Phineas & Ferb have taught me two things lately. The first is that the Disney cartoon featuring two inventive step-brothers, their friends, and their pet platypus (turned secret agent spy) is a huge hit with my nephews. The second is that I now know, Everything’s Better with Perry. This hit show is on the road and coming to Vancouver for just one weekend.
Disney’s Phineas & Ferb Best Live Tour Ever
Where Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver
Dates January 27 to January 29, 2012
Showtimes 7:00pm Friday, 12:00pm & 3:00pm Saturday, 1:00pm & 4:00pm Sunday
Tickets Available now for $20-75 from Ticketmaster
I spent the afternoon at the show in Everett yesterday on a press junket with writers and their children. I borrowed my nephew Cameron since, as he told me enthusiastically, he watches the Phineas & Ferb EVERY DAY! Having never seen the show myself, I was quickly brought up to speed thanks to watching the motion picture Phinaes & Ferb The Movie: Across the 2nd Dimension on the bus and going over a trivia booklet with 104 questions. I can now tell you why they went to Mount Rushmore, which one of them can communicate with dolphins, and why Dr. Doofenshmirtz wants to destroy all lawn gnomes in the Tri State area.
The plot of the live show revolves around the characters trying to put on a live show. As a result, the “show within a show” is lighthearted and entertaining. There is a lot of singing and dancing along with audience participation. My nephew, who is often too shy to speak, was engaged the entire time and shouting out responses when prompted. Kids who are already fans of the cartoon will enjoy hearing familiar tunes from the characters they love.
The show is funny for kids and adults alike, and it’s always interesting to see how Disney translates cartoon characters to live-action. The sets, as to be expected, were colourful and imaginative, and the lighting was dazzling. The cast was incredibly friendly (we were fortunate enough to meet them before the show) and they had an unimaginable amount of energy both on and off stage.
If you would like to see Disney’s Phineas & Ferb The Best Live Tour Ever when it comes to Vancouver, I have a 4-pack of tickets available to give away. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment here naming a favourite character or song from the show (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw 1 winner on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 3:00pm. The winner will receive tickets to the 7:00pm performance on Friday, January 27, 2012.
Update The winner is Tanya!
The Bachelor is coming to Canada and not just on an extravagant date. The Bachelor Canada, from Force Four Entertainment and Citytv, was announced this morning.
The Bachelor Canada will have 9 episodes, with pre-production starting in the spring. Starting today, they are kicking off a nation-wide casting call for single ladies who would like to find love on reality television.
From this morning’s press release: “The Bachelor has long been a fan favourite on Citytv and we look forward to putting a Canadian spin on this thriving franchise,” said Claire Freeland, Director of Original Programming, Rogers Media, and Executive Producer of The Bachelor Canada. “Canada is brimming with eligible bachelors and bachelorettes and we’re excited to offer them the opportunity to embark on their own quest for love through this entertaining series.”
While the bachelor himself hasn’t yet been announced, ladies can fill out a form online in the meantime to throw their hat in the ring. The show is slated to start filming in the fall.
Follow The Bachelor Canada Twitter or Facebook for news and updates.
Related: Read my interview with The Bachelorette: Jillian Harris.
This Valentine’s Day you can escape the city and snuggle up at a beautiful riverside inn. Rowena’s Inn, at Pretty Estates, blew us away this summer when we visited and stayed in one of their signature log cabins along with Harrison River. It was one of the most romantic places we’ve been fortunate enough to visit and they’re offering up a Valentine’s package for you and your special someone.
Rowena’s Inn. Photo credit: John Bollwitt
Sweethearts can book the Valentine’s Weekend Package from February 9 to February 19, 2012 that includes a 2-night cabin stay, a bottle of bubbly from Domaine De Chaberton, a giftwrapped box of handmade chocolates and a welcome card containing $50 worth of “Romance Rewards” to be used at River’s Edge Restaurant. Chopped wood stacked by the fire, a dozen long-stem roses, and a fruit & cheese platter will await cabin guests as well. Breakfast is always included and a basket will appear at your door in the morning — filled to the brim with coffee, juice, and a two full breakfasts.
Rowena’s is right at Harrison Mills, around the mountain from Harrison Hot Springs and within a short drive from Hemlock Valley Resort for skiers, boarders, tubers, and snowshoers.
A variety of activities and services can be added-on to your Valentine’s experience such as in-cabin massages, Afternoon Tea, golfing at Sandpiper Golf Club (which is on the property), wine tastings, cooking classes, and adventures at Hemlock. When we stayed in the summer I booked us an eco-tour out of Harrison Hot Springs.
