Left Coast Mama » Vancouver

Win Tickets to the Vancouver International Children’s Festival

Gwen — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:02:06 +0000

My kids are staring to count down the days until the children’s festival hits Granville Island. My youngest, Quinlan keeps asking if it is time for Pete the Cat and if it is the day after today? It is hard to know whether he is more excited about the Children’s festival or about Thomas coming in June.

If you have kids who are counting down the days to the Children’s festival I have good news for you. I have a pack of 4 tickets for the activity zones. The passes are good for 1 day and allow your family to access the world of art & music in their 3 activity zones.

It is easy to enter, just comment on this post and make sure you have a valid email address. I will need to let the festival office know your name by Friday so you need to enter by Wednesday night and email me back with your full name by Thursday night if you are the winner.

The winner can pick the passes at the Festival Box Office on Granville Island during the dates of the Festival.

SITE & ACTIVITY HOURS
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30am to 2:30pm
Friday 9:30am to 6:30pm
Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm

Vancouver International Children’s Festival

Gwen — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:48:23 +0000

There are lots of things that Anthony and I agree on when it comes to parenting, and at the top of the list is making sure our children have a love and appreciation for culture. We love music and our boys have been to many concerts especially our favourites Fred Penner, Bobs and Lolo, Will Stroet and The Kerplunks. I am pretty sure that we have seen all of them either at the Surrey Children’s Festival or the Vancouver International Children’s Festival as well as at MusicFest Vancouver. We love plays and have been subscribers to Carousel Theatre’s last few seasons. We even have date nights planned for next year as Arts Club subscribers so the boys can see that we get to go to plays as well.

Aidan and Quinlan dancing at the Grey Cup to the sounds of Bobs and Lolo

This year I am even more excited for the Vancouver Children’s festival because of all the content in French, and or bilingually presented. I love that I can share something fun with my eldest who is in French immersion. I love that we are exposing his younger brother to French culture and language as well. Since we have not had any field trips as a part of my eldest’s school year I have no problems taking him out on a weekday to see some of these performances.we are especially looking forward to seeing A la belle etoile.

I am also really excited to be going to see the reading of Pete the Cat in one of the first pajama series. Starting at 6:30 pm and running typically until 7 or 7:30 pm you can bring the kids in their pajamas, in fact it is encouraged. This is a great way to see a show and then head home to bed only to have to brush the teeth. I also hope that there will be some silliness of the likes of Pete’s shoes. I love my pajamas, I love my pajamas, I love my pajamas! I can’t wait for my sons to meet Eric Litwin because it is always amazing to be able to hear an author reading/presenting their work.

© 2012 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | No comments
Related: Aidan, children, family, Family Time, My Boys, outings, Quinlan, Theatre, Vancouver.

The Exquisite Hour

Gwen — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:55:23 +0000

Last night Anthony and I went out for our much anticipated date night to The Exquisite Hour. Originally scheduled to perform as part of the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company’s inaugural Recital Hall Series in the 2011/2012 Season, the production was cancelled after the Playhouse’s sudden closure on March 10, 2012. The production was quickly moved from the Vancouver Playhouse Recital Hall to the Revue Stage on Granville Island, and rescheduled for a May run. When Jessie van Rijn asked if I would like to come to opening night I jumped at the chance to get out with Anthony and without the kids. It was a perfect date night and well worth the money we paid for the sitter.

Nevada Yates Robart and Josue Loubocane, Photo by Tim Matheson

This two person play staring Josue Loboucane and Nevada Yates Robart takes place on a summer night in Zachary’s backyard. “Are you satisfied with what you know?” A simple sounding question with no simple answers runs throughout. This light-hearted play goes on in real time and shows the connection between these two people, Zachary Steele, and the lovely and mysterious Helen Darimont, throughout The Exquisite Hour where everything changes. This sweet story is brought to life with Josue and Nevada and the awesome chemistry they have with each other. Anthony and I have seen Josue in a number of Carousel Theatre projects and each time we see him we get to see a little more of the depth he is able to bring out in his characters, whether it is face pulling for his children’s roles, or a man opening his eyes and really seeing for the first time in his adult life.

