Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Nutcracker, presented by Ballet BC, is a beautiful, big-hearted performance that retains aspects from the original’s German and Russian traditions, while being very relevant to a Vancouver audience by being set in Canada, at the turn of the 20th Century, just before WWI.
Photo courtesy of
Ballet BC. RWB Company Photo by Vince Pahkala.
We all know the story: young Clara falls asleep after a party at her stately mansion and dreams of (or does she?) a fantastical world of live toy soldiers, dancing mice, and fairies. Though I’ve seen this ballet performanced multiple times, and know the story so well, there was something so fresh and invigorating about this performance.
First of all, Brian Perchaluk’s scenic design was so imaginative; there was so much dimension and texture to all the sets that it completely pulled the audience into the worlds he created. There were a few Canadian references in the set the design and direction that really refreshed up the classic: kids playing a hockey game in front of the house, a battle between the soldiers and mice on Parliament Hill.
Though this performance lacked some precision in technique (part of a ballet slipper fell off a dance and it didn’t always feel like the dancers were in unison with each other or the music), it gave so much in spirit and charm that these so called imperfections became my favourite part. For instance, a single snowflake seemed to fall from the sky when it shouldn’t have, but it added a magical element to performance, nevertheless.
Standout performance for me was the Nutcracker himself, Liang Xing, whose performance was exquisite as he leaped across the stage with such athleticism, grace, and perfection, he was exactly what you would expect from an doll idolized by an imaginative young girl.
Oh, and the kids! They were so cute! In their mice costumes (with bubble bums), or as baby white polar cubs, or as mounties and angels; it didn’t matter, every time a kid would come on stage, the audience would gush, and everyone just wanted to eat them up, all of them.
All of these elements–the cuteness of the kids, the imaginative set, the glorious Tchaikovsky music, the passion with each the dancers danced, and the Canadiana sprinkled throughout the performance–make this Nutcracker not just heart-warming, but almost emotional. I left full of feeling for home and family and magic and reality. The best things to feel about over the holidays.
Remaining performances of The Nutcracker at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre will be at 2:00pm and 7:30pm on Saturday, December 13, 2014 and Sunday, December 14, 2014. Tickets are on sale now, ranging from $35 to $98.50, and family packs (2 adults, 2 children) are available from $229 to $300 (including service charges). Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster online or by phone at 1-855-985-2787 (855-985-ARTS).
Follow Ballet BC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.
Everyone deserves a little holiday cheer this season and Kaboodles Toy Stores are doing so with a charitable toy drive. On now until Christmas Eve, you can visit any of Kaboodles’ four locations to participate in this fun and meaningful toy drive.
Kaboodles Toy Drive
All donated gifts will be delivered to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau to help families in need provide gifts to their children this Christmas. The Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau has been dedicated to making Christmas a little more special for struggling families since 1930.
Visit Kaboodles in Point Grey, Cambie, Granville Island, or in Victoria to help them collect hundreds of gifts for struggling families this year. With your purchase in-store for a toy drive gift, you’ll receive a 10% discount.
Kaboodles will be offering special incentives and giveaways to those who participate in the Toy Drive each week. Follow the action (and watch the pile of donated toys grow each day) by visiting Kaboodles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (#KaboodlesToyDrive).
Playmobil Giveaway
Another BIG incentive to support the Kaboodles Toy Drive is a Playmobil Giveaway for Miss604 readers. Enter to win $200 to spend on Playmobil at any Kaboodles!
“Since 1974, the toy system PLAYMOBIL® created by Hans Beck has become a classic of children’s playrooms, with its many different play worlds – from a knight’s castle to a sunny holiday hotel. About 2.7 billion of the beloved play figures with the characteristic smile have been produced since then and delight children all over the world. Around 30 different play themes are distributed in more than 100 countries worldwide. Both parents and educators appreciate the award-winning toy system as a representative of high-value, quality play.”
Here’s how you can enter to win:
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2014. Follow Kaboodles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more details, deals, and news.
Update The winner is Meredith!
