SHIFT Festival 12: Win Tickets

Comments 5 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The 12th Annual SHIFT Festival returns to its roots this year, featuring three short, sharp, original works, created and performed by Tai Amy Grauman, Kelsey Kanatan Wavey, and Claire Love Wilson with Sara Vickruck. The past, present and future are explored in turn by these vigorous voices, and, on July 11, 12, and 13 in downtown Vancouver, audiences can see all three for one price. 

SHIFT Festival 12

Where: ANNEX, 823 Seymour Street, Vancouver
When: July 11, 12 and 13, 2019
Tickets: Available online now for $15 – $19

Tai Amy Grauman. Photo by Emilie Iggiotti.
Tai Amy Grauman. Photo by Emilie Iggiotti.

Dedicated to honest and resonant live performance, and spotlighting diverse and underrepresented voices and stories, the SHIFT Festival has become an annual theatre tradition in Vancouver.

In Marie’s Letters, Tai Amy Grauman embodies five generations of Métis women addressing their unborn daughters about hopes, dreams, fears and essentially, survival, in Treaty 6 Territory. Grauman – Métis, Cree and Haudenosaunee from Ardrossan, Alberta – was this year’s Jessie Richardson award for most promising newcomer and the Vancouver Mayor’s Emerging Theatre Artist of 2015 (nominated by Margo Kane). Gavan Cheema directs. 

Created and performed by Kelsey Kanatan Wavey, iskonikowisiw is the story of the complicated friendship between the last woman on Earth and the last drop of water. Combining poetry, projection and movement, iskonikowisiw is a reflection on the growing water crisis and what we must sacrifice in order for all our relations to find peace. A Cree actor and writer from Treaty 1 Territory – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Wavey is a recent graduate of Studio 58.

Developed by local multidisciplinary creator Claire Love Wilson and queer theatre-maker and musician Sara Vickruck for SHIFT Festival 12, Sound Off investigates how the transformation of sounds, live and looped, can be constructed and deconstructed into song. Featuring games and improvisation, this show evolves nightly with our audience and may send you out into the mid-summer night singing. Wilson will also present a 90-minute festival workshop on Friday July 12 (4pm), inviting registrants to engage in the song walking practice that she has taught internationally.

SHIFT also presents a special staged reading of Beth Coleman’s Evolutionary Tango on Saturday July 13 (2:00pm).

Win Tickets

I have 4 tickets to give away to any night of the festival! Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to any night of the @SHIFTtheatre SHIFT Festival http://ow.ly/oCRW30p1Qu4″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

Follow the SHIFT Festival on Facebook and Twitter for more info. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, July 4, 2019.

UPDATE The winner is Lauren!

July Events in Metro Vancouver 2019

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

July is a month of festivals and free fun in Metro Vancouver, from free outdoor movies across the region, to cultural events and of course Canada Day to kick it all off. This month Miss604 is proud to sponsor the Steveston Salmon Festival, Surrey Canada Day, the Surrey Fusion Festival and the Richmond Maritime Festival. All of these July events and more are listed below:

July Events in Metro Vancouver

July Events in Metro Vancouver

Jump to: Monday, July 1, 2019 to Sunday, July 7, 2019
Jump to: Monday, July 8, 2019 to Sunday, July 14, 2019
Jump to: Monday, July 15, 2019 to Sunday, July 21, 2019
Jump to: Monday, July 22, 2019 to Sunday, July 28, 2019
Jump to: Monday, July 29, 2019 to Wednesday, July 31, 2019

This list is updated daily thanks to you! Please submit your events, for a free listing, through the Miss604 Contact Form here »

