The Vancouver International Film Festival (“VIFF”) is in full swing as audiences flock to local theatres for 353 films from over 65 countries, including 223 features and 130 shorts, 32 world premieres, 38 international premieres, 22 North American premieres, and 47 Canadian premieres. Miss604 is proud to once again be a media sponsor of VIFF, which includes sponsoring a specific film. This year I chose Preggoland, written by and starring Vancouver’s Sonja Bennett. Director: Jacob Tierney; Cast: Sonja Bennett, Danny Trejo, Laura Harris, James Caan, Paul Campbell.
When 35-year-old Ruth ruins a baby shower with her juvenile antics, her old high-school cronies (who are all mothers now) promptly de-friend her. But when she is later mistakenly thought to be with child, she is immediately embraced by the group. Although she initially tries to come clean, the perks of pregnancy become far too seductive to ignore and she soon finds herself living a laborious lie.
Vancouver’s Sonja Bennett shines in this expectant comedy, which she also wrote. Her creation, Ruth, is arrested in her emotional development and arresting in her dedicated amorality. James Caan plays her father who goes from being disappointed with Ruth’s lack of ambition to completely overjoyed with her apparent pregnancy and the prospect of having grand-kids! Danny Trejo is featured as Pedro, a ganja-smoking illegal immigrant (with five kids of his own) who is Ruth’s accomplice and confidant; he even goes so far as to masquerade as her radiology tech. Jacob Tierney (The Trotsky) directs this exceptional cast in a very funny and unconventional comedy about our societal obsession with motherhood and the lengths we’ll go to be part of a club.
After premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival (“TIFF”) earlier this season and has since received rave reviews for its strong script, and well developed characters [Read: National Post].
Preggoland premieres in Vancouver tomorrow, September 30th, at the Vancouver Playhouse (Hamilton at Dunsmuir). If you would like to attend this screening, I have 2 pairs of tickets up for grabs. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Draw takes place at 9:00pm Monday, September 29, 2014. The screening is at 6:15pm on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 so I would recommend winners arrive at the theatre by 5:00pm at the latest to guarantee a seat. I will leave tickets for the winners at the Will Call box office. Preggoland will also be screened on October 2nd at International Village.
Update The winners are bjh and Marianne Bacani!
In Vancouver we’re no strangers to rain drops, whether they are pelting down on our umbrellas or misting sideways through the thick green branches of the nearest Douglas Fir. There is one rain drop that does get more attention than others, however and it’s simply called: The Drop. This giant polyurethane-over-EPS sculpture by inges idee is prominently placed at the very foot of Burrard Street, between the two convention centres at Bon Voyage Plaza. The blue landmark, installed in 2009, is the subject of this week’s Vancouver Icons photo collection:
“Thrust into the waters of Burrard Inlet, The Drop playfully invites the viewer to reflect on our relationship with this precious commodity of water, and by extension, on the history, complexity, and future of our waterfront. The Drop pays homage to the element of water and the un-tameable forces of nature which are omnipresent in Vancouver. The slender, elongated sculpture balances as if a huge raindrop were on the verge of landing on the sea walk. Although the sculpture takes a natural phenomenon as its starting point, it displays a technical perfection, artificially coloured to correspond to the sky and contrasting with the pale yellow mass of the mountain of sulphur visible on the horizon, waiting to be loaded into cargo ships. The sculpture’s angle and orientation create a visual dialogue with the architecture of the Convention Centre West, as well as with the bows of the gigantic cruise ships frequently docked nearby. Like an abstract, radiant-blue ship’s figurehead, it marks the interface between land and water, between nature and technology.” [Source]
Previous Vancouver Icons posts: Prospect Point Lighthouse, Engagement, Ovaltine Cafe, The English Bay Slide, Freezing Water #7, Cleveland Dam, Heritage Hall, School of Theology Building at UBC, Gate to the Northwest Passage, St Paul’s Hospital, Capilano Lake, Stawamus Chief, Nine O’Clock Gun, Malkin Bowl, Search, Vancouver Rowing Club, Echoes, Point Atkinson Lighthouse, English Bay Inukshuk, Hollow Tree, Hotel Europe, Lions Gate Bridge Lions, LightShed, Granville Bridge, 217.5 Arc x 13′, Canoe Bridge, Vancouver Block, Bloedel Conservatory, Centennial Rocket, Canada Place, Old Courthouse/Vancouver Art Gallery, Dominion Building, Science World, Gastown Steam Clock, SFU Burnaby, Commodore Lanes, Siwash Rock, Kitsilano Pool, White Rock Pier, Main Post Office, Planetarium Building, Lord Stanley Statue, Vancouver Library Central Branch, Victory Square, Digital Orca, The Crab Sculpture, Girl in Wetsuit, The Sun Tower, The Hotel Vancouver, The Gassy Jack Statue, The Marine Building, and The Angel of Victory. Should you have a suggestion for the Vancouver Icons series please feel free to leave a note in the comments. It should be a thing, statue, or place that is very visible and recognizable to the public.
