You really can’t go wrong with a classic date night that consists of a dinner-and-show, and when the local restaurant community supports theatregoers, it’s just that much better. I recently had two date nights ahead of two Arts Club holiday shows, and each was just lovely.
It’s a Wonderful Life on Granville Island
I was going to be away for my sister’s birthday this year so I invited her to It’s a Wonderful Life at the Arts Club’s Granville Island stage. I arrived at 5:30, when the box office opened, to pick up our tickets then I walked over to the Edible Canada bistro where I had made pre-show reservations. At the table, I was handed menus including a “Theatre Express Menu“.
The cast of It’s a Wonderful Life. Photo by David Cooper.
This prix-fixe ($35), three course offering was crafted specifically for theatregoers. “Designed to take you from the first bite to the box office,” my sister and I indulged and had plenty of time to enjoy our selections: Vancouver Farmer’s Salad, Ling Cod, and Maple Bread Pudding. We could have also selected the Hazelmere organic soup, the butternut squash risotto or bison bourguignon, and the artisinal cheese plate.
Paired with a couple glasses of bubbly to celebrate her upcoming birthday, we finished our meals with plenty of time left over to walk to the theatre and pre-order our intermission drinks.
I haven’t seen the Arts Club’s It’s a Wonderful Life in several years and I was very impressed by the production quality. I loved that clips from the old black and white movie by Frank Capra ran on a screen at the back of the stage, even supplying opening credits for the players. It’s a story I have seen and heard a dozen times but I absorbed much more of the history of the characters this time around.
Bob Frazer is a compelling George Bailey, Jennifer Lines is lovely as Mary Bailey, and Kyle Jesperson deserves recognition for playing a handful of characters throughout the story. I really enjoyed Irene Karas as Tilly as well, a person that never really stood out to me before.
It’s a Wonderful Life is not a simple “Christmas” production, but it evokes joy through the power of its characters and the delight of their undying passion for all they believe in.
A Christmas Story: The Musical at The Stanley
I can’t get John to join me for many musical productions but when I told him that a film that “defined most of his childhood” was adapted into a Broadway production, he was definitely curious. We met up with friends for a double date night on South Granville ahead of A Christmas Story: The Musical at The Stanley Theatre. Again, we stopped in at the box office to pick up our tickets before walking over to Luke’s for a pre-show meal.
The cast of A Christmas Story: The Musical. Photo by David Cooper.
Luke’s Corner Bar & Kitchen offers 15% off food for those going to Arts Club shows that night and we took advantage of the deal. Our meals were delivered promptly and with some time remaining before we had to be in our seats, we made one more stop before the show.
The friends we were with were craving a good (great) cocktail and I said it would be hard to beat West, which was just down the street from where we were. We sidled up to the bar and perused their booklets filled with mixology masterpieces. My friend swivelled her barstool and saluted me with her cocktail glass and said: “This is the best drink I have had in a very long time.” Sipping every last drop, we grabbed our coats from the check room and headed for the marquee of the Stanley. Note: West also offers an early, prix-fixe menu for the theatre crowd.
Once again the production quality was impeccable, with set design, lighting, and visual effects that enhanced the stage version of a film we all know so well. We were so curious to see how it would be adapted for the stage and while it wasn’t 100% true to the original story, it was definitely an entertaining production.
You get to delve deep into the mind of the father character (Mr Parker), and even the teacher (Ms Shields). We laughed out loud, seeing scenes come to life in a vibrant way, through song and dance, and adored the children who portrayed Ralphie, Randy, Schwartz, Flick, and their fellow students.
If you love A Christmas Story the movie, which you’ll probably see on television about 20 times this season, treat yourself (and your friends, family) by enjoying this new adaptation on stage at the Stanley. It’s not the full movie (for example the Little Orphan Annie timeline is completely omitted) but what it took out it added with hilarious dance numbers and songs. “You’ll shoot your eye out!”.
This season, get in the holiday spirit by exploring a neighbourhood through its restaurants and theatres, enjoying talented local performers presenting classic tales in a new and exciting way.
A Christmas Story: The Musical is playing until December 27th and It’s a Wonderful Life is on until December 26th. Follow the Arts Club on Facebook and Twitter to learn more.
Onyx Aesthetics Studio was just 10 days old when I visited to receive my first-ever CND Shellac Manicure complete with nail art. The new space on Abbott Street in Gastown was warm and welcoming, with a narrow entrance and space that opens up in the back where armchairs welcome pedicure recipients with pillows that say: “This is my happy place.”
“Fashion has two purposes: comfort and love. Beauty comes when fashion succeeds.”
~ Coco Chanel
I sat down facing a wall covered in quotes and inspirational art to get my new nails from a CND education ambassador, who knows the Shellac brand inside and out.
I was handed a hardcover book made by Onyx, printed with glossy images of the nail are they have done and can do for clients. Combined with over 100 options of Vinylux weekly polishes and Shellac Art Vandal spring collections, I was at a loss and couldn’t decide on what to get on my fingers before leaving on vacation this winter. I literally put myself into their hands and went with the flow.
