Bah-Humbug! (A Review of Theatre Northwest's New Show)

There are numerous versions of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale “A Christmas Carol” out there. It’s a timeless story, really; we never tire of watching Ebenezer Screwed - I mean, Scrooge- get scared out of his mind by a couple of spirits until he understands the meaning of Christmas. Ah, joy. Recently I had the chance to watch Theatre Northwest’s brand-new spin on A Christmas Carol, adapted and directed by Heather Davies; I was not disappointed in the slightest.

The show starts out in the future, with Scrooge and his family and friends all gathered round on Christmas evening and ask Scrooge to regale them with the story of how he came to join them in their festivities. And so the adventure begins.

It is charming, energetic, humorous at times; (“What’s that upon your cheek?” The Ghost of Christmas Past says when she watches Scrooge cry. “A pimple,” he replies dismissively, wiping it away.) and made my otherwise cold and deadened soul feel the full range of emotion over the course of two hours. It had everything I wanted in any rendition of the Christmas Carol and more; I loved the steampunk elements (a unique Theatre Northwest twist!), I loved the acting (some great local work), the singing (Christmas music sung well is my favourite), the special effects (they really did make it look magical), and the costumes (wardrobe department was very on point with the Ghosts).

I was so very impressed by the production; it was clear that an enormous amount of work was put into it. I recommend this show to anyone and everyone who loves the holidays (and if you don't love the holidays maybe this is just the thing you need.). If you think you’ve seen everything when it comes to this classic story, think again. Theatre Northwest delivers a fresh take, and I personally left the show humming “Joy to the World” under my breath, so that probably tells you what kind of mood it put me in.

The show runs until December 9 only, and tickets run out fast. I highly advise you to go to their website (theatrenorthwest.com) and book a ticket for you and your family/friends as soon as possible. This is one rendition of A Christmas Carol you definitely don’t want to miss!

PG's Newest Television Series: The Garrett & Karl Show

Formerly of CFUR fame, now of CKPG fame, Garrett Perry & Karl Wyssen are entering the world of Audio/Visual, with...

The Garrett & Karl Show

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt4UJR03FWs[/embed]

Stay tuned for THE MAYOR in the near future ;)

this weekend: shows & happenings

The first weekend of November is upon us and it's full of good things! If you're curious as to what the things are - read on. Power Duo's FREE album release show is happening Friday the 6th @ 8pm. The Parish Church of St. Michael and All Angels will surely be a lovely venue for the Prince George duo's scrappy and poignant folk harmonies. All ages! ** Tickets for the After Party are $10 a piece at Handsome Cabin Boy Tattoo. Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1509934009329878/

The indie rock/pop/funk/folk/northern BC vibes of Bright City Heights will be alive and well and really friggin' vivacious at the Westwood Pub, Saturday the 7th @ 9pm. 19+. No cover! Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1630366007233948/

Prince George's The Statistics are opening for Texture and Light, an electronic dream rock band from BC's Sunshine Coast. The cover charge is $5 but the show will be priceless. Don't miss this energetic, sweaty, and intimate experience. Saturday the 7th @ 9pm at none other than Nancy O's. 19+. Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/497756477054458/

The Hart Community Centre is hosting a Barn Dance Party Saturday the 7th @ 8pm. At $25 a piece, tickets include food and a shuttle service. Local country artist Rick Stavely will be playing from 8:30 to 11pm, followed by DJ Mike Boyce of Rhythm and Sound. 19+. Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/844431565670833/

What We Did On Our Holiday is screening Saturday the 7th @ 7pm at the College of New Caledoni, courtesy of Cinema CNC. This UK film is a charming and delightful account of a family vacation gone awry, featuring Gone Girl's Rosamund Pike, David Tennant of Dr. Who, and comedian Billy Connolly. Event: http://cinemacnc.blogspot.ca/2015/09/november-7-what-we-did-on-our-holidays.html

