For those of you who are disappointed that you don’t live in the suburbia and you may not be able to attend the performance of Romeo and Juliet (and who love Flamenco too), fear not. I have another Flamenco dance performance to promote, and it’s right in the heart of the downtown core of Vancouver: Viñetas del Mozaico.
Mozaico Flamenco Dance Theatre is pleased to present “Viñetas del Mozaico” as a part of the Café de Chinitas series. This flamenco dance show will showcase a dozen dance vignettes to a mosaic of music including classical, flamenco puro, flamenco fusion, pop, the Orchid Ensemble and more.
Café de Chinitas is an enchanted cafe where red-golden cheong sams and Asian melodies fuse with flamenco’s virtuosity and bravado. This unique performance marks the first time the ‘East meets West’ fusion has ever been seen on a Vancouver stage.
Viñetas del Mozaico takes place at the Scotiabank Dance Centre, The Faris Studio, 677 Davie Street, Vancouver, BC. November 12, 13, 14, 2010, 7:30pm, and Sunday November 14 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $25 adult, $21 senior/student + HST. For more information call 604.671.9182 or visit the Mozaico Flamenco website.
I have a pair of tickets to give away to a lucky reader of mine. For you to enter this giveaway, just indicate in a comment on this post what has been your BEST dance experience (it can be dancing, or watching a dance performance). For a second entry into the contest, if you are on Twitter, you can copy and paste the following:
I want to win tickets to ‘Viñetas del Mozaico’ from @hummingbird604 & Mozaico Flamenco. Learn more here: http://is.gd/gN2b6
I will draw a random winner from all entries on Thursday November 11 at 5:30pm.
On Saturday October 30th, my wife and I went to the Epcor Centre for Performing Arts to watch the Opera “Mozart & Salieri”, with tickets courtesy of Visit Calgary and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Little did I know when I picked this date that the Opera was actually the work of Rimsky-Korsakov (of Flight of the Bumblebee fame – if you like this song you should watch the movie “Shine” with Geoffrey Rush. Total classic, but I digress).
So, we left our son with some friends, and took off on our date to the Opera. When we arrived, our tickets were waiting at the call table and we proceeded to have a quick drink before going into the seating area. I have to say that, not having been to the Jack Singer Concert Hall before, I was impressed with the quality of the finishes and the acoustics of the place. The structure supporting the lights and the projection screen were set up in a non-invasive, non-ugly way, contrary to how lighting structures and equipment usually are. That was a definitely a plus. The chairs were simple, but comfortable, as it should be.
The arrangement of the stage was interesting and different as well: the Orchestra was set up on the main stage to showcase the talent of all the musicians. The mini-stage for the actors was set up in front of it, slightly lower but with excellent care taken to not ruin the sight lines of the spectators. A table with writing papers, ink and a feather, two chairs, and a harpsichord with its bench were all that was necessary. As I am minimalistic in almost all things, I saw the restrained setting also as a plus.
Now, on to the performance itself: Maestro Roberto Minczuk conducted a splendid overture prior to the appearance on scene of the actors. Maestro Minczuk is obviously a man who is comfortable in his own skin. He takes a relaxed, yet fully professional approach to conducting. More than anything, his best skill is that he obviously enjoys good music, which is something hard to come by in these days when showmanship and pyrotechnics are all that many performers care about (I’m thinking of a certain pianist from China who’s all show and no substance, but won’t get too carried away here).
I was mesmerized by the opening scene with the baritone (John Avey) who plays Salieri. Maestro Salieri happens to be lamenting the musical talent that God has given such a lowly creature like Herr Mozart. Salieri then thinks of some of his own tunes, at which time Rosana Lamosa appears on scene to sing one of them in the most delightful soprano. Mozart (Fernando Portari) then joins the scene, more singing happens between them, until Salieri proceeds to poison Mozart. Salieri is then left contemplating the meaning of Mozart’s words, that “villainy and genius are incompatible…”
The cast has been well put together. It is obvious that all the actors are professionals and put a lot of work into their performances. As a side note, one thing that has always annoyed me somewhat is that the public usually cheers more loudly the performances of the tenor and the soprano, who are usually the leads, regardless of who actually happened to have the best performance. In this case, I would attribute such best performance to the baritone: Mr. Avey’s Salieri. What surprised me the most was how much I enjoyed Mr. Avey’s performance both in terms of his singing, as well as his animated expressions on scene. It was fantastic to see how his Salieri character truly enjoyed the highest emotions while thinking of his own music, as well as his tears and sorrow when listening to Herr Mozart’s divine melodies and harmonies. Of course it doesn’t hurt that the Russian language happens to be rather guttural, and it suits lower voice registers quite well (I’m thinking here of some Rachmaninoff’s choral works). I even managed to catch a few “Das vidanye’s”, “Ja’s” and “Nyet’s”.
