LUMIERE FESTIVAL: CELEBRATION OF ART, MUSIC & LIGHT RETURNS TO VANCOUVER

 

The re-envisioned Lumiere Festival returns with an expanded footprint across Downtown Vancouver this year. Running November 17-27, 2022 the festival will not only brighten the city but shine a light on local artists. With the theme Dream the Future, elements of light, art and storytelling weave together to redefine winter as a season of inspiration and connection. 

Locals and visitors are invited to follow Lumiere through Downtown Vancouver, the West End, Gastown and Yaletown to discover 55+ artists/performers, illuminated Dream Beacons, pop-up performances and workshops/demonstrations. There will also be neighborhood parades during the 11-day festival. 

Kicking off the Lumiere Festival on Thursday, November 17 is an open -air spectacle at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square (formerly Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza). The Festival wraps up in the West End's Morton Park on Saturday, November 26 showcasing artists, light and performances. 

LUMIERE FESTIVAL ~ Nov 17-27, 2022

Click on the link for location-specific performances, light installation details and more 

VANCOUVER ISLAND'S MUSIC BY THE SEA FESTIVAL RETURNS THIS SUMMER TO VICTORIA AND BAMFIELD

Music by the Sea Festival in Bamfield

Vancouver Island's annual Music by the Sea Festival returns for the first time since 2019, and will be held in two locations on BC's West Coast: 

July 23-30 ~ Bamfield

Rix Centre for Ocean Discoveries

August 1-5 ~ Victoria

Victoria International Marina

The festival features 14 concerts spanning musical genres from classical and chamber to contemporary and jazz. Music by the Sea made its debut in 2006 in Bamfield, and has hosted professional musicians from around the world. The remote location has welcomed adventurous music lovers for 16 years, but festival organizers envisioned adding Victoria to the mix in order to attract a wider audience. 

This year will be the debut of a series of five indoor concerts at Victoria International Marina on the Inner Harbour -- featuring the same company of artists performing in Bamfield.  Sixteen artists will work together to create this year's unique program, remaining in residence during the duration of the festival. They hail from British Columbia (Victoria, Vancouver, Bowen Island, Nelson); Banff; Toronto; New York; The Netherlands and Barcelona. 

Individual tickets and festival passes are available for purchase online or by phone at 250.728.3887. 

MUSIC BY THE SEA FESTIVAL

Victoria International Marina in Victoria's Inner Harbour

Dine Out Vancouver's STREET FOOD CITY features 25 food trucks in downtown Vancouver BC

Dine Out Vancouver's popular food-truck festival is returning for its ninth year in downtown Vancouver. This year's edition of Street Food City, the annual food truck pod showcasing the Lower Mainland's best mobile eateries, boasts more days and food trucks than ever before. 

Street Food City will take over the renovated North Plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery from January 17-19 and January 31-February 6, 2020. This year's edition features 25 food trucks, offering such tasty items as tacos, wood-fired pizza, vegan fare and delicious desserts. The trucks on the plaza will rotate throughout the 10-day event, so plan on stopping by more than once. 

There will be onsite tables for dining and tents will keep diners dry and warm. "Eat to the beat" will be provided by JACK 96.9FM along with live music acts during the festival. 

STREET FOOD CITY 2020

Vancouver Art Gallery, North Plaza

January 17-19 | January 31- February 6

Monday to Friday: 11AM - 3PM

Saturday & Sunday: 12pm - 6 PM

Cannoli King

Cazba Express

Chickpea

Come Arepa

Disco Cheetah

El Cartel*

Holi Masala

Kafka's Coffee

Kampong

Mama's Fish & Chips*

Melt City 

Mom's Grilled Cheese

Mr. Arancino

Old Country Pierogi

The Reef Runner

Reel Mac & Cheese

Rolling Cashew

Salty's Lobster Shack*

Shameless Buns*

Slavic Rolls

Super Thai Food

Tacofino

Taters

Urban Wood Fired Pizza

Via Tevere Neapolitan Express

*New for 2020

Street Food City runs in conjunction with Dine Out Vancouver, which runs January 17 - February 2, 2020. Now in its 18th year, the festival features hundreds of chefs and more than 200 restaurants, along with wineries, craft breweries and suppliers. The 17-day festival includes guided dining adventures, neighborhood food tours, spirited cocktail masterclasses and global guest-chef collaboration dinners. 

Vancouver's Bard on the Beach celebrates 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death

The world will be honoring the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's passing on April 23, 2016. Joining in the global celebration is Vancouver's Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, which will stage a classic wake.

