“It is no achievement to walk a tightrope laid flat on the floor,” reads a quote at the end of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc’s book. It was one of many things that offered inspiration to local filmmaker Patrick Stark who is now eight years into production of his “One Life No Regrets” documentary.

The objective of the film is for Stark to conquer his greatest fear in life – singing in public – with one majestic moment on stage with U2 as they kick off their Joshua Tree Tour 2017 in Vancouver on May 12th. The only thing is, it’s not yet a sure thing, but there’s something to be said for going all in.

One Life No Regrets

One Life No Regrets is Stark’s documentary that he packed with star-studded interviews while chronicling his journey of a lifetime. It all began when he woke up one day at 40 and starting thinking about life, opportunities, and the example he wanted to set for his young family.

“I thought, how am I going to be a good parent? I can tell them to live a good life, but have I?” He had already been working in the film industry for years, so that seemed like the right platform for his mission, and when he pinpointed his childhood fear of singing in public, that became the obstacle he would attempt to overcome — with the biggest band in the entire world.

“What is the ultimate experience for someone who needs to confront a fear of singing? What would be that one thing that I might feel proud of doing? Karaoke crossed my mind a number of times but it was so easy, will I feel good about myself afterward? Will it be enough?” He knew he had to do something big. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

The City of Vancouver and Science World British Columbia have teamed up for In It Together, an engaging and interactive event for all ages that will spark interest and promote awareness and action toward emergency preparedness. This event is free and will have a variety of booths and activities both inside and outside of Science World. In It Together is the kick-off event for Emergency Preparedness Week.

Free Day at Science World

What: In It Together: An Emergency Preparedness Week Event
When: Sunday, May 7, 2017 from 10:00am to 6:00pm

Emergency Preparedness Week is a national awareness initiative that has taken place annually, since 1996. It is a collaborative event undertaken by provincial and territorial emergency management organizations supporting activities at the local level, in concert with Public Safety Canada and partners. EP Week encourages Canadians to take three simple steps to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies:

• Know the risks
• Make a plan
• Get an emergency kit

In addition to City displays and activities, the event will feature presentations on emergency preparedness, including an adaptation of the Master of Disaster curriculum and a presentation on earthquakes, by experts from Natural Resources Canada. A number of our partners in emergency preparedness will also have booths and activities, including: Canadian Red Cross, E-Comm, the Earthquake Engineering Institute—BC Chapter, Fortis BC, IBC, Natural Resources Canada, Public Safety Canada, ShakeOut BC, Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services and VECTOR. Join us in launching Emergency Preparedness Week 2017!

For more information follow Science World on Facebook and Twitter.

The BMO Vancouver Marathon, Vancouver’s only marathon event, will welcome participants from over 60 countries May 4-7, 2017. Whether you’re doing the Marathon, Half Marathon, 8KM, Relay, Walk, Kids Run, checking out the free Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo or the Street Festival, there are many ways to celebrate marathon weekend!

Photo: Maylies Lang / RUNVAN®

BMO Vancouver Marathon Schedule of Events

Thursday, May 4 to Saturday, May 6, 2017
What: Free Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West (1055 Canada Place)
When: Thursday, May 4 (5:00pm-8:00pm); Friday, May 5 (11:00am-8:00pm); Saturday, May 6 (10:00am-6:00pm)

The Health, Sports & Lifestyle Expo is the largest expo event on its kind in Canada and kicks off BMO Vancouver Marathon weekend. It showcases everything from gear and shoes to the latest trends in lifestyle, fitness, wellness, health and nutrition.

You can win amazing prizes including Whitecaps tickets from BMO, Seahawks Training Camp VIP passes, Saucony Shoes, Air France flights to Paris and more! The Expo is FREE and open to participants and the public. Over 120 exhibitors will fill the Expo so be sure to leave plenty of time to check it out.

Voted Vancouver’s Best. The BMO Vancouver Marathon is a special experience you have to be part of! Join runners from 60+ countries. Photo: Christopher Morris / RUNVAN®

Saturday, May 6, 2017

• 9:00am: Running Room Friendship Run – Stanley Park, Devonian Park. Meet at Running Room Dennman (Denman and Georgia)
• 11:00am: Kids Run presented by Saucony Kids – Stanley Park, Ceperly Park
• 12:00pm: 2.5KM Walk – Stanley Park, Ceperly Park

Sunday, May 7, 2017

• 7:00am: Half Marathon Start – Queen Elizabeth Park, Midlothian Ave
• 8:00am: Half Marathon champion – Finish Line
• 8:30am: Marathon & Relay Start – Queen Elizabeth Park, Midlothian Ave
• 9:30am: 8KM Start – Stanley Park, Lagoon Drive
• 10:45am: Marathon champion – Finish Line
• 8:00am – 3:30pm: Finish Line – West Pender St. between Bute & Thurlow
• 8:30am – 2:30pm: Street Festival – West Hastings St. between Bute & Burrard

Route Map

Click here for large version of the route map »

Road Closures

Road closures will be in effect on Sunday, May 7, 2017 between 7:00am and 11:00am for the Half Marathon, 8:30am to 3:30pm for the Marathon, and 9:30am to 11:00am for the 8KM.