I will go on the assumption that the very long silence during the transition to the Requiem was fully planned to enhance the eerie, spooky atmosphere that we were left with when Mozart leaves after being poisoned by his rival (Beethoven used silence as one of the most powerful elements in his music. His use of silence has always been unmatched). Then, of course, we were led to the Requiem…
The power of the drums, the way the strings support the harmony and the careful execution leave you shivering, overwhelmed with emotion. The bassoons, horns, trumpets and trombones round up a well-crafted ensemble that delivers on the powers of music for the dead. From the opening of the Requiem and the Kyrie, to the Confutatis and the Lacrimosa, Maestro Minczuk and the Orchestra were fantastic. The Choir delivered quite well on what is a difficult piece with multiple voice lines and tempos going at the same time. The atmosphere was electric.
When, sadly, the end came with the Amen subtly woven into the unfinished piece (let’s remember that according to history, the Requiem was actually left unfinished) everyone was left expectant in their seats for just a second before the applauses rained.
I’m very much looking forward to seeing what will be in store for tonight’s performance. The last one was a delight. Kudos to everyone in the production crew.
This guest review was contributed by my brother Sigfrido Pacheco covering Mozart in the City (Classical Calgary) for Hummingbird604.com. Read all posts on Classical Calgary here. To purchase tickets to any of the event series, visit the Classical Calgary website.
Disclosure: The tickets to attend the concert for my guest blogger and his Plus One were sponsored very generously by Tourism Calgary and the Calgary Philarmonic Orchestra. This post hasn’t been paid for, and I am not required to post a review either. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times, and producers and publicists are well aware of this. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
All my four brothers and myself were raised and trained in classical music. We all play piano (though I’d say my brothers play concert-level whereas I play recreational piano). One of my brothers and his family live in Calgary, and I visit them every year, either for summer or winter. Of course, I blog about Calgary too! Recently, with all the travel I have been doing, my friend Julie Ovenell-Carter connected me with Tourism Calgary, and they were kind enough to invite a guest blogger (in this case, my brother) to review the Mozart in the City series of concerts.
We jumped at the opportunity. We are so lucky with the many amazing things that Canadian cities offer, and we often don’t get to enjoy them because we don’t know about them. So I sent my brother (and his wife) as my guest reviewer for Mozart in the City, and he just sent me his first review (of Mozart & Salieri). Outstanding. Week 1 just ended, and Week 2 is under way, so you still have Week 3 to enjoy! Plus, there will be many other performances by the Calgary Philarmonic Orchestra.
From Monday, October 25th – Saturday, November 13th, Calgary is going to feel a little like 18th-century Vienna when Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart invades the city’s concert halls, art galleries, restaurants and movie theatres this fall.
Tourism Calgary, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, EPCOR Centre, Calgary Cultural District, Calgary Downtown Association, Mount Royal University and the Art Gallery of Calgary have put their wigs together to create a jam-packed, three-week celebration of the iconic composer.
Performances by The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Roberto Minczuk take a musical journey through Mozart’s first and final symphonies and the greatest works ever written for piano, horn, violin and voice, featuring some of the biggest stars in the classical world such as Karen Gomyo and Jon Kimura Parker.
The CPO performances are presented by the Haskayne School of Business.
I have an absolute adoration for all of my nieces and nephews, but seeing as L is my godson, I have an even more special bond with him. Born to my brother and sister-in-law (and a Canadian, to boot!), L is a bright light in my pathway. I think of him every day, as his beautiful photo (with the faux-hawk) is the background on my iPhone’s screen. It feels almost unreal to think that it was 3 years ago I got the phone call that he was born and healthy, 2 years since I went to Calgary to attend his baptism. I’ve spent pretty much every Christmas since he was born, in Calgary, and I really have enjoyed it enormously.
L is the only individual on this planet who reduces me to the age of a 3 year old 🙂 This past summer, I went to visit him and his parents for a few days, along with my Mom, and he would sit down in his play room and ask me “Tio Raul, can you play Play-Doh with me?” I mean, seriously, who can refuse and say no to this beautiful child? Certainly, not me!
L, you are the reason why I stop and reflect every single day and why, whenever I feel exhausted, I realize that if I don’t take care of myself, I won’t be able to be there for you when you need me. Whenever I need a little “pick me up” I just turn on my iPhone and see your smiley face and I feel rejuvenated. Here is to celebrating your birthday.
I love you, my adorable nephew, as if you were my own son. Happy birthday/Feliz cumpleaños from Uncle Rolex!
I remember I once told my good friend Minna Van (The Network Hub) that I was going to write “The Frugal Princess Guide to Living on the Cheap“. Sadly, I never got to write it. But my good friend Robert Willis and a friend of his have started a website where they tell you everything about Vancouver, on the cheap. CheapCouver is their site.
How does one live in one of the most expensive cities in the world? By being frugal with your funds. Cheapcouver is for all of us that want to live like the prince/princess of Vancouver on a pauper’s budget. May we all live long and cheaply.
You can also follow them on Twitter at @Cheapcouver.
I am always puzzled, intrigued and excited by experimental theatre pieces that promise intrigue and excitement. And more so, when my friends are in them (in this case, my friend Andrea Loewen). irl (in real life) by Rick Robinson is having its Canadian premiere, put together by Shadows & Dreams Theatre Company, and they’ve been kind enough to sponsor a ticket giveaway for Wednesday November 10th at 8pm.
