East Van Panto: Robin Hood

 I don't even know how to review this year's East Van Panto: Robin Hood, because it was SO GOOD. 

Stella Jack-Rennie, Munish Sharma, Hayley Sullivan, Sewit Eden Haile, Carol Chu

I was lucky enough to attend last week and brought along the perfect person to watch it with me, cause we both work in a library. Basically, libraries were one of the main things under attack in this year's show, thanks to the evil villain "Prince Ken" which I'm pretty sure everyone in Vancouver knows who that is referring to! 

It's not just libraries he wants to privatize, but also Trout Lake park. A timely jab about the dismantling of the Parks Board hit a little too close to home but was well-placed. With only three weeks to tech and rehearse the show, this production is a bonafide good time from start to finish. 

Steffanie Davis

Steffanie Davis downright steals the entire show as Toni the Pony. Last year she was impressive as Belle, but as one of this year's villain, she downright shines. Or as the kids these days might say, she ate!! 

Mark Chavez

Mark Chavez also returns in multiple roles, and delighting in every single one of them. My favourite was his turn as a Robobrarian. 

Hayley Sullivan & Munish Sharma

Finally, Munish Sharma as Little Jaan seems relatively reliable and safe for most of the show, until we reach Act 2 and its eleven o'clock number, when he gets a turn to solo. People of Vancouver, when this man opens his mouth to sing.... the most beautiful sound in the world will be gifted upon your ears. Why were they hiding this the entire time??? Our jaws dropped. What a gorgeous sublime voice! Sing on maestro, sing ON!

Veda Hille

And the songs this year are fun and current! Of COURSE they had to do some Chappell Roan. Perhaps a song from BRAT would've been just that one more cherry on top but kudos to Veda Hille for reimagining popular hits to fit this homegrown story. 

Go catch these superstars and the rest of the stellar cast of East Van Panto: Robin Hood, on now at the York Theatre until January 5!! 

(all photos by Emily Cooper)

East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast

This was only my second year of taking in the East Van Panto, and this tale as old as time did not disappoint with its take on the classic Beauty and the Beast, with its annual East Van spin. 

Everything is familiar but just slightly off. We have our brainy Belle, who wants to become a finance person, a Beast who is turned into a mattress, a family of skunks and their Skunk Overlord, and a well-placed joke about Ken Sims. If you're familiar with the intersection of Venables and Clark, you'll appreciate all the Mr. Mattress and Fujiya humour throughout the show. 

The songs skewer popular hits such as Kylie Minogue's summertime anthem Padam Padam, (as well as her early 2000s monster hit Can't Get You Out of my Head), the Beach Boys' Kokomo, and Ryan Gosling's I'm Just Ken from the Barbie movie, to name a few. 

Some standouts included Steffanie Davis who shows off her pipes as the belting Belle, Jason Sakaki as the Beast and whom reminded me of a younger version of Broadway's Cheyenne Jackson, and Mark Chavez who takes on the multiple roles of a marijuana joint, an art dude, King Skunk, and Senor Tamaki, giving each one their own distinct flavour and nailing it each time. 

With its finger on the pulse of pop culture and city politics, Beauty and the Beast is fun for the whole family. Get your tickets here! 

East Van Panto - The Little Mermaid

 I don't like pantos. I find them weird and amateur and unfunny. And the audience participation portion makes me nervous. 

All photos by Emily Cooper

But, I cannot stop recommending that everyone rush out now to go see The Little Mermaid, on now until January 1 at the York Theatre, as the 10th anniversary of the East Van Panto. 

It was absolutely ridiculous fun. This is not the Disney cartoon, if that's what you're hoping for. Nor is it really an ode to the Hans Christian Anderson source material. It lays somewhere in between, with musical numbers based on hits of the day, and Vancouver tidbits thrown in for good measure and humour. 

And oh is there humour. The scene stealer for me has to be Dawn Petten who stars as a maniacal Ursula. But everyone from Amanda Sum's Ariel to Ghazal Azarbad's Eeer-k to Mark Chavez's Sebastian, and even the kids who are taking part this year - all are a joy to watch on stage. 

The Little Mermaid is ridiculous silly fun, and guaranteed you will leave with a smile on your face. Tickets available at the Cultch. 

Vancouver Christmas Market

It's that time of year again! The annual Vancouver Christmas Market! Tis the season!

I can't wait to visit and get some mulled wine and check out all the wares.

Some deals this year include:

• $10 Tuesdays on Dec. 3, 10 & 17: In celebration of the 10th anniversary season, every Tuesday will feature admission to the market for just $10.

• Deluxe Date Nights on Nov. 27, Dec. 4 & 11 (from 5pm): Share magical evenings with your friend or loved one at our Deluxe Date Nights! Guests are invited to enjoy 2-for-1 admission (can be purchased at the gate) and also includes 2-for-1 non-alcoholic drinks and carousel rides.

• Kids Day on Dec. 1: Join Holly & Jolly for a day of family fun! Youth (12 and under) can enjoy admission and carousel rides by donation to Children's Wish by making a donation to take a photo with Gingerbread Mascots Holly & Jolly, everyone's favourite princesses from Enchanted Events Vancouver and Santa Claus himself!
  
• Holly & Jolly Combo:
  They've partnered with friends at FlyOver Canada to create the ultimate festive experience! With the Holly & Jolly Combo, you can fly like Santa and his elves on a magical flight across Canada and on to the North Pole, and then sample the authentic German sweets, treats, and treasures on offer at the Vancouver Christmas Market. To learn more, visit: vancouverchristmasmarket.com/activity/holly-jolly-combo/

Flyover Christmas Canada!

Here's a festive thing to do this holiday season! Check out Flyover Canada where you can fly like Santa and his reindeers!

In addition to the magical flight, you can also enter to win a real life getaway!

Win a Weekend in Banff!

Share your experience at FlyOver Canada on Instagram for your chance to win a weekend getaway to Banff.

The prize includes a two-night stay at the Mount Royal Hotel and four passes to the Banff Gondola.

To enter, follow @FlyOverCanada on Instagram and be sure to tag @FlyOverCanada and use #PursuitLife in your caption. We will announce the winner on Monday, December 2.

Surrey Tree Lighting

Haul out the holly... !

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And to get a jumpstart on things, Surrey will be holding their Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony THIS SATURDAY !

At City Hall Plaza (just off the Surrey Central skytrain station) from Noon - 7pm.