George Ultra Lounge is the Godfather of Vancouver’s cocktail culture. Modeled in the London style, George pioneered the cocktail kitchen concept in Canada when it opened in 2005. Today, with award-winning Shaun Layton behind the bar, George continues to pour proper classic and market-fresh cocktails, complimented by a dinner and late night menu through 2 a.m

George Ultra Lounge (1137 Hamilton Street) is taking a page from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and holding their own “Mixlympics”, a competition featuring ten bartenders (6 international, 4 local) competing head-to-head in a black box style event. Sponsored by Martin Miller’s Gin & Arc’teryx, these masters of mixology will be vying for the top prize – $500 cash provided by Martin Miller’s Gin, but there will be medals too. Gold, silver and bronze, just like the athletes competing in Vancouver and Whistler. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 12:00 pm but it might be best to get in line a little bit earlier.
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The international contestants are:

• Joe Stokoe – Bar Manager for all three All Star Lanes, London, UK
• Abdul Kpekawa – Bartender, All Star Lanes, London, UK
• David Grieg – Bartender, All Star Lanes, London, UK
• Ola Carlson – Bartender, Box 101, Stockholm, Sweden
• Nicolos de Soto, Bartender, Experimental Cocktail Club & Curio Parlour, Paris, France
• Charles Tan – Bartender, China Club, Paris, France.

Representing Canada will be:

• Mark Brand – Owner, Boneta and The Diamond, Vancouver
• David Wolwidnyk – Bar Manager, West, Vancouver
• Jay Jones – Owner, The Pourhouse, Vancouver
• Darryl Macdonald – Bartender, Port, Toronto

Ah, Gastown. Arguably one of my favorite districts in Vancouver. If you’re 19+, here’s an opportunity for you to head down there for “The Gastown Shuffle”, sponsored by Red Bull, Heineken and Sauza. The event starts at 7pm and goes until 11pm. There is no cost to participate, simply ask for a Shuffle badge at any of the participating locations (Livestock, ALife, Complex, Stussy, JD’s Barbershop), and get into the shuffle ending up with a club DJ show at The Modern. Participating bars include Diamond, The Metropole, Deighton’s Well, Revel Room and The Lamplighter.

Who doesn’t love going to trendy Yaletown events for a charitable cause? On June 17, 2009, Goldfish Pacific Kitchen (1118 Mainland Street) is hosting its inaugural in-house fundraiser “Summer Splash” with proceeds to Union Gospel Mission. According to the Yaletown restaurant’s owner Dotty Kanke, “Goldfish has sponsored many fundraisers in the past, but this our first in-house charitable event. The Union Gospel Mission is doing some very important work helping the homelessness situation in Vancouver and we are proud to be an ongoing supporter by raising money for the cause as well as donating our time.”
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As a non-profit urban relief organization, Union Gospel Mission serves Metro Vancouver and the City of Mission by providing hope and assistance for the hungry, hurting and homeless. With 12 facilities located between downtown Vancouver and Mission, the organization is ideally positioned to help those who need it most.

According to the press release:

Summer Splash tickets ($48 including GST) include light refreshments – samplings of wine, beer and martinis as well as selections from Goldfish Pacific Kitchen’s new summer menu. Bro Jake of Classic Rock 101 will emcee the evening, which includes a fashion show from local designer Anna Kosturova (as featured in Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit issue) at 8 p.m. followed by a live auction at 8:30 p.m. and ending with a salsa performance by Baila Vancouver. Other charitable components include a silent auction, balloon sales, featuring prizes donated by local businesses and a 50/50 draw.

For tickets, please contact 604-689-8318.

…day one of seven, kicks off on a good note.

Although Noir Lash Lounge (1150 Hamilton Street) has been around for a couple of months already, their official grand opening event will be on Thursday March 19th from 5pm to 9pm. Noir is Vancouver’s first and only exclusive lash extension service lounge, offering nothing but semi-permanent eyelash extension services at competitive prices. To celebrate its debut, Noir Lash Lounge is hosting Le Nuit Noir, featuring canapes, pink bubbly and black martinis. RSVP to info@noirlashlounge.com to reserve your swag bag!

The second annual sale/party at Two of Few (354 Water Street) is this Thursday March 5th from 7pm to 10pm. There will be drinks and snacks and discounts on Vancouver-based Ashley Watson’s new Spring Collection as well as discounts on other items in the store. Ashley Watson is known for her use of recycled leather in her bags, wallets and accessories.

LG Denim DIY started off as a fashion challenge to create an original pair of jeans that are fun, funky and “runway ready”. Now the finalists will be featured in a “fresh, funky fashion show” featuring some of Canada’s top “Under 25” designers and their dynamic denim creations.
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Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009
Time: 12:30pm
Location: Sears Pacific Centre, Street Level (701 Granville Street)
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A panel of industry experts will choose a top design and the grand prize winner will then move to the national finals in mid-March, with the chance to win a $5,000 fashion endowment from LG. At the event, there will be a ton of student designers onsite from schools such as Kwantlen Polytechnic, Pacific Design Academy and the Blanche Macdonald Centre, available to discuss their denim creations and the challenges of being a young designer breaking into the industry. This event is open to the public so come check it out!

styleCANVAS, an upcoming fashion print magazine, is holding a drop-in model casting call on March 3rd and 4th from 1pm to 4pm at UBC. Wear a white tank top, dark jeans and black heels. For more information, check out the Facebook Event.

If you’re looking for a fine dining experience to ring in the new year, take your pick of Glowbal, Sanafir, Coast, Italian Kitchen or Trattoria.

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