the Boom Bus Western Canada Tour. Presented by Boom Street Media.

New sponsor! GoGolfAlberta.com

Ryan Steblyk — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:48:54 +0000

The BoomBus crew is proud to be promoting GoGolfAlberta.com this coming summer! Launching April 1st, GoGolfAlberta.com will act as a one stop resource for all that is golf in Alberta. Signing up for their free membership card will allow golfers to gain access to ‘Hot Deals’ at courses across Alberta. The site / blog will also include golf tips, 3D video tours of popular courses, photo galleries, interviews with pros and a complete directory of Alberta’s courses.

In other news… A change to theBoomBus route this summer.
While still covering all good things Western Canada, theBoomBus will concentrate it’s event schedule this year exclusively in Alberta. Driving thousands of kilometers across three provinces over the last two summers takes a lot of time away from the things that really make this tour what we want it to be… more people interaction, more video, more pictures, more social media, and more blog posts. Sticking closer to home (near Edmonton,Alberta) will allow us to give better coverage to local happenings. We already have several big summer events lined up and the calendar is filling up quick. Check back May 1st for schedule updates and for our social streams to fire up again.

Happy New Year!!!

Ryan Steblyk — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:11:12 +0000

I hope everyone had a great Christmas break and recovered from your New Year celebrations. Wow. 2012 already!!??! Is time flying or what!?

2012 brings an especially big year for Calgary as multiple cultural institutions will celebrate their centennial. The Calgary Public Library, City of Calgary Recreation, Theater Junction Grand, and “The Greatest Show on Earth”: Calgary Stampede.

As the Boom Bus prepares this summer’s route we encourage Western Canadians to share with us some places and events you think we should cover. If you know any local businesses trying to market their brand this summer in a unique and powerful way, put us in touch!

Stay warm out there!

Western Canada Events Nov 28 to Dec 4

Ryan Steblyk — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:53:07 +0000

CALGARY

T’Was the Night – Private Shopping at TD Square
Date: Wednesday, November 30
Time: 6:30 pm to 10 pm
Where: TD Square (324 – 8 Avenue SW)
Admission: $15 donation
A night of private shopping at The Core TD Square, benefiting the United Way. Get your holiday shopping done in a private setting, with food samples, a Christmas tree lighting and even a performance by Chantal Kreviazuk.

Movember Gala Party – Flames Central
Date: Wednesday, November 30
Time: 8 pm
Where: Flames Central (219 – 8 Avenue SW)
Admission: Free ticket with $100 in fundraising, or $20 at ca.movember.com
The end of Movember is marked with a party to celebrate the fundraising efforts of mo sistas and mo bros in Calgary. Prizes available for various categories including Best Mo in Character, Miss Movember and Man of Movember 2011.

K-OS at Republik
Date: Wednesday, November 30
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: Republik Nightclub (219 – 17 Avenue SW)
Admission: $22
Calgary is proud to host Canadian rapper and songwriter, K-OS. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this Canadian music icon!

EDMONTON

Movember Gala Party – Cook County Saloon
Date: Wednesday, November 30
Time: 8 pm
Where: Cook County Saloon (8010 Gateway Boulevard)
Admission: Free ticket with $100 in fundraising, or $20 at ca.movember.com
The end of Movember is marked with a party to celebrate the fundraising efforts of mo sistas and mo bros in Edmonton. Prizes available for various categories including Best Mo in Character, Miss Movember and Man of Movember 2011.

VANCOUVER

Bedouin Soundclash
Date: Thursday, December 1
Time: 8 pm
Where: Venue Nightclub (881 Granville Street)
Admission: $25
Come rock out to Bedouin Soundclash, in support of Virgin Unite. Enjoy a great night of music, benefiting a great cause.

