Variety Week has become the fall kick off for the annual Show of Hearts Telethon in February that helps Variety – the Children’s Charity assist BC kids with special needs. I’m very pleased to share the news that this year, the campaign has raised enough to support over 330 kids!
Variety Week on Global BC Raises Over $835,000
With donations received from all across British Columbia, Variety – the Children’s Charity announced that over $835,000 has been raised in support of children with special needs during the second annual Variety Week on Global BC.
Variety Week allowed viewers to experience firsthand the difference every dollar donated to Variety BC can make, as they were introduced to children and families supported by the charity throughout every Global BC newscast during the week. Many of these stories will be updated at the 2018 Show of Hearts Telethon on Global BC in February.
“Our goal with Variety Week was very simple,” said Variety BC CEO Cally Wesson. We wanted to help as many kids with special needs in BC as we possibly could, and I think we have done that by really showing the need, and impact of our donors’ contributions. With our average grant for a child coming in at around $2,500, we raised enough during the week to make a make a real, tangible difference for more than 334 kids and their families.”
To conclude the week, Variety BC hosted a street festival on Friday at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver, with entertainment including performances by special guests The Washboard Union, Eli Bennet, Todd Richard and Shylo Sharity. Global BC was there throughout the day, with the News Hour at 6 broadcast live on location.
“It’s really important for us here at Global to be helping the community; to be helping families and children in the province where we live,” said Jill Krop, Director, News & Community, Global BC. “We have an amazing medical system in Canada, and yet there is so much that our tax dollars don’t cover, so many needs that go unfunded or underfunded, and that’s really where Variety steps in.”
Donations came from every corner of the province, with a few special donors even offering sizable matching contributions each day throughout the week.
“We have had an amazing amount of support, with matching donations from Victory Square Technologies, Coastal Ford, Connect Hearing, Will Webster Foundation and Maple Ridge Chrysler,” said Wesson.
“Add to that the combined support from so many individuals who came together from all across the province to rally around a common goal. I can’t thank them enough, or our partners at Global BC for everything they do for us, and for making this week possible.”
Other sponsors throughout the week included: Artech Audio, Canada, Scaffold, Cloverdale Rodeo, Joseph Richard Group, Miss604, Strathcona Beer Company, TripleO’s and White Spot.
About Variety BC
Variety – the Children’s Charity steps in where health care ends, providing direct help to children with special needs in BC and the Yukon. For over 50 years Variety has ensured children have the support to reach their potential. Funding from Variety helps to cover costs for medical care and services, mobility equipment, specialized therapies and developmental programs not covered by private or public health plans.
There is still a tremendous need to help thousands more kids and families in BC. Those who missed Variety Week can still go online and make a donation at or call 310-KIDS (5437). For more information, follow Variety on Facebook.
Miss604’s Rebecca Bollwitt is a proud member of the Board of Directors of Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC
Refresh Market, one of British Columbia’s leading indie markets for handmade and locally designed goods, is gearing up for its biggest two-day market of the year with expanded hours and exclusive early access before doors open to the public. A hundred makers and pop-up shops will participate in this seasonal destination market happening in Squamish.
Refresh Market in Squamish
Where: West Coast Railway Heritage Park, Squamish
When: Friday, November 17, 2017 from 4:00pm to 10:00pm
Saturday, November 18, 2017 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Tickets on sale now. Admission is $5 at the door, $3 online and free for kids under 12. The first to arrive on both Friday and Saturday will receive one of 50 market swag bags.
Since its launch in 2011, Refresh Market has remained one of the most anticipated “shop small” events for consumers, artists, and designers who flock there for its curated range of handmade items and creative appeal. The market receives more than 900 vendor applications annually.
Visitors can expect a highly edited mix of handmade and locally designed clothing, jewelry, ceramics, vintage, dry goods and more from new and established local brands and shops. Explore wares from homegrown favourites Billie’s Flower House, Nootka & Sea and Wild and Heart, as well as newcomers Boreal Folk Apothecary, AW by Andrea Wong, Melissa Araujo, Sarah Mulder Jewelry and Uniform Handmade. Of the 100 participating vendors, 30 per cent are new to the market.