Will's Wake, hosted by Bard Artistic Director Christopher Gaze, joins together members and friends of Bard's Acting Company with Shakespeare lovers for a lively words-and-music tribute at the BMO Theatre Centre in Vancouver's Olympic Village. 

Christopher Gaze

"This is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate the legacy of the greatest English playwright of all time," said Gaze. "In 2016, the company is joining the global movement in recognizing the 400th anniversary of his death."

Joining in the April 23 festivities will be the British Consul General in Vancouver, along with honorary guest Vancouver Deputy Mayor Heather Deal. On behalf of Mayor Gregor Robertson, she will officially proclaim April 23, 2016 as Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Day in Vancouver. 

Will's Wake, which runs from 7-10 PM on Saturday, April 23 in the BMO Theatre Centre, begins with a pre-show hors d'oeuvres reception. Bard revelers will enter the BMO Theatre for on-stage readings and music. Presenters include Gaze, along with Vancouver theatre luminaries Bernard Cuffling and Dean Paul Gibson. Also presenting will be 2016 Bard on the Beach Company members Bob Frazer, Hailey Gillis, Jennifer Lines, Tom Pickett, Kamyar Pazandeh and Andrew Chown. 

The presenters will not only be reading some of Shakespeare's most celebrated words, but some will be performing music during the evening. "We can't think of a better way to honor Shakespeare than by hosting this classic wake," said Gaze. "An evening full of eloquent language and sparked by music." At the end of the program, there will be live music by Jeff Gladstone & The Bad Ideas ("a Vancouver based band of scoundrels and minstrels performing songs about lost love and lost minds"). 

Tickets are $39, with funds going to support Bard Education programs. they're available online or by calling the Bard Box Office at 604.739.0559.

Bard on the Beach is Western Canada's largest non-profit professional Shakespeare company. Established in 1990, the annual festival is in Kitsilano's Vanier Park, located next to Vancouver's downtown core. The 2016 Festival runs June 3 - September 24 and productions include The Merry Wives of Windsor, Romeo and Juliet, Othello and Pericles.

My Life and My Love of Horses: An Exclusive Afternoon with William Shatner at the Calgary Stampede

Who knew that Captain Kirk likes horses? Obviously he does, as William Shatner is a headliner at this year's Calgary Stampede. My Life and Love of Horses: An Exclusive Afternoon with William Shatner is the kick-off event for the 102nd edition of the Calgary Stampede, which runs July 4-13. 

One of the goals of the Calgary Stampede is to make urban and rural connections during the 10-day event. With Shatner being both a Hollywood actor and a passionate horseman, organizers thought he would be the perfect person to make that connection.

The 83-year-old Montreal born actor will appear in the Palomino Room of the BMO Centre on Thursday, July 3 at 3PM. The cocktail-style event will feature commentary from Shatner, followed by a Q&A. Tickets are $305 for General and $405 for VIP -- the latter includes a pre-reception and photo op with Shatner. Tickets are available at the Calgary Stampede website (click on for a fun video featuring Shatner, who will also be the Stampede Parade Grand Marshal on July 4).

Headliner entertainment during the Calgary Stampede includes Shania Twain (July 9-10), Paul Brandt (July 11), Keith Urban (July 12) and Reba McEntire (July 13). 

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Celebrate Chinese New Year in Richmond, BC

The celebrations aren't over! Chinese New Year, which is January 31 this year, is a second chance to say farewell to bad habits and bring in some good ones. Also called the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is the largest celebration of the year for many cultures throughout Asia. Chinese New Year 2014 is the Year of the Horse, supposedly a lucky year.

One of North America's most authentic and elaborate Chinese New Year celebrations is in Richmond, BC. With a Chinese population of more than 44% (Canada's largest per capita percentage of Chinese descendants), Richmond is celebrating for two weeks, from January 24-February 8. Events include traditional lion and dragon dances, live music, art displays flower markets, gift fairs and food. 

Lunch at one of Richmond's many Asian restaurants. Photo by Sue Frause.

During Chinese New Year, many of Richmond's 400 Asian restaurants will be offering 10-12 course New Year's Eve feasts on January 30. Also known as the reunion dinner, it's the most important meal of the year, a time for bonding and giving thanks. Plus it's a time for eating purposefully and symbolically. Noodles represent long life; dumplings shaped like ancient Chinese money are for wealth and prosperity; lettuce wraps play on the Chinese word for fortune, which is also the word for lettuce; and the head and tail of a fish served whole symbolize a good start and end to the year. Among the many restaurants featuring reunion dinners are Fisherman's Terrace, The Jade Seafood Restaurant, Sea Harbour Seafood, Vivacity and Suhang. Reservations are advised.

