I had been turned on to Adele‘s music by my good friend Derek K. Miller, who posted about how her tunes made him cry. Last night, I watched Glee and Gwyneth Paltrow (yes, the Gwyneth Paltrow I’m not very much a fan of) made me cry with her rendition of Turning Tables by Adele. I absolutely adore this tune.
Talk about hidden gems. My good friend Erica Hargreave and I were just looking for a diner that apparently exists on Dunbar (not Sodas Diner, that’s defunct) and we were unable to identify said diner, so we decided to stop at one of the many restaurants on Dunbar between 28th and 29th Avenues (near the Dunbar Theatre). We stopped at a little Indian restaurant called Handi Cuisine of India. Best. Random. Find. Ever.
The name “Handi” refers to the traditional, thick-bottomed clay pot with a narrow top that allows for lengthy simmering, which produces rich, deeply spiced flavours. For three generations our families have represented East Indian Cuisine in the finest traditional way. We are proud to share our journey with you at anyone of our select locations.
Handi features award wining fine traditional East Indian Cuisine with all your favourite dishes such as sizzling Tandoori, savoury curries, house signature dishes, vegetarian specialties, mouth watering deserts and a perfectly complementing wine list. Dine in an elegant, relaxed atmosphere where you will always receive courteous and knowledgeable service with a smile. Generous aromatic portions and friendly prices help make this restaurant a long time people’s favourite place to go or have group parties. Two great locations to serve you better: A Spectacular large Ocean View Patio and Private Dining Room at our West Vancouver location or our romantic Bistro on Dunbar Street in the Vancouver Westside.
We didn’t know they had 3 locations, but we had dinner at the Dunbar one. This cute restaurant seats 50 people, and by the time we had dinner, it had was packed. Clearly, a hidden gem. The owner recognized our orders might take some time so he suggested we order a Mixed Platter ($10, vegetable samosas, pakoras & chicken pakoras, and yes it does serve 2).
I ordered a mango lassi (a sweet mango yogurt drink, fairly traditionally Indian), as it’s my favorite drink. We split some Pea Pulao ($4.00, basmati rice cooked with green peas & onions) as a side dish with two mains: Chicken Tikka Masala ($12.00, grilled chicken cooked in onion & tomato based sauce) and Lamb Methi ($13.50, boneless lamb, dry fenugreek leaves cooked with garlic in a special curry sauce). I found the Tikka Masala a bit on the hot side, but we did order hot so we can’t complain.
The chicken tikka masala was very flavourful, spicy. The lamb methi I found with a bit of peanut/nut flavour, very smooth and tasty. We had to pack half of our dinner to go as we were both stuffed beyond our abilities to consume more food. I’ll definitely be back. Dinner for two was around $57 which for the value is pretty good.
I love music in all its forms, and love promoting music festivals. I’ll be most likely covering LIVE at Squamish and I’ve covered other festivals. So, I was thrilled to hear that on Thursday, April 21th, Kwantlen Polytechnic University is hosting the 14th Annual Fraser Valley Acoustic Guitar Festival
This festival is a local event that draws guitarists from around the world. This year the headliner is world renowned harp guitarist and music humanitarian Jason Carter. You can check some of his music on his YouTube channel.
I was fascinated when I read the information sent to me about Jason:
Not only is he an accomplished musician with 15 albums to his name, he is also a globetrotting music humanitarian. Jason has made it his mission to bring music to venues off the beaten track, and in recent years he has played concerts in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Bahrain and North Korea.
For more information on the festival, check the Kwantlen website. And I have a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky reader. All you have to do is comment on this post telling me who would you take with you to check the 14th Annual Fraser Valley Acoustic Guitar Festival. I’ll draw a winner on Wednesday April 19th, at 5pm.
Responding to an unfulfilled need I had to eat good, comforting Italian food, JT and I set out to find a good Italian restaurant in the vicinity of the Firehall Arts Centre, as we were going to see Mambo Italiano. We set our hearts on Nicli Antica Pizzeria but the wait was an hour so I made an executive decision to head to Incendio (also Italian, and in Gastown)
Vancouver’s historic Gastown on the corner of Columbia Street and Alexander in the old Anchor hotel. The space had operated for nearly 20 years as Al Forno, a restaurant that provided first dates for countless Vancouverites. By re-exposing all of the existing brick and opening up the kitchen to the diner’s view, we have managed to retain the heritage feel while still breathing new life into a comfortable and ambient room. Warmed by the now over 30 year old wood fired brick oven, Incendio lends itself to intimate dinner for two, or to a celebratory gathering of friends and family.
