On Saturday I went to the Vancouver Opera’s opening night of The Barber of Seville. Now, I love going to the opera. Not only because I love the operatic voices, but also because I love the experience that comes with going to the opera. I usually get there a half-hour early, have a drink, and watch as the audience members walk in all dressed up (some in ball gowns and tuxes, even) — a rare occurrence in Vancouver. It’s always a glorious evening.
Photo by Tim Matheson for Vancouver Opera
And while The Barber of Seville did make me chuckle, and everyone else in the audience, I must admit (and it pains me to say so) but that this was my least favourite Vancouver Opera production I’ve seen.
I found the blocking (how the performances move across the stage) very awkward and distracting. Between the chaotic way the male extras ran around he stage in their underwear, to the tiny space used as Figaro’s barber shop, to how crowded it got up in Rosina’s dressing room, I felt the production to be a bit claustrophobic. I think that operatic sets should have the space and room for its performers’ big voices — which these performers did have.
I loved Joshua Hopkin’s (Figaro) beautiful baritone voice and I felt like jumping up and cheering after he sang “Figaro”. I also really liked the steadiness in Thomas Hammons’ (Doctor Bartolo) voice as well as the sensuality that Mezzo-soprano Sandra Piques Eddy brought to Rosina’s songs.
All in all, it was a fantastic evening but I just wished there was less clutter and busyness to properly showcase the performers.
The Barber of Seville is on now until Sunday, March 25th (matinee). Check out this classic and enjoy the local opera experience yourself.
As a child growing up in Surrey — the former city of parks — walking trails, forest explorations, and playgrounds were what made me the most happy on a warm spring day. Winter is gone for another year and that means I need to dust-off my Metro Vancouver Park Series to showcase more great green spaces in our region starting with today’s feature: Peach Arch Provincial Park.
Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr
Basics
Peace Arch Provincial Park is located at the Canada, USA border crossing in South Surrey with a total of 16 hectares of space, 9 of which are on the Canadian side.
How to get there
Take Highway 99 South toward Blaine, Washington. The highway will turn into the Peace Arch border crossing and then into Interstate 5 in Washington State. To get to the park, you’ll want to turn off the highway before you get to the border. Turn right at Beach Avenue (there will be signs) and you’ll find the parking lot.
History
The Arch was constructed to commemorate the centennial (1814-1914) of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814. The Treaty of Ghent ended the war of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, a conflict that was waged in North America and involved Canadians, as well as Americans and British. [source]
The Peace Arch, dedicated in 1921, was the first such structure in the world. It was built on the International Boundary between Canada and the United States to commemorate the lasting peace between the two countries. School children from the United States and Canada donated money for the purchase of the land surrounding the Peace Arch and in 1939 the Canadian portion of the Peace Arch Park was officially dedicated. [source]
Features
The biggest attraction is the Peach Arch itself but there is a vast lawn, picnic area (with 42 tables), picnic shelters, playground, and full washrooms. You can book the picnic shelter (for a fee) between April 1 and November 15 by calling (604) 541-1217. The landscape is beautifully decorated with flower gardens, a lily pond, and capped off with views of Semiahmoo Bay. Pets are allowed but must be on-leash.
Since park visitors will technically be picnicking and romping on the grass of no man’s land between the two countries, you may be asked to provide identification if a border officer requests it. Also of note, there was construction affecting access to the Arch field but it should be completed this season.
Find more parks by browsing all 38 entries in my Metro Vancouver Park Series.
Vancouver’s a great city for a walking tour and now we can add murals to the list of sights to see. The City of Vancouver has outlined four self-guided mural tours, that take about 30-60 minutes each, which you can explore in advance through an interactive online map.
Each tour has a map and a mobile phone component. Download the PDF map for your tour of choice then follow the instructions to call-in and hear audio about the various pieces.
The mural tours are a part of the Great Beginnings Program. Developed by the City of Vancouver in 2008, Great Beginnings aims to celebrate history, heritage, and culture in Vancouver’s first urban areas. These include the neighbourhoods of Gastown, Chinatown, Japantown, and Strathcona. Through a provincial commitment of $10 million over three years, a large part of the program will restore the original public appeal of these neighbourhoods through improvements to streets, buildings, public space, and public safety. These centres have a foundation that can be built upon to support cultural activities, celebrations, and festivals for residents and visitors.
The Vancouver International Tequila Expo arrives next month at the Vancouver Convention Centre East. With proceeds benefitting the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation (“BCHF”), locals and visitors will be able to attend tastings and learn more about this spirit.
Tastings
Trade and Media Tasting (nominal fee includes donation to BCHF)
Consumer Tasting: Guests can sample full lines of well-known brands like Tequila Don Julio & Cabo Wabo Tequila, and newcomers to the market like T1 Tequila Uno & Tavi Tequila. You can also experience brands not yet imported to British Columbia such as Azuñia Tequila. ($65)
Seminars
Tequila 101: History, culture, and production ($45)
Ancient Origins of Agave Spirits: Prehistoric precursors to tequila ($45)
The Vancouver Tequila Expo will take place Saturday, May 12, 2012 and you must be of legal drinking age to enjoy the day’s events. Tickets are currently available online.
The Canucks Autism Network is hosting a free family festival in celebration of the 5th annual World Autism Awareness Day. The will be live entertainment, food, the autism walk, and family-friendly activities along with visits by surprise special guests.
When Sunday, April 1, 2012 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Where Jack Poole Plaza (Vancouver Convention Centre West)
You can fundraise for the Canucks Autism Network and the autism walk by collecting pledges. There will be prizes for the top fundraisers and various other fundraising level prizes.
Food will be provided by Vera’s Burgers, and families can enjoy live entertainment from Georgia Murray, Redgy Blackout, Jessica Beach, and Axe Capoeira dancers. The Olympic cauldron will also be lit for the duration of the festival.
The Canucks Autism Network‘s mission is: “To provide year round, innovative, high quality sports, recreational, social and vocational programs for individuals and families living with autism, and to build awareness and capacity through community networks across British Columbia”
