BC Place

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Hot Entertainment: The Sporting Life

Soccer ball photo copyright Mikdam/Dreamstime

Tennis Canada takes on France in the Davis Cup, at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre (Feb. 10 to 12).

Soccer Goooaaalll! That’s what the eight teams are shooting for in CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Soccer, at BC Place Stadium (Jan. 19 to 29).

Basketball An evening watching the Harlem Globetrotters perform? It’s a slam dunk, at Rogers Arena (Feb. 24).

Hockey Luongo, Kesler, the Sedins and the rest of the Vancouver Canucks have the home-ice advantage for several games, at Rogers Arena.—Sheri Radford

Grey Cup Fever

Touchdown! The renovated BC Place stadium welcomes the 99th annual Grey Cup

By Leszek Apouchtine, Jennifer Patterson & Sheri Radford

Photo courtesy BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo)

ROAR, YOU LIONS, ROAR!

“The Pride of all BC” plans to roar past the competition and play in the 99th Grey Cup this month at BC Place. The BC Lions, Vancouver’s professional football team, have called BC Place home ever since the stadium opened in 1983. They were forced to relocate for more than a season while the stadium was renovated, but returned to their home turf at the end of September to a near-capacity crowd of more than 50,000 screaming fans. (more…)

Hot Art: For the Birds

See "The Birds" by Myfanwy MacLeod at Southeast False Creek Plaza. Photo by KK Law

Bird-watchers may be startled to see a couple of larger-than-life sparrows perched in Southeast False Creek Plaza, former home to the Athlete’s Village of the 2010 Winter Games. The 5.5-m- (18-ft-) tall avians are “The Birds” by Vancouver artist Myfanwy MacLeod, who argues that their exaggerated size reflects how urban areas are unsuitable habitats for foreign species. Stand by the sparrows—one male and one female—and you’ll get a great view of the new masts of BC Place stadium, which will re-open at the end of summer with a state-of-the-art retractable roof.—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Date: Play Ball!

Vancouver has a variety of spectator sports during the summer. Photo copyright Ranplett/iStockPhoto.com

Sports fans, get ready to make some noise.

BASEBALL When do these guys sleep? The Vancouver Canadians play 16 home games at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium this month—plus 13 away games.
FOOTBALL The BC Lions take on the Calgary Stampeders (Aug. 7 and 27) at the Leos’ temporary home of Empire Field. The team’s permanent home, downtown’s BC Place, is closed for renovations while a swanky new retractable roof is installed.
SOCCER The Vancouver Whitecaps men’s team faces the Austin Aztex at Swangard Stadium (Aug. 29).—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: Raise the Roof

BC Place will be under construction in the coming months as it gets a new, retractable roof. Photo copyright Kathrynhatashitalee/istockphoto.com

Say good-bye to the world’s largest air-supported dome roof: the marshmallow-like top of BC Place is coming down, to be replaced by the world’s largest cable-supported retractable roof. This month’s Vancouver International Auto Show was the last event to be held under the old roof, then the 55,000-seat venue will be closed until next year.

Upon reopening, BC Place will finally be able to let the sun shine in—and will house BC’s Major League Soccer team. This downtown venue has hogged the spotlight recently, thanks to its starring role in the opening, closing and nightly victory ceremonies for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, as well the opening ceremony for the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. But like any media star, this one knows when it’s time for a facelift.—Sheri Radford

Hot Dining: Tasteful Renaissance

The gallery-like interior of Lupo Restaurant and Vinoteca. Photo by KK Law

Newly minted Lupo, housed in a remodelled 19th-century home, is a gentle reinvention of Villa del Lupo, its celebrated predecessor. Lupo 2.0 sports a more stylish feel but also retains classic features such as the open fireplace. On the menu: well-priced mains, such as succulent roast chicken or perfectly grilled lamb chops with caponata, plus a wealth of contorni (small plates). Perfect for a pre-show bite, the historic home is handy to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and BC Place Stadium.—Tim Pawsey

Hot Essentials: Local Lingo

The ubiquitous toque. Photo courtesy Lululemon Athletica

Canuck A Canadian

The Dome BC Place

Eh Quintessential Canadian term added to the end of a sentence. Similar to asking, “Don’t you think?”

The Garage GM Place, home of the Vancouver Canucks

Give’er To work hard; to give your all

The Grind The Grouse Grind, a challenging hiking trail on Grouse Mountain

Hollywood North Vancouver

The Island Vancouver Island

Loonie $1 coin, which features an image of a loon

Lotusland British Columbia

Sorry Used liberally, even when not at fault

Timmy’s Tim Hortons, the beloved Canadian coffee chain

Toonie $2 coin

Toque Knit winter hat (often with a pompom), pronounced “TOO-k”
—Kristina Urquhart

Hot Dining: Showtime

Lamb tagine at Chambar. Photo by KK Law

Theatre-, opera- and games-goers head early to get a good seat at Chambar Belgian Restaurant, a lively dining lounge in a red-brick heritage building close to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and BC Place Stadium. The vibrant Belgian and Moroccan flavours are rivalled only by an impressive selection of ales, including its own Chambar label. Best to book ahead for flavourful plates such as zesty moules frites Congolaise with chilli and lime, or the hallmark tagine of braised lamb shank with honey, figs and couscous (pictured). If you can’t decide, opt for a set menu. Let them know when you have to leave and they’ll be sure to get you there on time.—Tim Pawsey

October Hot Date: U2

Irish rockers U2 descend upon Vancouver on Oct. 28

“With or Without You.” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” “Desire.” “Angel of Harlem.” “Sunday Bloody Sunday.” A music lover could spend all day listing hit songs by these Dublin boys, who came in at #22 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the greatest rock bands of all time. Good luck snagging a ticket to their sold-out concert (Oct. 28) at BC Place Stadium.—Sheri Radford