Norah Jones added to fall concerts at Casino Rama

Grammy Winner to Make Her Entertainment Centre Debut on November 4, 2015

RAMA, ON – Casino Rama is excited to announce the addition of Grammy Award-winning artist Norah Jones, who will perform for one amazing night on November 4th (8pm) this fall.

In 2002, Norah Jones launched her solo music career with the release of “Come Away with Me” a

certified Diamond selling album that was a fusion of jazz with country music and pop.

The record earned Jones five Grammy Awards, including the “Album of the Year”, “Record of the Year” and “Best New Artist.  Her subsequent studio albums “Feels Like Home”, released in 2004; “Not Too Late”, released in 2007, the same year she made her film debut in My Blueberry Nights; and 2009's The Fall, all gained Platinum status, selling over a million copies each.  Jones' fifth studio album, “Little Broken Hearts”, was released on April 27, 2012

Getting your kicks on Ontario's best motorcycle routes

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 22/15

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Get your motor runnin'
   Head out on the highway
   Lookin' for adventure
   And whatever comes our way

-- A biker favourite from the song Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf

   Get your kicks along some of Ontario’s best motorcycle touring roads to experience “epic rides.”

   From “Riding the Edge” to cruising Ontario’s South Coast and hanging out in “Dover” for Friday the 13th, riders can hear that “heavy metal thunder.”

Bikes and motorcyclists are a common sight in Port Dover, not just on Friday the 13th. (Jim Fox photo)

   One of the finest spots for scenery and inhaling clean air is Algonquin Provincial Park.

   That’s why it remains the number one choice in the “Top 10 Roads” survey by Explorers’ Edge regional tourism organization.

Toronto Zoo plans Orangutan Awareness Weekend

Saturday, August 22 & Sunday, August 23, 2015 

 

11:00am to 4:00pm, Indo-Malaya Pavilion

 

Did you know that the Toronto Zoo is the only Canadian zoo to have Sumatran orangutans?

The Toronto Zoo is dedicating a full weekend to the Sumatran orangutan to help bring awareness to this critically endangered animal. Visitors will learn why the wild population of orangutans are experiencing habitat loss of 80% and get the opportunity to check out our special orangutan enrichment interpretive station, artifacts, and even artwork painted by one of our very creative orangutans. Plus, join us for the special Orangutan Keeper Talk at 1:00 pm daily and find out how YOU can commit to conservation efforts to help the extremely Endangered Sumatran orangutans at home and abroad.
Click here for more details

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Beat The Heat This Weekend At Splash Island

 

 

If the summer heat is too "un-bearable", why not visit Splash Island? Our two-acre splash pad is the perfect destination for a hot summer day!  After exploring over 5,000 animals, cool off with the kids amongst waterslides, water-spouting animals, waterfalls and tipping buckets.

 

Splash Island is open daily from 10:30am to 6:00pm and is added value with your Zoo admission!

Ho, ho, ho -- A jolly good time at Santa's Village

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 15/15

 

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Hey kids, it’s just 131 days until Christmas and Santa sightings have come in from the 45th parallel in Muskoka.

   Yes, this is where the “jolly gent” and Mrs. Claus spend their summers at Santa’s Village in Bracebridge.

   He’s rather laid back at this time of year as it’s a little hot compared with his frosty home at the North Pole.

Santa is the main attraction at his village in Bracebridge.

   This is the place for youngsters to get an early start on their Christmas wish lists and have some fun in this “kinder, gentler” amusement park on the banks of the Muskoka River.

   In the heart of Muskoka’s Enchanted Forest, it’s “conveniently located halfway between the equator and the North Pole on the 45th parallel,” said park general manager Jamie Hopkins.

   The village set amongst fragrant pine trees and river has been Santa’s seasonal domain for 60 years now.

   The trees and river breezes cool the summer heat as kids visit Santa and then romp through this ho-ho-ho land of themed rides and attractions.

The Santa’s Village sign marking 60 years. (Lisa Fox photo)

  

One-tank trip getaways across southern Ontario at parks, the Royal Alex, fiddling, Leaping Deer, winery and arts show

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 8/15

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Letters, we get lots and lots of letters (e-mails) with tips for great one-tank trips.

   Here are a few suggestions of things to see and do.