When the four characters in “i r l (in real life)” arrive in Los Angeles for a convention of their favorite online game they are thinking of more than just swords and dragons: longtime friends online, they’ve decided to use this convention as an excuse to meet for the first time “in real life.” What they find at the convention hall is sometimes more and sometimes less than what they’d hoped, and they all must struggle to come to grips with the differences between their idealized online personas and their more complicated real-life selves.
irl (in real life) was a “Critics Pick” at the 2002 Los Angeles Edge of the World Festival.
Tickets are a mere $15 at the door, CASH ONLY (Seating is limited), and reservations – (604) 515-0704. irl is performing at Havana Theatre (1212 Commercial Drive, Vancouver), Show Times: Wednesday, November 10th – 8pm Thursday, November 11th – 8pm, Friday, November 12th – 8pm, Saturday, November 13th – 8pm. For additional information or ticket reservations call 604-515-0704.
The Director Stephen Elcheshen is from New Westminster, and actors are from the Lower Mainland too. Featuring: Nigel Brooke (New Westminster), Michael Chase (Vancouver), Andrea Loewen (Vancouver), and Paul Schulz (Vancouver).
To enter my giveaway, let me know if you’ve ever met anyone from Twitter, Facebook or from reading their blog, in real life. Drop a comment on this post to enter my giveaway. I’ll draw a random winner from all entrants on Tuesday November 9th at 5:30pm. You can also retweet this post (there’s a little Twitter button down at the end of my post) for an additional entry.
I have liked the work of the Karen Flamenco Company for a few years now, and when they approached me to give away tickets for their on-the-road show “Romeo and Juliet“, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Even more exciting it is that I am giving away tickets for performances that take place OUTSIDE of the City of Vancouver.
Very few styles of dance make me feel more in love and rejuvenated as flamenco does. Madrid (Spain) is and always will be my second home away from home (considering that Vancouver is now my home). Out of the dance styles I want to master the most, the one I want to be a specialist in (and find most challenging) is flamenco (particularly because men don’t have flow-y skirts nor fans.
After this summer’s three sold out Vancouver performances of the classic love story “Romeo & Juliet”, the Karen Flamenco Dance Company is taking the show on the road! Set in turn of the century Mexico, the timeless love-tragedy is visually translated into the fiery poetry of flamenco dance. Beautiful bandidas feud flamenco-style, mystical gypsies cast their hypnotic spell all to the accompaniment of live flamenco guitar and narration of master storyteller and magician Gerardo Avila.
Karen Flamenco performs this tragic love tale Friday, November 12th at the beautiful Surrey Arts Centre and Saturday, November 13th at the newly-opened Chilliwack Cultural Centre. Two Spring shows will be performed at the Heritage Theatre in Gibsons, April 9th and 10th, 2011.
I have a pair of tickets to give away for the Friday, November 12th show at the Surrey Arts Centre. To enter, just indicate in a comment on this post if you have ever watched Flamenco-style dance and if you recall, the name of the group whose performance you enjoyed. For a second entry into the contest, if you are on Twitter, you can copy and paste the following:
I want to win tickets to ‘Romeo and Juliet’ from @hummingbird604 & @karenflamenco. Learn more here: http://is.gd/gLzAF
I will draw a random winner from all entries on Thursday November 11 at 5:30pm. For information on how to purchase tickets to either of the Chilliwack and Surrey performances, click here.
I was recently invited by Translink to an informational meeting of a few local transportation-focused bloggers, plus a few of the most visible local ones. I really enjoyed this targeted, focused event where we received information on the public consultation taking place around the proposals for rapid transit to Surrey. Having visited Surrey recently in the evening this meeting was rather timely.
It took me over 2 hours to get to Guilford from UBC. The only reason I commuted that far and for that long was that I was going for dinner at my good friend Beth Snow’s apartment.
At the same time as consideration is being given to Surrey’s rapid transit, there’s also a proposal for rapid transit on the Broadway corridor to UBC. Seeing as I am a UBC faculty member (and I had to live through the horrors of transit on Broadway while I was a graduate student and even now that I am faculty), I posed the question to Jhenifer Pabillano, Jeff Busby and Erin McConnell from Translink:
So, which one of the two proposals will you favor, given the financial constraints of not being able to do both?
Not surprisingly (we are, after all, talking about a government agency), the response we got from Translink was that both options were being considered simultaneously. Stephen Rees mentioned in his post that he didn’t think this response was credible. Neither do I. Lucky for Translink, a few of my students next term in POLI 350A Public Policy will be looking at both options next term as their final project. And then I’m going to compare what my students’ analysis reported to what Translink publicly explores.
I will fully credit my good friend Erin McConnell with the kind invitation (formerly President of Wilcox PR, Erin is now working with Translink. Trust me, Coast Mountain did a fantastic job and a very smart decision in hiring her. Erin is a true specialist in the field of communications, and especially crisis communications, which is something that Translink needed to strengthen its team on – how to respond to online and offline criticisms – heck, I’ve been a tough critic in the past – you may remember some of my criticisms – but lately, Translink has done a lot of work to improve its communication, particularly online).
