The Surrey Urban Mission launched its inaugural “Home Harvest Fall Fundraiser” on Sept. 18, at the Surrey City Hall, Civic Plaza. The event raised funds to provide food security, and resources to connect people to housing and health services. Last year, the Surrey Urban Mission provided in excess of 120,000 meals to those living in poverty in the North Surrey area. Surrey Urban Mission's inaugural "Home Harvest Fall Fundraiser." “Everyone getting together to look at an agency that everyday transforms lives is really critical and really special to who we are as a community,” says Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner. To everyone’s surprise, it was announced at the end of the fundraiser that many of those volunteering at the event were in fact homeless. Executive Director at the Surrey Urban Mission Jonquil Hallgate says, “we live in a really wealthy country and in a wealthy community, and everybody here needs to have...

CONTEST: We are giving away a $50 gift card for Tasty Indian Bistro each month! Scroll down for more info. Tasty Indian Bistro welcomes weekly DJs every Friday night - from Hindi to hip hop, the restaurant’s music aims to create an environment suitable for all music tastes. Assistant Manager at Tasty Indian Bistro Harman Basutta, explains it’s not only about the flavourful dishes at Tasty Indian Bistro, but also about having an enjoyable time, “we want to leave with a lot of memories … so hopefully everyone has fun and has something to remember, and obviously with the flavour and stuff, it’s a blast in here.” Basutta says, “we’re trying to create an atmosphere that makes both the younger and older generation have a great time." Decibel Entertainment, a Vancouver based South Asian entertainment company, provides a different DJ to the restaurant every week. This fall, Tasty Indian Bistro...

Reporter Blanca Blandon with Mathew V & Willa Watch host Blanca Blandon and videographer Maria Rozo spend the weekend at the Squamish Valley Music Festival - the largest contemporary music festival in Western Canada. World-renowned performers hit the stage including Drake, Sam Smith, Brandon Flowers, Of Monsters and Men and Chance the Rapper. Make sure to check out our day #1 and day #2 photo galleries. The Surrey604 team got the chance to talk with up and coming dark electro pop artist Willa – born and raised in Whistler and no stranger to Squamish. Alongside Willa, the team also chatted with Vancouver based pop and soul singer and songwriter Mathew V, whose vocals have been compared to those of Sam Smith and John Legend. We also feature Canadian indie rock band The Rural Alberta Advantage and Canadian rock musician Joel Plaskett. WATCH: Surrey604's coverage of the Squamish Valley Music Festival!...

Day two of the Squamish Valley Music Festival rocked the crowds with renowned performers such as A$AP Rocky, K-OS, Of Monsters and Men, SonReal and not to mention Drake! Twenty-five artists performed on Saturday and the Surrey604 team got a chance to chat with The Rural Alberta Advantage, Joel Plaskett, and Willa and Mathew V Music. Make sure to check out our video coverage! Last year, the Squamish Valley Music Festival welcomed over 105,000 visitors, earning it the title of the largest contemporary music festival in Western Canada. Check out Surrey604’s photo gallery of Saturday’s performances! K-OS rocking the crowd! K-OS A$AP Rocky A$AP Rocky Crowd cheering for A$AP Rocky SonReal SonReal Reporter Blanca Blandon with Joel Plaskett Reporter Blanca Blandon with Mathew V Music & Willa Reporter Blanca Blandon with The Rural Alberta Advantage Drake performing "Headlines" ...

Day one of the sixth annual Squamish Valley Music Festival was unsurprisingly a huge success - setting the bar high for the remainder of the weekend. Twenty-four artists performed on four stages, including James Bay, Schoolboy Q, Brandon Flowers, Slightly Stoopid, and headliner Sam Smith among others! Squamish Valley Music Festival welcomed over 105,000 festival-goers in 2014 and is now known as the largest contemporary music festival in Western Canada. Check out Surrey604’s photo gallery of Friday night! Headliner Sam Smith performs on stage at Squamish Valley Music Festival. Schoolboy Q Slightly Stoopid but fully entertaining! Slightly Stoopid performing at Squamish Valley Music Festival. English singer/songwriter James Bay performs "Hold Back the River" at Squamish Valley Music Festival. DJ ODEZA Spinning some tunes! Brandon Flowers performing at Squamish Valley Music Festival. Sam Smith performing at Squamish Valley Music Festival. Crowds cheering at James Bay's performance....

