BC Children’s Hospital Miracle Weekend

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation is hosting their 26th annual Miracle Weekend on Global BC from 7:00pm Saturday, June 1st until 5:30pm on Sunday, June 2nd. This two-day celebration showcases the best of the hospital, including patients, families, caregivers, and supporters while raising much-needed funds.

Last year, Miracle Weekend raised over $17 million for the BC Children’s Hospital, setting a new record. In total, these events have raised over $188 million for the hospital since 1988. Donations are used to support the purchase of life-saving equipment, research into the treatment, prevention and cure of childhood diseases, recruitment and educational programs for caregivers, and programs in communities throughout the province.

How to Get Involved

I have a fundraising campaign as well to contribute to Miracle Weekend and I will also be a guest during the broadcast on Sunday afternoon. While I am not a parent (I am a very proud aunt) I am always happy to help out the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation because of the great work that they do.

Follow BC Children’s Hospital Foundation on Facebook and Twitter for more information and be sure to tune in on June 1st and 2nd.

Jessie Awards 2013: Nominees

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Nominees for the 31st annual Jessie Richardson Theatre Awards (“The Jessies”) have just been announced and winners will be awarded at a ceremony on Monday, June 24, 2013 at the Commodore Ballroom. The list of nominees reflects a full year of excellence in local theatre, showing appreciation for everything from costume and lighting design to performances on stages large, small, and for young audiences.

Livebloggging the Jessies

In the Large Theatre category, Bard on the Beach’s Merry Wives of Windsor contributed 7 nominations to their total of 14 nominations overall. The Arts Club Theatre Company has 27 nominations (divided among 7 productions), Touchstone Theatre has one nomination as does Theatre Conspiracy.

In the Small Theatre category, there are 20 theatre companies nominated with Pi Theatre’s production of Terminus leading the pack with a total of 8 nominations including nods for all three actors, John Emmet Tracy, Pippa Mackie, and Leanna Brodie. The Virtual Stage received a total of 8 with Broken Sex Doll receiving 7 and The Arts Club also has a Small Theatre nominations for The Santaland Diaries, The Unplugging, and How Has My Love Affected You.

Where the Wild Things Are by Presentation House Theatre leads the nominations in the Theatre for Young Audiences category and Carousel Theatre for Young People is close behind with a total of 7 nominations for Cat in the Hat.

2011 Jessie Awards 2011 Jessies

Some of the most touching moments of the Jessie Awards ceremony come with the special awards. These not only honour very deserving, distinguished, and up-and-coming members of the industry, but I have personally learned so much about the history of theatre in Vancouver thanks to the namesakes of these awards and their recipients. The special awards include: The Georgia Straight Patron of the Arts Award, the Mary Phillips Award for Behind the Scenes Achievement, the Ray Michal Prize for Emerging Director, the Sam Payne Award for the Most Promising Newcomer, the John Moffat & Larry Lillo Award, the Colin Campbell Award for Excellence in Technical Theatre, the Critics Choice Innovation Award, and the GVPTA Career Achievement Award.

Tickets for the Jessies are now on sale for $29.75 (plus service charges) through Ticketmaster online or by phone 1-855-985-5000. Doors are at 5:30pm on Monday, June 24th with the ceremony beginning at 6:45pm. Even if you aren’t a member of the industry, it’s a thoroughly entertaining evening and one of my favourite theatre-related events of the year thanks to the Vancouver TheatreSports League who puts on the show.

You can find a complete list of Jessie Awards nominees online (later today) and follow the Jessies on Facebook for more information. Miss604.com is the proud Social Media Sponsor of the Jessie Awards.

Win Your Way Into The Vancouver SMUT Soiree with Jacob’s Creek

Comments 101 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Toronto culture club The Society Global is hosting Vancouver’s second annual SMUT Soiree with Lainey Gossip on Monday, June 3, 2013 at Villa Amato. This gala evening includes a red carpet experience, the latest news from Lainey Gossip, sips of delicious moscato from the official wine sponsor, Jacob’s Creek, and more.

