Ryan Kubeska is undoubtedly one of the top real estate agents in Vancouver. In his seven years in the industry, the 27-year-old has continually turned heads with his impressive sales - while doing it all with his trademark swagger and charm. Read about his journey to success and what motivates him to slay. This is the second installment of my new series, "Slaying it: Vancouver's top young professionals".
Read moreJersey Boys presale: Book your tickets for the Broadway smash hit coming to Vancouver
For this weekend only, buy your tickets to Jersey Boys before tickets go on sale to the public. Presented in a riveting documentary style and enhanced by the electrifying legendary songs of The Four Seasons, Jersey Boys is an exhilarating musical theatre experience. Winner of four Tony Awards, including the 2006 Tony for Best Musical, Jersey Boys is a story about learning life lessons, friendship and resilience. Catch this musical phenomenon in Vancouver at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre from November 14-19, as part of Broadway Across Canada’s 2017/2018 season.
Read more2GuyWithKnives are cooking up success
The first in my series, Slaying it: Vancouver's top young professionals. 2GuysWithKnives are more than what their name suggests. True, the two guys, Sergio Pereira and Patrick Carr, use their knives to create delicious yet nutritious meals delivered to their customers’ homes. But the entire effort takes more than just knives. Sergio and Patrick have used their hearts and passion in helping others to build a successful service enjoyed by hundreds of people in the Lower Vancouver mainland.
Read moreTheatre Review: 'The Sound of Music' tells inspiring tale of humanity and integrity
Broadway Across Canada’s The Sound of Music is an extremely powerful commentary on hope, humanity and the inner strength to do what is right, no matter the road ahead.
Read moreVancouver Fringe Festival review: Cry-Baby the Musical
When teenage bad boy (with a sensitive side) Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker meets suburban sweetheart Allison Vernon-Williams, sparks fly and 1950s Baltimore is turned upside down.
Read moreTheatre Review: Theatre Under The Stars’ Mary Poppins adds a humanistic quality to the Disney classic
Mary Poppins (Ranae Miller) and Bert (Victor Hunter) lead the ensemble. Photo credit: Tim Matheson
Theatre Under The Stars’ (TUTS) version of Mary Poppins, currently lighting up the stage of the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park, offers classic Broadway pizazz, while also adding a humanistic quality to the well-known story.
Read moreTheatre Review: A star is born: Shannon Hanbury shines in The Drowsy Chaperone
Shannon Hanbury steals the show in Theatre Under The Stars' production of "The Drowsy Chaperone". Photo credit: Tim Matheson
Summer is in full swing and so is Vancouver’s iconic Theatre Under The Stars. One of the two Broadway musicals gracing the stage of the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park this summer is the Tony Award-winning musical, The Drowsy Chaperone. And while there actually is a character in the show called the Drowsy Chaperone (played by renowned actress Catriona Murphy), make no mistake – this production belongs to a glorious triple threat sensation by the name of Shannon Hanbury. She is absolutely dynamite in this show and the price of admission is but a small price to pay to watch this new star slay.
Read moreTheatre Review: The Phantom of the Opera is a timeless display of theatrical magic
The company of The Phantom of the Opera. Photo credit: Alastair Muir
The phantom is back in Vancouver and he’s had a fabulous makeover. Broadway Across Canada’s new touring version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera keeps the essence and spirit of the original production alive, while making things fresh and exciting for audiences. The show is a stunning spectacle of brilliant performances, visuals, staging and of course, music.
Read moreEnjoy some Disney magic in Stanley Park this summer →
From the sweeping cityscape of London, to the jazzy glitz of the roaring ’20s, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is bringing Broadway sizzle to Vancouver this summer.Considered a favourite annual tradition by many, TUTS presents full-scale Broadway musicals every summer in the majestic setting of Stanley Park. This year, TUTS is presenting the Disney classic, Mary Poppins, as well as the five-time Tony Award-winning show The Drowsy Chaperone.
Read moreBard on the Beach adds sexy Italian style to Shakespeare →
Get out the sunscreen, sunglasses and your fave summer attire, because Bard on the Beach is starting to heat things up. Celebrating its 28th season, this beloved Shakespeare festival, known for its fresh takes on the Bard’s classics, will be transporting audiences to Italy all summer long. All four of its headliner shows have been set in the land renowned for wine, art and romance. Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, The Merchant of Venice and The Two Gentlemen of Verona will captivate audiences with passionate Italian flair.
Read moreTheatre Review: Hand to God is a sinisterly hilarious experience →
There’s always been something creepy about the puppet and puppet master relationship. For example, the concept of the ventriloquist dummy who gains a mind of its own has always been disturbing. But the idea of a boy whose hand puppet becomes possessed by the devil in a Texas church is next level creepy. Combine that frightening theme with outrageously sexual and contemporary humour and you have yourself a winning show.
