Buschlen Mowatt Gallery kicked off B.C. Fashion Week festivities with the glitzy gala Not Fit For Print, featuring a collection of never before seen photographic images from some of Canada’s finest fashion paparazzi.

One of Vancouver’s premiere fashion events also took place this past week at the Hotel Vancouver as Holt Renfrew threw its annual fashion gala and dinner SHOW in support of Arts Umbrella. The Viktoria Langton-produced extravaganza featured 30 statuesque models hitting the couture catwalk.

Designers were not the only one’s showing off their wares. Undeterred by less-than-glowing reviews from her premiere collection, Watermark’s Lynda Larouche introduced her latest list of nibblies, starters and mains at a spring fling at the Kits beachside concession stand and eatery. Defying the odds, former Joe Fortes staffers executive chef Brian Fowke and restaurant director Tim Keller, along with chef Quang Dang, front Vancouver’s latest food spot Rare. It’s tucked between Pacific and Drake. The trio offers a new twist to the old place.

The Vancouver International Children’s Festival presented Capriccio: Kick It Up for the Kids’ Fest! at the Beatty Street Armoury. Celebrated Canadian jazz singer and pianist Denzal Sinclaire, award-winning singer-songwriter Rick Scott and musician and comedian Norman Foote headlined the special fundraiser.

Packed like sardines in the densely populated downtown district, condo developers are heading east as evidenced by recent sales centres and construction cranes popping up like Starbucks in the ever-changing landscape of the Downtown Eastside. Brisk sales were seen at recent VIP opening receptions, included Terminus in Gastown, East and Jameson House on Pender Street and soon-to-open Espana and Woodward’s buildings.

Without Canucks broadcast rights, Corus Radio did some spring cleaning recently sadly letting 11 staffers go. News that veteran CBC flackstar Joan Athey had packed her swag bag and headed into the sunset at month’s end stimulated a wave of party going almost unheard of at the Mother Corp. Watch for her trademark touch of fun coming to an arts organization near you.

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.