Hey All,

Made it to Vancouver without any unexpected surprises. We are staying at the posh, but understated Executive Vintage Hotel on Drake St. and Howe St. So far I feel nothing but pampered with my fabulous view and in-room jacuuzi. The fitness room is small but nice, and the hot tub is on the 9th floor deck with another great view.

I did a test run over to the BC Place Stadium in my car and found it to be about a mile. From Granville and Robson I would guess it to be a little less than a mile. I'm sure they have the streets well policed for an event but I have to say that I will probably walk tomorrow. If you aren't into that I would suggest a cab. The Executive Vintage Hotel has a shuttle, and other hotels may as well, but I think a walk will be good for me as my nerves are going to be running high before the show. It will be nice to avoid the traffic and parking congestion.

We wandered around Davie St. for a bit and all the local newspapers have Madonna's name and image splashed across every front page. We checked out some post parties and I will probably hit the one at Celebrities after the event. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance. Check out www.celebritiesnightclub.com/upcoming_events/2008/10/candy-shop. I'm going for the drag show but if that isn't your speed The Majestic Nightclub is also offering a post-party.

24 HOURS TO GO!!

Two Days To Go!

EVERYTHING STICKY AND SWEET

With just two days to go before the big show I know many of you are making travel plans and I thought I'd throw in a few helpful tips. Be sure to allow yourself enough time for border crossing, and bring your proper documents if you are driving through. You now need a passport OR a valid driver's license WITH a birth certificate. I've been checking the wait times the last couple days at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html which is updated every hour and haven't seen any extended wait times. When looking at the chart check out the box for "Douglas (Peace Arch)" to find the crossing from I-5. As expected the busiest times are after 5pm on and I would highly suggest that you get through the border well before then on Thursday. Let's not forget that Madonna is playing a stadium that is three times the size of Key Arena. There will surely be traffic flow coming from Washington that may clog it up. So far rain is predicted on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. If it does rain into the afternoon on Thursday that may affect crossing times as well. The last time I crossed the border it took 90 minutes JUST for the border in addition to the three hours travel time. I'm hoping that it won't be that bad again, but I'm not taking any chances with time.


Once into the city you can breathe a sigh of relief. You are there and there is no way you are missing the show now so take some time and enjoy it. I have a list of places I hit whenever there. Vancouver is beautiful and if you haven't been I highly recommend doing what I call the "downtown circle" that encompasses my three favorite travel activities: sightseeing, shopping and eating!


The circle is connected by four streets; Granville, Robson, Denman and Davie. It doesn't matter exactly where you start (of course this depends on your hotel location) but I like to begin at Granville and Robson. Both are lined with shopping and places to eat. I start off with a crepe at one of the fabulous Cafe Crepe restaurants or walk-up windows. Once I have my fill I'm off to the shops. Check out the Aldo Outlet right there on the corner of Granville and Robson for great deals on shoes. Head west on Robson for the rest of the stores until you hit Denman and move south. The shops get smaller and more locally owned at this point and you are more likely to find unique items that you won't see anywhere else. Just off of Denman is Comox St. home of the fantastic Delilah's Martini Bar and Restaurant. Super charming atmosphere and delicious eats, this is the PERFECT place for dinner before the show. Check out http://www.delilahs.ca/ for more. Once back on Denman you can head down to the best damn cupcake you will ever eat at Cupcakes by Heather and Lori. It's the cutest little shop that you can't miss because it's entirely pink and the smell of baked cakes will surely lure you in (http://www.cupcakesonline.com/).

Take your deserts and within a short walk Denman will turn into beautiful Stanley Park (www.vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/index.htm). Breathtaking scenery and location make it the "Volunteer Park" of Vancouver...except with sweeping views of the mountains and water. One can easily spend an afternoon taking it all in if this is your sort of thing. It's also a great spot for jogging if your hotel is close enough to it.

Continue on to Davie St. where you will find many of the local gay bars and clubs, as well as some gay owned stores. Pop into Numbers for a drink and acclimate yourself to the area if you intend to partake in the evening activities. This is where you will be bar crawling with the rest of the nightlife. And let me tell you that the kids in Vancouver know how to party. The street scene alone is packed with people on any weekend evening and I expect this to be a blowout week because of Madge and Halloween. We'll do our best to keep you up to date with all activities involving her "Madgesty" including pre and post parties. Check out http://www.tourismvancouver.com/ and http://www.gayvancouver.net/ for more information and ideas. The city is huge and lots of fun so venture out and create some of your own favorite stops.