Nevada and Josue, Photo by Tim Matheson

The set and lighting are simple and beautiful and the venue made it really seem like you were spying a little into Zachary and Helen’s lives. You were spending the evening watch two people learn more about each other in the course of one hour like you were part of the scenery. I love that this play is in the intimate setting of the Arts Club Revue stage on Granville Island. I am sure I would have still enjoyed the play in a larger venue, but the closeness to the actors really enhanced the overall feel of The Exquisite Hour. As Anthony tweeted last night “The Exquisite Hour was wonderful. Go see it soon! The intimate setting of the Revue stage is perfect for this funny, touching play!”

The Exquisite Hour runs from May 2 to May 12 at the Arts Club Revue Stage on Granville Island. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased through Vancouver Tix or by calling the Box Office at 604.629.8849. Get out for a date night or head out with your friends for a wonderful evening. You won’t regret it.

Carousel Theatre Presents: Aesop’s Fables

Gwen — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:25:59 +0000

This afternoon (well yesterday now) we went to see the opening of Carousel Theatre’s production of Aesop’s Fables. Directed by Carole Higgins and starring Mishelle Cuttler, Kayvon Kelly, Melissa Oei and Mike Stack, Aesop’s Fables is a brilliant short play. From the moment the stage lights went up to the question and answer period at the end the audience was actively engaged in this lovely piece of work.

Mike Stack, Mishelle Cutter,Melissa Oei, Kayvon Kelly

In Aesop’s Fables we meet Harriet, Wolfie, “and I’m Syd” and Barry, the newcomer to the group, a rag tag bunch of players who travel by caravan and stop to make music and tell stories to audiences all over the place. Using their magic transforming caravan, they play musical instruments and imagination to tell stories and teach lessons to their young audiences. Adapting four of Aesop’s animal tales; The Tortoise and the Hare, The Boy Who cried Wolf, The Lion and the Mouse and The Wolf and the Jackdaw, the four use song, dance and the audience’s imagination to entertain and learn important life lessons.

Yay! Carousel Theatre has done it again. Aesop’s Fables is another fabulous production from all accounts. The sets are bold and beautiful with a bright red and gold caravan that converts to a small stage and lanterns hanging everywhere. The lights enchant the forest surrounding the caravan and set the stage for the stories.The costumes are colourful and imaginative and the head pieces bring the characters in the stories to life while still giving us a clear view of the actors underneath. The actors have awesome chemistry with each other and bring the audience in as the fifth player, or maybe even as a flock.

Mishelle Cutter, Kayvon Kelly, Melissa Oei

Aesop was the perfect first live theatre experience for Quinlan. While he was a little apprehensive when the house light went down, as soon as the stage lights were on he was fully immersed in the play. Quinlan was happy to be part of the action when asked and transfixed the rest of the time. Aidan has seen a lot of plays over the last few years and this was one of his favourites. When the play ended he was shocked because it seemed so short as he was so engaged in the action and story ark. Aidan would have been thrilled to see these players do as many more stories as they cared to tell. If you asked him I am sure he would have been happy to jump up on the stage and help them. As it was it was hard enough to keep in his seat as he was so engrossed in the play.

As Aidan says in his soon to be released video review, go see Aesop’s Fables, it is awesome! It runs from February 17-26 at Waterfront Theatre on Granville Island. This is the first of Carousel Theatre’s productions that has opened up the weekday matinees usually reserved for school groups. Tickets are $15 for ages 3-17, $25 for students and seniors and $29 for adults. Call the Carousel box office at 604-685-6217 for more information.

All photographs are provided by Carousel Theatre and are taken by Tim Matheson.

© 2012 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | No comments
Related: Aidan, Family Time, Firsts, imagination, outings, Quinlan, Theatre, Vancouver.

The Cat Came Back: Anticipation and Tickets Giveaway!

Gwen — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 19:10:14 +0000

Update: Congratulations to Heather!

*******

We here at the Floyd household are big fans of Fred Penner and the Cat Came Back. The marriage of the two is one of our favourite songs. I was happy to have Fred singing as we had kids. His songs are fun and not too preachy and the melodies and harmonies are interesting. He is a children’s entertainer that takes the adults into consideration. This is why we were thrilled to find out that Fred Penner has written a musical play based on his enduring “The Cat Came Back.”

The Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company welcomes the story of Winnipeg’s most famous Cat to the Playhouse stage, in its first theatrical incarnation – The Cat Came Back, co-created by the formidable trio of Fred Penner, Jay Brazeau, and Kim Selody.