Anyhow, I need to caveat my post. I teach Public Policy, and Environmental Policy. BUT I am not a specialist in transportation policy, so I am not going to try and explore the intricacies of the proposal itself. I do have graduate-level training in urban and economic geography and thus I understand well how the system will work, and as a policy analyst, I do provide advice to governments on how to choose amongst policy options (specific to environment).
The meeting was attended by Rebecca Bollwitt (Miss604), Karen Quinn Fung, Stephen Rees and Carrie Saxifrage from the Vancouver Observer. I think both Carrie and Stephen provide more in-depth accounts than I can possibly provide here. I am not sure if Karen has reviewed the meeting, but if she has, I will link to her post.
It was, as Stephen said, nice to be invited (it was particularly nice for me because, beyond being a blogger, I am an academic and I look at public policy proposals from an academic eye). Even if I am not an expert in transportation policy, I am aware of what the challenges are when a government agency is under financial constraints and has to decide amongst different policy choices. I am pretty sure that this will be a challenging exercise and I look forward to seeing it unfold.
I strongly believe we provided good feedback for Translink on how they should present this information to the general public, and I do hope they will take into account our commentaries. By the same token, I thought it was important to report on the meeting.
There are two bartenders on whose hands I always hang my drinking life: Shawn Soole (of Clive’s Classic Lounge fame) and Simon Ogden (head bartender at Veneto Dining and Tapas Lounge). Every time I visit either of these two fine gentlemen’s establishments, I say “do your magic – I don’t want to know what’s in my drink, just make me happy”. And they do. Without so much as a blink, both Simon and Shawn deliver fantastic cocktails in my hands. I surprised Simon (whom I consider a very good friend) this past weekend as I dropped by Veneto Dining and Tapas Lounge completely and entirely unannounced.
I had been trying to visit Veneto, but for the past few months, my life has been crazy and hectic. So when I got invited to visit Victoria “at my own leisure and pace”, I took the opportunity to show up at Veneto and surprise Simon and get to enjoy first-hand what my friends in Victoria have been telling me all the time: that Veneto is one happening place. And hell, is it ever!
I dropped by Veneto twice. The first time I had a couple of cocktails, although I would lie if I said I remember. But they were amazing. The second time I only had one cocktail, but it was amazing. And I feel like I need to ask Simon what I had. All I can tell you is that ANYTHING that man concocts, is special and totally worth it. Cocktails are priced within the reasonable $10 price tag, and Simon is excellent in what he makes.
Veneto’s atmosphere is incredibly elegant and classy, and having visited independently twice, I can tell you that there are good reasons why Veneto is so popular: Clive’s and Veneto are the two places where I would most certainly run to and have a fantastic cocktail at the end of a stressful evening. Highly recommended, if you are in Victoria (British Columbia).
Disclosure: While I visited Victoria invited on a media trip, and Simon generously provided me with a complimentary drink on my first visit, on my second visit I paid for my drinks on my own dime. I just wanted to share my experience having cocktails at a place that was heavily recommended online and on my media kit. I wasn’t paid to write this post, nor was I required to do so either. In anything I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
I have a bit of an obsession for floating homes, as you can tell from my previous post on the floating homes in Granville Island (Vancouver, BC). So when I found out that there were floating homes at Fisherman’s Wharf in James Bay (in Victoria, BC), I realized I had arrived to my dream house (or set of houses, as you will).
I went on a rather leisurely walk over to James Bay (I stayed at the Fairmont Empress during my recent visit to Victoria) and strolled around the floating homes that I found at Fisherman’s Wharf in James Bay. Since it was close to Hallowe’en, many houses were decorated with Hallowe’en motives.
From the Floating Homes in Victoria page:
In 1922, float planes used to carry the mail between Victoria, Vancouver, and Seattle moored here. Also in the ‘20s, the immigration centre served as a detention centre for illegal immigrants and wayward foreign sailors. Many Japanese mail order brides were processed in the facility from 1908 until 1928.
By the 1940s, floathomes were here, supported by rafts of huge, cedar logs. They were built in response to a need for affordable housing. World War II saw a growing industry in shipbuilding, especially of steel freighters. Before the shipbuilding operation closed in 1967, a number of BC ferries and even a deep-sea oil drilling rig were built on these shores.
The prices on those homes are actually quite affordable if you consider they are a mere 10 minutes away from the downtown core in Victoria. If I had the money, I totally would buy one!
I got a chance to get a sneak peek at the 2010 edition of the East Side Culture Crawl the past couple of weeks. My life has been insane so I haven’t had the chance to post about it, but at least I did go on a sneak preview. And let me tell you, the artists whose work you will witness are AMAZING.
The East Side Culture Crawl 2010 is (in their own words)
In its 14th year, the Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual FREE 3-day visual arts phenomenon. This event involves more than 10,000 people visiting artists in their studios in the area bounded by Main Street to Victoria Drive and from First Avenue north to the waterfront of Vancouver, Canada.
