Imagine spending just one night in
another country, experiencing a city’s rich and vibrant nightlife while immersing yourself in a different
culture. Sounds inconceivable? Well, Smirnoff has made it happen right in our own
backyard.
For one night, Vancouver
will represent Canada and “exchange” nightlife with Vietnam as part of the 2011 Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange
Project.
Last year, the project saw thousands of people in 14 participating countries, across 10 time zones exchange
their nightlife for one memorable night. On Nov. 12, 18 countries (USA, Great Britain, Argentina, Australia,
Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, Thailand, Turkey,
Venezuela and Vietnam) will swap nightlife, and 32 additional countries will be celebrating simultaneously
creating one massive, global party.
“[We’re] bringing in more
countries, more original headline talent and unique ways for fans to participate. This year isn’t just about
the best nightlife, it’s about the most original,” says Rodolfo Aldana, Smirnoff Canada’s marketing
director.
Aldana says the focus of
the Canadian Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project
event in Vancouver is to “recreate Vietnam’s urban lifestyle where the hipster and Bui [street style]
scene collide” with a Vietnamese market, including fresh food carts, a karaoke booth, as well as a souvenir
shop and a clothing market. Attendees can also enjoy Smirnoff's Vietnamese-inspired cocktails, Saigon Fizz
and Lemongrass Bliss. Over 800 guests are expected to take part in the festivities at the Salt Building,
which was recently restored for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
“Vancouver and Saigon both
have strong yet relatable nightlife cultures, which will contrast beautifully to create unforgettable
experiences for attendees in Canada and Vietnam,” says Aldana.
Setting the tone of the
night will be Montreal-born and world-renowned DJ
A-Trak,
who has toured with rapper Kanye
West and
co-created the 2010 popular dance hit “Barbra Streisand.” Joining him will be DJ Jase, a self-taught bass DJ from Saigon, who
spins everything from hip-hop, reggae, and funk, to drum and bass, dubstep, abstract beats, to vintage
Vietnamese rock. This is not the first time that Jase will be sharing the stage with an international
heavyweight like DJ
A-Trak,
he has also performed with DMC of RUN DMC.
While Canada hosts a
Vietnamese-inspired nightlife experience, Vietnamese partygoers will have unforgettable night in Ho Chi Minh
featuring Canadian DJs Skratch
Bastid and Agile, with a flash mob dance performance,
Mounties, projected images of Canadian nightlife, and Smirnoff ambassadors dressed in hockey-style
uniforms.
The Nightlife Exchange
Project is part of Smirnoff’s global “Be There” campaign, which Aldana explained is a belief that, “by doing
things differently, overturning convention or simply changing one of the ingredients of a night out, you can
create something special, something extraordinary — a night you will look back on and be pleased to say ‘I
was there.’”
Jetset to the Salt
Building early this Saturday to avoid disappointment. Doors open at 9 p.m.
If you're unable to make
it to the Salt Building, you can still take part in the celebration. Here are the recipes for the two
Vietnamese-themed drinks that will be served at the event.
Saigon
Fizz
1 oz. Smirnoff
21
1 oz. Hawaiian
Punch
0.25 oz. Lime
juice
5 oz. Sprite or
soda
1 wedge
lime
Pour vodka into the bottom
of a mixing glass. Add Hawaiian Punch, squeeze in a wedge of lime, add Sprite, ice, and shake. Pour into a
large glass and serve.
Hanoi Lemongrass
Bliss
1 oz. Smirnoff
Citrus
4 sliced ginger
slices
0.5 oz.
honey
1.5 oz. apple
juice
Fresh chopped
lemongrass
Muddle the lemongrass and
ginger in the bottom of a shaker. Add ice and remaining ingredients and shake well. Pour into a large glass
and serve. •
For more information
on the Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project, visit smirnoff.com
Photo Courtesy: Smirnoff
Canada