Many a time, I had been a customer of Incendio West (on Burrard Street, near 6th Avenue), but rarely have I come to Incendio in Gastown (coincidentally, always with JT), despite however close it is to my downtown office. So I was glad we got to visit again. In a strange turn of events, I ordered a Chicken Parmigiana with orzo pasta and veggies, an absolute success I might add ($15.99).
Chicken Parmigiana would not be a dish I would usually choose as any cutlets a la Parmigiana will have cheese on them). I think I was so hungry I completely forgot about the cheese. The above said, I really loved this particular dish. Incendio makes comfort food. And chicken Parmigiana is certainly one of their specialties. Inexpensive, tasty and filling.
The side of orzo (the rice-shaped pasta) was a nice companion (well cooked and flavourful) but I probably will order linguini or a different pasta next time. Also, it felt slightly sticky (like a risotto). Perhaps it’s that I’m used to orzo that doesn’t stick as much.
The chicken Parmigiana was cooked to perfection, with a tangy tomato sauce that blended really well with the breaded/melted cheese component. I was so hungry I basically inhaled it, but at the end, couldn’t eat more. I loved the ambiance and how spacious Incendio is (and how underrated it is, quite frankly). And while there were a number of occupied tables, it wasn’t packed.
The service was excellent, and I had an opportunity to chat with a couple waiters who were telling me a bit about the history of Incendio and how long they’ve worked there. Frankly, I completely understand how Incendio is sometimes forgotten because it’s located at a strange corner (Alexander and Columbia). But I will very strongly endorse it for a good evening/lunch comfort Italian food outing. Great menu as well.
As it so happens, I began participating in early stages planning of EdCamp Vancouver 2011 (an unconference intended to bring together all stakeholders around education). Alas, my work schedule and workload has not allowed me to contribute significantly, but at least I can save the livetweetage on my site. Follow the hashtag #edcampvan
A lot of people keep asking me why Hummingbird604. The first time I ever wrote that description was in early 2007, thanks to my good friend MJ Ankenman. The story is actually not that recent. My nickname ‘hummingbird’ came from my ex-fiancé, who indicated that I had the energy and speed of a hummingbird (which, for the most part, I do). I speed-read, I touch-type 100 words per minute and I have photographic memory. Very handy tools for someone who did a PhD and now teaches at a university. And obviously the 604 refers to the area code of where I live. I have collected paintings, photographs, coffee mugs and necklaces/jewelry with a hummingbird theme.
The necklace you see in the photo above is a gift from my good friend Minna Van, for my birthday last year. My friends Ianiv and Arieanna Schweber also gave me a hummingbird necklace, both with Canadian First Nations motifs, also for my birthday of last year. And you may have seen my ‘hummingbird’ mugs. Little known fact: Aztecs used to wear hummingbird talismans.
I read somewhere that “The hummingbird is the healer. It fulfills the Creator’s promise that to those who suffer injury or loss all shall be restored. It reminds us that spirit may be light as air yet it remains strong and tireless.” There’s plenty of symbolisms attached to the hummingbird. One thing I can say – I definitely feel represented by the hummingbird. I do have immense amounts of energy, fly from one topic to another, from one event to another and my speed is remarkable. But, like hummingbirds, I need to stop and rest. And more importantly, I enjoy sweetness. Sour grapes and I don’t align well 🙂
Full disclosure: One of the organizers of the UBC Vote Mob, Alyssa Koehn, is currently my student (she is taking my Public Policy course). Which makes me all the more proud to promote her event, as I know that her intent in organizing this event is to encourage youth to vote in the upcoming Canadian election. The UBC Vote Mob will take place on Wednesday April 20th at the grassy knoll area (right across from the Student Union Building) from 12 noon to 2pm. If you want more information on Vote Mobs, you can check the Lead Now website. You are encouraged to wear red, white, and maple. The idea of Vote Mobs is to encourage youth’s participation in political life, using social mobilization techniques that may harness the use of social networks.
Feel free to share this post (and be forewarned that this is a non-partisan event, it’s primarily a “get your vote on” event).
In all the time I’ve been attending musicals, I don’t think I’ve ever had a chance to attend any of the presentations of “Fiddler in the Roof“. So this time, now that it is coming to the Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts, I am definitely going to make a point of attending. Fiddler in the Roof presents the story of a humble Russian milkman named Tevye.
