Canada Day Long Weekend in the Cowichan Valley is Laketown Shakedown time, and this year’s lineup has just been announced. Join Gwen Stefani, Busta Rhymes, Bone Thugs N Harmony, bbno$, Grandson, and more at the 275 acre ranch on Vancouver Island.
Laketown Shakedown – Colin Smith Takes Pics
Laketown Shakedown with Gwen Stefani, Busta Rhymes & More
The 2024 Laketown Shakedown will host 3 days of live music across 3 stages in a truly spectacular setting, plus a festival village with food and other vendors, activities, multiple full-service bars, a dynamic VIP area, flush toilets, showers and more. Tickets are now available, including VIP and weekend passes.
The festival will feature two nights of world class Main Stage performances on June 29th & 30th, with a kick-off party slated for Friday, June 28th on the Lakenight Stage.
Kickoff Party Friday
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Jesse Roper DJ Nu-Mark
Busta Rhymes Grandson Bone Thugs N Harmony Neon Steve
Gwen Stefani BBNO$ Miina Murge
Other confirmed artists for the include: Bankes Brothers, The Free Label, Illvis Freshly, The Steadies, Downtown Mischief, Burchill, Mt Doyle, Blase Blase, The New Groovement, Darrian Gerard, Base Collective, and many more.
Following the outstanding success of previous events, Laketown Ranch has solidified its place as the ultimate vacation destination in the Cowichan Valley. Laketown Ranch is a world-class facility, featuring the largest permanent outdoor stage in Western Canada on a 275-acre site only minutes from Cowichan Lake. Find more info on Instagram.
Vancouver Opera presents George Bizet’s beloved opera Carmen to close out its 2023-2024 season at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Audiences will have five opportunities to see this production of Carmen, one of the most widely performed works in operatic history.
Production image courtesy of Philadelphia Opera
Carmen at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Date:
April 27, May 2 and May 4, 2024 at 7:30pm
April 28 and May 5, 2024 at 2:00pm
Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre (630 Hamilton St, Vancouver)
Rachel Peake returns to Vancouver Opera to direct Carmen at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre alongside conductor Leslie Dala for five-shows of richly coloured melodies and rhythmic vibrancy.
Animated by an all-star cast and audacious stagecraft, the conflicting worlds and failed romance of the rebellious Carmen and the possessive military man Don José burst off the stage. From the stirring Toreador Song to the tauntingly seductive aria Habanera, Bizet’s music cuts a compelling path through a story that intertwines the political and the personal. Carmen is sung in French with English surtitles projected above the stage.
Portraying the romantic title character are mezzo-sopranos Sarah Mesko (April 27, May 2 & 4) and Carolyn Sproule (April 28 & May 5). The fiery Don Jose is performed by Alok Kumar (April 27, May 2 & 4) and Matthew White (April 28 & May 5). Appearing in all five performances are soprano Jonelle Sills as Micaela, Nathan Keoughan as Escamillo, Alain Coulombe as Zuniga, and Luka Kawabata as Le Dancaire. Joining them are Vancouver Opera’s Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Jeremy Scinocca as Le Remendado, Simran Claire as Mercedes, Heidi Duncan as Frasquita and Danlie Rae Acebuque as Morales.
This lush, grand-scale production updates the original setting from late-1800s southern Spain to an unnamed, pan-Latin city in the mid-1950s, where mounting political tensions and romantic desires match the scorching midsummer temperatures. Eye-catching but peeling billboards, bustling town squares and dive cafés, and costumes that range from proletariat denim to opulent bullfighting regalia give a vivid but distressed texture to this timeless tale of class division and teeming emotion.
Since 2006, bakeries and cafes around the world have dedicated March 20th as a day to enjoy sweet treats while bringing attention to important causes. You can celebrate and savour Macaron Day in Vancouver at these locations:
Cause: 50% of Macaron sales will be donated to the Burnaby SPCA in honour of Elena’s dearly loved and missed cat, Sasha.
In celebration of this famous French cookie and the arrival of spring, Elena will be bringing back her popular Sakura Strawberry Macaron. With distinct flavors of cherry blossom and strawberry, this limited edition seasonal treat won’t last long!
Where:Bon Macaron (545-1689 Johnston St. (Granville Island), Vancouver)
Visit throughout the day and receive 1 extra macaron for every 6 you buy – including an exclusive macaron you can snap a picture of and post to your social media to win a free workshop.
Journée internationale du macaron
Macarons (not to be confused with macaroons) are meringue-based confections commonly filled with buttercream or jam with a delicate soft and crunchy outer shell. Macaron Day was founded in France (Journée internationale du macaron) by Pierre Hermé in 2006. It’s a day to celebrate the colours of spring with a bright palette of treats. Macaron Day events will be happening overseas, in New York, and in Toronto. Over the last few years it has become a Vancouver tradition as well.
Massey Theatre presents the world premiere of Over the Ridge on April 13, 2024. The production explores the misconceptions and reflections on the Battle of Vimy Ridge by The Fugitives in collaboration with Jacob Williams.
The Fugitives. Photo Credit: Kevin Clark.
Over the Ridge at the Massey Theatre
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 4:00pm and 8:00pm
Location: Massey Theatre (735 8th Ave, New Westminster)
In 2020, Vancouver acoustic folk-roots group The Fugitives released Ridge, a musical storytelling film that examined the WWI Canadian soldier experience during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It was named a Top 10 Arts Event of the Year by The Globe and Mail, and spawned the JUNO-nominated album Trench Songs.
In this world premiere of Over the Ridge, The Fugitives – headed by songwriters Brendan McLeod and Adrian Glynn along with Christopher Suen (banjo) and Carly Frey (violin) – collaborate with choreographer and Ballet BC dancer Jacob Williams to expand this narrative through dance.