Even YVR (Vancouver International Airport in Richmond) is getting into the Lunar New Year. After all, YVR has the highest frequency of flights to China (75 each week) of any North American Airport. On Friday, January 31, airport retailers and restaurants will be offering special deals, with lunch specials for just $8.88 (eight is considered a lucky number in the Chinese culture). 

From 10 AM to 1 PM on January 31, gather 'round Bill Reid's The Spirit of Haida Gwaii: The Jade Canoe sculpture. There will be live music, Chinese ink brush calligraphy demonstrations, fortune telling and a traditional lion dance. Visitors will be able to park for $5 between 9-2; pick up vouchers at the customer care desk in the International Terminal, departures level. Or take the Canada Line to YVR.

A complete list of Chinese New Year events may be found at Tourism Richmond's website

Thirteen Vancouver Chef Finalists Selected for 2013 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown at Vancouver Aquarium

What's your favorite version of Pacific Northwest chowder? Photo by Sue Frause.

It's time for the 2013 Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown competition -- try saying that with a mouthful of chowder! This year's event is Wednesday, November 20 at 7 PM at the Vancouver Aquarium, and the chef finalists have been announced.

Defending 2012 Chowder Chowdown champion Chris Whitaker of Forage at the Listel Hotel will be going up against a dozen well respected chefs. Although considered a "friendly" cook-off, the finalists take their seafood creations seriously. They'll be competing for votes from a distinguished judges' panel that will select the winner, along with a People's Choice winner chosen by the hundreds of guests attending the event. Guests will also decide which is the Best Chowder-Beer Pairing of the evening. The 13 competing chefs are:

• Chris Whitaker | Forage at the Listel Hotel (Defending Champion)
• Ned Bell | YEW Restaurant + Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver
• Aleks Kornat | Manhattan Restaurant at Delta Vancouver Suites
• Michael Lackner | Sodexo Canada
• Joanna Astudillo | Vancouver Aquarium Catering & Events
• Eric Pateman | Edible Canada
• Nicolas Hipperson | C Restaurant
• Dana Hauser | Herons West Coast Kitchen at Fairmont Waterfront
• Hiro Amano | COAST Restaurant
• Kevin Benes | Savoury Chef Foods Catering Company
• Benjamin Curtis | The August Jack
• Paul Cecconi | Brodo Kitchen & Catering w/CodFathers Seafood Market
• Tim Evans | The Cascade Room

Guests attending the event at the Vancouver Aquarium will not only sample the chowders paired with craft beers, but learn about the importance of making ocean-friendly seafood choices. Tickets for the 2013 Vancouver Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown are $50 and available online. Proceeds from the event benefit the Aquarium's Ocean Wise program. Chowder Chowdown is a 19+ event.

"Overfishing is the biggest issue facing our oceans today. The Ocean Wise symbol next to a seafood item is the Vancouver Aqarium's assurance of an ocean-friendly seafood choice. With over 3,100 Ocean Wise partner locations across Canada, Ocean Wise makes it easy for consumers to make sustainable seafood choices that ensure the health of our oceans for generations to come." Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise

32nd Vancouver International Film Festival opens with Canadian premiere of 'Nebraska' starring Bruce Dern

The 32nd Vancouver International Film Festival opens September 26 and runs through October 11, 2013. With the tagline Same Planet.Different Worlds., the 16-day festival features 341 films from 75 countries. More than 200 of those are feature-length films, and there are 92 Canadian entries.

The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) made its debut in 1982, and this year the films will be shown on nine screens at seven venues, five of which are new this year (marked with *): 

• The Center for the Performing Arts*
• The Cinematheque
• Cineplex Odeon International Village (8-10)*
• Rio Theatre*
• SFU's Goldcorp Centre for the Arts at Woodwards*
• Vancity Theatre
• Vancouver Playhouse*

There are a number of galas during VIFF: Opening Gala, September 26; Canadian Images Opening, September 27; Dragons & Tigers Awards Gala, October 3; BC Spotlight Screening, Awards and Party, October 5; Closing Gala & Awards Ceremony, October 11. 

Playing at the Opening Gala is the Canadian premiere of Nebraska, starring Bruce Dern, who won Best Actor for his role in the film at Cannes. It's directed by Alexander Payne of Sideways and The Descendants. For the Closing Gala & Awards Ceremony, Arie Posen's The Face of Love will be screened. It stars Annette Bening, Ed Harris, Robin Williams and Amy Brenneman. 

The Canadian Images section of VIFF kicks off on September 27 with a screening of All the Wrong Reasons. It stars the late BC actor and Glee star Cory Monteith, who died from a drug overdose in Vancouver earlier this year. 

