One Tank Trips: December 2015

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Pompeii: In the Shadow of the Volcano in final week at the ROM

ROM photo

TORONTO - Pompeii: In the Shadow of the Volcano is in its final week at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). After six crowd-pleasing months, Pompeii closes Sunday, January 3, 2016.

Since its explosive opening in June 2015, more than 200,000 visitors (as of November 23) have experienced the exhibition’s dramatic story of an ancient city captured in time.

Pompeii features approximately 200 artifacts with several objects never before travelling outside Italy. These include several new copies of casts of those who perished in Pompeii, created using state-of-the-art 3-D technology.

It was a white polar bear Christmas at the Toronto Zoo

We may not have a white Christmas here in Toronto, but we have a white Christmas here at the Toronto Zoo.

Our polar bear cub is now six weeks old and weighs 2.1 kg. Her eyes are now fully open, her nose and foot pads are now black and she is teething. Her ears are also fully open and she is able to hear. She now eats seven times a day, and still enjoys exercise or "play" time after each feed.

CLICK HERE and you can hear her "trilling", the sound of a very content bear.

This is still an extremely critical time for this tiny cub and Zoo staff are providing 24/7 care. Please note, the polar bear cub is not visible to the public.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Toronto Zoo's involvement in polar bear conservation.

Ringing in the New Year 2016 across Ontario; party on

One-Tank Trip for Dec. 26/15

Welcome 2016 at New Year’s Eve free outdoor parties as the countdown to midnight begins.

Some of the fun gatherings are in Niagara Falls, Toronto, Kitchener and London.

Canadian rock legend Tom Cochrane and Red Ryder will headline what is billed as “Canada’s largest New Year’s Eve bash” at Queen Victoria Park in Niagara Falls.

The Winter Festival of Lights continues through New Year’s Eve in Niagara. (Ontario Tourism)

The party begins at 8 p.m. overlooking the falls that each year attracts about 50,000 people.

It features two countdowns with fireworks – one for the youngsters at 8:45 p.m. and the other for the party hearty at the stroke of midnight.

Event organizers say Niagara Falls is the “place to be” on New Year’s Eve as the entire tourism district comes alive.

There’s great music in the park, family fun at Clifton Hill’s World Famous Street, gaming at Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara, along with a variety of restaurants and hotels.

It's Christmas showtime

One-Tank Trip for Dec. 12/15

The curtain is rising on holiday shows including Cinderella, Disney-On-Ice, White Christmas, Aladdin, the Nutcracker, Casa Loma magic and Peter Pan.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, the award-winning Broadway musical, offers a contemporary take on the classic tale.

A contemporary take on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Cinderella is at the Ed Mirvish Theatre. (Photo by Carol Rosegg)

This “lush production” at the Ed Mirvish Theatre (244 Victoria St.) in Toronto now through Jan. 10 features the pumpkin, glass slipper, masked ball and “some surprising new twists.”

Publicists call it a “hilarious and romantic Broadway experience,” with an orchestra performing the show’s classic music.

The Phantom of the Opera is at Mirvish’s Princess of Wales Theatre (300 King St. W.) now through Jan. 23.

This is Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical success on a new North American tour.

Called “bigger and better than ever before,” it has new special effects, scenic and lighting designs, staging and choreography. Details: mirvish.com; 1-800-461-3333

Holiday on ice

Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream, bringing Disney’s princess stories and fairy tales to the ice in Feld Entertainment’s production at Toronto’s Rogers Centre from Dec. 18 to 27.

The ice spectacular featuring scenes from Tangled, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and the Princess and the Frog, has 17 performances.

Art of the Christmas card and seasonal Victorian events

One-Tank Trip for Dec. 5/15

The “holiday season” is a time for reflection with numerous ways to step back in time to remember those cherished days of yesteryear.

Remember when sending and receiving Christmas cards was a holiday tradition, with strings of the greetings adorning living room ceilings?

