Ladies, score some points with your man and get him (or watch him play) EA’s newest sports game “NHL 10″ for the PS3 or XBOX. Released Sept. 15, 2009, this is one purchase that should be sure to give you some leverage when you want control of the remote to catch up on Gossip Girl or Grey’s Anatomy. And men, I gotta give it to ya: being a girl with a man and brothers in my life, I understand your needs! This is actually a great-looking game! Unbelievable graphics, realistic gameplay, online features, and current rosters + much more make this a justifiable $70-ish purchase. IGN’s rating: 8.7. My girlfriend rating: 9.0.

Official site on EA: http://nhl.easports.com/home.action?sourceid=nhl_10_Exact_C0314_NHL_10_-_Branded_-_Exact

IGN game review: http://ps3.ign.com/objects/143/14347690.html

Amidst the quiet and cool night along Terminal Avenue’s Rocky Mountaineer Station, friends, family and guests all line up to be wonderfully entertained with great food, music and above all things, creative edgy and innovative works of art brought to life by this year’s VCC Fashion Arts Graduates. While guests munch on appies, enjoy the live band, and check out the hustle and bustle around the venue, the event’s classic New York Style Catwalk prepares itself for an explosion of models strutting the hottest up and coming styles for the season. As the long awaited night unfolds, guests experience couture overload, being astounded by clean structured bodices; flowy and silky “Oscar Ready” frocks; vintage Goth, Victorian and Parisian inspired costumes; culturally rich gowns; cowboy fringes; and colourful, edgy and angular creations that could give fashion visionary Lady Gaga a run for her money. With fashion aside, the music accompanying each line, completed the vision of each collection perfectly. As the night winded down, the graduates took their final stroll down the catwalk, absorbing the love, support and applause of both supporters and guests alike. Despite the event celebrating the end of these designers’ time at VCC, Vancouver can expect to see their work explode through magazines, streets and the like.

Big ups and HUGE congrats to all the grads of this year’s VCC Fiat Mode xxii Fashion Show: Claudia Fandino, Mandy Lau, Tara Wilson, Laura Van den Brun, Jen Cameron, Brianna Vogelaar, Mariette Antonio, Lisa Campbell, Katherine Koniecki, Crystal Yeomans, Amanda Ventura, Teresa Ko, Elvira Caperonce, Aleksandra Potkonjak, Anja Mesic, Lin Lin, Vincent Lee, Katrina Yu Han Yang, Marcia Robertson, Jacqueline Gardner and all of those who shed blood, sweat and tears to the production!

“I know this is short notice, but if you’re interested, we’ll be filming another video anthem for OnePassNow in front of the Vancouver Convention Center today…and Premier Gordon Campbell will be there.”

I got this call around 9-ish AM. The filming would commence in two hours. Like a bolt of lightning, a Costco-sized surge of energy drink and double-shot espresso, my mind IGNITED with this fantastic opportunity.

But who was this call from? And why did it automatically snap me from “snooze” to wide awake? The call was from Tiffany Kalanj, organizer for the Students’ Union of Vancouver Community College (VCC) and media representative  for the OnePassNow 2009 campaign.

OnePassNow is a transit campaign led by the students’ unions of UBC, Emily Carr University, Douglas College, and VCC to remind Premier Gordon Campbell of his election promise earlier this year: to provide all students attending post-secondary in B.C. access to an affordable, universal transit pass. For those who are unfamiliar with U-Pass, U-Pass is basically a 3-month bus pass that allows its user unlimited commuting access to bus, SeaBus, and SkyTrain services in all zones, as well as discounts on WestCoast Express, for a fee that is paid with tuition fees. In other words: an extremely practical and environmentally-friendly commuting option for those who are unable to or cannot afford to drive to school every day.

So what’s the buzz all about? Approximately 65, 000 Metro Vancouver students have already banded together to make a statement and demand equality and affordability. The purpose of the campaign, as stated by Kalanj, is simple: to alert the Premier that students all over the province are “pissed off at U-Pass discrimination and want something done about it.” With student expenses and monthly pass prices soon-to-be rising to $81/month, students are expecting a break. What the campaign proposes is not only a universal pass, but one that is available for a flat $25/month. There is currently a discrepancy between how much students at UBC, SFU, Langara College and Capilano University pay. Although students acknowledge that price is determined by student population, many have expressed how difficult it is to afford post-secondary education and other expenses, as well as how fair or unfair they think the situation to be. If you take into account all students, those not attending the previously mentioned schools account for a substantial amount!

