Scarves and mittens are out as temperatures drop and winter approaches. With the cooler weather and frosted north shore views, I thought old time images of ice skating around Vancouver would be appropriate for this week’s roundup of photos from the Vancouver Public Library and Vancouver City Archives:
Last night I went to the season opener of BC Ballet’s In/verse, showcasing works choreographed by Italian-born Jacopo Godani and New York-born Nicolo Fonte, as well as a work choreographed by the company’s very own Artistic Director, Emily Molnar.
First up was Godoni’s A.U.R.A. (Anarchist Unit Related to Art). At first, it looked like only the company’s male dancers were performing topless with lines drawn on their torsos; however, a closer look proved that the female dancers were up there as well with clever costuming to make them look like men, or androgynous under fluorescent lights, dancing as though in a warehouse, planning a revolt. The piece was set to a score composed and performed by German electro-acoustic duo 48nord, originally commissioned by Ballet Mainz in Germany. However, Godani re-choreographed many sections many sections for BC Ballet. All the dancers, both male and female, marched on the staged
The next work was Nicolo Fonte’s world premiere, Muse. A long white mat was use as what I interpreted to be a runway, a bed, a rug, and a tool to hide oneself from the world. Muse was the wet to a recording by New York-based ETHEL string quartet.
Before the final work, Aniel, I whispered to my mom, “This will be my favourite,” and I was right. A huge Molnar fan, I was delight to see the curtains raised to an all-white set–a stark contrast to the darkness of the previous pieces. When all the dancers ran onto the stage wearing brightly-coloured-borderline-hipster clothes (though admittedly, there was something reminiscent of a gap commercial) the audience applauded. Aniel was bright, quirky, funny (I laughed continuously) and touching. There was one particular moment that was really impressive –when the lights above went out and the backdrop was light–and the actors moved monochromatically across stage, then slowly the lights above were brought up and you could see the bright colours once again.
I’m always so inspired by the music Molnar uses. After Bliss last season, I come home and downloaded Icelandic cellist Hildur Gudnadottir and I can’t wait to downlaod U.S. avant-garde composer/saxophonist John Zorn’s Book of Angels.
What a great season opener, and I can’t wait for the rest.
Follow Ballet BC on Facebook and Twitter for more show information this season. There are only two remaining shows for In/verse — tonight and tomorrow, November 24th — and tickets are available now online.
Holiday craft season is in full swing and Got Craft? is a must-see event if you love to shop handmade and shop local.
Got Craft? aims to bring together a community that fosters handmade and D.I.Y. culture. Founded in 2007, Got Craft? is held twice a year in May and December featuring 75 handmade designers, craft workshops, tasty treats, DJs, FREE swag bags, and an average attendance of 3000+ a year.
The vendor list grew by 45% for the holiday show, now featuring 80 artists who make everything from chocolate to cards and clothes, so that shoppers can buy themselves a present or knock everything off their holiday shopping list, all while listening to indie music.
Got Craft? will be at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver) on Saturday, December 8th and Sunday, December 9th, 2012 from 10:00am to 5:00pm each day. Admission is $3 and children 10 and under are free.
100 swag bags will be handed out at the show featuring about 20-25 items contributed by vendors that include some of the items below:
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Colouring book from MailChimp Grow your own crystal kit from Camp + Quarry Gift tag from cabin + cub Soap sample from Simple Soap Mineral bath crystals from Element Botanicals Lavender screen printed Twig Prints ornament Hair elastics set from Daub + Design Felted ornaments from honey canada Screen printed womens shirt from Sedated Clothing Postcard, sticker, button set from Draw Me a Lion Urchin Bags earrings made Peace sign keychain from Jennifer Jones Chocolate from Chef Kev Sticky Spoon Greengage plum jam with chartreuse Ceramic button from gabriEllephant Design Pair of metal wire earrings from ebb and flo Postcard set from Blue Spoons Paper Products Original screen printed print by Robbie Vergara Greeting card by The Beautiful Project Snack pack food storage by Abeego Pendant by Ravens Rest Studio Card by Note + Emote Button pack by Kove Stick on mustache by mana jewelry designs Candy cane by KT&Paul Original button designed by The Tiny Fig Magnet set by Firefly Notes Gift tags by Fox & Fancy Leather bookmark from Divinia Denuevo Beeswax candle by Melifera Bees Postcard set by think & ink studio Milk chocolate chips by Urge Chocolate Body balm by Queen Bee Luxuries Felted bracelet by hold handmade Origami ornament by Fiber Lab |
