Tor Miller is in the middle of a North American tour, in preparation of the release of his debut album, and while he admits his schedule is hectic — and it’s his first time out on the road — he’s taking it all in stride. “I’ve never been to Canada and for that matter I haven’t really explored much of the US so it’s really nice to see all these cities and some places I’ve never been before.”
The 20 year old singer/songwriter from New York (a born-and-raised local) recently left the NYU Clive Davis School of Recorded Music to sign with Glassnote Records (Mumford & Sons, Phoenix, Chvrches). A daring career — and life — move but it’s where he wants to be. “At first it was a bit of a shock,” he told me over the phone from Toronto where he’ll be playing at the Horseshoe Tavern tonight.
“I finished up my second year then in the span of a week I moved to London, had a very intensive schedule meeting people and doing shows and little performances here and there. So like in the matter of one week I had grown from a boy to a man, and my whole world completely flipped very quickly. There was an adjustment period but I mean it’s everything I’ve ever wanted to be doing. I’m just absolutely loving it.”
“I leave a lot of space open for the listener to interpret in their own way but all of those stories are coming from a place of personal experience for sure and it’s all things I’ve lived, experienced, and how I feel about the world. It’s what lies beneath me.”
Tor has been writing songs since he was twelve years old, and playing piano since he was young as well. His debut album contains 3 years worth of songs that he had previously written along with a year’s worth of new material just for this release.
“For this record I had a bunch of songs, I had years and years worth of songs, but all of those were sort of like material to help me grow, stepping stones to get to a certain point.”
On tour, with just his voice and a keyboard, he’ll be introducing his sound to new audiences. From Toronto, Tor will play shows in Chicago, Louisville, and hit the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee before jumping to the West Coast with stops in LA, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle before reaching Vancouver. He’ll then have almost a month off at home before heading out to Europe to continue on for five more shows through to the end of August.
During the brief bit of downtime back in his hometown, this NYC native looks forward to the comforts of home before setting out again.
“I’m going to go to Black Market, get my favourite cheeseburger, and just take it from there and I’ll feel at home.”
Tor will keep working throughout the summer though, until the album is released in September. He’s hoping to form a band and meet the right crew to help him put together a band tour.
Tor Miller will play Media Club in Vancouver on Monday, June 22, 2015 (doors at 8:00pm, show at 9:00pm). Tickets are $12.50 and the show is general admission and 19+. Purchase through Live Nation online or charge by phone 1-888-222-6608.
VENUE CHANGE
GUILT & CO. at #1 Alexander Street in Gastown
Surrey Libraries presents Surrey Soiree, an outdoor dining experience at City Hall Plaza on July 11th. Wear your best whites, book a table or cabana, enjoy a three course meal al fresco and support the library’s literacy programs.
Surrey Soiree Campaign for Literacy
Proceeds from the Surrey Soirée will fund the Literacy for Life Campaign and be directed to all nine Surrey branches in four key program areas: Early Literacy, Workplace Literacy, Diversity/Multicultural and Read-Ability Services. This will ensure our library branches continue to deliver award-winning programming and services, while creating spaces where people can discover, connect and be inspired.
This chic event will take place Saturday, July 11, 2015 from 6:30pm until late. Entertainment includes Denzal Sinclaire at 8:00pm and Agent C & Top Secret at 9:30pm. During the dinner service at 7:00pm guests will be serenaded by the elegant music of The Brandenburg Strings.
Tickets go on sale on Thursday, June 11, 2015. You can purchase a full table of 10 or share a table. Marquee Tents and Cabana tents must be booked directly through the Surrey Libraries via Michelle Andrus [mandrus(at)Surrey.ca or call (604) 598-7318. More information is available online.
Bring your four-legged friend to the Whitecaps FC 2 match this Sunday as our USL team hosts Bark at the Bird, at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium.
Bark at the Bird
Whitecaps FC 2 will face off against LA Galaxy 2 on Sunday, June 14th and those wishing to bring their dogs to the match can do so for just $5, with proceeds supporting the BC SPCA. Tickets (for humans) are just $11. You can also dress your dog for the game as Whitecaps FC dog merchandise will be on sale.
These matches have a festival atmosphere with family activities, food trucks, a beer garden, and USL soccer star action on the pitch.
Whitecaps FC 2 features first-team players from Vancouver’s MLS team, players signed to USL contracts by Whitecaps FC 2, and players from Vancouver’s Residency program. USL allows teams to carry as many as five Academy (aka Residency) players on their roster. Among the MLS players who have already featured this season are goalkeepers Marco Carducci and Paolo Tornaghi, defenders Christian Dean, Tim Parker, and Ethen Sampson, midfielders Kianz Froese and Ben McKendry, and striker Caleb Clarke. Read more about Whitecaps FC 2 in this season guide »
Harrison Hot Springs Resort is a popular getaway destination within a short drive from Vancouver and they’re offering up some great deals on packages this season. Not only do the packages include your stay at the resort, with the world famous hot springs pools, they bundle up adventures with the lake’s water park, river rafting, kayaking, bumper boats, waterslides, and more!
Family Fun Packages This Summer
Water Park Family Package
For family fun this summer, try our Water Park Package. It’s full of activities on the lake and in our hot spring pools. This package includes a pizza dinner one evening and breakfast both mornings, so your family will have plenty of time to enjoy fun activities and quality time spent together.