Afternoon Tea at the inn. Photo credit: John Bollwitt
The Valentine’s Weekend Package is $635 plus taxes and can be booked (over any 2-nights) from February 9 to February 19, 2012. We just fell in love with Rowena’s last summer and promised to return in the winter. A warning: there are no televisions in the cabins, just a roaring fireplace, a soaker tub, and tree-lined views. I haven’t booked our winter cabin stay yet but Pretty Estates is offering up the full Valentine’s Weekend Package to one of my readers — here’s how you can enter to win this dreamy getaway:
- Leave a comment here listing who you would like to share this experience with (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner next Friday, January 27, 2012 at 12:00pm. You must be 19 years of age or older to enter and win. No blackout dates for the prize but reservations are based on availability.
Update The winner is @DouglasFGrant!
Have you ever watched a movie down South with a cold beer in your hand at establishments like the Alamo Drafthouse in Texas or Cinebarre in Washington State? Have you ever wondered why you can’t do the same in BC? Well, our BC Liquor laws state that you cannot have bar service in a movie theatre, plain and simple. This is something that the Rio Theatre has been trying to change for a long time.
Earlier this week we heard news that the Rio Theatre was granted their primary liquor license. A huge victory, one would think. The East Vancouver movie house could now host 19+ performances and events with a bar service and return to their regularly scheduled, dry, movie nights. Cue the record scratch.
Yesterday it was announced that the BC Liquor Control and Licensing Branch issued a condition to the Rio Theatre that stated that even though they’re not planning on serving alcohol during movie nights, with this new license they can’t have any movie nights. The Rio was notified of this condition orally and in writing ahead of time, per Karen Ayers, General Manager of the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch [Vancouver Sun].
“By regulation, movie theatres are prohibited from applying for a liquor primary license. Under current regulations and policies, you cannot operate as a licensed live theatre at some times and an unlicensed movie theatre at others. Therefore the following term and condition will be placed on your liquor primary license: This establishment is not permitted to show movies or any type of cinematic screenings at any time.”
Upon receiving this notice, Corinne Lea, General Manager and Owner of the Rio Theatre made the decision to stop having movie nights [Vancouver Sun]. No more midnight screenings in costume (which I believe is a right of passage as a Vancouverite), no more cheap matinees.
“We are very disappointed that this condition has been placed on us by the LCB, as this means we will no longer be able to show our community film events such as our Midnight Movies, Movies For Mommies, The Friends of Dorothy Queer Film series, the DOXA and Out on Screen Film Festival, to name a few. In addition, we will no longer be able to support Independent film screenings for local animators and filmmakers, creating a huge void in Vancouver’s cultural fabric.”
They will be taking this up with the government but until then Lea says that the Rio will be dark on days they don’t have live events scheduled.
Follow @RioTheatre on Twitter for updates and to show your support. Quotes used in this post were issued in a Rio Theatre press release this morning.
For additional reading, check out The Tyee’s recent article: BC’s Top Five Looniest Liquor Laws. The list includes prohibiting artists on stage from drinking, no cross provincial border wine smuggling, and no happy hours.
In case you’re wondering why Robson and Granville has been so busy with construction lately, there is a large project underway.
This involves an overhaul of the Power Block at 817-819 Granville, where Charlie’s Music was located. The building (circa 1888 rear & 1929 front) is designated a category “B” heritage building so its art deco facade is protected under a Designation By-law (circa 1976). The facade will remain intact as a new structure gets built behind it according to Heritage Vancouver.
That new structure will also take over the space right next to it, immediately on the corner of Robson and Granville. The fate of the current building at 720 Robson is looking grim at the moment. Gutted, taped, and boarded, it’s getting ready to come down completely.
720 Robson is not on the heritage reigster so it will be completely demolished. It used to house Granville Optical (on the corner), True Value Vintage, Hitz Boutique, and more.
The development proposal, for the building that will slip around behind 817-819 Granville’s facade as well as take up 720 Robson, is for a five storey building with two storeys of retail and three storeys of office space. This will sit above two levels of underground parking, accessible from the back lane.
According to the City’s Urban Design Panel (“UDP”) minutes, the developer wanted to achieve LEED Silver status with the new building but the City recommended going for LEED Gold — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) being the Canadian standard for green building. Other recommendations were made by the UDP including the addition of a green roof.
Rumours have been flying around about what might move into this space (and HMV’s old space on Burrard and Robson) and they all involve major American retailers.
Update February 2012 Here’s the latest shot of the building coming down. You can spot an old painted advertisement on the side of Charlie’s.