In this brand new, fanciful tale, inspired by the song Fred made famous, we meet a merry band of musicians who must deal with their grumpy neighbor Mr. Johnson and his mysterious cat. Together, they learn about the joys and challenges of friendship, and how we can take care of each other. Outstanding feline puppetry and masterful music make this a show you and your family won’t want to miss! As Jay Brazeau so eloquently puts it, “The Cat Came Back is like Kraft Dinner: I grew up with it; it makes me feel good inside, and every time I have it I feel like I am home again.”

From Vancouver Playhouse

Tickets, from $10, can be reserved online at vancouverplayhouse.com, by calling the Playhouse Box Office at 604 873 3311, or in person at the theatre box office Monday – Friday, 9:30am-5pm.

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As many of you know we are big theatre buffs in this family. Even though Anthony and I have been mainly to children’s theatre in the last few years we are thrilled to pass on our love of live theatre to our children. Knowing that this play was commisioned for Manitoba Theatre For Young People makes me even more happy to be able to offer two tickets to one of my readers for the March 31st, opening night performance at the Vancouver Playhouse. Leave a comment on this post letting me know what your favourite Fred Penner song is and you will be entered. Comments will be accepted until 26 February. The winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to send me their mailing information before I choose another winner. Good Luck!

January (So Far) in Photographs

Gwen — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:37:40 +0000

I have been playing with both my iPhone camera and my T2i a lot in the last couple of weeks. I have especially been playing with Instagram (my user name is Gwen Floyd) and with my macro lens on the T2i. I got a new camera strap and I am amazed at how much of a difference it makes on my photo walks with my boys. I also love that Aidan is getting so excited about walking around with his dad and I taking pictures.

This picture of Quinlan was captured by Aidan.

Quinlan and Anthony at the Aquarium.

Wonder

Watching the sea turtle.

Playing with my macro and the water drops.

Neon

Unintentional heart bokeh.

Wrought Iron, peeling.

First Family Photo Walk of the year.

Hail

Industrial

I am so happy with the photo and I am not sure why. It just works.

Playing with focusing through a frame.

My companions on the Floyd Family Photo Walk.

I think this may be one of my new headers.

Today Was a Day

Gwen — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 04:02:45 +0000

All I can say is that it had its ups and downs. Here are the highlights.

A lone paddler in False Creek.

Reflection in the sun.

Rocking Reindeer

New Glasses Arrived

Best Day Ever According to the Boys

Gwen — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 05:15:55 +0000

Today we had the best breakfast ever, french toast and fruit smoothies. Then we got dressed and headed out into the chill air and sunshine to the Grey Cup festival. So much fun to see the Olympic Cauldron lit, and Bobs and Lolo. Two footballs and a microphone each and some tap dancing and you have just about the perfect day.

Seconds after the Olymic cauldron was lit.

Having lots of fun . . .

You are never alone . . .

Jump in, Action packed!

Muscles, Muscles you're the best . . .

Bobs and Lolo

Cindy Seahorse

Aidan and Quinlan with Bobs and Lolo

Touchdown!

Aidan Floyd here reporting for Global BC . . .

© 2011 Left Coast Mama | Permalink | One comment
Related: Aidan, Family Time, My Boys, outings, Photography, Pictures, Quinlan, Vancouver.

CBC Food Bank Day Challenge

Gwen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:24:29 +0000

A week from Friday CBC has its annual food bank day where people around the province give generously to the food banks of the province. Every year since Aidan was 8 months old we have gone to the food bank day for part of the day. It feels like the real start of Christmas to me. I love that Aidan is learning that it is good to be able to share with others. He has a philanthropy plan for The Aidan Company in the future including a work program that pays poorer people better. Quinlan isn’t quite there yet but I am planning some of the same things we do each year to make it more of a reality for him.

This year I thought I would put out a challenge to my Vancouver blogging buddies, make a donation to one of the local food banks this year. I will be making a donation. Aidan decided to take some money from his piggy bank this year. Together we can make a huge difference.

A View to the Night

Gwen — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:22:13 +0000

Since the view from our balcony isn’t nearly as lovely right now because of the construction, I walked down the block and borrowed another. I plan to go again when there is an event so I can get some better pictures of the BC Stadium roof.

Downtown Vancouver Skyline

Light of Grouse in the Distance

BC Place Stadium