The Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards (“The Jessies”) are being handed out in Vancouver tonight in a ceremony and reception at the Commodore Ballroom. Miss604 is once again the proud social media sponsor of this event, honouring the very best in local theatre, and I’ll have live coverage and photos available throughout the night. If you would like to follow along on social media, use the tag #Jessies14.

Jessie Richardson Theatre Award Winners

The evening’s program begins promptly at about 6:40pm with an opening from Vancouver TheatreSports who has produced and directed The Jessies for the last couple of years. Updates to follow… Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Salt Spring Island is a lush, bucolic gem that blends forests and mountain lookouts with valley vineyards and the very best of seaside living. Over the years John and I have come to appreciate many aspects of the Salt Spring, from piling wood onto our fireplace at Hastings House in winter, to cycling around the entire northern tip of the island while on a mission for fish & chips (my muscles took a long time to forgive me for the latter).

Guided Tours on Salt Spring Island

The island is easily enjoyed without a vehicle, which comes in handy when you take a floatplane direct from downtown Vancouver into Ganges Harbour, and even the artisans and farmers come right into the village on market days. However, having a vehicle — especially driven by someone who knows the island quite well — can be a real treat.

This is where Ryan and Jackie from Western Splendour Tour Company come in. They will host you for a History and Culture Walking Tour; Activity and Adventure Tour with kayaking, crabbing, hiking, or golfing; The Family Tour with rainforest walk, picnic, and exploring tidal pools at Ruckle Park; a Best of Salt Spring Tour with farm visits, rainforest walk, wine tastings, and more; or the Salt Spring Wine Tour that includes a visit to three vineyards, a cheese maker, and a walking tour of Ganges.

There’s also the seasonal Saturday Market Express which is a full 10 hour day of farm, studio, and artisan visits.

While on Salt Spring for Chefs Across the Water my mother and I had a sample of the tours offered by Western Splendour as Ryan picked us up from Hastings House and took us to several fascinating destinations, which I had not previously visited.

Galleries in Ganges

After hopping out of the van at Grace Islet, Ryan began the history and culture portion of the walking tours they offer in Ganges Harbour / Village of Ganges. We walked along the boardwalk, took photos, and popped into several local galleries such as Steffich Fine Art and Gallery 8, which had recently opened an exhibition. Gallery 8 also featured a popular series of sheep portraits — portraits of actual sheep on an island farm which have become mini celebrities due to their artistic depictions. If there’s one place where sheep can be recognized like rock stars, it’s Salt Spring!

Art cards by Gillian Gandossi that I picked up at the Waterfront Gallery.

Salt Spring Sheep

Next stop, naturally, sheep! We drove up-island to Sunset Farm Studio where a few recently-sheared sheep grazed out front just past the honour-system farm fresh egg vendor stand. Inside the studio I picked up a pair of wool socks for my dad and wondered if I had just met the sheep from which these socks were produced, which was highly likely. They also sell blankets, slippers, knitting wool, curious, and meats.

French Fabrics

The next stop was French Country Fabric Creations where owner Darlene Lane offers an escape to Provence. Her home is a replica of the gardener’s cottage at Versaille in France and her studio is packed with bright and colourful fabrics, table cloths, place mats, cushions, handbags, tea tray, and much more. She imports “wipe clean” fabric from France that is supple yet coated with acrylic to make it very easy to maintain.

Lunch by the Water

Feeling a bit peckish, we ordered sandwiches at Fernwood Road Cafe once we got to the north west tip of the island. Hummingbirds danced around a collection of feeders as we had lunch outside at a picnic table before taking a stroll to the end of the Fernwood Point government dock. Through the crystal clear water we watched sea grass lean with the tide as a heron waded out to grab its own spot of lunch.

Sips Under the Vines

Changing our course, we drove south past Ganges and straight down Salt Spring Vineyards around the middle of the island in a valley at the foot of Mount Maxwell. There we enjoyed four wine tastings paired with local cheese and chocolate.

I loved the Blackberry “Port”, and picked up a bottled to bring home with me, as it was less sweet and syrup-like than other berry wines I’ve had before. The Evolution Red was also really enjoyable as it was developed on Salt Spring specifically for this growing climate. Working with Horticulturist Valentin Blattner, the winery has created unique varietals for Salt Spring instead of trying to force others to fit in on the island.

Views from the Mountain

Our last stop — as four hours just seemed to fly right by — was up Musgrave Road where, by request for a ‘viewpoint’, Ryan drove us up a chunky gravel road so that we could see Salt Spring, the Salish Sea, and neighbouring islands.

Our tour was fairly customized but what I appreciated the most was the history component when we were walking around Ganges, learning about First Peoples, the first settlers, and the formation of the island’s communities. On top of that, Ryan gave us a lot of freedom to explore at each stop, providing us with ample information but allowing us to walk around, shop, talk to merchants, and take photos at our leisure.

The next time John and I are on the island I’ll be tempted to book us either the Activity and Adventure Tour or the Salt Spring Wine Tour so that we can get out on the water, up on the mountain, or quench our palettes, without having to worry about driving home.

Western Splendour‘s tours range from one hour walking tours to six hour driving tours around the island. Drop-ins are welcome on the Ganges Village walking tour ($15 adults) however you should book either of the other tours in advance ($75 adults). Children are welcome on the History and Culture Tour ($10 for age 12 and under) as well as the Best of Salt Spring Tour ($50 for age 12 and under). All other tour options and pricing can be found online.