Vancouver is hosting its first Doors Open event on Saturday, October 4th, allowing the public free access to over 20 local attractions and iconic buildings.
Surrey and Richmond both hosted Doors Open events this summer. “Doors Open is a chance for people to connect with the important and interesting work that is done all over the city,” says Sadhu Johnston, Deputy City Manager. “We hope it helps everyone feel more connected to the work the City does, while also having a great day out.”
The Doors Open concept has origins in France where the first event, La Journée Portes Ouvertes, took place in 1984. Toronto was the first North American city to follow the European lead and launched a high profile event showcasing constructed heritage, architecture and design as a millennium project in 2000.
On Saturday, October 4th, the public will be able to enjoy free access to Vancouver venues for an opportunity to learn about civic services while experiencing Vancouver’s architectural, design, engineering, and cultural heritage.
Doors Open Vancouver venues are located in three walkable clusters: Downtown, around City Hall, and in the False Creek Flats. Venues include City Hall, the False Creek Energy Centre, Scotiabank Dance Theatre, 3-1-1 Call Centre, the Vancouver Animal Control Centre, the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Training Centre, the Vancouver Police Department Mounted Unit and more.
A variety of tours will be offered at each site. Follow DoorsOpenVan on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more information and plan your visit online for Saturday.
Vancouver Opera presents the world’s sexiest opera, Carmen, which became the fastest-selling production in Vancouver Opera history when it last took to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage five years ago.
This gorgeous production of Carmen, directed by Joel Ivany Joel Ivany Joel Ivany, is set in 1930s-1940s Latin America, complete with the heat, grit and passion of that time and place. Hand-rolled cigars, poncho-clad bandits, even a New York Yankees baseball cap on a street urchin may be seen among the spectacle of more than 60 choristers.
Vancouver Opera’s Carmen will be onstage from Saturday, September 27th until Sunday, October 5th for six performances only. Tickets are available exclusively through the Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre by calling (604) 683-0222 or ordering online.
I love attended Vancouver Opera’s productions. Striking sets, moving performances, sensational music, and a great date night idea or excuse to dress up for a night on the town with friends.
Official Wine Partner Mission Hill Family Estate would like to send you to see this unforgettably passionate, colourful and sensual show. For the last 13 seasons Mission Hill has supported Vancouver Opera’s ground-breaking productions, award-winning community programs, and its foundation as a cultural pillar in our city for the last 50 years.
Here’s how you can enter to win a pair of tickets to Carmen (performance on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 7:30pm) courtesy of Mission Hill Family Estate:
I will draw one winner from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, October 2, 2014. Must be 19+. Contest tickets are only valid for the October 4, 2014 performance. Follow Mission Hill on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about their wines, special events, and sponsorships.
Update The winner is Wes!
The Vancouver Home + Design Show returns to BC Place this October 16th to October 19th focusing on everything you’ll need for gardening, design, renovation, home decor, and much more.
The Vancouver Home + Design Show is where it all comes together for any home improvement project! With big names like Colin McAllister & Justin Ryan, stars of Cottage Life TV’s Colin & Justin’s Cabin Pressure, Bryan Baeumler, host of HGTV’s Leave it to Bryan, and culinary master Chef Corbin Tomaszeski.
Plus local design and foodie favourites, more than 325 exhibitors and a slew of sensational new features, there’s expert insight, innovation and inspiration for living well at every turn. Satisfaction guaranteed – or the cost of admission is on us.
Visit the Vancouver Home + Design Show from 4:00pm to 9:00pm on Thursday, October 16th; 12:00pm to 9:00pm on Friday, October 17th; 10:00am to 9:00pm on Saturday, October 18th; and 10:00am to 6:00pm on Sunday, October 19th.
Admission is $15 for adults (or $12 when purchased online); $12 for seniors (or $5 before 5:00pm on Thursday and Friday) or $9 for seniors online in advance; and children 12 and under are free.
Photo courtesy of the Vancouver Home + Design Show
Win a Vancouver Home + Design Show Prize Pack
The Vancouver Home and Design Show has put together an awesome prize pack (valued at over $350) for me to give away to one lucky reader, and they’ve also included another pair of tickets for a secondary prize.
Urban Barn Maria Pouf – $129 value, assorted colours
Aspen Clean House Cleaning Kit (all natural cleaners & microfiber cloths) – $75 value
Noir Lash Lounge Full Lash Set – $100 value
Door Pro gift card – $50 value
A pair of tickets to the Vancouver Home and Design Show
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 two winners, one for the prize pack + ticket and the other for tickets only on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 5:00pm. Follow the Vancouver Home + Design Show on Facebook and Twitter for more information about the event. Prize cannot be exchanged for cash value.
Update The prize pack winner is Steven! The ticket winner is Kathy E Ali!
