Hot Entertainment
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Photo by Caroline Toth
Since 1929, the Commodore Ballroom has been delighting concertgoers with its huge sprung hardwood dance floor and great musical acts. In the early days as the Commodore Cabaret, this art deco landmark featured big band music, dinner and dancing every Saturday night and celebrity performers including Sammy Davis Jr., Count Basie and Cab Calloway. More recently it has played host to some of the biggest names in rock, hip-hop and pop music, including U2, David Bowie, Nirvana, Tina Turner, The Police, The Tragically Hip, Beastie Boys and KISS. So put on your dancing shoes and enjoy the best bounce the city has to offer.—Leszek Apouchtine
| Tags: Beastie Boys, Cab Calloway, Caroline Toth, Commodore Ballroom, Commodore Cabaret, Concerts, Count Basie, Dancing, David Bowie, Entertainment, Hot Entertainment, KISS, Leszek Apouchtine, Music, Nirvana, Sammy Davis Jr., The Tragically Hip, Tina Turner, U2, Vancouver | No Comments »
Friday, February 26th, 2010
Terry Fox Memorial outside BC Place. Photo by KK Law
Terry Fox gained international attention for his Marathon of Hope, a cross-country run to raise money for cancer research—the annual run in his honour has now become the world’s largest one-day cancer research fundraiser. Before he passed away from bone cancer in 1981, Fox managed to run 5,373 km (3,339 mi) with one prosthetic leg. Other inspiring locals include paraplegic athlete and activist Rick Hansen, environmental activist and author David Suzuki, and actor and Parkinson’s disease research advocate Michael J. Fox.—Jennifer Patterson
| Tags: cancer, cancer research, David Suzuki, heroes, Hot Entertainment, Jennifer Patterson, Marathon of Hope, Michael J. Fox, Rich Hansen, Terry Fox, Terry Fox Run, Vancouver | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Enjoy Vancouver's nightlife to the fullest with this handy guide
Author John Lee sacrificed shoe leather and liver to come up with his list of favourite Vancouver bars: The Alibi Room, Au Petit Chavignol, Brickhouse, The Cascade Room, Corduroy Restaurant, The Diamond, Narrow Lounge, Railway Club, Six Acres, Stella’s, Three Lions Cafe and The Yale. Discover these hotspots and more in Drinking Vancouver: 100+ Great Bars in the City and Beyond (TouchWood Editions, $19.95), available at local bookstores.—Tim Pawsey
| Tags: Au Petit Chavignol, bars, books, Bookstores, Brickhouse, Corduroy Restaurant, Drinking Vancouver, drinks, guides, Hot Entertainment, John Lee, lounges, Narrow Lounge, Nightlife, Railway Club, Six Acres, Stella's, The Alibi Room, The Cascade Room, The Diamond, The Yale, Three Lions Cafe, Tim Pawsey, Vancouver | 1 Comment »
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Blade: Trinity photo copyright 2004 Diyah Pera/New Line Productions
Twi-hards already know the secret: Vancouver is the place to spot movie stars. Local blogs and Twitter have been abuzz for months with Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner sightings. The Twilight series is just the latest in a slew of movies and TV shows filmed on the West Coast. Others include Juno, Watchmen, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. John Cusack is a frequent visitor, having shot 2012, Martian Child and the upcoming Hot Tub Time Machine here. Other times you may have spotted the city on the screen: Best in Show, Snakes on a Plane, The X-Files, Smallville, Battlestar Galactica and Blade: Trinity (pictured), starring local boy Ryan Reynolds. It’s like living in a city-sized film set.—Sheri Radford
| Tags: 2012, Battlestar Galactica, Best in Show, Blade: Trinity, celebrities, Hollywood North, Hot Entertainment, Hot Tub Time Machine, John Cusack, Juno, Kristen Stewart, Martian Child, movie stars, movies, Robert Pattinson, Ryan Reynolds, Sheri Radford, Smallville, Snakes on a Plane, Taylor Lautner, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, TV shows, Twilight, Vancouver, Watchmen, X-Files, X-Men Origins: Wolverine | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Sarah McLachlan photo by Jennifer Tzar
Bryan Adams Raspy-voiced rocker.
Pamela Anderson Baywatch star.
Michael Bublé Jazz and swing crooner.
Raymond Burr Perry Mason himself.
Hayden Christensen Young Anakin Skywalker.
