The 12th annual Take a Hike Foundation Moonlight Snowshoe is coming up on February 15th and as a new sponsor of this event, I thought I would learn – and share – more about this local organization.
Take a Hike’s Model
In secondary schools across the province, some students are falling through the cracks and failing to graduate from high school. In many cases, this is due to their circumstances, not their abilities. At-risk students may find themselves unable to cope in the traditional school system when they are struggling with abuse, addiction, mental health issues, hunger, poverty, or violence.
The team behind Take a Hike includes teachers, clinical therapists, youth and family workers and adventure-based learning specialists. The program establishes the right conditions necessary for students to experience success and provides students the opportunity to graduate, rebuild relationships and develop life skills. It achieves this by uniquely combining adventure-based learning, academics, therapy and community involvement.
Take a Hike’s Impact
One of the best ways to learn about an ogranization, that I have found, is by listening to the individuals that they support. In Take a Hike’s recent January newsletter, they featured a story from Mannat, a Grade 12 student:
“The first trip I ever went on was a canoe trip and that is where reality hit me. I didn’t know that we would be on the move every day to a different place with all our stuff and I think that was the biggest shock. I cried for three days on that trip about how much I wanted to go home and how I was going to drop out of the program when I got back into the city, but I guess that didn’t happen because I ended up completing that canoe trip, three other trips, and I am still here enjoying every bit of Take a Hike.
What I realized on that trip was that life around you continues to keep growing and moving even when you feel like everything around you is falling apart. All you have to do is just step back and take a break from what is going on without phones or other distractions. I felt at peace and content with myself after that first trip. Take a Hike has helped me grow as a person and has really put me on the right path in my life.”
Take a Hike students are now busy preparing for their second multi-day trip of the school year. Every year your support makes it possible for each classroom to take three intensive, challenging outdoor trips that get students out of the city and give them opportunities to grow.
Take a Hike Foundation Moonlight Snowshoe
This is your chance to be part of an intimate and inspiring evening, alongside Take a Hike’s students and staff, on a guided snowshoeing under the moon.
Where: Mount Seymour – The Hut (1700 Mount Seymour Road) When: Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 5:00pm Registration: Already 2/3 full! Register today »
The evening will include the guided tour, food, live music, silent auction and prizes, and more all in support of a great cause! Follow the Foundation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information.
Broadway Across Canada is thrilled to announce this year’s stunning season at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. It will all begin with the Tony and Grammy Award-winning true story, BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL. Up next, direct from Broadway, comes THE ILLUSIONISTS, a high-tech magic extravaganza. The season concludes with the previously announced homegrown Canadian musical, the uplifting, critically acclaimed COME FROM AWAY.
In addition to three-show package, there are two special additions to the regular line-up, featuring Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of the Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES and back by popular demand The BOOK OF MORMON returns to Vancouver for a limited one week engagement in 2018.
Broadway Across Canada 2018-2019 Shows
BEAUTIFUL – The Carole King Musical – November 13 – 18, 2018
The Carole King Musical tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation.
THE ILLUSIONISTS – January 15 – 20, 2019
Direct from Broadway, the world’s best-selling magic show is coming to Vancouver. This mind blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of five of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. THE ILLUSIONISTS – LIVE FROM BROADWAY has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.
COME FROM AWAY – March 5 – 10, 2019
The true story of the small town that welcomed the world. Broadway’s COME FROM AWAY has won Best Musical all across North America! The New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of 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.
SEASON OPTION: LES MISÉRABLES – July 10 – 15, 2018
Cameron Mackintosh presents the new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon, Les Misérables, direct from its acclaimed Broadway return. Featuring the beloved songs “I Dreamed A Dream,” “On My Own,” “Stars,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” and many more, this epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. With its glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, this breathtaking new production has left both audiences and critics awestruck.
SEASON OPTION: THE BOOK OF MORMON– September 25 – 30, 2018
This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Now with standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation. Contains explicit language.
Winner of six 2017 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and 2018 Grammy Award® nominee DEAR EVAN HANSEN will play Vancouver as part of the 2019/2020 season. Subscribers from the 2018/2019 season will have first access to DEAR EVAN HANSEN when they renew their full subscription for the 2019/2020 season. The dates and performance schedule will be announced at a later date.
Season Packages
Three show Season packages start at $145 and are available today for existing 2017/2018 subscribers. Packages go on sale to the general public beginning Monday March 22nd online or by phone at 866.542.7469 (Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm).