A creative, unaggressive approach is OnePassNow’s mode of delivery. The Friday morning I received Tiffany’s call, a small group of musically-gifted VCC students were shooting a new anthem campaign. I briefly met and chatted with the passionate group to get a deeper sense of how important this campaign is and the direction it is heading. Caitlin Tom, Joshua Matumona, Janelle Claudio, Melissa Ficke, and Tiffany Kalanj all greeted me outside the Convention Center. The group sung their cheeky, informative anthem outside the Center while inside, the Premier and other municipal officials held some “important stuff” as put by Convention Center security. Joshua on guitar and the ladies complimenting each others’ melodies made for a beautiful message.

CHECK OUT THE CAMPAIGN VIDEO HERE: OnePassNow \”UPass Soul\” Campaign Anthem 2009

When I asked them if they had received any sort of reaction from the government, Tiffany shared a media release with me from April 2009 that confirms Vancouver City Council’s support. Mayor Gregor Robertson (Vancouver) has expressed that “we need to have a U-Pass system that is accessible for all post-secondary students,” and that he is “proud to support” and believes “strongly in this campaign.” Honourable Shirley Bond, BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, had replied that they are “looking into it.” How far are they looking? And how long will they be looking? Who really knows? We’re expecting something as soon as possible; hopefully before 2010, before the January term begins, before monthly transit pass prices increase and before the 2010 Winter Olympics overshadow the needs of its hosts.

Before packing up I asked Caitlin, Joshua, and Tiffany what message they would like me to echo for them. They replied with the following genuine comments: “We’re all studying and we’re all broke,” “Follow your word,” “We’re ready,” and finally, “We remember May.” Although I am fortunate to have a U-Pass, I’d like to see this campaign brought to the light of the Premier’s frameless glasses. I’d like to see my friends and family at other schools with a U-Pass in their wallets. I’d love to see equality. I hope you remember, Mr. Premier, that there are approximately 100, 000 post-secondary students in this province. Isn’t there another election coming up? We’re all eligible to vote…Just saying…Just thought I’d remind ya…because just as the VCC musicians and singers I spoke with so simply stated, “We remember May.”

So far, OnePassNow has implemented organized campus events at VCC and Emily Carr University in order to get students talking. You may have seen their YouTube videos, tag cloud, stickers, or leaflets around town! 6, 000 supporters signed postcards that were presented at a motion in front of Vancouver City Council in April 2009. A complaint has been filed with the BC Ombudsman. Eager to see what comes next? Be sure to keep yourself updated on the progress of this campaign.

OnePassNow has been picking up speed and is present on a variety of mediums to spread the word. So far, OnePassNow has attracted the attention of CTV News and 24 Hours Daily. They have a website located at http://www.onepassnow.ca and are available on both Facebook (OnePassNow – Group, One Pass Now – Fan Page) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/onepassnow ).  Spread the word! To voice your opinion, show your support, track the campaign’s progress, or get more information, visit the OnePassNow website at www.onepassnow.ca.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFO

In 2002, TransLink commenced discussions with UBC, SFU, Langara
College and Vancouver Community College on the feasibility of a
Universal Transit Pass. In part, the discussions were a result of the
success at all of the Victoria-area post-secondary institutions,
University of Washington, and various institutions in Ontario.
Following the discussion, research was conducted for UBC, SFU, Langara
College and Vancouver Community College to determine the percentage of
ridership for these respective institutions. Once the research was
complete, negotiations began with SFU and UBC. Langara College and
Vancouver Community College were almost immediately excluded from the
process with the promise that universities would be the pilot project
and colleges and institutes would be included in the coming years.

The last formal correspondence TransLink has made with Douglas
College, Vancouver Community College and Emily Carr University about
the U-Pass was in May 2007 when an offer of a $34 per month U-Pass was
made and almost immediately expired. Since then the administration and
students at these institutions have lobbied for a fairly priced U-Pass
with no success. In February 2008, the Emily Carr Students Union,  Emily Carr University, the Students’ Unions of Vancouver Community
College and Vancouver Community College sent a joint letter to
TransLink stating that we would like to move forward with the
implementation of a U-Pass. It was understood that the original price
had expired, but to date TransLink has not responded to the
opportunity to negotiate a U-Pass.

During the last election, the Premier of BC promised to introduce a
common U-Pass program for all post-secondary students for a flat fee
that is the same for students throughout Metro Vancouver. But since
winning the election, the Premier hasn’t said much about his promise.