Tevye’s wrestling with the new customs of a younger generation is punctuated by an unforgettable score that weaves the haunting strains of “Sunrise, Sunset” and the rousing “If I Were A Rich Man” with the exuberant “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” and triumphant “Tradition.” When his daughters choose suitors who defy his idea of a proper match, Tevye comes to realize, through a series of incidents that are at once comic and bittersweet, that his children will begin traditions of their own. At the story’s close, the villagers of Anatevka are forced to leave their homes and even the sturdy mores that have guided everyday life begin to crumble. Paradoxically, it is the enforced loss of the rigid traditions and home life that Tevye has tried so tenaciously to preserve that leads the family to reconcile and draw closer still.
I remember I always wanted to see it when it came to Mexico City but I never had a chance, so this is mine (and hopefully yours) to check it out. This musical is particularly important to me because it brings to the stage a poignant story about the enduring bonds of the family.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF will be at The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts for 5 performances from April 29 to May 1, 2011. Performances run: Friday and Saturday evenings at 8PM, Sunday evening at 7PM and Saturday and Sunday 2PM matinees. Tickets range in price from $40 – $70 (plus applicable service charges). Tickets are available by calling 604-780-3333, on line at ticketmaster.ca and at all Ticketmaster locations.
My cousin passed away on Saturday evening. He lived in Mexico, my Mom’s brother’s son and the very first one of our generation to die. Naturally, to say that I’ve been in shock has been an understatement. I felt numb for most of Saturday and Sunday, and when I wasn’t on the phone talking to my family, I spent the rest of the time grading my students’ papers, working on a research paper, preparing a keynote speech. The only ‘time to myself’ that I took was not to be on Twitter and Facebook. I declined a number of pitches for my blog for the same reason. I needed space and time.
And today, as I’ve spent most of today on campus dealing with students, working on a keynote speech and 2 workshops and checking some stuff on a paper that I am co-authoring, I realized that I have been grieving in the face of life. I lost a member of my family, yes, but the world didn’t stop. I have deadlines to comply with, workshops to speak at, research papers to submit and present, final student papers to grade. I would love to put a stop on the world, but I can’t because life has to go on and it has deadlines and I have to comply with them.
And I didn’t write this post to ask for comfort or to have any of my work commitments “taken away”. I’ll comply with my deadlines, with the stuff I have to deal with. Because life goes on. But the lesson has been imprinted in my brain indelibly. I will never again let my work commitments consume my life in such a way that I forget what is really most important: family and friends.
I had pre-scheduled this blog post a while ago (as I normally do when I can actually recall my friends’ birthdays) and as it so happens, it’s probably close to the end of the day in Ireland where my good friend Andy Peatling lives now. Andy, all the best today and every day and looking forward to hanging out when you are back in Vancouver!
My friends Melody Fury (GourmetFury) and Joy (GourmetEd) are putting together a fundraiser for Japan called “Bake for the Quake“. I’m slightly nervous about how much baking I’m going to eat at this event, but really delighted that they took on this awesome event, to take place on April 20th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at the Roundhouse Community Centre.
I know first hand and from personal experience how much hard work it is to organize a fundraiser (and trust me, we don’t do these things because we are in it for any sort of personal gain – it’s just the feeling that we can help in some small way) so I’ll be very happy to spread the word about Bake for the Quake. You should totally attend.
I’m not a physician so I don’t really know if there is a cause-effect link between working long hours and increased risk of heart disease. I’m a doctor of a different kind (a Doctor of Philosophy in Resource Management and Environmental Studies, with a major focus in Political Science and Public Policy and a minor focus in Geography). But the truth of the matter is, I work anywhere between 11 and 16 hour days, with frequency.
Although I do take time off, it sometimes seems it’s not enough.
A few months ago, I wrote a blog post about how I didn’t think I was a workaholic. I have been slowly cutting down on the stuff I do. And of course, feeling slightly overwhelmed right about now has much to do with the fact that it’s the end of the academic term at the university, and I have to do a lot of grading.
Still, it was worrisome to receive the link this morning from JT on the potential link between working long hours and increased risk of heart disease. If he is getting a little worried (and he knows me probably better than almost anyone else in Vancouver), then that means that I might need to stop and reflect on it and assess whether I am, indeed, taking care of myself before I take care of others. Yes, I am working out, exercising, eating well and spending time with my friends. Yes, my academic and consulting careers are blossoming and I’m incredibly successful, but I don’t want that success to come at the expense of continuing to work long hours. I just looked at my calendar for the rest of April and May, and it looks insanely busy.
