One-Tank Trip for
Dec. 1/12
(c) By Jim Fox
The curtain rises
on seasonal entertainment with a Christmassy “Elvis,” Love Train, Mickey and
the gang, and a trip along the yellow brick road.
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| Elvis tribute artist Stephen Kabakos performs his Christmas show at Stage West. |
As the holidays
approach, special shows with seasonal songs and dancing, lavish theatre productions
and children’s events highlight the entertainment calendar.
Rock ‘n’ roll holidays
Blue Christmas
recorded by Elvis Presley in 1957 became a rock holiday classic that is amazing
recreated by tribute artist Stephen Kabakos.
This Elvis look-alike, who sounds and moves
like “the King of Rock and Roll,” performs his holiday show on Dec. 17 at Stage
West Theatre Restaurant in Mississauga.
The show, which
includes the lavish buffet in the Vegas-style showroom, has Kabakos and his TVB
(The Very Best) Ensemble performing Christmas favourites and other songs from
the Elvis repertoire.
He recreates an
authentic Elvis experience “note for note, song for song and word for word,”
said publicist Laurie Wallace-Lynch.
Kabakos will be
back on Jan. 28 with his Aloha to Hawaii tribute and on Feb. 25 for the Elvis
68 Comeback Special.
There are many more
Elvis sightings with the Cavalcade of Champions on Jan. 7 hosted by Nevin
Grant, CKOC radio legend and music historian.
It features Anthony
Von, Gino Monopoli and Anthony Carbone and seven other tribute artists.
There’s also the
Elvis Experience on April 15 with Tim “E”, last year’s Toronto Elvis Festival
grand champion, with the fest being held from May 17 to 19 next year, and
Echoes of Collingwood on June 17.
For family fun, Jingle
and Jangle, a musical about Santa’s elves, opens Dec. 8 with the last show on
Jan. 4 including a lunch buffet.
Stage West is now
featuring Love Train, Motown Musical Revue, through Feb. 10 “a journey through
the music of soul and rhythm and blues.” www.stagewest.com;
1-800-263-0684
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| Disney On Ice returns with the Worlds of Fantasy performances. |
Holiday traditions
Four favourite stories ensure family fun as
Disney On Ice returns to Toronto with the Worlds of Fantasy for 17 performances
from Dec. 21 to 30 at the Rogers Centre.
“From wheels to
waves, playtime to pixie dust,” memorable Disney moments come to life “with dazzling
skating, special effects and beloved characters,” said publicist Beth Merrick.
The show features high-speed
stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney Pixar's Cars race
across the ice.
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| Minnie and Mickey Mouse |
Dive into the
Little Mermaid's undersea kingdom and enter the mystical world of Pixie Hollow
with Tinker Bell and the Disney fairies as they reveal the magic that lies
within.
Buzz Lightyear,
Woody, Jessie and the Toy Story gang escape from the rambunctious tots of
Sunnyside Daycare and race for home.
Disney On Ice’s 100
Years of Magic comes to London’s Budweiser Gardens from Jan. 24 to 27. www.disneyonice.com; 1-855-985-5000
The stage show
Phineas and Ferb Live comes to Ontario with shows this month and next in London
(Jan. 6), Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, Oshawa, Ottawa, Toronto (Jan. 11-13) and
Windsor. www.disneylive.ca
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| The Emerald City, part of the Wizard of Oz, opens Dec. 20 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto. (Photo by Keith Pattison) |
Take a journey to a
magical land with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new adaptation of the Wizard of Oz
opening Dec. 20 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre (244 Victoria St.) in Toronto.
“Developed from the
ever-popular MGM screenplay, this new production contains all the beloved songs
from the Oscar-winning movie score, all the favourite characters and iconic
moments,” said publicist Sue Toth.
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| Danielle Wade stars as Dorothy |
There are also a “few
surprises” including new songs by Tim Rice and Webber, she added.
The story features
the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto as they journey
through Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires.
They must watch out
for the Wicked Witch of the West and her winged monkeys.
An all-Canadian
cast features Danielle Wade of LaSalle, a University of Windsor student, starring
as Dorothy. Tickets are from $35 to $130. www.mirvish.com;
1-800-461-3333
Last call for War
Horse that ends its run on Jan. 6 at the Mirvish Princess of Wales Theatre.
Ringing in the New Year
Update: Electro-pop
trio Dragonette, Vancouver rock group Hedley and Nelly Furtado will help crowds
usher in the New Year in Niagara Falls.
The free New Year’s
Eve party starts at 7:30 p.m. in Queen Victoria Park overlooking the Falls and
includes “spectacular fireworks” at 8:45 p.m. and midnight.
They will be the
biggest yet with the fireworks launched from the Skylon Tower, in the Niagara
Gorge and, for the first time, directly above the Falls. www.niagaraparks.com/nye
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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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