Come From Away Comes to Vancouver

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Broadway Across Canada has announced the return of the national tour of Come From Away, a Broadway musical about the true story of the small town that welcomed the world. It will take to the QE Theatre stage in Vancouver from August 16 to 28, 2022.

Come From Away
First North American Tour Company of COME FROM AWAY. Photos by Matthew Murphy, 2018

Come From Away Comes to Vancouver

  • When: August 16 to 28, 2022
  • Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (630 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
  • Tickets: On sale Monday, May 2 at 10:00am online or by calling 1-855-985-5000.

Come From Away tells the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

On September 11, 2001 the world stopped. On September 12, their stories moved us all.

A “Best Musical” winner all across North America, the smash hit musical has won the Tony Award for “Best Direction of a Musical” (Christopher Ashley), 4 Olivier Awards (London) including “Best New Musical,” 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding New Broadway Musical,” 3 Drama Desk Awards (NYC) including “Outstanding Musical,” 4 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards (North American Tour) including “Best Production,” 4 Helen Hayes Awards (D.C.) including “Outstanding Production of a Musical,” 4 Gypsy Rose Lee Awards (Seattle) including “Excellence in Production of a Musical,” 6 San Diego Critics Circle Awards including “Outstanding New Musical,” 3 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards including “Best New Musical,” 3 Dora Awards (Toronto) including “Outstanding New Musical/Opera” and “Outstanding Production,” and the 2017 Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award (Toronto).

The touring production of Come From Away currently stars Marika Aubrey (Lincoln Center’s South Pacific), Kevin Carolan (Disney’s Newsies), Harter Clingman (Peter and The Starcatcher), Nick Duckart (In the Heights), Chamblee Ferguson, Christine Toy Johnson (The Music Man), Julie Johnson (Memphis), James Earl Jones II (The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess), Julia Knitel (Beautiful), Sharone Sayegh (The Band’s Visit), Danielle K. Thomas,Jeremy Woodard,Jenny Ashman, Jane Bunting, Amelia Cormack, Aaron Michael Ray, Kilty Reidy and Brandon Springman.

Come From Away was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre, and presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC and Mirvish Productions at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, CA. It was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada and was further developed at Goodspeed Musicals’ Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam, CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Arts Council, and the Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle WA also provided development support.

For the latest news, announcements and “backstage” access for all upcoming shows follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook #BACTouring #BACSub #BACSuperfan.

HEALTH PROTOCOL NOTE: To prioritize the safety of audiences, staff, cast and crew, Broadway Across Canada continues to require proof of vaccination for entry to all of our performances. All  Patrons 12+ are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination and patrons 19+ must show accompanied government-issued photo ID.

Bard on the Beach Summer 2022 Program

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Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival’s 33rd Season returns to Sen̓ákw/Vanier Park, after two years of dark stages in response to the pandemic, and all tickets are now on sale for three plays and special events in this year’s Festival, which runs from June 8 to September 24, 2022.

Bard on the Beach
Bard on the Beach – Image Supplied

Bard’s single BMO Mainstage production is A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s best-loved comedy, filled with laughter, love and magic. On the Howard Family Stage there are two innovative productions: Djanet Sears’ Harlem Duet, a powerful drama with connections to Othello, and Romeo and Juliet, the timeless story of two young people who risk everything for their love.

“It’s thrilling for our Festival to return this summer and we are busy preparing three incredible productions to welcome our patrons back to Sen̓ákw/Vanier Park,” said Christopher Gaze, Bard on the Beach Founding Artistic Director.

“It’s time again for laughter and magic and to that end, A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be our single production on the BMO Mainstage. This joyful production is perfect for all ages and is designed to lift the spirits of everyone who sees it. On the Howard Family Stage, our two productions highlight Bard’s commitment to artistic innovation in theatre; they both feature powerful stories told in a unique way.”

Tickets for the plays are available now starting at $27. Prices for special events, group bookings and multi-play ticket packages can be found online or by calling the Bard Box Office at (604) 739-0559. 

