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Star Gazing, Vancouver Style

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It took all my self-restraint to tear myself away from the 18th page of my “Katie Holmes + Tom Cruise Divorce” Google search results to write this blog post.  My last, in fact, before I head off to Katie’s new homeland (New York City) to throw away my law degree and throw myself once more into student life at Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.  Besides attempting to fit 39 pairs of shoes into one suitcase, this week will be a whirlwind of visits with friends and family and an attempt to fill myself with my favourite city.  I already miss the mountains and my Lululemons, but what I’ll miss most (besides Canadian spelling) are the star-filled nights of Vancouver summers.  Take advantage of them for me, with my following favourite summer night activities.

Theatre Under the Stars:

I have a particular fondness for this 66 year-strong Vancouver tradition, and it’s because I’m a Broadway baby in the most literal sense.  My parents met at Theatre Under the Stars when my mom was an actress and my dad a stage manager.  His first words to his effervescent (and very loud) future wife: “SHUT the *&#@ UP!”  (Who knew that marriage would end in divorce?)

Drama aside, Theatre Under the Stars at Malkin Bowl never ceases to excite.  This year’s productions are “Titanic: The Musical” and “The Music Man.”  Grab your blankets and bring your “goodnight my someone” to enjoy this magical night.  Dinner at Tavola, en route to Stanley Park via the West End, is the perfect pre-theatre picnic.  Simple and delicious, their fresh and daily homemade pastas and marinated veggie antipasto will ensure your spot “every night in (her) dreams.”

Freshair Cinema Outdoor Movies:

Every Tuesday in July and August, Freshair Cinema sets up a gigantic inflatable movie screen and thousands of people flock to Second Beach.  Food carts and business-savy ice-cream men are also present to pick up any last minute supplies.  It’s a drop dead gorgeous locale for a fun family affair, an outing with friends or an economical (and romantic) date.  The next show is the cult classic Spaceballs on July 17th.  Pick up some Thierry Macaroons (pistachio is my current flavour du jour) for an outdoor movie snack that moves beyond brown M&Ms.  (And if you didn’t get the reference to Matthew McConaughey in The Wedding Planner then clearly you are not a 26-year-old-girl-that-has-exclusively-watched-chick-flicks-for-her-entire-life).

Celebration of Light:

This will be the first year in over 16 that I will miss the spectacular Celebration of Lights. Back in the Du Maurier days, my mom and I would grab picnic supplies and set up base on Kits’ beach.  To this day, the family friendly (and stabbing free) Kits Beach remains my favourite spot to watch the display and there is no need to camp out hours in advance to secure your spot.  I suggest Cocoa Nymph’s Dark Chocolate and Salted Caramel Taffee bar and a 49th Parallel Latte as the perfect local treats to pair with this quintessentially Vancouver tradition.

Thank you for reading!

Photo Credit: Globe Images



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