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// November 2008

Dear Subscriber

This issue we bring you the hottest events going on around the country—from superstar country acts to Broadway productions and food and wine shows. We also tell you where to find Canada's best coffee shops, the world's smallest country and how you can get last-minute airline discounts.

WHAT'S HOT IN NOVEMBER:

Halifax

Halifax rock-radio institution Q104 marks its silver anniversary on November 28 with a concert at the Cunard Centre on Marginal Road. The lineup for the Q104 Quarter Century Concert is a who's who of the Canadian rock scene with acts like 54-40, Matt Mays & El Torpedo, the Sam Roberts Band and April Wine.

Vancouver

Tracy Turnblad's hair is big, but her heart is even bigger. All she wants to do is dance—and maybe end racial segregation. She gets to do both in the award-winning musical Hairspray, at The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts November 18 to 23.

Edmonton

Country-pop star Carrie Underwood, who's made a chart-topping transition from American Idol to country-music, has sold more than 8 million records with hits like: "Jesus, Take The Wheel" and "Before He Cheats." She plays November 25 at Rexall Place.

Ottawa

The Ottawa Wine and Food Show celebrates all things edible, attracting gaggles of food and wine lovers year after year. The 2008 edition from November 7 to 9, offers new twists, including the '100 Mile Kitchen' demonstration area. Legendary singer/songwriter Bob Dylan, known for classics like "The Times They Are a-Changin" and "All Along the Watchtower" rolls into town on November 16.

Canadian Rockies

All month long, Jasper Welcomes Winter lets you visit the Rockies without breaking the bank. There's hotel discounts, shopping specials (including a craft fair and Moonlight Madness), the Festival of Trees and Santa Claus Parade.

Toronto

The One of a Kind Christmas Show displays unique and charming goods handcrafted by over 800 Canadian artisans from November 27 to December 7. Meanwhile in a picture-perfect revival of the legendary 1975 musical A Chorus Line, 17 Broadway performers sweat their way through an audition. It plays all month at the Canon Theatre.

Calgary

Calgary Opera kicks off their 2008/2009 season with Faust, the story of Dr. Johann Faust and the pact he makes with the devil in exchange for youth and earthly pleasure, November 8 to 15. On November 26 Moscow Ballet presents Sleeping Beauty, Tchaikovsky's well-known tale of the beautiful, cursed Princess Aurora, who falls asleep for a century.

Vancouver

The holiday season kicks off in Victoria with a Canadian favourite. The Alberta Ballet brings the classic The Nutcracker to the Royal Theatre stage November 28 to 30.

The WHERE List:

BEST COFFEE SHOPS

Every city has its coffee shop haunts—places where locals enjoy appealing attributes like locally roasted coffee beans, a comfortable atmosphere, latte art or homemade baked goods. Our editors from across the country have chosen their favourites.

Victoria

In Victoria, Kadalima's Bakery and Café is a warm and inviting place to stop in for a cup of coffee while enjoying a stroll along the picturesque streets of Oak Bay. Be sure to allow time to try one of its delicious savouries or home-baked goodies.

Calgary

At Bumpy's Café sample homemade dishes like hearty oatmeal, quiche, soups and baked goods with specialty coffees and lattes in a cheerful atmosphere—the staff is known for their funky latte art. You can also warm up with a hot drink next to a roaring fireplace at Higher Ground in trendy Kensington. This local fave only serves organic products.

Halifax

If you want to find great coffee and tasty snacks, follow the locals. In Halifax, they'll lead you to Steve-o-Reno's on Brunswick Street. The setting is casual, lunch is hearty and inexpensive and the coffee is roasted in the Maritimes.

Edmonton

On the main floor of downtown Chancery Hall resides L'Espresso Organic Café, a relaxing, quiet space to sip a gourmet coffee beverage as you tuck into fresh homemade sandwiches, grilled paninis, wraps as well as baked goods and sweets. At the cozy Jeffrey's Café and Wine Bar, wash down grilled sandwiches, wraps, yummy snacks, salads and dessert treats with your preferred designer coffee or vintage.

Toronto

Ensconced within a refurbished warehouse featuring exposed brick, vintage posters and an elegant chandelier, Balzac's Coffee—named for one of history's great writers and coffee-lovers—micro-roasts Arabica, organic and fair-trade beans daily for devotees in Toronto's visitor-friendly Distillery Historic District. Balzac's beans also give neighbouring Mill Street Brew Pub's distinct Coffee Porter its java-infused oomph.

Vancouver

Local java junkies turn to the 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters Café for their daily fix. Winner of the Krups "Kup of Excellence" for best coffee two years in a row, the café knows how to do caffeine right.

Ottawa

With nine locations in Ottawa, the Bridgehead coffeehouse is fast becoming a citywide fave with its delicious, fairly traded, organic coffees and teas, plus a slew of tasty baked goods and lunch items.

Canadian Rockies

Coffee in the Rockies is about complementing homemade tantalizing treats. Banff's Wild Flour Bakery offers pastries, muffins, bars, cookies and brownies (some gluten free), but is best known for its organic artisan breads. Bear's Paw Bakery is "world famous" in Jasper for hearty muffins, trail cookies, croissants and artisan breads, but best of all are their namesake pastries.

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.

Last-minute discounts with Via Rail

Save between 50 and 75 per cent when you booked last minute trips with Via Rail. Routes vary, but include Toronto-Montreal, Ottawa-Toronto, Montreal-Halifax and Edmonton-Vancouver.

Ladies special at the Delta Bow Valley Calgary

Complement your girls' weekend with shopping, coffee and a chocolate martini, courtesy of Delta. Package includes one night accommodation, a $25 gift card at Chinook Mall or Market Mall, and a $15 food and beverage credit. Prices vary, offer expires December 2009.

Weekend special with Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Rent a car from Friday to Monday and receive up to 50 per cent off. Discount subject to availability, does not include all cars or locations.

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