Movember Gala Party – Commodore Ballroom
Date: Thursday, December 1
Time: 8 pm
Where: Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville Street)
Admission: Free ticket with $100 in fundraising, or $20 at ca.movember.com
The end of Movember is marked with a party to celebrate the fundraising efforts of mo sistas and mo bros in Vancouver. Prizes available for various categories including Best Mo in Character, Miss Movember and Man of Movember 2011.

Adrian Grenier Special Event
Date: Friday, December 2
Time: 6 pm
Where: Joseph Richard (1082 Granville Street)
Admission: Tickets start at $25
The star of HBO’s Entourage, Adrian Grenier, will be in Vancouver to host the screening of Teenage Paparazzo. You won’t want to miss this!

VICTORIA

Glow in the Dark Party – Tight n’ Bright Edition
Date: Friday, December 2
Time: 8 pm
Where: V-Lounge (3366 Douglas Street)
Admission: General admission
Head down to V-Lounge for the black light Glow in the Dark Party, the Tight n’ Bright edition. Featuring the sounds of DJ Clinton; lots of drink specials and ladies get in free.

Western Canada Wknd Events Nov. 25 to 27

Ryan Steblyk — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 16:58:00 +0000

CALGARY

Morgan Page Live
Date: Saturday, November 26
Time: 9:00 pm
Where: Republik Nightclub (219 – 17 Avenue SW)
Republik is proud to present Morgan Page, as part of his ‘In the Air Tour’. Also featuring Bass Kleph, and resident DJ Dom G.

Movember Fundraiser at OPUS
Date: Saturday, November 26
Time: 9:00 pm
Where: OPUS (628 – 8 Avenue SW)
Smooth House Saturdays at OPUS and the Movember team, 100-Yard ‘Stache, are coming together to bring you a great Movember party. Featuring Grumpboiz, Johnny Corcuera & CDJ; a portion of sales from the evening will be donated to the Movember team, benefiting Prostate Cancer Canada.

EDMONTON

DJ Diamond Live
Date: Friday, November 25
Time: 9:00 pm
Where: The Treasury Vodka Bar & Eatery (10004 Jasper Avenue)
Playboy playmate and renowned performer, DJ Diamond, will be lighting up the Treasury Vodka Bar & Eatery this Friday.

VANCOUVER

K-OS and Shad
Date: Friday, November 25
Time: 8:00 pm
Where: Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville Street)
Vancouver is proud to host Canadian rapper and songwriter, K-OS. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this Canadian music icon!

Vancouver’s Largest Grey Cup Party
Date: Sunday, November 27
Time: 9:00 am
Where: Schanks Sports Grill (350 Gifford Street)
Watch the 99th Grey Cup, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and BC Lions face-off. Be at Schanks for tons of drink specials, and a draw for limo transportation and tickets to the game (draw at 2 pm)!

VICTORIA

Grey Cup Party
Date: Sunday, November 27
Time: 2:00 pm
Where: V-Lounge (3366 Douglas Street)
Catch all the action of the Grey Cup, as the Lions take on the Blue Bombers, from V-Lounge. Cheap beer, prizes, jersey giveaways and 20 flat screen televisions!

Western Canada Events November 14 to 20

Ryan Steblyk — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:16:42 +0000

CALGARY

Fall Grape Escape
Date: November 18 & 19
Time: Various times
Location: BMO Centre (20 Roundup Way SE)
This two-day event is put on by Co-op Wines and Spirits, and features tastings of wines, beers and spirits.

MEC Snowfest
Date: November 20
Time: 11 am to 5 pm
Location: Mountain Equipment Co-op (830 – 10th Avenue SW)
This event is a celebration of all things snow sports. It includes clinics, product demonstrations, the latest gear and even an avalanche safety instruction.

EDMONTON

Canada Career Fair
Date: November 18
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Location: Northlands AgriCom (7300 – 116 Avenue NW)
Approximately 10,000 visitors will take in this career information and job fair. Now in its 15th year, the event will feature 175 exhibitors.

