Sheri Radford

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Hot Dates: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast

February 8 to 12

Beauty and the Beast photo by Joan Marcus

The beloved Broadway musical rolls into town this winter, filling the Queen Elizabeth Theatre with tunes such as the toe-tapping “Be Our Guest,” the heart-wrenching “If I Can’t Love Her” and the unforgettable title song. Catch Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumiere, Cogsworth and all your other favourite characters in this tale as old as time.—Sheri Radford

W-F 7:30 pm; Sa 11 am, 3:30 and 8 pm; Su 2 and 7:30 pm. $25+. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000. www.broadwayacrosscanada.ca

Science World in the Spotlight

The lights of Science World often change colours for special occasions, so be on the lookout for pink lights come Valentine’s Day. What happens when the lights burn out? A mountain climber must change them. Photo by KK Law

Every savvy media star knows when it’s time for a facelift, and Science World at Telus World of Science is no exception. The iconic geodesic dome has been an integral part of Vancouver’s skyline since 1986, when it housed Expo Centre for the 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, and over the years it has appeared in TV series such as The X-Files and MacGyver. But the building’s age was starting to show, so two years ago a $35 million renovation project began.

Now the rejuvenated building is ready to enter the limelight again, showing off its 2,790-sq-m (30,000-sq-ft) expansion, new lobby and new green roof with a deck overlooking False Creek. Its improved ecological footprint includes solar-thermal installations to heat the hot-water supply, solar-thermal rejection technology to reduce the need for air conditioning, and solar panels to provide shade and electricity.
Ready for a close-up? Absolutely.—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: The Chuck Davis History of Metropolitan Vancouver

This coffee-table tome by renowned historian Chuck Davis is nearly 600 pages

“Fun, Fat & Full of Facts.” That’s how author Chuck Davis described The Chuck Davis History of Metropolitan Vancouver (Harbour Publishing, $49.95), which the beloved journalist and broadcaster spent more than two decades writing, right up until his death in 2010. Other writers, historians and friends then came together to finish the mammoth, almost-600-page volume, which is bursting with 125 years of history and countless archival photos. Arranged chronologically, the book covers everything from the great fire of 1886—which wiped out almost the entire city—to the Vancouver Canucks’ ill-fated Stanley Cup run of 2011. Find this one-of-a-kind souvenir at local bookstores.—Sheri Radford

Hot Dates: Dine Out Vancouver 2012

January 20 to February 5

Seared weathervane scallops at Hawksworth Restaurant. Photo by KK Law

Foodies, this one is for you. The largest restaurant festival in Canada celebrates its 10th year with culinary tours, cooking lessons, dinner-theatre evenings, contests and—the pièce de résistance—prix fixe menus with optional wine or beer pairings at 225 eateries, from humble bistros to casual favourites to Vancouver’s most elegant dining establishments. Choose your price category ($18, $28 or $38) then make a reservation, because tables always fill up quickly. This year’s line-up of tasty choices includes Hawksworth Restaurant, The Boathouse Restaurant, Yew Restaurant + Bar, Banana Leaf Malaysian Cuisine, Diva at the Met and Market by Jean-Georges. Get ready to make your taste buds very happy.—Sheri Radford
Reservations and menus at www.tourismvancouver.com/dine/dine-out-vancouver-2012

Hot Entertainment: The Sporting Life

Soccer ball photo copyright Mikdam/Dreamstime

Tennis Canada takes on France in the Davis Cup, at Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre (Feb. 10 to 12).

Soccer Goooaaalll! That’s what the eight teams are shooting for in CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Soccer, at BC Place Stadium (Jan. 19 to 29).

Basketball An evening watching the Harlem Globetrotters perform? It’s a slam dunk, at Rogers Arena (Feb. 24).

Hockey Luongo, Kesler, the Sedins and the rest of the Vancouver Canucks have the home-ice advantage for several games, at Rogers Arena.—Sheri Radford

Hot Entertainment: Mythbusters

Adam Savage (left) and Jamie Hyneman, of Mythbusters

Could duct tape fix a plane that has been mauled by a bear? If a car is dangling precariously over a cliff’s edge, could the force of a pigeon landing on its roof send it plunging down the cliff? These are the types of questions that Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage have tackled in nine years of Mythbusters on the Discovery Channel, busting more than 400 myths in the process. See the duo in two shows at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Jan. 22).—Sheri Radford

4 and 7:30 pm. $52.50-$98. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000.

