Spring Break kicks off in just a few hours around Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley and there is no shortage of activities and events lined up for kids and families. The Burnaby Village Museum is hosting a puppet scavenger hunt and other activities from March 19th until March 25th, 12:00pm to 4:00pm.
Special Entertainment
Presented at 1:00pm and 2:30pm daily with some roving performances.
March 19th: Elwoodettes present “The Egg Detector”
March 20th: Elwoodettes present “The Egg Detector”
March 21st: Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters present “A Look at Ventriloquism”
March 22nd: Miryana Heath presents “The Princess and the Pea”
March 23rd: Miryana Heath presents “The Princess and the Pea”
March 24th: Lost and Found Puppets present “Just Enough”
March 25th: Kellie Haines & Co. presents “Springtime Follies”
Attractions
You can enjoy the carousel, costumed performers, heritage exhibits, and the Interurban display year-round.
Tickets are available on site for $6.50 per person and include carousel rides. Members and children under 2 years old are free. Follow @BBYVillage on Twitter for more information.
Related post: Free Spring Break Skate at Park Royal & Shops at Morgan Crossing.
I wanted to get this post about last night’s opening performance Ballet BC‘s Walking Mad & other works out earlier today, but I got distracted with buying tickets for when they perform at the Surrey Arts Centre next Tuesday. That’s how much I enjoyed the evening — it was original, accessible, and absolutely exquisite.
Photo courtesy of Ballet BC. Photographer: Michael Slobodian.
Featuring the Canadian premiere of Swedish choreographer Johan Inger’s Walking Mad, set to Maurice Ravel’s Bolera, the piece is an exploration of Socratic saying, “Great Blessings come to us through ways of madness.” The work was humorous and light-hearted at moments (I loved the party hats on the dancers’ heads!) and dark and almost depressing, in others—all of which constitute aspects of the madness experience.
One of the main props is a fence on wheels, which sometimes became a wall for dancers to hang on or balance or a floor for them to dance on. It also had doors for dancers to jump through and served as a metaphor for this piece on madness—a malleable wall that keeps us all from going crazy.
Though Inger’s work was no doubt completely enjoyable, the piece that moved — or even haunted — me the most me the most was between disappearing and becoming, choreographed by BC Ballet’s own Artistic Director, Emily Molnar. It is because of this piece I bought the tickets for my mom to see the show with me in Surrey (as she’s currently away).
Set to Icelandic cellist Hildur Gudnadottir’s work, the piece full of so much emotion had so many layers to it; one of which was a deconstruction female identity and her movements. There were parts of the piece where the female dancers moved very linearly and en pointe which served as such a contrast to when they broke out into a raw, passionate, more organic style of dance. This contrast was reflected in the black and white setting of the lighting design, which I thought was spectacular.
Molnar is such a talent and the company is so lucky to have her leading the reconfiguration and revitalization of the company, making ballet more appealing and accessible to audiences.
Only two shows remain at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and tickets are still available for tonight and tomorrow’s performances. Walking Mad will then head out to Surrey (Tuesday, March 13), Maple Ridge (Thursday, March 15), and Chilliwack (Saturday, March 17).
It was on March 10th 1870 the settlement know locally as Gastown was given its official name: Granville Townsite. Lord Granville was the Colonial Secretary at the time and the Granville Townsite was selected as the terminus for the Canadian Pacific Railway. It wasn’t until 1886 that the townsite was renamed, when it incorporated, as the City of Vancouver.
Surrey’s Party for the Planet is BC’s largest Earth Day celebration, happening April 27th to 28th, 2012 at the Central City Plaza. Combining earth-friendly activities, exhibits, and entertainment, the two-day festival is free for the whole family.
Entertainment
The Friday night lineup will aim to inspire youth with interactive and eco-conscious exhibits topped with musical performances from Down with Webster, Raghav, The Boom Booms, Good for Grapes, Shawn Hook and DJ Jay Swing.
On Saturday there will be a family focus with performances by Bobs & Lolo, SuperChefs, the Celebration Dance Team, Mike Battie, and more along with a meet n’ greet with the Backyardigans.
The main stage will once again be “off the gride” with bike and solar power.
Exhibitors
Green organizations returning this year include Nature Matters’ Salmon Life Cycle Obstacle Course, Surrey Nature Centre’s Forest Display, Orphaned Wildlife Rescue’s Birds of Prey Demonstration, Scavenger Hunt Straw Maze, BC Chicken Growers Poultry in Motion Educational Mini Barn, and the Safeway Country Farm.
Stop by this FREE event on Friday, April 27th from 4:00pm to 10:00pm and Saturday, April 28th from 10:00am to 5:00pm. There are many transit options to get there and the plaza is just steps away from Surrey Central SkyTrain station. Surrey’s Party for the Planet is a carbon neutral event.
Miss604.com is a proud Media Partner of Surrey’s Party for the Planet.
Stunning views, towering trees, and lush grassy hills make local parks the perfect place for a stroll, a bike ride, and even a picnic or a fine meal. There are over a dozen restaurants in Vancouver Parks and the latest addition is the new Cactus Club on English Bay.
Photos courtesy of Cactus Club Cafe
ENGLISH BAY: Cactus Club Cafe
A great place to stop along the sea wall, to and from Stanley Park, or to spend a whole in the sand by the water. This is Vancouver’s newest sea-side restaurant, located next to the bath house right along Beach Avenue. Stop by to try your favourite Cactus Club menu items and enjoy the sunset.
HARBOUR GREEN PARK: Mill Marine Bistro
This is one of our favourite watering holes paired with a view of Coal Harbour, float planes, Harbour Green Park, Stanley Park, and the North Shore mountains. Try one of their various Caesars on a Sunday morning after a sea wall stroll.
KITSILANO BEACH PARK: Boathouse Restaurant
A local seafood institution, The Boathouse is your best bet for brunch, bennies, and a lobster bisque. Enjoy great views of the city and explore Kitsilano’s waterfront or West 4th shopping district just up the hill.
QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK: Seasons in the Park
Atop Vancouver’s Little Mountain, Seasons caps off the lush and beautiful gardens in Queen Elizabeth Park. Another great sunset spot or brunch destination with panoramic views of the city.
STANLEY PARK: Fish House, Prospect Point Cafe, The Teahouse, Stanley’s Park Bar and Grill
Hike up to the Prospect Point Cafe and enjoy a pint while traffic rushes by on the Lions Gate and tour buses line the lot at this famous lookout. Walk over to the Fish House Restaurant from the West End or enjoy a romantic evening at The Teahouse.
VANDUSEN BOTANICAL GARDEN: Shaughnessy Restaurant
Cap off a tour of the 55-acre gardens and seasonal displays with lunch or dinner selections from the West Coast-inspired menu.
GOLF CLUBHOUSES: Fraserview Golf Course, Langara Golf Course, McCleery Golf Course
Vancouver’s golf courses are a great place to get outdoors, practice your swing, entertain clients, and enjoy time with friends. The clubhouses offer a selection of dining options as well as event hosting and catering for larger groups.
To promote dining in Vancouver parks, Cactus Club Cafe has generously offered up a $50 gift card for one of my readers so that they can enjoy the new English Bay location.
CONTEST CLOSED
- Leave a comment naming your favourite Vancouver park (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 11:00am next Thursday, March 15, 2012.
Update The winner is Christina! (Comment March 7, 2:27pm)