Students from Douglas College, VCC, Emily Carr and UBC began working
together in the summer to launch the OnePassNow campaign to help the
Premier remember his promise.

As shoppers made their final purchases, and stores geared up to close, there was still a heavy kind of rumble happening at the heart of Vancouver’s Shopping District. With velvet rope securing the entrance for exclusive guests only, and heavy beats being spun by Vancouver’s resident DJ Hustle, Nike Robson was alive with an eclectic assortment of Vancouverites celebrating the 3rd season for the Vancouver Metro Basketball League. The crowd embodied the “swoosh” culture and energy, sporting their illest, smoothest, flashiest and LOUDEST sneaks. As guests mingled amongst one each other inside, the energy spilled onto the streets as late night shoppers and guests huddled to get their hands on their own custom made air brushed tees. The amalgamation of great music, raw street wear, and a crowd that gave much respect to each other (AND their shoes), represented the culture and vision of the Vancouver Metro Basketball League perfectly. Eager to introduce the movement of Varsity Street Ball to Vancouver, Commissioner Mark Starkey created the League to expose only the best and finest ballers of the Lower Mainland. With DJs spinning tracks during League games and with players leaving their hearts out on the court, Vancouver Metro Basketball League will easily quench the thirst of those B-ball fans still crying over the Grizzlies moving to Memphis.

For more info about Vancouver Metro Basketball League Check them out at http://www.vancouverbasketball.ca/.

Got the chance to speak with Vancouver’s DJ Hustle about music, nightlife, his new mixtape, The “It’s All Good” Mixtape, and a bit of the past, present, and future for him and Phreshvibe and High Society.

Your first official time spinning was at Cherry Bay in Vancouver 3 years ago. What have you learned since then… about the industry, the job, the music, and the nightlife scene?
Over the past few years I’ve realized the importance of networking and keeping a good relationship with contacts. I’ve learned to surround myself with good people who make good moves. To get what you want, you have to hustle hard, but be patient. When it comes to throwing parties, you’re only as good as your last party so always find ways to outdo yourselves. In regards to DJing and the music itself, I always try to enjoy myself. If I feel good, the party people will feed off of me. Also, creativity and quality go a long way….

A lot of people would agree: DJ Hustle’s got a GOOD ear. Since you are not exclusive to spinning at clubs, let’s do something real quick.
I’ll blurt out an event and you tell me one of the first songs that comes to mind that you would play:
Fashion show: Depending on the style of the fashion show, something obscure but sexy
Start of the party: Next – Too Close
High school dance: Anything currently Top 40
Summer BBQ: D’Angelo – I Found My Smile Again
Chilling at the beach: Notorious B.I.G. – One More Chance (Remix)
Wedding: Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
In your car: Keni Burke – Risin’ To The Top

HAHA thanks! Just one more. What do you play when you see there’s no one really on the dance floor? What usually gets the girls yelling and dragging each other to dance (and the guys following after them)? You know what I mean. The kind that gets them sayin “OMG! I LOVE this song!”
I always focus on getting girls to fill up the dance floor so I usually play either some 90’s R&B or a song that people currently like. My favorite reaction that I get from people is when they hear something in the club that they grew up listening to and they recite the lyrics word for word. It feels as good to me as it does them…. When I started off DJing in clubs, I usually just did early opening sets, so spinning for the transition from an empty dance floor to a hype party is always pretty fun.

After having attended a few SoPhresh Saturdays at The Wild Coyote and really digging “The Old School Happy Hour” I was expecting those kind of tracks on your mixtape. Instead, I got a mix of 90s, classics, present-day…It’s a really refreshing, chill sound. How would you describe it?
A chillin, laid-back vibe of classic and soulful hip-hop. It’s many of my favorite 90’s hip hop songs remixed with “boom-bap”, soul and jazz influences. About 85% of it is old school while the other 15% is the newer artists I enjoy listening to like Drake, Little Brother and Slakah The Beatchild. Since I made this mixtape in the beginning of the summer, I wanted to make something for everyone to bump at their BBQs, parties or cruising in their ride. The response so far has been dope and humbling. If you don’t have it, get it!

Quality takes time. How long did this mixtape take you?
About one week of 8 or 10 hours a day, locked up in my little studio. I did a lot of remixing, so that took up a majority of the time. Shout outs to Richie McFly for his work on the imaging and hosting the tape as well…

40 tracks and tonsss of great songs. What are you going to use on your next mix tape?! (Will there be another?)
My next mix tape will have the same feel-good vibe as the last but with R&B and neo-soul. I’ll be focusing on mixing 90’s R&B artists like Aaliyah, Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo with newer artists like Musiq Soulchild, Alicia Keys and the Avila Brothers. I want it to be original so I’ll be remixing a bunch of the songs and hopefully have beats from some producers I know as well as myself. I know that a lot of people love hearing all the old school stuff, it’s just a matter of getting to them.

