Today is the City of Vancouver Archives building will celebrate its 39th anniversary. Opening on December 29th, 1973 in at 1150 Chestnut Street near Vanier Park, they were named after the man who started the archives when Vancouver was a new city — Major J.S. Matthews.
Matthews declared the Vancouver City Archives officially open on June 13, 1933 but the Major J.S. Matthews Building that we have today was the first building in Canada to be built specifically as a city archive.
You can visit to do research in the reading room, access the materials from the stacks, research online, search their database and more.
The archives are currently closed for the holidays but they’ll re-open on Wednesday, January 2, 2012 at 9:00am. They are free to visit and my favourite feature is that you can look through old albums of historical Vancouver photos and order prints for a very reasonable fee.
Follow the City of Vancouver Archives through their website, blog, Flickr, History Pin, Facebook, and Twitter for more information.
Press Play Establishment is bringing FashionTV‘s New Year’s Eve party to Vancouver to ring in 2013 with a whole lot of style at the distinguished Terminal City Club.
Tickets are still on sale for this prestigious event that will feature a red carpet entrance, casino tables, champagne, six bars, canapes, and much more with featured hostess Mandy Ross.
Hosted in the main ballroom of the Terminal City Club (837 West Hastings), entrance will be between 9:00pm and 10:30pm. Guests are asked to adhere to a strict dress code of tuxedos and gowns, and the event is for those ages 25+.
Entertainment includes Rob Weaver (local jazz musician with a full band), DJ Rachel Sehl (live drums and saxophone), and Golden Light Entertainment dance and performance artists.
This is the official launch of FashionTV’s social event series in Vancouver. If you’re looking for a high level of sophisticated New Year’s fun and entertainment this is the place to be.
I have 2 last-minute tickets to give away to a reader and a lucky guest (valued at $300). Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Since New Year’s Eve is coming up fast I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012. Follow FashionTV and Press Play Establishment on Twitter for news and information about upcoming events around town.
FashionTV is the biggest fashion medium in the world. As the only global 24/7 TV station focused exclusively on fashion, beauty, trends and style, FTV broadcasts the latest news and information to over 350 million households and seven million public places worldwide.
Update My winner is Alice!
An alternative to the 93rd annual Vancouver Polar Bear Swim is the Penguin Plunge in North Vancouver. Presented by Deep Cove Outdoor and Deep Cove Kayak & Canoe, this frosty affair takes place at Panorama Park in Deep Cove on New Year’s Day.
To participate, register at Panorama Park on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 starting at 12:30pm and the plunge will take place promptly at 2:00pm. Enter the costume contest (judged at 1:30pm) and collect pledges for your plunge. Proceeds from plunge pledges support Seymour Art Gallery. Gary Comeau and The Voodoo Allstars will play live music in the park and refreshments will be served. Enjoy the first day of the year with the beautiful sights and sounds of the North Shore and support the community.
Vancouver has a modest selection of family-friendly options for New Year’s Eve so that you can celebrate the last day of 2012 with the kiddies.
Robson Square Ice Rink
On New Year’s Eve the popular outdoor rink will host a family-friendly evening of entertainment, live music, and more. They will have two early countdowns: one at 7:00pm and one at 9:00pm. Live shows start at 4:00pm (with Magical and Holiday Performers, Rumba Calzada, The Freshest DJs) and activities run until 10:30pm. The ice rink will be open regular hours on New Year’s Day as well, from 9:00am until 9:00pm. Skating is always free but there is a fee if you need rentals.
Mount Seymour SnowPlay Park
Head up to Mount Seymour from 6:00pm to 9:00pm on New Year’s Eve to enjoy a celebration for the whole family at the SnowPlay Park. WE Vancouver writes: tubing and tobogganing, live big band music, free s’mores and apple cider, and free party hats, sparklers and blowhorns for an early NYE countdown at 9:00pm. Family First Night is one of Vancouver’s only family friendly New Year’s Eve events. The Snowplay area opens for the event at 5pm and will run till 9pm when they’ll have the NYE countdown.
Bright Nights in Stanley Park
The festive holiday train and millions of lights will be glowing on New Year’s Eve from 3:00pm to 11:00pm. Admission is by donation and tickets for the train can be purchased in advance or at the ticket booth on-site.
On-going holiday events that are open New Year’s Eve include Burnaby Heritage Christmas (free), the VanDusen Festival of Lights, and the Jewel Box of Light at Bloedel Conservatory.
Outside Vancouver
yoyomama is a great resource for family-friendly events in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley (I reviewed their On The Go Kids app a few months ago). Here are a few more events that they have listed:
The Great Escape New Year’s Eve Family Bash
Monday, December 31st from 6:00pm to 9:30pm
The Great Escape (#105-20645 Langley Bypass, Langley)
Laser tag, mini golf, food specials, door prizes and an early countdown at 9:00pm.
Whistler Presents: New Year’s Eve Celebrations
Monday, December 31st from 6:00pm to Midnight at Whistler Village Square
Live music, workshops, street entertainment, storytelling, arts and crafts, and a fireworks show visible from histler Olympic Plaza, Village Square and Skiers Plaza. Skate on the ice rink at Whistler Olympic plaza and check out the thrilling Fire and Ice skiing show at 7:30pm. Some events that are ages 13+ require tickets.
Check out the yoyomama On The Go Kids app for iPhone and iPad for more event information each month. If you know of more events throughout the month of January (for all ages, families, and more) please feel free to send them my way for feature in my monthly event post.
12,000 people packed the floor of BC Place last night for CONTACT Festival — the largest electronic dance concert to hit Western Canada. With DJs Chris Lake and Alesso, Lazy Rich, Nero, and Deadmau5 Unhooked (sans his signature mau5 head). John Biehler was there to snap photos of all the multi-coloured glowstick action for Miss604.
View more of John Biehler‘s photos in his set on Flickr.