Read moreDance Review: Coastal City Ballet’s Giselle is an authentic gem
Diego Ramalho and Ana Paula Oioli in Coastal City Ballet's "Giselle". Photo: David Cooper
Giselle is one of the world’s most beloved classical ballets. But since Vancouver is such a contemporary-focused city, it’s rare to see a live production of Giselle. Thankfully, Coastal City Ballet has brought this iconic ballet to life and has done a fine job. Showcasing some outstanding young talent, Coastal City Ballet’s Giselle is also very polished and well-packaged with attractive set, lighting and costume designs.
Read moreFormer 'The Hills' star chainsaws his way to success at Art! Vancouver →
Artists from around the world are getting ready to showcase some unique and innovative pieces at Art! Vancouver. This annual celebration of art will grace the Vancouver Convention Centre from May 25-28. One of the featured artists will be local BC boy, Ryan Cook, who uses chainsaws and a variety of hand tools to turn raw wood into unreal sculptures.
Read moreDance Review: Ballet BC offers engaging and unique contemporary with Program 3
All photo credits: Michael Slobodian
Ballet BC concludes its 2016/2017 season with Program 3, a triple bill of two pieces choreographed by Israeli artists and one original piece by artistic director, Emily Molnar.Overall, all three pieces were both entertaining and intriguing. Ballet BC’s stature as a top contemporary company is clearly evident. Program 3 demonstrates creativity and various styles of contemporary, while also being very engaging for the audience – a feat that isn’t always achieved with ambitious contemporary.
Read moreBallet BC concludes 31st season with Program 3
Ballet BC dancer Rachel Meyer. Photo credit - Michael Slobodian
Ballet BC will conclude its 31st season with Program 3, which opens tomorrow night at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. This much anticipated finale to the contemporary ballet troupe's trilogy of montage works this season will feature creations by Israeli choreographers Emanuel Gat and Ohad Naharin, as well as Ballet BC’s Artistic Director Emily Molnar.
Read moreOpera Review: Vancouver Opera gives The Marriage of Figaro a gorgeous makeover
Susanna (Caitlin Wood), and Figaro (Alex Lawrence). Photo credit: Tim Matheson
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is one of the most beloved operas in the world. The delightful tale of mistaken identities, twists of fate and quests for love is a charming celebration of music and fun storytelling. Vancouver Opera (VO) offers a fresh new take on this classic opera while still maintaining its wit and charming spirit.
Read moreOpera Review: Otello: A chillingly dark operatic treat from Vancouver Opera
Photo credit: Tim Matheson
A true test of an opera company’s strength is its versatility in presenting both contemporary and classical work. Vancouver Opera’s (VO) production of Otello truly demonstrates VO’s outstanding strength in this area. After seeing VO’s emotionally compelling Dead Man Walking, a contemporary opera set in 1980s Louisiana, it was impressive to see the company switch gears to Otello, which is set in late 16th century Cyprus.
Read moreOpera Review: Vancouver Opera’s Dead Man Walking is a riveting journey driven by artistic brilliance
Photo credit: Trudie Lee, courtesy of Calgary Opera
It’s incredible how a stage production can sometimes transport you to another time and place so convincingly that you forget you’re watching a show. Such is the case with Vancouver Opera’s (VO) Dead Man Walking, a 21st century American opera. Dead Man Walking is both a fascinating and moving look into the capital punishment debate. VO’s production is absolutely magnificent – a collaboration of incredible vocal and acting talent combined with astonishing brilliance in musical direction, staging, sets, lighting and costume design. But above all else – it tells a compelling story that will likely stay in many people’s minds long after the curtain falls.
Read moreMy CTV Morning Live visit
From left to right: Keri Adams, myself and Jason Pires on the set of CTV Morning Live Vancouver.
This past Friday, I had the amazing experience of visiting the CTV Morning Live set in Vancouver. These are the super talented people that I wake up to every morning and it was fascinating to see what goes on behind the scenes.
Read moreCurtain Up: First-ever Vancouver Opera Festival opens today
Caitlin Wood and Alex Lawrence in "The Marriage of Figaro". Photo credit: Emily Cooper Photography
Begin the overture on a history-making event in Vancouver. It’s opening night for the Vancouver Opera (VO) – not just for a new production, but for a radical and ambitious new endeavour. Instead of presenting a standard season of mainstage productions throughout the year, VO has elected to instead present the first-ever Vancouver Opera Festival. Starting today and running until May 13, three mainstage productions will be performed: Otello, Dead Man Walking and The Marriage of Figaro.
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