Tonight the Vancouver theatre community will be honoured during the 32nd annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards, and while this may mark the end of the season, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy local theatre this summer.

Summer Theatre in Vancouver

June 2014

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
Dates: June 6th to June 29th, 2014
Company: United Players of Vancouver

ANNE (OF GREEN GABLES)
Dates: June 13th to June 28th, 2014
Company: Gallery 7 Theatre

THE LAST FIVE YEARS, BY JASON ROBERT BROWN
Dates: June 19th to June 28th, 2014
Company: Flickering Light Productions

RED ROCK DINER
Dates: Until August 2nd
Company: Arts Club Theatre

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Dates: June 11th to September 20th, 2014
Company: Bard on the Beach

CYMBELINE
Dates: June 11th to September 17th, 2014
Company: Bard on the Beach

EQUIVOCATION BY BILL CAIN
Dates: June 11th to September 19th, 2014
Company: Bard on the Beach

THE TEMPEST
Dates: June 12th to September 18th, 2014
Company: Bard on the Beach

July 2014

GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES
Dates: July 3rd to July 12th, 2014
Company: Pacific Theatre

SUMMER AT THE WATERFRONT
Dates: July 4th to July 27th, 2014
Company: Granville Island Cultural Society

SHREK: THE MUSICAL
Dates: July 11th to August 22nd, 2014
Company: Theatre Under the Stars

LEGALLY BLONDE
Dates: July 12th to August 23rd, 2014
Company: Theatre Under the Stars

August 2014

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
Dates: August 22nd to August 24th, 2014
Company: Evergreen Cultural Centre

The Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance also makes note of the following ongoing events:

Vancouver TheatreSports® League at The Improv Centre: Fridays and Saturdays at 9:30pm, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm. Two teams of performers are pitted against each other in competitive improv matches.

On Thursdays at the Improve Centre catch the ULTIMATE IMPROV CHAMPIONSHIP, Vancouver’s most dangerous improv that pits two blood-thirsty teams of improvisers against each other in a non-stop timed challenge.

The Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards will be held at the beautiful Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville Street, on Monday, June 23, 2014, doors open at 5:30pm, ceremony at 6:30pm. Tickets are $29.50 plus service charges, through Ticketmaster 1-855-985-5000 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca. The ceremony is being produced and directed by Vancouver TheatreSports who create a festive evening.

Welcome summer and sunshine at the Sea to Sky Gondola this Saturday! The province’s newest attraction, with epic panoramic views of Howe Sound and surrounding mountains — including the legendary Stawamus Chief — is hosting a Summer Soltice celebration tomorrow.

Where Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish
When Saturday, June 21, 2014 from 9:00am to 10:00pm

The first activity will start at 9:30am with the first ever trail-running event on the grounds, the Skyline Ridge Run. Runners can chose between a 10km or 21km distance course. The celebration will continue into the evening with a pre-registered sun salutation and sunset yoga, fireside chats and night summer beats.

Sea to Sky Gondola Summer Solstice

Local DJ Sheila will kick off the sunset music series, which will take place at the Gondola summit every Friday night in July and August from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Every Friday and Saturday this summer the Summit Lodge will also host a local three course menu for $19.95 which you can enjoy in the lodge or out on the deck to take in more of the views.

From my Sea to Sky Gondola visit

Win Passes for the Summer Solstice

If you would like to check out the Sea to Sky Gondola’s lineup of activities tomorrow, I have a pair of lift passes 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)
• Re-gram this post on Instagram including @SeaToSkyGondola + @Miss604 (1 entry)

As the event is tomorrow I will wrap up this contest at 4:00pm today (Friday, June 20, 2014). Prize passes are valid only for June 21, 2014. If the winner drawn today cannot use the passes tomorrow, a new winner will be drawn at random from all entries. Follow the Sea to Sky Gondola on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Update The winner is Vania!

Whalley’s Corner Community Festival will take place during the city-wide Surrey Doors Open event on Saturday, June 21st.

1930s & 1950s: Whalley’s Corner. Surrey Archives F83-0-0-0-0-0-0-2 & F83-0-0-0-0-0-0-33.

Ever wonder why the northwest corner of Surrey became known as Whalley? You can find out by participating in Surrey Doors Open event on Saturday, June 21 from 11am-4pm. It’s an opportunity to see the City in a whole new light.

Start your “tourist in your city” day at Whalley’s Corner Community Festival. The name Whalley’s Corner dates back to 1920s when Arthur Whalley opened a gas station in the area. This corner gas station became a hub of activity and the area began to thrive, spreading the name “Whalley” with it.

This event is unique in its blending of the past with the present. Whalley’s Corner Community Festival invites the community to celebrate the history of the area while at the same time showcasing current local businesses and vendors. It is not only a celebration of what the area was, but what it is today.

The festival will have an antique car show, exhibitors, food vendors, live music and entertainment, and a variety of children’s activities. Since it’s part of Surrey Doors Open, you can also take the free shuttle to and from Whalley’s Corner to over 40 other participating sites on Saturday. Download the Surrey Doors Open Guide (PDF) for more information.

Whalley’s Corner Community Festival will run from 11:00am until 5:00pm on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the intersection of Grosvenor Rd and Whalley Blvd – a short walk up from Gateway Skytrain.