The 2010 Cultural Olympiad kicked off its 60 days of curated arts, music, and theatre events for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics this past weekend in the city. One of the shows that was brought to Vancouver for the Cultural Olympiad was Elizabeth Streb‘s dance theater piece titled STREB: RAW. Elizabeth Streb is a performer and choreographer who focuses on human movement that flirts with risk. STREB: RAW is a performance piece that pushes the boundaries of human capabilities and challenges extreme human ability to attain flight.

Kris Krüg from Static Photography had the opportunity to meet Elizabeth Streb in 2007 when she spoke at the PopTech conference in Camden, ME. During her talk at the conference in Maine, Elizabeth spoke about her fascination with human flight and how that has manifested in her performance career.

Kris Krüg had the chance to photograph STREB: RAW during its full dress rehearsal. The photos are amazing captures of the human body’s physical potential!

More Information:

Elizabeth Streb on Wikipedia

STREB website

Elizabeth Streb Popcast 2007 “Extreme Moves”

STREB! video on Youtube

During the 2010 Winter Games, the City of Vancouver, with support from the Government of Canada, is hosting LiveCity Vancouver. There will be two outdoor celebration sites: LiveCity Yaletown and LiveCity Downtown.

LiveCity Vancouver will offer top local, Canadian and international entertainment, big-screen Olympic Winter Games sporting coverage, Olympic sponsor and partner pavilions, educational and family programming and much more. LiveCity Vancouver will also showcase and celebrate our Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

LiveCity is free to all and both venues are accessible for those with disabilities.

LiveCity Downtown:

An urban gathering place in the heart of the city at Georgia and Cambie Streets. LiveCity Downtown is all about the spirit of sport and competition. A giant screen will show live coverage of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games events as they unfold. This is the place to meet with friends and mingle with visitors from around the world in a lively, urban setting.

LiveCity Yaletown:

LiveCity Yaletown will feature live local, national, and international entertainment on the main stage in the afternoon and into the night, culminating each evening with a dynamic nightly closing show. Giant screens will show highlights of Olympic Winter Games sport coverage and visitors can enjoy the interactive Olympic sponsor pavilions, Vancouver House, and much more… all for free!

From the arrival of the Torch on February 11 through to the closing ceremonies on February 28, LiveCity Yaletown will light up each day and night with energy and excitement from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily.

Friday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., family programming, similar to the weekday educational component, will offer kids the chance to experience the Games in a family friendly environment.

There will be free concerts every night starting at 8pm.

To see a list of events CLICK HERE

Vancity is buzzing with activities in preparation and anticipation for the coming Winter Games.

In 22 days, Vancouver will host the world with Glowing hearts!

Flags and banners are starting to appear in all corners of the city.

VANOC venue access tents (aka security check points) are being erected, these can be found just on the west side of BC Place, one of the main entrance for the 2010 Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as for the Nightly Victory Ceremonies.

Deliveries are arriving, as seen here on Pacific Avenue, across from BC Place.

Fan gathering places are starting to pop up all over the city. Two examples seen here at Library Square on Georgia and Homer as well as at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Robson and Hornby.

Roads are being closed all over the city, these photos taken around GM Place.

Games sponsors are making themselves known as they manifest themselves on the sides of entire buildings and on various billboards. This one partially completed can be seen from the corner of Hornby and Georgia.

Fences are going up and security is starting to tighten, as you can see here at GM Place, just outside the Costco entrance.

GM’s fleet of sponsored vehicles is ready to crawl the city.

Stages are being built for upcoming entertainment acts. This one is found beside the skating rink at Robson Square.

And of course we have the Vancouver Police Department roaming the streets on horseback!

With three weeks remaining before the world visits our beautiful city, I’m sure we will continue to see the city transform for this exciting world event!

Make sure you start planning, this is the perfect time to get your game plan sorted before the storm hits Vancouver… Plan your movement and your schedule wisely, it will be wild…

Officially opening its doors on September 21, 1995, General Motors Place has become symbolic of Vancouver’s proud identity, serving as the city’s ambassador and host to the world of sports and entertainment.