New this year! First Dibs is an exclusive first look at Refresh Market before its doors open to the public. Guests will receive exclusive early admission, a welcome gift courtesy of Squamish apothecary and lifestyle shop Nootka Naturals, a cocktail mixed by award-winning mixologist and Gillespie’s Fine Spirits owner Kelly Ann Woods and the opportunity to score something new before someone else gets the chance. First Dibs tickets (for Friday, 3:00pm to 4:00pm) are $25 each and are limited.
Win First Dibs Access
I have a pair of exclusive First Dibs tickets to give away to a lucky Miss604 reader. 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 first dibs @refresh_market tickets http://ow.ly/WUvG30goKp8″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
Follow Refresh Market on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, November 13, 2017. The winner must be able to pick up the prize at the market.
Update The winner is Brie!
Downtown Vancouver is about to get a whole lot sweeter! A brand new Lindt Chocolate Shop is opening up at The Exchange Tower, the long awaited reconstruction of the old Exchange Building on Howe Street at Pender.
The 1929-built heritage building has been converted into Canada’s second-largest LEED Platinum building. At street level, it will be home to a brand new Lindt retail location, filled with truffles, chocolates, and all of their incredibly delicious creations.
Lindt Chocolate Shop Grand Opening at The Exchange Tower
Where: 455 Howe Street, Vancouver
When: Grand opening on Tuesday, November 7, 2017
The fist 100 shoppers to spend $25 during the shop’s first 6 days the shop is open will receive 1lb of Lindor Truffles for free ($30 value).
Back in 2009 during a trip to Switzerland I visited Lindt & Sprungli Chocolates, it was like a dream. They had a massive shop filled with holiday treats (like the signature gold bunnies with red bows) and I even got to learn how to properly do a chocolate tasting. It’s Swiss chocolate at its finest!
Enter to Win
To celebrate the grand opening on November 7th, I have a Lindt gift basket to give away (valued at $100) sponsored by Lindt. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Like, comment on, or this post on Facebook (1 entry)
- Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a $100 @LindtCanada #LoveLindt prize + visit the new shop Nov 7 http://ow.ly/4Qa330glZjG” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, November 10, 2017. Open only to BC residents. The winner must be able to pick up the prize in person at the new Lindt Chocolate Shop in Vancouver by November 30, 2017.
Follow Lindt Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about the new shop in Vancouver.
Update The winner is Angela Zanatta!
The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at UBC presents Ruthie Foster, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Carrie Rodriguez, the Lone Star State’s diverse and celebrated songwriters on November 8th at the Chan Shun Concert Hall. Performing as part of of the Texas Troubadours project, these three distinctive voices come together for the first time to swap songs and collaborate.
Texas Troubadours
Where: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (UBC)
When: Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 8:00pm
Tickets: Available online now from $38, in person at the box office, or by calling (604) 822-2697.
Born and raised in the small town of Gause, Texas, Ruthie Foster has been described by Rolling Stone as “pure magic to watch and hear.” Taking inspiration from such singers as Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin, she developed her own soulful sound tied to several southern-rooted styles. She has recorded three GRAMMY-nominated albums: The Truth According to Ruthie (2010), Let it Burn (2012), and Promise of a Brand New Day (2014). In 2017, Foster released Joy Comes Back, an album showcasing her power-house voice on honest and heartfelt songs blending blues, folk, soul and gospel.
Hailing from the West Texas town of Lubbock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s career spans more than five decades. Like Foster, his inspired music cannot be categorized but combines elements of folk, rock, country, blues and bluegrass. Gilmore pursued his first solo project, Fair & Square (1988), and recorded several more albums which brought international success, and resulted in Rolling Stone naming him ‘Country Artist of the Year’ for three consecutive years. His latest solo album, Come on Back (2005), was dedicated to the memory of his late father, and garnered him a GRAMMY nomination.