By the way, last I checked the Executive Vintage Park Hotel (http://www.executivehotels.net/) downtown still had rooms and limited Madonna Concert Packages still available. The package includes room with jacuzzi bath tub, shuttle transfer on availiblitity to BC Place Stadium (hotel guests only), sparkling white wine for arrival and a Madonna CD for just $269. The accomodations are deluxe and they even have complimentary wine tasting every night.
Let's Go!

Everything Sticky & Sweet: Getting to Vancouver, hotels and restaurant picks

It's Albert from Seattle Gay News. As one of my roommates watches Gossip Girl, I'm beginning our special Madonna blog leading up to Thursday's big show at Vancouver's BC Place Stadium.

Three Seattle Gay News writers - myself, Richard Kennedy, Jessica Price - are heading to Vancouver to capture all the excitement as it happens. We're not only attending the concert, we're cocktailing, shopping, meeting cute Canucks, and joining in on all the fun - like pre and post parties. For those also making the trek to Vancouver, here's information to get you across the border and a short list of hotels and restaurants to check out while you're there.

GETTING TO VANCOUVER

I'm assuming everyone has transportation to-from Vancouver figured out, but if not Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) has daily trips from Seattle at 7:30am with arrival at Pacific Central Station at 10:30am. From the station, you can SkyTrain it to downtown or take bus #23 to Davie Village. You can also reserve coach bus seats to Vancouver via Amtrak. If wanting to carpool, post an ad on Craigslist in the "Community/rideshare" section. A valid passport is the best documentation to have on-hand when entering and exiting Canada, though a birth certificate-photo ID combo works too.

HOTELS

There are lots of hotels in Vancouver to fit everybody's budget, from Best Western to the Four Seasons. But being a frequent visitor to the city, here are four that I highly recommend.

Opus Hotel (www.opushotel.com) is an upscale boutique property located in the Yaletown district with the closest proximity to BC Place Stadium of the four mentioned here. Opus designed its rooms around fictional characters that represent various people in our society, like an outgoing gay male who regularly mixes business with pleasure in Vancouver. Colorfully decorated rooms, comfy beds, large walk-in showers, chic lobby, and style in every corner makes Opus a desired address for A-list celebrities and touring musicians.

Executive Hotel Vintage Park (www.executivehotels.net) is the hotel of choice by one Seattle Gay News writer during his Material Girl-Vancouver stay. Centered in the downtown financial sector, a quick zip via SkyTrain or taxi to the concert venue, this lush property is expressing itself by offering a Madonna Concert Package for $269 + $20 tax per additional person that includes a room with Jacuzzi, shuttle transfer to the stadium (per availability), sparkling white wine upon arrival, and a CD copy of Hard Candy. You'll hear more about this hotel in the following days.

Pacific Palisades (www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com) is South Beach meets Pacific Northwest, or splashy meets natural. A member of the gay-friendly Kimpton Hotels chain, Palisades is home to the twice-held Ginch Gonch underwear pool party during Vancouver Pride. It's fun, it's cool, it's a blend of two complete opposite worlds, and it's in the heart of the city's shopping mecca, Robson Street. What I really love about this property is its sidestreet entrance, allowing my impromptu late night guests to arrive and depart with a bit of discretion.

Metropolitan Hotel (www.metropolitan.com/vanc) is an older property within walking distance to many downtown restaurants and nightlife spots. A lot of gay men stayed here during Pride, enjoying the hotel's indoor pool, hot tub and fitness room looking out to the bustling streets below. The rooms are spacious with big flatscreen TVs, good-sized restrooms, cozy armchairs, and plenty of drawers to place multiple outfits in. And the beds are fabulous!

RESTAURANTS

Cactus Club Cafe (www.cactusclubcafe.com/locations/bc) in the Bentall 5 Centre has become a quick personal favorite and an extremely popular dining attraction for locals and downtown visitors. Opened earlier this year, as part of a Canadian restaurant chain, this place is trendy, sexy, reasonably priced, and the hottest destination for cocktails or a cold pint of regional beer. Mounted flatscreen TVs treat guests to American baseball, Canadian football (yes, there is such a thing), and other sporting events. The food, such as pistachio-encrusted halibut and mouthwatering burgers, is top notch with some items created for Cactus Club by celebrity chef Rob Feenie. There are several locations, but the Bentall restaurant is where it's at.

