RIP Waldorf Hotel
Saddened to hear the unbelievable news this afternoon about Vancouver’s Waldorf Hotel closing abruptly in just over a week’s time. It was a unique venue in East Van and it’s place as an important cultural hub is well documented across the nation. Any given night could include burlesque, performance art, salon-style art shows, up-and-coming garage rockers, an outdoor food truck festival, vintage sale, jazz in the restaurant and a major recording artist laying tracks downstairs on the vintage gear. All at the same time.
This was the strength of the Waldorf and a testament to the vision behind it. This is to say nothing of the 65-year history of this place, including the world famous Tiki Bar – one of the last of it’s kind in North America. It had deep history and an incredible re-imagining bringing it to the present. I’ve seen some great shows there – Sun Araw, Black Mountain, Twilight Circus Dub Soundsystem, Damo Suzuki, Sonic Boom – and I’ve regretfully missed a few here and there, too – The Men, Amen Dunes, Wildbirds & Peacedrums, Kode9, Ty Segall, etc, etc… I hope the folks behind the Waldorf are able to pick up and create something like this again. The space may be different, but the community that helped shape the good vibes of the Waldorf aren’t going anywhere.
Read all about it in their press release right here.
Photographed on Canada Day in Vancouver, 2012.
Seaside Cycles
Cycling doesn’t appear to be a big draw in Sayulita, Mexico. Everyone is much more interested in being out on the water – surfing, boogieboarding, bodysurfing, SUP-ing. Some of the locals get around by bike, however, and I saw evidence of a nascent bike culture percolating underneath the surfy exterior. I was stoked to see what may be the smallest cargo bike in the world – a kids cargo trike. Very cool. The number of spokes on a wheel in Mexico still often outguns most other North American styles….even if they are rusty. And while e-bikes haven’t made a dent, from what I can tell people are still interested in putting some extra power between their legs. Next time I’m in town, I’ll be renting a bike and cycling up the coast a bit. This time round I, too, only had eyes for the sea.
Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico, 2012.
Puck Drop In Paradise
Forget the NHL. Who needs it anymore? They’re ruining a perfectly good sport. I would much rather watch these expats play a game of shinny on the shores of the Bahía de Banderas anytime. Of course, with warm surf right behind where I took this shot, I suspect I would soon forget about hockey altogether. Oops, too late.
Bucerías, Mexico, 2012.
Red Heels
Maybe someone got a new pair of shoes for Christmas?
7th and Woodland, Vancouver, 2013.
Inky Red Waters
Sunset in Bucerías, Nayarit, México, 2012.
Icy Spots
Banff, Alberta, 2012.
A Million Vermilion Ripples
Vermilion Lakes, Banff, Alberta, 2012.
Your Lantern Held High
Warm wishes to one and all this Christmas! Here’s to family & friends, life & love, passion, discovery and keeping your lantern held high. Cheers from me to you!
Art Studio, Bucerias, Mexico, 2012.
Above the Canopy
High above the jungle canopy as the mist rises atop Templo IV in Tikal, El Petén, Guatemala, 2011.
Tikal Tower
Ceiba tree in the jungle near Tikal, El Petén, Guatemala, 2011.
Meeting Fires Creative 