Holiday card by Designs by Val Hand knit bow tie pin by Pip & Pin Hand wrapped ornament by My Little Lights Button from Sheepish Grin Knit Company How to tie a bow tie instructions by Belvedere Card from Dani Press Hair pin from Kohana Jewellery Brown sugar heart from Just Potters Tealights from Delish Magazine Soothing milk and honey bath from Feest Granola from Granola Girl Letterpress card from Sam Bradd Yogurt starter kit from Homesteaders Emporium Hand stitched fabric greeting card from hay-oh Measuring tape from Knit Social Pair of lego cufflinks from Nostalgic Links Gift tags from Fair JAKE Leather bookmark Frankenstrap Fabric from Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild Hand painted wood angel pin from The Rice Babies Button set from A Cagey Bee Chain ring and voucher from TOODLEBUNNY Felted rose pin from Carmen West Creative Glass pendant from GroovyGlassGirl Button from LanaBetty DIY birthday kit from Bake Sale Baking Co Vintage beads from Irit Sorokin Designs Santa button from the pauhaus Metal spike charm from Solder + Punch Mystery gift pack from foe + dear and BuenoStyle Swag from A Farmers Daughter, Creampuff by GG Swag from Tiny Mr. Macaron from Kawaii Eats Mini thermometer from Make Cheese Inc. Chocolate from My Chocolate Tree Mini terrarium from Plants capes |
If you would like to check out Got Craft? I have a 4-pack of tickets to give away. My contest winner will also receive one of the coveted Got Craft? swag bags AND these special items:
BuenoStyle necklace, note cards from Think & Ink, wool bowl from Hold Handmade, letterpress cards from Sam Bradd Designs, earrings from Irit Sorokin Designs, panties from Daub and Design, Sheepish Grin Knit Company yarn, granola from Granola Girl, a Selena Boer calendar, dani press stationery, items from Robbie Veraga, Knit Social, Belvedere Gents, Queen Bee Luxuries, Pip & Pin, Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild, Chef Kev, Elements Botanicals, Marian + Hazel, Sedated Clothing, Nostalgic Links, Delish Mag, Draw Me A Lion, The Beautiful Project, Bake Sale Baking Co, Honey Canada, Hay-Oh, and Twig Prints.
Here’s how you can enter to win tickets and this gigantic gift bag giveaway:
I will draw one winner at 12:00pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012. Follow Got Craft? on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about the market.
Update The winner is Mary T!
Before coming to New York I started following a few Twitter accounts: @WHotelsNYC (our hotel), @UnionSquareNY (Union Square, the area in which we’ve been staying), and @UrbanSpaceNYC (curator of New York’s public markets) to see what events and activities were taking place during our stay.
The night we arrived they were setting up the Union Square Holiday Market and it’s been on all week. Free to enter, they have over 100 merchants lined up in candy-cane coloured booths at all along the south end of the park, with the subway entrance right in the middle.
We browsed around the next day, with hot coffees in hand, and found unique ornaments, hats, socks, glasswares, bags and accessories, soaps, crafts, and more.
German market treats like glühwein (mulled wine – non-alcoholic), cider and pretzels were available along with cannoli, loose-leaf teas, crepes, and creations from Momofuku Milk Bar.
We shopped around and enjoyed a full morning picking up a few ornaments and browsing the jewellery. Now in its 19th year, the Union Square Holiday Market is open every day until December 24th. It’s definitely something to experience if you get to New York during the holidays.
Back in Vancouver, check out the following Holiday Markets this season: German Style Christmas Market, Vancouver Winter Farmers Market, Vancouver Holiday Farmers Market, Crafts for a Cause, Toque for a Cause, Got Craft?, The Great Canadian Fair: Holiday Edition, and more!
It’s my favourite time of year — theatre season — and starting December 5th Pacific Theatre will be whisking audiences away to Narnia in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
A dream so beautiful you remember it all your life, always wishing you could get back into that dream again. Peter and Lucy Pevensie may be adults now, but a regular life in London cannot compare to their adventures in the land of Narnia.
When they revisit the wardrobe where the story began, it doesn’t take long for them to get caught up in their reminiscence and relive their journey through the land where it is always winter and never Christmas. The land where Peter and Lucy, joined by their siblings, were not mere children, but Sons of Adam and Eve, warriors for the great lion Aslan, defeaters of the White Witch, and kings and queens. The land no one can forget once they have lived in it, from four fictional children to the millions who have been captivated by reading their story.
Adapted from the novel by CS Lewis, this touring production directed by Kerri Norris opens December 5, 2012 at the Pacific Theatre (1440 West 12th) and will run until December 15, 2012. It will move to the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam from December 18 to December 22, 2012.
Tickets can be booked now through the box office online or over the phone at (604) 731-5518 starting at $31.35 for adults, $22.39 for seniors and students, and $15.67 for children.
I have a pair of tickets to give away as well, here’s how you can enter to win:
I will draw one winner at 12:00pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. Follow Pacific Theatre on Facebook and Twitter for more information about their productions.
Update The winner is @vuitton_c!
