KHATSAHLANO!

Why Vancouver is Awesome, Reason #82: Street Festivals.

After months of continuous Winterous precipitation, Vancouverites burst from their homes when the weather warms.  Numerous road closures take place during the course of the summer in the name of celebration: Car Free Days, Pride Weekend, Kits Day, Davie Day, Greek Day; just to name a few.

The West 4th Music + Art street festival, "KHATSAHLANO!" takes place in the heart of the restaurant/shopping district of 4th Ave, giving spotlight to local artists and indie music.  The shops and eateries of the avenue have an opportunity to expand their walls and attract new customers.  Who can argue with an open air patio under the sun?!

I randomly bumped into my good friends Josh McNorton, who I thought was in Calgary, as well as Dominique Fricot, who is easy to spot in any crowd (6' 7" + hair).  Additionally, I was treated to the musical styling of Yukon Blonde, who I had heard about from Kim Girling (those familiar with the blog will know her from her guest posts in June 2011).  Her raves were not disappointing, as Yukon Blonde provided plenty of asphalt stomping and head rocking.

Post gig, I wandered further up 4th, and entered the "Hot Dog Zone."
I figured at some point I would encounter a dog vendor, and I was fortunate enough that it was only one block from the stage. 

Clearly, this stand came prepared for the crowd, as the available options of hot dogs and condiments were above satisfactory.  Never had I seen such a tremendous selection for such a small outfit.  Furthermore, $4 for a juicy, all-beef dog is an amazing deal, especially on a day like this.  Topped off with ketchup, dijon, banana peppers and pickles, I was in hot dog heaven.

Today was also one of the first times I plugged the blog to a vendor, as I had to ask her to snap a photo of me in front of the cart.  Check out this picture, it's business in the front, party in the back:

The hot dog hat strikes again! Taken at KHATSAHLANO!

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Imaginary Cities, Musical Nooners

Variety of meal choices is one of the great things about living in downtown Vancouver.  Public gatherings are another.  The outdoor TV screens were a great story during the Canucks' Stanley Cup run (right up until that last night).  The same screens are used weekly around the city for Fresh Air Cinema's movies in the park (E.T. coming up Aug. 2nd in Stanley Park!).  The LED screen mounted to the side of the CBC building attracted thousands of hockey fans to cheer on the Canucks this past spring, but they also host a great summer-time addition, the Musical Nooners.
40 lunch hour concerts in 40 days, featuring local and international acts, on an intimate but audible downtown stage.

This week, I've been working at the Vancouver Public Library (directly across the street from CBC).  On Wednesday, I felt a tap on my shoulder.  I looked up from my microfiche machine to see my friend Phil.  Neither one of us knew the other would be there; one of those pleasant surprises that can occasionally happen.  He spoke about the Musical Nooners that day, and we made plans to check out the upcoming Friday's act, Imaginary Cities.

A couple days and rolls of microfilm later, Phil picks me up from my station and we head out in search of lunch that we can bring back to the CBC stage.  Being right downtown, amid the hustle of the business crowd, and the bustle of the tourists, a wave of 'big city' came over me.  There was only one meal that could complete the feeling...

Phil was featured in a previous entry highlighting Tofino camping, so it took zero convincing to get him on the hot dog train.  We set out towards Granville Street, knowing of a couple of corners where we could find a hot dog haberdasher.  On the corner of Georgia and Granville is where we met our meal maker.

For an astounding $3, I snatched up my musical accompanimeat.  I remarked to Phil how quality the dogs were for that price; while the condiment selection was not generous by any means, the stand was stocked well, so there were no air squeeze splatters from the plastic bottles (an important clothing safety feature).  Also, the buns were fresh and toasted, something that might be sacrificed for low cost lunch.

The CBC Stage

Back at the CBC Stage, we found a spot on the grass in front of Imaginary Cities.  I knew I was making (past guest blogger) Kim jealous by both munching on a hot dog and enjoying the band, who hail, like her, from Winnipeg.  Their toe-tapping, body-grooving tempo delighted the Nooner crowd, and it was clear the band was enjoying themselves as well.  The bass player even rocked a retro CBC t-shirt!  While I was unable to catch them at Vancouver Folk Fest, I will definitely stay on the lookout for the next time they are in Vancouver.  I dare you to listen to "Butterfly" and not bob your head.

