Stir Wine Pairing: A Kino Christmas comedy show calls for BC Pinot Noir and Café Medina to-go
Vancouver comedians are hosting a jolly virtual fundraiser for the Kino Café. Here’s what you need to make a night of it
Vancouver comedian Erica Sigurdson has organized A Kino Christmas, a virtual comedy show to raise funds for the Kino Cafe. You could grab a bowl of popcorn and crack a beer, or you could get a bottle of Township 7 wine and a takeout meal from Cafe Medina.
Photo by Leila Kwok
Every week, Stir Wine Pairing suggests BC wine and food to go with a local performance.
The show
A Kino Christmas, December 19 from 8 to 10 pm via Zoom
The wine
Township 7 Vineyards and Winery’s Pinot Noir 2018
The food
Café Medina’s Table d’Hote To-Go
The lowdown
The Kino Café may be best known for the flamenco performances it has been hosting for over two decades—fiery, lively nights in its cozy, bistro-style space. The Cambie Street gem is also a second home to Vancouver comedians, some of whom got their first break there with its regular weeknight stand-up events.
The beloved joint survived Canada Line construction, while the threat of redevelopment has long hung over the coveted piece of real estate it lives in. Now, with the pandemic clobbering small venues, which rely on capacity crowds to survive, it faces more uncertainty.
Local comic Erin Sigurdson has gathered a group of comedians to give the Kino a boost. A Kino Christmas, on December 19 at from 8 to 10 pm via Zoom, is “Vancouver’s jolliest online fundraiser”.
“The venue has been home to the longest running comedy ‘weekly show’ outside of regular comedy clubs,” Sigurdson tells Stir. “The owner [Steve Allen] has been very supportive of the comedy community and has allowed many of us to host fundraisers at his restaurant, helping raise over $25,000 for various charities.
“With COVID restrictions, many small businesses are suffering,” she says. “We, the comedy community, are trying to give back and support Steve stay afloat until restrictions are lifted.”
Joining Sigurdson are Amanda Smith, Alannah Brittany, Dylan Rhymer, Graham Clark, Yumi Nagashima, Melanie Rose, and Damonde Tschritter.
Tickets are $10 plus services fees.
The pairing
What the world needs now is a laugh, and we’re damn thankful that this group of LOL-triggering talents is stepping up.
To keep things light, we’re opting for a bottle of Township 7 Vineyards and Winery’s Pinot Noir 2018. The winery has two locations—one in Langley, where it all started, and one in Naramata Bench. Before joining Township 7, winemaker Mary McDermott studied and trained in Ontario—earning a BSc in oenology and viticulture and Brock University, working as a sommelier at Niagara’s Inn on the Twenty, and ultimately landing at Peller Estates’ premium wineries. She decided to move west in 2014 and has been overseeing the small-lot wines at the growing winery ever since, earning it heaps of awards and accolades ever since.
The 2018 Pinot Noir exudes an earthiness that elevates it above everyday wine. This wine has an edge—just like the comedy we can expect on Saturday. It goes for $35.97 via the winery and is also included in the six-bottle Holiday Red Wine Bundle ($199). (E-gift cards are another option if you’re running out of time.)
The menu
Kino Café is an eclectic place. So’s Café Medina. The menu’s main influence is the Mediterranean, but it also makes the best Belgian waffles in town with sauces you want to drink out of the ramekin, and its lavender lattes are legendary. Being another locals’ fave, Medina seems like a perfect fit for A Kino Christmas.
The downtown spot recently launched a Table d’Hote To-Go, an expansion of its Medina After Dark dinner services, available Thursdays through Saturdays. You get a choice of four menu items that make up dinner for two for $62, plus tax and gratuity.
For starters, you pick two of the following: roasted multicoloured carrots with za’atar, raita, and persillade (a mix of chopped parsley, garlic, and vinegar); charred broccolini tossed with tahini and sesame seeds; or “le poulet”, 48- hour brined chicken drumsticks with preserved lemon aioli.
Second course is a choice of harissa-marinated prawns, seared albacore tuna, or lamb meatballs. What will it be for third course: braised lamb leg with hummus, just pomegranate, and flatbread; roasted king oyster mushrooms with hummus and flatbread; or grilled pork loin with romesco and crispy potatoes?
There are veggie options, and add-ons like marinated olives, cheese and charcuterie, bottles of wine (from $30 to $60), and six-packs of frozen waffles.
More details are at Café Medina; where you’ll also find info on full operating hours, holiday hours, holiday packages, and its online grocery store.
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