Package includes:
Two nights’ accommodations, Sunday through Friday
Buffet breakfast each morning in the Lakeside Café
Room-service pizza dinner one evening per room
Inflatable Water Park passes* and bumper-boat rides at Harrison Watersports per room
Unlimited family fun in our hot springs pools
*Please note for Water Park, Children 5 and under are not allowed and Children 6-9 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
Kayak Family Package
Don’t just look at the lake from the shore – get in a kayak and paddle around our waterways with your family. Kayaks, paddles, life jackets and instructions will be provided in your guided two hour adventure. With the addition of breakfast and fun in the hot spring pools it makes for a great midweek family getaway!
Package includes:
Two nights accommodation, West or East Tower
Lakeside Cafe Buffet Breakfast for the family
Two hours of Kayaking on Harrison Lake
Unlimited family fun in our hot spring pools
Kids Summer Soaker
Enjoy fun in the sun during the summer months at Harrison Hot Springs Resort. Our lakefront location provides the perfect place to enjoy a sandy beach, build sandcastles or splash in the clear lake water. Or come to one of our hot mineral pools for a soak or a swim with your own Gelato from Miss Margaret’s Cafe.
Package includes:
One-night accommodation, Sunday through Thursday
Buffet breakfast at the Lakeside Cafe
Gelato for each guest at Miss Margaret’s Cafe
Unlimited family fun in our hot springs pools
Get Wet Family Package
When summertime rolls around, we have a family package that will cool you off. Along with the hot spring mineral pools, this package includes bumper-boat rides and waterslide passes. Enjoy buffet breakfast each morning and room-service pizza dinner one evening to complete your family getaway.
Package includes:
Two nights’ accommodations, Sunday to Friday
Buffet breakfast each morning in the Lakeside Café
Room-service pizza dinner one evening
Bumper-boat ride at Harrison Watersports
Waterslide Passes at Bridal Falls Water Park
Unlimited family fun in our hot springs pools
Family package rates are based on two adults and two children 16 and under. Rates flexible for other family sizes. Check the website for full package rates and details.
Harrison Hot Springs Resort Father’s Day Contest
You can enter to win the Kayak Family Package just in time to gift it for Father’s Day on June 21st! Valued at $719 for the summer, this package includes 2 nights at Harrison Hot Springs Resort, 2 hours kayaking, and more for the whole family. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win a @HarrisonResort Family Kayak Package from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/O2cMs
Follow Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa on Twitter and Facebook for more information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, June 19, 2015.
The prize package is redeemable Sunday to Thursday (excluding holidays) and is based on availability. Must be redeemed by September 2, 2015. Prize is based on the participation of two adults and two children 16 and under.
June’s late night movie series kicked off with Fight Club last Friday at the Rio Theatre with grilled cheese sandwiches, buttery popcorn, beer, and margaritas all available at this East Van movie house.
Tickets for the late night series are available online in advance or at the door for just $8 or $6 if you come in costume for the midnight shows. Here are the remaining screenings for June:
Friday Late Night Movies at the Rio Theatre
Friday, June 12, 2015 The Night Porter “Il portiere di notte”
(Liliana Cavani, 1974 / Blu Ray, 118 mins)
After a chance meeting at a hotel in 1957, a Holocaust survivor (the exquisite Charlotte Rampling) and the Nazi officer who tortured her (Dirk Bogarde) resume their sadomasochistic relationship, threatening them both. Upon its release in 1974, Liliana Cavani’s The Night Porter was frequently dubbed “the most controversial film of the year!” due to its themes and highly stylized aesthetic. Today, the film remains as polarizing as it continues to divide some over its sense of moral ambiguity while inspiring others with its high charged, fetishistic overtone.
Friday, June 19, 2015 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
(Steven Spielberg, 1989 / DCP, 127 mins)
Join us for the ultimate big screen movie adventure marathon: Steven Spielberg’s monumentally awesome Indiana Jones series. Think Harrison Ford, snakes, whips, numerous Nazis, monkey brains, “dear old dad,” and more… all night long. And yes, you read that right: “trilogy.” We’re pretending that fourth installment never happened. When Dr. Henry Jones Sr. (Sean Connery) suddenly goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, his adventurous son Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) must follow in his father’s footsteps to rescue him, and stop the Nazis. Also staring Allison Doody, River Phoenix, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott.
Friday, June 26, 2015 Re-Animator
(Stuart Gordon, 1985 / 104 mins, Blu Ray)
Loosely based on a short story by author H.P. Lovecraft, Re-Animator is a classic piece of 80s body horror, and a perfectly hilarious cult movie for a Friday Late Night Movie. A dedicated student at a medical college and his girlfriend become involved in bizarre experiments centering around the re-animation of dead tissue when an odd new student arrives on campus. Starring Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton.
Miss604 is a media partner of the Rio’s Late Night Movie series.
These 19+ screenings can be complimented with a beverage from the theatre’s full service bar as you enjoy a night out with friends. The Rio Theatre is an independent art and movie house located at 1660 West Broadway, at Commercial Drive, and is easily accessible by transit. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter for more film screenings, comedy showcases, and special event information.