Italian Kitchen (www.theitaliankitchen.ca) on Alberni Street, minutes from the cluster of hotels and clothing shops, is a newer restaurant with beautiful-looking servers who parade throughout as if it were a Prada runway. The ambiance is warm and sultry, and the food is out of this world. Suggested eats include spaghetti and Kobe meatballs, risotto of the day, fusilli funghi, and the incredible, heaping "meat platter" that is a carnivore's dream come true. Seriously, we ate so much that no room was left for dessert, which I presume was just as delicious.

Stepho's Souvlaki Greek Taverna (no website, 1124 Davie Street) is a well-known dining instution in the West End district of Vancouver, doorsteps away from the gay bars. There's always a line to get in, but surprisingly you'll be seated within 20 to 30 minutes upon arrival. My friends and I ate here during Pride and licked our fingers at how good it was, plus the portions were fit for a king. The beef souvlaki platter was mounted with meat kabobs, warm rice, golden potatoes, veggies, traditional Greek sauces, and a slice of pita bread. A total bang for your American buck!

Everything Sticky & Sweet: Madonna special coverage on the way

Seattle Gay News is headed to Vancouver, British Columbia this week for Madonna's sold out performance, her first Northwest appearance since 1997.

Three writers will make the journey up north for the big event, and we're taking you with us - sort of. We'll attempt to capture the excitement as it unfolds in Vancouver, tapping into the city's vibe on the day of show and attending pre-show parties before the Material Girl hits the stage. We'll then give you a first-account reaction after Madonna's performance from three different viewpoints - 7th and 14 rows, and upper stadium section.

Leading up to Thursday's event, we'll also provide hotel, restaurant, visitor attractions, and cocktail spot recommendations for those joining us in Vancouver.

Our special blog coverage of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet tour kicks off tonight. Get into the groove, eh!

Against Me! interviews with Seattle Gay News

Cool rock bands? Love them. Hot lead singers in cool rock bands? Love them more.

Seattle Gay News is pleased to feature a one-on-one interview with Tom Gabel, sexy frontman of punk rock outfit Against Me! The Florida-based quartet's major label debut New Wave was named Best Album of 2007 by Spin magazine and produced two big singles, "Thrash Unreal" and "White People for Peace". They're currently on tour, arriving in Seattle on October 24 for a performance at The Showbox Market (www.showboxonline.com) - their first appearance in the Jet City since last year's Capitol Hill Block Party.

Gabel, who launched his music career as a solo act, spoke to Seattle Gay News via email during a recent tour break in the Midwest. Find out what his favorite childhood Halloween costume was, the most common items lost on the road, and which tunes he'd spin at a party if he were the DJ.

Grab a copy of Seattle Gay News on October 24, or read it online over the weekend (click on "The Music Lounge" tab), and get a front row view of Against Me!'s Tom Gabel.

Photo by Ryan Russel for Warner Bros. Records (Gabel second from left).

Linda Ronstadt talks to Seattle Gay News on October 17

Music legend Linda Ronstadt phoned in recently to Seattle Gay News from her home in San Jose, California to speak about her past accomplishments, future recording plans, and appreciation for gay culture. The Arizona-born diva has enjoyed a long and successful career that boasts 10 Grammy Awards, multi platinum-certified albums, sold out tours, and collaborations with Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Aaron Neville, James Ingram, and Ann Savoy. To date, she has recorded music in various genres, including pop, rock, country, folk, and Spanish language.

Grab a copy of Seattle Gay News on October 17 and get closer to the one, the only Linda Ronstadt - who kicks off her "Romantic Evening in Old Mexico" tour at the Paramount Theatre on October 23. The interview will upload onto our website, www.sgn.org, on Saturday morning.

Seattle cluster of Gay men with multi-drug resistant HIV strain

Nine Seattle gay men with high risk sexual activity have been found to have multi-drug resistant HIV transmissions.

From AIDS Map:

Investigators in Seattle have reported a cluster of nine HIV infections involving resistance to multiple drugs from all the three main classes of antiretrovirals. The report is published in the October 1st edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes.

Seven of the nine men were newly diagnosed with HIV, the other two men had chronic HIV infection and were receiving antiretroviral therapy. One of these cases appears to involve superinfection during antiretroviral therapy that had been suppressing viral load to undetectable levels.

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