BANFF

Bon Appetit Banff
Dates: November 17 to 27
Time: Various times
Location: Various venues
Participating restaurants will offer special three-course menus in this 10-day festival. Experience the best of Banff’s culinary offerings, at a great price.

VANCOUVER

CanFit Pro Personal Training Conference & Trade Show
Date: November 19
Time: 8:30 am to 6 pm
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre (1055 Canada Place)
Get the highest quality fitness education at this event. Featuring Tommy Europe, former NFL and CFL player, personal trainer and television show host.

VICTORIA

United Way Book & Record Drive
Date: November 19
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Location: University of Victoria (3800 Finnerty Road)
The United Way is accepting books, records, typewriters and record players in good condition with appreciation, for an upcoming fundraising sale. Stay tuned for details on the fundraiser at the end of this month.

Rememberance Day

Ryan Steblyk — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:48:22 +0000

How did Remembrance Day start?

This commemorative day marks the armistice to end the First World War, on November 11, 1918 at 11 am. Remembrance Day became a tradition the very next year, throughout the Commonwealth in 1919.

Nowadays, Canadians are asked to pause in memory of the countless men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the military; on the 11th hour of the 11th day, of the 11th month.

What’s with the poppies?

The association with poppies and Remembrance Day stems from a poem written by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae—In Flanders Fields. McCrae had witnessed a field of poppies growing over the graves of fallen soldiers during the First World War.

The sales of poppies in Canada today is a vital source of revenue for the Royal Canadian Legion.

Where can I find a Remembrance Day ceremony in my area?

Calgary

Jubilee Auditorium (1415 – 14 Avenue NW)
The Military Museums (4520 Crowchild Trail SW)

Edmonton

Alberta Aviation Museum (11410 Kingsway Avenue)
Beverly Cenotaph (40 Street and 118 Avenue)

Vancouver

South Memorial Cenotaph (41 Avenue and Windsor Street)
Victory Square (100 Pender Street West)

Victoria

Capriccio in the Nave (Quadra Street and Rockland Avenue)

Events November 7 to 13 – I’m Ron Burgundy?

Ryan Steblyk — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:50:29 +0000

CALGARY

9th Annual Artisan Fair
Date: November 11
Time: 11:30 am to 5:00 pm
Location: Fort Calgary (750 – 9 Avenue SE)
Admission: FREE (non-perishable food donations encouraged)

Local artists and crafters will be selling jewelry, clothing, paintings, bath and body goods, photography, candles, quilts, Christmas ornaments and more! Santa will also be making an appearance between 2 and 4 pm; and the Veterans Food Bank will be on hand to collect non-perishable donations.

11th Annual Taboo Naughty But Nice Show
Date: November 10 to 13
Time: Various times
Location: Big Four Building (1410 Olympic Way SE)
Admission: Single tickets start at $10

This is the largest adult trade show in Western Canada; featuring shopping, seminars, fashion shows and even live demonstrations.

VANCOUVER

Artists for Conservation Festival
Date: November 5 to 13
Time: Various times
Location: Grouse Mountain (6400 Nancy Greene Way, North Vancouver)

This first annual event will feature nature and wildlife artists and activists from around the world, in ten days of environmental immersion. The festival includes workshops, lectures, films, live demos and art exhibits.

VICTORIA

Anchorman Quote-Along
Date: November 12
Time: Doors open at 7 pm
Location: Vic Theatre (808 Douglas Street)
Admission: $10 at the door

The newly resurrected Vic Theatre will be host to the Quote-Along Classics Series on Saturday, launched by the Victoria Film Festival. Experience cinema in a whole new way: dress up and quote-along. Each show will have themed beverages and a costume contest. Plus there will be a mid-Movember moustache man-off, so bring your best cookie duster! Stay classy Victoria!