You seem to have made yourself at home at ‘Yote with the promoters and other deejays. Phreshvibe’s SoPhresh Saturdays are big, and now, it looks like y’all expanding on that. “High Society: Coming Soon.” Care to elaborate?
High Society is a network of young professionals who are involved in a range of industries in Vancouver. Whether it be music, fashion, design, photography or culinary arts, we are all making moves throughout the city . The purpose of High Society is to improve the quality of our culture and to inspire the generation after us. Most of us are in our early to mid-20’s so we are all striving for that higher standard of living.

You are one busy guy. What can our readers keep their ears open for? What’s in the future for you, Phreshvibe and High Society?
You can catch me spinning at clubs and events all over Vancouver, put on by Phreshvibe and High Society. Keep your ears open for mix tapes with DJ Juice, Richie McFly and Brendan Butter, as well as an album with the GhettoTek. My next endeavor in my music career is production so hopefully that works out for me!

For more info on DJ HUSTLE check these sites out:
www.phreshvibe.com
www.hslifestyle.com
www.facebook.com/hustlemusic
www.twitter.com/djhustlemusic

HUSTLE MUSIC DOWNLOAD
ONE TRACK VERSION (FOR IPODS):
TRACKED OUT VERSION (FOR CDs):

Sure you can label them whatever you want, but that name seems to bear more meaning than you may think. With design vision sprouting from culture and experience rather than cultic fashion obsessions, popular opinion barely matters to them anyway. We got to politicking with creative director of Hardihood Clothing, Angus Ayce Wong, to get a true, candid introduction to the company as a whole. With just a nucleus of 4 members, the team’s mission seems so ambitious, but evidently they continue to knock down storefronts distributing collection after collection to major retailers in Vancouver, not to mention across Canada. To all the naysayers, they say We Are What You Are Not, as for Hardihood’s coterie of clients and consumers they are quick to adopt them as kin of the family. The motto for them is sounding like persistence. chance-taking. and aspiration. And to hear that mixed with a meticulous attention to design quality is what turns a young brand into an iconic brand. At the rate they’re going currently, being barely 4 years into the fashion industry, it looks like they might be looking to get their feet into international storefronts sooner than later, but as Angus says, “baby steps”.

www.hardihoodclothing.com

The Modline got a sweet chance to shine some light on Garret Louie (GMAN) – a big name in the urban, nightlife, and fashion scene this month. We grilled him on life in Vancouver, Timebomb, NLA, retail during these times, Fortune Sound Club, business and success, his personal style and how he likes to kick back. Sit back and take notes…on the responses of our very own local mogul.

I’d like to start things off with a few questions about your background. Were you raised in Vancouver? Growing up, what icons and influences have stuck with you ’til today?
Born and raised in Vancouver. Growing up I would have to say my family has had the biggest influence from my moms, pops, & step-father. Learning simply to work hard at what you do…or get the wooden stick across your ass. Other influences would be music and skateboarding. To this day I base allot of my ideas, morals, influences from those two things.

A lot of us know that wooden stick all too well; but hard work does pay off. Everyone knows the name GMAN; but I’d also like to shine some light on your other successes. How has the diversity of our city impacted business as a distributer and retailer?
It’s been interesting living in this city and seeing it blossom into what it is today. For my business’s it’s been a slow and steady growth…nothing has come fast.

You definitely speak from experience. What steps, if any, has NLA and Timebomb taken during these trying economic times and the dollar’s ups and downs?
This is a big question that I could write a book on. But in bottom line terms and without boring the reader, lets just say that it for sure keeps you on your toes. We’ve had to adjust our whole business model based on the dollar and the economy. Constantly trying something fresh as it was all new to us. Who expected the dollar to ever hit par? Or the economy to fall by the waist side like it did. Never a dull moment.

That’s for sure! But I guess you’ve just got to take the good with the bad and work with what you’ve got. Maintaining good relationships is probably a big part of that. What kinds of relationships do you try to build with your suppliers?
Solid ones? For sure it ends up being more than business. We have had suppliers that we have dealt with since 1990 and still deal with them. We are very loyal to the brands we work with and in turn they respect what we do. We strive to be the #1 distributor for each of these brands and basically be ‘them’ in Canada. Whatever they would do, we would do…or we will even try to do it better (lol).