For a while now Derek and Airdrie both have encouraged me to cut down on stuff. I’m just in the process of carving time for myself to reflect on where else to cut (if I told you how many things I have turned down in the last 3 months, you would be surprised!). And took today (Saturday) off for the most part, in order to concentrate precisely on thinking of what else to cut.
Do you think that there is a link between working long hours and increased risk of heart disease? Do you put in long hours? How to strike a good balance?
While I most often write about music, theatre and dance, I am a big fan of other forms of art, including poetry (and poetry slam). The Vancouver International Poetry Festival 2011 will take place from Monday April 18 – Saturday April 23, 2011 and along with the information for my readers, they gave me a pair of tickets to the Vancouver Slam Team Finals night on Monday April 18 at the Rio Theatre. This should be a lot of fun.
On April 18th, the Vancouver Poetry Slam will celebrate its landmark 15th season with the 15th annual Vancouver Poetry Slam Team Championships, which will select Vancouver’s representatives at national and international poetry slam tournaments over the coming year.
It will also be the opening night for the inaugural Vancouver International Poetry Festival. The festival will host the 1st Ever Canadian Individual Slam Championship, with poets travelling from all across Canada to compete. But the festival will be about more than simply slam competition. Haiku, erotica, and storytelling are all fair game at this diverse six-day poetry showcase.
The lineup of events looks pretty awesome. Vancouver Poetry Slam is celebrating 15 years, and to be quite fair, I only knew about how much of a tradition this type of performing art was in Vancouver until 2003 (as one of my exes did poetry slam). You can get tickets to the Vancouver International Poetry Festival here.
And to win the tickets to my contest, all you have to do is tell me your favorite author on this blog post. Particularly, poetry is a form of art that I absolutely enjoy reading (and listening to, when it’s performed live). My favorite author is Pablo Neruda, and his Poem 15 “I like you when you are silent”, “Me Gustas Cuando Callas” (any idea why? ;)) – Neruda’s collection “20 Love Poems and a Desperate Song” is perhaps one of the most amazing works of poetry I’ve ever read.
I will draw a winner on Saturday April 16th at 11 am. I would strongly recommend you to check out the Vancouver International Poetry Festival 2011. It looks like it will be an amazing event.
I have a soft spot for GLBT issues as well as for thoughtful theatre. At the same time, I have a very emotional linkage to Valentine’s Day as it is a day where I celebrate the people I love (and lucky for me, with someone I love very, very much). So, when I was approached to write about (and to give away a pair of tickets to the opening night of) My Funny Valentine, I immediately said yes. Several themes that are relevant to me are intertwined in this play: gay-bullying, bigotry and hatred (someone I love very much was gay-bashed a couple of years ago), Valentine’s Day and raising awareness, as well as theatre.
My Funny Valentine is a one-man play about the impact of hate crime and violence on a community. The story is based on the 2008 murder of Lawrence King, an openly gay teen in Oxnard, California. King was shot and killed by his classmate, Brandon McInerney, just days after he asked McInerney to be his Valentine. King died two days later in hospital, on Valentine’s Day.
My Funny Valentine gives voice to six fictional characters that are forever impacted by a tragic death, illustrating the ripple effect of hate crime on communities. This is particularly important now as Vancouverites come to terms with gay hate crime that occurs on our own city. King’s case is also becoming a topic of discussion again, as a hearing has been set for April 4 to set a trial date for McInerney. Once again, people are asking, what will it take to make society safe for everyone?
Featuring Kyle Cameron, created by Dave Deveau and directed by Cameron Mackenzie (Zee Zee Theatre), My Funny Valentine will be at the PAL Theatre from April 14th through April 24th (more information and tickets here).
To win a pair of tickets to a showing of My Funny Valentine on Saturday April 16th at the PAL Theatre, all you need to do is post a comment here telling me about how you spent Valentine’s Day this year. I will draw a random winner from all Twitter and comment entries on April 14th at 5pm. I will arrange for the winner to have their tickets at the box office at the PAL Theatre on opening night.
To gain an additional entry (in case you are on Twitter) you can post the following on your Twitter stream:
Told @hummingbird604 how I spent Valentine’s Day 2 enter 2 win tickets 2 My Funny Valentine http://ow.ly/4uGBp. How did u spend yours?