The Eastside Culture Crawl Society provides opportunities for the public to engage with member artists through the ongoing creation of events and programming that support the growth of east side artists.
The East Side Culture Crawl 2010 takes place November 26th and 27th. Check their site for more information!
It’s been almost a year since my good friend Mike Yurechko gave me an early Christmas present and iPhone-ified me. Since then, I have used my iPhone extensively for just about everything. I pre-type emails and blog posts while I am enroute or commuting from one place to another. I respond to client requests and potential partners for my projects. I live by my Google Calendar, which is synchronized with my Calendar app on the iPhone.
Heck I have even used my iPhone to entertain my nephew L with the apps for little children! So quite frankly I can’t see myself without a smartphone anymore. Heck I am even considering getting into one of those tyrannical 3 yer data plans!
It’s amazing how my attitude towards smartphones changed so much in one year. I loved my “stupid phone” but now I am infatuated with my smartphone, and especially with my iPhone.
I bought a bike this summer as I wanted to ensure that I would be able to enjoy roaming the streets of Vancouver (and feel safer now with the separated bike lanes). I had never really had a bike before, but now I feel that I need to enjoy biking more. While the weather in November seems to me actually rather inappropriate to have a Bike to Work Week promotion in BC (I would think it would be best to have it in the summer, not in the winter, when it rains in Vancouver, which could potentially increase the risk of accidents as roads are more slippery, etc.), the case is that it is, from November 1st to 5th, this week is Bike to Work Week. And it’s fitting for the Preventable campaign, as much of the focus of it is on preventable injuries while on the road (and on shifting attitudes – stop and think before you take the road – wear a helmet, make sure to have reflective gear, etc.).
Bike to Work’s mandate is to encourage and promote the use of the bicycle as transportation to work.
While I don’t think I’ll be biking to UBC, I definitely feel confident and will try to bike to my office at The Network Hub. I would encourage you to do so too.
As usual, I am blogging about yet another song that has me obsessed. I discovered Canadian New Wave/SynthPop/ElectroPop group Dragonette via my friend Lynne Polischiuk, who Blip.fm’d (is that even a verb?) a couple of their songs. The one that is currently on repeat on my iPod is Liar. I have downloaded the full album, Fixin’ to Thrill. Listen to the song and let me know what you think. Given that I’ve recently become more attached to synth, it’s not real surprise I’m addicted to “Liar”. For your listening pleasure, below find the YouTube video.
I have always struggled with dining options near Scotiabank Theatre. Given that I teach on the Point Grey campus of UBC, I never really have needed to eat food after a class on the UBC Robson Square campus. Thus I am often left pondering “where the hell are we going to eat?” when JT and I go to the movies near Scotiabank.
Well, both of us had had sushi before at Kimono Sushi, pressed for time the same way we were this time (JT picked me up at UBC, and the drive back into downtown took us a while). We realized that while there was an Earls restaurant near by and a couple of Italian pizzerias, we were literally going to be unable to eat food in 45 mins (e.g. sit down, order, have our food delivered, eat, pay the bill and get out). We were able to do so at Kimono Sushi. The food was good (although there’s plenty of other sushi restaurants that will deliver that good of a sushi platter), if not spectacular.
If you have to be at Scotiabank Cinemas (or have something to do downtown Vancouver near Robson and Hornby), I’d suggest Kimono Sushi. Not my first choice, but not a bad one.
Some of my favorite theatrical shows are those that are rather out-of-the-ordinary: shows that push the boundaries of traditional theatre. Solo Collective‘s LOVE FIGHTS looks like it’s going to be one of those. I have seen Sarah Rodgers’ directing work before (she directed Billy Bishop Goes to War), and I’m looking forward to having some time to check out LOVE FIGHTS (which she codirects with Rachel Peake). I am always curious to see how directing styles mesh.
LOVE FIGHTS features Emelia Symington Fedy, Raphael Kepinski, Hamza Adam, and Emma Slipp. The two productions about love and death that make up LOVE FIGHTS include The Trolley Car by Amiel Gladstone and Coffee Makes Me Cry by Adam Underwood. In their own words:
Two stories, two times… about love and betrayal. Adam Underwood’s hilarious blind-date between two unlikely lovers in a modern-day upscale diner is contrasted by Amiel Gladstone’s surreal tale of two women from Sartre’s No Exit trapped by the circumstances of World War II and their love for each other.
All shows take place at Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright Street on Granville Island. You can buy tickets online.
I have a pair of tickets to give away to Saturday November 6th’s show. To enter this contest, just drop a comment telling me (and my readers): have you ever gone out on a blind date? And if so, how was it? No need to mention suspects or guilty people! 🙂 As usual, I will draw a random winner from all entries. I will be drawing the winner on Friday November 5th at 6:30pm.
I am excited to check out Playland, Pacific Theatre’s current show, on opening night this Friday. Pacific Theatre has characterized itself for a while now for presenting interesting, challenging, not-always-easy-to-digest-but-always-making-you-think productions. Playland is not the exception.
