The nominees for the 2012 YWCA’s Women of Distinction Awards have been announced with 71 women recognized in 11 categories including arts and culture, education and training, health and wellness, young woman of distinction, and more.
Tickets are now on sale for the 29th annual awards ceremony that will take place May 24th and until that time, you can vote for the Connecting the Community award. This is the only category that is left up to a public vote and it includes all nominees.
Nominees have selected a YWCA program area they would like to represent for the Connecting the Community award: early learning and child care, reducing child poverty, safe and affordable housing, healthy choices for youth, preventing violence against women. Scotiabank will then donate $10,000 to the program of the winner’s choice.
As a part of my sponsorship once again this year, I will be providing a live blog with photos by John Bollwitt. Follow YWCA Metro Vancouver on Facebook and Twitter for news and information. Follow the awards @YWVanWODA.
LEGO, those lovable inter-locking blocks we fell in love with as children, has opened up a shop in Oakridge Centre and they will be celebrating with an official Grand Opening event from May 4th to 6th.
Where: West Galleria, Oakridge Centre (650 West 41st) When: Friday, May 4 from 11:00am to 7:00pm; Saturday, May 5 from 10:00am to 6:00pm; Sunday, May 6 from 11:00am to 6:00pm. What: Master Builder event with Erik Varszegi who will be constructing a larger than life 8-foot tall R2-D2 model, made entirely out of LEGO bricks.
The celebration will also include giveaways and in-store offers each day. The LEGO store features popular sets as well as bulk bricks, so you can pick up 5 red blocks, 4 blue, 10 white, or however many you need to complete you sets at home.
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by Michelle KimDisclosure: Review — Miss604.com was not paid to write this review or any other. Michelle Kim did receive complimentary media tickets to the show in order to write her review. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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The Vancouver Opera ends it season with a new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida, which is possibly the best production I’ve seen put on by the Vancouver Opera to date. Talk about ending with bang. Every single moment of this opera is absolutely riveting.
Aida tells the story of Aida, an Ethiopian princess, who is captured and brought into slavery in Egypt. A military commander, Radames, struggles to choose between his love for her and his loyalty to the Pharaoh and Egypt. Things get complicated when Aida’s father is captured as well, forcing Radames to decide where his true allegiances lie—with his country or his heart.
This production was everything an opera should be—a story of star-crossed lovers, heart-wrenching librettos, grand sets, and gorgeous voices.
Stand-out performances were the women for me: Mezzo-soprano Daveda Karanas’s Amneris, daughter of the Pharoh, and Russian Mlada Khudoley’s Aida. Both these women were able to outshine all the gold on stage with their soaring songs and transcendent voices. I also love the ballet dancing incorporated into the production, choreographed by Chan Hon Goh. The lyrical dancing adds a rich physical texture, which runs beautifully in parallel with the vocal lyricism in the show.
The sets were on loan from the Edmonton Opera and while I found them a bit outlandish (I’m a minimalist, at heart), I was told that it was a really pared down set in comparison to other productions of this opera. I’m glad Vancouver Opera decided to pare down the set because it makes the audience focus more of the emotional realism of the story and the voices—which is a good thing, because that’s where the lavishness of Aida truly lies.
Fire up the carousel and get the Crazy Beach Party spinning, Playland is opening up for the 2012 season this weekend. From April 28th until June 24th the amusement park will be open Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00am to 6:00pm with Monday to Friday admission starting June 15th.
Last year Playland added the Atmosfear ride, which is the second tallest ride in Canada. It returns along with favourites like the Corkscrew, Enterprise, Pirate Ship, and more.
In recent years I’ve had some of the most laugh-inducing and ‘smille til your cheeks hurt’ moments at the park with Keira-Anne, John Biehler, and John — and usually while we’re all riding bumper cars. You are never too old to have fun.
The Fair at the PNE will run from August 18th to September 3rd, with Playland ending its season September 30th.
Season PlayPasses are now available starting at $39.95 (online, for juniors).
