“We’ll go over it once in English and then a second time in Reindeer,” Santa said over the loud speaker of an Air Canada Dash 8. With the help of some elves from the Air Canada Jazz team, Santa Claus himself led safety demonstrations and songs on a very special flight filled with Canuck Place kids and families.

Canuck Place Santa Flight

Gathering at Signature Flight Support Terminal at YVR, dozens of families arrived for an exclusive opportunity hosted by Canuck Place. Gathered in the pre-flight lounge, Spider-Man and a Storm Trooper, and Darth Vader greeted the children as an Air Canada prop plane pulled up with Santa waving from a hatch above the cockpit. He came into the lounge, led the group in some carols, and everyone boarded for a flight up to Whistler and back.

“What an afternoon! 8 years going and the Flight with Santa is just as incredible as it was the first year,” says recreation therapist Gillian Lagambina. “There is nothing more exciting than seeing all the children and families up against the large window at Signature Flight Support watching Santa arrive in his Dasher – 8.”

“Wide open eyes, smiles, jumping up and down, clapping, tears of excitement – this is what makes this event so special. Families and friends come together to celebrate and have fun. There is so much laughter and love as Santa greets the children, sharing silly jokes and his funny renditions of our favourite Christmas Carols. The love and care put into making this day is a success is overwhelming. There are so many firsts, unforgettable moments and memories made.”

There was laughter, smiles, selfies, and lots of high-fives from Santa. Canuck Place provides outings like this, whether they are simple movies nights or elaborate excursions, to create memories and moments that can be cherished forever.

“For our Canuck Place families these experiences and times together with family and friends old and new, are so special and will always be remembered,” adds Gillian. “What I love the most though, is that it shows children and their families that ANYTHING is possible!”

Special events like the Santa Flight allow Canuck Place children and families the opportunity to savour life together. Whether a life is measured in years, months, or days, Canuck Place believes that every life is precious. This holiday season, Canuck Place invites you to light a life in honour of Canuck Place children. Visit canuckplace.org/donate »

Follow Canuck Place Children’s Hospice on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Miss604 is a proud blog partner of the annual Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala

Gateway Theatre presents It’s A Wonderful Life, a new musical adaptation by Peter Jorgensen. Set to soaring songs from the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s, this is a timeless holiday classic. With a little help from his guardian angel, George Bailey is brought back from despair on Christmas Eve to see how he has truly touched all the people in his life.

Gateway Theatre Presents It’s a Wonderful Life

Where: Gateway Theatre, MainStage (6500 Gilbert Rd, Richmond)
When: December 6 to 31, 2018
Tickets: Available online now »

Erin Aberle-Palm and Nick Fontaine. Photo by David Cooper.

Holiday fun for the whole family! Travel to Bedford Falls for a joyous journey that will have you checking for Zuzu’s petals in your own pockets and make you believe that every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings. This heartwarming holiday story is one you’ll want to share with family and loved ones.

VocalEye Described Performances will run December 19th at 8:00pm and December 23rd at 2:00pm. Follow Gateway Theatre on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.

Win Tickets

I have a pair of tickets to give away to opening night on Friday, December 7th at 8:00pm. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Click below to get another entry by posting on Twitter:

[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to opening night of It’s a Wonderful Life at @gatewaythtr http://ow.ly/SgJV30mRtgf” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 8:00pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

Update The winner is Emily!

Sponsored by JFL NorthWest

For its fourth consecutive year, JFL NorthWest, presented in association with SiriusXM, promises to deliver larger-than-life laughs as it unites today’s funniest comedy stars from February 14 to 23, 2019.

JFL NorthWest, Vancouver’s Just For Laughs Festival

When: Thursday, February 14 to Saturday, February 23, 2019
Location: Various venues all over Vancouver
Tickets: Buy online starting Friday, December 7, 2018 at 10:00am

Pre-Sale Info

From Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 5:00pm until Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 10:00pm you can buy pre-sale tickets at this link using the code JFLNW604.

Please note that any shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre MUST be purchased separately due to the delayed ticket delivery.

This year’s festival will provide Vancouverites and guests to the city with top-of-the-line comedy content, ranging from stand-up performances, to live podcast recordings, to improv, to sketch and breakout performances from the SiriusXM’s Best of the West series.

For the second time at JFL NorthWest, the Vancouver Just For Laughs Film Festival is back with even more film screenings, red carpets, shorts, and panels. AND the fan-favourite, multi-day Block Party, will be the outdoor hub of this year’s Festival, featuring games, live music, food trucks and many more surprises.

2019 Festival Shows

*Gabriel Iglesias Feb 18 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Howie Mandel & Friends Feb 14 at Orpheum Theatre
*Aziz Ansari Feb 15 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Ken Jeong Feb 19 at Orpheum Theatre
Whitney CummingsFeb 16 at the Vogue Theatre
Mr. Jackson & Mr. Tompkins: A Two-Gentleman Improv Show
(Marc Evan Jackson & Paul F. Tompkins) Feb 17 at the Vogue Theatre
Nick Swardson Fart PartyFeb 21 at the Vogue Theatre
Michelle Wolf Feb 23 at the Vogue Theatre
*Nate Bargatze Feb 17 & Feb 18 at the Rio Theatre
*Rory Scovel Feb 21 & Feb 22 at the Rio Theatre
*Nicole Byer Feb 23 at the Rio Theatre
*Fortune Feimster Feb 15 & 16 at Yuk Yuks
*Steve Rannazzisi Feb 21 to Feb 23 at Yuk Yuks
*The Todd Glass Show Live Podcast Feb 21 at Fox Cabaret
*Todd Glass Feb 20 at the Rio Theatre
*Dulce Sloan Feb 23 at the Biltmore
*Michelle Buteau Feb 21 at the Biltmore
*Morgan Murphy Feb 14 at the Biltmore
*Matteo Lane: Streisand at the Bon Soir Feb 15 at the Biltmore
*Liza Treyger Feb 20 at the Biltmore
*Las Culturistas: I Don’t Think So Honey Feb 21 at the Biltmore
*Chris Fleming Feb 19 at the Rio Theatre
*Sam Jay Feb 20 at the Biltmore
*And That’s Why We Drink Feb 21 at the Rio Theatre
*Stop Podcasting Yourself Feb 17 at the Rio Theatre
*Watch What Crappens Feb 22 at the Biltmore
*Girls Gotta Eat Feb 15 at the Biltmore
*Ivan Decker Feb 15 & 16 at The Comedy Mix
*Kurt Metzger Feb 22 & 23 at The Comedy Mix
*The Alternative Show hosted by Andy Kindler Feb 21 to Feb 23 at Yuk Yuks
*SiriusXM’s Top Comic Showcase Feb 20 & Feb 21 at The Comedy Mix
and more!

