Broadway Across Canada is bringing Mary Poppins, the live musical, to Vancouver this summer. The songs we remember from childhood, the impressive dance numbers, and a high level of energy is set to dazzle audiences of all ages.
The national cast of Mary Poppins. © Broadway Across Canada
Featuring the irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time, plus brand-new breathtaking dance numbers and spectacular stage-craft, Mary Poppins is everything you could ever want in a hit Broadway show! So get swept up in the fun of this high-flying musical the New York Post gives 4 out of 4 stars and calls “a perfect piece of musical theater.”
Mary Poppins will be in Vancouver July 17, 2012 to July 22, 2012 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
The pre-sale for tickets will begin Friday, May 11, 2012 at 10:00am and run until Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 10:00pm. Pre-sales from this link will be valid during that time only. The code to use is: PERFECT.
Fraîche Restaurant in West Vancouver presents a Wednesday Wine Series and their next event will feature a 5-course meal and the wines of the Okanagan’s own Okanagan Crush Pad.
Fraîche recently won gold at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards and Chef Alvarez is known for using local ingredients with his West Coast inspired dishes. The evening plans to be just as informative as it will be delicious with Chef Alvarez showcasing warm weather cooking and grilling techniques for the guests.
Haywire’s Master Winemaker Michael Bartier will be on hand to discuss the wines pairings. Each course will be matched up with a wine from Haywire Winery and Bartier Scholefield Wineries, which are a part of Okanagan Crush Pad.
A few tickets are still available for $95 (tax and gratuity not included) and include the opportunity to win a case of Okanagan Crush Pad wines. Reservations can be made by calling (604) 925-7595.
The event will take place next Wednesday, May 16, 2012 starting at 6:30pm at Fraîche Restaurant, 2240 Chippendale Road, West Vancouver. It would be a great date night or belated treat for Mother’s Day.
I have a pair of tickets to give away to a reader as well, thanks to Fraîche, Haywire, and Okanagan Crush Pad. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming your favourite wine/food pairing (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
You must be 19 years of age or older to enter to win. Please enjoy responsibly and plan a safe ride home. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 10:00am on Tuesday, May 15, 2012.
Update The winner is nance428!
Vancouver and Richmond Night Markets are re-opening for the season this month with shopping, entertainment, and the hottest street food around. With three night markets now in the area (including a new market in Richmond) I thought that an overview was in order.
Chinatown Night Market
Location: Keefer Street (between Main and Columbia), Vancouver
Opening: Opening May 18, 2012 until September 9, 2012
Dates/Times: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Features: This is the original night market now going into its 17th year! Fashions, gifts, crafts, and snacks. Booths contain merchandise from a variety of vendors including electronics, clothing, music, and more. There are also street performances with dancing, singing, magic, along with games and prizes.
Website, Twitter, Facebook
Summer Night Market
Location: 12631 Vulcan Way (behind Home Depot on Sweden Way), Richmond
Opening: Opening May 11, 2012 until September 16, 2012
Dates/Times: Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00pm to 12:00am, Sundays and Holidays from 7:00pm to 11:00pm
Features: The legendary summer night market in Richmond that saw over 28,000 visitors last year. Jewelry, art, home decor, bubble tea and waffle cakes to computers and electronics. Nightly performances are listed online including kung fu demonstrations, belly dancing, bands and other vocal performances.
Website, Twitter, Facebook
Richmond Night Market
Location: 8351 River Road (near the River Rock), Richmond
Opening: Opening May 18, 2012 until October 8, 2012
Dates/Times: Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00pm to 12:00am, Sundays and Holidays from 7:00pm to 11:00pm
Features: It’s the newest night market but behind it is organizer Raymond Cheung who first started the original Richmond Night Market years ago. 18 acres, 250 booths, 80 vendors, family-friendly entertainment.
Website, Twitter, Facebook
The night markets are free to attend but bring your wallet to stock up on ingredients, merchandise, and sample what vendors will be cooking up.
The other day I received a reader email about Ashiana Restaurant in Surrey telling me that it’s a must-try and that is has some of the best Indian food in the region. With a claim like that, I had to see for myself so I went out to Ashiana on 80th and Scott Road to see what the fuss was about.
Family-owned in Vancouver for the last 30 years (having the city’s first tandoori oven), Ashiana opened a second location in Surrey that has recently undergone renovations. Operated by Rick Takhar (Executive Chef & Owner), loyal customers from Vancouver even make their way to Surrey to check out this and of course to have Rick’s dishes.
Rick personally prepared and brought out a lunch feast for us that began with a simmering platter of vegetable tandoori. Bright colours popped on the dish, all thanks to natural flavours and spices – not artificial colouring.
Sizzling paneer tikka (cheese cubes that I could spend hours devouring), tandoori alu bharwan (potatoes stuffed with masala and grilled), tandoori cauliflower.
Saag paneer (spinach with cheese), and sugar-free butter chicken.
Alu gobi (cauliflower & potatoes sauteed with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic).
Vegetable oil is used in Rick’s cooking instead of ghee (a clarified butter) and it shows. The butter chicken was not thick like heavy cream although it had the classic taste of butter chicken. Flavours and spices weren’t masked, they actually popped, and didn’t leave me feeling weighed down. This was the theme of the meal – crisp, natural, with spices and herbs that danced with flavour. Ginger, pepper, turmeric, onions, they all shined.
While our lunch was specially prepared, you can find Mixed Grill Platters on the menu for $15.95, or the Heart Smart Tandoori Mixed Grill for $18.95. There were three of us at lunch and we couldn’t finish off the spread, that included rice and naan. John enjoyed the leftovers for dinner later that night.
Capping off our lunch was a plate of sweets that could also be found in the pick-up counter up front. Habshi halwa (with almonds) and a chai tea rounded out the meal perfectly.
My host told me that Rick is far too modest for his own good and this is the reason I was invited out for lunch. I had to meet this hospitable restauranteur and award-winning chef who has brought his decades of experiences to the Surrey market.
The Vancouver Ashiana Restaurant location is at 1440 Kingsway (at Knight) and the Surrey location is at 8072 Scott Road (in the plaza next to Fruiticana). If you have the chance, try it out for yourself with the family (there’s tons of space in the restaurant) or for take-out.
Surrey’s Canada Day celebration, one of the largest in the country, is once again jam-packed with free activities, entertainment, games, fireworks, and tons of Canadian bands. The line up has just been announced and it includes headliners the Sam Roberts Band.
Chevron Stage Sam Roberts Band, Hannah Georgas, The High Bar Gang (featuring Shari Ulrich, Colin Nairne, Barney Bentall and more), Andrew Allen. Blaze of Glory (a Bon Jovi Tribute), Jerry Doucette, Jordan Cook, and more.
Peak Performance Stage Two side-by-side stages that will have music going all day with the top 20 bands in BC as selected for the Peak Performance Project.
On top of the bouncy castles and amusement rides this year, there will be more high-flying entertainment with the addition of the Global FMX freestyle motocross team.
Festivities will take place at the Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre (176th Street & 64th) on Sunday, July 1, 2012 from 10:00am to 10:15pm. This event is free for the public (except the cost of rides) thanks to sponsors like Coast Capital Savings, Chevron, Fruiticana, Great Canadian Gaming Corporation and CTV.
Follow the City of Surrey’s events team on Twitter @Surrey_Events for information leading up to Canada Day.
