ABOUT TOWN
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
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FROM LIVE MUSIC TO DISCOUNT MARTINIS, NIGHTLIFE IS PICKING UP DOWNTOWN
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or Comox Valley residents who are more nocturnal than early birds, there’s plenty to do in Downtown Courtenay. If you’re looking for night time adventure that involves good food & drink, great conversation by or creative stimuMiranda lation, there’s Post no need to leave town. Courtenay businesses have come up with some pretty fabulous night time activities. Here’s a survey of what to do with your twilight hours.
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For the music fan Each week, Zocalo hosts touring local and Canadian musical acts Thursday through Saturday. Drop by for a pint of locally brewed beer from Surgenor Brewing Company while munching on a late night snack. Visiting musicians play everything from rock to country, folk to jazz at the intimate café. To see who’s coming to Zocalo next visit the event calendar on their website, www.zocalocafe.ca/. For the music nerd in your life (look in the mirror, I know that’s you) Billy D’s Bistro & Pub hosts a weekly music trivia night. Test your knowledge of music through the decades while sampling a martini from their 55-strong martini list. Be there by 8:30 on Wednesday nights to put your music knowledge to the test for a variety of cool prizes.
For the social butterfly The Union Street Grill and Grotto offer two different rooms and vibes with one great menu. According to Union Street’s Daniel Duncan,
Beer tastes better with a smile, especially in Downtown Courtenay. they’ve started hosting an exciting night aimed at attracting the Comox Valley’s social butterflies. Each Thursday the Grotto hosts Neighborhood Night where Tapas and Sangria are on special. While you’re at Union Street, check out local rotating art exhibits. Currently Union Street features the work of Daniel Kooman, a Comox Valley based photographer. Billy D’s also hosts a ladies’ night every Saturday starting at 8pm called Mini-Martini Madness. Ladies can sample little versions of Billy D’s famous martinis for nearly half off.
Ladies also receive 25% off their food bill. Don’t worry, men are welcome too.
For the bookworm Story time isn’t limited to youngsters at the public library. According to Evelyn Gillespie of Laughing Oyster Books, they host regular book club nights at Zocalo Cafe in the fall. During the book club night, Valley residents can meet other bookish peers, sip a coffee or beer while listening to the Laughing Oyster staff’s latest literature recommendations. Gillespie also notes that
PHOTO BY ERIN HALUSCHAK
Laughing Oyster often works with the Courtenay Public Library to organize author events, some of which can be in the evening. For more information on which scribes may be visiting Courtenay in the near future, contact Evelyn at 250334-2511.
For the nocturnal cook Courtenay is developing quite a reputation as a foodie destination. We all know that the weekly local farmer’s market is one of the best on the island and we have great local grocery stores like Edible Island and Thrifty’s,
but what to do with your local fare once you’ve run out of recipe ideas? For the last eight years, Beyond The Kitchen Door has been expanding palettes and helping aspiring chefs convert their groceries into culinary classics during their evening cooking classes. “Beyond the Door’s cooking classes are designed to bring chefs, local producers and experts together to help participants experience new ingredients, techniques and flavours,” explained Beyond the Kitchen Door’s Sue Smith. “Class size is limited to 10 so all students can get the most out of each culinary experience.” From September to June, Smith and her team invite local and Vancouver Island chefs to the 5th Street store to teach interesting classes such as Delete the Wheat, Sensational Summer Salads and Chicken Connoisseur. Sue is currently putting together the fall schedule of cooking classes so drop by Beyond the Kitchen Door (274B 5th Street) to ask questions or check out past class schedules. Have you always wanted to try vegan food but are a bit shy? Zen Zero Juice Fountain just completed a successful monthly series of raw food potlucks. On the fourth Sunday of each month, Zen Zero hosts a 5pm dinner followed by a movie or documentary related to healthy living. No clue what raw food preparation involves? Starting in September, Zen Zero will educate curious Courtenay vegetarians and vegans by offering raw food ‘un-cooking’ classes. For more information contact Marussia at Zen Zero: 250-3384571.