Add a Comment
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.
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).
The West Coast Tattoo Show is coming to Boulevard Casino in Coquitlam this weekend. If you have a tattoo, want a tattoo, are interested in tattoos or want to meet stars of TLC’s Miami Ink & New York Ink, you won’t want to miss out.
Where: Boulevard Casino, 2080 United Boulevard, Coquitlam When: Friday, April 27, 2012 from 5:00 to 11:00pm
Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 11:00am to 11:00pm
Sunday, April 29, 2012 11:00am to 6:00pm Tickets: Available online or at the door. $20 for adults and $8 for kids (Sunday only).
Over 70 exhibitors will be joined by 125 tattoo artists who will be showing off their talent. Live entertainment, seminars, the 3rd annual pin-up pageant, and tattoo awards will be found at centre stage along with Chris Nunez (from Spike TV’s Ink Masters and TLC’s Miami Ink) and Billy DeCola (TLC’s New York Ink).
Official emcees for the weekend will be Samantha Mack and The Beat 94.5’s Kid Carson. This will be a 19+ event on Friday and Saturday, with children welcome on Sunday.
I have 2 pairs of ticket 4-packs to give away to my readers. Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment naming your favourite tattoo (that you have, that you would get, or that you simply admire) (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win a 4-pack of tickets to the @wctattooshow from @miss604 http://ow.ly/auBy3
I will draw 2 winners at random from all entries, who will each receive 4 tickets to the event. You must be at least 19 years of age to enter. Contest closes Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 12:00pm. Follow the West Coast Tattoo Show on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Athletics for Kids (“A4K”) hosted their 10th annual Vegas Night fundraising gala on Friday, March 30th at the Hollyburn Country Club in West Vancouver. Hundreds of guests were in attendance to support the cause, enjoy a silent and live auction, and catch a few amateur boxers square off in the dining room’s centre ring.
Photos by John Bollwitt for Miss604.com and Athletics for Kids.
The evening’s program was hosted by TEAM 1040’s Barry MacDonald and we even had the anthem sung by Mark Donelley prior to the first bell of the matches. The Hollyburn Country Club’s gymnasium was the perfect venue since, while it was beautifully decorated, the theme of sport echoed throughout. As a result of the festivities, and many generous donors, over $52,000 was raised for Athletics for Kids.
Photos by John Bollwitt for Miss604.com and Athletics for Kids.
Equipment costs, fees, and more can prevent a child in BC from participating and gaining valuable life skills through organized sport. This is where Athletics for Kids comes in. They work to provide support for financially disadvantaged youth in the community, giving them greater access to organized sports in conjunction with their academic endeavours.
A4K is a privately-funded charity whose support is available across BC for children ages 5 to 18 who are currently enrolled in school. You can find out more about Athletics for Kids online, make a donation, and follow them on Facebook, and Twitter.
The next step is a public vote, the winner of which will have an automatic spot in the Top 3 (the other two finalists will be selected by Tourism Richmond).
From the Top 3, a winner will emerge and spend the next 365 days living, dining, and enjoying activities in Richmond, BC. The voting round is now open on Facebook until May 1, 2012.
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.
