When the Vancouver Opera announced that they would be presenting West Side Story, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Would it be a Broadway-style musical or would it be an opera? Turns out, much to my surprise and delight, it was both.
The performance started out with dialogue as the Jets and the Sharks establish edtheir struggle to take power of the neighbourhood, then it rolled into a musical with “The Jet Song,” and then when Tony (Colin Aisnworth) appears, it was opera. In fact it was only Tony and Maria (Lucia Cesaroni) who offer any operatic flair, which makes sense since their music and lyrics are very elegant and passionate. And to be quite honest, it was just the right amount of opera for this story – any more would have been forced. After all, this is a story about the mean streets of New York City in the mid 1950s. Too much opera would have been weird.
Though I thoroughly enjoyed this version of West Side Story (I’ve seen a few and it’s by far the best I’ve ever seen), I found that the lyrics being projected onto the screen really distracted me from the performances especially when you could understand what the performers were saying/singing, as it was all in English. As some of the stage fighting made me giggle at the beginning, but then it got really serious and convincing as the show went on.
Stand-out performances were Aisnworth, Cesaroni, and Cleopatra Williams (Anita). Tracey Kye’s choreography was superb – making thugs look like they do ballet moves everyday.
Next up for the opera – another story about star-crossed lovers. One of the originals, Romeo and Juliet which will run from November 26 to December 3, 2011.
Seattle’s Pike Place Market is not only an icon, it’s an attraction that draws over 10 million visitors each year as well as locals who are fortunate enough to have so much fresh fish and produce at their fingertips.
I met up with Ben Franz-Knight, Executive Director of the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (“PDA“) for a quick tour this past week. We convened next to Rachel the Pig, in front of Pike Place Fish which is famous for their salmon-slinging staff.
Here’s the rundown for the oldest continuously running market in the United States: There are about 300 commercial businesses (from artisans to florists, collectors, bakers, and butchers), 85 farmers (Pike Place is where you can Meet the Producers of your food), 240 craftspeople, 325 buskers (you’ll find them near on the music notes that have been painted on the ground), and 500 residents (many of them in low-income housing).
We walked by Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, where gallons of milk are trucked and pumped in daily and public can view the cheese-making process first-hand through the ground-to-ceiling windows around the building. Further down the roadway we stopped into Starbucks store #1. It’s not the original location but this one has been here since 1976 and only serves what Starbucks offered back then: coffee (no cranberry bliss bars or paninis).
Crossing the street to the North Arcade I learned that every single morning vendors vie for their spots. There’s an opening bell and, based on seniority, vendors here in the arcade get to select their stalls – meaning they setup all of their wares, from scratch, each day.
The arcade was bustling with buskers on guitar or violin; vendors with jewelry, belt buckles, and clocks; pots of honey, strips of jerky, packs of cheese; dresses, hats, scarves, and tie-dyed shirts.
We made our way Down Under where three more levels of the market expand down and reach the waterfront from the Hill Climb stairs. In this fully covered mall-like area of the market, permanent shop owners sell everything from collectibles and books to magic supplies.
Strapping on a hard-hat we walked past the notorious Gum Wall (or Wall of Gum) that was voted the 2nd most germ-laden attraction in the world (the Blarney Stone taking the top spot). The safety gear was so that we could check in on the Market Theatre and the Economy Building renovations.
Looping back around I finally had an understanding of the small “city within a city” that is Pike Place Market. From the fresh rain-drenched air of the Main Arcade, to the wandering aromas of Corner Market, Triangle Building, and the North End. Baked goods, cheeses, spices, and fruits tickle your nostrils and perhaps even your taste buds as many samples are being offered out on the street.
Everywhere you look, there are unique touches that were either contributed by former cornerstones of the community, artists, organizations, or colourful characters.
The next time you visit you can take a guided tour, spend hours exploring (and tasting) on your own, or hop in and out to get ingredients for a home-cooked meal. Follow @Pike_Place on Twitter or Facebook for more information and check out their upcoming special events for the Pike Place Market Foundation.
The 8th annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade will once again brighten up the streets of downtown Vancouver on December 4, 2011 but with a slightly different route this year.
Photo credit:
kiwi_cam on Flickr – from the Miss604 Flickr Pool
According to a press release that I received from the organizers, the Vancouver Art Gallery grounds will not be available (I’m assuming because of Occupy Vancouver) so they’re moving the festive headquarters to Thurlow.
Our focus is on working with the City to make sure we have a route that can accommodate Parade goers and allow us to raise as much food and funds for the Food Bank as possible,” explained Parade producer Robyn Jones-Murrell.
The Capital Saving Christmas Square will be located on Thurlow between Georgia and Melville from 10:30am to 1:00pm. The parade will start at 1:00pm heading East from West Georgia and Broughton but then turn left on Burrard (instead of right on Howe like before) and end at Cordova.
Spectators are reminded to bring donations for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society as this event is an important fundraiser each year. Since 2004, more than $96,200 and 63,500lbs of food have been collected at the parade.
The new route map is published on the parade’s website.
Update November 8, 2011: First responders in Vancouver have been named the Grand Marshals of the parade. The Vancouver Police Department, Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services and the BC Ambulance Service will be participating.
November 8, 2011 contest announcement: See below to enter to win a pair of tickets.
Discovery Channel’s Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage are bringing their myth-busting show on the road and will appear in Vancouver for one night only January 22, 2012 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Mythbusters Publicity Image
“MythBusters: Behind the Myths,” promises to be a fantastical evening of on-stage experiments, audience participation, rocking video and behind-the-scenes stories. For the first time ever, fans will join Jamie and Adam on stage and assist in their mind-blowing and mind-twisting approach to science.
I know that there are quite a few fans out there including our friend John Biehler who, somehow, got the announcer of the show (Robert Lee) to record his own voicemail message.
Aside from their successful show, countless media appearances, and a collection of honorary association memberships, Hyneman and Savage were even hand-picked by the President of the United States to re-test a legend.
Tickets for this unique show will go on sale on November 12, 2011 at 10:00am through Ticketmaster online, by phone, or in person.
Update I have managed to secure two tickets to this show to give away to one lucky reader, thanks to Paul Mercs Concerts. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at 3:00pm on Friday, November 11, 2011. Tickets go on sale Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 10:00am.
Update The winner is Rebecca! (Comment Nov 9th)
(c) 2011 Discovery Communications, LLC. MythBusters and logo are trademarks owned by Discovery Communications, LLC., used under license.
The local news station had a “guaranteed high of 9 degrees” today. November is here and it’s going to be getting pretty chilly around Metro Vancouver. Luckily, events and activities still abound indoors, outdoors, and up on the sugar-dusted mountains. The following events have been contributed to Miss604.com:
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Shout for Somalia! Fundraiser
Green Screen Film Festival in West Vancouver
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Green Screen Film Festival in West Vancouver
Thursday, November 3, 2011
A Stranger A Day
David Suzuki – Lecture: The Global Eco-crisis: Is It Too Late?
4th Annual SCENE fundraiser for Pacific Cinematheque
1 to 10: Stories that Shape the World
Fall Into Market at Granville Island
Green Screen Film Festival in West Vancouver
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