CNC International Education and Dana Mandi have collaborated to bring Diwali to Prince George. Dinner, dance performances, door prizes, and fireworks - the whole shbang! Get in on the festivities Saturday the 7th @ 5:30pm at the Hart Banquet Hall. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students, and $10 for children. Event: http://tourismpg.com/events/diwali-party

~~~

There's plenty to see/hear/do in Prince George this weekend and I couldn't be happier about it. But if you're more of a homebody (which I am six out of seven days of the week), you can still get your fill of arts and culture!

Here's an unorderly list of new-ish albums and not-so-new-but-equally-important movies worth checking out: - Days of Heaven by Steven Lambke (album) - Wino Oracle EP by The Zolas (album) - Currents by Tame Impala (album) - Depression Cherry by Beach House (album) - Shake, Shook, Shaken by The Dø (album) - Frank (movie) - The Kings of Summer (movie) - Mad Max: Fury Road (badass movie) - Je suis Femen (badass feminist documentary)

Post by Dara Campbell

You Can Support Protection of the Ancient Forest.

 

BC's provincial government is moving forward with their promise to protect the beautiful Ancient Forest Trail area located east of Prince George. Hells yes!

Prince George's Northern Wetbelt Working Group has composed a gracious and gratuitous letter to MLA Shirley Bond in response to the government's invitation for public commentary.

Tomorrow, November 2nd, is the LAST day to add your name to the letter. Press here to read it and sign, using a simple-to-use electronic form.

If YOU support protection of the Ancient Forest (and all forest, for that matter) - please sign the Northern Wetbelt Working Group's letter! Show the government that we, British Columbians, love our glorious land and want further protection of the Ancient Forest area.

Unfamiliar with the wondrous magnificence that is PG's bio-gem the Ancient Forest? Read about it here.

Post by Dara Campbell

Hallowe'en Hilarity @ The Thirsty Moose Pub - 8pm

 

TONIGHT AND TONIGHT ONLY: Russell Peters, Greg Giraldo, Joe Rogan, Patrice O'Neal, Stewart Francis, Amy Schumer, and Louis CK spewing one-liners and ensuing hilarity at The Thirsty Moose Pub!

Come see PG's finest (and funniest) pay homage to their favourite comedians for tonight's Hallowe'en Comedy Night Special.

LINE-UP ‣ Mwanasi Dilason Loongo as Russell Peters ‣ Jon White as Greg Giraldo ‣ Jonathon McMillan as Joe Rogan ‣ Brian Majore as Patrice O'Neal ‣ Mike McGuire as Stewart Francis ‣ Melanie Anderson as Amy Schumer ‣ Devon Flynn as Louis CK

$5 cover. 8pm-ish. Moose Special: BLTC for $9.25.

Post by Dara Campbell

DEATH. DISMEMBERMENT. DANCE NUMBERS.

Five university students head to an abandoned cabin in the woods and accidentally unleash an evil force that turns them all into demons.  Sounds like every B-grade horror film, right?  Wrong.  It's the acclaimed cult-classic Evil Dead: The Musical. Rest assured, you've never seen demon-slaying like this.  Limbs will fly, blood will spurt, and duets will be sung.  With songs like "All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Canadian Demons" and "What the F*@k was That," you need not be a fan of horror or even musicals to enjoy this show.  If you like things that are good, you will love Evil Dead.  I'm certain of it.

Tonight, October 21st, is opening night!  PLUS - flash your student ID to get a sweet discount on either tonight or tomorrow night's show. Hell, at $15 a piece, get tickets for BOTH nights.  Tickets for sale at Studio 2880 (ph: 250-563-2880).  If you have a lot of friends (10 or more), ask about group pricing. And if you're brave, ask about the Splatter Zone...

Showtimes:

October 21st-25th: Doors 7pm/Show 8pm October 27-30th: Doors 7pm/Show 8pm October 31st HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: Doors 8pm/Show 9pm

All shows are at the Prince George Playhouse.

IT'S ELECTION DAY, BABY!

