The Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival runs March 30 to April 23, 2017 and organizers have made it easier than ever to find tens of thousands of blossoms all around Vancouver, and to enjoy themed events.
Where to Find Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver
A neighbourhood map is available, pin pointing over 2,100 cherry blossom locations in the city along with some of the best photo opportunities. About 50 different cultivars of flowering cherry trees are coming into bloom, lighting up Metro Vancouver and painting neighbourhoods in awash of colour from a blush of pink to pure snow white cherry blossoms. Click here for the full interactive map »
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry Jam Downtown
Free on Thursday, March 30, 2017 from 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Burrard Skytrain station indoor concourse, 635 Burrard St, Vancouver
Tree Talks Walks
Free, starting March 30, 2017
Sakura Night Gala
Sunday, April 2, 2017 6:30pm: Evolve’s Pink Effervescence Welcome,
7:00 to 9:00pm: Standing Dinner Reception
Stanley Park Pavilion, 610 Pipeline Road, Vancouver
Sakura Days Japan Fair
Saturday, April 8, 2017 11:00am to 7:00pm & Sunday, April 9, 2017 11:00am to 5:00pm
VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street at 37th, Vancouver
The Big Picnic
Pending bloom, TBA
Queen Elizabeth Park @ W 33rd Ave and Cambie
You can also participate in the Haiku Invitational, March 30th to June 1st. Follow the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Broadway Across Canada welcomes Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera in Vancouver this summer. Performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.
The Phantom of the Opera in Vancouver
When: July 12th to July 23rd, 2017
Where: Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (650 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
Derrick Davis and Katie Travis. Photo by Matthew Murphy
Critics are raving that this breathtaking production is bigger and better than ever before. This Phantom features a brilliant new scenic design by Paul Brown, Tony Award-winning original costume design by Maria Björnson, lighting design by Tony Award winner Paule Constable, new choreography by Scott Ambler, and a new staging by director Laurence Connor.
The production, overseen by Matthew Bourne and Cameron Mackintosh, boasts many exciting special effects including the show’s legendary chandelier. The beloved story and thrilling score – with songs like Music of the Night, All I Ask Of You, and Masquerade is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this PHANTOM one of the largest productions now on tour.
General Tickets
Individual tickets go on sale Saturday, April 1st at 10:00am for Vancouver’s premiere engagement of The Phantom of the Opera at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre this July. Ticket prices start at $37.50 (plus applicable service charges). Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 1-800-889-8457.
Pre-Sale Code & Link
This pre-sale link will be ONLY available Friday, March 31, 2017 from 10:00am to 10:00pm. The code to use is MAGICAL. This is a one-day pre-sale only!
Follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their shows coming to Vancouver for 2017.
“It’s night number one of a three week tour — with all of us together, can you believe that?” Todd Kerns addressed the crowd at the Commodore Ballroom on Friday night. The Kerns brothers and Dahle brothers, who make up The Age of Electric, are touring the country this spring to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album Make a Pest a Pet.
They kicked things off with I Don’t Mind, a single that any Much Music faithful would recognize from the time when music videos were played on TV and counted down once a week.
The last time I heard all of these songs together I was listening to the CD I purchased at A&B Sound on my discman — and AOE sounded even better live. They sounded better than I remember at any of the all ages festival shows I saw when I was in high school 20 years ago. They sounded better than any CD or mix tape I might still have kicking around next to a yearbook in a box somewhere.
The show reached beyond Make a Pest a Pet and into their self-titled album from 1995, with Ugly, Enya, and an epic rendition of Untitled pleasing the crowd that sang along and filled in the Ugly lyrics. Then it went even further, with covers of Canadian rock classics like Taking Care of Business followed by the entire ballroom singing the national anthem.
The guys played some new music too, including Keys and Kids Break Bones from The Pretty EP released this year. For the inevitable encore, Todd remarked: “You’ve been to a rock show before, you know how this works,” the audience cheered and clapped, because everyone was genuinely hungry for more even though it was past midnight.