A staple of downtown Vancouver, General Motors Place is one of the premier sports and entertainment facilities in all of North America. Highly praised for its comfortable seating and superior sightlines, visitor hospitality lies at the heart of this 475,000 sq. ft. building.

Home to the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League, General Motors Place has hosted numerous national and international events over the years, as well as welcomed a countless number of world renowned personalities including former US President Bill Clinton, HRH Queen Elizabeth II, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Serving as the primary venue for ice hockey in 2010 at the XXI Winter Olympic Games, General Motors Place will once again be front and center as the eyes of the world will be focused on watching Canada attempt to win Olympic Hockey Gold for the first time ever on home ice.

Since its inception as the leading entertainment venue in British Columbia, General Motors Place has welcomed over 15 million visitors through its doors!

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Canada’s Northern House, now open at 602 W. Hastings Street & Seymour in Vancouver,  is located in the heart of downtown. You can expect to be captivated with the simulated northern lights shining from the windows. The lights will draw people in to view and get information on Nunavut art, business, athletes, cultural performers and artists.

Visitors to Northern House will be greeted at the entrance by an inuksuk built by former Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq, using stone from Nunavut, Northwest Territories and British Columbia. Canada’s Northern House will showcase talented performers such as Artcirq and throat singers, drum dancers, and traditional games athletes during the Olympic Games.

Canada’s Northern House will have an art lounge, story telling area and an exhibit called “The North Today” featuring interactive displays on living, visiting and investing in Nunavut. There will also be business information about the three territories. Visitors also have the chance to win an $8,000 diamond or a 3.8 ounce gold nugged valued at $7,000.

The House is open through March 31, 2010.
Daily hours during the 2010 Olympic Games will be 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Before and after the 2010 Olympic Games, it will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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The 9,000 square-foot Irish House will house 750 visitors at a time at the temporary site, conveniently located adjacent to Doolin’s Irish Pub in downtown Vancouver. The Irish House site will facilitate Doolin’s trademark ‘Irish family feel’ in ambiance, culture, and music.

The Irish House will be a welcoming gathering place with a boisterous traditional Celtic atmosphere. During the day, the pavilion will feature family-friendly entertainment with music and cultural exhibits. Multiple televisions and projection screens will run highlights of the Games. In the evenings, the true Irish pub culture will come to life, and visitors will experience a party where it will feel like every day is a St. Patrick’s Day party.

Local and international media personalities will be in attendance throughout the two weeks, with familiar names such as Red Robinson, Dave Abbott, Ron Coleman, and Jim Byrnes invited as guest MCs. The official opening on February 11 will kick off with The Most Reverend J. Michael Miller – the Arch-Bishop of Vancouver performing a blessing on the pavilion. A traditional Celtic Standing Stone monument, custom designed and created for the Irish House 2010, will be a featured display piece in pavilion and auctioned off on Saturday February 20.

Irish House 2010 will be located at 620 Nelson Street in Vancouver, BC. The hours of operation will be 7 pm-3 am February 8, and noon to 3 am February 9 – 28. The venue is family friendly from noon – 7 pm, then only 19+ permitted 7 pm onwards.

There will be a $5-20 entrance fee for adults (depending what time of day you arrive) and kids are always free.

As with any Irish Pavilion, get ready for a load of fun and entertainment.

For more information, call (604) 331-7854

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During the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, the Vancouver Rowing Club in Stanley Park will be transforming into the Saxony House. Be sure to drop by this free pavilion to experience the Olympics in true Saxon style! You’ll have the opportunity to watch the games, meet medal winners, listen to live music and enjoy traditional German food and drinks.

The Vancouver Rowing Club will transform its 19th century aura into a glittering Saxony House, offering magnificent views of Burrard Inlet and Downtown Vancouver. What better place to exhibit the prowess of Saxony’s art, culture and booming economy, its sports and the innovative drive of Saxon inventors!

The Saxony House is open free to the public, February 12th – 28th, from 12:00pm- 2:00am.
There is plenty of low-cost metered parking during the day. Parking is free after 6 pm.

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