Over the Ridge explores the misconceptions and offers reflections on the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The story is told through direct address, historical readings, dance, and new re-imaginings of the songs WWI soldiers wrote in the trenches.
Win Tickets
You can enter to win a pair of tickets to the 4:00pm performance, here’s how:
Developed in partnership with the Massey Theatre Society, with help from Ballet BC and Arts Umbrella, Over the Ridge adds original contemporary dance to storytelling, spoken word and live music, resulting in a kinetic ride through history that delves into our strong connection to the past and passionately argues against the exploitation of young lives.
As Easter weekend approaches, a delicious array creative confections are being prepared by local restaurants and bakeries. Enjoy these Easter treats, chocolates, and more available for a very limited time around Vancouver:
Easter Chocolate and Dessert Showpiece Collection – Chez Christophe – Photo by Leila Kwok
Easter Chocolates & Treats Around Vancouver
Easter Chocolate & Dessert Collection Chez Christophe Chocolaterie Patisserie 4717 Hastings St, Burnaby & 1558 Johnston Rd, White Rock March 15 to 30, 2024 Award-winning Chez Christophe Chocolaterie Patisserie has an Easter Chocolate and Dessert Collection for all to enjoy. The entire collection is available for pre-order online and in-stores, with select pickup dates starting March 15. The Easter Chocolate Showpiece Collection is perfect for everyone and celebrates spring with soft pastels and delicious flavours. Enjoy Easter offerings such as Hoppy Bunny (a dark chocolate and white chocolate pink bunny with a milk chocolate hazelnut), Chickie Mama and Ducky (made from Swiss milk chocolate filled with dark marshmallow on a white chocolate base). Individual Easter cakes include a dark chocolate carrot cake Bunny Butt Cake and Hot Cross Cake made of cinnamon mousse and layers of rum raisin jam. New this year is the Carrot Croissant, handcrafted with carrot cake and cream cheese pastry cream. .
Easter Treats Collection Le Gateau Bakeshop 3458 E Hastings St, Vancouver March 15 to 30, 2024 Celebrate spring with the delicious Easter Treats Collection from Le Gateau Bakeshop. Featuring Mini Egg Cheesecake, an Easter cupcake box, lemon tarts, tahini mini egg cookies, and Easter brownies. Practice your own decorating skills with the Easter Cookie Decorating Kit. Order Easter items online now.
Spring Confections Temper Chocolate & Pastry 2409 Marine Dr, Vancouver March, 2024 The Easter Bunny’s basket is full of decadent treats at Temper Chocolate & Pastry with their new collection of Spring Confections. Easter showpieces include colourfully decorated egg cartons and egg, egg truffles, chocolate bunnies, and mini eggs. Enjoy traditional Easter Stollens and Hot Cross Buns which are available fresh or frozen. Items are available for purchase online and in-store and can be pre-ordered by calling (604) 281-1152.
Mon Paris Patisserie Chocolate Collection – Photo by Nora Hamade
Easter Chocolate Collection Mon Paris Patisserie 4396 Beresford St, Burnaby March, 2024 From whimsical chocolate eggs in soothing pastels or vibrant patterns, to adorable chocolate whirlybirds, Mon Paris Patisserie has something for everyone. Start your Easter Morning with a Lemon Meringue Croissant or Easter Morning Pastry Boxes and Signature Cakes for sharing. Classic Springtime Easter Eggs filled with white or milk chocolate, Fruit & Nut Easter Eggs, handcrafted Whirlybirds, and more at Mon Paris Patisserie. Items available for pre-order online and in-store pickup.
Easter Collection Beaucoup Bakery 2150 Fir St, Vancouver & St Regis Hotel, 602 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver March 18 to April 7, 2024 Get hopping to Beaucoup Bakery for their new Easter Collection. Add delicious treats to your Easter long weekend with featured items such as classic hot cross buns, springtime rocky road, Hoppy Easter bonbons, and a seasonal Eggs-cellent cookie-croissant topped with chocolate Easter eggs. Show off your own decorating abilities with the cookie decorating kit including six shortbread cookies, three bags of royal icing, and toppings. Items are available for pre-order online beginning March 18 for pickup at both locations from March 18 to April 7, 2024.
Easter Eggs – Goldilocks Bake Shop
Easter Eggs-Travaganza Goldilocks Bake Shop 2833 Main St, Vancouver & 101-3728 North Fraser Way, Burnaby March, 2024 This spring, Goldilocks Bake Shop is cooking up sweet and savoury options for Easter, featuring a variety of handcrafted confections, Easter egg surprises, and family brunch packages. Choose from delicious dishes for the Easter Eats Feast (feeds 6) or the Silog Brunch (feeds 4) and pre-order your brunch before March 26 at either Goldilocks’s location (walk-in orders also available). Sweet treats include the popular, hand-crafted Easter Eggs decorated with fondant and sugar, filled with a selection of chocolates and candies. Choose from Mini Cake flavours featuring ube and chocolate with a berry filling. Enjoy Bunny and Easter Egg sugar cookies and the return of Goldilocks’s Eggs-saymada; a chocolate ganache filled ensaymada with chocolate eggs.
Egg-Cellent Ice Cream Maan Farms 790 Mackenzie Rd, Abbotsford March 29 to 31, 2024 The Egg-Cellent Ice Cream is back at Maan Farms this Easter. Enjoy a handmade milk chocolate egg filed with creamy soft serve ice cream, topped with caramel, crushed mini eggs, and a crisp wafer straw. Additional offerings from the farm include lemon mini donuts, rice krispy mini egg nests, and the new Egg-Stravagent Hot Chocolate.
