WHEREmail

// April 2008

Dear Subscriber

This month we highlight the best places to find local art in Canada, tell you where you can find the world’s largest hamburger, and give you the rundown on the hottest events happening in cities across the country.

WHAT'S HOT IN APRIL:

Calgary

Canada’s top musical talents visit Calgary for the Juno Awards from April 4 to 6. Festival events include JunoFest, Juno FanFare, Songwriters’ Circle and the Juno Award show on April 6 hosted by comedian Russel Peters. Check out our interviews with Juno nominees James Black from Finger Eleven and Tegan Quin of Tegan & Sara.

Edmonton

Edmonton Opera presents Verdi’s most famous opera Falstaff for the first time in the company’s 44-year history at the Jubilee Auditorium, April 19 to 24. Then continuing on a musical note, "The Singing Rage" sixties superstar Ms Patti Page visits the Winspear on April 20.

Halifax

Halifax goes a little bit Nashville on April 12, when country legend George Jones takes the stage at the Halifax Metro Centre.

Canadian Rockies

Lake Louise Mountain Resort heats up April 26 to 27 for their season-end on-hill party, Spring Episode. Enjoy spring skiing plus live music, DJs, outdoor BBQs, beer gardens, snow golf competition, bike trials and prizes.

Ottawa

5 O’clock Bells at the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre is the newest instalment in the Great Canadian Theatre Company’s ‘Capital Letters’ series. Meanwhile, legendary arena rockers Def Leppard are on the road again, and they’re making a stop in Ottawa. They play Scotiabank Place April 12.

Toronto

Pushkin’s passionate tale + Tchaikovsky’s musical score = a standout operatic love story in Eugene Onegin. It takes the stage to tell the story of Tatyana from April 2 to 30. Don’t miss this year’s annual Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival which brings the best in worldwide cinema verité to the city for 10 days mid-month.

Vancouver

The Vancouver Sun Run on April 20 is Canada’s largest 10-km (6.2 mi) run, and the second-largest in North America: last year boasted 53,417 participants. This year’s picturesque course winds through Stanley Park, beside English Bay, over the Burrard Street bridge and back downtown to the finish line at BC Place Stadium.

Victoria

B.C. celebrates 150 years as a crown colony this year and in Victoria, the party has started at the Royal BC Museum, where Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and B.C. features hundreds of rarely seen artifacts, plus actors, storytellers, and activities exploring the province's colourful past. The exhibit continues through the year.

The WHERE List:

WHERE TO FIND LOCAL ART

One great way to get a feel for a city is to explore artworks done by local artists. From coast to coast, we tell you where you can find wonderful works by some of Canada’s finest artisans.

Toronto

Two of Toronto's top contemporary galleries are run by alumni of the Ontario College of Art and Design: Visit Katharine Mulherin Contemporary Art Projects for high-quality works by emerging artists, many of whom are local, or check out Le Gallery which thrives under the direction of OCAD grad Wil Kucey.

Edmonton

With one of the largest number of Edmonton artists' work on display, this elite gallery is part of the city's famed Gallery Walk in the culturally rich 124th Street District.

Vancouver

Local art abounds at the award-winning Harrison Galleries, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Canadian Rockies

The Mountain Galleries at the Fairmont in both Banff and Jasper carry an impressive array of Canadian art—local artists include Canmore glassblower Susan Gottselig and Jasper painter Wendy Wacko. Or stop by any commercial gallery as most highlight local art and artists.

Victoria

To see works by local and national artists visit the West End Gallery in downtown Victoria. This bright, contemporary space is ideal for viewing both paintings and the impressive glass exhibit the gallery hosts each summer. A few minutes drive from downtown, The Avenue Gallery is a contemporary gallery where visitors enjoy an array of fine art—from paintings and sculpture to glassworks and jewellery.

Halifax

For the latest creations by Maritime artists, visit the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on Hollis Street. The province’s largest gallery, it showcases traditional and contemporary works in a variety of media. This vast array of exhibits includes many works by folk artist Maud Lewis—even the house where she lived and worked.

Ottawa

Though she’s worked all over the world, Karen Bailey makes her home in Ottawa. Check out her colourful exhibit entitled ‘Blanche Dot Doris’ at the Dale Smith Gallery. Also, as part of the Creative Construct Symposium, the City of Ottawa hosts Fine Art Collection and Programs, which showcases Ottawa’s dynamic visual arts programs.

Calgary

Located downtown, the Art Gallery of Calgary features contemporary artwork by emerging and established Calgary artists; also just down the street Art Central is home to numerous local artist studios and boutiques where you can even buy artwork to wear. Not too far away, Webster Galleries, includes a range of work by local artists from figurative to landscape to abstract.

TRAVEL SPECIALS

As a service to readers and our tourism partners, here's a selection of special travel deals. For more information or to book, please contact the providers directly.

Couples package at the Paris Las Vegas

Romance is in the air at the Paris Las Vegas, where couples can get a deluxe room with rose pedals sprinkled on the bed, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, continental breakfast (in bed), passes at the Mandara Spa and a $75 food credit to Le Provençal. The Lover's Delight Package is valid for two nights, offer available until Dec 31. From $500 US.

$400 added value with Rocky Mountaineer Vacations

Book a six-night vacation on a luxury train through the Canadian Rockies and receive $400 added value (per couple). Book before April 18.

Delta's Best of the Maritimes package

See the best of the Maritimes, all from the comfort of a Delta hotel room. This six-night package includes accommodation at Delta hotels in Halifax, PEI and Moncton, as well as welcome gifts and a 25 per cent discount on food and beverages. $569, available from June 1 to October 31.

(All prices in Canadian dollars. WHERE accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or availability of these packages. Please contact package supplier directly.)