The Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra with Goh Ballet presents the children’s symphonic classic Peter and the Wolf at the iconic Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Vancouver.
Peter and the Wolf
Where: Orpheum Theatre (601 Smithe St, Vancouver)
When: One day only! Sunday, November 27, 2016 at 2:00pm
Tickets: Available online now and at the door for $15 adults, $10 students & seniors
The Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra (“VAMSO”) is bringing Vancouver yet another delightful show, just in time for the holiday season, and this year they teaming up with an exciting new partner. For the first time in Vancouver arts history, VAMSO will be performing with Goh Ballet in a charming presentation of a classic symphonic fairytale – Peter and the Wolf.
Gorgeous dancers from Goh Ballet will transform into characters from Sergei Prokofiev’s children’s masterpiece about a brave boy who outwits a fearsome foe. Russian composer Prokofiev wrote the work in 1936 as an introduction to classical music for children, with each character in the story demonstrating different instrument families: Peter the strings, Bird as the flute, Cat voiced by clarinet, Duck as the oboe, Wolf as French horn.
Music Director Leslie Dala will lead the 100+ young virtuoso musicians of VAMSO in accompanying the Goh Ballet dancers, as well as Bard on the Beach founder and local theatre luminary Christopher Gaze. Joining a long list of celebrated figures who have previously narrated the musical fable – Alec Guinness, Sean Connery, David Bowie, to name a few – Gaze will lend his voice to weave the tale on stage.
Win Tickets
I have a pair of tickets to give away to this amazingly collaborative performance, here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra on Facebook and Twitter for more information. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 6:00pm on Monday, November 21, 2016.
Update The winner is Haven Jones!
It’s tough to save money during the holidays while going to gatherings of friends and family, hosting dinners, and exchanging gifts. However, I know of several activities that will get you in the holiday spirit without sliding you into debt. Here is my second annual list of Free Christmas Activities in Metro Vancouver*:
Free Christmas Activities in Metro Vancouver
- Light Up the Village at Park Royal November 18, 2016. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, balloons, Lindt truffles. Special activities like cookie decorating and face painting will be by donation.
- Burnaby Village Museum Heritage Christmas November 19, 2016 to January 2, 2017. Free gate admission includes light displays, entertainment, crafts, and more. Carousel rides are extra.
- Surrey Tree Lighting on November 19, 2016 with light displays, free concerts, exhibitors, amusements, and a giant 50ft tree at Surrey City Hall Plaza.
- St Paul’s Hospital Lights of Hope kicking off with a community celebration on November 24, 2016.
- Festival of Trees at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver & CF Pacific Centre November 25, 2016 to January 2, 2017. The 30th annual Festival of Trees are on display supporting BC Children’s Hospital.
- CandyTown in Yaletown November 26, 2016. A free winter wonderland and neighbourhood festival with visits with Santa and the Ice Queen, Christmas arts and crafts, and of course lots of sweet treats.
- Lights at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam November 26, 2016 to January 22, 2017. More than 100,000 twinkling lights, featuring 10 themed zones, plus activities including lantern workshops, scavenger hunts, hot chocolate nights, caroling and more.
- Edmonds Festival of Lights November 26, 2016 at Edmonds Community Centre with the lighting of the Edmonds Tree, entertainment, snacks, crafts, and Santa visits.
- Port Coquitlam Winter Artisan Market and fair November 25-27, 2016 at Leigh Square Community Arts Village.
- New Westminster Santa Claus Parade. December 3, 2016 along Columbia St. Activities at the Anvil Centre, River Market, Fraser River Discovery Centre.
- Christmas Kick Off in Port Coquitlam. December 3, 2016 at Leigh Square Community Arts Village.
- Maple Ridge Santa Claus Parade December 3, 2016 followed by Christmas in the Park at Memorial Peace Park.
- Rogers Santa Claus Parade December 4, 2016 in Downtown Vancouver on Georgia and along Howe. More family fun at the Coast Capital Savings Christmas Square at Robson Square.
- Ladner Christmas Carol Ships set sail on December 2 & December 3, 2016. The Ladner Gospel Assembly choir will be set up at the government dock at the foot of Elliott street to serenade the crowd with Christmas favourites.
- Festive Tree Lighting December 7, 2016 at Dunbar Community Centre.
- Wesbrook Balloon Winter Wonderland December 3 to 18, 2016, launching with a Holiday Craft Fair and festival on December 3, 2016.
- Surrey’s Santa Parade December 4, 2016 in the historic downtown of Cloverdale.
- Big Rigs for Kids December 4, 2016 at Surrey City Hall Plaza. Watch a parade of lighted trucks roll through Downtown Surrey followed by a community Christmas carol sing-a-long.
- Park & Tilford Hi-Light Festival November 25 to December 31, 2016. Entry by donation with 100% proceeds to the North Vancouver Firefighters Charitable Society.
- Light Up the Heights December 3, 2016. Free street festival along Burnaby Heights (Hastings between Boundary and Gamma) with tree lighting ceremony in the evening.
- Christmas in Steveston Village Santa arrives off the boat on Steveston Public Wharf December 4, 2016. Free Santa hats, a classic Christmas car display, mascots, carolers, Cannery Farmers’ Market and more.
- Steveston Festival of Trees. Free admission on Cannery Market Days December 4, 11, 18.
- CP Holiday Train. After crossing the country from Montreal and visiting 150 communities, the CP Holiday Train will finish its journey in Pitt Meadows (December 16th), ending in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody (December 17th). View the light displays and enjoy a free concert.