Monday, July 1, 2019
Sponsored by Miss604: Surrey Canada Day
Sponsored by Miss604: Steveston Salmon Festival
Canada Day at Canada Place
Canada Day in Burnaby
Canada Day at Granville Island
Semiahmoo First Nation Canada Day Rock
Latin American Week Canada Day Parade
Canada Day at Lonsdale Quay
Timber Hosts Canada Day Ball Hockey Tournament
Canada Day on Robson
Canada Day at MOV
Canada Day at the Vancouver Aquarium
Canada Day Fireworks in New West at the Quay
Canada Day in North Van
Canada Day in New West at Queen’s Park
Canada Day at Fort Langley
Canada Day in Langley Township
Canada Day in Coquitlam
Canada Day Parade in Abbotsford
Canada Day in Maple Ridge
Golden Spike Days Festival in Port Moody
Canada Day At McArthurGlen
Canada D’Eh! The Great Canadian BBQ Returns
Canada Day Run at Wesbrook
Canada Day Community Barbecue
Kitsilano Showboat
Bard on the Beach
Vancouver Canadians Fireworks Extravaganza
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Synergy Collective at the Vancouver Rowing Club
Latin American Film Night
VCC’s The Chef’s Table Pop-Up Kitchen
Free Outdoor Movie in Stanley Park
Vancouver Canadians Game
Bard on the Beach
Rock of Ages at Metro Theatre
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Free Outdoor Movies in Downtown Vancouver
Street Beats – Helena Gutteridge Plaza
VCC’s The Chef’s Table Pop-Up Kitchen
Vancouver Canadians Game
Kitsilano Showboat
Bard on the Beach
Rock of Ages at Metro Theatre
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Flamenco, Tango and Wine
Summer Fun in Thompson Park
Evenings at Mackin House Museum
VQL Summer Quidditch: Open to All
American Crown Circus & Circo Osorio, Coquitlam
VCC’s The Chef’s Table Pop-Up Kitchen
Summerfest at Lonsdale: Yoga with Kahlena
Burnaby Civic Square Family Nights
Bard on the Beach
Dancing on the Edge Festival
Indian Summer Festival
Rock of Ages at Metro Theatre
A Room Somewhere Presents Athol Fugard’s Hello and Goodbye
Friday, July 5, 2019
CBC Musical Nooners Kick-Off
Free Dancing & Lessons in Downtown Vancouver
Fridays on Front, Downtown New West
Art Party at the Polygon Gallery
City of Lougheed Summer Fun Series
A Nude Hope: A Sci-Fi Burlesque Adventure Farewell Run
24 Hour Friday Night Screenings of The Clock
Bard in the Vineyard at Township 7
American Crown Circus & Circo Osorio, Coquitlam
Heroic Opera Presents Verdi’s Macbeth
Trivia Night at Biercraft Wesbrook
Shipyards Night Market
Richmond Night Market
Kitsilano Showboat
Bard on the Beach
Dancing on the Edge Festival
Indian Summer Festival
Rock of Ages at Metro Theatre
Whistler Children’s Festival
A Room Somewhere Presents Athol Fugard’s Hello and Goodbye
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Carnaval del Sol
Silk Road Festival
Geektopia
Remember the Food Bank Pancake Breakfast
Public Disco Laneway Series
Shipyards Twilight Summer Sessions Concerts
New West Craft Summer Markets
Pop-Up Roller Rink: All 80s!
American Crown Circus & Circo Osorio, Coquitlam
Heroic Opera Presents Verdi’s Macbeth
Small Stage Summer Series at Bute Plaza
Art Slam- Round 1: Fundraiser Benefiting the Kettle Society
Identity Music Festival
Khatsahlano Street Festival
City of Lougheed Summer Fun Series
Free Dancing & Lessons in Downtown Vancouver
Kids First Saturdays at the Polygon Gallery
Bard in the Vineyard at Township 7
West End Summer Art Market
Trout Lake Farmers Market
West End Farmers Market
Richmond Night Market
Bard on the Beach
Dancing on the Edge Festival
Indian Summer Festival
Rock of Ages at Metro Theatre
Whistler Children’s Festival
A Room Somewhere Presents Athol Fugard’s Hello and Goodbye
Sunday, July 7, 2019
Carnaval del Sol
Silk Road Festival
Commercial Drive Car Free Day
Roller Rink on The Drive
4th Annual Food Bank Open House
Greek Summerfest on Boundary
Songwriting Workshop and Showcase Series
Sunday Afternoon Salsa at Robson Square
Vancouver Canadians Game
Sunday with Pacific Rhythm & Friends
Trev Deeley’s Annual Show & Shine
Small Stage Summer Series at Shipyards North Van
Kitsilano Farmers Market
Poirier Street Market 
Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
Richmond Night Market
Bard on the Beach
Dancing on the Edge Festival
Indian Summer Festival
Whistler Children’s Festival
American Crown Circus & Circo Osorio, Coquitlam

Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Timber Hosts Canada Day Ball Hockey Tournament on Robson

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Timber is hosting their annual ball hockey tournament on Jervis at Robson on July 1st, in support of a great cause!

I’m not sure I had a more Canadian Canada Day in recent years than the time John and I walked up to Timber on Robson. The restaurant, which is already Canadian-themed year round — complete with stuffed beaver mascot– had a bison burger special, ball hockey outside on Jervis, and we ran into an actor from Letterkenny.

Timber Canada Day Ball Hockey on Robson

Timber Hosts Canada Day Ball Hockey Tournament

Where: Jervis St & Robson St, Vancouver (neighbouring Timber Gastropub)
When: Monday, July 1, 2019 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm

The Canada Day Ball Hockey Tournament celebrates the love of the game for five hours of scrimmage match-ups, skill-building exercises and an exciting finals game to crown the 2019 champions.

