The Vancouver International Film Festival (“VIFF”) brings films from around the globe to its audience, inviting viewers to share great stories and unique personal visions in a communal, celebratory environment. This year the festival kicks off with the latest from Vancouver’s own Mina Shum.

VIFF Opening Gala Film

Where: The Centre for Arts (777 Homer St, Vancouver)
When: Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 7:00pm

Opening Gala film Meditation Park is a moving exploration of marriage and infidelity, as well as a humorous tribute to Vancouver itself.

Maria (Cheng Pei Pei) has spent decades of devoted marriage dutifully excusing the prejudices and vices of her husband (Tzi Ma). But when she discovers another woman’s thong in his pocket, she embarks on some unintentionally comic sleuthing which soon introduces her to new East Vancouver communities and ultimately sets her on the course to self-discovery. Mina Shum makes an inspired return to narrative feature filmmaking with this richly detailed, emotionally rewarding and unmistakably Vancouver story.

VIFF Closing Gala Film

Where: The Centre for Arts (777 Homer St, Vancouver)
When: Friday, October 13, 2017 at 7:30pm

The festival season ends with VIFF’s Closing Gala film, Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck, a luminous tale of two children and the special inspiration that drives them.

Todd Haynes (Carol) returns with a marvellous time-travelling tale that follows the parallel fortunes of two deaf 12-year-olds—Ben (Oakes Fegley), a lad in 1977 Michigan, and Rose (luminous newcomer Millicent Simmonds), a girl in 1927 New Jersey—who, for seemingly different reasons, are drawn to a gloriously rendered New York City in search of their own burgeoning identities… “Intricate and ambitious… Embraces so many shimmery, evanescent ideas, it’s a marvel that any one picture… can hold them.”—Time

Win Tickets

I have a a pair of passes to the Closing Gala Film and Closing Gala Party 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 post an entry on Twitter

[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win tickets to the @viffest closing film & gala party http://ow.ly/3pAZ30frBCo” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw two winners at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, October 4, 2017.

Follow VIFF on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about the festival, its events, special guests, and films.

Miss604 is a proud Media Partner of the Vancouver International Film Festival

Update The winner is Angela!

Inspiring greater public participation in arts, culture and heritage, Port Moody, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam will host over 25 free events during Culture Days, September 29th to October 1st.

Culture Days in Coquitlam

The 8th annual Culture Days celebration is where thousands of artists, individuals, organizations and communities across Canada host free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite people to create, participate and share.​ Here’s what will be happening in Coquitlam:

Salmon Scavenger Hunt

Register now for the Spot the Salmon Scavenger Hunt! 12 salmon sculptures were installed throughout Coquitlam in prominent public spaces as a legacy public art project for Coquitlam 125 anniversary celebration.

Coquitlam is inviting residents to track down all 12 salmon sculptures during Culture Days for a chance to win the Grand Prize, which includes a $100 gift card to Coquitlam Centre, $100 art pack from Opus Art Supplies and four all-day Compass ride passes.

Those who visit and correctly answer the questions for 6 of the salmon locations will have a chance to win a Second Prize, including a $50 Coquitlam Centre gift card, $50 art pack and 2 Compass ride passes. Participants should also be on the lookout for pop-up prizes at random locations.​

More Events in Coquitlam for Culture Days

Friday, September 29, 2017
Drawing with Water-Soluble Pencils
Special book Club

Saturday, September 30, 2017
Coquitlam Heritage Tours
Celebrating Diversity – Canada 150
Geocaching
Glen Pine Culture Days Open House

Sunday, October 2, 2017
Coquitlam Farmers Market
Cutie Circle Ukulele Jamboree
Maillardville Walking Tour & Mackin House Tour
Make Your Tickets to the Show
Special Fibre Arts Demonstration
Family Day

Read full event details, view schedules, and registration info here »

Culture Days represents the largest-ever collective public participation campaign undertaken by the arts and cultural community in Canada with over 7,500 free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to create, participate and share. Miss604 is proud to be a media partner of the Tri-Cities Culture Days weekend. Stay tuned for more event listings in the coming days.

Follow Culture Days on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.

Miss604 is proud to be a media partner of Culture Days in the Tri-Cities

The Granville Island Turkey Trot has become a Thanksgiving Day tradition in Vancouver, and registration is now open for the 20th annual event that inspires active lifestyles and supporting the community around you.

Presented by RUNVAN®, this year’s Granville Island Turkey Trot will once again have a Kids Run on Sunday followed by the 10KM run on Thanksgiving Monday.

Granville Island Turkey Trot

Sunday, October 8, 2017 Kids Run at 11:00am
Monday, October 9, 2017 10KM at 8:30am
Register today »

Included in Registration

• 10KM medal for all finishers
• Free $20 Gift Card from Rackets & Runners valid on New Balance product with no minimum spend
• Race bib with built-in timing chip
• Free, convenient and secure gear check
• Free drinks
• On-course services including water
• Exciting Finish Line on Granville Island
• Expo at Performance Works with free yoga
• Post-race celebrations with free hot food and lively entertainment
• Age category and fun team prizes
• Plus your race entry supports local charity

Rackets & Runners will donate two pounds of food to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank for every $20 Gift Card redeemed at the Expo or at Rackets & Runners until November 30th! Donate to The Greater Vancouver Food Bank and you are also eligible to win draw prizes.

