Last night I went to the season opener of BC Ballet’s In/verse, showcasing works choreographed by Italian-born Jacopo Godani and New York-born Nicolo Fonte, as well as a work choreographed by the company’s very own Artistic Director, Emily Molnar.

Photographer: Michael Slobodian. By Nicolo Fonte. Dancers: Darren Devaney, Alexis Fletcher, Connor Gnam, Dario Dinuzzi, Peter Smida & Alexander Burton.

First up was Godoni’s A.U.R.A. (Anarchist Unit Related to Art). At first, it looked like only the company’s male dancers were performing topless with lines drawn on their torsos; however, a closer look proved that the female dancers were up there as well with clever costuming to make them look like men, or androgynous under fluorescent lights, dancing as though in a warehouse, planning a revolt. The piece was set to a score composed and performed by German electro-acoustic duo 48nord, originally commissioned by Ballet Mainz in Germany. However, Godani re-choreographed many sections many sections for BC Ballet. All the dancers, both male and female, marched on the staged

The next work was Nicolo Fonte’s world premiere, Muse. A long white mat was use as what I interpreted to be a runway, a bed, a rug, and a tool to hide oneself from the world. Muse was the wet to a recording by New York-based ETHEL string quartet.

Before the final work, Aniel, I whispered to my mom, “This will be my favourite,” and I was right. A huge Molnar fan, I was delight to see the curtains raised to an all-white set–a stark contrast to the darkness of the previous pieces. When all the dancers ran onto the stage wearing brightly-coloured-borderline-hipster clothes (though admittedly, there was something reminiscent of a gap commercial) the audience applauded. Aniel was bright, quirky, funny (I laughed continuously) and touching. There was one particular moment that was really impressive –when the lights above went out and the backdrop was light–and the actors moved monochromatically across stage, then slowly the lights above were brought up and you could see the bright colours once again.

I’m always so inspired by the music Molnar uses. After Bliss last season, I come home and downloaded Icelandic cellist Hildur Gudnadottir and I can’t wait to downlaod U.S. avant-garde composer/saxophonist John Zorn’s Book of Angels.

What a great season opener, and I can’t wait for the rest.

Follow Ballet BC on Facebook and Twitter for more show information this season. There are only two remaining shows for In/verse — tonight and tomorrow, November 24th — and tickets are available now online.

Holiday craft season is in full swing and Got Craft? is a must-see event if you love to shop handmade and shop local.

Got Craft? aims to bring together a community that fosters handmade and D.I.Y. culture. Founded in 2007, Got Craft? is held twice a year in May and December featuring 75 handmade designers, craft workshops, tasty treats, DJs, FREE swag bags, and an average attendance of 3000+ a year.

The vendor list grew by 45% for the holiday show, now featuring 80 artists who make everything from chocolate to cards and clothes, so that shoppers can buy themselves a present or knock everything off their holiday shopping list, all while listening to indie music.

Got Craft? will be at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver) on Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th, 2012 from 10:00am to 5:00pm each day. Admission is $3 and children 10 and under are free.

100 swag bags will be handed out at the show featuring about 20-25 items contributed by vendors that include some of the items below:

Image courtesy of Got Craft?

If you would like to check out Got Craft? I have a 4-pack of tickets to give away. My contest winner will also receive one of the coveted Got Craft? swag bags AND these special items:

BuenoStyle necklace, note cards from Think & Ink, wool bowl from Hold Handmade, letterpress cards from Sam Bradd Designs, earrings from Irit Sorokin Designs, panties from Daub and Design, Sheepish Grin Knit Company yarn, granola from Granola Girl, a Selena Boer calendar, dani press stationery, items from Robbie Veraga, Knit Social, Belvedere Gents, Queen Bee Luxuries, Pip & Pin, Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild, Chef Kev, Elements Botanicals, Marian + Hazel, Sedated Clothing, Nostalgic Links, Delish Mag, Draw Me A Lion, The Beautiful Project, Bake Sale Baking Co, Honey Canada, Hay-Oh, and Twig Prints.

Here’s how you can enter to win tickets and this gigantic gift bag giveaway:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at 12:00pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012. Follow Got Craft? on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about the market.

Update The winner is Mary T!

Before coming to New York I started following a few Twitter accounts: @WHotelsNYC (our hotel), @UnionSquareNY (Union Square, the area in which we’ve been staying), and @UrbanSpaceNYC (curator of New York’s public markets) to see what events and activities were taking place during our stay.

The night we arrived they were setting up the Union Square Holiday Market and it’s been on all week. Free to enter, they have over 100 merchants lined up in candy-cane coloured booths at all along the south end of the park, with the subway entrance right in the middle.

We browsed around the next day, with hot coffees in hand, and found unique ornaments, hats, socks, glasswares, bags and accessories, soaps, crafts, and more.

German market treats like glühwein (mulled wine – non-alcoholic), cider and pretzels were available along with cannoli, loose-leaf teas, crepes, and creations from Momofuku Milk Bar.

