Variety – the Children’s Charity and Global BC are thrilled to announce that this year’s Variety Show of Hearts Telethon raised $5,515,238 to benefit children with special needs.
54th Annual Show of Hearts Telethon. Photo by John Biehler.
Variety Show of Hearts Telethon Raises Over $5.5 Million
Broadcast from Hard Rock Casino Vancouver’s Show Theatre, the iconic television event aired live on Global BC and via livestream on Global BC’s website on Sunday, February 9 from 9:30am to 5:30pm. The show featured an array of life-changing stories, the always popular magic moments and the unveiling of the 608th Sunshine Coach to the Tong Louie Family YMCA.
“I’m overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of BC as the needs for kids in the various communities throughout our province has never been so great,” said Cally Wesson, Variety BC CEO. “This over-the-top total shows how British Columbians are committed to making a difference in the lives of BC’s kids with special needs. It really is remarkable and we’re just so truly appreciative.”
“We are extremely grateful to our listeners and viewers for opening their hearts this weekend,” said Kenton Boston, VP National & Network News, Global News, Variety Chief Barker/Chair of the Board & Telethon Co-Chair. “Thank you British Columbia for once again proving that we’re more than a province. We’re a community. A community that continues to come together all with the same goal … to ensure that families and their children with special needs are able to thrive and achieve their dreams.”
In addition to the family stories and updates, viewers were also treated to musical performances by Said the Whale, Shawn Austin, Wide Mouth Mason, Todd Richard and special guests, The Tenors. Also making their Show of Hearts debut this year was actor Paul Greene and inspirational speaker Cara E. Yar Khan.
Donations to the Variety Show of Hearts Telethon can still be made by calling toll-free at 310-KIDS and also online at variety.bc.ca or by texting “KIDS” to 45678 to make an automatic $20 contribution.
The Arts Club Theatre Company has announced the lineup for the company’s 57th season, one Artistic Director Ashlie Corcoran calls “a vibrant combination of beloved classics and bold new productions, packed with incredible music and storytelling.” The 2020–2021 season will mark her third at the company’s helm, alongside Executive Director Peter Cathie White.
Arts Club Theatre
The Arts Club’s 2020-2021 Season
The new season will open at the Arts Club’s flagship venue, the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, with Sense and Sensibility, a playful adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel. Four other shows are programmed for the Stanley: Elf: The Musical, the holiday comedy based on the beloved film; Network, the thrilling, Tony Award–winning media satire; The Legend of Georgia McBride, a musical romp about an Elvis-impersonator-turned-drag-queen; andELVIS The Musical, a new biographical sensation about the King of Rock ’N’ Roll.
Multiple shows will be produced for the first time in Canada, including Dance Nation, a cutthroat coming-of-age story about competitive dancers. Additionally, two plays will have their world premieres: ELVIS The Musical and The Cull, a tense drama by Michele Riml and Michael St. John Smith in which relationships unravel over the course of a dinner party. The Cull is also the latest Arts Club Silver Commission to be brought to life onstage.
The Arts Club announced its Silver Commissions for the 2020–2021 season as well: My Father Is the Greatest Man in the World, by Tai Amy Grauman, and a new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac, by Christine Quintana.
The season will include partnerships with the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton and the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre in Winnipeg, as well as with a company in Eastern Canada that has yet to be announced. “By deepening relationships with organizations across Canada, the Arts Club not only expands its creative capacity, but also contributes to a nation-wide conversation about the importance of theatre,” said Corcoran. “These partnerships allow us to pool our resources to create productions that strive for the highest levels of artistic excellence.”
Sense and Sensibility September 10–October 11, 2020
Elf: The Musical November 5, 2020–January 3, 2021
Network January 21–February 21, 2021
The Legend of Georgia McBride March 18–April 18, 2021
Elvis The Musical May 13–July 4, 2021
The Cull September 24–October 25, 2020
Scrooge in Rouge November 26, 2020–January 3, 2021
Made in Italy February 4–March 7, 2021
Cambodian Rock Band April 22–May 23, 2021
A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline June 17–August 1, 2021
Dance Nation October 8–October 25, 2020
The Twelve Dates of Christmas December 3, 2020–January 3, 2021
Teenage Dick February 18–March 14, 2021
Every Brilliant Thing By Duncan Macmillan September 30–November 8, 2020
The Cull January 6–February 7, 2021
The Birds and The Bees February 17–April 4, 2021
Titles, performance dates, venues, and creative teams subject to change.
