by Michael Schratter and Raj Taneja

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick.

The 2008 BMW 128i is pictured above

MS: To call the One Series the Baby Beemers of the BMW family is a little misleading.  It erroneously evokes the idea that these cars are harmless little things, when in fact they are anything but child’s play.

RT: Well that’s what I thought when I first looked at the 1-Series, it was like geez, a car that I’d probably buy for my teenage kid, but not something credible for day to day use. Since I’ve driven one, my whole perspective has changed. (more…)

Now with more cowbell.

The Quattroporte Sport GT we reviewed previously has nothing on this car. If there were one word to sum up the 385hp V8 GranSport Cambiocorsa, it would be ‘tight.’

Once started, the engine rumbles at a low and intimidating growl that sounds like sex, money and power. After that, you’re rolling down the streets like a king (or queen) and nothing can stop you. You float through the gears of the six speed F1 paddle-shift manual effortlessly, going from 0 to 100k in 4.8 seconds and everyone in your path that hears you coming at them promptly gets the fuck out of the way. Read more after the jump. (more…)

The title for one of the best parties held thus far in 2009 has to go to the Projecting Change 2009 Opening Afterparty.

Organizers Brady Dahmer and Lindsay Nahmiache not only put on a green and sustainable living film festival which attracts some of the world’s best known catalysts for change including David Suzuki and endurance athlete Ray Zahab, but they sure know how to celebrate.

On the evening of Thursday, April 2nd, the pair and hundreds of their guests filled the ever-stylish TRUNK gallery (auto/ONE) in Kitsilano to celebrate … pink sparkling wine (courtesy Barefoot Wines) inclusive.

Find out more about Projecting Change on their website, HERE.

Twice annually, the Vancouver office of the CB Richard Ellis High Technology Facilities Group invites members of ACETECH, the Acedemy of Tech CEOs, for a wine social.

This year, CBRE hosted their 15th Annual Winter Wine Event at auto/ONE which is a welcome departure from their regular events at the Vancouver Club.

Guests, including David M. Hall from the prominent local biotech firm, Angiotech, political candidate Margaret McDiarmid and even the go-to person for digital media in Canada, Dr. Gerri Sinclair, rubbed shoulders with some of Vancouver’s most prominent tech CEOs while sampling through a number of wines and canapes.

In discussion, most attendees agreed that they will attend this year’s Symposium, hosted by ACETECH, in Whistler between March 4th and 6th.

To find out more about ACETECH, check out their website, HERE. To find out more about CBRE, check out their local website, HERE.

by Michael Schratter

Papa Ferrari has sown new heathens, and all of their names begin with Maserati.

Background:
The 1980s were an especially dark time for Maserati, with the Biturbo having a reputation for being unreliable and rather plain. In the early nineties, the Maserati stopped importing cars into North America completely, with fiat buying the company in 1993. (more…)

photos courtesy the USnaps photo booth provided by Bright Ideas Events

One of the highlights of the Urban Mixer Gallery Series Event on November 26th was the USnaps photobooth – a unique tool that captured some amazing candid and fun shots of the evening.

As a photographer who goes to these events to capture that ‘unique’ shot for the various publications I work for, I was truly surprised as to the power of the photo booth. Nobody’s ever posed like that for me – there’s definitely something empowering about a photo booth and having the subject take control of when to take the photo. For that, the USnaps photo booth gets two thumbs up. You can see all the photos at the link below.

Username: urban
Password: 261108

Check out additional photos HERE.

photos by Raj Taneja and Davis Chu Photography

The Urban Mixer Gallery Series III event is officially a wrap!

Hundreds of attendees arrived at TRUNK gallery on Wednesday night to check out fine art, European automobiles and to support imagine1day, a groundbreaking charity created by Lululemon founder, Chip Wilson and his wife, Shannon, that is working to provide primary education to all children in Ethiopia.

Special thanks to our sponsors – Bright Ideas Events, TRUNK gallery, affinity auto, auto/ONE, Pacific Western Brewery, CKNW Radio, Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Handmade Whisky, U’Luvka Vodka, ShowMAX Event Services, School of Mix, Revel Room, Designer Cocktail Company, Fuzion Wines, Figmint Restaurant, Lonsdale Event Rentals, Bang & Olufsen Burrard Street, Davis Chu Photography, INFAMOUS Magazine, UltraXpress and SSID Inc.

You can see all of the photos in a special set we’ve posted on flickr, HERE.

On Friday evening, TRUNK gallery hosted a private showing of the ‘people + places’ exhibition featuring the works of David Ellingsen, Heidi Conrod and Stirling Ward.

On on Wednesday, November 26th, Urban Mixer’s Gallery Series III will feature the same works with artists Ward and Ellingsen in attendance and a few more surprises. Find out more about the event, HERE.

This week we’ll be revealing some additional details about the upcoming Gallery Series III event. Stay tuned to this blog for information on our event sponsors and what you can expect on WEDNESDAY, November 26th, 2008.

Registration is $35 in advance, $50 at the door. You can register for this event through our secure online registration system, HERE.

PS – if you’re a fan of bottle service, get in touch with us and reserve your seat in the affinity auto VIP lounge.

On Saturday night, Starlight Children’s Foundation hosted the fourth annual signature fundraising event, Sparkle!, at TRUNK gallery.

Attendees enjoyed cocktails, a fashion show featuring the latest by JC Studio and Dunhill London, sensational sounds by Lesismore and a spectacular auction.

To find out more about Sparkle! and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, check out their website, HERE.