Vancouver's own high-gloss, hot looking skate mag, Color is having a party to celebrate their latest, a special edition Photography issue. With Color's rep for amazing visuals, this promises to be very good. As for the party, there will be DJs, a screening, free copies and cheap drinks, 10pm tonight at the Bourbon.

Sandro Grison (Color's editor) says the photographers "range from amateur skateboarders who use photography as a hobby (and do it well!) to internationally exhibited artists such as Boogie, the Polaroid Kidd, Angela Boatwright and Shawn Mortensen. All of these photographers -- whether they skateboard or not -- understand the aesthetics and culture we're in and inspire today's generation of 'mindful' skateboarders."

West Coast Line, SFU's literary journal of record, is launching its new issue this evening at Artspeak Gallery. It's theme is "poetry and the long neoliberal moment," which sounds very political and relevant, if a little academic. I'm hoping this issue's featured poets will bring it some life in what promises to be short, snappy readings. Catch the latest pieces from
Stephen Collis, Jeff Derksen, Kim Duff and Donato Mancini tonight. Derksen is one of the founders of Vancouver-based Kootenay School of Writing, so the night should have some good stuff on show.

Pender Island publisher Island Folds has got a book launch tonight at Sophia Books for The Diamond, a fresh comic book produced by their latest artist import, Jim Stoten. Stoten is an amazing UK artist who has drawn for such illustrious publications as The Guardian, Cream Magazine, Dazed and Confused, NME, Amelia's Magazine and Time Out. His work totally reminds me of a lush combination of Gunsho, and Yellow Submarine art stylings.

Malajube, resting cozy in their living room

Exclaim music mag is hosting its Spring Fling cross-Canada tour, and it hits Richard's on Richards tonight. This is only its second stop on an eleven-city tour, and features Montreal darlings Malajube and Champion (pronounced shawm-pee-own), along with local kids You Say Party! We Say Die!

Malajube is carrying tonnes of buzz on their shoulders, and with good reason. They've played packed shows at CMJ and SXSW, and their Montreal pop/rock/at-times-punk sound is amazing. The current album is Trompe l'oeil (Trick of the Eye) and contains gems such as Etienne D'Aout and Montreal -40c. We're lucky to be getting these guys fresh from SXSW, possibly still nursing hangovers, but definitely still smoking hot.

Three events tonight should kick a girl's weekend off in big, bad, arty way.

7pm: Jason McLean! Book Launch
I'm starting my evening at The Gaff Gallery, 684 E. Hastings (near Heatley), where visual artists Jason McLean and Mark DeLong are launching their new book, published by Zurich, Switzerland's Nieves Books. It's a beautiful production titled "Melanie Sheepwash." The launch kicks off at 7pm, and promises signing and drawing in addition to launching.

8pm: Bill Murray/Audra Ricketts at LMS
Then I will move on to up to Main street to check out some Bill Murray inspired artwork by Audra Ricketts at Little Mountain Studios. Really, who doesn't love Bill Murray? Ricketts' art is pretty hott too, and totally worth dropping in on. That's at 7pm as well, but LMS promises drinks til late. It's at 195 E. 26th Ave. (at Main). Show opens tonight and goes to April 1.

8:30 until 11:00 pm: Hannah Metz at Dadabase
I'm thinking of ending the art-opening-hop down the street at Dadabase, saving the best for last. Hannah Kristina Metz's Crazy Sexy Cool show is opening. Her art and illustrations are amazing and very of-the-moment. The poor girl is stranded in Vancouver awaiting her green card, so that she can return to her home and husband in Pasadena. Thank you, immigration paperwork - because Vancouver gets Hannah, making the best of it and filling her time up with a show I'm confident will completely rock. Runs until­ April 15. 183 E. Broadway (at Main).

I can't believe I forgot that these guys were coming to town. I need to witness the self-proclaimed Greatest Band on Earth live at least once before I die.

Jack Black and Kyle Gass' enduring and shockingly rocking band, Tenacious D, will be gracing the Queen Elizabeth Theatre this evening (Tuesday) with an added show for Wednesday.