Today we were at Metropolis at Metrotown, gathered at their outdoor South Plaza to learn about how BC’s largest shopping centre will be celebrating summer.
I personally like how the mall continues to draw patrons in, not only through their retailers, but by offering seasonal experiences as well. And this summer this includes both indoor and outdoor displays, a limited-time-only MET Passport Challenge for prizes, educational workshops, plenty of memorable photo opportunities, and food samples. But the biggest pull is offering guests a chance to win a $500 shopping spree for #SummerAtTheMet.
Metrotown’s South Plaza has been given new life, as is quickly coming the mall’s summer oasis. The highlight being the floor mural and an immersive sculptural piece by creative placemaking and public art firm, MASSIVart.
The former was a welcoming message snaking across new boxy seating fixtures. Hand-painted by Trevor Wheatley and Cosmo Dean.
I was enamoured by the latter, that was inspired by “Hymn to the Big Wheel” an existing piece created by acclaimed British artist Liz West. The bold colours melded and casted lovely shadows.
If you rather keep cool in the air conditioned walls of the mall, look to their indoor “parks”. New colourful picnic tables decorated with oversized paper florals, bringing the outdoors in. Here, you can rest in between your shopping, or grab something to eat and have lunch on. They are easy to spot with flowers and petals on the ground leading the way.
My favourite was the mini park with a stationary hot air balloon set up, that included clouds. The largest of said indoor parks is located in the Grand Court, pictured above.
And in visiting many of these installations you are already taking part in the MET Passport Challenge. By grabbing a passport booklet from the Metropolis at Metrotown’s Guest Services centre, you can begin collecting stamps, which you then redeem to earn mall merchandise and be entered to win prizes, including one of three $300 shopping sprees.
The stamp earning requirements are easy like visiting the aforementioned rainbow art display, taking photos in the hot air balloon above, and enjoying free samples from food and drink vendors like Jugo Juice, Bella Gelateria, and Menchies.
One of the passport requirements is to join one of the MET’s outdoor summer activities. Like the how to plant delicious, thriving herbs with The Heart Company. We got a sneak peak of that as we were able to choose our own herbs and learn how to pot it. Other events include arts and crafts, enjoying balloon artists, and taking in live musical performances.
“Metropolis at Metrotown will be donating $5 for each workshop participant to the Burnaby Hospital Foundation. They provide reliable, patient-centred healthcare to 500,000+ families in East Vancouver and Burnaby.”
And in celebration of pride, on August 4th guests are invited to take in the live dance performances by the FakeKnot Arts Society. “Performing at at 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, FakeKnot is grounded in street, commercial, and contemporary dance techniques that honor the queer, POC identity of Artistic Director, Ralph Escamillan. (As taken from the press release)
Summer celebrations at Metropolis at Metrotown run from July 21 to September 24, 2023. The shopping centre is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-9pm, and Sunday, 11am-7pm. For more information, visit www.metropolisatmetrotown.com.
