Wizard of Oz in Vancouver Pre-Sale Code

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The Canadian production of The Wizard of Oz premiered in North America last December in Toronto and Broadway Across Canada is bringing Dorothy, Toto, the ruby slippers and wicked witches to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre this fall.

Wizard of Oz, Mirvish Productions Toronto
The Wizard of Oz original Toronto Cast. Photo by CYLLA VON TIEDEMANN.

On stage in Vancouver from November 5th until November 10th, this new production of The Wizard of Oz is an enchanting adaptation of the all-time classic that has been totally reconceived for the stage.

Developed from the ever popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs from the Oscar®-winning movie score, all the favorite characters and iconic moments, plus a few surprises along the way, including new songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires. Watch out for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys as you rediscover the real story of Oz in this fantastic musical treat for all the family.

Single tickets for The Wizard of Oz will go on sale Saturday, September 7th and are available by calling 1-855-985-5000 or online through Ticketmaster. Performances will run Tuesday through Friday evenings at 7:30pm, Saturday evening at 8:00pm, and Sunday at 7:30pm from November 5th to 10th. There will also be two matinees, on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm. Ticket prices will range based on seat location and performance but will start at $35.00 plus applicable service fees.

Wizard of Oz in Vancouver Pre-Sale Code

I have a pre-sale code that will be valid STARTING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th for a very short time:

  1. Click this link
  2. Enter this where it says “Got An Offer Code”: scarecrow

This link and code will be valid only from Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 10:00am until 10:00pm Friday, September 6, 2013. General ticket purchase will open up on Saturday, September 7, 2013.

Going to the theatre in Vancouver, especially in the fall, is such a nice experience. You can make a date night of it or bring the whole family. Follow Broadway Across Canada on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their shows this season.

Vancouver Rising: Archive Footage Turned Into GIFs

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

A great bit hat tip to the Vancouver is Awesome team for spotting (and promoting) Vancouver Rising, a new Tumblr blog that takes footage from the Vancouver Archives‘ video collection and creates fantastic animated GIFs. Here are just a few of the gems they have posted so far:


1973: Granville at Robson – “Vancouver Impressions“. City of Vancouver Archives: AM1487-: MI-121.


1983: BC Place Stadium – “Stadium“. City of Vancouver Archives: AM1553-8-S11-: MI-251.


1954: “The New Granville Bridge“. City of Vancouver Archives – COV-S361-: MI-4.

My friendly competition has a keen sixth sense-like talent for finding highly-entertaining GIF-filled blogs as VIA was also my source for finding the Definitely Raining blog on Tumblr that provides humorous social commentary on life in Vancouver. Browse a full mosaic of GIFs created from the archives on Vancouver Rising today and I’m sure there are more to come.

Wine Wednesday: Visiting Castello di Amorosa in Napa

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Disclosure: Review — This is not a paid post. Views are my own. The tour was compliments of Visit Calistoga during a media visit. This trip as a whole is with Disney CanadaPlease review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

Before heading down to Disneyland in Anaheim from San Francisco this August our group took a 1-day detour up to Napa and stayed in Calistoga. Keeping with the family-friendly theme of our trip, we visited a winery where children are welcome and even get their very own local drink (non-alcoholic of course) to swirl, sip, and savour.

Castello di Amorosa

Castello di Amorosa is located at 4045 Saint Helena Hwy, just north of the Culinary Institute of America, and south of Calistoga. Their wines are only sold on-site (and online), meaning you won’t find them in any liquor stores north or south of the border. After spending over a decade on building the winery’s authentic-style 13th century castle, you’ll see why they want to get feet in the door to show off this stone marvel. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Sarah Brightman Dreamchaser CD Giveaway

Comments 39 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Sarah Brightman is kicking off her extensive North American Tour in Hamilton, Ontario on September 13th and she will reach Rogers Arena in Vancouver on October 25th. Her latest album, Dreamchaser is a collaboration with veteran producer Mike Hedges and reflects her amazing announcement of soon becoming the first musician to travel to the International Space Station.

Dreamchaser

After making history on both stage and screen, pioneering the classical crossover genre, selling over 30 million albums worldwide, and becoming the only artist to perform the theme song at two Olympics, it’s hard to imagine Sarah Brightman has a dream left to realize. Yet with her new album Dreamchaser, Sarah is embarking on what she calls “the greatest adventure I can imagine.” Inspired by the wonderment and beauty of space, Dreamchaser is a reflection of Brightman’s lifelong dream to travel into space.

Tickets for her performance in Vancouver are on sale now. For a taste of what’s in store, check out her recent PBS special “Sarah Brightman – Dreamchaser: In Concert” on YouTube.

If you would like a copy of Dreamchaser, I have 5 copies of the CD to give away. Here’s how you can enter to win:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win a @SarahBrightman #Dreamchaser CD from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/ox9X4

I will draw five winners at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Follow Sarah Brightman on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for more album and tour information.

Update The winners are Lindawwww, Joy M, Cairine, Mark, Ron!

Mobile Apps for BC Ferries

Comments 4 by Rebecca Bollwitt
Disclosure: Unpaid, Personal Opinion — This is not a paid post nor is it sponsored by BC Ferries or any of the app creators. This is an independent review of apps that I have tried. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

BC FerriesVancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast include some of my favourite getaway destinations for a day trip, weekend visit, an extended stay, or for business. Of course to reach these ports of call a ferry trip is required along with browsing schedules, booking a reservation, checking in on wait times, line-ups, and more.

While this information could have been useful before the long weekend, I thought I would highlight some mobile apps for BC Ferries (and more) that have been created by third parties that just might help with your future crossings:

Ferry Rush

BC Ferries Apps
Features: Ferry Rush BC provides ferry capacity for all major ferry terminals in British Columbia in a super-clean, easy-to-use format. Swipe between routes and see future crossing times along with their capacities.
Notes: I used this recently when visiting the Sunshine Coast as I left Painted Boat Resort in Madeira Park and headed toward the Langdale Terminal through Gibsons. The information was accurate and up-to-the-minute.
Download Link: iPhone

Ferries App

BC Ferries Apps
Features: Ferries App provides quick and easy access to BC Ferries schedules while you are on the go. All of the data is stored offline so you can use it even when you have no internet.
Notes: I do like the abundance of schedules all listed, and sorted by time of year, however I would need the upgrade to the pay version to get all of the information I am looking for (or use another free app).
Download Link (free) fewer routes listed: iPhone and iPad, Android
Download Link ($1.99) no ads version, all routes: iPhone and iPad, Android

Crossing the Pond

BC Ferries Apps
Features: Check travel and weather information about Vancouver Island, including BC Ferries, Washington Ferries, HeliJet, seaplane and airplane flights that get you to and from the mainland to your island destinations.
Notes: I love that you can look up schedules for the Washington State Ferries as well as seaplanes and more. For any expanded services like reservations and full schedules it re-directs you to the BC Ferries website or phone number.
Download Link (free): iPhone

Mukilteo - Ferry to Whidby Island
The Mukilteo ferry to Whidby Island in Washington State

Summary

These three apps all have their pros and cons, but they do make a lot of information available at your finger tips. I think if you already know your travel date and time, then Ferry Rush will be the most useful. If you’re visiting or planning a more complex route (by car, ferry, or seaplane) then Crossing the Pond is your best bet. For simple access to schedules, then Ferries it is. If you already have a favourite ferry app, please feel free to leave a recommendation in the comments.