Yvonne DeCarlo The Munsters’ Lily Munster.
James Doohan Star Trek’s Scotty.
Arthur Erickson Architect and urban planner.
Michael J. Fox TV and film star.
Joshua Jackson Dawson’s Creek’s Pacey Witter and Fringe’s Peter Bishop.
Sarah McLachlan Singer/songwriter (pictured).
Jason Priestley Beverly Hills, 90210’s Brandon Walsh.
Ryan Reynolds Film star.
Seth Rogen Funnyman and actor.
Joe Sakic Former NHLer, “Burnaby” Joe.
Eckhart Tolle Spiritual guru and author.
Loverboy Last but not least, the classic ’80s pop band.—Leszek Apouchtine
| Tags: actors, Arthur Erickson, Bryan Adams, celebrities, Eckhart Tolle, Hayden Christensen, Hot Entertainment, James Doohan, Jason Priestly, Joe Sakic, Joshua Jackson, Leszek Apouchtine, Loverboy, Michael Buble, Michael J. Fox, Pamela Anderson, Raymond Burr, Ryan Reynolds, Sarah McLachlan, Seth Rogan, singers, Vancouver, VIP, Yvonne DeCarlo | No Comments »
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Miga, one of the mascots of the 2010 Winter Games. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN
Olympic mascot Miga is inspired by the First Nations legend of the sea bear, which is a hybrid of an orca (killer whale) and a bear. She’s a cutie who pursues an active lifestyle. In summer, Miga surfs off the west coast of Vancouver Island; in winter, she snowboards with a dream of one day landing a corked 720 in the halfpipe. This energetic creature gets her fuel from wild salmon, her favourite food—she’s partial to sushi, smoked salmon and salmon jerky.—Kristina Urquhart
| Tags: bear, Hot Entertainment, killer whale, Kristina Urquhart, mascots, Miga, Olympic mascots, orca, salmon, sea bar, snowboarding, surfing, Vancouver | No Comments »
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Quatchi, the gentle giant mascot of the 2010 Winter Games. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN
Huggable, lovable and just plain adorable, the furry Quatchi is an Olympic mascot who has quickly become the most popular cheerleader of the 2010 Winter Games. This larger-than-life creature with the shy, sweet disposition is a sasquatch (Bigfoot by another name), a mythological, human-like beast that resides in BC forests. While Quatchi loves photography, travel and food, you’ll likely find him playing hockey, his favourite sport.—Kristina Urquhart
| Tags: 2010 Winter Games, Hockey, Hot Entertainment, Kristina Urquhart, mascots, Olympic mascots, Quatchi, sasquatch, Vancouver | No Comments »
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
Rock on with Anvil at Venue on Feb. 13.
They’re the greatest heavy metal rockers you’ve never heard of. After decades of relative obscurity, the influential Canadian group was reintroduced to the world thanks to the candid documentary film Anvil! The Story of Anvil. Catch both the movie and the band at Venue (Feb. 13).— Sheri Radford
| Tags: Anvil, Canadian, documentary, heavy metal, Hot Entertainment, Sheri Radford, Vancouver, Venue | No Comments »
Monday, February 8th, 2010
Prepare to be wowed with Monkey King
What do you get when you take an epic narrative about a monk’s quest to recover a sacred relic and add an original rock score and mesmerizing dance sequences, then throw in kung fu battles? The end result is this high-energy, action-filled musical, which delighted audiences during the Beijing 2008 Summer Games. With a huge cast of singers, dancers, acrobats, musicians and martial artists, the show is sure to entertain all ages. At The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts (Feb. 6 to 27).—Sheri Radford
| Tags: Beijing 2008 Summer Games, Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, Hot Entertainment, Monkey King, Musical, Sheri Radford, Theatre, Vancouver | No Comments »
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Mrs. Dexter and her maid, Peggy. Photo by David Cooper
Mrs. Edith Dexter’s life is filled with troubles: her husband, who recently ran off with her best friend; her home, which is about to be sold; and her difficult children. Peggy Randall, Mrs. Dexter’s maid, is about to retire with a small pension and the wrong man. This new play by Joanna McClelland Glass explores the intertwined lives of two very different women. Mrs. Dexter and Her Daily plays at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage (to Feb. 7).—Sheri Radford