New Year’s Eve, 1989, South Africa. Mere weeks before the release of Nelson Mandela and the first steps towards apartheid reform, South Africa’s State of Emergency is reaching its breaking point. It’s at this moment that a black security guard and a white soldier meet at a traveling amusement park. The two become an instant microcosm for their nation’s turmoil as they battle over the spaces between guilt, damnation, and reconciliation in this turbulent drama. Will they find the harmony their country so desperately needs?
Playing from November 5th through the 27th, Wednesday – Saturday at 8pm with 2pm matinee on Saturday at Pacific Theatre, 1440 W 12th Ave. Artist talkback Friday, November 12. For tickets ($16.50-29.50, HST not included) you can call 604.731.5518 or buy tickets online.
I have one pair of tickets to give away to opening night (November 5th, Friday, 8pm) for one lucky reader. To enter my giveaway, just drop a comment telling me (and my readers) about the last artistic production you have seen (dance, theatre, you name it). As usual, I will draw a random winner from all entries. I will be drawing the winner on Thursday November 4th at 5:30pm.
I arrived at Brasserie L’Ecole around 8pm on Thursday evening to see for myself whether the place lived up to its hype. I had seen on my media kit that Brasserie L’Ecole had been suggested as a great venue for dinner. And I am, as you know, a sucker for all things French. I spent A LOT of time in Paris, so I am used to (and love) French cuisine. Yes, even though it includes cheese, for the most part.
From their website:
Brasserie is defined as “an unpretentious restaurant that serves drinks, esp. beer, and simple or hearty food”. This definition parallels the restaurant design and menu. The name “l’école” (French for The Schoolhouse) is a nod to the history of the building, which once was a Chinese Schoolhouse
Brasserie “l’école” opened in late 2001 and has been nominated for awards provincially and nationally.
“L’école” features fourteen-foot high ceilings and a long space making it a comfortable size with seating for thirty – plus a slate topped bar with eight dining seats. The décor has borrowed from classic French bistro/brasserie style with red walls, rich chocolate brown wainscoting and ceiling, dark stained hardwood floors and white linen tablecloths. Chalkboards above the bar highlight the extensive selection of French wines as well as dinner features and the day’s choices of oysters. “It is a cozy space, striking a balance between a place to relax with friends in an unstuffy environment and to also enjoy great food and impeccable, but not formal service” says Sommelier/Owner Marc Morrison.
The menu reflects Chef/Owner Sean Brennan’s approach to using seasonal, locally available products cooked in a classic French country style. Menu items include Brennan’s well-loved duck confit, beet & goat cheese terrine and braised beef short ribs.
Upon arrival, I was promptly seated at the bar, as I was arriving alone. I ordered a Monkey Gland (gin, orange juice, absinthe & pomegranate syrup, $7) which was sweet, fresh, tastes of citrus and rather alcohol-charged (i.e. strong). As far as the ambiance and customers, I noticed that folks from all ages patronize L’ecole. I saw people who ranged in age anywhere from 23 to 67. Definitely this place is for fine dining.
For dinner, I ordered Creamed Chanterelles on toast, bacon, herbs ($12). At first I thought I would feel still hungry when I saw the size of the dish. But after I tried the first bite I realized I was in for a treat. The combined flavors of creamy tomato an the Chanterelle mushrooms, cooked to perfection, were simply to-die-for. While the dish contains bacon, the creamy herbs sauce doesn’t let the bacon overpower the dish.
I was a bit concerned about drinking the Monkey Gland paired with the Chanterelles but my concerns were assuaged as I didn’t find that the drink overpowered my dinner plate. The service at L’Ecole was, as so many people touted it, absolutely outstanding. The bartender made sure I was entertained, and gave me great tips on where to eat and drink in Victoria.
I ordered a Soupe a l’Ognion Gratinee, bacon, Gruyere crouton (aka a French onion soup — very traditionally French), for $8. My French onion soup was a bit of a sacrilege request on my part. I hate cheese so I asked for my soup so have the cheese removed. I felt very guilty but the fact of the matter is – it’s in the small requests that you really see the level of service. The soup was absolutely delicious even I’d ask for it without cheese. Extremely hot when served, I did love having it so warm when I knew I was going to go walk around Victoria in the cold.
Even though the place was packed on a Thursday night (no less), the servic was outstanding and very prompt. I wad in and out in a hour! Overall my dinner at Brasserie L’Ecole was simply superb. I will definitely come back again for a good meal.
Disclosure: While I was in Victoria on a media trip, I had dinner on my own dime at Brasserie L’Ecole. I just wanted to share my experience having dinner at a place that was heavily recommended online and on my media kit. I wasn’t paid to write this post, nor was I required to do so either. In anything I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
When my friend Chris Parsons and I were making decisions on where to dine I mentioned Prima Strada and he agreed it would be good to try it out. Located almost kitty corner from my beloved Rosie’s Diner on Cook and Oxford, Prima Strada looked like a very happening place. So happening that the 10-15 minutes wait that they promised Chris when he called on advance quickly transformed into 45 minutes to an hour.
