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.

MUSIC BC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION – FIRST ANNUAL DINNER & AUCTION

Sunday, May 16th 5:30 @ Seasons in the Park, Vancouver
Hosted by Red Robinson
The Music BC Charitable Foundation is proud to announce its first annual charity fundraiser!
This Gala dinner is being held at Seasons in the Park in beautiful Queen Elizabeth Park on Sunday, May 16th at 5:30pm. For the ticket price of $75, guests will have a choice of three course meals, including either Chicken or Salmon (Vegetarian available upon request). There will be door prizes, a 50/50 draw and silent and live auctions with great items including artist signed guitars and concert and sports tickets. There will also be some surprise musical performances. It is a great opportunity to get out, support a great cause, have a wonderful meal, and network with others who are interested in supporting musical education in the province.
The Music BC Charitable Foundation is dedicated to helping British Columbia’s youth gain the opportunity to experience all the benefits of a musical education. Music can change lives by providing a reason to go to school. Music focuses young minds and provides a lifetime of passion and joy.
The Burt Harris Memorial Scholarship has provided scholarships to music students, allowing them to pursue private musical instruction or post-secondary education. Also, through the contributions of our donors and generous industry support, the Adopt an Instrument Program has provided musical instruments to schools within the province so that schools can continue to provide strong musical education programs for their students.
As a means to raise funds and continue with these programs, the Music BC Charitable Foundation is holding its First Annual Charity Fundraiser.
Tickets are available through Music BC, payable by credit, debit, or cheque. Call us at (604) 873-1914 or email requests to info@musicbc.org.
DOWNLOAD THE ORDER FORM HERE <http://www.musicbc.org/documents/Charity_Dinner_Order_Form.pdf>
If you would like to donate any auction items for the event, or for more information please contact Amber Jager at amber@musicbc.org <mailto:amber@musicbc.org>

Bibb Family Shares Stage At Special Stanley Concert

Leon Bibb, an 'institution' in British Columbia and throughout Canada (he has received the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian music and theatre) will be in a rare performance with three generations of the Bibb family.

Along side Leon will be his renowned folk and blues musician/singer son, Eric Bibb who is based in London, England, and Eric's daughter, Yana - an up and coming young vocalist. This is a one night only performance, so get your tickets early.

Generations

Monday, June 14, 2010 at 8:00pm

Stanley Theatre / 3750 Granville Street / Vancouver, BC

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Babz Chula Passes

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of beloved Vancouver actor, Babz Chula. Ms. Chula was a multiple-award winning actor of stage, screen and television. She has been fighting two forms of cancer since 2002, and on May 7th, 2010 she passed away at home, surrounded by her family.

Ms. Chula was born in Springfield, MA, the eldest daughter of an amateur actress. She went on to a singing career with the band “Streethearts,” and starred in The Vancouver Opera’s Threepenny Opera. She had regular and leading roles in Vancouver-shot television series like Madison, The Commish, Cold Squad, and These Arms of Mine (which netted her a Gemini Award). The queen of independent film, her credits include: Bruce Sweeny’s Dirty, Live Bait, and Last Wedding, Ben Ratner’s Moving Malcolm, and Carl Bassai’s Mothers and Daughters (which won her a Leo Award), and Fathers and Sons (which is yet to be released).

Ms. Chula was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2002, and in 2005, was diagnosed with a rare form of blood cancer. She beat the Breast Cancer for several years, but in 2008, learned that it had returned. At that time, a group of her friends formed The Babz Chula Lifeline for Artists Society, ostensibly to help with Babz’ medical expenses, but it was always her wish that the Society become her legacy. Recently, the Society has undergone changes to allow it to support other artists. Ms. Chula continued to work during her Cancer treatment, which encompassed traditional and alternative healing methods. She recently returned from an Ayurvedic healing centre in India, where she had spent 6 weeks with her friend, filmmaker Anne Wheeler, who filmed the process for an upcoming documentary about Babz’ journey.

Ben Ratner was Babz Chula’s close personal friend and colleague, and president of The Babz Chula Lifeline for Artists Society. “Babz and her family are deeply grateful for the love and generosity the community showed her throughout her illness. Though we have lost a true artist, friend, mentor, and matriarch, our beloved Babz will never be forgotten.”

“She died like she lived; with dignity, grace, and humour,” says Babz’ son, Aviv, on behalf of the family. “We thank her for being an inspiration, and she will be greatly missed and loved forever.”

Ms. Chula is survived by her husband, Larry Lynn, her children Jordana, Aviv, and Orpheo, and her grandchildren Mason, Devon, Jake, and Kyler.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Ms. Chula’s life on Sunday, May 23 at the Arts Club Theatre on Granville Island. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Babz Chula Lifeline for Artists Society: www.babzchulasociety.org.

New Bios Added to Hall of Fame Archives

We've just added bios with pictures of Winston Rekert, Jay Brazeau, Jane and Ann Mortifee, and more. And more are on the way!
Check them them out here at www.bcehof.blogspot.com

Adams Recognized For Charity Work

Bryan Adams has had his fair share of shining moments in his career, but on Sunday he will have bestowed on him an honour that reaches far beyond his musical achievements.

The famed Vancouverite, who has earned 18 Juno Awards (56 nominations), as well as Grammy, MTV and American Music Awards, will be given the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at this year's Juno ceremony in recognition of his humanitarian contributions.

The Allan Waters Humanitarian Award is named after late CHUM founder Allan Waters.

Previous recipients of the award include another Hall of Famer, Sarah McLachlan (2009) and Paul Brandt (2008).

Reiter Wins Sam Payne Award

Bill Reiter, one of last year's inductees in the Hall, has won the 201o Sam Payne award, which recognizes performers who have displayed "humanity, artistic integrity and encouragement of young talent".
Read the full piece from the Sunday edition of the Vancouver Sun here>>>

Arden In Recent CBC Interview.

BCEHoF favorite Jann Arden was recently interviewed by CBC's One Take series. You can see the interview here >>>

Byrnes and Robinson to MC at Olympic Irish House

The legendary Jim Byrnes and Red Robinson supply their hosting talents at the Irish House as part of the 2010 Olympic Games.
Here's a full entertainment schedule>>>

Sample Conducts Olympiad's Beyond Eden at the Playhouse

Hall of Famer Bill Sample has been busy these days, taking up the role of music director for the Playhouse Theatre Company's last production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and now for it's latest run - Beyond Eden - which features Tom Jackson and John Mann.

The show is part of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad and is a co-production with Theatre Calgary and runs from January 16 to Feb. 6th.

Hall of Famer Arngrim Passes at 81

Thor Arngrim, who served as personal manager to the likes of Liberace and Debbie Reynolds, died Dec. 16 in Vancouver of complications from Parkinson's disease. He was 81.

Arngrim also handled the careers of such actors as Susan Anton, Peter Jurasik and Michael Ontkean and also those of his children -- Stefan Arngrim ("Land of the Giants") and Alison Arngrim ("Little House on the Prairie").

Arngrim also was an actor, performing in the original 1956 Broadway production of "Tamburlaine the Great" directed by Tyronne Guthrie and in the 1964 Tony-winning production of "Luther" that starred Albert Finney and was produced by David Merrick.

The native of Regina, Saskatchewan was married to Norma Macmillan (the voice of Casper and Gumby, among many others) until her death in 2001. He founded the famous Totem Theatre of Vancouver in 1951.

His two children survive him. Donations in his memory can be made to AIDS Project Los Angeles, where he volunteered for many years; to PAL Vancouver (Performing Arts Lodge); or to the Parkinson Society of British Columbia.