And for fans of the TV series Breaking Bad, its creator Vince Killigan is kicking off the VIFF Film & TV forum on September 27 in a talk titled One Last Cook. Gilligan worked on The X-Files when it was being filmed in Vancouver. Breaking Bad won an Emmy Sunday night for Outstanding Drama Series, and its finale is Sunday, September 29. 

Second Annual Victoria International Chalk Art Festival Features Professional Chalk Artists

Leon Keer is a Dutch pop-surrealist artist from the Netherlands who is a world leading artist in anamorphic (3D) street art.

The second annual Victoria International Chalk Art Festival returns to Vancouver Island September 14-15, 2013. The free festival, the largest of its kind in Canada, features  professional chalk artists at three venues in Victoria: Centennial Square, Government Street, and Bay Centre's lower centre court. 

This year's chalk artists represent the region and the world, and include Amsterdam's Leon Keer. One of the world's leading 3D chalk artists, Kerr will present a 20' x 20' 3D chalk painting at Bay Centre. He started his painting September 11, three days prior to the festival weekend, so he'll be able to complete his work by the conclusion of the festival. 

This year's festival theme is First Nations in British Columbia. A number of the artists, including Keer, will be painting First Nations' scenes or people. Prominent First Nations' artist Jamin Zuroski will be painting with San Diego artist Lori Escalera at Centennial Square. 

In addition to the chalk art, there will be a performance stage at Centennial Square featuring singers, dancers, drummers and local music acts. The Square will also host a kids' chalk zone. 

Organizers are expecting more than 30,000 people to attend the festival, sponsored by the Victoria International Chalk Art Society. Executive Director John Vickers says his organization took deliver of approximately 10,000 pieces of chalk and they're looking forward to a weekend of sunshine!

Note to Festival Goers: Government Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from Fort to Yates Street, and will feature as many as 40 artists who will create 8' x 10' chalk paintings within the closure zone.

Susanne Ma was born in Germany and raised in Taiwan. She started street painting in 2002.

Toronto International Film Festival: 366 Films Screened September 5-15, 2013 (Trailer Mashup)

The Toronto International Film Festival opens on Thursday, September 5 and runs through September 15, 2013. This year's festival features 366 films (288 features and 78 shorts), including146 world premieres and films from 70 countries. Among those from Canada are 31 features and 24 features making their world premiere. The festival plays on 34 screens throughout Toronto. The Festival's Official Film Schedule is available at tiff.net/festival.

Seattle Times movie critic Moira Macdonald wrote a preview piece about the festival: Toronto International Film Festival kick-starts the fall movie season. She'll be posting on her Popcorn & Prejudice blog during the first half of the festival when the majority of big films are screened. I'll be following along. 

The Toronto Film Festival is #3 on indiewire.com's 10 Best Fests list. Number 1 is the Festival de Cannes in May, while Sundance comes in at number two (January 16-26, 2014). The Seattle International Film Festival made indiewire.com's list of 50 Leading Film Festivals. 

Vancouver's Stanley Park Turns 125 Years Old: Free Party in the Park

Inukshuk in Stanley Park. Photo by Sue Frause.

Stanley Park officially opened on September 27, 1888. Originally it was the Coast Salish territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Designated in 1988 as a National Historic Site of Canada, 2013 marks Stanley Park's 125th anniversary. And this weekend, August 24-25, the City of Vancouver and the Park Board is throwing a free party in the park. 

Cyclers and walkers on Seawall Park overlooking the Burrard Inlet. Photo by Sue Frause.

Stanley Park attracts more than eight million visitors a year. Its 400 hectares (1,001 acres) include 27 km of forest trails and a popular 8.8 km (5.5 miles) seawall (pictured above) used by inline skaters, cyclists and walkers. Named after Lord Stanley, who was Governor General of Canada (and who the Stanley Cup is named after), it served as a military reserve in the mid-1800s. The Nine O'Clock Gun near Brockton Point is still fired off each evening at 9 PM. In 1939, an aquarium opened next to the park on English Bay, which was managed by Ivar Haglund, who went on to start Ivar's Acres of Clams -- a successful seafood chain in Seattle. The Vancouver Aquarium opened at its present location in 1956.

A view of Stanley Park and Vancouver aboard Helijet to Victoria. Photo by Sue Frause.

A Coast Salish traditional welcome with representatives from the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Wautuh Nation will officially welcome visitors to the Celebrate Stanley Park on Saturday and Sunday at noon at Lumbermen's Arch. More than 200 activities will take place during the two-day family event from noon to 10 PM at five outdoor venues. The free events include children's entertainers; Canadian bands (Arkells, Born Ruffians, Washboard Union, The Matinee, We Are The City, Alexandria Maillot); walking tours; dance performances; face painters; sports demos and games; vintage car display; food and premium licensed areas. 

