Although it’s nicknamed Little Italy The Drive from lst avenue south to about 12th avenue, this neighborhood’s a colorful melting pot of Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Latin American shops, bakers and restaurants. It’s the hip place of Vancouver’s East Side and from noon until the early hours, neighborhood eateries are hopping with activity. You can still get up and waltz your partner around the floor between courses! Funky galleries, artist studios and offbeat specialty places are everywhere. Little wonder that this is where to find the Vancouver East Cultural Centre - a church converted into a theatre that’s always presenting edgy performances of all genres.