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Hot Entertainment

Hot Entertainment: Music Mecca

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

Hot Entertainment: Hometown Heroes

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

Hot Entertainment: Wicked Watering Holes

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

Hot Entertainment: Hollywood North

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

Hot Entertainment: Vancouver VIPs

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Sarah McLachlan photo by Jennifer Tzar

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

Hot Entertainment: Meet Miga

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

Hot Entertainment: Meet Quatchi

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

Hot Entertainment: Anvil

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

Hot Entertainment: Monkey King

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

Hot Entertainment: Mrs. Dexter and Her Daily

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

Hot Entertainment: Taking the Plunge

Sunday, December 27th, 2009
For the ultimate adrenaline rush, try Whistler Bungee. Photo courtesy Whistler Bungee

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

Hot Entertainment: Party Time

Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Whistler nightlife is lively, with a range of places offering cool cocktails and tasty bites. Photo copyright EVGENYB/Fotolia

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

Hot Entertainment: Up, Up and Away

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

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

Hot Entertainment: Gaga For GaGa

Monday, December 7th, 2009
Lady GaGa is sure to make her Monster Ball Tour a spectacle

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

Hot Entertainment: Sail Away

Monday, November 30th, 2009
Mickey Mouse takes to the sea

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

Hot Entertainment: Dynamic Duo

Sunday, January 4th, 2009
Quirky sisters Tegan and Sara. Photo by Pamela Littky

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