Lion King Vancouver Pre-Sale

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

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!

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Jelani Remy as “Simba” and the ensemble in “He Lives in You” from THE LION KING National Tour. ©Disney. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus.

The Lion King

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.

Review: Ballet BC Presents Miami City Ballet

Add a Comment by Michelle Kim
Disclosure: 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.

Review: Ballet BC Presents Miami City Ballet

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Miami City Ballet dancers in Serenade.
Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust. Photo © Daniel Azoulay

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).

Follow Ballet BC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.

Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend February 20-22, 2015

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

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.

Tatsuya-san enjoys a spring day in Vancouver
Photo credit: Eric Flexyourhead on Flickr

Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend

Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green below.

Friday, February 20, 2015
Sponsored by Miss604: Late Night Movie at the Rio Theatre
Sponsored by Miss604: Surrey Leadership Action Conference 2015 (SLAC)
Science World After Dark
Vancouver Aquarium Presents: The Sustainable Table Chef Series
The Edible Inevitable Tour: Alton Brown Live!
Surrey Library: Social Media and Your Personal Brand
Queensborough Open Mic Night
Heritage Week Walking Tours: Vancouver’s Historic Downtown
Alicia Tobin’s Come Draw With Me: NORTHWEST COMEDY FEST EDITION
Northwest Comedy Fest: Doug Benson
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival – VIMFF
Winterruption on Granville Island
BC Home and Garden Show
Earlybird RV Show, Abbotsford
Free Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink
Théâtre la Seizième: Stupeur et Tremblements
15th Annual Chutzpah! Festival
Talking Stick Festival
Northwest Comedy Fest

Saturday, February 21, 2015
Sponsored by Miss604: Surrey Leadership Action Conference 2015 (SLAC)
Vancouver Chinese New Year Spring Festival
Chinese New Year on Grouse Mountain
Heritage Week Walking Tour: Granville Street, Then and Now
2015 Chinese New Year Gala
Wesbrook Lunar New Year Celebrations
Coldest Night of the Year Walk, Surrey
Coldest Night of the Year Walk, New Westminster
Heritage Week Walking Tours: Hudson Street – Marpole History
Northwest Comedy Fest: CBC’s The Debaters
NORTHWEST COMEDY FEST: Kyle Bottom’s Comedy Bucket
Northwest Comedy Fest: Maria Bamford
RunGo Dash for Dogs in Stanley Park
Winter Farmers Market
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival – VIMFF
Théâtre la Seizième: Stupeur et Tremblements
Winterruption on Granville Island
BC Home and Garden Show
Earlybird RV Show, Abbotsford
Free Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink
15th Annual Chutzpah! Festival
Talking Stick Festival
Northwest Comedy Fest

Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sponsored by Miss604: Surrey Leadership Action Conference 2015 (SLAC)
Vancouver Chinese New Year Parade
Academy Awards at the Vancity Theatre
Cineworks Presents an Evening of Oscars
I Am Someone: Walk2Talk
Emotions – Open Mic Experience at The Belmont
The Family’s Pasta & Italian Cooking Classes
Toes in the Sand Wedding Show
Just Add Love Wedding Show
Dare to Dream Bridal Showcase
Heritage Week Walking Tours: Commercial – Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood
Winterruption on Granville Island
BC Home and Garden Show
Earlybird RV Show, Abbotsford
Free Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink
15th Annual Chutzpah! Festival
Talking Stick Festival

Volunteer Opportunity with Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

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.

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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.

Squamish Valley Music Festival Lineup: Mumford & Sons, Drake, Sam Smith

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Virgin Mobile Presents Squamish Valley Music Festival this August 7th, August 8th and August 9th in Squamish, BC. Bringing some of the world’s biggest artists up the Sea to Sky, along with celebrating a lot of local BC talent, over 70 artists will join the three headliners Mumford & Sons, Drake, Sam Smith for three days of eclectic music from all genres.

Squamish Valley Music Festival Lineup

Squamish Valley Music Festival Lineup

Mumford & Sons, Drake, Sam Smith, Of Monsters And Men, Kaskade, Alabama Shakes, Brandon Flowers, Schoolboy Q, Mother Mother, Chance The Rapper, Adventure Club, Porter Robinson (live), Hot Chip, The Kills, Milky Chance, Arkells, Vance Joy, Death From Above 1979, Sharon Jones & The Dap-kings, Odesza, Royal Blood, Angus & Julia Stone, George Ezra, Bahamas, Kaytranada, A-trak, Tchami, Gorgon City (DJ Set), Slightly Stoopid, K-os, Joel Plaskett With The Emergency, First Aid Kit, Mariachi El Bronx, Whitehorse, Robert Delong, Hannah Wants, James Bay, Elle King, Slow Magic, Benjamin Booker, The Funk Hunters, Sza, Bear’s Den, Alvvays, Justin Nozuka, Dear Rouge, Peking Duk, P Reign, Tei Shi, Oliver, Mat The Alien, The River And The Road, Willa, Scott Helman, Old Man Canyon, Little India.

More than 105,000 music fans attended the Festival last year, making it the largest outdoor music event in Western Canada. Squamish Valley Music Festival generated an estimated economic impact of over $32 million over its four day run.

Squamish Valley Music Festival 2014
Photo credit: John Bollwitt for Miss604

New This Year

This year, the festival is proud to have Spotify Canada onboard to enhance the fan experience by providing unique playlists of festival performers online, on their phones and through the festival app. Check out the lineup playlist here: SVMF.

Passes

Weekend passes go on sale Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 10:00am. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster. Virgin Mobile Members Presale starts Monday, February 23 at 10:00am and ends Wednesday, February 25 at 11:59pm. Members who purchase a Festival pass will receive a $20 credit applied to their RFID wristband, while quantities last. Go online to see the exclusive access and deals available for Virgin Mobile Members.

The Festival will again be held at Centennial Fields and will be expanding its use of the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) enabled wristband system that was implemented last year to incorporate all food and merchandise vendors, including those at the four offsite campgrounds.

More information is available online, or by calling 1-888-999-2321. Follow Squamish Valley Music Festival on Twitter and Facebook.