Bicyclists on Seawall Park looking back at Coal Harbour. Photo by Sue Frause.

Ticketed evening performances include Boca del Lupo's Fall Away Home (a free outdoor modern fairytale) and a Theatre Under the Stars singalong with the hit movie musical Grease. On Friday, the day before the weekend celebration, a free Sunrise Swim at Second Beach Pool will be held from 6:30-10:00 AM. It's hosted by CBC Radio and will be broadcast live. Canoe races by the Coast Salish will be held on Sunday from 9:00 AM to noon, launching off Deadman's Island. 

Stanley Park's restaurants, concessions and attractions will be operating all weekend long. A fleet of food trucks will feature pizza, pulled pork sandwiches, dim sum, fish 'n chips, grilled cheese and more. There will be a salmon barbecue from Salmon n' Bannock and a chicken barbecue from Railtown Cafe at the Live at Second Beach festival zone.

Summer sunset in Stanley Park overlooking English Bay. Photo by Sue Frause.

Celebrate BC Day on Vancouver Island in the Capital City of Victoria

BC Parliament Buildings overlook Victoria's Inner Harbour. Photo by Sue Frause.

Oh, those Canadians know how to have a good time! Monday, August 5, is a civic holiday* across most of Canada. Also known as August Long Weekend, in British Columbia it's called BC Day, and Celebrate BC Day will be held at St. Ann's Academy in Victoria. The nine-hour festival, from 12-9 PM, is family friendly and features plenty of activities for all ages. Admission is free.

Sounds of BC | Main Stage Artists

• 1-2 PM | The Iskew Singers
• 2-3 PM | Bob & Lolo

  

  St. Ann's Academy. Photo by Sue Frause.

• 3-4 PM | The Racket
• 4-5 PM | Nuuka
• 5-6 PM | Shred Kelly
• 6-7 PM | The Archers
• 7-8 PM | We Are The City
• 8-9 PM | Dehli 2 Dublin

BC Eats Stage | Chef Demos

• 1:00-1:45 PM | Bradford Boisvert | Amuse on the Vineyard
• 2:00-2:45 PM | Marisa Goodwin | Organic Fair
• 3:00-3:45 PM | Daniela Cubelic | Silk Road Tea
• 4:00-4:45 PM | Dan Hudson | Hudson's on First

Through the BC Lens | Film Showcase at St. Ann's Auditorium

• 12:30-1:15 PM | BC Artists Who Love BC
• 1:15-2:00 PM | Eyes in the Forest
• 2:00-3:00 PM | A Hand to Stand (w/filmmaker Q&A)
• 3:00-4:00 PM | Reflections (w/filmmaker Q&A)
• 4:00-4:30 PM | Cultivating community
• 4:30-5:00 PM | BC Artists Who Love BC
• 5:00 PM-5:45 PM | Eyes in the Forest
• 5:45 PM-6:30 PM | A Hand to Stand
• 6:30 PM-7:00 PM | Cultivating Community

Capture BC is a photography exhibit by photographers from across the province and will be on display throughout the day. Free Activities include games, crafts and giveaways from the sponsoring partners: Coast Capital Savings, Organized Khaos, Crafty Victoria and thenumber Creative.

St. Ann's Academy is located just blocks from Victoria's Inner Harbour at 835 Humboldt Street. Read more about the history of the academy and an exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery in one of my previous blog posts.

*Elsewhere in Canada, the first Monday of August is known as Heritage Day in Alberta; Civic Holiday in Manitoba; Saskatchewan Day in Saskatchewan; Simcoe Day in Ontario; Natal Day in both Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island; New Brunswick Day in New Brunswick; and Civic Holiday in the Northwest Territories. Quebec, Newfoundland and Nunavut don't have an August loon weekend, so it's business as usual! 

Canada Day: Vancouver Hosts Canada's Largest Birthday Party Outside Ottawa

Jack Poole Plaza, with the Olympic Cauldron, will host the Main Stage
Photo by Sue Frause

Monday, July 1, is Canada Day. Across the country, Canadians will be celebrating their 146th birthday, with the largest party in the nation's capital of Ottawa. But on the west coast, Vancouver's 26th annual Canada Day at Canada Place is the second largest celebration in the country. The all-day waterfront party includes 13 hours of free family fun, topped off by a parade and fireworks show in the evening.

More than 250,000 people are expected at the city's largest waterfront party that features 25 music and dance performances; a Citizenship Ceremony; the Canadian Armed Forces; and the Port Metro Vancouver Zone (new this year). Also making their debuts this year are the Extreme Canada Zone (extreme sports displays) and the Great Canadian Invention Zone. 

