Tickets: SOLD OUT
30thThe Dears
with Jets Overhead & Black Diamond BayRichards on RichardsTickets: $18.50
30thAn Evening with Il Divo General Motors Place Tickets: $127.50, $91.55, $57.0530thTaking Back Sunday with Anberlin and Envy on the CoastCommodore BallroomTickets: $32.5031stPeachesCommodore Ballroom Tickets: $26.50The Recession-ista Tour with Sarah SleanGranville Island StageTickets: $25.00JUNE1stThe Crystal Method LiveCommodore BallroomTickets: $40.00
4thCrystal CastlesCommodoreTickets $28.504thRise Against with Rancid and Riverboat GamblersPacific ColiseumTickets $37.50 & $32.504thBlue RodeoAbbotsford Sports CentreTickets $52.50 & $19.50 5th and 6thMalkin BowlTickets $52.50 & $19.505thCamera ObscuraCommodore Ballroom$20.506thThe Nylon Summer Music TourFeaturing: Patrick Wolf, Living Things, Plastiscines and Jaguar LoveRichard’s on RichardsTickets: $17.507thAn Evening with John Fogerty
Pontiac Theatre at General Motors PlaceTickets: Tickets $69.50 & $52.50 / 4 Tickets $101.009th1990s with the Shilohs and Featuring Nina Persson (The Cardigans), Nathan Larson (ShudderTo Think) and Niclas Frisk (Atomic Swing)Media ClubTickets $15,0010thA CampRichards on RichardsTickets $15.0010thThe Offspring
p>The Thunderbird ArenaTickets: $45.00 and $35.0012thRidley Bent with Dustin BentallRio Theatre on BroadwayTickets: $17.5012thKate VoegeleMedia ClubTickets: $15.0013thBand of SkullsMedia ClubTickets: $15.0016thThe Orb with Orchard LoungeCommodoreTickets: $25.0019thISIS
Commodore BallroomTickets$20.5020 & 21stColdplayWith Snow Patrol and Howling BellsGeneral Motors PlaceTickets (Both SHOWS SOLD OUT)22nd, 23rd, 24th!An Evening with the Tragically HipThe OrpheumTickets $89.50 & $69.5023rdShinedownwith Incura and Tupelo HoneyCommodoreTickets: $32.5024thCanadian Carnage featuring Megadeth and SlayerWith Machine Head and Suicide SilenceGM PlaceTickets $65.50, $45.50, 35.5022nd, 23rd, 24thThe Tragically HipOrpheumTickets: $89.50, $69.50,24thPilot SpeedMedia ClubTickets: $15.0024thMaxwell
Centre for Performing ArtsTickets:$65.50 & $45.5025thPaul PottsCentre for Performing ArtsTickets $89.50, $69.50, $49.5025thLes ClaypoolWith Capillary ActionCommodoreTickets $42.5026thKing Sunny Ade & His African BeatsWith Kow KandaCommodoreTickets: $40.00The VeronicasWith Guest The Pretty Wreckless and CarneyAt 881 GranvilleTickets SOLD OUT27thThe Dan BandCommodoreTickets: $21.5028thJose Gonzalez with Ndidi OnukwuluCommodoreTickets: $30.0029th & 30thThe Jonas Brothers with Jordin Sparks and Honor SocietyGeneral Motors PlaceTickets: $97.50, $77.50, $67.50 & $37.50
30thAmon Tobin with DJ QuanticCommodoreTickets: $30.00 JULY 1st, 2nd, 3rdXavier Rudd with Josua RadinCommodore BallroomTickets: SOLD OUT4thGreen Day with The BraveryGM PlaceTickets: $59.50, $35.504thInfectedMushroomCommodoreTickets: $35.0012thReverend Horton Heat with The Nekromantix Commodore Ballroom Tickets: $27.5016thDeath Cab for Cutie with The New Pornographers, Ra Ra RiotPacific ColiseumTickets: $47.50 & $35.0018thNo Doubt with guests Parmore and Bedouin SoundclashGeneral Motors PlaceTickets $102.50, $78.50 & $62.0020th & 21stEagles of Death Metalwith Flash Lightnin’CommodoreTickets $28.0022ndBlazed and Confused Tour with Snoop Dogg and Slightly StoopidPacific ColiseumTickets $85.50, $59.50, $35.5023rdThe Black Lips & DeerhunterCommodore BallroomTickets: $18.5029thClutch
Commodore Ballroom
Tickets: $26.5030thAn Evening with the Moody Blues
The Centre For Performing ArtsTickets: $129.00, $99.00 & $69.00 AUGUSTRock the Bells 2009 with NAS, Damien Marley, Big Boi and OthersDeer Lake ParkTickets: Tickets $79.501stRapture IgnitionCommodoreTickets: $35:002ndRapture RecoveryCommodoreTickets: $45.00 5thThe Fray with special guests: Jacks Mannequin and VederaUBC Thunderbird ArenaTickets:$49.50 & $37.50 and 4 tickets for $99.00An Evening with the Tragically HipAbbotsford Sports CentreTickets SOLD OUT