As a former competitive dancer, there are few things that attract me more than watching live performances of professional dancing. More often than not, I long for the years when I was competing and performing, but other times, I feel inspired to come back to specific types of dance. Last night’s Riverdance at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver demonstrated to me that I still long for competing in dance and that I could possibly come back (maybe not at the level I was, though).
Riverdance is an exhilarating, energetic (and energizing) series of traditional (and fusion) Irish dance, vocal and musical performances that make you feel like tapping your shoes all through the show. While most of the show is traditional Irish stepdancing, a couple of fusion performances (including 2 absolutely gorgeous Flamenco-Irish solos) really enhance the show.
Firedance (the Flamenco solo performed by the bailaora along with the male Irish dance troupe) was perhaps the one number I absolutely loved the most. Obviously, Riverdance and the Finale were spectacular. Opinions were divided on which of the two acts were most enjoyable. I loved them both, and found the first one to be faster and more fluid, whereas some of my other media friends who attended thought the second one was better.
All in all, a not-to-be missed performance. And if you are a dancer (or were ever) you will feel the energy flowing through your veins, I guarantee you. You may decide to take Irish stepdance after Riverdance! Riverdance plays at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre until April 10th, so it’s a limited engagement. You should check it out!
I moved to Vancouver more than a decade ago and thus whenever anyone asks me where I am from or where is home, I always respond “Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada”. This is my home and where my life took off. Vancouver is where I have been most successful, professionally, personally, academically and as a part of the social media community and landscape.
Today, April 6th, we are celebrating the 125 anniversary of the foundation of Vancouver as a city, and as part of the anniversary celebrations (Happy Birthday, Vancouver) there will be cake today and the Olympic Cauldron will be re-lit in the Jack Poole Plaza starting in the mid afternoon.
The voting for Places That Matter has begun, and I found several of the gems I love in there (Avalon Farm, Stanley Park, the Hastings Mill building). But I also want to list the Places That Matter in my life. First and foremost, The Network Hub (which is within a heritage building, the former Vancouver Antique Building) at 422 Richards Street.
The Network Hub is one of the Places That Matter to me the most because its cofounders (my friends Jay Catalan, John Van and Minna Van) have been my biggest promoters and fans, and I wouldn’t be half as successful as I am as a consultant and entrepreneur if it weren’t for them.
Granville Island and the False Creek Seawall is another of the Places That Matter to me. My family, close friends and loved ones and I have walked along this seawall numerous times. It represents to me the intersection of nature and urbanization.
Main Street in Mount Pleasant is another of the Places That Matter to me. I live near Main Street, and I’m a Mount Pleasant boy through and through. I love its ethnic diversity, its openness, its artistic flair and the many things that it has to offer to me. I love taking only one bus to UBC and to downtown, and I love the many places to eat, have coffee, see art and get groceries, all within walking distance.
Stanley Park’s Second Beach is one of my absolute Places That Matter in my life. It’s the place where I decided in 2010 that for 2011 my one priority would be taking care of myself before I took care of others. It was watching this sunset, on this particular day that I realized that I felt incredibly fulfilled and that it was time for me to take better care of myself.
The Koerner Library at The University of British Columbia is one of the Places That Matter in my life the most. I would have not been able to finish my PhD if I hadn’t spent countless hours reading books, poring over journal articles and asking reference librarians. I love ALL libraries, but UBC libraries and in particular, Koerner Library. Also, much love to Main Library (now the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, pictured below)
The Rose Garden at UBC is also one of the Places That Matter to me the most. It’s where my best friends and I have spent some time chatting about relevant stuff. It’s where I celebrated my graduation. It’s where I sat down and talked to my Mom to share some of my most important feelings and emotions regarding life as a graduate student and then as a faculty member.
These are some of the Places That Matter to me, in Vancouver. I have a fondness for all the Metro Vancouver region, but these are a few within Vancouver proper. Happy Birthday Vancouver! You have given me so many opportunities to grow and be successful, I am forever grateful.
I’m slightly wary of places in strip malls. For whatever reasons, I find places like those strange. But lately I have found out that my fear of strip malls may be unfounded. Ikura Sushi is one of those rare gems that I had not visited and that now I will go back. I took JT there for dinner before we went to Metro Theatre to check The 42nd Street. I ordered a combo A (spicy tuna roll, BC roll and California roll) and 2 pieces of salmon nigiri sushi.