When I’m standing up in the Southside for a full 90 minutes I love seeing the ripple of the City of Vancouver flag waving in the stands.
“By Sea, Land, and Air We Prosper” is our motto and it’s the inspiration for the new Vancouver Whitecaps FC wave jersey, unveiled tonight as a part of Major League Soccer’s 25th season launch.
New Vancouver Whitecaps FC Wave Jersey
The league’s complete collection of adidas jerseys was revealed at a special New York Fashion Week event today. Vancouver’s own Jacob Tremblay, an award-winning young actor, modeled the kit as the ‘Caps representative.
The wave jersey represents a reflection of Vancouver and the water that surrounds the city. The waves are also a nod to Vancouver’s flag, which adorns the jersey’s jock tag.
“Waves have been an important symbol for our club since Denny Veitch came up with the Whitecaps name back in 1973,” said Mikkel Strøjer, Whitecaps FC vice president of brand and fan engagement. “The City of Vancouver’s official flag and motto were the inspiration for our new kit and we were proud to collaborate with the Mayor’s office to incorporate both in the design.”
The Caps will play in their wave jerseys and smoke blue shorts for the first time on February 29th, their home opener against Sporting Kansas City. Shop the Whitecaps store at 385 Water Street in Gastown or online.
This weekend I’m proud to sponsor the Miss604 Social Lounge at the 54th annual Show of Hearts Telethon for Variety BC. Tune into Global BC (9:30am to 5:30pm) to meet some incredible families from across BC, watch some entertainment, and support kids with special needs. You can also stop by Hard Rock Casino Vancouver to watch the live show. Find this and more things to do in Vancouver this weekend below:
There’s a grand opening this week, celebrating the launch of a whole new neighbourhood! London Drugs Beach District at Vancouver House at Pacific and Howe is inviting you to their opening on Friday February 7th, marking the first retail store opening in the ‘Beach District’.
Beach District Rendering
London Drugs Beach District
You’ll find the new 12,108sq ft location in this emerging waterfront neighbourhood located at the base of the Granville Street Bridge. This London Drugs was designed to support the immediate needs of the neighbourhood and it features a robust pharmacy department, parcel pick up and a curated assortment of health, beauty, tech, and convenience products.
To mark its entrance into the quickly transforming neighbourhood and reaffirm the company’s commitment to investing in communities, London Drugs will be making a $15,000 donation to Covenant House.
London Drugs, along with Fresh St. Market which opens the same day, will help form the active retail core of the new district located on the north side of False Creek. Building on the success of Granville Island, the Beach District aims to extend this concept across the water, to the other side of the Granville Street Bridge. Home to more than 2,000 people by next year, the area features walkable pedestrian oriented streets and bike lanes with a connection to the Seawall and public spaces that are programmed to be activated year-round by outdoor markets, events, festivals and celebrations.
Enjoy same-day delivery, comprehensive recycling, LD Extras perks, online ordering and pick-up, Whole-You Health Care, along with trends, treasures and coveted brands British Columbians have come to love from London Drugs over the last 75 years, and beyond.
Opening day celebrations begin at 8:40am on Friday, February 7, 2020. Speeches from city councillors and London Drugs along with a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place before the store opens, and the grand opening celebrations will continue throughout the weekend. Many vendor partners will be on site offering samplings and demonstrations including two Carlton Cards’ artists on-site from 10:00am to 3:00pm on Saturday February 8th creating customizable, personalized cards for customers.
Win a Gift Card
London Drugs is one of Western Canada’s most beloved brands and has also been a great supporter of Miss604 over the years. The Georgia and Granville located hosted both of my book launch events (2010 and 2012). To celebrate this occasion, I have a $200 London Drugs gift card to give away to a lucky Miss604 reader, here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a $200 @LondonDrugs gift card to celebrate the grand opening of #LDBeachDistrict http://ow.ly/xAr530qfiYg” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
BONUS ENTRY! Stop by the grand opening events on Friday, February 7th or Saturday, February 8th and post a photo to social media tagging @LondonDrugs and @Miss604 for a bonus entry.
I will draw one lucky winner/shopper at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