Canada Place. Photo by Sue Frause.

Coast Capital Savings Main Stage

(Jack Poole Plaza | 10 AM - 7 PM)

• 10:00 | Blessing by Chief Ian Campbell | First Nations
• 10:15 | Beverley and the Billionaires | Children
• 11:00 | Kelly Brock | Country
• 12:00 | ShowStoppers | Glee Choir
• 1:00 | Wild Moccasins | Aboriginal Cellist & Fancy Dance
• 2:00 | The Cancons | Rock Covers
• 3:00 | Washboard Union | Folk Rock
• 4:00 | Santa Lucia | Latin Funk Rock
• 5:00 | The Boom Booms | Pop Rock
• 6:00 | BIF Naked | Pop Rock

The daytime activities are followed by the Canada Day Parade at 7PM. The fifth annual parade starts at the corner of Georgia and Broughton Streets and features more than 60 entries, including the Vancouver Canucks "Fin" and the BC Lions. 

Two barges in Burrard Inlet will feature a simultaneous pyrotechnic show
Photo by Sue Frause

The Canada Day Burrard Inlet Fireworks Show at 10:30 PM is Vancouver's only two-barge (Coal Harbour & Dundarave) simultaneous pyrotechnic show. The 30-minute show will be simulcast to music broadcast by Classic Rock 101 and the Port Metro Vancouver app. Shaw TV will also do  a live broadcast. Best viewing locations for the fireworks include Dundarave, Ambleside, Crab Creek, Harbour Green Park, Coal Harbour, Stanley Park and North Vancouver. There will be ticketed viewing at Canada Place.

World Umbrella Dance Celebrates Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry blossoms in bloom in Vancouver's Stanley Park. Photo by Sue Frause.

The seventh annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the return of spring to the BC city. It kicked off April 4 and runs through the end of the month, celebrating the blossoming of Vancouver's 40,000 cherry trees, which include 55 varieties.

On Saturday, April 13 from 1-3 PM, 500 dancers are expected to participate in the premiere of the World Umbrella Dance at the Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza. Choreographed by Bollywood super star Shimak Davar, the volunteer dancers will be wielding black, yellow and hot pink umbrellas* created by artist Anthony Redpath. Accompanying the dancers will be the drums of the Tetsu Taiko Percussion group.

Photo by Sue Frause

The World Umbrella Dance will move to the beat of Shiamak's new release, Shabop, meaning "to dance without worry and celebrate life." The theme is in keeping with the festival's fragile and fleeting cherry blossoms. Other events include Tree Talks and Walks; Plein-Air Blossom Painting ; Haiku Invitational; and Bike the Blossoms.

*If you'd like to purchase one of the World Umbrella Dance umbrellas, they're available for $24.99 online and at The Urban Tea Merchant and VanDusen Botanical Garden Shop.

Vancouver's False Creek from Granville Island. Photo by Sue Frause.

'Tony Bennett: The Art of Anthony Benedetto' on display in Montreal through April 14

Although Montreal en Lumiere is long gone (the next edition is February 20-March 2, 2014), the art of the winter festival continues on. Montreal en Lumiere and the Galerie of the Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan are presenting the Canadian premiere of Tony Bennett: The Art of Anthony Benedetto through April 14, 2013. 

The exhibit of 40 art works by the internationally renowned artist and singer is on display at the Galerie and is free to the public. A popular performer in Montreal, Mr. Bennett created a piece titled Louis Armstrong when he was a guest artist in 2000. For the 14th edition of Montreal en Lumiere in 2013, he created this exhibition of some of his loveliest pieces, signed Anthony Benedetto. They include 41 watercolors and two sketches created between 1986-2012. Three of them are original paintings that are part of the permanent ocllection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC. 

The Galerie is permanently installed on the second floor of the Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan. The non-profit organization showcases the original works of the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal collection. They include creations of Jean-Paul Riopelle, Marcel Barbeau, Corno, Armand Vaillancourt, Francis X. Pavy, Zilon, Lhasa de Sela, Miles Davis, Frederic Back, Miyuki Tanobe, Diane Dufresne, Richard Seguin and Yves Archambault -- the festival's poster designer for nearly 25 years. The Galerie also has limited-edition signed and numbered silkscreens, including works by Robert Lapalme and Alfred Pellan, available exclusively at the Galerie.

Also located at the Galerie is the Bell Exhibition of the Legends of the Festival, a small museum with a display of instruments, stage clothing, trophies and personal items from some of the jazz performers over the past 30 years. They include costumes worn by Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald, guitars of Jeff Beck and Ben Harper, and the legendary hat worn by Leonard Cohen. On the third floor is the Mediatheque Jazz/La Press and its collection of archives including the works of journalist Len Dobbin, jazz magazines, photographs, CDs, video recordings and archives. 

