WHEREmail

// March 2007

Dear Subscriber

Discover our editors' picks for the nation's best martini lounges, plus tips on how to travel cheap the hostel way. Also, check out our line-up of hot March events, contests and travel news, and answer the question: What city is the world's best business traveller destination? The answer may surprise you.

WHAT'S HOT IN MARCH:

Ottawa

Bassist and musical renaissance man Adrian Cho introduces his Impressions in Jazz Orchestra with a gala season opener on March 15, featuring 40 performers from music, theatre, and dance, and pieces by Miles Davis and Duke Ellington. For an evening of aural concrete poetry, The Four Horsemen Project is a theatrical experience that features dance, visuals, and music, March 13 to April 1.

Vancouver

St. Patrick's Day isn't a statutory holiday in Vancouver, but you might think otherwise upon seeing all the people decked out in the colours of the Emerald Isle and drinking green beer at Celticfest (March 14 to 18). The annual fête features a parade, street fair along Granville Street, and concerts by folks such as Spirit of the West.

Toronto

Celebrate the music of Queen with the March 14 show, We Will Rock You. Featuring 32 of the band's best known numbers like "We Are the Champions" and "Bohemian Rhapsody," the production has been an award-winning success in London's West End. To savour the finer things in life, visit the Toronto Wine and Cheese Show, March 23 to 25; featuring fine wine, beer, cheese and gourmet food—samples are $1 each.

Halifax

It's a great time to be a hoops fan as the Metro Centre on Duke Street hosts two major University Basketball tournaments. From March 8 to 10, Atlantic Canada's top men's teams compete in the AUS Final 6 Men's Basketball Championship. The winner returns the next weekend to meet the nation's best in the CIS Final 8 Championship. Special events and activities throughout.

Victoria

Wine fans will want to make sure a visit to the Victoria Festival of Wine is on their itinerary, March 14 and 15 at the Victoria Conference Centre—meet the winemakers, sample some of the finest vintages, and much more.

Edmonton

Often viewed by critics and fans alike as a great songwriter and perhaps one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Grammy Award-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter Eric Clapton revisits the City of Champions with a concert at Rexall Place, March 25.

Canadian Rockies

Decidedly Jazz Danceworks is a contemporary dance troupe that is both innovative and accessible. Their show Magnetic Consequences premieres at the Banff Centre on March 24, reuniting DJD dancers with actress and vocal sensation Jackie Richardson and band leader Kristian Alexandrov. Together they celebrate life through its rockin' to soulful, humourous to poetic performances.

Calgary

When it premiered on Broadway in 2001, the musical The Producers was an instant smash, nabbing 12 Tony Awards—the most ever given to one production. Starting March 27, the funny and irreverent show made famous by its original principals, Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, now makes it way to the Jubilee Auditorium for a limited engagement.

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Every time you stay with us from January 15 to April 13, 2007, you're guaranteed to win great prizes instantly.

Stay with Delta this winter and win!

www.deltahotels.com

The WHERE List:

GREAT MARTINI LOUNGES

If there's one thing every good editor knows, it's where to go for a great gin martini or vodka cocktail. So whether you prefer shaken or stirred, here's the nation's definitive lounge list for your drinking pleasure, courtesy your friendly neighbourhood WHERE editors.

Victoria

Whether you like your martinis classic or with a contemporary twist, the Blue Crab Bar and Grill is sure to please. Featuring intriguing concoctions like the "Sweet Dungeness" (vodka, limoncello and blue curacao) and the refreshing "Ocean Pearl" (vodka, peach schnapps and cranberry), guests can also take in the spectacular views of the harbour.

Halifax

Stylish and sexy, Onyx on Spring Garden Road is the destination of choice for martini and cocktail lovers. Take a seat at its namesake Onyx bar and enjoy creations like their Sake-tini (vodka, sake and cucumber) or one of the house-specialty mojitos.

Vancouver

Hollywood celebrities aren't on the menu but they can often be spotted hanging out at Opus Bar, a chic cocktail lounge for those who want to see and be seen. Fave martini choices include the "Dragon Boat," "Canada Goose" and "Vitamin V."

Canadian Rockies

When in Banff, try out Saltlik's Lik Lounge, where there are over 20 martini selections. Better yet, show up on a Thursday night and you can enjoy live music with your martini, and after 9:30 pm the tasty beverages go for cheap.

Calgary

Opus on 8th is an über-modern, sexy lounge with a laid-back atmosphere. Here you'll find martinis and cocktails taken to the next level with drinks like the "Pomegranate Martini," that has organic juice and black current sorbetto, and the "Wake Up Martini" with Italian espresso, Kahlua, vanilla vodka, skim milk and fresh egg white.

Toronto

With a glowing onyx bar, chrome accents and lots of marble, the Pantages Martini Bar and Lounge is a perfect setting for sipping your favourite designer cocktail. The recently renovated bar's cool groove is complemented by a touch of warmth—a cozy and understated sitting room with a fireplace.

Ottawa

At the Mercury Lounge, martini nuts can sip on cocktails flavoured with different kinds of fruit while digging tunes delivered by local DJs. Each night features a specific style of music, from roots to Afro funk, house to spiritual.

Edmonton

Warm and inviting with dark wood accents and a cozy intimate space, Martini's (9910 109 Street NW, 780-424-7219) is a great place for that after work or pre-evening cocktail.

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.

Discounted Via 1 Seats with Via Rail

For selected destinations across the country you can enjoy discounted rates for premium Via 1 seating. Via 1 seating gives you a range of benefits, including more comfortable, spacious seating, priority boarding, meal service (including wine and beverages), power outlets for your laptop and pay-per-use wireless Internet.

Twenty Places for $20

Travel Cuts can hook you up with 20 places in Australia that you can stay in for under $20 CAD a night, to see the list click here. Call 1-866-246-9762 to book.

Delta Brunswick "Warm Up to Winter Package"

Do the winter blues and cold weather have you down? Come in from the cold to the Delta Brunswick, relax in their restaurant and then head back to your room to snuggle up with a free movie and fresh popcorn.

Package includes:
• one-night's accommodation in a Delta-category room
• hot chocolate
• American-style breakfast
• popcorn (delivered via room service)
• one in-room movie

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