ntertainment EDITOR KYLA JONAS THE VOICE, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011 7 Liquor licence on hold for Rio Theatre The owner of the Rio Theatre must decide between showing movies or serving alcohol THE RIO coming up By JEN ST. DENIS ovies and booze don’t mix, according to B.C. liquor laws, but an East Vancouver cinema owner is trying to change that. Corinne Lea, the owner of the Rio Theatre, wants to operate as both a live concert venue and a movie theatre. The City of Vancouver has endorsed the Rio’s application for a liquor-primary licence, and Lea is now waiting for a de- cision from the provincial Liquor Con- trol and Licensing Branch. But if the Rio’s application is suc- cessful, the theatre would have to stop screening films and operate only as a live venue. As it stands, the law bans theatres from serving alcohol. “Tve been joking it’s like Sophie’s Choice,” Lea said. “If I just show mov- ies, then my business cannot survive as a single-screen cinema.” Lea wants to show movies from Sun- day to Wednesday, and book live events on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “Ultimately we'd like to get the law changed,” said Lea, but knows that may not happen “any time soon.” In the meantime, she’s hoping the Rio will be granted an exemption. “T would at least like to show movies without alcohol, and one would hope that it’s something the province could see as a reasonable request,” Lea said. Lea is working with H.O.S.T. Con- sulting, a company that helps business- es get liquor licences, to assist with the Rio’s application. Stephen Barron is “cautiously hope- ful” the law will be changed. Barron, is a former liquor inspector and now managing partner of H.O.S.T. He says concerns that minors may be present in movie theatres could be the reason behind the law. But Lea thinks venues should have flexibility when serving alcohol. “A venue that has a liquor licence should be able to lock up the booze and have kids in their venue and have an all-ages event,” Lea said. The Living Room, a movie theatre in Portland, has been licensed for five years. Bartender Aimee Bertani said the theatre had to work with the “very strict” Oregon Liquor Control Commis- sion to get their liquor licence. The OLCC requires the theatre to check at each screening to make sure patrons under 21, the legal drinking age in the United States, are not drinking. “The way we [check] is to get night vision goggles,” said Bertani. “Before that the OLCC required us to seat mi- nors in the front, adults in the back, but that became too much of a hassle.” Bertani said the Living Room doesn’t allow minors in after 7 p.m., and has the same problems any bar has with over-served patrons. “Here, because they’re in the the- atre, that is definitely something we have to keep an eye on, so we try to monitor in terms of what we’re serv- ing,” Bertani said. “[We’re cautious] so we don’t have to deal with loud, noisy people in the mid- dle of the movies.” Nov. 4: V for Ven- detta Nov. tt: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Nov. 18: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Nov. 25: Team America: World Police Source: The Rio Theatre LEIGH CUPLIN photo Clockwise: Ron Filio participated as a volunteer photographer at Help-Por- trait’s event last year. Lead makeup artist, Jenny Ruth, giving an attendee a free makeover for her photo session. Berglind Hafsteinsdottir offering her photography skills at a past event. Give the gift of portraits this season Photographers are using their skill to give back to their communities in this world-wide photo event By CARLY WIGNES and experienced, have an opportu- nity to give back to the community in what organizers say is a unique event. The third annual Vancouver Help- Portrait is scheduled for Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Union Gospel Mis- sion on East Hastings Street. Help-Portrait was created by photog- rapher Jeremy Cowart in 2009 and has since developed into a global move- ment reaching more than 50 different countries. In Vancouver, members of low-in- come families living in the Downtown Eastside receive hair and makeup transformations, for free, and are then photographed by volunteers. The pho- tos are developed on-site and delivered to loved ones in time for the holiday season. “T really enjoy having the opportuni- Le photographers, aspiring ty to network with people and champi- on them in the moment,” said Danny Taylor, who heads the general volun- teers at the event and has been part of Help-Portrait since it came to Vancou- ver. “This is a chance for [the less fortu- nate] to feel special and be valued for who they are,” said Taylor. Ian Sheh, the lead photographer for the event said making relationships and creating a community atmosphere is “what’s really important.” “The last thing we want to do is make it like a school portrait, where yow’re shuffled in and shuffled out,” he said. According to Sheh, about 300 people came to the event last year, and he’s urging Langara students to come expe- rience it too. “The impact of the event is amaz- ing,” he said. “It’s really cool to see people enjoying themselves. They’re just glowing inside.” Sheh said Clothes on Wheels, a mo- bile clothing store and non-governmen- tal organization, will join local musi- cians in turning Princess Avenue into a community-wide block party. With freshly combed hair and a big smile, John Turgeon said he enjoyed himself at the event last year and plans to attend again. Taylor said organizers are not only looking for photographers. “At this point, the more [volunteers] the bet- ter.” He listed many positions including: greeters, hot chocolate distributors, card decorators, and general conversa- tionalists. Anyone interested in creat- ing a positive experience for Help-Por- trait participants is encouraged to sign-up. To find out more information or to participate this year as a volunteer, visit the Help-Portrait fan-page on Facebook or go to help-portrait-van- couver.blogspot.com. Lb), DANNY TAYLOR Volunteer director for Help-Portrait 66 This is a chance for [the less fortunate] to feel spe- cial and be valued for who they are. A student's cheap guide to the city No matter your budget, you can afford to entertain yourself with these tips By SHAWN GILL place for a student, but there are ways to save a few bucks if you want a night out on the town. For starters, you can satisfy your cultural appetite by perusing the vari- ety of exhibits at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Displays are scheduled from- now until the end of January covering everything from West Coast art to vid- eo installations displaying visually mesmerizing images on displacement. Flash your student card and save $5. If you go after 5 p.m. on Tuesdays ad- mission is by donation. After your high-brow experience at the VAG, try taking in a movie. Avoid the high ticket prices at many multi- plex theatres by going to one of the smaller independent’s. For instance, the Rio Theatre offers student discounts on new releases and second-run films, such as the recently featured E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. On “cheap date Tuesday” you pay only $5. Every Friday at midnight the theatre offers a classic movie. Dress up in cos- tume for the late show and save a buck off the $8 admission. “T like the retro feel of the place and the welcoming staff,” said Joere Es- tremadura, a Langara film studies stu- dent. If you want to quench your thirst later, The Cambie Pub in Gastown might be a good destination. “It’s cheap, lots of fun, and more casual than a lot of places downtown,” says recreation diploma student Mike Easingwood. Some of the beers on tap are $3 a pint, and every day a different deal for shots is offered. On Wednesdays, pitch- ers of the house beer are only $9. To get yourself back on track after a night of drinking, yoga enthusiast Ta- nille Geib, a former Langara creative writing student, recommends Gas- town’s One Yoga: For the People. “IT like what they’re doing there. They have very supportive teachers,” says Geib. Drop-in is by donation, which means students can pay what they can afford. Langara marketing student, Kate Vasilyeva, has her own way of saving money. “T get my boyfriend to pay for me.” Yor may be an expensive