Play run dates and special events for 2022 are:

  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream June 8 to September 24 – Opening Night June 16
  • Harlem Duet June 15 to July 17 – Opening Night June 21
  • Romeo and Juliet August 3 to September 24 – Opening Night August 9
  • Bard Explored June 25, July 9 & August 13 at 11am – Simon Fraser University’s Paul Budra leads lively explorations of the Season’s three plays.
  •  VSO at Bard Marvellous Music June 8 – The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra plays favourite classical masterpieces under the direction of VSO Concertmaster Nicholas Wright.
  • Bard-B-Q & Fireworks July 23, July 27 & July 30 – All inclusive! See A Midsummer Night’s Dream, then enjoy a delicious barbecue with all the fixings from Emelle’s Catering, plus pre-Fireworks entertainment. End the night with a private view of the spectacular Celebration of Light fireworks.
  • Operas & Arias: A Celebration! September 12 & 13 – Talented young stars of the UBC Opera Ensemble return to Sen̓ákw/Vanier Park to perform some of opera’s best-loved repertoire on the BMO Mainstage. Afternoon and evening performances on both dates.
  • Forum – Challenging Shakespeare June 28 at 7:30pm – Discover how theatre artists are approaching the opportunities and the pitfalls when they use Shakespeare as a catalyst for new works that speak to our world today.
  • Family Days / Relaxed Performances July 17 & August 14 at 2:00pm – Family Day and Relaxed Performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream offer an open attitude towards audience members moving, making noise, and exiting/entering the auditorium freely. Age restrictions are also relaxed.
  • Wine Wednesdays July 6, August 3 & 17 at 6:00pm (pre-show event). Enjoy the scenic view from our Marquee tent while you sip and savour BC wines, presented by industry experts and special guests.
  • Accessible Performances: VocalEye – August 20 at 7:30 pm & August 28 at 2:00pm – A Midsummer Night’s Dream on both dates.

Early booking is recommended for best seat selection (all seats are reserved) and because many performances sell out in advance.

Related

 Bespoke Market in Squamish Giveaway

Comments 22 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Bespoke Market is BC’s newest market featuring a selection of unique goods for mindful shoppers who share a commitment to consume locally. Shop a curated lineup of over 70 creative and locally-owned businesses showcasing goods such as jewellery, paper products, ceramics, clothing, as well as artisanal food and beverages. Many vendors are from Squamish, the Sea to Sky region and beyond. 

 Bespoke Market in Squamish Giveaway

 Bespoke Market in Squamish

  • When: Friday, April 29 to Sunday, May 1, 2022
  • Where: Railway Museum of BC (39645 Government Road, Squamish)
  • Tickets: Available online now for $8.87 (Sat + Sun) and $14.44 (all weekend)
    • Guests are also welcome to pay $5 cash at the door. Bespoke is excited to delight attendees on Friday night with a small gift to say thank you for the support at this inaugural market. 

The inaugural Bespoke Market will bring fresh creative energy and a deepened sense of community to the market world, offering a selection of unique handmade goods as well as market favourites including vintage clothing and housewares.

Live music and unique vendor displays will help inspire this new three-day experience of shopping and discovery.

At the helm is deeply experienced event producer and visionary Shannon Lorenz, whose aim is to make this market different by elevating the overall experience for everyone involved. Both shoppers and vendors alike will support each other through the commitment to consume locally and support the local economy.

“Amid all the challenges and uncertainty the last couple of years have brought, I could see the opportunity to help people through meaningful connection, ” says Lorenz. “My goal is to serve creative entrepreneurs and build engaged supportive communities.”

Enter to Win

I have $50 in Bespoke Market cash to give away along with two gift bags, and of course tickets to the market! Here’s how you can enter to win:

Bespoke Market in Squamish Giveaway

The winner must be able to pick up the prize in person during the Bespoke Market.

Women of Options Gamechangers for Youth Services

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Last year, fifty women (myself included) came together to fundraise for a new affordable housing build south of the Fraser in honour of the 50th anniversary of Options Community Services. The Women of Options campaign began in February, and in November it reached its $1.5 million goal. The group’s efforts had such an impact that the organization has once again assembled a mix of senior executives, volunteers, celebrities, and leaders in their communities to raise funds for youth in the community with this year’s campaign: Women of Options Gamechangers!

Women of Options Gamechangers 2022

Women of Options Gamechangers for Youth Services

Fifty local women are coming together and committing to raise $25,000 each for a youth discretionary fund at Options, to help create vital change and opportunity for youth-at risk.

As one of BC’s largest, and most respected non-profit community organizations, Options Community Services is seeing a variety of unique and critical needs amongst local youth in the South Fraser area.

Options is primarily funded by various levels of government yet are constrained in using funds to support these needs due to the number of youth who require unique support, and the variety of situations that cannot be met within a program or designated funding’s parameters.

Urgent youth needs that Options team members are seeing include paying for clothing or dental work so youth can attend a job interview with pride, covering daycare or tuition costs for a young mother to complete an educational program, getting endangered youth to a safe place, and addressing urgent issues faced by youth who have aged out of the child welfare system and lost their supports.