Overall, I would definitely come back to Ikura Sushi. Inexpensive (dinner for 2 was $24 before taxes, and it was generous!) and tasty, fresh fish and very well done sushi rolls. Can’t complain.
JT ordered a bento box A (with California roll, some tempura, some chicken teriyaki). The size of my nigiri sushi were really a bit unreal (pretty big, for what I normally get – similar to Momo Sushi in fact, another of my favorites).
I love SoundHound, the iPhone app that identifies songs. I had never used it until my good friend Gus told me about it. So now I’m addicted to it (review of this iPhone app forthcoming in the next week or so). This past weekend I had dinner at Gus and Russ’ place and we were listening to jazz all throughout the evening. I identified a few songs that were totally up my alley, and this is one of them, Kisses In The Rain by Rick Braun. For your listening pleasure.
Despite the fact that I never have done actual ballet, I’ve done all forms of competitive dance, including contemporary. So I’m always keen to highlight events that are associated with dance, performing arts and music in general. I recently learned that Ballet BC will have their 25th Anniversary Celebration with The Turning Point Ensemble at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from April 14-16, 2011. Tickets for Ballet BC’s 25th Anniversary Celebration can be purchased through Ticketmaster at 1.855.985.2787 (855.985.ARTS) or online at Ticketmaster and range in price from $35 -$70 (including HST). I really love the work that Ballet BC Artistic Director Emily Molnar has been creating.
More on Ballet BC:
Ballet BC, a company of 15 talented dancers from around the world, is committed to the ballet of today. Solidly grounded in the classical ballet lexicon but with more immediacy and connection to the 21st century, the company presents a diverse repertoire of Canadian and international contemporary ballet. Now in its 25th anniversary year, Ballet BC continues its commitment to perform on multiple regional, national and international tours in addition to its regular performance season at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver.
I am really looking forward to the 4 works to be presented during the anniversary, including collaborations between Serge Bennathan and Michael Oesterle, Wen Wei Wang’s piece to Owen Underhill’s music, Gioconda Barbuto’s piece with Anthony Genge and Donald Sales to the score of “cheating, lying and stealing”. All of them promise to be excellent pieces.
I’m giving away a pair of tickets to the first weekend night of the 3 day 25th Anniversary of Ballet BC’s Celebrations, April 15th at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. I will draw a random winner of all entries accumulated via Twitter on April 12th at 5pm. and comments on this blog telling me your favorite ballet piece. With the resurgence and popularization of ballet lately (thank you Natalie Portman and Black Swan) I could almost bet people would love the Swan Lake. But my own favorite is actually the recent Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s performance of Moulin Rouge. Surprising, eh?
You can add an entry on top of a comment by posting the following on Twitter:
Told @hummingbird604 my favorite ballet piece for a chance to win tickets to @BalletBC 25 anniversary. What’s yours? http://ow.ly/4sgxz
And if you don’t win my contest, you still should totally check out the work of Ballet BC (and follow them on Twitter at @BalletBC).
I’m always astonished when my academic and non-academic lives collide. As it turns out, the lead of Metro Theatre’s The 42nd Street is the son of an academic I know, and one of the lead actors is someone I know from my teaching at UBC (who is friends with some of my former students). So. Many. Collisions! At any rate, I went to Metro Theatre‘s 42nd Street last night, and I took JT along with me.
Another disclaimer: JT and I *absolutely* love Metro Theatre. It holds very good memories for us, and it’d been a couple of years since we last had set foot there. So we were really looking forward to the musical. We were not disappointed. The level of energy, the intensity and enthusiasm and plain gusto with which each and every one of the cast members danced and delivered their lines, I will admit, that I did notice some of the wobbly
42nd Street is directed by Alison Schamberger, choreographed by Dawn Ewen with musical direction by Peter Wenzek and is playing at at Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC (at the foot of the Arthur Laing Bridge)
Based on the 1933 Busby Berkeley movie musical, 42nd STREET tells the story of a starry-eyed young actress named Peggy Sawyer (CELIA REID) who comes to audition for the new Julian Marsh (CHRIS KING) directed musical about to open on Broadway. While she can’t seem to stay in the good graces of the show’s aging leading lady Dorothy Brock (SUSAN SKEMP), Peggy soon catches the eye of the famous director. On opening night, Ms. Brock breaks her ankle and panic spreads through the company as the show is doomed for closure until it is suggested that Peggy take the role. In only 36 hours, Peggy becomes a star!
