Mirvish - Heartbeat of Home

Featuring Irish, Afro-cuban and Latin dancers and musicians, this was a spectacular integration of very different music and dance styles. Incredible energy and strength, these talented performers obviously enjoyed being on stage, projecting their energy deep into the audience. We thoroughly enjoyed this show!

Toronto Fringe - Next Stage Theatre Festival - Killer Business, The Musical

While entertaining, this play fell a little short of our expectations – it was a  little corny and old fashioned, the jokes were tending towards lame and the innuendo not so subtle.

However, the vocals were great, with some powerful effort from all performers, although not in all of their numbers, which may have been more an issue with the sound system. Also, the staging was clever as we alternated between on stage and back stage.

Best of all were the chorus girls – I loved that they were the real brains! Fabulous intellectual repartee, dancing and comedic timing.

Blue Mountain Resort - Jan 2 to 4

Spent a couple of days in Collingwood with my daughter, a friend and her son. They went skiing while I "chaleted". This is a great Ontario spot for the non-skiier, as the Village has lots of lovely shops and a very nice espresso cafe (forget the long line-up at Starbucks). From Poutine, beavertails, wings and pizza, to Italian, pub and seafood, there is plenty of choice for meals. Getting a room with a kitchen is a good idea, as the restaurant wait times can get quite long on weekends. It's also nice to have breakfast in the room and to be able to come back and throw off your gear to enjoy a snack and a hot chocolate.

While the room was spacious enough and quite comfortable, I'm afraid I can't say the same for the beds. One double and a pullout sofa bed, my daughter and I unfortunately drew the short straw. With what was only about five inches of foam for a mattress, you could feel the springs every time you moved and the mattress dipped towards the middle of the bed. While this may be hardy enough for the teen boys that generally get relegated to the sofa bed, I suggest you give it a pass. Will have to look into other options (two real beds or separate rooms) if we do this again.

As the first time skiing this season, the teens opted for a one hour lesson to start their days. They were happy with the lessons - the instructors were great - and quickly developed their confidence to move up to the green runs.

They really enjoyed the night skiing and it was a great value to add to your package.

Lots of other things to do, including the roller coaster, water park, hot tubs or a little snow shoeing around the golf course (tours on the mountain on Sundays) - check in at the visitor centre for lots of fun ideas.

Overall, a great experience for all and one which we will likely repeat ……..

Ross Petty - The Little Mermaid

One of the best pantos we have seen, with lots of action, jokes aimed at both the adults and the kids, and eye candy. A talented bunch of performers with our favourites in lead roles, including Ross Petty himself as the evil villain, Plumbum, the ever faithful and easily duped sidekick and some very talented newcomers, including a really incredible dancer playing the evil sidekick (Jordan Clark, winner of So You Think You Can Dance Canada). Our teens have assured us that they intend to continue to join us for this show, a Christmas tradition of ours for close to ten years, for many more.

Stuart McLean Vinyl Cafe Christmas

One of our family Christmas traditions is to participate in the Vinyl Cafe Christmas show with our family and friends. While the Sony Centre venue is not as homey as convocation Hall, you can buy your tickets early and sit close enough to make it feel more cozy. In addition to the wonderful Dave and Marley stories, in particular the eagerly awaited Christmas story, we were treated to a medley of Christmas stories past and a hilarious Night Before Christmas version of the Senate.  This year's musical talent was heavenly - you should check out the Juno award winning Good Lovelies. And, as always, the show was enhanced by the stellar accompaniment on bass and piano.

Barra MacNeil's Christmas

A lovely Christmas show with lots of special guests, including two local Dance groups one Irish and one Highland. Solid performances by all, some great music and fiddling and beautiful vocals from the only sister in this almost all-family Celtic band from Cape Breton. Let's hope they come back again for a Christmas show next year.

TSO - Pops Christmas

A magnificent show. Awesome performance from the TSO, the ESA holiday Chorus and the amazing Ashley Brown. Lovely arrangements of the classical favourites and some lesser known but equally charming pieces. This was definitely one of Steven Reineke's best Christmas concerts. We truly didn't want it to end!