Close X
    Wednesday, January 15, 2025
    ADVT 
    National

    Vancouver changes tune under Swift spell, with Gastown clock to chime 'Shake it Off'

    Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Dec, 2024 01:31 PM
    • Vancouver changes tune under Swift spell, with Gastown clock to chime 'Shake it Off'

    Taylor Swift's Eras Tour is changing many things in Vancouver, from the tune of Gastown's iconic clock to traffic patterns as thousands of fans pour into the city ahead of Friday's first show. 

    The City of Vancouver is warning of much slower traffic this weekend in the downtown core, not only because of Swift's three concerts, but because of other events and festivities. 

    There will be full closures of several major arteries around the BC Place concert venue between noon and midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including West Georgia and Robson streets, Pacific Boulevard and the Cambie Bridge off-ramps near the site. 

    The city says in a statement that people need to plan for delays and should walk, bike, ride or take transit to and from the downtown. 

    The steam clock in Gastown is also being brought in on the Swift action, and has been retuned for the first time to play her hit "Shake it Off" every 15 minutes, with a longer sequence on the hour, starting today through to Dec. 13, which is Swift's 35th birthday. 

    The idea started as an April Fools' Day joke earlier this year, but Walley Wargolet, with the Gastown Businesses Improvement Society, says they decided it would be a joyful way to be part of the Taylor Swift takeover of the city. 

    Prev Next

    MORE National ARTICLES

    VPD on lookout for SUV occupants

    VPD on lookout for SUV occupants
    Vancouver Police are looking for the occupants of an S-U-V that was in the area where Japanese chef Wataru Kakiuchi was fatally stabbed early on June 5th. A 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with second-degree murder less than a week after the stabbing in the city's Downtown Eastside.

    VPD on lookout for SUV occupants

    Fire destroys historic Kamloops bridge

    Fire destroys historic Kamloops bridge
    An early morning fire has destroyed a historic bridge in Kamloops. The blaze is believed to have started in the middle of city's Red Bridge at around 3 a-m, eventually engulfing the wooden structure that had two lanes for vehicles.

    Fire destroys historic Kamloops bridge

    B.C. Premier touts involuntary care plans at convention, days before campaign begins

    B.C. Premier touts involuntary care plans at convention, days before campaign begins
    B.C. Premier David Eby says several city governments are on board with having a "secure site" to house and treat severely mentally ill and drug addicted people.  Eby told local politicians at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference in Vancouver that public safety is a priority for cities, especially in downtown cores, where many people are seen "visibly" struggling with addictions. 

    B.C. Premier touts involuntary care plans at convention, days before campaign begins

    Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada's intelligence priorities, Ottawa says

    Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada's intelligence priorities, Ottawa says
    The pressing issues of climate change and food security join more familiar ones like violent extremism and espionage on a new list of Canada's intelligence priorities. The federal government says publishing the list of priorities for the first time is an important step toward greater transparency.

    Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada's intelligence priorities, Ottawa says

    B.C. and First Nations reach deal to sell 2,600 condos at 60% of market value

    B.C. and First Nations reach deal to sell 2,600 condos at 60% of market value
    An agreement between First Nations and the British Columbia government will see thousands of homes made available in Vancouver at 40-per-cent below cost. Premier David Eby calls it a "remarkable" accomplishment between the province and the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, which would see about 2,600 homes sold for 60 per cent of the value in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world. 

    B.C. and First Nations reach deal to sell 2,600 condos at 60% of market value

    NDP flips, BC United flops, B.C. Conservatives surge as election campaign approaches

    NDP flips, BC United flops, B.C. Conservatives surge as election campaign approaches
    If the lead up to British Columbia's provincial election campaign is any indication of what’s to come, voters should expect the unexpected.  It could be a wild ride to voting day on Oct. 19.

    NDP flips, BC United flops, B.C. Conservatives surge as election campaign approaches

    PrevNext