Hours are Tuesday-Wednesday, 11:30 AM to 6 PM and Thursday-Saturday, 11:30 AM to 9 PM. Closed Mondays. The Galerie is located at La Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan, 305 Ste-Catherine St. West, Montreal. Free Admission.

Tickets for Herbie Hancock at TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival On Sale March 16

I'm a Herbie Hancock fan and would love to see him when he's in Vancouver this summer. The Grammy Award winner is one of the headliners during the 28th annual TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival. The 11-day summer festival runs June 21-July 1 and features Herbie Hancock at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Sunday, June 30 at  7 PM. The festival is produced by Coastal Jazz & Blues Society.

Tickets for the Herbie Hancock concert go on sale Saturday, March 16 at 10 AM  at www.northerntickets.com, 604.569.1144 or toll-free in North America at 855.551.9747. They may also be purchased at the Vogue box office at 918 Granville Street in downtown Vancouver.

Herbic Hancock is acclaimed as a legendary pianist and composer, and been an integral part of jazz movements since the '60s. He played with the Miles Davis Quintet, and his '70s recordings combined electric jazz with funk and rock. In the '80s, Rockit and Future Shock marked his foray into electronic dance music, and today he is active in both the electronic pop and acoustic jazz worlds. 

He received an Academy Award for Best Music, Original Score in 1986 for his Round Midnight film. His 14 Grammy Awards include two for his globally collaborative CD, The Imagine Project. Many of his compositions are modern standards, including Watermelon Man, Maiden Voyage and Chameleon.

Grammy Award winning bassist, vocalist and composer Esperanza Spalding will be performing at the Vogue Theatre on June 23 at 9 PM. Tickets for her show went on sale in December.

Danny Papadatos of Saskatoon crowned Mr. Gay Canada 2013 in Whistler, BC

Mr Gay Canada 2013 Dana Papadatos; Mayor of Whistler Nancy Wilhelm-Morden; Rylie Moore.

Earlier this month, GayWhistler's WinterPRIDE hosted the fifth annual Mr. Gay Canada 2013 competition. Held February 5-8, a total of eight candidates competed during the three-day challenge. The panel of judges crowned Danny Papadatos of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan as Mr. Gay Canada 2013. He will go on to compete in the Mr. Gay World competition in August during the WorldOutgames III in Antwerp, Belgium. 

Danny Papadatos is a provincial training manager for Boston Pizza, and has been active with the Saskatoon Diversity Network in planning its annual Pride celebration for the past few years. The judges determined that Papadatos' passion for "making a safer, more inclusive space for all people, along with his clear and articulate thoughts and his strong leadership skills" made him a natural choice. First runner-up was Rylie Moore of Victoria, BC.

In a prepared statement, Papadatos said: "The experience of Mr. Gay Canada has been incredible, and I am very excited to be given this platform. There is so much work to be done in rural centres and to provide a safe forum for LGBT youth. I am very excited to be representing Canada in Antwerp this summer."

The panel of celebrity judges included Nancy Wilhelm-Morden, Mayor of Whistler; Chad Michael's, RuPaul's All-Star; Charlie David, Actor-Producer; Jerime Black, Barefoot Wine & Bubbly Global LGBT Ambassador; Catherine Power-Chartrand, Whistler the Magazine; Jacqui McMullen, Times Square Suites; Thomas Eglis, Mr. Gay Canada 2012; Hattie Myers, Aava Whistler Hotel. The competition included guest appearances by Chad Michaels, Destineak, Symone Says, Iona Whipp and Mandy Kamp.

Vancouver Comedy & Arts Fest features Martin Short, Margaret Cho, Bob Saget and dozens more

Martin Short

The Vancouver Comedy & Arts Fest is ready to roll in 2013. The 11-day festival, February 7 - 17, has grown considerably since its debut in 2004 when it was known as the Vancouver Comedy Fest. 

This year's festival takes place in ten downtown venues, and features comedians, music, DJs, live podcasts and parties. The Opening Gala is Friday, February 8 at The Centre in Vancouver (formerly the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts), and features Canadian funny man Martin Short. Appearing with the talented comedian are Kristen Schaal, Matt Kirshen and Wil Anderson. 

As an aside, I had a brief moment with Mr. Short a number of years ago in the elevator of The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. When I got on to go to the lobby, I noticed the only other passenger was a sorta short man, facing the elevator mirror and adjusting his toque. When he turned around, it was Martin Short! Complete with a maple leaf on his winter toque, wearing a trench coat and sneakers. We chatted a bit and he was just like you think he'd be -- fun and friendly!