Haha. Well, you’ve got to strive towards something! #1 ain’t bad…It’s obvious you’ve got a passion and a vision. Before “GMAN and Rizk” were born what would you say is the biggest thing Vancouver needed more of? (Music, clothing & footwear, or parties?)
Yeah I guess I thought Vancouver could use a little of all of the above. Not to say that none of this would exist without, but just ‘doing’ something about it rather than complaining about it. You are either part of the problem, or part of the solution.

I agree. See any room for improvement?
Sure, nothings perfect. There’s always room for improvement in everything or things just get stagnant.

“Fortune Sound Club: Coming Soon.” What’s Fortune Sound Club and who is being targeted?
Yeah this is our next big project. I mean promoting and building our scene for so long, it was only the next evolution for Rizk and I. We really focused on sound being the number 1 focus, rather than ‘lets see how much booze we can sell’ and have brought in the #1 sound system in the world called the Funktion 1 Sound out of the UK. Nobody in Canada has this system and only a couple people in the US even have it. This will blow people away. We have also built the club with as many eco initiatives as possible so that’s pretty cool. Also, we have incorporated a designed by Livestock VIP room and a designed by Rick Klotz (Freshjive) VIP room that will be amazing when you see it. Add the Sheppard Fairey art installation and its a wrap. We really are targeting music enthusiasts and people that just want to get down. It’s in Chinatown (147 E.Pender) so we know it will be a destination spot as well which we know will work to our advantage. Really not just trying to get the Granville street d-bag crowd. Shamless plugwww.fortunesoundclub.com

Sounds VERY enticing. And don’t worry about the plug. We do it all the time. www.themodline.com There we go again! Care to share some knowledge on the future of…Timebomb? NLA? GMAN and Rizk? Livestock?….Fortune Sound Club? How will you direct the surge of attention towards business during the 2010 Olympics?
Well to be honest, right now with all the projects poppin off I want to really just focus on making it all work. We just opened a new Livestock location in Calgary to make 4 shops across Canada. The rest is just slow and steady growth. I’m in it for the long term.

Congrats on that new store! We’ll be tracking that growth. If there’s a market, I’d be thrilled to see Livestock: Newfoundland. Or Yukon Territories. Haha You never know!

No doubt that your parties are killer; you have successfully specialized in some of the pillars of the urban lifestyle: music, fashion, and parties; and now, with the NLA and Timebomb offices garnering much attention for its design and green qualities, some can joke that you’re a rap career away from becoming a Canadian P.Diddy, Jay-Z, Russell Simmons or 50 Cent. Can we expect a new energy drink from you soon too?
It will be called Gizz. ‘Get a splash of Gizz.’

HAHA Hmmm…sounds…refreshing….HAHAHA
With so much on your plate, what do you do to just chillll?
Pretty much whatever spare time I have is with the fam. I have had to forfeit the ‘playing poker with the boys.’

A man with priorities…Like most guys in Vancouver, among other things, sports and gaming are big. Who/what are your favourites and who do you follow?
I keep up on skateboarding, snowboarding, MX, BMX, a little surf, and of course, the Vancouver Canucks.

I peeped the photos of your NLA and Timebomb offices. It’s definitely impressive and reflects westcoast style. Big Up Saturdays at Gossip Nightclub is a major hit with club-goers. Did you have a say in the name and renos for the former “Plush?”
Not at all. Nothing to do with the name or design..come on…I would come up with something way better than that name (sorry John).

So much talent has come to our city with shows, signings, and fashion. How in the world did you get Pharrell to Livestock earlier this year?!
Well I just called him and say ‘Yo P, whats good?’. Nah, for real, Livestock is the exclusive BBC (Pharell’s line) dealer in the country so we show them love, they show us love.

True testimony to building good relationships! I read that your partner, Rizk, b-boys…and GMAN?
Ah..he ‘used to’ b-boy, the bones are a little creaky now. Well he still dances for sure and will be a b-boy for life. I play the skin flute on the regs.

Nice! Well, that’s all I’ve got for the moment for ya. Thanks for taking time out to chat with The Modline. Congrats on all your success and good luck with all your plans! Put us on the VIP list for Fortune Sound Club. We’ll be watching and waiting!

Garret Louie aka GMAN has been on the party scene in Vancouver promoting, marketing, and working his butt off since 1990. After a trip to the ASR trade show in L.A. he fell for a hot streetwear clothing brand and brought it back to Vancouver founding Timebomb Trading Inc., becoming Canada’s #1 clothing and footwear distributor for hip-hop, and skate, surf, and snowboard.

