Theatre Under the Stars (“TUTS”) first premiered at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park in 1940 and it’s still going strong. On stage for July and August 2011 TUTS presents Bye Bye Birdie and Anything Goes.

Bye Bye Birdie “Rock and roll returns to Malkin Bowl as Bye Bye Birdie, written by Michael Stewart with music by Charles Strouse and Lyrics by Lee Adams, kicks off the 65th season. Set in 1960 as teenagers all across North America are going crazy for rock star, Conrad Birdie.”

Photo courtesy of TUTS

Bye Bye Birdie will be presented even days in July and odd days in August, and Anything Goes will be odd days in July and even days in August. All shows start at 8pm except if it’s a fireworks night (July 30, August 3, August 6) then they’ll begin at 7:00pm. Tickets are currently on sale starting at $29 with group rates available. Children 5 and under are free.

I have a ticket giveaway for each performance starting today with Bye Bye Birdie. If you would like a pair of tickets for this season’s Theatre Under the Stars in Stanley Park, here’s how you can enter to win:

I will draw one winner at random from all entries this Friday, July 15, 2011 at 10:30am. The next TUTS contest will begin in August and new contest entry text will be provided at that time.

Update July 2011 The first winner is Leah! We had 83 Twitter entries and 126 comment entries. I’m going to reset this count for the next contest that is coming up shortly.

Update August 2011 I have one more giveaway for Anything Goes that will be playing on even days this month (except fireworks nights). Here’s how you can enter to win two vouchers for this performance on the night of your choice.

I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 6:00pm.

Update August 2011 My second winner is Holly!

Vancouver 125 presented Summer Live this weekend in Stanley Park that saw dozens of local acts take to two stages in our city’s most beautiful setting. Hoola hoops, mini donuts, Frisbees, dancing, and more took place on the lawn with a backdrop of evergreens, surrounded by water.

Since we were away most of the weekend we only caught the very last part of Summer Live last night but here are a few of John‘s photos (view the full set on Flickr):

Arriving on the grounds, I immediately wondered (and I’m sure I’m not alone) if we can bring a festival like this back to the park each year. You could barely hear the stage noise from downtown (across Coal Harbour), everyone was well-behaved and happy, families enjoyed themselves, and all of the entertainment was free. Aside from logistical issues (which are to be expected given that it’s on a peninsula in the park) I heard few complaints.

Shore 104’s Jody Vance & Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson

We enjoyed our 15 minute walk to the festivities from our home in the West End and would love to have this event in our backyard again next year. Kudos to Vancouver 125 and their team of volunteers and sponsors.

If you have photos from Summer Live that you would like to share, consider adding them to the Miss604 Group on Flickr for possible feature.

MusicFest Vancouver returns August 5th to 14th as over 40 classical, jazz, and world music concerts will be held around town.

Each year for 10 days in August, concert venues throughout Vancouver play host to unforgettable musical experiences that bring enthusiastic and adventurous music lovers together with some of the most talented artists in the world.

Whether you’re a knowledgeable and demanding consumer of musical performance, or a relative newcomer to a particular musical scene, the festival opens its doors and its heart to you and draws you into its vibrant milieu.

Highlights include BMO Family Day with a concert in VanDusen Botanical Garden, Accordion Day, Discovery Day, Jazz at the Cellar, and Morning Chamber Music.

Tickets are for all events are currently available online starting at $49 for bundles of concerts in each of the programs listed above, and more.

BC’s own Sarah McLachlan, who is world-renown for her chat-topping albums, songwriting, and enchanting vocals, will be opening MusicFest along with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (led by Leslie Dala) August 5th. The Odlum Brown Gala Opening Concert will take place at the Orpheum and “party dress” is encouraged for this special event.

If you would like to attend the opening gala with Sarah McLachlan, I have an exclusive pair of tickets to give away. Here’s how you can enter to win:

I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Friday, July 29th, 2011 at 9:00am. Follow MFestVan on Twitter or Facebook for news and updates about MusicFest Vancouver.

Update The winner is Fiona!

It is July 11th and in honor of this day on the calendar each year, 7-Eleven stores across Canada offer up free Slurpees. The company anticipates handing out more than 460,000 slushy frozen treats today – making it one of the largest single-day product giveaways in the country.

Photo credit: mag3737 on Flickr

While I grew up on the sweet nectar of a Mac’s Froster (due to proximity to my childhood home), Slurpees are the classic brain-freeze inducing summer sipping drink (and I just so happen to live closer to a 7-Eleven now). John and I have always been a fan of the simple flavours (cranberry, lime, pink grapefruit) but are enjoying the new combo flavours this summer (mango, strawberry, tangerine and the apple, nectarine, pear).

You can use the online store locator to find the store nearest to you. Each store will have 1,000 free 7.11 ounce Slurpees to give away so you’ll want to get there while supplies last.

It’s that time of year when fresh locally-grown berries are ready for picking and adding to your salads, cereal, yogurt, desserts, smoothies, and just about anything else. Here in Vancouver, we’re lucky to be in such close proximity to the Fraser Valley region where strawberries are currently at their peak.

For a fun (and delicious) family activity this summer, try heading out to a U-Pick berry patch or local farm. Here are a few locations and if you have any others, or personal favourites, please feel free to suggest them.

Photo credit: tympsy on Flickr

Surrey Farms
Location: 5180 – 152nd St, Surrey

Maan Farms
Location: 790 McKenzie Rd, Abbotsford
Find them on Facebook & Twitter

Driediger Farms
Location: 23823 – 72nd Ave, Langley
Find them on Facebook

Krause Berry Farms
Location: 6179 – 248th St, Langley
Find them on Twitter

In case you’re wondering which use a minimal amount of chemicals or have natural growing practices, I found the Pick Your Own directory to be helpful. The farms might also have this information on their websites.

Be sure to check out prices and special instructions if you plan to do U-Pick and look for posted market or farm hours at these locations. Krause Berry Farms has also posted “U-Pick Etiquette” with tips on what to prices, preparation, and what to pick. If you can’t get out to the farm, you can find the best of the season at your local farmers market (Trout Lake, West End, Kitsilano, Main Street).

Related Post: The Langley Circle Farm Tour