8thAn Evening with Rod StewartGeneral Motors PlaceTickets: $149.00, $89.00 & $49.00Kings of Leon with The WhigsGM PlaceTickets: BOTH SOLD OUT14thVans Warped Tour ‘09 with(We the Kings just added) Alexisonfire, NOFX, Less than Jake, Underoath, Bad religion, Silverstein, Devil Wears Prada, Sing it Loud, I set my friends on Fire, At the kids table, Meg and Dia, The Architects, Valencia, The White Tire Affair, Breathe Carolina and many moreThunderbird StadiumTickets: $34.5015thByrone Lee’s DragonairesCommodoreTickets: $40.0015thKings of Leon with The WhigsGM Place Tickets: SOLD OUT16thKings of Leon with The WhigsGM Place Tickets:$55.00 & $39.5024thElvis Costello and the SugarcanesMalkin BowlTickets: $59.50 & $45.0029thAC/DCBC Place Stadium Tickets: SOLD OUTSEPTEMBER4thBand of HorsesCommodoreTickets $30.00 5thAn Evening with Jaguares(rescheduled) Commodore Ballroom Tickets: $29.50 (Previously released tickets will be honoured at the door)11th 12thAnd Evening with Great Big SeaMalkin BowlTickets: $52.50 & $37.5016thKeith Urbanwith Lady AntebellumGM PlaceTickets $84.50, $69.50, $20.00
OCTOBER28thU2 and their 360 TOUR with The Black Eyed PeasBC Place StadiumTickets: $30.00, $55.00, $95.00, $250.00MARCH, 201018thMartha Wainwright & JoraneCommodoreTickets $35.00
"I'm unhappy, John!" howled Sinderella, with her fury unleashed in his direction. John was confused.Sinderella had been very happy earlier that day when she had told him how, unbelievably excited she was to be with him; and how she couldn't wait to find a job close to his house, so they could move in together, and get married!Yes, John and Sinderella were deeply in love. They had met seven months prior and fell madly, deeply, and instantly in love.Of course, they had their problems as most couples do, but Sinderella seemed unable to move beyond the general “couple bickering”. When the “bickering” got to be too much for her, she would denounce the feasibility of their relationship; leaving John begging forgiveness, while alternately declaring his undying love,in order for her to return.John offered to act out these memorized scenes, as he truly didn't know how else to keep Sinderella happy.In hindsight, he had quit his “bad” habits for her; he bought her nice, “random” gifts; gave her copious amounts of attention, and provided her with affection whenever he thought she might need it.Despite John’s efforts, every once in a while he and Sinderella would have an argument which would result in her final assessment that she and John were not 'as happy' together as they had originally been led to believe. Despite her occasional misgivings; John had never had any doubts. He knew the moment he met Sinderella, he wanted to marry her.He often reminisced back to that day when he first saw her, sitting on a bench with this incredible, giant-white, aura reflecting about her. The aura’s blinding light merely highlighted the absolute perfection of Sinderella’s unconventional beauty.John vaguely understood how relationships work. First rule he always told himself - It is natural for couples to fight. They are known for it - especially in the first year.But by midnight, tempers were flaring at both ends, and at an all-time high."I don't know how to keep you happy!" John screamed, while Sinderella’s Dad continuing to snore loudly, oblivious, in the adjacent room."I have tried, Baby. I really have! I love you more than life itself, and I just don't know what to give anymore." He paused to gauge her reaction.She exhaled a sigh, while simultaneously cracking a smirk, and announced in her 'little-girl voice' to John, “Are you going to Fix the shoes?""Fix the ... what? What do you mean? The shoes are fine."Yes, she knew the shoes were fine; she was joking with him and when he realized the joke after her third: Fix...” repetition. This indicated the end of the spat. He was relieved that the fight was over, and relieved she loved him again. John and Sinderella’s roaring laughter replaced the earlier hate-filled screams for the rest of the evening.When John got off work the next day, he went home and tried to relax. Again, it had not been a great day. With a shitty day, comes a man’s need to talk to the woman he loves. He just needs to hear three-little-words to set things ‘right’ in his world. Sinderella neglected to say those words. Purposely? John proceeded to sulk and spout off like a complete idiot. And so, the cycle continued.This, in turn, sent Sinderella into a rage: "I am done with you!" she screamed. "You are toxic to me, and to our relationship!"John was shocked and somewhat bewildered. After she left, he decided to switch off his phone; relax the rest of the night, and hopefully she would be calmer by the morning. When morning came, he found that she hadn't tried to contact him at all. John is generally an impatient guy, but he felt it was important that he try playing this waiting game, (although she usually won). Of course, this time was no different, so a new approach would be needed.