Students of UNBC! Today's the day. Unless you've spent the last month buried under a large, sad heap of textbooks on the 4th floor of the library, you're likely well-aware that a federal election is happening RIGHT NOW. There's free direct shuttle running to and from UNBC/the John McInnis polling station from now until 1pm. A bus is scheduled to leave from the bus loop every hour on the hour, with the possibility of this service being extended later into the afternoon depending on how many students use it.

If Caribou-Prince George isn't your riding, don't fret - public transit is free PG-wide today and today only.

Lack of transportation is no reason to skip out on casting a ballot in this election. Grab your ID and a sensible jacket, and make your way to a polling station. On foot, in a bus, by car, via dog-sled or zamboni or snowmobile- however you democratically choose to transport yourself. Vote vote vote!

Unsure of whether you're registered to vote or in which riding you live? Elections Canada is the place to go looking for answers. Unsure of your life choices? Give your mom a call. I'm sure she'd appreciate it.

And lastly, here's some election coverage by John Oliver of Last Week Tonight. Skip to 10:55 for footage of Stephen Harper and his band covering Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, as middle-aged men tend to do.

Post by Dara Campbell

Drum & Bell Tower w/ Blocktreat @ The Legion

 

"I've never heard anything so... full." My friend stammered. His eyes were wide. We were standing in the middle of the dance floor. It was his first Drum & Bell Tower and Blocktreat show.

This past Saturday, Brent Morton (D&BT) and Brandon Hoffman (Blocktreat) graced the stage at the Legion, filling our ears with hearty folk-rock introspection and mesmerizing electronica.

"Full" is indeed one of many ways to describe Brent's music. Others are "electro-fusion," "folk-stomp," and "dusk-rock." With lyrics like We sell our souls/When the price is right/We sell our souls, his songs are genuine, well-crafted, and sure to stay in your head long after the set. However, the weighty content doesn't affect Drum & Bell Tower's enjoyability on a lighter level; his shows bode well for those who like to sing and dance along.

Similarly, Brandon's sound is one that blends genres and crosses lines - in the best way possible. His sample-based style fuses electronic and acoustic, creating a soundscape of lush textures and dreamy plot lines. Perhaps the most beautiful aspect of Brandon's music is that it belongs to many worlds: organic, electronic, dreams, and bittersweet reality. Blocktreat isn't bound to a particular genre, scene, or audience - this became evident in the success of his show at The Legion, where the audience comprised of students, elders, and everyone in between.

For the entire length of Saturday night's show, there was a solid smattering of people glued the dance floor, swaying and singing and watching the two musicians in awe. Brent and Brandon are BC gems, to say the least. Their unique yet complementary sets boast a level of honest talent and wholesomeness that all live shows strive for.

If you missed these guys in Prince George (or just can't get enough of 'em), D&BT and Blocktreat are playing at Sunset Theatre in Wells on October 31st and at a house concert in Smithers on November 7th.

To Brent and Brandon: Prince George would love to have you back! Until then - safe travels and happy music-making :)

Drum & Bell Tower: http://www.drumandbelltower.org Blocktreat: http://www.blocktreat.ca

Post by Dara Campbell

Help Protect the Ancient Forest

The Province announced in July that they're thinking about creating a protected area around the Ancient Forest Trail and they're opening it up to public consultation.

It'd be great to encourage them to designate this park, and consider making more in the inland rainforest in the future.

We decided that a letter thanking Shirley Bond (our MLA) might be a good start. Here's the letter:

The Northern Wetbelt Working Group would like to get lots of signatures before the public meeting happens, and then make this letter their official submission to the process.

If you feel the Ancient Forest should be a protected area, click on the picture above, and let it take you to the page where you can sign the bottom of the letter as well.

Affecting change has never been easier :)