| Tags: Hot Entertainment, Joanna McClelland Glass, Mrs. Dexter and Her Daily, Sheri Radford, Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage, Theatre, Vancouver | No Comments »
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
For the ultimate adrenaline rush, try Whistler Bungee. Photo courtesy Whistler Bungee
Adrenaline junkies rush to Whistler Bungee for their epinephrine fix. The staff has more than 17 years of experience and offers five safe ways to jump, including an option for thrill seekers in wheelchairs. You’ll be treated to panoramic vistas of mountains and forests as you leap off a 53-m (174-ft) bridge above the sparkling Cheakamus River. Just remember to keep your eyes open.—Kristina Urquhart
| Tags: adrenaline rush, bungee jumping, Cheakamus River, disabled, Hot Entertainment, Kristina Urquhart, views, Whistler, Whistler Bungee | No Comments »
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Whistler nightlife is lively, with a range of places offering cool cocktails and tasty bites. Photo copyright EVGENYB/Fotolia
The après-ski scene here is almost as well-known as the stellar skiing and snowboarding. Locals and visitors alike flock to hot nightspots such as Buffalo Bills Bar and Grill, Garfinkel’s Whistler, Maxx Fish and Garibaldi Lift Company. Most years, a smattering of accents from around the world can be heard on the dance floor. Now, with the 2010 Winter Games here, foreign accents are guaranteed to be more plentiful than Canadian ones. Party on.—Sheri Radford
| Tags: 2010 Winter Games, après ski, Buffalo Bills Bar and Grill, Cocktails, dance, Garfinkel's Whistler, Garibaldi Lift Co., Hot Entertainment, martini, Maxx Fish, Nightlife, Sheri Radford, Whistler | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
The long-awaited Peak 2 Peak Gondola makes both Whistler and Blackcomb mountains easily accessible, and affords stunning views. Photo by Paul Morrison
Hop aboard the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, which ferries 4,100 people per hour across 4.4 km (2.73 mi), connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The speedy 11-minute ride creates one playground out of two for total access to mountaintop dining, a wealth of hiking trails and a staggering 200-plus ski runs for snow worshippers. Behold the behemoth.—Kristina Urquhart
| Tags: Blackcomb Mountain, Dining, gondola, hiking, Hot Entertainment, Kristina Urquhart, Peak 2 Peak Gondola, ski runs, Whistler, Whistler Mountain | No Comments »
Monday, December 7th, 2009
Lady GaGa is sure to make her Monster Ball tour a spectacle
After exploding onto the music charts less than two years ago, 23-year-old Lady GaGa has proven she’s no one-hit wonder. Her catchy refrains (think “Poker Face” and “Just Dance”), vocal chops and bizarre fashion choices have made her one of the biggest pop sensations this decade. And her fame isn’t without merit: this Lady plays piano and writes her own songs. She promotes her sophomore disc, The Fame Monster, in three concerts at Queen Elizabeth Theatre (Dec. 9 to 11).—Kristina Urquhart
| Tags: Concerts, Hot Entertainment, Kristina Urquhart, Lady GaGa, Music, pop, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver | No Comments »
Monday, November 30th, 2009
Mickey Mouse takes to the sea
Mickey Mouse, the big cheese himself, is northern bound. Starting in May 2011, Disney Cruise Line will offer family-friendly cruises to Alaska departing from Vancouver. See www.disneycruise.disney.go.com for details.—Sheri Radford
| Tags: Alaska, Disney, Disney Cruise Line, Hot Entertainment, Mickey Mouse, Sheri Radford, Vancouver | 2 Comments »
Sunday, January 4th, 2009
Quirky sisters Tegan and Sara. Photo by Pamela Littky
It may be tricky to tell these twin sisters apart, but when it comes to their music, indie-rock darlings Tegan and Sara are unmistakable. Their songs have been featured on TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, and The White Stripes covered their addictive anthem “Walking With a Ghost.” Sainthood, the pair’s sixth album, is chock-full of the can’t-get-them-out-of-your-head lyrics that have made the Calgary-bred musicians so memorable. The siblings bring their signature girlish voices to the Orpheum Theatre (Jan 5 to 6).—Kristina Urquhart
| Tags: Calgary, Canadian, Concerts, Grey's Anatomy, Hot Entertainment, Kristina Urquhart, Orpheum Theatre, rock music, Tegan and Sara, The White Stripes, Vancouver | No Comments »