Season ticket packages for the Broadway Across Canada 2018/2019 Vancouver Season vary in price depending on performance, seat location, and date of purchase.
Broadway Across Canada – 2018/2019 Vancouver Season Subscribers receive exclusive perks, including: priority seating access, guaranteed prices, easy payment plans, guaranteed same seats locations for all season presentations, ticket exchange services, lost ticket replacement, online upgrades and NY ticketing services.
Follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their shows coming to Vancouver in 2018-2019.
Caravan World Rhythms presents the electrifying, international dance sensation Che Malambo on April 11th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. Combining the lightning-fast footwork of Riverdance with the smouldering intensity of flamenco and tango, Che Malambo will storm the stage this spring with a breathtaking new program.
Che Malambo Photo Credit Diane Smithers
Caravan World Rhythms Presents Che Malambo
Hailed by critics for their “power and passion” and “mind-blowing” performances, Che Malambo promise to allure audiences with pulsating rhythms, magnetic physicality, and a delicious hint of danger.
When: Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 8:00pm Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (650 Hamilton St) Tickets: Available now for $28 – $72 (plus applicable fees) at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre box office, by calling 1-877-840-0457 or online via TicketsTonight.
Celebrated for their strength, sensuality, and speed, Che Malambo’s 14 dancers display their hypnotic rhythms and technical prowess with humour and confidence. Night after night, they create an edge-of-the-seat experience showcasing the inherent precision in every member of this highly skilled ensemble.
Founded by renowned French dancer and choreographer Gilles Brinas, Che Malambo has been delighting audiences around the world since 2007. Captivated by the gaucho (South American cowboy) tradition, Brinas’ interest took him to the Pampas region of Argentina to study the signature gaucho dance style, Malambo. Originally a form of competitive duel between 17th century gauchos, Malambo evolved to include zapateo.
The zapateo style is characterized by its breakneck footwork inspired by the galloping of horse hooves. Its rhythms are drawn from the traditional Argentine bombos, and its bravado is summoned with the same boldness as the gaucho tossing its whirling boleadoras (percussive lasso). Inspired by the theatrical dynamism of this art form, Brinas created Che Malambo to share it with the world.
Win a Date Night Prize Pack for Valentine’s Day
I have the opportunity to give away an amazing prize pack (valued at $600!) that you can surprise your special someone with this Valentine’s Day.
Click below to get another entry by posting on Twitter:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a @VanWorldMusic #CheMalambo Date Night Prize Pack for Valentine’s Day featuring @CuchilloYVR @xoxolat @TFlowerbox @pHreshSpa valued at $600! http://ow.ly/N2Em30hRYu7″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, February 8, 2018 – just in time for Valentine’s Day!
This morning the Vancouver Aquarium sent out a special message from their President & CEO John Nightingale, which I received by email. “I want you to be among the first to know that we will continue our commitment to ocean conservation, including through expanded public engagement, but we will do so without the display of whales or dolphins at the Vancouver Aquarium.”
The message was clear and it’s been pouring across social media since its release within this last hour. Here is more from the Vancouver Aquarium’s own blog post:
Despite independent polling, year over year, that clearly shows overwhelming support for our cetacean program, we have made the difficult decision to no longer display cetaceans at Vancouver Aquarium, with the exception of doing what is best for Helen and any need to use the Aquarium for the temporary accommodation of a rescued cetacean. Moving forward, we will focus on raising awareness of the many ocean issues impacting other vulnerable marine animals.
Helen is the Pacific white-sided dolphin who is the only cetacean currently living at the Aquarium.
Believed to be in her early 30s, Helen is considered a senior-aged dolphin. She arrived at the Aquarium in 2005 after her rescue and rehabilitation from entanglement in a fishing net in Japan. After many years in professional care and with only partial flippers, Helen is not a candidate for release. However, dolphins are a social species so finding companionship for her is paramount. Unfortunately, decisions about her future are complicated, with options limited at this time by her age, Vancouver Park Board legislation, the outcome of court challenges and the long processes of obtaining international permits.
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre — the only marine mammal hospital of its kind in Canada — will continue to rescue and rehabilitate animals in need, including whales or dolphins.
Theatre, a motorcycle show, a hockey classic, and a massive food festival are just some of the events and activities to enjoy in 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.