This article is from 2014. For updated resources try these links: Indigenous Gift Guide for Shopping Local, Gift Guide: Gift Ideas from Indigenous Businesses, Indigenous Tourism BC App, Indigenous Cultural Centres in Southern BC
When it comes to gifts from your hometown you can’t get any more local than a beautifully designed piece crafted by First Nations artists, as the city of Vancouver sits on the unceded traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. Thanks to input from Aboriginal BC Tourism, I have a list of the places to find these authentic and one-of-a-kind gifts:
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
Website | Twitter | Facebook
Location: 639 Hornby St, Vancouver
Shop Details: You will find a selection of original works and prints by local Northwest Coast artists, distinctive jewelry, accessories, books, cards and more. The Gallery Gift Shop is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. They are able to ship orders within North America and overseas.
Skwachàys Lodge
Website | Twitter | Facebook
Location: 29/31 West Pender, Vancouver
Shop Details: Skwachàys Lodge offers the Urban Aboriginal Fair Trade Gallery, which showcases Aboriginal artists from across Canada and features jewelry, hats, art cards, clothing, rattles, bentwood boxes, and other items. The gallery shop is open Monday through Friday from 10:00am to 4:00pm; Saturday and Sunday 11:00am to 5:00pm.
Museum of Anthropology
Website | Twitter | Facebook
Location: 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver (UBC)
Shop Details: The MOA Shop presents a unique collection of works in silver and gold from the Northwest Coast, the American Southwest, Mexico, and South America. Other items available include sculptures and carvings, accessories and clothing, textiles and beadwork, educational toys for kids, home and office gifts. You can also pick up Edible British Columbia items like Musqueam honey, preserves and jams from the Fraser Valley, Salt Spring Salmon products, Salish Sea Chocolate, and try our MOA chocolate squares. Visit the shop daily between 10:00am and 5:00pm, or until 9:00pm on Tuesdays. The MOA is closed Mondays from October to May. Stop by for the Winter Art Market until December 24th.
Cedar Root Gallery
Website
Location: Located inside the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre
(1607 E Hastings St, Vancouver)
Shop Details: The Cedar Root Gallery is a Native owned small retail business that has been serving the Urban Vancouver Aboriginal Community for over ten years. It is stocked with some of the best and most authentic West Coast Native artwork in Vancouver. Sacred masks, wall plaques, sterling silver Northwest Coast carved jewellery lots of other First Nations gift items.
Khot-la-cha Art Gallery and Gift Shop
Website
Location: 270 Whonoak Street, North Vancouver
Shop Details: A second-generation First Nations owned and operated business, located on Capilano Reserve, the Khot-la-cha gallery offers traditional and contemporary Aboriginal artwork and crafts, plus masks, prints, gold and silver jewelry, wood carvings, textiles and clothing.
Most importantly, look for shops that sell Authentic Indigenous products. This is an initiative aimed at promoting and supporting authentic Indigenous artworks in the retail and wholesale marketplace. With this program, you’re always sure that the keepsake, gift or unique present you’ve purchased is a true Aboriginal cultural work of art.
Read about more themed gift ideas in my Vancouver Gift Guide series.
Our local BCHL hockey teams are big parts of their community and the Langley Rivermen are fully committed to giving back in Langley. On Saturday, December 13th fans are encouraged to bring unopened diapers in support of JRfm’s Basics for Babies campaign.
Langley Rivermen Basics for Babies
JRfm has partnered with Food Banks BC to ensure that all babies in the Lower Mainland get the nutrition they need. Food Banks BC is the provincial association of 93 member food banks across the province.
According to the Langley Food Bank, there are currently about 750 client families registered and including dependents, they are helping over 1000 people with their food requirements each week. Many of people who use the food bank have small children. Basics for Babies hampers provided to client families include baby food, cereal, diapers, formula, and other baby care items.
On Saturday, December 13, 2014, fans will receive 2-for-1 entry with the donation of an unopened diaper or cash. When the Langley Rivermen score their first goal, fans will toss the unopened diapers on the ice, which will all be donated to Basics for Babies.
You can help support Basics for Babies and the food bank in your community. If you would like to attend the Langley Rivermen vs Surrey Eagles this Saturday at 7:00pm at the Langley Events Centre (7888 200th St), I have 4 tickets to give away.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, December 12, 2014. Follow the Langley Rivermen on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their games and community events.
Update The winner is @JaclynJary!