He told her he was fine with her “breaking up” with him, and (gulp) he couldn't be happier (which was a total lie). In reality, the only thing he wanted was Sinderella. He wanted her attention; her affection. He worried that perhaps he wanted too much.Sinderella's response? After she and John had fought the night before, she decided to go out with another man whom she was also starting to have strong feelings for.John felt ruined and disillusioned. Never before had he felt a love so powerful, yet here he was, losing his grasp on it? He also wondered if he was also losing his grasp on life as he’d known before? Yes, he determined, he had lost his grasp on his love, and on his life as he'd known it.To John, Sinderella had been completely honest in the seven months they were together. When she told him how happy he made her and how quickly she wanted to marry him, he felt loved and accepted. But now, he felt betrayed and discarded. She couldn't even wait two hours to move on to another man? To say he felt 'useless' was the ultimate understatement.John went home after work to an empty house; grabbed his roommate's gun from its hidden spot and blew his jealous brain all across the carpet. As love seeped and trickled out of the fresh wound in John’s temple, his last thought was how he couldn’t exist in a world where people could abuse their power to randomly hurt others.John felt this was the only way out - this was his end of the road. Now, if only he would have waited just one more day.We all know that time heals all wounds.Well, that is... except gunshots to the head.
Drummer Eiji suffered a broken arm; singer Hiro sustained a concussion, while the other members received mild injuries. Relief was expressed at the news that tour manager, John Kim's, internal injuries were not as serious as originally reported. The most serious of the injuries were broken ribs (as reported by Elizabeth Richardson of the Times-Herald). The band cancelled their final two US concert dates as well as cleared their Canadian bookings (to be rescheduled at a later date) in order to recuperate in Japan.The members of FACT are: Takahiro (guitars, vocals), Tomohiro (bass, vocals), Eiji (drums, vocals), Hiro (lead vocals), and Kazuki (guitar, vocals).Drop the members of FACT a note at their 
Ballet BC, Feb. 28, Queen Elizabeth TheatreFollowing a scathing review on James Kudelka's World Premiere of The Goldberg Variations in The Sun, I went to the ballet with not just a little bit of trepidation. I knew, already, that the company had been through some hard times in recent months, with the almost-going-bankrupt hardship, and then having to cancel Korea Ballet's Swan Lake while restructuring the existing company. But the reviewer in question has been highly critical of Ballet BC before, so I took what was said with a grain of salt. The crowd at the ballet was nowhere near as big as the crowds we experienced when the shows were at the Ford Centre, but then maybe the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is just that much bigger. Sadly, most of the upper seats were empty. Then artistic director John Alleyne came out just before the start of the performance, and he was noticeably more nervous than I've ever seen him. Usually he is the epitome of calm - cool and collected, but last night he was clearly rattled. However, as is the motto in show biz: the show must go on! And I'm glad it did.Adam and Eve and Steve (The Goldberg Variations, side 2) was danced to a recording. The trio of Jones Henry, Simone Orlando and Shannon Smith danced to a backdrop of Corps de Ballet. The two groups were quite disparate, stylistically. Later in the evening, Carmen was danced with Marianne Bauer-Grobbelaar in the lead role. I had seen Carmen about two years ago, but this particular one seemed so much more vibrant. I really enjoyed it.