    Smell the roses

   There’s a nature challenge underway this month at Ontario Parks.

Reconnecting with nature in Algonquin Provincial Park in a Voyageur canoe. (Jim Fox photo)

   Visitors are urged to “reconnect with nature,” as research has shown that just 30 minutes a day in a natural setting can make people happier, reduce blood pressure, anxiety and stress levels, and boost immunity.

   The Healthy Parks Healthy People Nature Challenge has been adapted from the David Suzuki Foundation’s 30x30 Challenge.

   As well, more than 40 provincial parks have Natural Heritage Education programs that can be found at www.OntarioParks.com along with event listings.

   Get the kinks out

   It’s Singles Night for the performance of Kinky Boots at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto on Aug. 14 at 8 p.m.

   This follows the “resounding success of our social experiment at Once Date Night,” says Mirvish publicist Sue Toth.

Lola and the Angels in the production of Kinky Boots at the Royal Alex. (Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann)

   That was when more than 1,000 singles were matched for “a night of unforgettable theatre (and new romances),” she added.

Explore Pelee mid-summer madness

Explore Pelee has been hard at work this summer, and loving every minute of it! In the last few weeks we have moved thousands of people around the island, and we have met so many fantastic people! We are truly grateful for what we do! This newsletter features some exciting upcoming specialty events, introduces our new staff, and features our contest of the month!  SUP! & KAYAKING FULL MOON SOCIAL! Join us on Friday August 28th, for Explore Pelee's first ever Stand-up Paddle Board and Kayak Full Moon Social! The event will begin at 8:30pm, where everyone will be able to watch the sunset.  Once the sun has set and the moon is out, we will all paddle out, view the moon and star-gaze! This event will be FREE! Please reserve your spot by calling 519-325-8687. Location: North Dock Important information: Participants must bring their own SUP and kayaking equipment, and are responsible for their own life-jackets, etc. People are welcome to canoe, paddle-boat, swim, etc. Rain Date: Saturday August 29th, 2015.

A "wealth" of fall and holiday-themed events upcoming in Metro Detroit

(News Release)

DETROIT --Fall is an exciting time to be in Detroit. With a wealth of autumn and holiday-themed events, the return of professional basketball, football and hockey seasons plus a new roster of fine art exhibits, it’s time you start planning your Fall trip to The D.

Bring the kids for a frightful night at Hallowe’en at Greenfield Village, catch a holiday performance at the beautiful Fox Theatre or cheer on the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. See why you should spend these chilly months in metro Detroit.

 

Chilly weather, crunchy leaves, hot cider and delicious doughnuts makes a trip to the cider mill the perfect fall to-do. Enjoy the autumn air at Romeo’s Westview Orchards & Adventure Farm, a 188-acre farm in Washington Twp. home to an old-fashioned cider mill and brand new winery, with a menu of hard cider, small plates and house-made wines. Take a guided tractor tour, visit the petting farm or pick up homegrown fruits and vegetables from their market. For more information, visit westvieworchards.com.

TAIWANfest brings all facets of Taiwanese culture to Harbourfront Centre for returning three-day festival

  TORONTO, ON (August 5, 2015) – Returning to Harbourfront Centre, TAIWANfest will once again showcase the best of contemporary Taiwanese arts and culture.

From August 28–30, visitors can expect a wide range of exceptional events that represent Taiwan’s cultural diversity – from delectable cuisine to virtuosic orchestral productions.

TAIWANfest is both a celebration and an opportunity to learn more about the culturally rich island, and this year the festival has organized events under Festival Routes, which aim to make the weekend more accessible through categories such as culinary, music, film, kids, arts and culture, lifestyle and Taiwan 101. The festival is free with the exception of Magic Power, which is $48 for general admission.
 

Experience a 19th century rural fair at Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London, Ontario

 

August 6, 2015  London, Ontario – Experience all the pleasures of a 19^th century rural fair with threshing demonstrations, games of chance and musical entertainment on Aug. 15 and 16 at Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London, Ontario.

Enjoy your own thresherman’s lunch in the Pioneer Village Café featuring Shepard’s pie, mixed greens and bread pudding.

Stratford Festival mourns the death of Robin Phillips

(Media release)

July 26, 2015… The Stratford Festival is in mourning for Robin Phillips, who served as its artistic director for six seasons.