All abilities welcome. Participants are encouraged to run, walk, or even stroll with baby strollers. Great food will be available post-event, along with live entertainment inside Performance Works post race.

Community Challenge

The non-profit Vancouver International Marathon Society now annually organizes the Granville Island Turkey Trot. To acknowledge the special role communities play in bringing race day to life, they feature a Community Challenge Program – the goal of which is to create a movement that will ignite support and excitement for sport.

The Community Challenge presented by Chevron recognizes and rewards communities that support the event. Cash prizes are up for grabs! $250 will be awarded to each of the following categories:

• Team with the Largest Number of Runners wins $250
• Best Team Costume, runners or spectators, wins $250
• Best Volunteer Team wins $250
• Additionally, RUNVAN® will randomly award one lucky team of 10 more runners $250!

Greater Vancouver Food Bank

The Granville Island Turkey Trot is annually organized over Thanksgiving in the spirit of community and giving back. When you register, please consider donating to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank or bring non-perishable food items to the race to support the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

The GVFB provides assistance to over 26,500 people weekly through 13 distribution locations and more than 80 community agencies located in Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and North Vancouver. For every $1 donated, the GVFB is able to purchase $3 of nutritious food. The GVFB is committed to its vision of accessible, healthy and sustainable food for all and through community collaboration, is pro-actively working to help end hunger.

Follow RUNVAN

The Granville Island Turkey Trot is part of the RUNVAN® race series, which also includes the BMO Vancouver Marathon in May and Fall Classic Run at UBC in November. All events are organized by the local non-profit RUNVAN®, with the goal to inspire healthy, active lifestyles.

Register today! Follow the Granville Island Turkey Trot on Twitter and Facebook, plus RunVan on Twitter and Facebook #runvan #runandgive for more information.

Inspiring greater public participation in arts, culture and heritage, Port Moody, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam will host over 25 free events during Culture Days, September 29th to October 1st.

Culture Days in Port Moody

The City of Port Moody invites residents and visitors to celebrate Culture Days with free, hands-on activities that encourage the public to go behind the scenes and discover the world of arts and culture. The lineup of events includes:

Port Moody Scavenger Hunt (free)
When: September 29 – October 1, 2017
Where: Around Port Moody
Explore Port Moody’s rich heritage and diverse public art as you follow clues and answer questions in the Port Moody Scavenger Hunt. Participants have a chance to win City swag. Use #pomoscavenger2017 to earn extra chances to win. Register online »

Canada 150 Mosaic (free)
When: September 29, 2017 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray Street)
When: September 30, 2017 from 10:00am to 6:00pm
Where: Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray Street)
When: October 1, 2017 from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Where: Where: Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray Street)
Celebrate Canada 150 during Culture Days by painting a tile for Port Moody’s Canada 150 Mosaic Mural, one of 150 being completed across Canada. The mural will depict our city’s waterfront environment and honour Port Moody’s history. Artists and aspiring artists of all ages are invited to add their personal touch by painting their own unique tile.

A Virtual Tour of Rocky Point Park (free)
When: Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: Parkview Room, City Hall (100 Newport Drive)
Have you experienced virtual reality (VR) yet? Stop in for a short demo of a new, interactive VR experience showcasing Rocky Point Park, and explore Port Moody as you try out some state-of-the-art VR hardware.

Artist-in-Residence Finale (free)
When: Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Where: Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Drive)
Ryan Mellors, an internationally-renowned contemporary juggler who has been Port Moody’s artist-caretaker-in-residence for the past year, brings his “Circus at Rocky Point Park” indoors for a finale performance. Join Ryan and other local talents as he demonstrates new tricks and techniques perfected during his residency at Rocky Point Park.

Venosta Radio Show (free)
When: Sunday, October 1, 2017 from 3:00 t0 4:00pm
Where: Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Drive)
The Venosta Radio Show will take you back to the days before television when families would gather around the radio to be entertained by stories, ads, sound effects, and music. Enjoy a free behind-the-scenes look at how a 1920s radio show was produced. The Venosta Radio Show is performed by Expect Theatre and presented by the Port Moody Station Museum.

Culture Days represents the largest-ever collective public participation campaign undertaken by the arts and cultural community in Canada with over 7,500 free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to create, participate and share. Miss604 is proud to be a media partner of the Tri-Cities Culture Days weekend. Stay tuned for more event listings in the coming days.

Follow Culture Days on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.

Miss604 is proud to be a media partner of Culture Days in the Tri-Cities

Broadway Across Canada presents Jersey Boys, November 14-19, 2017 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Go behind the music and inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the Tony Award®-winning true-life musical phenomenon, Jersey Boys. From the streets of New Jersey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this is the musical that’s just too good to be true.

The touring cast of Jersey Boys, photo by Jeremy Daniel

Jersey Boys in Vancouver

When: November 14 to November 19, 2017
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (650 Hamilton St, Vancouver)

They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story — a story that has made them an international sensation all over again.

Featuring the legendary Top 10 hits: “Sherry”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “Walk Like A Man”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, “December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)”.

Pre-Sale Code & Link

This pre-sale link will be ONLY available Friday, September 22, 2017 from 10:00am until Sunday, September 24, 2017 at 10:00pm. The code to use is NIGHT.

General Tickets

Individual tickets go on sale Monday, September 25, 2017 at 10:00am. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster online or call 1-855-985-5000. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 1-800-889-8457.

Follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their shows coming to Vancouver for 2017-2018.