Some of the great numbers they had included We’re in the Money , You’re Getting to be a Habit With Me, Lullaby of Broadway, and of course, 42nd Street.
I really didn’t like the fact that there were some technical difficulties (e.g. late lighting focusing on the main character, the sound was off a few times). But the truth is, those were technical problems and nothing to do with the actual performance by the actors, who should be praised. The gusto they imprint on their performance is laudable and we had a fantastic time.
The most underrated performance is actually by David Cohen, who shines as Billy but manages to do so in such a subtle and unassuming way that he lets the other cast members shine. Maggie Jones (an actress I’ve seen many times in various roles) is spectacular, as usual, and carries much of the weight of the musical despite not being the leading actress. Cesar Erba (whom I’ve seen in several musicals) shines through and through too. The whole ensemble is fabulous and the fluidity of their movements is to be praised. Moreover, the whole cast pound through the performance (tap dance is not easy!) and dazzle us with their physical and prowess.
You should definitely check this musical, as I am sure that the minimal technical difficulties will be quickly corrected. Moreover, you should see it just to have a wonderful, feel good night. Tickets for 42nd STREET are $32 Adults and $27 Seniors/Students. Performances are April 2 – 30, Thurs – Sat at 8pm pm, with two Sunday matinees at 2 pm on April 10 and 24th. The theatre is located at 1370 SW Marine Drive. Free parking is available next to the theatre and street parking, with paid parking lots under the bridge. To purchase tickets, call the Metro Theatre Ticket Reservation line – 604-266-7191 or they can be bought at the door, subject to availability. The Metro Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices upon request.
Despite the fact that I teach at the university level in English, that I live my every day life in English, and that I write a (somewhat popular) blog in English, my native language is Spanish (I do speak other 5 though). I’m an immigrant to Canada, and by all measures, I’m part of the rich and diverse ethnic mosaic that makes Canada what it is now.
A few months ago, we hosted the organizers of Coop Culture (and of #NetCulture) at The Network Hub in their inaugural meetings. On April 5th, #NetCulture: Stories of Culture and Diversity in Social Media takes place. The organizers have assembled a great line-up of local speakers from Vancouver’s diverse ethnic communities to share how they use social media tools like Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to explore and define their cultural identities.
I’m thrilled to see that many of the #NetCulture speakers are also immigrants to Canada (and many of them are friends of mine) —including LatinCouver.ca’s Paola V. Murillo and Norma Ibarra, my friends Jay Catalan (cofounder of The Network Hub) and Rafael Aquino, DDB Canada’s Veronica Heringer and Ajay Puri’s own father, Ashok Puri (AKA Papa Puri).
So why #NETCULTURE: Stories of Culture and Diversity in Social Media?
Stories connect us to each other, our cultures, and the world. Come and hear from inspiring local speakers reflecting our culturally diverse communities who will show how social media has helped them strengthen their identities, roots and friendships. How can Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other tools help you do the same? Ask the speakers in this interactive session. Afterwards, meet community leaders and social media activists at the after-party where we can continue the conversation.
MAIN EVENT
The event’s keynote speaker is Kety Esquivel, a well-known advocate for the Latino community and VP of Digital Strategy at Ogilvy Public Relations. She will be joining the event via Skype.
Following a short entertainment break, six sets of local speakers will share their unique, personal stories:
Veronica Heringer | DDB Canada
Ray Hsu + Zi-Ann Lum | Way Too Azn
Jordana Mah | Schema Magazine
Rafael Aquino + Jay Catalan | Tulayan
Norma Ibarra + Paola V Murillo | Latincouver
Ashok Puri | Retiree + World Traveller
#NetCulture: Stories of Culture and Diversity in Social Media is a free event co-sponsored by the VPL, Net Tuesday Vancouver and Cooperative Culture.
AFTER-PARTY
The after-party will take place after 9PM at the Kingston Tap House in the WREC Room where food and beverages will be available by donation. All proceeds go to support #NetCulture and future events.
EVENT AND REGISTRATION DETAILS
Main Event –
Tuesday, April 5, 2011-
7-9PM –
Vancouver Public Library, Central Branch
Registration link here.
After-Party
Tuesday, April 5, 2011 –
9PM onwards –
Kingston Taphouse and Grille
Registration link here.