Race routes will impact traffic in Vancouver’s Riley Park, Coal Harbour and Downtown on Saturday, May 6, and Riley Park, Cambie, Oakridge, Fairview, Kerrisdale, Dunbar, UBC, Point Grey, Kitsilano, False Creek, Chinatown, Yaletown, West End, Coal Harbour and Downtown neighbourhouds.

Click here for detailed PDFs with road closure info for each neighbourhood »

Follow the BMO Vancouver Marathon on Facebook and Twitter for information about the Expo, Festival, and all of the runs and walks.

Arts Umbrella presents the 2017 Expressions Theatre Festival, an annual event celebrating the next generation of gifted young artists from the organization’s Pre-Professional Theatre Program, running May 18 to 27, 2017, at Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island.

From the witty satire of Urinetown: The Musical to the playful compilation The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), this year’s program offers an array of diverse and thought-provoking works, including the emotionally-charged world premiere Living In My Skin, a fearlessly student-written play about confronting teen anxiety.

Arts Umbrella Expressions Theatre Festival

When: Wednesday, May 18 to Saturday, May 27, 2017
Where: Waterfront Theatre, Granville Island (1412 Cartwright St)
Tickets: From $10 – $20 available online now

While developing their presentations for the Expressions Theatre Festival, Arts Umbrella students have the opportunity to collaborate closely with professional directors and designers. Before staging each production at the Festival, the Junior, Senior and Laboratory Theatre Troupes will have toured their works to schools across the Lower Mainland, learning the important logistics involved in mounting and producing technically demanding works, while honing their acting craft for the professional stage.

On Stage

Living In My Skin
May 18 & 26
The world premiere of this ensemble piece features a series of relevant, relatable and poignant scene about the difficulties of dealing with teen anxiety.

Urinetown: The Musical
May 19 to 21, 23 to 25 & 27
In a Gotham-like city, a terrible water shortage caused by a 20-year drought has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
May 18, 20, 21 & 26
Witness all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays in one night! An irreverent, hilarious and fast-paced romp through the Bard’s catalogue.

Charlotte’s Web
May 20 & 21
The stage adaptation of the classic story about an irresistible young pig named Wilbur, his miraculous spider friend Charlotte, and her campaign to save Wilbur’s life.

Theatre and Music Showcase, performed by Theatre Intensive Program students
May 27
One of the highlights of the season, the Theatre and Music Showcase reveals the polished and dynamic talent of the Theatre Intensive Program students through a kaleidoscope of short musical and theatre performances across a range of genres.

Win a Prize Pack

To celebrate the Expressions Theatre Festival, I have a prize pack to give away that includes:

• A family pack of tickets (4) for any performance in the festival
  [see schedule here]
• A $200 gift card for Arts Umbrella programs

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 @artsumbrella Expressions Theatre Festival prize pack http://owl.li/pZge30bnasS” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, May 8, 2017. Follow Arts Umbrella on Twitter and Facebook for more information about the Expressions Theatre Festival and their programs.

Update: The winner is Ella!

For one day only, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice will host families from all over the Lower Mainland at the Best Day Ever Blanket Fort at TELUS Garden. The event will take place on Saturday, May 13th, from 11:00am to 3:00pm. This child and family-friendly event celebrates the different ways Canuck Place families savour life, and is free to the public.

Best Day Ever Blanket Fort

When: Saturday, May 13, 2017 11:00am to 3:00pm
Where: TELUS Garden (510 West Georgia St, Vancouver)

The corner of Seymour and Georgia will be transformed with the construction of a massive, interactive blanket fort that will span almost 2,000 square feet, made possible by TELUS. Event attendees will be transported to one of their favourite childhood pastimes featuring interactive musical performances, childhood culinary delights, and family-friendly games and activities, making this a perfect outing for Mother’s Day weekend.

Image courtesy of Canuck Place

“Canuck Place has taught my family to live life to the fullest,” said Cherie, mother of Canuck Place child Charlie-Anne.

“Charlie-Anne loves Canuck Place. Despite living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1, Canuck Place offers her adventures we never thought would be possible. This year we’re going camping at one of their recreational therapy day camps which I never dreamed we would be able to do together. Canuck Place helps us have fun, pack in new memories and simply savour our best days ever together.”

Best Day Ever

You can make Best Days like these happen with Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and by joining the Best Day Ever celebration this month, and donate today. This campaign celebrates the different ways Canuck Place families enjoy their time together, and runs throughout the month of May ending May 31st, 2017.