Vancouver Inspiration Pass from VPL

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Many of us don’t take enough time to be a tourist in our own town but the Vancouver Public Library is hoping to change that with a new program where families can enjoy some of our most popular and beloved attractions for free.

Starting Thursday, November 1, 2012 you can borrow a Vancouver Inspiration Pass from your local Vancouver Public Library (with your valid library card).

Vancouver Inspiration Pass - Launch - 20121024_17
Photo credit: Vancouver Public Library on Flickr

The Vancouver Inspiration Pass gets you into places like the Vancouver Aquarium, Science World, Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver Bach Choir, Vancouver Opera, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre and the UBC Museum of Anthropology at no charge. You can also use the pass for access to the Park Board’s many fitness centres, swimming pools, skating rinks, pitch and putt golf courses, and botanical gardens.

Vancouver residents who are 14 years of age and older can use their VPL card to borrow the pass which allows admission to these great attractions for a family (2 adults and up to 4 children) or a group of up to 6 young people (ages 14 to 18). Passes can be redeemed for ticketed events at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Vancouver Opera and the Vancouver Bach Choir as well.

There will be 120 passes in circulation (15 at the Central Branch and 5 at every other branch) that will be available for borrowing every 2 weeks. Starting today (Wednesday, October 24, 2012) you can reserve a pass ahead of time using the library’s online catalogue.

Learn more about the program online and follow the Vancouver Public Library on Facebook and Twitter for updates and special offers.

On the Go Kids Event App

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

yoyomama was one of the first parent blogs on my radar thanks to Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit‘s presence at local events and conferences over the years. While I’m not a parent myself, yoyomama is a great resources for families, entertainment info, and events in Vancouver and Toronto. They have recently launched On The Go Kids, an iPhone app that provides family-friendly event listings.

onthegokids1

You can browse events in your area, sort them by date and time, view them on a map, and search by category such as dance, festivals, music, markets, theatre, and more. You can also search events based on their location, venue, and if they are free or paid.

onthegodkids2

For the ability to search events, save, share, and keep that calendar right in your pocket on your mobile device, it’s a fantastic resource for families. Download it for free from the iTunes App Store today.

Vancouver Opera: La Bohème

Add a Comment by Michelle Kim
Disclosure: Review — Michelle received media tickets courtesy of Vancouver Opera. This did not affect the outcome of her coverage. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.

The first romantic film I ever saw was Moonstruck, starring Cher and Nicolas Cage. One of my all-time favourite scenes in that film is when Cage’s character takes Cher’s character to her first operatic experience, La Bohème, at the glorious Metropolitan Opera and how Cage’s hand inches toward Cher’s, while a woman sings heartbreakingly, and how a single tear runs down Cher’s cheek.

I’ve since seen Moonstruck probably a dozen of times it’s become clear that it’s the love story within the love story that is the ultimate romantic viewing experience. So when I found out that La Bohème was the Vancouver Opera’s season opener, I was more than just a little excited.

Vancouver Opera's La Bohème
Photo credit: Tim Matheson for Vancouver Opera

All the performances were spot-on with tenor Jason Slaydon (Rodolfo) and Marianne Fiset (Mimi), both making their Vancouver Opera debut, driving the show with deep understandings of their characters and expressing it through their phenomenal voices. I also adored mezza-soprano Krisxtina Szabo who was a lot of fun to watch as the gold-digging flirt, Musetta)

The set was spectacular and multi-dimensional. Act Two began with an impressionist painting of a crowded Parisian street being projected onto a see-through screen, with actors slightly replicating that painting just behind it. The result was a beautifully-layered tableau. I also really loved how video of snow falling was used on the same see-through screen in the third act

The greatest love stories are tragic, and this tragedy is what primarily drives the appeal for this story of Mimi and Rodolfo. But what really makes La Bohème so popular here (this is probably the most frequently mounted opera at the VO) and everywhere, is that’s it’s relatable. Qe each have been in Mimi and Rodolfo’s shoes or have felt what they have, and have come to understand that love isn’t what we thought it was. As expressed by Ronny Cammareri in Moonstruck,

“…love don’t make things nice – it ruins everything. It breaks your heart. It makes things a mess. We aren’t here to make things perfect. The snowflakes are perfect. The stars are perfect. Not us. Not us! We are here to ruin ourselves and to break our hearts and love the wrong people and die.”

Vancouver Opera presents La Bohème this Thursday October 25th, Saturday October 27th, and Sunday October 28th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Follow Vancouver Opera on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about their shows this season.

Vancouver Christmas Market 2012

Comments 2 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Vancouver Christmas Market will be returning to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza on November 24th. Now in its third year, the German-style market showcases traditional crafts, food, and entertainment.

Smell the authentic aromas of Gluehwein (mulled wine) and pine trees perfuming the air. Taste specialty foods including German Bratwurst, Swiss Raclette, Brataepfel (stuffed baked apples), Schupfnudeln (German noodles), Bavarian Leberkaes (meatloaf), and much more.

Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market

This year they will have 10 more vendors, 55 wooden booths, and a children’s carousel. The main stage will also host the X-mas Factor Christmas singing competition, sponsored in conjunction with Warren Dean Flandez’s Studio Cloud 30.

Vancouver Christmas Market

Admission deals include a season’s pass with the purchase of one regular admission, which means you pay once and you’re in free the rest of the season. They are also offering a 2-for-1 lunch admission with friends and colleagues. During the week admission is $2 between 11:00am and 4:00pm from Monday to Friday.

The Vancouver Christmas Market will open for the 2012 season on November 24th and run until December 24th, open daily from 11:00am to 9:00pm.

Follow the Vancouver Christmas Market on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about what’s in store this season.

CONTACT Festival with deadmau5 on Boxing Day at BC Place

Comments 97 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Blueprint Events and Live Nation have announced CONTACT, Western Canada’s largest electronic concert ever to play BC Place this Boxing Day.

Powered by Rogers, CONTACT will feature giant electronic artists like headliner deadmau5 Unhooked. This will be the first electronic dance music event ever held at BC Place and will be the largest to happen in Western Canada.

“This show is going to be incredible – the size, scope, venue, artists and partners we have chosen will make for the largest and most exciting dance event Vancouver and Western Canada has ever seen.

It was important to us that in taking on an event larger than anything we have ever produced that we chose a unique venue and an amazing Canadian artist. We are so proud to be bringing this event to the fans and to the city.” – Alvaro Prol, Founder and CEO of Blueprint Events [Source: Press Release]

3-time Juno Award winner deadmau5 will be joined by Nero, Alesso, Chris Lake and Lazy Rich. Tickets are currently on sale ranging from $65 to $100 for all ages with VIP areas for attendees 19 and over. Get tickets online through Live Nation, by phone 1-855-985-5000 or through the Rogers Wireless Box Office. Rogers Wireless Box Office ticket holders will also receive early entry access to the show with their mobile ticket.

If you would like to win your way in to CONTACT powered by Rogers on Wednesday, December 26, 2012 I have a pair of tickets up for grabs thanks to the Rogers Wireless Box Office. 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 tickets to #CONTACT2012 from @RogersWBO #CONTACTWBO & @Miss604 http://ow.ly/eIth9

I will draw one winner at random on Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 12:00pm. Update The winner is Yvette!