Oh the drama!

Thumbs up for Wild Honey and Cavalia

A Tripped Out Alice

Definately not the same old same old

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet presents the Vancouver premiere of Wonderland. A bold reinterpretation of Lewis Carroll’s Classic Novel, the country’s beloved dance company will be taking audiences on a fun, frenetic trip down the rabbit hole. Intended for adults, acclaimed choreographer Shawn Hounsell’s creative genius has transformed the beloved children’s story into a multi-sensory experience brimming with athletic movement, spectacular visual effects, and an original electro-acoustic soundscape.  Wonderland, March 24-27, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 604-280-3311; www.ticketmaster.ca

Horse play!

Cirque du So Hay! Cavalia extended!!!

Under the pop up top at Olympic Village, Cavalia gallops into town. Paying homage to the intimate relationship between humans and horses, this multi-media, multidisciplinary show involves aerialists, acrobats, horseback riders, dancers, musicians, a vocalist, and 55 horses!  An extravagant spectacle of majestic leaps and acrobatics. Additional performances added til April 10. Cavalia, Mar 22-Apr 3; Olympic Village, 299 West 1^st Ave.; www.cavalia.net

Meal Deal

Harry Kambolis & Lee Humphries podium-winning plate

Fresh from their podium finish at Canada’s Gold Medal Plates competition in Kelowna, Vancouver’s renowned C Exec Chef Robert Clark and chef de cuisine Lee Humphries (representing Team BC) dazzled judges to win bronze at the coveted championship. Their winning citrus glazed Fraser Valley quail breast, with ballotine, french toast and orange gastrique is part of a five course palette pleaser offered for an incredible $55 at Harry Kambolis' acclaimed restaurant. Sommelier Kim Cyr completes the meal deal with exquisite pairings for an additional $40. C Restaurant, Team BC Gold Medal Plates Menu, 1600 Howe Street, www.CRestaurant.com

Local actress wins big for Gunless!

Melody Choi working the red carpet like a veteran!

Fresh from the Hollywood red carpet, 10 year old Melody Choi picked up a Young Artist Award (The Oscars for young actors) for Best Performance by a Supporting Actress 10 & under in Paul Gross' Gunless filmed here in Vancouver. Up against felow actors from Blus Valentine, Tooth Fairy & Mother & Child, the Vancouver actress was nominated in three categories: Feature film Gunless; DVD Film The Search for Santa Paws and Short Film Kids Court.


When Choi heard her name announced, she bolted from her seat and ran to the stage. A smart cookie, Melody wore comfortable leather flat ballerinas just for the purpose. 

Moviegoers will be seeing much more of Melody. She is currently working on another feature film called Small Pleasures

Congrats Melody!

Quidam

Cirque du So Gay!

Not really but Cirque's latest is another thrilling combination of acrobatics and artistry with plenty of eye candy. A cavernous Rogers Arena is transformed into a circus spectacular. Lacking the intimacy of the Grand Chapiteau at Concord Pacific Quidam still packs the usual Cirque punch. A very trippy experience, the entire show is imagined by a young girl named Zoé, a sad and forlorn girl who is alienated and ignored by her parents. She dreams up the whimsical world of Quidam in an attempt to escape her sadness. Cirque highlights for mom and I: Banquine, statue, and the clowns (she was in tears by the end of the movie skit!) Quidam, Until March 13, Rogers Arena; 604-280-4444; www.cirquedusoleil.com; www.ticketmaster.ca

JUST ANNOUNCED: RIHANNA SECOND SHOW ADDED IN VANCOUVER

SECOND SHOW ADDED

MUCHMUSIC AND THE VANCOUVER PROVINCE PRESENTS:

RIHANNA

WITH GUESTS

FRIDAY, JUNE 24^TH, 2011 – SOLD OUT

SATURDAY, JUNE 25^TH, 2011

ROGERS ARENA – VANCOUVER, BC

Doors:  6:30PM          Show:  7:30PM

TICKETS FOR JUNE 25^TH ON SALE SATURDAY, MARCH 12^TH @ 10AM

I ♥ Nita Lake Lodge

Whistler retreat good Karma

Whistler’s Best Kept Secret is no more. Under new ownership and minutes to the village, Nita Lake Lodge, a boutique property at Whistler Creekside, offers city slickers the perfect Whistler Weekend Getaway. Large luxurious rooms with picture perfect postcard lakefront views.

Enjoy a sumptuous meal at Nita Lake’s acclaimed Aura Restaurant. Executive Chef Tim Cuff and Restaurant Chef Owen Foster bring you the best of the west serving up local comfort food with fresh herbs and veggies from their very own rooftop garden.

For good Karma, detox in the hotel’s new Ashram Spa specializing in traditional Indian Ayurvedic treatments.

Après, unwind by the fire with a pint or two and some fine charcuterie at the hotel’s Cure Lounge.

A perfect weekend retreat, my boyfriend and I never did hit the slopes : )

Nita Lake Lodge, 2131 Lake Placid Rd. Whistler, B.C., 888-755-6482, www.nitalakelodge.com

Going Commando!

KISS KISS

Rock legend Gene Simmons and his wife Shannon Tweed along with an army of 900 helped raise $1.5 million for military families.

Chaired by Dragons Den's Brett Wilson and philanthropist Warren Spitz, attendees dressed in military colours at the Operation Western Front gala. The Vancouver Convention Center was transformed into a Kandahar mess hall for True Patriot Love Foundation benefit. Proceeds from the Canadian Armed Forces fundraiser to support services and programs for military families

New Predator Shane O'Brien on the prowl

The first of One Hundred Nights

Glitter and Glam, OPUS Hotel VP Chella Levesque and Rockglass Concepts President Peter Girges welcomed former Canuck, Nashville Predator's Shane O' Brien, to the opener of One Hundred Nights. Studio 54 meets Disco Chic at the temporary pop-up One Hundred Days turned One Hundred Nights Restaurant. Synonymous with style and surprise - O'Brien joined  fellow teammates, American Rapper and music producer  Lil Jon and le beau monde at the party of the night.