Besides bringing to the Festival such celebrities as Maggie Smith and Peter Ustinov, as well as one of its most beloved long-time stars, Brian Bedford, Mr. Phillips galvanized the company – and enthralled audiences – with his own extraordinary talent and energy. His tenure, which lasted from 1975 to 1980, is still fondly remembered by many as a “golden age.”

“Robin Phillips was inspirational,” said current Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino. “Like so many people at the Stratford Festival, I was profoundly influenced by him. He seemed to make the impossible not only achievable but beautiful.

Four Points is giving guests even more reasons to travel this summer with three sizzling offers

(News Release)

 Through partnerships with Coca-Cola®, MasterCard®, 20th Century FOX®, guests are invited to take in a summer blockbuster,savour a refreshing Coke or enjoy a little extra spending money when staying at participating Four Points hotels in North America for business, pleasure - or a little bit of both - this summer.

         POINT 1: Weekends are Fantastic at Four Points

Enjoy one of the summer’s most highly anticipated blockbusters, Fantastic Four (in theaters starting August 7) with Four Points. Available now through August 31^st, guests who book a two night stay checking in Thursday through Sunday at any Four Points in North America will receive two Cineplex® adult admission vouchers for two tickets to see one of summer’s most exciting action adventures.  Admission vouchers will be mailed to the guest address on file after the hotel stay for residents of Canada.  U.S. residents who stay will receive a Fandago voucher code for theatre tickets. Book online at http://www.north-america.starwoodoffers.com/four-points-fantastic-four or call 1 866 716 8133 and ask for Rate Plan “FPFOUR”

Special yoga classes at the Toronto Zoo

Sunday, August 30, 2015 Wildlife Marquee, Discovery Zone 9:30am - 10:00am and 11:30am - 12:00noon   Join us in the unique setting of the Toronto Zoo to flow through a series of poses, matching movement with your breath. This special yoga class is for beginners or intermediate level students and incorporates moving meditation. The focus will be on body awareness and core activation and will incorporate challenging active postures followed by passive restorative postures. The complimentary class is approximately 30 minutes in length and will be taught by a certified yoga instructor from Urban Nirvana studio in Toronto. All are welcome! Please email prandevents@torontozoo.ca to confirm your reservation time and include "yoga" in your subject line. Please bring your own water bottle and yoga mat. We will have extra yoga mats available, but it is first come, first served. This is an indoor event. *Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. **All participants will be required to sign a waiver form before they are able to participate. *** Event is free with Zoo Admission.   BEAT THE HEAT THIS WEEKEND AT SPLASH ISLAND

Marvel Universe Live! superheroes show is simply 'marvel-lous!'

   One-Tank Trip for Aug. 1/15

 

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The Marvel superheroes plan to invade a venue near you for an epic battle against evil.

   Some 25 Marvel comic icons including Spider-Man, Captain America and the Avengers (Iron Man, Black Widow, Hulk and more) will jump from the comic book pages to do battle with threatening villains that come to life.

   Marvel Universe Live! is an action-packed, high-tech battle between good and evil that’s been touring 85 cities in the U.S. and Canada.

Spider-Man joins the fray with Marvel comic icons in the performance.

   They’ll be duking it out this weekend in Ottawa and then in Hamilton, Toronto and Montreal throughout this month.

   “It’s being hailed as the most technically advanced live show ever – a once-in-a-lifetime, monumental performance,” said publicist Beth Merrick.

Kinky Boots Singles Night at Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto

The Canadian Cast of Kinky Boots - Photo Credit: Cylla von Tiedemann

Friday August 14 8PM

Tickets begin at $29

TORONTO -- Following the resounding success of our social experiment at ONCE DATE NIGHT, where we matched over 1000 singles for a night of unforgettable theatre (and new romances), we have received hundreds of requests from the city's singles for another event.

So, without further ado... Single Ladies, Gentlemen, and those who have yet to make up their minds - Join us for KINKY BOOTS SINGLES NIGHT!

Tickets for the show at the Royal Alexandra Theatre start at $29. Included with your ticket are two complimentary drink vouchers that you can redeem at a mixer with your fellow singles before the show, and a second mixer after the show when you'll also meet the cast of KINKY BOOTS!