Director Rachel Ditor’s interpretation of The Merchant of Venice is probably one of the best productions I’ve ever seen at Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, now in its 22nd season. Ditor clearly translates the text into fantastic direction for her actors, all of whom give outstanding performances.

The story follows Bassanio (Charlie Gallant) who asks his older friend, a merchant named Antonio, for money so he can pursue a wealthy heiress, Portia (Lindsey Angell). But since Antionio’s money is tied up in ventures at sea, Antonio borrows the money from Shylock (Richard Newman) for his friend, signing a contract to repay the money within three months or give Shylock a pound of his flesh. What ensues is a funny, touching story about love, friendship, and the values that define us, in the end, even when our lives are at risk. Though, the anti-Semitic undertones (or overtones) made me uncomfortable at moments during the play (Elizabethan England was incredibly anti-Semitic), the play definitely provoked a lot of thought about tolerance, eloquently expressed near the end of the play in Shylock’s famous soliloquy, which brought tears to my eyes. Considering such themes of tolerance and acceptance, Ditor aptly set this production in the 1870s, around the time of the unification of Italy.

Stand-out performances for me were by Newman, Angell, Ryan Beil (Gratanio), Luc Roderique (Prince of Morocco), John Murphy (Prince of Aragon), and Kayvon Khoshkam (Launcelot).

The Merchant of Venice runs until September 23 at Vanier Park. Ticket prices range from $21 to 40$, depending on when you see it during the day and if you’re 25 and under. Order on-site, by phone at 604-739-0559 or online.

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.

Britney Spears is bringing her Femme Fetale Tour to Rogers Arena on Canada Day, July 1st with special guests Nicki Minaj, Jessie and the Toy Boys, and Nervo.

She’s come a long way since 1999’s Baby One More Time and ticket sales for this tour exploded when they were the deal of the day on local Groupon sites. Tickets range from $29.50 to $350 (reserved seating, all ages) and there are still some available online.

I also have a pair of tickets to give away courtesy of Live Nation. Here’s how you can enter to win:

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, June 29, 2011.

Update The winner is Stephanie!

The Vancouver International Airport (“YVR”) is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year and to mark this milestone, they’re hosting a unique video contest.

They would like to find someone who can live at YVR (and not leave Sea Island) for 80 days. This person will share their experiences through social media and share video updates for the YVR Connections blog. Whoever wins the Live@YVR contest will be staying at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel and be given an HD camera for their reporting. They’ll be able to go behind the scenes and answer many questions people might have about an airport. What happens in the wee hours of the morning? Where does your luggage go?

As someone who takes an average of 30 flights a year, I truly appreciate our beautiful airport and how it’s become a part of our community. From the Observation Area, to Take Off Fridays (returning this year), and its awe-inspiring artwork and design.

Photo credit: malyousif, Jason Coburn, s.yume

If you think you have what it takes to cover 80 days at YVR, you can enter by video on the contest site (powered by Strutta) by July 18th. The Live@YVR storyteller will begin their 80 days at the airport August 17th, 2011.

Yesterday was the first day of summer and the season hit Vancouver with a wallop of sunshine. To celebrate the parting of the clouds and the freeing of toes from closed shoes, I searched the Vancouver Archives for some simmering summer shots from days gone by.

1895 – Vancouver Cycling Club at Prospect Point. Vancouver Archives Item# St Pk P174.

1920 – Kits Beach. Vancouver Archives Item# CVA 99-1225.

1929 – Swimming float at English Bay. Vancouver Archives Item# CVA 99-2470.

1930 – English Bay scene. Vancouver Archives Item# CVA 99-2118.

1947 – Kits Beach. Vancouver Archives Item# Be P83.

New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys (“NKOTBSB“) are coming to Rogers Arena July 9th with special guest, Matthew Morrison of Glee.

Kevin Jagger has a pair of tickets and he’d like to give them away to one of my readers. You might remember Kevin from my profile last September as he is training for his Long Track Long Shot.

If you would like to win two (lower bowl) tickets to the concert next month, here’s how you can enter to win:

I will draw one winner on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 12:00pm.

Update The winner is Julie!