- Burnaby Lake Park Holiday Open House. December 4, 2016. Guided walks, history, crafts.
- Robson Square Tree Lighting December 2, 2016 with a holiday concert, photos with Santa, holiday crafts, free hot chocolate and cookies, the lighting of the 50 ft. Christmas tree and more.
- Skating at Robson Square Ice Rink. Free when you bring your own skates. Open December 1, 2016 to February 14, 2017.
- Christmas Sail Past December 10. View lighted ships from the White Rock pier as the holiday procession sails past spectators.
- Christmas at Canada Place December 16 to December 30, 2016 free outdoor displays, lights, the legendary Woodward’s Windows, and more.
- Christmas Lights Photowalk at English Bay December 17, 2016.
- Lumiere Festival Vancouver December 3, 2016 lighting up the West End at Jim Deva Plaza and Morton Park.
If you have any other events to add, send them in via my contact form and I’ll include them (free or not) on the December event list. Thank you!
* Please note that there may be costs associated with extra activities at these events and attractions, such as food/snacks, admission to other attractions or sites, etc. This post covers information available at the time of publishing and any posted signage or fees at these activities should be observed.
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I remember walking through the Othello Tunnels as a child, splashing through puddles in my gumboots and squeezing my father’s hand when bats would flutter by. The Othello Tunnels, a part of Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, are a fun walk through local history with many great photo opportunities.
Othello Tunnels
In the early 1900s, the Canadian Pacific Railway decided a route was necessary to link the Kootenay Region with the BC coast by rail. The railway was built over three mountain ranges. In the Coquihalla Gorge – the river cut a 300 foot deep channel of solid granite. A straight line of tunnels were built through it which are known now as the Othello Tunnels. There are spectacular viewing opportunities available on the trail, through the tunnels and on the bridges. This park highlights the Kettle Valley Railway grade that passes through the canyon and 5 tunnels which were built in 1914. [BC Parks]
Fans of the Bard will appreciate some of the nearby hiking trail names — like Lear, Jessica, Portia, Iago, Romeo & Juliet, and of course Othello — as engineer Andrew McCullough was an avid reader of Shakespearean literature. Pop by the next time you’re visiting Hope, BC or traveling up the Fraser Canyon. The Provincial Park is 1h 45m from Vancouver and just minutes outside of Hope.
Note: The tunnels are closed during the winter months due to unstable conditions, falling rocks and ice. They will re-open for the May Long Weekend.
Check out the #Photos604 tag on Instagram for more information and follow @Miss604 for my own Pacific Northwest & inspired photos.
The Little Mountain Shop on Main Street presents Versatile, a fresh and cleverly-curated gallery event that will pop-up this month and again in December.
Art and Design Show on Main Street
What: Versatile Gallery
Where: The Little Mountain Shop (4386 Main St, Vancouver)
Opening Reception: Friday, November 25th at 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Exhibition: Friday, November 25th to 27th at 11:00am; December 2nd to 4th from 10:00am to 8:00pm
Versatile plays host to both established and emerging artists, designers and makers predominately from the Sea to Sky region. It will be Vancouver’s premiere opportunity to see this as yet un-taped vein of talent who are debuting in the city, as well as select established artists who will be presenting new collections for the event, said Versatile founder and curator Stewart Hughes.
Nine artists and makers will participate in a show including Meghan McCrone (pottery); Vanessa Stark (painter mixed medium); Valerie Nagy (dress maker); Diana Watters (contemporary graphic cross stitch); Lan Yao (painter); Caroline Miller (jeweler); MaryMary (street artist/stencil artist/screen printer) and Amanda Jane Green (jeweler).
“This is an opportunity to get ahead of the curve with some of these artists,” said Squamish-based Hughes, who makes art under the moniker of MaryMary. “There is a momentum amongst this group, that points to a bright future.”
Versatile was born out of the frustration the Welsh native said he felt seeing talent simply not getting a broader platform. “All this great work I was seeing I felt needed to get out into the hands of collectors and people who simply enjoy incredible art and design,” said Hughes.
“There are a lot of talented people bubbling just under the surface with no real exposure. The purpose of their work was falling short, because too few people were seeing it.”
Located in the popular Little Mountain neighbourhood, between Riley Park and Mt. Pleasant at 28th and Main, Little Mountain Pop-Up is a beautiful storefront that can be used for retail, gallery exhibits, yoga classes, and small events. Check out their calendar for upcoming events and pop-ups.
District Main is opening its doors to host a glittering holiday party for the Main Street community, and beyond, featuring the new solo exhibition “Precious Elements” by luxury hotel artist Lisa Penz. Step into a swanky winter wonderland (heated patio), sip on some signature cocktails and dance the night away.
Main Street Holiday Art Party
Artist: Lisa Penz
Where: District Main (4453 Main St, Vancouver)
When: Friday, December 2nd, 2016 6:30pm to 10:00pm
Admission: None
This special evening will feature a collection of Lisa Penz’s evocative contemporary paintings that celebrate colour while challenging the artist’s spacial issues.
Duality is the crux of some of these select works which highlight a “Reversible” feature—where the Collector gets to decide themselves if landscape or portrait format works best for their space; Lisa has designed them to work both ways.
With a background in graphic design and brand strategy, Penz constantly strives to capture a sense of balance through striking colour combinations, in order to elicit an uplifting mindset so that you may realize your own strengths. Often inspired by holistic consumer experience and Animation-themes, Disney Parks play a significant influence in her work.
“Precious Elements” will be on display at District Main until January 2nd (for District Main residents) and doors will only be open to the public on December 2nd during the Main Street Holiday Art Party.
