Dave Abbott Dies at 74

Vancouver broadcast pioneer Dave Abbott died on Sunday (December 18) at St. Paul’s Hospital. He was 74 years old.

Abbott was born in Dublin, Ireland, and moved to Canada in 1960. By 1964, he began work in radio and developed audiences for CJOR, CKNW, and CJVI (in Victoria). He also worked for RTE (Ireland), SABC (South Africa), BBC (U.K.), and CBC (1965 to 1985).

He covered a wide range stories, including the Six Day War in Israel and the Philippine Revolution, as well as stories in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, South Africa, and Northern Ireland. His interviewees included U.K. Baroness Margaret Thatcher, Philippine president Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, Hong Kong’s Li Ka-shing, Mitzi Gaynor, and Bob Hope.

In recognition of his community service, he won the Salvation Army Community Award three times (1972, 1987, and 1993) and the Neighbourhood Community Award in 1986.

In 2000, he published a collection of stories, jokes, and anecdotes called Catch the Irish Laughter .

His column “Travel Diary” was syndicated in 52 newspapers and broadcast on radio, and he worked as a TV host as well.

He was inducted into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame at the Orpheum Theatre in 2010 and received a star on the Granville Street Starwalk.

He was also a cofounder of the Harry Jerome Classic and the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival.

Abbott is survived by his wife, daughter, stepson, and two grandchildren.

Zena Wagstaff Passes.

Zena Wagstaff passed away peacefully on July 4, 2011.  An accomomplished violinist and member of the VSO for 50 years, Zena was also prominent in Vancouver's music scene through Zena's Musical Staff.  She was inducted into the BC Ent HoF in 1997 for her services to the music industry.  Her other loves were her family, friends, animals and gourmet cooking.  Donations may be made to your local SPCA or the VSO.  (No services).  

The Stars Step Out Variety Show and Auction

The Stars Step Out Variety Show and Auction
All proceeds go to The Zajac Ranch for Children

Master of Ceremonies: The Legendary Mr. Red Robinson

and featuring Hall of Famers Blu Mankuma, Jane Mortifee and Sibel Thrasher!
On Sunday, December 5th 2010 at the Arts Club’s Granville Island Stage, over twenty-five international artists will come together to perform in a variety show benefiting the Zajac Ranch for Children. Along with an evening-long silent auction, this event will raise funds for The Zajac Ranch for Children, a one-of-a-kind camp for children with chronic and serious illnesses and disabilities who would otherwise not have an opportunity to attend camp.

The doors open at 6:15 pm; the show begins at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are available through:
www.artsclub.com or by call 604-687-1644
Or
www.vancouvertix.com or by calling 604-629-8849

Denis Simpson Dies

Beloved Vancouver-based actor and singer Denis Simpson died suddenly today, two weeks shy of his 60th birthday. According to Bill Millerd, artistic managing director of the Arts Club Theatre Company, Simpson suffered a brain hemorrhage and passed away this morning surrounded by family in Toronto, where he was about to start rehearsals for A Year With Frog and Toad with the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People.

The original bass singer of the a cappella group the Nylons, Simpson was a long-time host of the children’s television series Polka Dot Door , later hosting a cooking show on Channel M and appearing as the Live Eye Guy for City TV.

He received a Jessie Award for his 1996 one-man show Denis Anyone? and directed the critically acclaimed 2009 Fringe show NGGRFG starring Berend McKenzie. Simpson was active in charitable work, in particular with HIV/AIDS organizations. His most recent Vancouver performance was this past May to July with the Arts Club Theatre in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story .

Full story>>

Join Us for the 2010 Induction Ceremony - June 27

The BC Entertainment Hall of Fame invites you to the Orpheum at 7:30 on June 27th for a ceremony, honouring this year's inductees.

Come join us in celebrating these local entertainment legends!

Tickets for the event in are by donation and may be reserved at bchalloffame@gmail.com or by calling 604-665-2180


For more information, contact: Richard Forzley
604-665-3051
richard.forzley@vancouver.ca

New Inductees Announced

Elizabeth Ball, President of the Board of Directors of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame today announced seven new members to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, located at the Orpheum in downtown Vancouver.
The following new members will officially be inducted into STARWALK at a ceremony on June 27, 2010.

The new inductees include:
Dave Abbott - Radio
Bruce Greenwood - Theatre/Film/TV
Susan Jacks - Music
Bruce Kellett - Music/Theatre
Bruce Pullan - Music
Donna Spencer - Theatre
Jon Washburn - Music

Plaques honouring the new inductees will be embedded in the sidewalk along Granville Street's Entertainment Row along with the other current members of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame. Their photos will be mounted in the STARWALL Gallery in the Orpheum lobby.
The following new members will officially be added to Pioneer Honour Roll at a ceremony on June 27, 2010.

The new members include:
Norman Campbell - TV/Radio
Bill Davis - Film/TV
Blu Mankuma - Theatre/Film/TV
Micki Maunsell - Theatre/TV
Lola McLaughlin - Dance
Lloyd Nicholson - Theatre
Miles Ramsay - Music
David Ross - Theatre
Bobby Taylor - Music
Ann Wheeler - Film
John Wright - Theatre

The BC Entertainment Hall of Fame honours British Columbians who have made an outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry here, in Canada and abroad. It was inaugurated in 1994 and currently includes more than 180 inductees. Members are included in STARWALK, a parade of plaques embedded in the sidewalk near the Orpheum along both sides of Granville from Robson to Nelson. Their photos are displayed in the Ticketmaster-sponsored Starwall Gallery in the Orpheum lobby.

Pioneers are acknowledged in the lobby and on our website. Vancouver Favourites, another program that honours artists with plaques on the wall at the Orpheum Stage Door, includes international performers who have won the hearts of Vancouverites through frequent appearances here. The Society’s Historic Venues category pays tribute to legendary entertainment sites that have been integral to our City through plaques at their current or former locations. A Hall of Fame Scholarship Program assists the city’s emerging ‘Stars of Tomorrow.’ For a complete list of members, check the STARWALK icon on the Orpheum website at vancouver.ca/theatres or visit bcehof.blogspot.com.

Bios and Photos of the inductees available upon request. For more information, contact: Richard Forzley 604-665-3051 richard.forzley@vancouver.ca

A Celebration of Life: Babz Chula

A Celebration of Life: Babz Chula

There will be a Memorial Mass said for Babz on Saturday, May 22 at 1:30PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 5251 Joyce Street.

A celebration of the life of Babz Chula will be held on Sunday, May 23, at 11:30 am at the Arts Club Mainstage Theatre, 1585 Johnson St, Granville Island, Vancouver. Doors open at 11.

Everyone is welcome, but the number of seats is limited to 440, so we may create a live feed to the lobby if needed.

The memorial service will be followed by an informal gathering in the upper lounge of the theatre, and then an after party, details of which will be announced later. Donations to the Babz Chula Lifeline for Artists Society will be accepted.

Please join us as we send Babz off with a standing ovation.