They came back out on stage to play the one tune that was noticeably missing from the set list all night: Remote Control.
While they have all been busy with other projects, it was a delight to witness Todd Kerns, Ryan Dahle, John Kerns, and Kurt Dahle on a stage together once more. They belted and shredded, and made everyone wish we hadn’t been missing this for the last 20 years in Vancouver.
Tour Dates
Even if you are unfamiliar with their music from 20 years ago, which is still relevant today, you’ll enjoy a rock solid Canadian concert filled with incredible talent. Tickets on sale now for:
March 29, Red Deer, AB @ Int’l Beer Haus & Stage
March 31, Edmonton, AB @ Union Hall (date change from March 30)
April 1, Calgary, AB @ Marquee (early show, doors at 6:00pm)
April 4, Regina, SK @ The Exchange
April 5, Saskatoon, SK @ O’Brians Event Centre
April 6, Winnipeg, MB @ Canad Inns Transcona – Nashville’s
April 7, Thunder Bay, ON @ Crock’s
April 10, St. Catharines, ON @ Warehouse
April 12, Waterloo, ON @ Maxwell’s Music House
April 13, Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
April 14, London, ON @ London Music Hall (all ages show)
April 15, Oshawa, ON @ Oshawa Music Hall
April 16, Arnprior, ON @ The John St. Pub
Follow The Age of Electric on Instagram, Twitter, and at their tour stops this spring.
March 30, 2017 has officially been proclaimed “Red Robinson Day in Vancouver”, in honour of Canada’s original rock and roll deejay. From emceeing for both the Beatles and Elvis Presley, to bringing the music of Buddy Holly to Vancouver’s airwaves, and even launching the career of Michael Bublé – Robinson is a true rock and roll industry legend.
Red Robinson Day in Vancouver
Red was spinning the hits on Vancouver’s CJOR while still in high school in 1954. He was the first DJ to play rock’n’roll music on a regular basis in Canada!
In 2016, Red Robinson was appointed to the Order of British Columbia for his tireless charity work with organizations like the CHILD Foundation, Heart & Stroke Foundation and Timmy’s Telethon. Red Robinson has been a pillar in this city for many years and continues to have his voice heard every Sunday afternoon on CISL 650 with the Red Rock Diner.
For his milestone birthday, CISL 650 has given Red the keys to the studio. He’ll be broadcasting a special Red Rock Diner LIVE from 10:00am to 2:00pm on Thursday, March 30th (11151 Horseshoe Way, Suite 20, Richmond). Red will be playing four hours of songs that changed rock and roll music forever. We’ll also chat with some of Red’s music friends he met along the way. Help us celebrate this special day with the man who’s given so much to our city.
Follow CISL 650 on Twitter and Facebook for more information about #RedRobinsonDay.
The 6th Annual CAN Family Festival at Jack Poole Plaza is coming up on April 9th. The day’s festivities will kick off with a fundraising walk and the lighting of the cauldron to commemorate April as Autism Awareness Month.
CAN Family Festival
Where: Jack Poole Plaza, Downtown Vancouver
When: Sunday, April 9, 2017 10:30am to 2:30pm
Admission: Free!
Emceed by Breakfast Television Host Riaz Meghji, the festival will include live entertainment by Bobs & Lolo and David Morin, food trucks, a skate park, face painting, a ball hockey tournament featuring Vancouver Canucks alumni, and much more.
Browse 15 vendors at a pop-up artisan market selling unique gifts, gourmet food, apparel for adults and children, and home décor, with part proceeds benefiting Canucks Autism Network. There will also be first responder vehicles on-site for kids to explore, and a photo booth with Canucks alumni.
The Canucks Autism Network (CAN) provides year-round sports and recreation programs for individuals and families living with autism, while increasing awareness and providing training in communities across British Columbia. Follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for more information.