Are you ready for some of India’s culinary delights? Tasty Indian Bistro’s over 100-food menu items are filled with countless savoury options - from the Sev Puri, the Mango and Coconut Chicken Curry, to the Rabdi Gulabjamun dessert, you’ll find no shortage of to die for dishes! One of the specialty dishes you’ll find featured on the Street Food menu is the Aloo Tikki. Image: Tasty Indian Bistro's Aloo Tikki. Filled with exotic spices, mashed potatoes and served with chickpeas curry – the Aloo Tikki is a favourite among visitors. Image: Tasty Indian Bistro's Aloo Tikki. Originating from India and Pakistan, the Aloo Tikki is a kind of Chaat (a savoury snack), which is made to be both filling and flavourful at the same time. Image: Tasty Indian Bistro's Aloo Tikki. The origins of Indian Cuisine The history of Indian cuisine goes back 5,000 years. The diversity of flavours sparked from...

Turning every performance into a house party, the Surrey based EDM duo Deth Klown, is keeping the local music scene alive with their upbeat bass beats mixed with Hip-Hop and Reggae influences. The 19-year-old DJs, Carson Hoy and Austin Neighbour, created Deth Klown four years ago, but they have played as professional percussionists for a decade. Image: Zombie Pool Party Poster - Carson Hoy left, Austin Neighbour right. Photo Credit: Julien Chevallier Carson and Austin at Deth Klown Rodeo Rave 2013 Creating music year-round and in their own built-in home studios, also gives the teens the chance to record bands using their own instruments - such as drums and guitars. The duo currently releases music on SoundCloud and YouTube, but they have no doubts they’ll be hitting up a record label soon, “we’re approaching labels right now … we have a full EP (extended play) that we’re sending out at the...

Image: Source The Surrey Night Market is back for its second season this summer, bringing its multicultural flair to Cloverdale and receiving 5,000 – 8,000 visitors each night. The only multicultural night market of its kind in the Fraser Valley, it welcomes over 50 food vendors from different nationalities, including Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Western cultures. Image: Source The market’s 125 vendors, consists of small local businesses, like craftsmen and local artisans. Everything from cosmetics, clothing, handcrafts and pedicures - the Surrey Night Market is the place to find it all! You’ll also find food trucks and carts, door prizes for attendees, and rides and arcade games. Every night at the performance stage, the night market welcomes local bands, singers and dancers. The variety of talent aims to create a welcoming atmosphere and to boost community spirit. Image: Source “The whole night market is fun … you can...

Arkitech, a Surrey-based producer and DJ, is gaining international momentum in the world of electronic music. The track "Keep The Beat," released earlier this year, was signed by the record label Armada, and the soon to be released single “Wildebeest,” was recently signed by DJ Chuckie - one of the headliners for the upcoming FVDED in the Park festival. Some of the world’s biggest DJs, like Hardwell and Blasterjaxx, have played the successful “Keep the Beat” track on rotation. Arkitech is currently made up solely of producer Ash Kumar. Until recently, Arkitech was a duo that included DJ Remo Liew. Kumar started Arkitech five years ago. Surrey604 got to learn about Arkitech’s beginnings, and his rise to the electronic music scene: Q: How did you first begin? Arkitech originally started with just me back in 2011. I released a track for free, and went on to submitting to well known labels and getting...