Among the other 40 comedians at the festival are Bob Saget, Margaret Cho, Maria Bamford, Marc Maron, Reggie Watts, Wil Anderson and Kurt Braunohler. In addition to The Centre in Vancouver, the venues include Lafflines Comedy Club; VENUE; Biltmore Cabaret, Rickshaw Theatre;The Kozmik Zoo; The Playhouse Theatre;Yuk Yuks Vancouver; The Comedy MIX; and The Orpheum.

Plated & Paired at Granville Island Public Market kicks off Dine Out Vancouver Festival

Colorful entertainers at the 2012 Dine Out Vancouver Plated & Paired event. Photo by Sue Frause.

I took a snowy ride on Amtrak Cascades to Vancouver in January 2012 for the opening night event of Tourism Vancouver's annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival. This year they're again kicking off the foodie festival with Plated & Paired at the Granville Island Public Market. The after-hours event is Friday, January 18 from 8-10 PM, and features chefs from four of Granville Island's restaurants (Bridges Restaurant, Sandbar Seafood Restaurant, The Keg on Granville Island, Edible Canada). There will also be a dozen food vendors from the Public Market, along with 34 BC wineries. You won't leave hungry!

Granville Island Public Market. Photo by Sue Frause.

It was a bit crowded for my taste, so be prepared to do some elbowing and cozy schmoozing, and wear comfortable shoes. Live jazz will add to the mix, and no doubt there will be some colorful characters at the event. Plus, it's fun to roam around the Public Market after hours. Tickets are $38 and go on sale Friday, December 14. They may be ordered online at dineoutvancouver.com/events. 

Benton Brothers Fine Cheese will be at Plated & Paired. Sue Frause photo.

Now in its 11th year, Dine Out Vancouver runs January 18-February 3, 2013. The 17-day festival offers three-course, prix fixe menus priced at $18-$28-$38. More than 200 restaurants (to be announced online January 7) are participating, along with "flash in the pan" foodie events. A number of Vancouver area hotels are offering special Dine Out Vancouver room rates and packages. I stayed at the Granville Island Hotel last year, so it was an easy trek for me to the Public Market event, with breakfast the next morning at Edible Canada.  

This sweet lady showed up at Plated & Paired in 2012. Will she be back in? Photo by Sue Frause. 

Returning this year along with Plated & Paired are Street Food City; Secret Supper Soiree; and Act I, Eat 1. New additions include The Grape Debate (a lively wine debate followed by BC wine pairings); Tea Cocktails & tapas (tea-infused cocktail class paired with tasty tapas at The Urban Tea Merchant); and a experiential Speaker Series at Edible Canada on Granville Island where you'll taste cheese, wine, beer, bitters and more with the guidance of a local expert. 

Last year's Secret Supper Soiree during Dine Out Vancouver. Photo by Sue Frause.

Quebec Winter Carnival stars in Belinda Jones' latest romance novel, 'Winter Wonderland'

Author Belinda Jones and friend.

Having attended the Carnival de Quebec (Quebec Winter Carnival) as an invited journalist back in 2004, it was fun to read that a British born novelist hosted during the 2012 Carnival has written a romance novel about it!  Belinda Jones' Winter Wonderland is "a story that plunges readers into the magic of the Winter Carnival." It was launched across Canada on December 12, 2012 and will be distributed in a dozen or more countries, including the United States and United Kingdom (it's already available in the UK).

The folks at Quebec City Tourism, Tourisme Quebec and Quebec Winter Carnival must be thrilled to now have their very own romance novel! According to author Jones, who has written ten bestselling romantic comedy novels set in exotic locales around the world, the carnival was a source of inspiration. "Far and away the most inspirational destination for me was Quebec during the Winter Carnival," said Jones, who has been based in the US for the past ten years. "It is such a magical time to visit this fairytale city, I truly felt as if I had stepped into a snow globe!"

Winter Wonderland is the story of Krista Carter, a travel journalist who roams the globe searching for exciting and original travel ideas to share with her readers. When she lands in Quebec City on assignment, she discovers an enchanting world of ice palaces, snow sculptures, parades, ice canoe races, sugar shacks and friendly Quebecers. And naturally, there's a man -- a French Canadian dogsled driver named Jacques. Winter Wonderland is available at Amazon and select bookstores across Canada.

The 59th edition of Carnaval de Quebec is February 1-17, 2013 in Quebec City. Bonhomme and his buddies have put together 18 days of activities and events for the entire family, combining "glam and tradition." A full calendar of events will be posted online in January.