I chose blue from the Art Vandal collection and topped that with sparkly foil accents. To see how best I could spread my look across two seasons I decided it was a Christmas gift-wrapped look.
Things I learned about Shellac:
- Shellac is a brand name by CND, and not actually a gel polish.
- 101 polishes currently available in CND Vinylux (108 in January, once the new Art Vandal collection is available) and 93 shades of CND Shellac (99 in January once the new Art Vandal collection is available).
- It is non-damaging and fully removable, but long lasting (I’m going on 12 days with mine now and it’s still impeccable).
- Shellac is the only non-damaging fully-removable and long-lasting polish requiring no soaking, roughing, or filing of the natural nail.
- It contains no formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP.
- You can easily remove in-salon or at home with CND’s removal kit called “Offly Fast“, available at Onyx.
The entire process was very quick – unbelievably quick – and from the time I entered Onyx, got my Shellac, had a hand massage, talked to the owner, took pictures, and returned to my bus stop, I still had time on my original fare ticket to get home.
Win a CND Shellac Manicure
If you would like to try a CND Shellac Manicure for yourself at Onyx Aesthetics Studio, I have two to give away – for you and a friend! Here’s how you can enter to win this experience:
- Leave a comment naming your favourite nail colour or style (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow Onyx Aesthetics Studio on Facebook and Instagram for inspiration and follow CND on Twitter for more information about the Art Vandal product line, their full Shellac offerings, and more.
I will draw one contest winner at 9:00am on Wednesday, December 9, 2015. The winner’s CND Shellac Manicure will be at Onyx Aesthetics Studio.
Update The winner is Dana!
On Tuesday December 8th, Cause We Care will be hosting its 9th annual Christmas hamper drive where 200+ volunteers will assist in stuffing 650 hampers full of essential food items and small gifts, which will then be delivered to low-income single mother-led families.
Cause We Care Hamper Drive
Over the last eight years, Cause We Care has successfully aided frontline organizations by delivering 5,282 hampers to low-income families across the Greater Vancouver area. The Cause We Care hamper drive has recently become the largest drive in Vancouver. The holidays can be an extremely trying time for single mother-led families in Vancouver. Cause We Care aims to relieve some of the stress these mothers are faced with by providing basic household necessities, food and simple but heartfelt gifts so that they can focus on enjoying the company of loved ones.
How You Can Help
Donate online. For every $65 online donation, a hamper will be delivered to a local family in need.
Be a delivery driver. Volunteers can assist with stuffing and delivering hampers on December 8th at Cause We Care’s 9th Annual Christmas Hamper Drive. Email [email protected] for information about the shifts and to sign up.
Buy a bracelet. Blue Ruby will once again be teaming up with Cause We Care to offer perfectly handcrafted holiday bracelets. These bracelets make a charitable and stylish gift and 100% of proceeds go towards supporting programs and initiatives run by Cause We Care. Prices range from $20 to $150.
Volunteer. Volunteer at the annual Christmas hamper drive or the Cause We Care and Glowbal Restaurant Group’s Christmas dinner on December 16th from 3:30pm until 8:00pm at Thunderbird Elementary School. Cause We Care funds Thunderbird Elementary School’s after-school care program “Kids First” and has been very active in supporting the families of the school.
Follow Cause We Care on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Earlier this week a big news story was that a billionaire purchased a $170.4M painting using his credit card and he will now reap millions of reward points. Thanks to this spending, he’s promised to allow his family to travel pretty much anywhere on earth for the rest of their lives. We should be so fortunate to have such a purchasing experience (and credit limit) but the idea of using reward points as gifts for families is actually a really good holiday shopping tip.
TD Canada recently conducted a survey about online shopping habits and also consulted Cathie Mostowyk, an online shopping expert and president of Shoestring Shopping Guide Inc., and they’re shared some insights for the holidays.
Tips for Online Holiday Shopping
70% of Canadians surveyed do at least some of their holiday shopping online. Over 37% of those doing their shopping online are more likely to say they spend more than they would in store.
So what should you do? Make a plan and track each purchase to help manage temptation. That way, there should be no surprises when you see your credit card bill at the end of the month. Your family and friends can even use apps to send you their wish lists, such as Giftster, and some stores even have Wish List functions on their apps (like Target or Amazon).
Redeeming your credit card loyalty points for your holiday gifts is one way you can help stay within your budget, while making buying gifts easier and giving yourself more time to spend with your loved ones this holiday season. The TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite* credit card offers redemption flexibility for not only travel but also name brand merchandise and gift cards.
I know it’s a bit more clutter in your inbox, but signing up for savings programs from retailers can also be beneficial. When I’m asked for my email address in a store I usually don’t give it but I do stay on lists if I’ve been signed up after an online purchase. Subscribers can be offered special pricing and rates — I am a “Friend of the Empress Hotel” in Victoria and with that I get a good deal on their world famous Afternoon Tea.
One thing to look out for when shopping online is hidden expenses like shipping, duty, taxes, and exchange rates which can quickly add up. To cut shipping costs, shop in bulk at one retailer (to only get charged once for shipping) or pick-up in store if they have a location nearby.
With just a few weeks left to shop until the big day, these tips should hopefully help you save time and money this Christmas.
