“Baker looks amazing today,” you might overhear a local casually proclaim. “Baker” being Mount Baker, which is located just south of the border about 50km east of Bellingham, Washington. It is an active volcano in America’s the North Cascades range and is the second most heavily glaciated volcano in that range, next to Mount Rainier.
It has a ski area, hiking in the summer, and standing at 10,781 feet, it’s very visible from Metro Vancouver and Victoria on a clear day. We’re used to seeing lovely photos of the Coast Mountains to the north but Mount Baker brings out the shutterbug in many when it makes a prominent appearance, snowing off its snow cap at any time of year.
Disney’s The Lion King returns to Vancouver for an exclusive 4 week engagement at the Queen Elizabeth theatre this summer. Back by popular demand, The Lion King will run from June 18th to July 12th, 2015 with tickets going on sale Monday, February 23rd at 10:00am — and a pre-sale starting today!
Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 75 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 112 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Having played 19 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.
The show’s director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show’s ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show around the world.
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from “Rhythm of the Pride Lands,” an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.”
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, February 23, 2015 online or by calling 1-855-985-5000. Tickets start at $35.00 (plus applicable service charges). Reservations for groups of ten (10) or more are now being accepted by calling 1-800-889-8457. Additionally, Premium Ticket Packages are available which include a prime seat location, a commemorative souvenir program and an exclusive merchandise item.
Lion King Vancouver Pre-Sale
Beat the box office this weekend and book your tickets in advance of the general sale on Monday by using this pre-sale link and the code MUFASA starting at 10:00am today and ending on Sunday, February 22nd.
Follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their shows coming to Vancouver in 2015 and 2016.
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by Michelle KimDisclosure: Review — This is not a paid post. Views are that of the author. Media tickets for review purposes were provided by Ballet BC. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
This weekend, for the first time in the company’s history, Ballet BC presents Miami City Ballet, and their interpretation of some of George Balanchine’s most famous works: Serenade, Symphony in Three Movements, and Ballo della Regina.
George Balanchine, founder of New York City Ballet, was a pioneer in ballet who heightened, quickened, and streamlined classical ballet while setting it to classical music. The first work, set to music from the original production of Verdi’s Don Carlos, Ballo della Regina, was like an opera in dance form. With various soloists, including a virtuoso performances by Nathalia Arja and Renato Penteado, the dancer sang with full force by every leap and twirl.
Symphony in Three Movements had a post World War II feel to it. With the female dancers lined up in pastel costumes that resembled 1950s swimwear, they moved in a formations that reminded me, at times, of old footage synchronized swimmers, arms up and diving in, one by one. The men’s costumes (white top, black tights, and white shoes) and the bright and athletic dancing choreography invoked a bit of West Side Story, and was great fun to watch.
Serenade, first performed by New York City Ballet in 1935, set to Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings in C, was my favourite work of the evening. It is the first original ballet Balanchine created in America and is one of the signature works of New York City Ballet’s repertory. Balanchine worked unexpected rehearsal events into the choreography. If a one student fell, he incorporated it. If a student arrived late, and this, too, became part of the ballet.The moment the curtain came up and with all the female dances lined up with a blue light shining on and through their exquisite costumes–long, delicate tulles–the audience applauded. These tulles enhanced the intricate set of variations for the ballerina and the corps de ballet, which was in near-constant movement, flowing in and out of patterns with great speed and grace. Over 80 years old, this work was truly the most magical ballet I’ve seen to this date.
I really enjoyed the diversity of the works, and well as the dancers of Miami Ballet, many of whom are Latin American. Most of all, I truly enjoyed the diversity Ballet BC provided this season to its audience, by inviting such a wonderful company to perform in Vancouver.
Balanchine runs for four performances, February 19th until February 21st, 2015 at 8:00pm plus Saturday, February 21 matinee at 2:00pm at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Tickets range from $40.00 to $98.50 (including service charges) and can be purchased through Ticketmaster online or by phone at 1-855-985-2787 (1-855-985-ARTS).
Sunshine in the forecast, cherry blossoms painting the town pink, a new year celebration, and a home and garden show will all make this a wonderful weekend. Here are just a few events and activities you can check out around town. If I missed anything, feel free to email Miss604 with your event info.
This spring you can make a big difference in someone’s life! Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland is currently looking for volunteer mentors ages 19-25 for its Go Girls! Group Mentoring Program, taking place in Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam Schools.
If you enjoy working with young people and would you like to help young girls learn to embrace active living, balanced eating and a positive body image, then consider volunteering with Big Sisters.
Go Girls! takes place over a two month period and encourages physical activity participation, healthy eating choices, and the development of a positive self-image among girls ages 11-14. Two mentors co-facilitate the program for a group of 8-10 participants and the sessions are two hours long, held after school in select Burnaby, Coquitlam, and Vancouver middle schools. Each session is structured around themes of physical activity, healthy eating, self-esteem, and communication skills.
The most important goal of the program is to positively shape the lives of girls by helping them build a positive self-image – setting them on a path to reach their full potential.
More information on Go Girls! can be found online and the volunteer application is also available online.
Miss604 is a proud sponsor of the 2015 Big Sister of BC Lower Mainland Volunteer Recruitment Campaign. Follow Big Sisters BC Lower Mainland on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Photo credit: SeaSide Signs ~ Vancouver, BC on Flickr