Don’t miss the chance to see FVDED in the Park this week! Blueprint & Live Nation Canada presents FVDED in the Park July 3 and 4 in Holland Park, Surrey. Headliners at the inaugural music festival include progressive-house music producer Deadmau5, and Juno Award winning artist of the year, R&B Sensation, The Weeknd. The all-ages event will feature over 20 world-class artists from different genres. From hip-hop to dance, FVDED will have a little bit of something for all the music lovers. The scenic backdrop and quick and easy to reach location, offers a great summer festival spot, expecting to attract up to 22,000 people each day. Due to limited parking, the visitors are encouraged to take public transit. There is a SkyTrain stop nearby the centre of action. Festival passes are still available! For passes and more information visit FVDEDinthePark.com. Full Artist Lineup: Day 1 – July 3rd Day 2...

Salt Floatation and Dry Salt Therapy in South Surrey, is the first of its kind on the south side of the Fraser River. The alternative health and wellness spa centre offers dry salt therapy and sensory deprivation floating. It has two sensory reduction float tanks, a float room, two salt rooms, and features the province’s first salt therapy bed. “ to provide a venue for people to be able to come in and experience deep relaxation for whatever it is they’re seeking, whether it’s pain … symptoms of respiratory conditions, or if they just need an escape,” explains Angie Dosanjh, Founder of Salt Floatation and Dry Salt Therapy. About three years ago she lost her husband to an accident. While coping with grief and trauma, someone introduced her to float therapy – she fell in love with it from day one and says it provided her with an escape, and...

Are you ready to tickle your taste buds? At Tasty Indian Bistro in Delta, that kind of question is purely rhetorical! With over 100 menu options – everything from Coconut Chicken Curry, Prawn Sahi Masala, to the delicious Sev Puri, you will be able to feast on traditional vegetarian and meat favourites from all regions of India. Featured on the new Street Food menu is one of their specialty dishes, the Sev Puri, inspired by the flavours of India. The Sev Puri’s round and hollow crisp pastries are filled with potatoes, peas, yogurt, tamarind sauce and mouthwatering Indian spices. Image: Tasty Indian Bistro's Sev Puri. Image: Tasty Indian Bistro's Sev Puri. The Street Food menu was inspired by childhood memories of Inder Saini, Tasty Indian Bistro’s owner: "As a child, I grew up in a city called Ahmedabad in India. Close to the city, there was a lake called Kankaria Lake ... families...

Adnan Sami, the "King of Romantic Ballads" performed on March 22nd at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. After the 10-year wait, his fans were thrilled to see him perform once again. His romantic hits, and fast piano playing skills brought the audience together for the ultimate musical experience. His performance was also a highlight for those celebrating Navroz. The festival marks the New Year, and first day of spring for Ismaili, Afghan, Iranian, and other communities....

Over the last 16 years, #1 Best Selling Author, Transformational Coach, and Wellness Consultant, Callie Kares, has been transforming lives. About two years ago, Kares revealed a personal story not many knew about. When she was 20 years old she miraculously healed after having been shot point blank in the spine by an ex-boyfriend. She regained the use of her legs after having been left paralyzed from the waist down. “ a story that I had a lot of shame around, and didn’t think it was important for me to share. However, as I broaden my spectrum, I realized that I could help a lot of people by sharing the fact of where I was, to where I am now,” says Kares. She is a believer in the law of attraction, and says her certainty and believe in recovery, manifested into reality. “The doctor said to me…‘there’s a chance that...

It has been nearly a year since I first interviewed CEO and Founder of Ladies Who Lunch, Maria Kritikos. I am thrilled, and still cannot believe how much the network has grown in such a short period of time! With nearly 5,000 Facebook likes and 150 members, the network has grown and gotten much local recognition, and for a good reason! It is a place for women to empower and inspire one another, all while enjoying some lunch and a glass of wine. Entrepreneurs, journalists, lifestyle coaches, business owners, you name it! All come together and help build each other’s dreams through conversation and collaboration. “We call it the ‘LWL’ network which of course stands for ‘Ladies Who Lunch,’ but it also stands for ‘Life Without Limits… women with a dream…with a goal, supporting other women to discover their passion…and essentially make a difference in the world,” says Kritikos. The...