It's OK to be from Vancouver

Last weekend was the annual Red Light Lounge Rouge party, and was it a scene to be seen. Actors, actresses, agents, directors, producers, media, and of course, PR gals. As an event producer and PR exec here in Vancouver, I'm always interested to see what other bright young minds have to offer to our fair city. Held at the QE theatre's outdoor plaza, Rouge made every attempt to be as unVancouver as possible. Even the press release stated "parties like this happen in New York and London, but never in Vancouver, until now". Well, I just got back from New York, I didn't go to any parties like this. Why? Because New York parties aren't trying to be New York parties. They don't have to. Here in Vancouver, we are obsessed with trying to be anything but who we are. A number of people commented during the evening that they felt like they were "somewhere else". Even die hard Torontonian Jian Ghomeshi (pictured with me here) said he felt like he was at the Toronto Film Fest. But why do we feel the need to think we've whisked off to somewhere else for a night? Why can't we be happy with being in Vancouver, from Vancouver, partying like Vancouver does? Judging by the dress I saw on most of the women (and thanks to my good friend Jason Matlo for making me look so Oscar worthy), we certainly aren't going out in fleece bombers. Everyone stayed until the wee hours so I doubt many were going hiking the next day. In fact, Saturday night laughed in the face of every Vancouver stereotype, and proved to me that we're not New York, but we are pretty cool.