PARTING SHOT 針砭時弊
If VancouVer Is In a recessIon, no one has InformeD Its luxury market.
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ubbed the No Fun City, hard to believe, Vancouver is anything but that when you have the means. While there are an abundance of free activities to do around town, the expensive events continue to flourish! Over this past year we have seen the introduction and continuation of some of the most elaborate parties any city can boast to hosting. While our charity balls and galas all have great causes to support, many of the fancy affairs are just for fun (well, there is always a small philanthropic aspect that could be argued). For example, the three-day Diamond Car Rally has participants driving the most exotic luxury cars to various upscale locations to eat, drink and perhaps even bid on a car or two for their collection. The best champagne is served and depending on the pedigree of your supercar, your parking may be comped. Vancouverites do love lavish vehicles and the two-day Luxury and Supercar Weekend can attest to that. Gorgeous new and vintage automobiles adorn the beautiful VanDusen Botanical Gardens for a fest of fine food, spirits, champagne, and fashion. The VIP section is always the busiest place on the grounds.
Eating is on the top of the list for deluxe nights out. The upscale restaurants of Vancouver fail to show any signs of struggle with $50-100 steaks to enjoy. How about a pizza for $850.00? Offered at a pizzeria in Steveston, it comes with Russian Ossetra caviar. Dine in or to go? By invitation only, there are theme dinners that cost a small fortune and require the diner to adhere to strict dress codes. We can dine dangling from a crane or fly to any local mountain and have our picnic catered. What’s in your wallet? Where will it all lead? If the people of Vancouver continue to pay premiums for the privilege of attending, event organizers will continue to provide even more elite and exotic forms of entertainment. The sky is no longer the limit… n
Leeta Liepins leanwithleeta@outlook.com Photography: Felix Chang www.studioFCN.com 106
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