Up in the sky, Snowbirds, CF-18s, Joint Forces, Harvards and more at the Waterloo Air Show

   One-Tank Trip for May 26/12

 

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Look – up in the sky – it’s the Snowbirds, CF-18s, the Joint Forces, Harvards and more.

   The “top guns” will put on an adrenaline-pumping exhibition of aerobatics and powered flight over the skies of Kitchener-Waterloo on June 2 and 3.

   The Waterloo Air Show had its start four years ago as volunteers created an annual spectacle at the Waterloo Regional International Airport in suburban Breslau after the demise of shows in London and Hamilton.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds flying in palm formation with the Demo Hornet over Vancouver Island will perform at the upcoming Waterloo Air Show. (Photo by Corporal Pierre Habib)

Franco-Fête returns to Harbourfront Centre in Toronto

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Franco-Fête, co-produced by la Franco-Fête de Toronto
 at Harbourfront Centre (June 22-24)

30 years of celebrating francophone culture

TORONTO, ON (May 24, 2012) – Franco-Fête, co-produced by la Franco-Fête de Toronto, is Toronto'’s premiere francophone event and it returns to Harbourfront Centre June 22-24. From its origin as a modest St-Jean Baptiste festival, Franco-Fête has grown into a diverse, multiethnic French-language extravaganza that celebrates francophone culture through culinary creations, art, dance and most of all “la musique francophone.”

Grand Funk Railroad returns to Casino Rama

News Release - Casino Rama, Rama (Orillia) Ontario

We just added this great classic rock band to the July 2012 concert line-up, excited to welcome them back:

Grand Funk Railroad

Friday, July 27

SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM

Tickets are $25/$35

One of the top selling American rock groups of the ‘70’s, they are known for chart topping hits: “We’re An American Band”, “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “Bad Time” & “The Loco-motion”.

Much ado about "something" at Stratford Shakespeare Festival

Festival officially launches 60^th season on Monday

May 25, 2012… The Stratford Shakespeare Festival launches its 60^th season on Monday, May 28, with a gala performance of Much Ado About Nothing. This is the final season under the artistic directorship of Des McAnuff, and one that promises an array of wonderful theatre for every taste and age group.

“The 60^th season is representative of Stratford in all its glory,” says Mr. McAnuff, who is directing Henry V and Christopher Plummer’s A Word or Two, both of which open later in the season. “Embodying Stratford’s hallmark marriage of tradition and innovation, the playbill ranges from the very roots of drama to some of the finest playwrights working in Canada today. Shakespearean comedy, history and romance are complemented by a hilarious contemporary pastiche of Shakespearean tragedy, while the season’s varied musical theatre repertoire acknowledges our own era’s great contribution to the western dramatic tradition. Meanwhile, the strength of our acting company is being showcased not only in Stratford but also on Broadway, with the Tony-nominated Jesus Christ Superstar.”

Rev up for Autopalooza in Greater Detroit

   One-Tank Trip for May 19/12

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Get your motor running to Greater Detroit, the epicentre of all things automotive, for a summer of cars and cruising fun.

   Hit the road and “burn rubber” to Autopalooza as this annual event shifts into high gear in the “Motor City” with major cruises, races and shows.

   Events include the Grand Prix race, NASCAR weekends, Concours d’Elegance and crossing the finish line with the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Dreams of tailfins and big engines are realized for writer Jim Fox shown with this 1960 Cadillac convertible at the Concours d’Elegance in suburban Detroit. (Barbara Fox photo)

    Zoom, zoom in June

   Grand Prix: Ah, the smell of race fuel and tire smoke swirling with the screeching sounds of race cars will permeate Belle Isle as the Grand Prix returns from June 1 to 3.

   The world-class auto racing is back after a four-year absence to the pretty island in the Detroit River between Windsor and Detroit.

   It will feature the cars of the IZOD IndyCar Series, the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, the Pirelli World Challenge Championship Series and the Firestone Indy Lights Championship battling it out on a street circuit.

Tips for booking campsites at Ontario Provincial Parks; alternatives to the Big 5 most popular

   One-Tank Trip for May 12/12

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The first summer-like long weekend is fast approaching, meaning it’s time to open up that seasonal retreat or head out for some wilderness camping.

   The Victoria Day holiday weekend is when Ontario parks and campgrounds come alive.

   Here are some tips on how to deal with the “campground full” sign at the most popular parks.

Going fishing at Bass Lake Provincial Park near Orillia. (Jim Fox photo)

   Don’t be shut out of the woods

   If you go out in the woods tonight, you're sure of a big surprise – that is, if you haven’t booked in advance.

   More than half of the reservations are made in the first two months of the year for the five most popular Ontario Parks.

It's wet and wild on the water in Niagara

   One-Tank Trip for May 5/12

  

   (c) By Jim Fox

   It’s time to go wet and wild in Niagara on jet boats and the venerable misty maid.

   Then, grab a bite to eat from a food truck at a posh Niagara-on-the-Lake winery and pair it with a fine vintage.

Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours offer wet-and-wild, white-water trips on the Niagara River.

   Splish, splash

   Niagara jet boats got into the chilly waters early with warmer weather and ice-free conditions.

   Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours made a splash with one of its earliest starts ever on April 19, said publicist Stephen Murdoch.

Hang on, Leviathan has arrived at Canada's Wonderland joining Dinousars Alive!

   One-Tank Trip for April 28/12

  

   (c)| By Jim Fox

   Hang on to your hats – Canada’s Wonderland is unleashing Leviathan.

   As well, the country’s largest theme park in Vaughan, north of Toronto, will unearth mammoth full-size dinosaurs in an outdoor Jurassic Park of sorts.

   The thrills don’t stop there: You can again hang around the top of Toronto’s CN Tower living life on the edge.

Leviathan, called “one of the biggest and tallest” roller coasters in the world, takes off at Canada’s Wonderland this season.

   Fly like an eagle

   Enjoy life in the fast lane on Leviathan, a brute-force roller coaster that’s said to be “one of the biggest and tallest” in the world.

   With the park’s opening on May 6, the monster coaster will “dominate the landscape, taking riders to breathtaking heights and speeds never experienced before at Wonderland,” said public relations manager Dineen Beaven.

   “The excitement begins on Leviathan’s first lift hill as riders climb to a record-breaking height of 93.3 metres (306 feet) followed by an exhilarating 80-degree drop,” she explains.

   “Reaching a top speed of 148 kilometres per hour, riders experience extreme coaster thrills on 1,672 metres (5,486 feet) of track that includes a series of giant camelback hills reaching heights up to 54.9 metres (180 feet).

    “Then, there’s an astonishing overbanked hammerhead turn at 115 degrees that crosses above the park’s front gate at 44.8 metres (147 feet) high.”