In case you're not familiar with the story, here's a brief overview:
Glowbal Grill and Satay Bar is a restaurant located in the Yaletown district of Vancouver (1079 Mainland Street). Situated in an area that had previously been a warehouse district and is now filled with trendy shops, restaurants and luxurious condos, Glowbal is a perfect fit with its neighbourhood.My friend and I popped in on the last night in February; we had just had snow two days previous, and when the waiter asked if we wanted to sit inside or out, I must admit I looked at him a little askance. However, he led us out onto the patio, and I have to admit, it was the right choice. There was plenty of street ambience, so much so that it took me back to my trip to Paris last year. But unlike Paris, at Glowbal I was warm! We were there for two full hours, and I was comfortable and warm the whole time - in fact I not only shed my jacket, but also my sweater. (That rarely happens anywhere for me between the months of November and March!) And the outdoor patio was lovely in other ways, too - the decor was upscale casual. Inside, it was a little more nightclubby, and so that patio fit our mood better.Next came the food: my friend decided she wanted to share appies rather than eat an entrée each, and that suited me fine. We ordered sweet potato fries first - and they weren’t even on the menu, but the chef was kind enough to accommodate us. Next we had a Baby Spinach Salad with warm pancetta vinaigrette ($12), oven-dried tomatoes, saffron egg, buffalo mozzarella and candied pecans. This was not at all overwhelming in size, but it left me feeling very satisfied. The melding of the sweet and the savoury was fantastic. Next up was the lobster mashed potatoes ($10) and the grilled lamb chops ($15), which the waiter brought to us on a long plate for our convenience. While the lobster mashed potatoes was fine, it wasn't something I'd order again; the lamb, on the other hand... I haven't stopped thinking about it! Between you and me, I haven't eaten lamb since I owned a pet lamb, and I was somewhat reluctant to try this. But it was lovely and tender - absolutely delectable. Finally, dessert: in keeping with our sharing theme, we chose the Pastry Chef's Dessert Selection (($12), which gave us a pot of creme bruleé (the best I've ever had!), a warm chocolate coffee cake (which I had misread on the menu as a lava cake, so was a bit disappointed with at the time - but I got over that!), and a white chocolate mousse (smooth!! creamy!!). Truly the best restaurant dessert I've had in a long, long time. On top of that, their coffee was great. For me, that's the all-important crux that is missing in many dining establishments.And for all you single ladies out there: Glowbal has what is undoubtedly the finest stable of male employees I have ever laid eyes on. It looked like they had raided the files of every modelling school out there to come up with their wait staff. These guys are hot! In fact, I don't recall even seeing a female employee there, although I could be mistaken.The executive chef at Glowbal is John Crooks, and yes, reservations are recommended.
