Richard III at Bard on the Beach

Add a Comment by Michelle Kim
Disclosure: 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.

One of my all-time favourite plays, Shakespeare’s Richard III, will be opening at Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival this Saturday night at Vanier Park.

Directed by Kathryn Shaw, Richard III completes a two-play lineup (the first being Henry VI: The War of the Roses–an amalgamation of Henry VI part 1,2, and 3) in the 240-seat Douglas Campbell Studio Stage tent and is the closing chapter in the epic struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster for the English throne.

Physically deformed and sinister Richard (Bob Frazer), Duke of Gloucester, murders and manipulates his way to the throne, while both confiding and tricking the audience along the way. Now, Richard is probably one of the most challenging Shakespearian characters to master for an actor because not only does he have to be intensely unlikeable but also the audience must feel sympathetic toward him, especially near the end of the play. But from what I saw of Frazer’s work with Richard in Henry VI: The War of the Roses (yes, the same actors perform in Richard III), I’m sure he will handle it spectacularly (I loved his performance as Bif in Death of a Salesman earlier in the year—for which he just won Outstanding Supporting Actor at the Jessie Awards).

To prepare yourself for this epic play either see Henry VI: The War of the Roses, which plays in repertory with Richard III, read the play, and/or watch one of my favourite documentaries, Looking for Richard, about Al Pacino’s fascination with Shakespeare, the play and character of Richard. Richard III runs until September 23, 2011 at Vanier Park.

This feature was written exclusively for Miss604 by actor, writer, and producer, Michelle Kim. Read all posts contributed by Michelle for Miss604.com and follow her on Twitter @miju.

Reminder: Enter to win the “Bard-B-Q” experience. Tickets to As You Like It on the main stage, a salmon barbecue picnic, and reserved seating for the Celebration of Light Fireworks.

Parks Canada 100 Contest

Comments 100 by Rebecca Bollwitt

It’s the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada this year and to celebrate, they’re hosting events around the country.

Alsek Trail
Kluane National Park. Photo credit: Anthony DeLorenzo on Flickr

This weekend you can check out Parks Canada Day in Stanley Park at Brockton Oval with activities for the whole family and concert stage headliner, K’Naan.

A highlight of my summers growing up were always our family’s camping trips. We’ve camped across the country and around the province, from Kimberley to Wells Gray. BC itself has 7 National Parks, from the Rockies to Vancouver Island. We’re very fortunate to have such a vast outdoor playground in our province and from coast to coast, to coast.

Parks Canada has offered up two family prize packs for me to offer my readers. Each prize pack includes:
1 x Family Discovery Pass ($136.40)
2 x Parks Canada Centennial water bottle
4 x Parks Canada centennial key rings
4 x Parks Canada centennial pins

Here’s how you can enter to win one of these family prize packs from Parks Canada:

  • Leave a comment on this post naming a National Park. It could be your favourite or one you found on the directory (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
  • I entered to win 1 of 2 @ParksCanada family prize packs from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/5DNGf

    I will draw two winners at 10:00am on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. Follow @ParksCanada on Twitter for more information and offers during their 100th anniversary this year.

    Update My winners are Cam and @theMizzGoldie!

    Canadian Open Fastpitch 2011

    Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

    Team Canada will be playing a double header tomorrow in the Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championships in Surrey. Facing off against Australia and Team USA, Canada currently sits in third behind the USA and Japan.


    Jill Russell #14 3rd Base Team Canada.
    Photo courtesy of VisionQuest

    There are plenty of local women on our national team including Paige Collins (Delta), Kelsey Haberl (North Delta), Jennifer Yee (North Delta), Melanie Matthews (Surrey), and Jocelyn Cater (Delta).

    California A’s, Renegades Elite, China Nanjing University, Team Venezuela, Team Japan, White Rock Renegades, Team Canada, USA, and Australia are all competing.

    The Scotiabank Canadian Open Fastpitch Futures Gold (U19) & Showcase Gold (16U) International Championship is on now until July 17th.

    Wear your ‘Canadian colours’ and you could win a freestyle BMX bike courtesy of Canadian Tire.

    Catch both Team Canada games at Softball City in Surrey at 6:30pm and 8:30pm tomorrow. Day passes are $7-$16 and are available at the gate.

    Vancouver Folk Music Festival 2011

    Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

    The Vancouver Folk Music Festival will take over Jericho Beach this weekend with 3 days of performances on seven different stages.

    Festival Dancing
    Photo credit: Canadian Veggie on Flickr

    Daily shows and workshops start around 10:00am and flow well into the evening with three stages of entertainment going strong through 10:00pm. Artists include Jim Bryson and the Weakerthans, Dustin Bentall & Kendel Carson, Buck 65, Josh Ritter & The Royal City, and many more.

    Aside from dancers, singers, bands, and performers of all kinds the festival also hosts a Folk Bazaar, vendor and food tents, and a Little Folks Village for the kids.

    Individual tickets start at $40 and full 3-day passes (for July 15-17) are available for $150 in advance. Follow @VanFolkFest on Twitter for information leading up to and throughout the festival.

    Live at Squamish 2011: Kyprios

    Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

    As he was about to venture up the Grouse Grind with family visiting from out of town, I had a chat with Vancouver’s own Kyprios this morning. The Juno-nominated artist, who inadvertently wrote what became an anthem for Canucks fans this season, will be hitting the stage at Live at Squamish this August.


    Parent advisory: Contains some mature lyrics

    “It has been a big year but there’s still work to do,” said Kyprios who was the 2010 Peak Performance Project winner. “I have to finish my album and I’m still working on a musical that I’ve been working on for two years.”

    His single “How the West Was Won” was released during the Canucks playoff run in April and quickly found momentum getting local radio and television airplay. “The highest expectations we had was for it to be played on the local sports station…. …for it to have been as anthemic as it was and for us getting to play Game One of the Stanley Cup Finals was nothing that we’d ever expected.”

    The talented MC, who has paid his dues from coast to coast, has also been touring most of the spring through to June and is finally taking some time off during which he’ll be getting married. His schedule will ramp up again toward the end of summer, with an album to prepare for release, and he’ll head to the second annual Live at Squamish. “Being able to have access to that many people and that diverse a crowd is really great,” he said with regards to the festival format. “People know that they’re there for a couple days or an entire day so beyond getting their money’s worth they want to get the experience.”

    Kyprios will be joined by a 10-piece band, The Chaperones. “I’ve never claimed to be the best musician in the city but I do make claims of playing with them.” Fans and festival goers can expect a high-energy set from this impressive collaboration. “We work our asses off when we play,” Kyprios added. “You can physically tell that something’s happened from the time we begin a show to the time it’s ended.”

    Live at Squamish 2010 - Media Preview & Soundcheck

    On top of all of the amazing local and international acts, Live at Squamish will also have vendors, food, beer gardens, camping (sold out), a silent disco (where you dance with one of 200 wireless headsets), Rich Hope’s Barber Shop, and the Virgin Mobile Cafe.

    Tickets are still available for one day or full weekend access. If you didn’t get the chance to book a campsite, hotel packages can be found and there will once again be a shuttle from downtown Squamish to the festival.

    Catch Kyprios August 20th (day one) on the Stawamus Stage with the stunning Stawamus Chief in the background. Stars, John Butler Trio, Girl Talk, Hey Ocean, and Metric will also perform August 20th with Weezer, The Dudes, Major Lazer (ft Diplo), Bend Sinister and more performing August 21st. Follow @Kyprios12 and @LiveAtSquamish on Twitter for updates and info.

    Miss604.com is proud to sponsor Live at Squamish 2011.