It’s The Vintage Tempest’s Hard Rock Christmas Countdown!

I’d rather have a Hard Rock Christmas and I’m not talking about wanting a piece of coal in my stocking.

Image result for trans siberian orchestraBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

When the malls are flooded with traditional music to get shoppers into the Christmas mood, I find I need heavy metal or grunge instead to start rocking it. I’d rather have a Hard Rock Christmas and I’m not talking about wanting a piece of coal in my stocking.

When considering my mood won’t always get uplifted by hearing those sleigh bells jingling, ring tingle tingling, and finding the lovely weather is colder than you like, it’s time to get the body moving to stay warm! When it’s time, I’m sure the last track is cozy enough to fall asleep to.

With only days left for that day (instead of counting down from twelve), I offer my picks to listen down to (the order is intentional) as that annual holiday draws near:

Manic Street Preachers
Ghost of Christmas

Not everyone will know of this Welsh rock band, but when I discovered them, I was hooked! Their sound brings a touch of Roy Orbison, The Clash and perhaps Sex Pistols together in a harmony which simply caught my attention. Ghost of Christmas is simply punk at its best.

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Top Five Asian Picks to see during Vancouver’s 2019 International Film Festival

Image result for children of the sea movieBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

The 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival is a showcase many cinephiles living in the Lower Mainland will be at. True to the city with it’s huge share of Asians, having a worthwhile selection is a must. This event is in full swing and I offer my picks from this world (links go to ticket purchase):

Children of the Sea

A loner schoolgirl befriends two boys who were raised by dugongs (manatee-like creatures), and embarks on an aquatic journey to unlock the mysteries of the boys and the sea. Based on Igarashi Daisuke’s lauded manga, director Watanabe Ayumu and Studio4°C’s bold experimental and environmental statement dazzles the eyes with stupendously beautiful animation of the underwater world, and blows the mind with dense symbolism and disorienting imagery that have drawn comparisons to 2001: A Space Odyssey.

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A Victorian Theatrical Halloween Guide 2019

Victoria, BC and Halloween Skies with the Skull in ViewHalloween has become synonymous with humanity’s once in the year obsession with all things occult. Whether that’s with ghosts, the macabre or fantastic beasts, folks celebrate it in myriad ways as part of this season’s tradition.

Not on this list are the traditional staples–ghostly walks, haunted fun houses and public ghost hunts–and I’m going for unique one offs. Included are theatre productions that are not rinse and repeat. Yes, while we all love to get our Rocky Picture Show on, and Atomic Vaudeville deserves special mention for putting on two different productions.

The call is out there for theatre groups or organizations with an event they wish to have listed that is not on here. Please check the contact us section to email or reply with your event!

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2019 Vancouver International Film Festival Genre Picks!

Vancouver International Film Festival 2019
Runs Sept 26 to Oct 11 at various venues throughout Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia

Hot off the heels of the 2019 Toronto Film Festival is the Vancouver International Film Festival for locals and Hollywood North to savour. It’s safe to say a good part of my previous article’s wish list (namely Jojo Rabbit and No 7. Cherry Lane) will screen at this show.

This year’s event has my attention because of the following and these movies are listed in no particular order:

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Where’s Pippin? Oh, at SMUS’ 20th Anniversary at Victoria Fringe Festival

Image result for victoria fringe pippinLocation:
St. Michaels University School
3400 Richmond Road

Remaining Shows:
Aug 30 07:00 pm
Aug 31 02:00 pm
Aug 31 07:00 pm

No year of attending the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival can be complete without a show from St Michaels University School as they put on a high school level production of an award winning Broadway play. This year is notable as the summer program which teaches theatre celebrate 20 years and returns to Pippin. This musical was their very first.

In all the years I’ve been covering this event, I feel it’s worth the trip away from the event core (downtown Victoria) to check out. Fans of Broadway shows will not be disappointed. To note: the cast rotates, so each student gets to play two different roles.

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