Hot Entertainment: Waiting for Godot

The Cultch stages Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot until Jan. 21

Samuel Beckett’s comedic, existential masterpiece has been described as everything from brilliant to confounding to shocking to a bunch of meaningless hooey. No matter where on the spectrum your opinion falls, you’re sure to find something to appreciate in a new production at The Cultch (to Jan. 21). Deep comedic riches lie in this modern classic, first staged in English in 1955 and now performed by some of Vancouver’s finest actors. A show worth waiting for? Definitely.—Sheri Radford

Tu-Sa 8 pm. Matinees Su 2 pm. $16+. The Cultch, 1895 Venables St. at Victoria. Tickets 604-251-1363. www.blackbirdtheatre.ca

Hot Entertainment: 92nd Annual Polar Bear Swim Vancouver

Polar Bear Swim photo copyright Vancouver Park Board

Vancouverites know the cure for a New Year’s Eve hangover is an icy dip in English Bay on New Year’s Day. A handful of hardy locals first took the plunge in 1920, and that number keeps growing, now topping 2,200 despite ocean temperatures as low as 3°C (38°F). Most of the swimmers show up in costume, undaunted by the cold. Join the insanity Jan. 1.—Sheri Radford

More information:

POLAR BEAR SWIM Registration 12:30 pm, swim 2:30 pm. In Vancouver 311, outside Vancouver 604-873-7000. www.vancouverparks.ca

Hot Dining: Chocolates for the Sweet Tooth

Chocolates by Thierry. Photo by KK Law

Every chocoholic on your shopping list will salivate over tempting treats from Thierry (pictured), Purdy’s Chocolates and Thomas Haas. The only challenge is resisting temptation long enough to wrap and give the gifts—without sampling a handful along the way.—Sheri Radford

More information:

THIERRY Open late. 1059 Alberni St. 604-608-6870. www.thi
errychocolates.com

PURDY’S CHOCOLATES Pacific Centre, 701 W. Georgia St. 604-683-3467. 2196 W. 4th Ave. 604-730-8669. 2705 Granville St. 604-732-7003. www.purdys.com

THOMAS HAAS CHOCOLATES AND PATISSERIE $. B/L (Tu-Sa). 2539 W. Broadway. 604-736-1848. 998 Harbourside Dr., North Vancouver. 604-924-1847. www.thomashaas.com

Hot Entertainment: Sting

Singing sensation Sting

How better to celebrate a 25-year solo career than a North American tour? Catch Sting’s Back to Bass Tour, filled with stripped-down versions of all his hit songs, Dec. 8 to 10 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.—Sheri Radford

More information:

8 pm. $51-$151.50. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-5000.

Hot Shopping: Christmas Decor from Homesense

Bird decorations from Homesense

Cheep Cheep Cheer

Even those who believe the holiday season is for the birds can’t resist adorable felt owls from Homesense ($4.99). Find more seasonal decorations that won’t break the budget at Sears and Christmas Street in The Bay.—Sheri Radford

More information:

HOMESENSE 493 Robson St. 604-683-4406. www.homesense.ca

SEARS Pacific Centre, 701 Granville St. 604-685-7112. www.sears.ca

THE BAY 674 Granville St. at Georgia. 604-681-6211. www.thebay.com

Hot Entertainment: Cross-Country Skiing in Whistler

Photo by Steve Rogers courtesy Tourism Whistler

Nordic Nirvana

Downhill skiers and snowboarders tend to receive most of the attention in Whistler, but the cross-country skiers don’t mind. It just means less-crowded terrain for them. Fans of Nordic skiing head to the 56 km (35 mi) of pristine cross-country trails in Whistler Olympic Park, or the 32 km (20 mi) of trails in Lost Lake Park, to work up a sweat—and enjoy some of the world’s most spectacular scenery.—Sheri Radford

More information:

WHISTLER OLYMPIC PARK 5 Callaghan Valley Rd. 604-964-0060 or toll-free 1-877-764-2455. www.whistlerolympicpark.com

