Sailors, pirates and tall ships—oh my!!! The fleet was in for the city’s inaugural five-day Sea Vancouver Festival which began with the Cannon Ball Blast reception, concert, and parade of tall ships, some from as far away as Russia, Mexico and New Zealand. While the magnificent tall ships anchored the festivities, the family-friendly event featured a plethora of onshore entertainment. The UBC Opera Ensemble performed Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore while some of North America’s finest recording artists—including Jesse Cook and Natalie MacMaster—did a jig or two at the Plaza of Nations. The 270-foot Mexican Navy barque Cuauhtemoc won the Tall Ships Racing Challenge, entering the local waters from the Pacific Northwest ahead of the Russian vessel Pallada. The booze fest of years past was replaced with a more civilized and refined wine tasting by Tinhorn Creek. Oh times, how they’ve changed.
Cucumber sandwiches and Devonshire cream anyone?
Dianne and Pierre Faber hosted a High Tea in their Point Grey home and backyard English garden in support of the Street Art Works Mentorship Society. Nestled poolside in the lush country garden, UBC’s Borealis Chamber String Quartet played while guests enjoyed an assortment of freshly baked scones, homemade raspberry jam, and an assortment of cakes, buns and squares. Party planners hoped to raise $10,000 from the high society affair to assist street youth develop vocational skills through creative and artistic mediums.
Londoners Ash and Alaleh Sharifaie opened up their trendy Beach Avenue patio, kitchen and bar to sweet reviews. Former Tomato Café chef David Aslop fronts the menu of standard fare infused with Mediterranean and Asian dishes. With picture perfect views of False Creek, the seawall and a constant parade of eye candy, rest assured the young and casual cocktail crowd will be sweet on Marmalade.
On West Fourth in Kits, it was more a beer-drinking than cocktail-swilling crowd as former China resident Joyce Zhao opened her first restaurant and bar. With a contemporary pub-like feel, The Distillery features two giant screens for sports enthusiasts, fancy fare and a selection of fine beverages on tap, including suds from local microbrew superstar Russell Brewing.
Finally, Jim Green helped AIDS Walk organizers launch their 20th Anniversary campaign at a Sugar and Sugar reception in Gastown. No word yet whether the city councillor will throw his own fedora into the ring for the mayor’s job in November.
 

Have an event, opening or just plain gossip you’d like to share or something cool, hot or trendy you’d like to show off? Email me at yvrflee@hotmail.com Fred’s weekly funcast Stepping Out can be heard every Monday morning on CBC’s The Early Edition.