Working with Robert Rizk (RIZK) and other big names (both locally and international), GMAN is credited with numerous awards for his success in the nightlife scene for promoting a selection of clubnights at various Vancouver clubs (Grande Wednesdays at Sonar – 7 years, International Gold Fridays at Atlantis and Big Up Saturdays at Plush).

GMAN began spinning in the early 90s, headlining parties, MCing and promoting events under GMAN and RIZK. He has hosted many nightlife and lifestyle events since then (Emerica Wild in the Streets, Livestock Block Party). He has worked with his partner, RIZK, to promote and bring many famous names to our city (Jay-Z, Kanye, Swollen Members, Kardinal Offishal, Rascalz, Wyclef, De la Soul, Snoop, K-Os, and much more!)

GMAN co-owns NLA, “one of Canada’s hottest sales agencies that represents such brands as LRG, Luxirie, Freshjive, eS Footwear, Etnies, Boxfresh, Dragon and more” (www.gmananddrizk.com) and founded the popular Livestock in 2004, a retail sneaker boutique, which he operates with partners Garry Bone and RIZK and is currently open in 4 locations across Canada.

His newest development is Fortune Sound Club.

For more info on GMAN check these sites out:

www.gmanandrizk.com
www.timebombtrading.com
www.deadstock.ca
www.fortunesound.com
www.nla.bc.ca

or find him on Facebook (Garret Louie) or Twitter www.twitter.com/GMANandRIZK (@GMANandRIZK)

Ever had a daytime or nightly engagement that you had to attend, but when you look inside your closet to decide on what to wear and think “hmm…well I REALLY don’t want to wear a skirt today, but errm…I don’t want to look hella nun-like and wear slacks neither.”

Ladies and gentlemen have all been through these bouts of “tomato, to-MAH-to,” “potato, po-TAH-to,” kind of closet decision every now and then. The question now posed is whether or not a solution to this ancient old problem can be found…and thank goodness there is! Established in 2006 by designer Jude Feller, Lily + Jae Clothing Brand can be seen as the love child between the rough and tumble tomboy days, and the frou-frou girly days, and while the brand can be seen as just fresh off the market, it has established itself in the four fashion Mecca’s of the world: Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York and even Tokyo. Despite the geographical differences, the same collection is introduced in the different locations at the same time. This spring and summer, Feller sticks with the “love child” concept by producing looks that defy the conventional, while still keeping it nice and classy (call it the “romantic rebel look” as you will). However, you can expect something completely different this fall, with clean cut lines, classy neutrals, and a few pretty ruffles here and there. The versatility of this collection will also shine, as these looks can transition flawlessly from looks that are suitable for “day” to “play.” Sigh, oh Lily + Jae, thank you for making life so much easier…at least fashion wise.

Want to grab some of your own Lily + Jae? Check out your Vancouver Plen+y, and Riot. Want to know more about the brand? Check out www.lilyandjae.com for more deets!

We sat down with Skylar Stock from the Mintage boutique on Commercial Drive and 1st Ave for our fashion district segment. This vintage clothing establishment opened its doors just 5 years ago and are already booming in east vancouver as well as on the westside of town with their new shop. Check them out for all your apparel staples and some classic vintage pieces.

For more info on MINTAGE check:

www.mintagevintage.com
MINTAGE CLOTHING
1714 Commercial Drive | 604.871.0022

With the concept of the proverbial “open mic nights” suddenly exploding into various Vancity venues, one would think they can satiate their creative palettes with a variety of eclectic and undiscovered collection of music from different acoustic indie artists. And while this is a great way to spend the night around town, sometimes these open mic nights miss one important mark in the musical spectrum, which we at The Modline would care to shed some light on: Some good old mother-ehfing Hip Hop. Hidden away at the Century House Lounge, friends, supporters, hip hop connoisseurs (and the like) all came out in celebration of local Vancity artist Matt Brevner’s album release entitled “Magnum Opus.” As various other local hip hop artists got the crowd amped up for the main event of the night, the man of the hour lit the place on fire with tracks straight off the album. The energy and rhymes delivered from Brevner were so ill (…so ill…that chicken soup won’t help it haha). Like the stage, this same level of hype was found in the crowd as all eyes (and ears) followed each and every verse spat on the mic. In short: Hot artist, hot venue, hot crowd and overall, a hot party…All is well in the world of hip hop.