WHEREmail

// June 2007

Dear Subscriber

We've rounded up some of the country's best summer festivals for you to check out: everything from Jazzfests to where you can spend a day tasting beer. Also, we tell you where you can get the best steaks across Canada and how you can spend a few hours in luxury at the airport. Plus, where to find cheap gas, some great contests, and a cool redesign to where.ca (click on one of our city links to check out our new look!).

WHAT'S HOT IN JUNE:

Halifax

Kick off the Canada Day weekend on June 29 with 2007 Summerfest along the waterfront. There are free family variety shows, rock concerts featuring East Coast musical acts and a fireworks display over the harbour on Canada Day.

Toronto

Luminato, a 10-day cultural extravaganza, descends on Toronto from June 1 to 10. Enjoy music, theatre, dance, film and fine arts at various venues. Opening June 3, the Royal Ontario Museum hosts Hiroshi Sugimoto: History of History, an exploration of the nature of time and history that combines photographs by Sugimoto—one of contemporary art's most revered figures—with historical artifacts and fossil specimens.

Vancouver

Jazz fans can dance in the streets—literally—at the TD Canada Trust Vancouver International Jazz Festival, June 22 to July 1. Highlights include Norah Jones at the Orpheum Theatre (June 28), Holly Cole at The Centre (June 23) and the Blind Boys of Alabama at The Centre (June 30).

Edmonton

The first annual Edmonton Festival of Beer - A Celebration of Summer Drinks and Food promises to tickle your taste buds with a selection of over 200 varieties of beer June 8 & 9. Then from June 13 to 23 watch talented comic performers from around the globe compete in a wildly funny tournament of improv showdowns at Improvaganza, held at the Varscona Theatre.

Canadian Rockies

The Banff Summer Arts Festival runs to September 2 and has a line up of events for every arts lover. Some June highlights include the June 15 A Story Before Time theatrical dance; several jazz shows in the June 23 Jazz Orchestra Finale; Trout Puppet Workshop's Famous Puppet Death Scenes June 22 to 24; and various classical concerts.

Victoria

Jazzfest means 10 days and nights of some of the world's best jazz musicians who perform at the Royal Theatre and various smaller venues June 22 through July 1. Not-to-be-missed highlights include Holly Cole, Michael Kaeshammer and Sonny Rollins.

Calgary

You won't want to miss the 9th Annual Greek Festival June 22 to 24. Sip on ouzo while your kids play in the children's section, or watch main stage presentations of Greek dances and bands. The food is also a treat, try the loukoumades (cinnamon-honey covered donut holes), or sink your teeth in some mouth-watering roasted lamb.

The WHERE List:

BEST STEAK HOUSES

The regional editors at WHERE have tracked down the best places to get a nice, big, juicy piece of steak. From AAA Alberta beef to where you can add great seafood on the side of your tenderloin, you'll have lots to choose from.

Toronto

The Keg Steakhouse & Bar, Most Memorable Meal Award winner for Best Steak House, offers a casual dining atmosphere with music that runs the gamut from hip up-tempo sounds to jazzy vocals. They're best known for their generous portions of grilled-to-perfection steaks from blue rare to well done to Chicago style.

Canadian Rockies

Savour a quality Black Angus or AAA steak at the Saltlik A Rare Steakhouse in Banff. Their claim to fame is their 649°C (1200°F) infrared oven that quickly locks in flavour for a tender and juicy steak. For those on a budget, the Saltlik's Lik Lounge has a reasonably priced all-day lunch menu.

Vancouver

Have you ever grilled your own steak at your table? At Stonegrill, steaks arrive at your table on heated volcanic granite, and then you grill each bite to your idea of perfection.

Calgary

In a city known for great beef, it takes a special steak house to stand out. Caesar's has both time and experience on its side—this venerable local institution has been serving steaks in downtown Calgary since 1972. Their steaks will definitely fill you; Caesar's features Sterling Silver cuts which are the highest grade of Alberta Beef.

Victoria

Barkley's Steakhouse in the Executive House Hotel offers an elegant dining room as the perfect complement to a premium steak. For possible accompaniments, choose from a selection of West Coast seafood or a classic Caesar salad, prepared table-side.

Halifax

Ryan Duffy's has long been a mainstay of Halifax's dining scene. The steak house specializes in USDA choice beef, cut and weighed at your table. And if you're not in a red-meat mood, try Maritime seafood dishes like planked salmon or the lobster cannelloni.

Edmonton

Proud to serve the finest "AAA" Alberta Beef in a serene, richly decorated setting, the Sawmill's four locations are among Edmonton's choice spots for a superior meal.

TRAVEL SPECIALS

As a service to readers and our tourism partners, here's a selection of special travel deals. For more information or to book, please contact the providers directly.

Delta Sweet Summer Escapes

All summer long, Delta Hotels across the country are offering a wide range of special two-night getaway packages with family, spa, romance and active lifestyle themes. In addition, book between June 15 to September 3, and get a free $40 Hbc gift card.

Finding Cheap Gas

To find the best deals on gasoline in North America, check out www.gasbuddy.com. The site features regularly updated listings of the least and most expensive gas stations in major cities in both Canada and the United States.

(All prices in Canadian dollars. WHERE accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or availability of these packages. Please contact package supplier directly.)