Please note that attendees will need to register separately for the Main Event and the After-Party. I hope many of you will attend because this is a fantastic event worthy of attending. And even more – IT’S FREE.
I’m really fond of Canada because of, amongst other things, its liberal approach to letting Canadians live their lives without concern for their sexuality (thanks Pierre Elliott Trudeau for keeping the Canadian government outside of the bedroom of Canadians). Mambo Italiano (at the Firehall Arts Centre) is a tongue-in-cheek homage to the ethnic and cultural diversity of approaches to married (and single) life.
Written by Canadian playwright Steve Galluccio, Mambo Italiano is a fantastic comedy that will be playing at the Firehall Arts Centre from April 13 – 30, 2011. The main gist of Mambo Italiano, is the comedic take on a conservative Catholic Italian family who is “shocked” that their son is gay. From the press release:
The comedy is about twenty something Angelo Barberini, the oddball son of Italian immigrants living in Montreal, who shocks his parents by moving out on his own, without getting married, announcing he is gay! Once out on his own, Angelo runs into his only childhood friend, Nino Paventi who is also gay and deeply in the closet. Angelo and Nino rekindle their friendship and start a romance, and end up sharing an apartment. Together at home, they live in coupled bliss, but outside of the house they retain their separate straight acting lives. Angelo decides that he finally wants to come out to his family so that they will really know who he is before they die. This decision does not sit well with Nino as he is not ready to tell the world he’s gay.
His parents are horrified and blame each other for his homosexuality. This revelation of their sexual orientation provokes hysteria that is hilarious.
The truth is that Mambo Italiano has a certain degree of seriousness. The comedy, in within its farcical approach speaks to themes of tolerance for people of different sexual persuasions. Tickets range from $17 – $29 and are available online at The Firehall Arts Centre website or by phone, by calling the Firehall Arts Centre at 604-689-0926.
I have a pair of tickets to opening night on April 14th to give away, and I’ll do my usual Twitter and blog entry modes (2 entries in total if you do both). As the play speaks to themes of tolerance and diversity, comment on this post telling me a story about any time you’ve witnessed kindness, tolerance and anti-bigotry.
To enter via Twitter, post the following on your stream:
Commented on @hummingbird604 ‘s blog to enter & win tickets to Mambo Italiano @FirehallArtsCte – you can too! http://ow.ly/4rO3s
I will draw a random winner on Wednesday April 13th at 11 am and announce on here (on my blog) and if you post your Twitter ID, via Twitter. Once I have announced the winner, he or she must contact me ASAP so I can connect him/her with the box office at Firehall Arts Centre.
I will draw a random
My good friend Isabella Mori and I have sort of a mind-meld, Vulcan-like approach to projects. We sit down, think about things and we realize that we are on the same wavelength. This morning, we had a breakfast meeting where we decided on the theme for Mental Health Camp Vancouver 2011: Diversity in Mental Health. This fits within our trend of moving forward with the Mental Health Camp movement.
Our first year, we wanted to hear people’s stories. The second year, we wanted people to break free from silence. This year, we want to hear a diversity of opinions around mental health. You don’t think there should be a Mental Health Camp at all? Come and speak about that. Are you queer and concerned about links between depression, homophobia and bullying? Come and speak about that. Do you self-identify with a particular ethnic group and are concerned about issues that may be specific to that group? Come join us in the conversation. Do you have particular views about specific types of approaches to mental health? Sit down with us and let’s have a conversation.
We will be issuing a call for speakers around mid-May, but we are already working on securing sponsorship and lining up support. Consider participating. This year, Mental Health Camp takes place on July 23rd, 2011 at Gallery Gachet (thanks Jay Peachy for all your help securing the location and with the organizing!).
Blogging has brought me amazing things. Places to go, people to see, new consulting and speaking opportunities. But more importantly, it’s given me unprecedented access to building new friendships, many of which are definitely life-long-lasting.
This year, my 5 years blogiversary falls on Good Friday (as does Earth Day and my brother’s birthday). So, at least it won’t be a day where people will feel extremely busy, as they most likely had the day off (except, well, at The Network Hub where entrepreneurs work every single day of the week!)
So, save the date on your calendarUPDATED – RSVP on the EventBrite. Last year we celebrated my blogiversary at The Network Hub, but this year, depending on how many people sign up on the EventBrite (to go live early next week) we might need to move it to a larger location (although you can have up to 130 people fit at The Network Hub’s lounge area – tight, but still perfectly ok).
Stay tuned!