Hot Entertainment: Vancouver Christmas Events

Dress Like Santa Day at Whistler Blackcomb. Photo by Emmanual Mendes Dos Santos courtesy www.coastphoto.com

Christmas Spirit

Don your best gear—your best Old Saint Nick gear, that is—and head to Whistler Blackcomb for the annual Dress Like Santa Day, when the first 50 folks outfitted like Mr. or Mrs. Claus can ski for free (Dec. 17). The jolly old elf always makes a grand West Coast entrance for Christmas in Steveston, arriving in a whale watching boat (Dec. 3 to 23). Winter Harp celebrates the season with a concert of harps and rare medieval instruments in St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church (Dec. 17). Goh Ballet brings to life Clara, the Mouse King and the rest of the beloved characters in Tchaikovsky’s Christmas classic The Nutcracker at The Centre (Dec. 15 to 18).—Sheri Radford

More information:

DRESS LIKE SANTA DAY Whistler Blackcomb. Toll-free 1-800-766-0449. www.whistler blackcomb.com

CHRISTMAS IN STEVESTON Toll-free 1-877-247-0777. www.tourismrichmond.com

WINTER HARP 7:30 pm. $37.25. St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, 1022 Nelson St. at Burrard. Tickets 604-684-2787. www.winterharp.com

THE NUTCRACKER BY GOH BALLET 7:30 pm. Matinees Sa-Su 2 pm. $28+. The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, 777 Homer St. Tickets 1-855-985-2787. www.goh ballet.com

A Need for Speed at The Whistler Sliding Centre

Photo of bobsleigh courtesy Tourism British Columbia

By Sheri Radford

If you’ve ever dreamed of hurtling along an icy track at 135 km/hr (85 mi/hr), here’s your chance. The Whistler Sliding Centre offers two-hour bobsleigh rides and skeleton slides for adrenaline junkies. After gearing up, you rocket down the track like a pro, experiencing what it must have felt like to compete in the 2010 Winter Games here. Although there’s no need to be an Olympic athlete to embark on these heart-pounding adventures, they’re not for the faint of heart, either. If you’d rather leave the speed to the professionals, check out the FIL Luge World Cup (www.fil-luge.org) on Dec. 9 or the FIBT Bobsleigh & Skeleton World Cup (www.fibt.com) on Feb. 2.

More information:

WHISTLER SLIDING CENTRE 4910 Glacier Lane. 604-964-0040. whistlerslidingcentre.com

Hot Entertainment: Roméo et Juliette Opera

Simone Osborne

Have ever two families feuded as much as the Capulets and Montagues? Canadian soprano Simone Osborne (pictured) stars as Juliette and Canadian tenor Gordon Gietz plays her star-crossed lover Roméo in this romantic French opera, Charles Gounod’s version of William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy (Nov. 26 and 29, Dec. 1 and 3; Queen Elizabeth Theatre).—Sheri Radford

More information:

ROMEO ET JULIETTE (Nov 26, 29; Dec 1, 3). 7:30 pm. $35+. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 604-683-0222. www.vancouveropera.ca

Hot Entertainment: Vancouver Maritime Museum

Vancouver Maritime Museum photo by KK Law

All Hands on Deck

There’s no need to walk the plank: landlubbers and sailors alike set sail for the Vancouver Maritime Museum in Vanier Park. The museum’s Chátwilh—Craft and Culture of the Squamish Canoe exhibit, opening Nov. 24, celebrates the canoe culture of the Squamish people.—Sheri Radford

More information:

VANCOUVER MARITIME MUSEUM Discover the world of shipwrecks and explorers, visit Alcan Children’s Maritime Discovery Centre and see historic vessels in Heritage Harbour (year-round). Tu-Sa 10 am-5 pm, Su 12-5 pm. $11, s/s $8.50, under 6 free, family $30. Exhibition: Chátwilh—Craft and Culture of the Squamish Canoe Learn about the rich culture of the Aboriginal people who first occupied this area, their removal from the land they called home, and the resilience of the culture that survives today (opens Nov 24). In Vanier Park, 1905 Ogden Ave. 604-257-8300. www.vancouvermaritime museum.com