The 2019 team roster includes four spirited teams: West Coast CanningTimber & ForageBASH (coaches and youth from the program) and Cutting Edges. The teams play rounds of 15-minute games surrounded by bleachers set up for family-friendly spectating. Everyone is welcome to participate in the skills exercises offered between games three times throughout the afternoon.

Neighbouring the ball court, at an outside grill Timber will serve up their classic bison burgers. Proceeds from participant entry fees go to support BASH, an inclusive after-school program for youth interested in playing ice hockey, run by Britannia Community Services Centre. From skates to hockey tape, this free program provides youth (ages 12-17; all genders) with the equipment and access to coaching and ice-time needed to play. Players and the public are also encouraged to bring kid’s hockey equipment to the tournament where donations for the BASH program will be collected.

The Canada Day event provides opportunities for people to participate in a community service and give to a good cause.

BASH is a free program for youth (ages 12-17; all genders) interested in learning how to play ice hockey. Hockey equipment, including skates, is provided, while organized drills with experienced coaches and scrimmage games fostering good sportsmanship encourage skill development, healthy fitness and team-building. BASH is hosted weekly by Britannia Community Services Centre, a capacity-building association working “to develop, coordinate and support a wide range of excellent programs and services for Grandview-Woodland and Strathcona by working with community members, partners and local agencies.”

Follow Timber on Facebook and Twitter for more info.

Cranbrook Makes Waves with its Abundance of Water Sport Options

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Swimming in a calm, warm, refreshing lake with snow-capped mountains as a backdrop is a pretty peaceful way to spend an summer afternoon. In Cranbrook, swimming is just one of many options for enjoying the region’s beautiful tributaries, lakes, and rivers as I discovered when I was on assignment with ZenSeekers this month.

SUP on Wasa Lake
SUP on Wasa Lake

Step 1. Start with Just Liquid Sports

If you’re going to explore a new area, start off by gearing up and chatting with the folks at your local water sports shop. In Cranbrook, Just Liquid Sports is your home base. Talk to the pros there about the best recreational spots, or if you’re up for a whitewater run in the Bull River’s rapids.

Kayaking the Bull River

Step 2. Pick a Lake

 St.Mary’s, Moyie, Norbury, Peckham’s, Jimsmith Lake, Rock Lake, Wasa Lake, Surveyors Lake, Lazy Lake – take your pic! Tourism Cranbrook has a guide to each including features, locations and amenities here »

Summer Fun at Wasa Lake
Summer Fun at Wasa Lake

Step 3. Head Out for a Community Paddle

Just Liquid Sports hosts a community paddle every Wednesday, which is followed by a social at local restaurant. You can rent SUP, canoes, or kayaks at the lake otherwise it’s free for those with their own craft. Check their weekly schedule to see where they’ll be when you visit.

Wasa Lake Triathlon

When You Go

The Tenors in Nanaimo: Win Tickets

Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Vancouver Island Symphony is launching its 25th Anniversary Season with a special fundraising event featuring The Tenors in Nanaimo at The Port Theatre on June 29th.

The Tenors began their career performing with the Vancouver Island Symphony as The Canadian Tenors and they’re returning to support and celebrate the 25th Anniversary with this fantastic fundraising event.

The Tenors in Nanaimo

Where: The Port Theatre (125 Front St, Nanaimo)
When: Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 7:30pm
Tickets: Available online now from $100. VIP options from $249 that include ticket, meet and greet with photo and a VIP reception with drink ticket, gourmet canapés and desserts along with a tax receipt for $49.

Tenors in Nanaimo

The Tenors, Clifton, Fraser, and Victor, have been thrilling audiences around the world with their powerful songs, outstanding harmonies, and undeniable charm. Blending classical music and contemporary pop, the award winning and multi-platinum selling band have achieved international success, performing over 1000 live shows and hundreds of TV appearances on five continents. Their global success has seen them perform for audiences of all ages in venues of all sizes, including hundreds of Fortune 500 companies and the last four Presidents of the United States. These appearances include the White House Christmas Tree Lighting for the Obama family, and for the world leaders at the G20 Summit.

Other performances include the opening ceremonies of the XXI Olympic Winter Games, for Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, The Oprah Winfrey Show with Celine Dion, The Primetime Emmy Awards, and the NBC Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Centre. Most recently in March 2019, The Tenors were invited back to open for Ellen DeGeneres’ arena shows in both Montreal and Toronto.

Win Tickets

It’s a quick turnaround but if you’re in Nanaimo (or can get there this weekend) I have a pair of tickets to give away! Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to see @TenorsMusic in Nanaimo http://ow.ly/pVE230p1qt4 @vanislesymphony” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, June 28, 2019. Follow Vancouver Island Symphony on Facebook and Twitter for more information about events and performances throughout the year.

UPDATE The winner is Penny!