Vancouver SMUT Soiree

Lainey has confirmed three events on her site, starting with Vancouver and then she and Dan Levy will head to Calgary and Toronto to host SMUT Soirees there: “Please note that we’ve sold out every year and pretty quickly and this year, there are at least 30 people coming internationally who’ve already booked their flights etc. We’ll be hanging out with gossips from as far away as Spain and the Netherlands!”

At each event, FLARE and H&M will crown one style-savvy guest as the winner of The SMUT Style Award, rewarding them with a $1,000 shopping spree. Attendees will also receive a 20% H&M discount coupon with their event ticket, ALDO will be on hand with some shoe style tips, and Sally Hansen representatives will be there doing manicures. Tickets are now on sale for $53.53 for the Vancouver SMUT Soiree.

Thanks to Jacob’s Creek, I have a prize pack available that includes two tickets to the SMUT Soiree in Vancouver, Pier 1 stemless chalk-note wine glasses, collapsible lanterns, a tasty sangria recipe, and a West Elm tray. Of course the winner will also receive a bottle of Jacob’s Creek Moscato to take home as well.

Jacob's Creek

Here’s how you can enter to win your way into the SMUT Soiree and claim this prize pack:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win your way into the Vancouver #SMUTSoiree from @JacobsCreekCA + @Miss604 http://ow.ly/lgiQZ

Follow Jacob’s Creek, the official wine sponsor of the SMUT Soiree and partner for this prize pack, on Facebook and Twitter for more information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, May 28, 2013. Must be legal drinking age (19 years) to enter and attend this event. Please enjoy responsibly and plan a safe trip home.

Update The winner is Donna!

Archives Photos of the Day: Rain

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Rainy days are a part of life in Vancouver. They make our hair frizz up, soak the cuffs of our pants, and steam up the windows on the bus but they also ensure our beautiful lush green scenery continues to grow and thrive. With the weather usually being a hot topic of conversation on any day in this city, I pulled a few “rain” and “umbrella” images from the Vancouver Public Library and City of Vancouver Archives for today’s roundup:


1907: (Left) Hastings at Richards, archives #CVA 677-584. (Right) Granville, north of Dunsmuir, archives #CVA 677-525. Photographer: Philip Timms.


(Left) 1972: 900 block of Granville, VPL#85922Q. Photographer: Curt Lang. (Right) 1940s: Downtown Vancouver, VPL#4095.


(Left) 1931: Georgia and Granville, archives #CVA 260-251. Photographer: James Crookall. (Right) 1947: 400 block West Pender, VPL# 27506. Photographer: Dominion Photo Co.


(Left) 1966: Happy umbrella manufacturer, VPL#40644. Photographer: David C. Paterson. (Right) 1965: Unveiling of the Lord Stanley Statue in Stanley Park. VPL#42849. Photographer: Claude P. Dettloff.

Burnaby Heights Hats Off Day 2013

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Hat Off Day in Burnaby Heights is the event of the year for local merchants as they take their “hats off” to the community members, shoppers, and residents of the area in celebration of their patronage. This day-long street party that stretches as far as the eye can see along Hastings as up to a hundred thousand people stroll along and enjoy free samples, barbecue, activities for kids, dancing, entertainment, and much more.

Hats Off Day 2011

Hats Off Day 2011 Hats Off Day 2011

Hats Off Day 2011
Photo credit: John Bollwitt for Miss604

Hat Off Day will run from 9:30am until 4:00pm on Saturday, June 1, 2013. A colourful parade will kick things off in the morning and will be followed by the street party that spans ten blocks, from Boundary to Gamma.

Hats Off Day 2011 Hats Off Day 2011

Hats Off Day 2011 Hats Off Day 2011
Photo credit: John Bollwitt for Miss604

On top of sidewalk sales and restaurants serving up their best fares at the street party there is also a Show and Shine up toward Gamma and live music playing every few blocks. The theme for Hats off Day this year is “Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” so there are bound to be some great costumes and craft opportunities.

Hats Off Day 2011
Photo credit: John Bollwitt for Miss604

The best part about Hat Off Day is that it’s entirely free to attend and since it’s outdoors, you can bring your dog, strollers, and anything else you need to enjoy a full day out in Burnaby Heights. Follow the Burnaby Heights Merchant Association on Facebook and Twitter for more information, maps, and details leading up to the event. Miss604.com is a proud sponsor of Hats Off Day.