News and Reviews By MICHAEL SCHRATTER As summer winds down, the change of seasons brings a rush of events to the Vancouver scene. It's completely impossible to attend all of them; here are the highlights of a few. What is it about the Italians? How is it that they can always get it right when it comes to beauty and taste? Whether we are talking about sleek cars, peppy scooters or gourmet food and drink, the Italians seem to be in command of the game. And so when the Italian Chamber of Commerce celebrated its annual Flavours of Italy event at the Sinclair Centre last week, tickets went fast, very fast. A dedicated crowd of well-dressed party-goers enjoyed dozens of Italian wines accompanied by Italian cooking from Brioche restaurant chef Eduardo Bilardello, all to be tasted while admiring Ducati motorcycles and Vespa scooters. I attended two art-oriented events this week, both wonderfully original. Art that functions: newly opened Uta Nagel Design is an innovative showroom gallery in Gastown that introduces us to an art concept for interior design. Uta Nagel's original photographic abstracts of Vancouver's urban structures are not only thought provoking, they are also functional. Her vibrant photographs creatively mounted on acrylic, glass and environmentally sensitive eco resin, become unique installations that force you to rethink the possibilities for your sliding doors, space dividers, tabletops, windows and any number of other interior applications. Jim Cummins, also known as I, Braineater, has been called the most successful punk artist out of Canada. Though I haven't heard him sing, I can certainly attest to his visual art. An absolute riot! On Saturday, Jim opened the doors to his studio, and a mixed crowd of veteran punks and young hipsters gleefully piled into the wonderfully dark and twisted world of I, Braineater. How to describe his work? Think Addams Family goth plus a good dosage of carnival freak show and Betty Page titillation. Brilliantly weird images available at affordable prices, I love it. If you missed last Saturday's show, you've got to check out Loud Lowbrow. The art and music of I, Braineater and 12 Midnite, coupled with a display of "old iron" hot rods and tricked-out bikes. It happens this Saturday, Sept. 22 from noon to midnite at the Chapel (304 Dunlevy St, Vancouver). The Chapel is definitely the place to be this weekend. Every one loves a contest, so here are a couple of chances to win tickets to two wonderful events! Simply e-mail me at michael.schratter@24hrs.ca and if you're the first person to do so with the correct answer to the question(s) you win the tickets. The Wines of Chile Fall Festival Tour Vancouver at the Rocky Mountaineer Station is on Tuesday, Sept. 25, and it promises to be a wine enthusiast's heaven. To win a pair of tickets to this event, e-mail me the name of the party that I awarded as the most "Spirited Soiree" of 2006, as printed in our Boxing Day paper last December. If you don't know the answer, you can always buy tickets at winesofchile@ccltd.ca And if you know the year in which Ballet British Columbia had its first season, then e-mail me for a pair of tickets to the opening night performance of Ballet British Columbia's Giselle and Polyphonia on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts. Good luck! |