GreenGo are gearing up for release of their debut full length,Borders, this April/09. 2008 saw them play many gigs and release a 3 song sampler, the Ghosts of the Future EP, which was quick to chart on campuses across Canada. Although defining their sound isn't the easiest task, it hasn't stopped people from trying. Toronto Star's Ben Rayner was quick to get behind the band,
What is it about Seattle that breeds both great baristas and writers? Garth Stein is not a native son, but he was raised in Seattle, and still makes his home there; his novel The Art of Racing in the Rain is also set in the Emerald City. The narrator for this story is a TV-watching dog named Enzo who is almost as obsessed with opposable digits as he is with maintaining the integrity of his family. Although at times frustrated by his limitations in the communication department, Enzo knows his problems are only temporary: he has, throughout his life, educated himself by watching TV, and a documentary on Mongolia has him convinced that he will be reincarnated as a human.Enzo lives with Denny, a talented race car driver who has had to make many sacrifices in his life. Over the course of the story, the dynamics of Denny and Enzo's family changes. Enzo, however, remains stalwart and loyal to the end, despite every curve that he encounters on the road. I'm a sucker for a story about animals, and a dog as philosophical as Enzo - well, my heart was stolen! The Art of Racing in the Rain (2006) is now published in 23 languages. I'm sure nothing will be lost in the translation.
A friend of mine loaned me Water for Elephants by former Vancouverite Sara Gruen. It's a love story filled with animals - what could be better, I ask you?Set in the Great Depression (I'm a sucker for Depression-era stories), Water for Elephants is the story of Jacob Jankowski, a young man who, a week before he sits his final exams in Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, has the rug pulled out from under him. His life, both as he knew it and as he envisioned it, is gone; in a fit of despair, he runs off and jumps the first train out of town.Jacob has leapt, unknowingly, into the lion's den. He finds himself hooked up with a second rate circus that criss-crosses the country, looking as much for the next score as for other failed circus outfits to cannibalize. The cast of this ragtag crew is probably more entertaining than the pathetic illusions their circus act offers: Al, the boss, envies Ringling Bros. to the point of obsession; Marlena is the beautiful wife of the alternatively abusive and charming August; Rosie is an elephant who can only understand Polish; Blackie, is a brute whose sole purpose seems to be 'redlighting' employees who have outlived their usefulness; Kinko is a dwarf who puts up walls around him so high that no one can get in; and Camel is an old drunk who paves the way for Jacob.The story is told from the perspective of Jacob as an old man. Either 90 or 93 years old (what does it matter when you're that age?), he recalls the story while suffering the indignities of old age as they play out in his nursing home. The story explores the bizarre subculture of the circus world, and throughout the book, black and white photos illustrating aspects of the circus world evoke the difficult life those people led.Water for Elephants was on the NYT Best Sellers list for over 55 weeks. Fox 2000 has acquired the movie rights to the novel, and is said to be fast-tracking the project. Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) has signed on as director.
Based on the award winning cult graphic novel of the same name written by Alan Moore, Watchmen chronicles the lives of a group of free land vigilante super heroes. Set in an alternate 1986, where Richard Nixon is in his fifth term in office and the Coldwar Doomsday Clock is set at five to midnight, the movie shows us, through a series of flashbacks, who the Watchmen were and how they came to be where they are now - outlawed.The film opens with the death of the nihilistic, misogynistic character, The Comedian (brilliantly played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan). We are then introduced the rest of the cast, including Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), and Adrian Veidt/Ozymandium (Matthew Goode). Unfolding like a murder mystery, the film goes on to examine power and its use in our society. It shows us what type of people choose to hide behind a mask to fight crime, and shows us how far they will go to protect humanity.Clocking in at 2 3/4 hours, the film is riveting. We made the mistake of going to the midnight show the first night it opened, however - not always a great idea with a film as long as this. Overall, I give it two thumbs up.Different photo supplied by editors: 
(How is this one? ANON:)
WonderCon is the West Coast's second biggest comic/popular culture conference, and featured a wide range of activities. In addition to the usual comics, comics and more comics that you will find at a conference of this sort, he was also able to see a 20 min. preview of the long-awaited Watchmen film that opens later this week. The director was there, and he had exciting news about the Director's cut DVD that will be out later (there's to be a film within a film based on the pirate comic that the boy at the newstand reads throughout the graphic novel).On top of that,there were a number of celebrities of various sorts present, including Shirley Manson (of the band Garbage), Alec Baldwin (and the rest of the cast of the show Chuck), Summer Glau (of Firefly), Sergio Aragones (of MAD magazine),... and the list goes on. On top of that, there were numerous wares for sale all over the place, and a masquerade on Saturday featuring Super Heroes, goths, and steam punks. 
