WHEREmail

// August 2008

Dear Subscriber

In honour of the remaining weeks of summer, we bring you the country's hottest barbecue spots, as well as the festivals, acts and fireworks shows you won't want to miss. Get the low-down on the latest developments in airline surcharges, and find out where the world's largest truck is.

WHAT'S HOT IN AUGUST:

Ottawa

Carnivale Lune Bleue, a 1930s-style carnival rolls into town from August 1 to September 6, bringing with it acrobats, vintage rides, traditional games, and more. On August 2, 6, 9, 13, and 16, during the Casino du Lac Leamy Sound of Light the Gatineau skies light up with fireworks displays from Russia, Italy, France, Spain, and the Casino's grand finale.

Canadian Rockies

At Jasper's Heritage Pro Rodeo August 13 to16, watch cowboys in action and be sure to catch Jasper's traditional yet unique pack horse race. Banff hosts the inaugural Dragon Boat Festival August 23 to 24 on Lake Minnewanka, and the brawn comes to Canmore August 31 with the heavy sports competition at the Canmore Highland Games.

Toronto

Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco thrills audiences with gravity-defying acts like an aerial ballet performed by trapeze artists 30 feet above the stage August 13 to 24. All month, catch the smash hit Avenue Q, a hysterical, irreverent musical in which puppets—and the people who bring them to life—tell the tale of Princeton, a college grad with big dreams and a tiny bank account.

Edmonton

2002 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers perform hits from the past 30 years at Rexall Place August 12. Later in the month on August 29, Rexall Place also plays host to brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher of British group Oasis, known for a string of top hits including Wonderwall.

Winnepeg

August 3 to 16 Manitoba's cultural mosaic, Folklorama, comes together with 44 ethnic groups showcasing their heritage through dance, music, crafts and food at pavilions across the city. The VIP World Tour takes visitors on a three-pavilion tour aboard a motorcoach that guarantees your seat at the show. For more information visit www.folklorama.ca or call 204-982-6222.

Vancouver

At the Gastown Motorcycle Show 'n' Shine August 17, hogs and choppers of every style take over the oldest streets of Vancouver. Meanwhile, at the Abbotsford International Airshow August 8 to 10, all the excitement is in the sky, with groups such as the CAF Snowbirds and USAF Thunderbirds providing aerial entertainment.

Halifax

Country music fans have been waiting all summer for August 30, when the Halifax Common hosts Country Rocks 2008. Keith Urban headlines the 10-hour outdoor concert, with an all-star lineup that also includes Charlie Major, Johnny Reid, Aaron Pritchett, Gretchen Wilson, Jimmy Rankin, Great Big Sea and Mark Cameron.

Calgary

An international fireworks competition is just one of the draws to Calgary's annual Globalfest, running this year from August 11 to 23. The Oneworld Festival hosts several activities and experiences with cultural pavilions from countries including Brazil, India, Spain and China. There's also a Global Filmfest and a Human Rights Forum.

Victoria

The Victoria Dragon Boat Festival fills the Inner Harbour August 15 to 17, with thrilling races, multicultural performers, crafts and food. The festival atmosphere continues through August when the Fringe Festival comes to town August 21 to 31. Fringe offers some of the best in alternative theatre and dance from around the world.

The WHERE List:

BARBECUE HOT SPOTS

Where editors across the country have chosen some of the best eateries to head to for barbecued favourites. From slow-cooked ribs to juicy, dry-rubbed chicken and pulled pork, their dishes will make your mouth water.

Halifax

Try barbecue with a Far Eastern twist at Hamchi Kita Sushi & Asian Flare in Halifax. One of the newest additions to the popular Hamachi family of restaurants, it specializes in Asian fusion cuisine and has quickly gathered a loyal following for its mouth-watering Thai barbecue chicken. Located on Young Street, it's in the heart of the stylish Hydrostone neighbourhood, with a sidewalk patio that's an ideal place to kick back on a summer afternoon.

Toronto

Enjoy a casual menu of home-cooked barbecue favourites designed by one of the city's top chefs on the patio at Cluck, Grunt and Low, or head to the more traditional Phil's Original BBQ, which competes for the title of Toronto's most popular barbecue joint. Once a week, check out the sultry terrace at SkyLounge (220 Bloor St W, 416-960-5200) for Grill Thursdays from 6 to 10 pm, where barbecued items like a ginger shrimp skewer and a mini sirloin steak tempt summer palates.

Vancouver

Don't be afraid to get your hands sticky at Memphis Blues Barbeque House: paper towels are everywhere, but the sauce is so tasty you might prefer to lick your fingers clean. You can take those tasty flavours back to your own kitchen with Bringin' Southern Barbeque Home (Whitecap Books, $29.95), a new cookbook by Memphis Blues' dudes Park Heffelfinger and George Siu.

Winnipeg

At Muddy Waters Smokehouse, try Memphis-style barbecue featuring slow-cooked ribs, pulled pork and the best slaw in town. Situated at The Forks, a National Historic Site, its bustling patio overlooks the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Lovey's BBQ and Smokehouse offers a self-basting rotisserie pit and sauces made from scratch. The slow-cooked beef brisket, juicy roast chicken and hand-cut fries are all served with down home atmosphere. Tangy pit beans are some of the best in the city. 1-208 Marion St, Winnipeg, MB, 204-233-7427.

Canadian Rockies

Some of the best places in the Canadian Rockies to enjoy a hot barbecued meal can only be reached by horseback (some via wagon rides). By joining one of these Backcountry Cookouts, you build an appetite while riding through spectacular mountain scenery before digging into your well-earned juicy steak with all the Western trimmings.

Calgary

At Palomino Smokehouse & Social Club, all the meat is slowly smoked over a one-tonne barbecue. Try juicy meats like Alberta beef brisket, Applewood smoked pulled pork, giant Alberta beef short ribs and "very, very slow smoked" half chicken. Try the bacon-wrapped corn on the cob—something even Barenaked Ladies' member Ed Robertson couldn't resist when he was in town. Also worth a visit is Big T's BBQ & Smokehouse, a wood-smoked southern barbecue restaurant. Their Elvis Platter is a colossal endeavour with ribs, sausage, brisket, chicken, pork, cornbread, coleslaw, baked beans, and fries.

Victoria

In Victoria, great barbecue means chef Ken Hueston's Smoken Bones Cookshack. Located in the city's West Shore neighbourhood, the award-winning eatery emphasizes flavourful, fresh food from local producers. From Po' Boy sandwiches and jambalaya to "Smoken" pork ribs with a side of barbecued beans, there's plenty to please the palate here! #101-721 Station Ave, 250-391-6328.

Ottawa

The Foolish Chicken serves up mouth-watering barbecue chicken and ribs in a cool, relaxed atmosphere. Their barbecue baby back ribs are marinated in a secret recipe from Latin America before being slowly baked, grilled and basted with their signature sauce. Plus, many items are celiac-friendly (gluten free), and there is a good selection of vegetarian options, 79 Holland Ave, 613-321-4715.

Edmonton

For a quarter-century, the meat at Smokey Joe's Hickory Smoke House has been falling off the bone and into the tummies of devoted diners. If you can't decide what you crave, tuck into a sampler plate. At China BBQ Specialty John Ng's marinated chicken, duck and pork has lured barbecue lovers to his restaurant by the China Gate downtown for more than two decades. 9655 102 Ave, 780-420-0745. Try the outstanding secret-recipe barbecue sauce at Grandma D's BBQ Cookhouse. Menu favourites include tender pork ribs and the popular pulled chicken sandwich. 16336 111 Ave, 780-443-1074.