There is no place on this planet where I will wait for 1 hour to eat at. Well, that’s not true. Perhaps the only restaurant where I would wait that long for a table would be Maxim’s in Paris, France. And I did feel like telling Chris and his girlfriend that there would br NO way I would wait for so long to get into Prima Strada (we were 3 people so it’s not like we had a huge group). But I didn’t, and so we waited.
We decided to put our names down in the wait list and cross the street to get a drink at The Beagle. Prima Strada promised to call us when our table became available. We had a beer for about an hour and then walked back. We still waited a few minutes still but our table was ready quickly and our server was extremely prompt.
We ordered an appetizer of meat balls (absolutely delicious with the meat cooked to perfection and the sauce seasoned just right). We then ordered a Carne pizza (with lots and lots of meat) and a Rucola Pizza (packed chock full of the most exquisite prosciutto and arugula).
Both pizzas are thin crust and they were so filling and tasty we couldn’t finish them both between the 3 of us. Our combined bill came to about $60 which is not unreasonable at all for a night out in the town with friends.
Would I come back to Prima Strada? Yes, of course. Is the hype warranted? Totally. Was the food good? Not only good, absolutely fantastic. Did I enjoy waiting for an hour to eat? Absolutely not, and if the next time I come back the wait is predicted to be 45 mins to an hour, there is not a chance in hell I will be waiting that long.
Prima Strada is one of those restaurants you need to try at least once in your lifetime. Prima Strada’s pizza could, very well, be the best pizza I have ever had in my life.
Disclosure: While I visited Victoria invited on a media trip, we all had dinner at Prima Strada on our own dime. I just wanted to share my experience having dinner at a place that was heavily recommended online and on my media kit. I wasn’t paid to write this post, nor was I required to do so either. In anything I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
My good friend Greg Mitchell is fundraising this year for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society of Canada and he is organizing a fundraiser this upcoming November 10th, aptly titled “Fun: 1 – Cancer: 0: Kicking Blood Cancers To The Curb One Step At A Time”. As you all know (if you’ve read my blog for any length of time), I lost my 2 aunties and my Grandmother to cancer. So I’m always supportive of any cancer-related charity, and even more so when the fundraiser is a good friend of mine. In Greg’s own words:
I am TRI’ing to raise money in memory of all those we have lost but also to support those who have survived Blood Cancers (Leukemia / Lymphoma). This is a battle we cannot afford to lose, and by taking on the challenge of a Triathlon, it is a small way that I can give back and contribute to this fight.
I am sponsoring Greg’s fundraiser by giving a door prize (a 1.5 hour workshop on social media strategy). From the feedback I have received, this is perhaps the most popular of all the social media workshops I have given in the past couple of years.
WHAT: Fun 1, Cancer 0: Fundraiser for Leukemia/Lymphoma Cancer Society WHEN: Wednesday, November 10 at 8:00pm WHERE: Library Square Public House, 300 West Georgia, Vancouver, BC WHY: Because it’s a very worthy cause.
So what does the fundraiser entail? From the Facebook event page:
$20 gets you in the door, a drink, and ALL proceeds go to Team in Training to fight blood cancers. And because November 11 (remembrance day) is a holiday, there isn’t even a good excuse to miss this awesome event! All proceeds will go toward the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s efforts to fight blood cancer. It will be a kick-ass concert and it will be for an extremely important cause. Cancer has affected all of us in some way, but if we face it head on, we can make a difference. Thanks so much for your support!
Everybody in the Anglosaxon world celebrated Hallowe’en last night (well, everybody except me. I stayed in with JT, ordered sushi and watched episodes of Brothers and Sisters). But tomorrow is a day of national observance in Mexico, and it’s a day I actually respect quite a lot, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Dia de Todos los Santos (All Saints Day) is today, November 1st, and it’s the Catholic celebration that is paired with the celebration of All Souls Day (which now has turned into Day of the Dead).
In Mexico, traditionally, as I was growing up, my family would set up an altar (Altar de Muertos) honoring our deceased (offers of food and candies are placed on the altars). We would also go and visit our grandparents’ graves and drop flowers on their graves. As I grew past my teen years, several members of my family passed away, mostly of cancer (thus you can imagine how much I hate cancer). Since neither day (All Saints and All Souls) were actual work holidays, I got used to taking my lunch break to drive to the cemetery and drop flowers on my auntie’s and grandparents’ graves, then drive back to my office.
Now that I live abroad, I do observe Dia de los Muertos, but not to the extent I used to when I lived in Mexico. And I also ask my closest friends in Mexico to take my place and bring flowers to my grandparents and auntie’s graves. I think that’s one of the things I really value in my friends back in Mexico: I can ask them to take care of my affairs as though they were actually me (in my stead, as you would say in English). My close friends in Mexico bring flowers to my Mom on Mothers’ Day, and to my deceased’s graves on Dia de los Muertos. THAT is a sign of true friendship in my books.