Carrie Rodriguez, an Austin native, began her musical journey as a classical violin prodigy, having by the age of 10 already performed at Carnegie Hall. Following a year studying in the classical department at Oberlin Conservatory, she pledged herself to her true love: the fiddle. Rodriguez’s career took flight when she joined forces with Chip Taylor (the songwriter of Angel of the Morning and Wild Thing) to produce four critically-aclaimed duet albums. For her latest release, the 2016 Spanish-English album Lola, Rodriguez looked to the legacy of her great aunt –1940s-era Chicana singing sensation Eva Garza. The album was recognized by NPR as one of 2016’s top 30 releases.
A series of ancillary events programmed in conjunction with Chan Centre performances, exploring the role of arts and artists in society. There will be a Pre-Show Talk on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, 7:15pm at the Chan Centre’s Royal Bank Cinema. JUNO award-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Shari Ulrich discusses the power of “the song,” shedding light on this fascinating art form from an artist’s perspective.
Win a Date Night with Dinner and Tickets
The Chan Centre has offered up two tickets for a lucky Miss604 reader to see the Texas Troubadours, along with a set dinner menu for two at Sage Restaurant ahead of the show.
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 dinner + tickets to see the Texas Troubadours at the @ChanCentre http://ow.ly/OmV330glj8c” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
You can view the set menu for the Texas Troubadours pre-show dinner online now. Sage Restaurant is located at UBC (6331 Crescent Rd, Vancouver) across from the Chan Centre. Follow the Chan Centre on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest show info.
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, November 7, 2017. Prize must be redeemed/used on the same day as the show. A reservation will be made for the winner and their guest.
Update The winner is Eileen Hwang!
Join Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC for the Variety Week Street Festival on Friday afternoon at Robson Square. Start your weekend off right with family fun, live music, a Global BC broadcast and more! It all starts at 12:00pm, with music at 3:00pm, and it’s free for everyone. We’re celebrating another Variety Week and there’s still time to donate. Call 310-KIDS, text KIDS to 45678, or donate online. Here’s what else is happening around Metro Vancouver this weekend:
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Variety Week Street Festival
City Opera Presents: Missing
The Space Centre Presents: Art We Alone in the Universe?
Langley Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild: Beyond Fibre Artisan Sale
Douglas College: Concord Floral
Coquitlam Beer Festival
Youth Education Farms Gala
Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat
Authors at the Seaforth Armoury: Benjamin Hertwig
Shameless Hussy Productions Presents: Girls Like That
Theater Crossing Presents: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde
Jesus Christ Superstar at Centennial Theatre
Ballet BC Program 1
Diwali in BC Shows
Vancouver Jewish Film Festival
Cirque du Soleil: KURIOS
Heart of the City Festival
Saturday, November 4, 2017
65 Roses Gala
MAGIC! by The Vancouver Magic Circle
Dirty, Dirty Rock and Roll Super Show
The Deep Cove with José Contreras
Perfect Bid
Franchise Canada Show
Coquitlam Beer Festival
TriCity International Food & Wine Festival
Filipino Festival, Surrey
Langley Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild: Beyond Fibre Artisan Sale
Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique Holiday Gala
KPWA Christmas Tea and Bazaar
Bottoms Up Exhibit Opening at New Westminster Museum & Archives
Vancouver Latin Showcase Party
Vancouver Health Show
Nat Bailey Winter Farmers Market
Theater Crossing Presents: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde
Jesus Christ Superstar at Centennial Theatre
Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat
Douglas College: Concord Floral
Ballet BC Program 1
Diwali in BC Shows
Vancouver Jewish Film Festival
Cirque du Soleil: KURIOS
Heart of the City Festival
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Rehearsal for Operation Frozen Toes Flash Mob
Raffi 40 Years of Singable Songs
Dirk Terpstra: “The Intuitive Heart” HeartMath Workshop
Franchise Canada Show
TriCity International Food & Wine Festival
Vancouver Art Guild Winter Salon Art Exhibition and Sale
Secrets of a Salmon Stream
Vancouver Health Show
Hastings Park Winter Farmers Market
Theater Crossing Presents: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde
Jesus Christ Superstar at Centennial Theatre
Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat
Douglas College: Concord Floral
Vancouver Jewish Film Festival
Cirque du Soleil: KURIOS
Heart of the City Festival
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