Movember :-c

Ryan Steblyk — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:52:54 +0000

Nowadays November marks a special time of year—Movember. Men dive into the first of the month with a clean-shaven face, and for the rest of Movember, groom and trim their way to a fine moustache. The goal is simple, to raise awareness about prostate cancer; and hopefully round up some money for the cause as well. ‘Mo Bros’, as they are referred to, essentially become walking billboards for the month, prompting conversation about men’s health issues.

Movember has truly become a global movement, inspiring more than 1.1 million people to participate, with formal campaigns in ten countries. In 2010, nearly 119,000 Canadians participated in the month-long event, raising $22.3 million. This year the efforts have been amazing already, with plenty of fundraising events going on across Canada, and lots of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas helping to spread the word.

If you’d like to find out more about Movember, or to donate, check out their website: ca.movember.com.

You can also follow one of the Movember committees on Twitter to find out more:
@MovemberCA
@MOcalgary
@MovemberEdm

Western Canada Events November 1 – 6

Ryan Steblyk — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:47:17 +0000

CALGARY

Snow Fest 2011
Date: November 4 to 6
Time: Various times
Location: Canada Olympic Park (88 Canada Olympic Road SW)

The first annual Snow Fest, presented by WinSport Canada. This event will feature over 100 booths with retail and destination information on skiing and snowboarding. This weekend will also provide an outdoor Colossal Vision movie premier, bonfire, demos and tricks, contest and athlete appearances.

EDMONTON

River City Round-Up

Date: November 4 to 13
Time: Various times
Location: Various locations

This annual city-wide festival celebrates the rich history of agriculture and rodeo that exists in Edmonton’s heritage. The kick-off party for this ten day festival will be Saturday, November 5th at Sir Winston Churchill Square.

VICTORIA

Intuitive Arts Festival

Date: November 5 & 6
Time: 12 pm to 5 pm
Location: James Bay Community School Centre (140 Oswego Street)

This festival brings together the knowledge and products of over 30 exhibitors hosting exhibits and seminars on yoga, intuition, sound healing, quantum touch and more. This popular community event is meant to promote peace love and respect and is welcome for all to enjoy.

History of Halloween

Ryan Steblyk — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:16:50 +0000

As Halloween creeps up this weekend, and you don your best costume for that ghoulish party you’re planning to attend, do you ever stop to wonder where it all came from? Why do we dress up on Halloween anyways? We may be able to answer some of your burning questions about October 31st, and what makes it the event we know today as Halloween.

History of Halloween

The holiday we celebrate each year on October 31st—Halloween, evolved over time through a mix of ancient Celtic practices, religious rituals and European folk traditions. The origin of Halloween dates back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). Over 2,000 years ago the Celts celebrated their new year on November 1st; this day marked the end of summer and the beginning of the dark, cold winter—a time of year associated with human death.The Samhain was celebrated on October 31st, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth.

In the late 18th century, the North American movement began to change Halloween into a holiday of community and neighbours, rather than ghost and witchcraft. By the 1900s, Halloween parties for children and adults became the most common way to celebrate the day. Games, food and costumes began to be commonplace at such events. By the 1950s, parties moved from town civic centres to classrooms and homes to accommodate the large number of young children during the baby boom. The centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating had also been revived.

Today the tradition of Halloween is bigger than ever, and has expanded from the historical ‘ghoulish’ costumes to accommodate entertainment stars, super heroes and even random objects around your house.

Halloween by the Numbers

3,807,039: The number of children between five and 14, who trick-or-treated in 2009. That’s the lowest number since 1990.
2002: The peak year for trick-or-treaters in Canada. That number was 4,103,114.
12,435,520: The number of homes in 2006 where kids might have received treats.
2,317: The number of farms with pumpkin patches, according to the 2006 Census.
65,840 tonnes: The amount of pumpkins and squash produced in Canada in 2008.
$317 million: The amount of candy and snack foods sold at large retailers in October 2008.
$57.3 million — The value of costumes manufactured in Canada in 2005.