You may remember that a few months ago I gave away tickets to the Vancouver International Tap Dance Festival. As a former dancer myself (at the time, competitive, now only recreational), I always love to give support and promote artistic projects, and while I give much coverage to theatre, I also support Vancouver’s local dance initiatives. And this week, Centennial Theatre is bringingSavion Glover’s “Bare Soundz” on November 4th and 5th. Savion Glover is one of the best tap dancers worldwide, and his dance style is incredibly energetic and entertaining.
The undisputed master of tap dance Savion Glover makes his much- anticipated visit to Vancouver. “Bare Soundz” will unleash a concentrated cavalcade of varied percussive footwork. The setting – three heavily miked, island-like wooden platforms – is admirably unadorned and free of any trace of showbiz glitz.
I have a pair of tickets to give away to the Friday November 5th show of ‘Bare Soundz’ at Centennial Theatre (on the North Shore – yes, I do giveaways outside the City of Vancouver too, in case you didn’t know! hehe). Centennial Theatre is located at 2100 Lonsdale Avenue, in North Vancouver (commonly known as ‘Upper Lonsdale’). Easily accessible by Seabus and bus, for those of us who rely on transit. Tickets to Bare Soundz are $62, seniors $60, students $48, you can call the box office of Centennial Theatre at 604 984 4484 of buy tickets online.
To enter, simply comment on this post before Wednesday November 4th at 5.30pm, and tell me which style of dance you would want to learn in 2011. This year, I expanded my own horizons and went and took classes in 2 step. So… strange for someone who was trained in contemporary and then moved on to salsa, tango, merengue and rumba, like me! As usual, I will be drawing a random winner from all entries. If you do have a Twitter account, please add it to your “name” in the box below so I can find you on Twitter.
This past weekend I gave a talk at the Department of Political Science of the University of Victoria, invited very kindly by Dr. Janni Aragon (Senior Instructor). It was great for me to give a seminar on my comparative wastewater policy project as it helps me frame my thinking for the book I am writing (yes, I am doing NaNoWriMo as NaBoWriMo). I already have the research, the data, and the thinking. All I need to do is write it. Anyways, I digress…
Between the end of my seminar and lunch at The University Club, Janni was kind enough to show me the First Peoples House. We have an equivalent at UBC, which I absolutely adore. So I was thrilled to see the University of Victoria’s First Peoples House.
In adopting “A Vision for the Future: Building on Strength, ” its strategic plan, the University of Victoria pledged to build “on our commitment to our unique relationship with Canada’s First Peoples.” One of the ways the university stated it would achieve this objective was through the construction of a First Peoples House.
First Peoples House creates an academic and cultural centre for Indigenous students, and a welcoming space on campus for the broader community. Designed by Alfred Waugh Architect of Vancouver in the Coast Salish style, the House includes academic, administrative and ceremonial spaces.
The 1,161 square-metre (12,500 square-foot) building houses the Office of Indigenous Affairs, Aboriginal student counselling services, classroom space, a student lounge and elders’ lounge, faculty offices as well as a ceremonial hall and kitchen.
I was quite impressed with the facility. It was so incredibly peaceful, and the programming looks quite incredible. Moreover, the First Peoples House has an Elder in Residence that students/faculty/staff can talk to if they need to do so. The architecture is absolutely impressive and there is so much wood in the construction the smell is absolutely beautiful.
I am a big supporter of the Developmental Disabilities Association and I am also very keenly aware of how misunderstood autism is (one of the developmental disabilities that are often misdiagnosed/mistreated). So when I found out via Beth Kanter and Scott Stratten that tomorrow (November 1st) would be Communication Shutdown to raise awareness (and funds) for autism research, I had to join in.
Thus, in observation of Communication Shutdown, there will be no Facebook nor Twitter for me tomorrow November 1st. I have blog posts that are pre-scheduled and thus, they have a tweet associated with them (via the WordTwit plugin). But other than that (and perhaps some pre-scheduled tweets), I will not be in Twitter nor on Facebook.
We realise that nothing can truly simulate what it is like for people with autism.
Our aim is to simply encourage a greater understanding from people outside the autism community. Social network users have become reliant and even addicted to platforms like Facebook and Twitter. And if they shutdown for 1 day, they will feel a sense of disconnection and a sense of frustration. By creating a little empathy, we hope to encourage a wider understanding and acceptance of people with autism – an understanding we recognise those in the autism community already have.
Which is why we are in no way asking people with autism to give up their tools of communication.
You can purchase and download the Charity App (CHAPP) which will connect to your Facebook and Twitter to indicate that you support Communication Shutdown.
This past weekend saw me go on a trip (combined academic talk, media trip and R&R). Of course there was a lot of food and drinks involved. Which somehow altered my exercise routine. It’s interesting what you learn about yourself by looking at how things like exercise and stuff affect you. In my case I have explored how lack of exercise affects me. I’ve realized (the hard way) that I can’t function without exercise anymore.
If I spend more than two days without exercising I find that I feel more fatigued, need at least 1 or 2 naps, and end up feeling tired and unfocused. I have decided that wherever I travel, I need to make sure that I plan my evenings in such way that I don’t over-eat, get enough sleep and exercise with the same intensive approach I normally use.