We shopped around and enjoyed a full morning picking up a few ornaments and browsing the jewellery. Now in its 19th year, the Union Square Holiday Market is open every day until December 24th. It’s definitely something to experience if you get to New York during the holidays.

Back in Vancouver, check out the following Holiday Markets this season: German Style Christmas Market, Vancouver Winter Farmers Market, Vancouver Holiday Farmers Market, Crafts for a Cause, Toque for a Cause, Got Craft?, The Great Canadian Fair: Holiday Edition, and more!

It’s my favourite time of year — theatre season — and starting December 5th Pacific Theatre will be whisking audiences away to Narnia in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Mack Gordon and Kaitlin Williams in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Photo by Michael Julian Berz.

A dream so beautiful you remember it all your life, always wishing you could get back into that dream again. Peter and Lucy Pevensie may be adults now, but a regular life in London cannot compare to their adventures in the land of Narnia.

When they revisit the wardrobe where the story began, it doesn’t take long for them to get caught up in their reminiscence and relive their journey through the land where it is always winter and never Christmas. The land where Peter and Lucy, joined by their siblings, were not mere children, but Sons of Adam and Eve, warriors for the great lion Aslan, defeaters of the White Witch, and kings and queens. The land no one can forget once they have lived in it, from four fictional children to the millions who have been captivated by reading their story.

Adapted from the novel by CS Lewis, this touring production directed by Kerri Norris opens December 5, 2012 at the Pacific Theatre (1440 West 12th) and will run until December 15, 2012. It will move to the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam from December 18 to December 22, 2012.

Tickets can be booked now through the box office online or over the phone at (604) 731-5518 starting at $31.35 for adults, $22.39 for seniors and students, and $15.67 for children.

I have a pair of tickets to give away as well, 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 12:00pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. Follow Pacific Theatre on Facebook and Twitter for more information about their productions.

Update The winner is @vuitton_c!

Well before we first watched Miracle on 34th Street with my mother, she has longed to visit New York and holiday shop at Macy’s. She has traveled the world throughout her life but it wasn’t until this week that I was able to join her on her first-ever trip to The Big Apple. The purpose was to see the sights, visit famous landmarks, experience the city, shop for Christmas gifts, and — the cherry on top — watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

After reading some tips online, I knew we inevitably had to wake up pretty early in order to get a good spot along the parade route. It began up on 77th Street and Central Park West where there was a festival the night before as the giant balloons were blown up. We attempted to stop by there at around 6:00pm (the festival was 3:00pm to 10:00pm) and I can only compare it to “fireworks night” in Vancouver. There were easily a million people lining up to get a glimpse at the balloons that were inflated and held under netting. We walked around for a bit but eventually retired to our hotel to rest up for the big day and the main event.

Leaving our room at 6:00am on Thanksgiving morning we got to the corner of 42nd Street and 6th Avenue at around 6:20am and there was already a line of people along the curb with NYPD officers getting the roads clear and barriers setup. A woman at the front told us that her family arrived at 5:00am to get that coveted spot. We lucked out and ended up being right in the front row on 42nd Avenue, just around the corner from 6th Avenue where the parade came straight down from the park. Bryant Park was right across the street.

There were so many NYPD personnel that they almost seemed a part of the parade. We thoroughly enjoyed listening in on their conversations about the Police Academy, the tightness of their security vests, and how one should properly wear a scarf — especially when there were several captains in the area in full dress. They were diligent, in good spirits, and had a huge task to take on with the amount of attention the parade drew. Kudos to them for doing a fantastic job at keeping everyone safe.

42nd Street was open to traffic so cars were being waved through during breaks in the parade. Every few minutes we’d spot Kermit the Frog’s hand, Mickey Mouse’s hat, or Pikachu’s ears floating down 6th and traffic would be stopped again to let the parade flow on by. We were very pleased with our position however my only regret is not facing the parade head-on to see the banners that preceded each float. However, there’s so much going on overhead, you don’t necessarily even need a front-row view to enjoy the festivities.

If you’re going to do the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the future, I recommend the following:

• Scope out your spot the day before to get an idea of where you would like to setup for the morning. The parade goes from 77th and Central Park West to Central Park South (59th Street) and turns down 6th Avenue, ending at Macy’s on 34th Street.
• Bundle up! You’ll be outside for about 5 hours so be sure to dress accordingly.
• If you do want those front-row views from the curb you will have to be out there before 6:00am.

Most restaurants are open following the parade but many shops (like Macy’s) will be closed for the holiday, opening in the morning for Black Fright specials.

The woman next to us was visiting from Baltimore and the little girls on the other side of us were just there to see Santa, who brought up the tail end of the whole procession. The family will love this free activity if you’re in New York for the holidays. Kids will call out their favourite characters, spot pop stars on floats, and hot chocolate in the part if the perfect treat post-parade. View the rest of my photos from the parade in my set on Flickr.