“We see youth needing our help to purchase clothing for a mother’s funeral or a young person who needs immediate re-location and support to escape the threat of a gang,” says Christine Mohr, CEO of Options Community Services. “Our government funding is vital but youth needs are increasing and require immediate action and financial resources. This new fund will help to support at-risk youth with what they need, when they need it.” 

Women of Options 2022 Logo

The Women of Options 2022: Gamechangers fund will remove barriers by providing critical funding to work with youth from a wide range of backgrounds, including newcomers, unemployed, street entrenched, pregnant and parenting, those affiliated with gangs, those seeking their high school diplomas, and others.

Surrey has the largest youth population in BC. Options Community Services supported approximately 3,500 youth in their last fiscal year, although this number does not include all of the youth as some fall under programs not included in this data collection.

In addition to these impressive women, and as Options strives to reach the $1.5 million goal, three Langley Tim Hortons restaurants will also be supporting the cause as part of the Tim Horton’s annual Smile Cookie campaign. Local corporate partners Fifth Avenue Marketing and Bullets an’ Beads will also be donating to the cause. 

Over the next few months, you can follow the campaign on Instagram and Facebook #WOOGamechangers and if you would like to make a donation, you can do so through my personal campaign page.

You are also welcome to join us at the Women of Options gala event is planned for September 16, 2022 at the Sheraton hotel in Guildford.

Thank you for your support!

Hot Chefs Cool Jazz at Fairmont Pacific Rim

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

The 2022 Hot Chefs, Cool Jazz Gala brings together top culinary talent from the Vancouver and Kelowna areas for a night to remember in support of Junior Culinary Team Canada and Culinary Team BC.

Hot Chefs, Cool Jazz at Fairmont Pacific Rim

Hot Chefs Cool Jazz at Fairmont Pacific Rim

  • When: Friday, April 22, 2022 at 7:15pm
  • Where: Fairmont Pacific Rim (1038 Canada Place, Vancouver)
  • Tickets: Available online now for $225 (all taxes and fees included)
    • 19+. This is a cocktail style reception and limited tables and chairs will be available.

BC’s top chefs come together for a special fundraising event offering guests live chef cooking stations featuring each chefs’ dish designed exclusively for the event, paired with award winning Mission Hill wines, all accompanied with live jazz music from Jennifer Hayes and her band. The evening’s MC will be Dawn Chubai, TSC Canada Host, accomplished jazz vocalist and award-winning recording artist.

Featured chefs include:

Chef Damon Campbell – Fairmont Pacific Rim (VIP Access Only)
Chef Rod Butters – RauDZ Creative Concepts Ltd.
Chef Robert Clark – Chief Culinary Officer – Organic Ocean Seafood Inc.
Chef Roger Ma – Executive Chef Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar
Chef Scott Jaeger – 2007 Bocuse D’or Canada – Peartree Provisions
Chef Dawn Doucette – Douce Diner
Chef Patrick Gayler – Mission Hill Winery
Chef Meeru Dhalwala – Vij’s Restaurant
Chef Hamid Salimian – The Good Flour Co
Chef Angus An – Chef / Owner Maenam Restaurant
Chef Evan Elman – Vancouver Private Dining
Malindi Taylor – Fanny Bay Oysters

All proceeds from the event will support Junior Culinary Team Canada and Culinary Team BC as they prepare to compete in Luxembourg in 2022 for the World Culinary Competition, followed by the Culinary World Olympics in 2024 – the largest, oldest, and most colourful, international exhibition of culinary arts with chefs from all over the world competing.

The Gala’s chef host, Chef Damon Campbell, was team captain for Culinary Team Canada in 2005 and 2006, leading them to gold medal victories at the World Culinary Olympics in Germany. In 2003 and 2004, he was also a silver medal winner as a member of Team British Columbia with numerous gold and silver wins across Canada.

Historically, cooks who become members of Junior Culinary Team Canada or Culinary Team BC often continue to compete on the world stage as members of Culinary Team Canada, as well as, representing Canada as Competitors at the coveted Bocuse D’or Competitions proving the opportunity to be a part of these teams is invaluable. The competitors then go on to lead incredible restaurants.

With support from the fundraising efforts of their Chef Mentors and Heroes, Junior Culinary Team Canada and Culinary Team BC will be able to concentrate on training and honing skills to further Canada’s Culinary standings on a world stage, as well as advancing the food scene for years to come.

Tickets are going fast! Follow Junior Culinary Team Canada for details and updates.