The combination of awesome tunes and a delicious dog made me glad I didn't have to leave the Nooner any sooner.  As Kim texted, "the cities may have been imaginary, but the hot dog was not!"

Imaginary Cities, playing the CBC Stage (Vancouver)

Après-croquet

I was fortunate to be a founding father of a UBC legacy; the Croquet Society.  Along with a handful of friends, and under the guise of club creator Daryl Wile, we became infamous around campus for our unorthodox hobby.  It was abundantly clear that croquet struck a chord in many students, as surprising amounts of enthusiasts signed up for "CroqSoc."  Daryl graduated after that first year, moving on to McGill University in Montréal.  However, CroqSoc would forever recognize his place in history, as I bestowed Daryl's name onto the championship trophy, thenceforth known as the Wile Cup.

The club would carry on for a few years after the rest of us founders graduated; however, the vigour and spirit could never equal those halcyon days in the beginning.  In 2009, the UBC Croquet Society folded; the grassy pitches of the Point Grey campus would no longer serve as a host.

Not wanting to let the tradition die, I requested the Wile Cup be returned to the club founders, in order to continue our legacy.  My wish was graciously granted, and in the summer of 2010, the modern era of the Wile Cup Championship began.  In what will be a yearly gathering of former CroqSoc and UBC alumni and friends, the weekend getaway will center on a three-round tournament to determine the annual Wile Cup Champion.

Last year, I outlasted the field and took home the first championship of the modern era.  This year, in thanks to miscues by my competitors, I was able to come from behind and marginally squeak out another victory; the first back-to-back championships in Wile Cup history.

The host of the weekend, Jake Cruise (Wile Cup Champion; 2004-05) fired up the BBQ and grilled up some hamburgers and smokies for the combatants and spectators alike.  After a long day under the sun, an ice cold beer and a smokie is just what the Champion ordered.

The smokies in question were Fresh Creations turkey & chicken sausages (I tried finding a corporate website to link to, but cannot find one).  Not only are these a mouthful, but they are also gluten AND lactose free!  Celiac's and Lactose Intolerant's rejoice!  Anyone who is into enjoying a plump bunful of goodness can share in these salivary succulentations.  And that is exactly what I did. 

Twice.  One for each championship.

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Canada Day in the 'loops

144 years and counting; we look good, Canada!

Canada Day finds me in Kamloops, BC for the annual Wile Cup croquet championship tournament (more on that later). Along with my hosts Jake and Julie, we head down to the town center to take in the local festivities.

Quaint municipal pageantry awaited us at the park in the center of town, along with scores of holiday revellers.  It was a gorgeous day out, and it felt like all of Kamloops was downtown, soaking up the atmosphere.

As the mayor introduced dignitaries onstage (your community leaders, first nations elders, what have you), I was on a food mission.  Kamloops' culinarians were out in full force, lining the grassy field with beckoning tents.  I was surprised with the number of options, as I could choose from Far, Middle and Near East food, Old and New World, in a delicious cornucopia of creation.

But this isn't a gulash blog, it's a hot dog blog.

I found the BBQ tent (followed the smoke) and got in line.  There was a bit of a wait, which allowed me to admire the multitude of meal makers, interchanging burgers and dogs on a central grill.  It was quite the operation, especially since the demand was so high.

Once I received my hot dog, I made my way back to my friends.  The open skies above, coupled with the open flame grill, made this Canada Day dog a memorable one.  As I am beginning to find, the quality of the meat doesn't have to be high end in order to enjoy the hot dog.  Rather, being surrounded by the warmth of friends, summer and patriotism, is enough to make an average dog great.

Canada Day in Kamloops; I guess I've established a hot dog hat in these photos.  Thumbs belong to Jake (left) and Robin.

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