Hot Entertainment: Pius Cheung

Pius Cheung

Chinese-Canadian virtuoso Pius Cheung makes marimba magic during Wednesday Noon Hours at the UBC School of Music (Nov. 23).—Sheri Radford

More information:

UBC SCHOOL OF MUSIC Barnett Wednesday Noon Hours (Nov 2, 9, 16, 23, 30). 12 pm. $5. Jazz Ensemble II (Nov 3). 12 pm. Free. UBC Guitar Ensembles (Nov 18). 12 pm. Free. Scholarship Winners Concert (Nov 20). 3 pm. Free. UBC Composers’ Concerts (Nov 21). 12 pm. Free. Early Music Ensembles (Nov 23-24). W 8 pm, Th 12 pm. Free. Contemporary Players (Nov 25). 12 pm. Free. Soundings: Music of David Crumb (Nov 27). 2 pm. Free. UBC Percussion Ensemble (Nov 28). 12 pm. Free. Electro Acoustic Music (Nov 29). 8 pm. Free. Barnett Hall, 6361 Memorial Rd. 604-822-0182. www.music.ubc .ca

Hot Entertainment: Wen Wei Dance and Dance in Vancouver

Wen Wei Dance photo by Emily Cooper

Put on Your Dancing Shoes

Wen Wei Dance (pictured), the 605 Collective, the plastic orchid factory, MACHiNENOiSY and four other local companies take centre stage at Dance in Vancouver (Nov. 23 to 26; Scotiabank Dance Centre), a biennial event that shines a spotlight on contemporary dance in BC. Other types of dance featured this month: ballet, in 3Fold (Nov. 17 to 19; Queen Elizabeth Theatre), and flamenco, in Discover Dance! (Nov. 17; Scotiabank Dance Centre).—Sheri Radford

More information:

3 FOLD Ballet BC presents three works: Doppeling, choreographed by Simone Orlando; New Work, choreographed by Robert Glumbek; and Parole Sospese (Words Suspended), choreographed by Walter Matteini (Nov 17-19). 8 pm. $22.50-$70. Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Hamilton St. at Dunsmuir. Tickets 1-855-985-2787.

DANCE IN VANCOUVER Experience the energy and innovation of contemporary dance as eight West Coast companies perform excerpts of new works and recent hits in four mixed programs (Nov 23-26). 7 and 9 pm. $28, s/s $20, double bill $44. Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St. 604-606-6400. Tickets 604-684-2787. www.thedancecentre.ca
DISCOVER DANCE! This noon-hour series showcases BC-based companies. Flamenco dance with Spanish Passion Productions (Nov 17). 12 pm. $10, s/s $8. Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St. 604-606-6400. Tickets 604-684-2787. www.the dancecentre.ca

Hot Dates: Cornucopia

Cornucopia photo by Mike Crane courtesy Tourism Whistler

November 10 to 13

Foodies and oenophiles alike follow their taste buds to Whistler for Cornucopia, the annual food and wine extravaganza in the town best known for skiing and snowboarding. In addition to palate-pleasing tastings, luncheons and winemakers’ dinners, the deliciously long weekend offers hands-on seminars, extravagant galas and over-the-top parties. But be warned: you may have to loosen your belt a couple of notches in order to fully indulge.—Sheri Radford
More information:

CORNUCOPIA: WHISTLER’S CELEBRATION OF WINE AND FOOD Various venues in Whistler. Toll-free 1-800-WHISTLER. www.whistlercornucopia.com

Hot Dining: To a Tea

TWG's World Voyage Christmas Tea Set, sold at The Urban Tea Merchant

Vancouver’s haven for fans of a leisurely cuppa is The Urban Tea Merchant, with its serene space for sipping and savouring, not to mention nibbling…on scones, tea sandwiches and petite sweets. The shop sells every kind of tea imaginable, plus elegant items for the home. Thanks to a new partnership with the luxury tea brand TWG, the shop also stocks perfect presents such as the World Voyage Christmas Tea Set (pictured), containing six palate-pleasing teas—enough to convert even a diehard coffee enthusiast.—Sheri Radford

More information:

THE URBAN TEA MERCHANT $$. B/L/D (daily). 1070 W. Georgia St. 604-692-0071.

The Village at Park Royal, 825 Main St., West Vancouver. 604-926-3392.