresh air, stretch their legs and get to know the city a little better. Tours start from $25 CAD, and include public transit where necessary. www.vancouverurbanadventures.com
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