* Shows are 19+

SiriusXM Top Comic Showcase

Wednesday, February 20 and Thursday February 21, 2019 at 8:30pm at Comedy Mix

SiriusXM’s Top Comic scours the country each year, searching for the funniest comedians in Canada – it’s a tough job but someone has to do it. Check out this year’s winner, runners-up and past year’s alumni! Plus, it’s all hosted by Ben Miner, comedian and host of SiriusXM’s Canada Laughs (ch. 168).

Vancouver Just For Laughs Film Festival Returns

After a highly successful inaugural year, JFL NorthWest is excited to reveal that the Vancouver Just For Laughs Film Festival will be returning to Vancouver from February 14-23, 2019.

Programming for this year’s film festival will include exciting short and feature film screenings, premieres, riveting industry speakers, panels, In-Conversations and more. Programming announcement will roll out second week in January so stay tuned.

Ain’t no party like a JFL NorthWest Block Party!

Back by popular demand is the JFL NorthWest Block Party, a free multi-day event taking place in the hub of the Festival; the heart of downtown Vancouver. Providing a space for comedy lovers to unite, enjoy and connect, the JFL NorthWest Block Party will feature Just For Laughs Gags on the big screen, games, live music, food trucks, and maybe some surprise guests!

Don’t miss the pre-sale on December 4 & 5, 2018 using this link and code JFLNW604. Regular tickets go on sale December 7th.

Follow JFL Northwest on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram #JFLNW19 for more info.

Variety BC’s spring gala, One Night In… is heading to Cloverdale for One Night in the Valley with special guest Dallas Smith on April 27, 2019.

One Night in the Valley for Variety BC

Where: Cloverdale Agriplex (17798 62 Ave, Surrey)
When: Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 6:00pm
Tickets: Early bird tickets on sale now for $199 until January 31st. After that regular tickets will be on sale for $249. Corporate tables of 10 are available for $3,500.

Known for its people, generous of spirit with a heartfelt commitment to community, ‘The Valley’ is the perfect place to host a Gala in support of BC children with special needs. Variety BC hopes this night, filled with bright lights and bright faces, will create a lifetime of memories for their guests, a deeper connection in our community and a future filled with opportunity for all Variety kids.

Guests will enjoy a private concert by Platinum-selling Country star and CMA’s Male Artist of the Year 2018, Dallas Smith, and a specially curated, country-style menu provided by Blank Canvas Catering, a division of the Fraser Valley’s own, Joseph Richard Group.

Dallas Smith at the Show of Hearts Telethon with Miss604 Social Lounge team members

Visit the authentic saloons for select spirit tastings, kick off your boots in the country lounge and dance the night away under the bright lights of the big stage! Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of premium country, while enjoying the casual, relaxed atmosphere that can only be found in ‘The Valley.’ Best of all, every ounce of country fun you have, whether you’re bidding at the auction or sampling our whiskey, means you are helping a young person shine their light even brighter.

Follow Variety BC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more info.

Miss604’s Rebecca Bollwitt is a proud member of the Board of Directors of Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC.

Education & Career Fairs (“ECF”) invites you to their 22nd annual series of events across BC that can kick start your career this fall. The first in Surrey has come and gone, don’t miss the next in Vancouver!

Whether you are looking to learn more about an industry, explore your options in career-specific education, or if you’re ready to look for employment, the Education & Career Fairs will be ready to help you take that next step in your career.

Education & Career Fairs Vancouver

When: Friday, December 7, 2018 from 9:00am to 2:00pm
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East (1055 Canada Place)
RSVP for free here »

ECF Features

• Learning Lounge – get tips on networking, resume writing, college applications, career advice and more from industry experts! Stay tuned for topics & speakers to be released.
• Digital Arts Interactive Gallery – experience what it takes to be an interior designer, computer graphics artist and other creative roles. Sponsored by the Centre for Arts & Technology.
• Post-secondary Schools – Universities, colleges and private career training schools from all over Canada and abroad are available to advise on the application process, tuition & fees, student life and more!
• Industry Associations – Representatives from the hottest industries in B.C. can give you realistic insight of when and where the job opportunities are available. They can assist with connecting you to the right education providers, available scholarships and volunteer opportunities.
• Employers – Visit the fair to speak directly to hiring managers. Some employers are actively hiring and taking applications, so arrive with a resume.

This is your chance to connect with over 50+ post-secondary schools, employers and industry associations.

The program includes talks and info sessions with EducationPlanner BC, Vancouver College of Art & Design, Paragon Testing Enterprises, Capilano University, UBC Engineering, Industry Training Authority, and more.

Follow Education & Career Fairs on Facebook and Twitter for more information.