Sending cards now is somewhat out of vogue with the advent of Facebook, texting and $1 postage stamps.

A.Y. Jackson designed this Christmas card and is among those on display. (McMichael Canadian Art Collection)

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection notes that cards were “widely recognized as a form of gift giving and spreading holiday cheer, combining inspirational imagery with heartfelt messages.”

They were works of art and the gallery in Kleinburg, north of Toronto, is showcasing ones designed by Canadian artists of the mid-20th century.

Canadian rockers Kim Mitchell and David Wilcox to co-headline at Casino Rama Resort

Comedy, Country and Classic Rock Highlight the March 2016 line-up

RAMA, ON – Casino Rama Resort is one of Ontario’s premier entertainment destinations hosting concerts & events by some of the biggest names on the charts.

Kim Mitchell

The tradition of presenting unmatched entertainment continues this spring with the announcement of the March 2016 schedule.

Highlights include a co-headlined show by Canadian rockers Kim Mitchell & David Wilcox, a magical night with Canadian illusionist Darcy Oake the winner of “Britain’s Got Talent”, as well as a night of laughs with the new host of “The Daily Show”, Trevor Noah.

Fans are invited to visit the Casino Rama Resort Facebook page to gain access to an exclusive pre-sale, along with a chance to beat the box office to win a pair of tickets to the show of their choice!

The just announced additions to the 2016 concert line-up at the award-wining Casino Rama Entertainment Centre include performances by:

LeAnn Rimes

Friday, March 4

SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM

“Can’t Fight the Moonlight”, “How Do I live” & “Blue

Tickets are $30/$40/$55”.

TORONTO, ON, Wednesday, December 9, 2015: The giant panda cubs' eyes are now partially open! This milestone can take place anywhere between six to eight weeks of age.

They are sensitive to both light and dark, but do not have any resolution yet. Not only are their eyes opening, but their vocalizations are becoming stronger each day, developing from what once was a quiet squeak to what can now be described as a stronger squawk.

Both cubs continue to grow, with their last weights both being over 2,000 grams and they average 48 centimetres in length from the tip of their head to tip of the tail!

Explore, create and experience the spirit of the holiday season at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection

(News Release)

Kleinburg, ON – Looking for some fun and festive activities this holiday season?

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection welcomes you to view a rare display of Christmas cards by some of Canada’s most loved artists in the exhibition This House Was Made for Christmas, on until January 31, 2016, and enjoy special seasonal programming for all ages.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the gallery’s founders, Robert and Signe McMichael, celebrated Christmas with a welcoming spirit, inviting neighbours into their home to enjoy their collection of Canadian art.

Now you can experience this warmth and the celebration of Christmas the McMichael way. The McMichael Founders’ Lounge is transformed for the holidays with Christmas trees, vintage ornaments and toys from the era of the McMichaels’ first Christmases in their home.

This Christmas card was designed by A.J. Casson in 1927. (McMichael Canadian Art Collection)

Programs include:

The Toronto Zoo is the place to be on Boxing Day

NEW Toronto Zoo Treats and Talks

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Zoo Hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Event Hours: 11:00 am to 2:30 pm

Enjoy 50% off admission all day and check out our extensive Keeper Talk Program that offers a fun holiday theme and delightful seasonal treats for the Zoo's animals.

Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Daily Bread Food Bank and any old cellphones to help support the Great Ape Conservation program. Plus, if you are looking to warm-up from the cold why not drop by the Zoo's new Indoor Giraffe Exhibit, or one of the Zoo's five indoor and exotic pavilions.

On behalf of the Toronto Zoo and our 5,000+ animals, Happy Holidays!

CLICK HERE for more information and to view the three suggested routes.

*Please note this is an outdoor event and subject to change without notice. Proceeds from this day go to the Endangered Species Reserve Fund.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

3rd Annual Move Your Paws For The Polar Bear Cause1K/5K Walk/Run

Saturday, February 27, 2015

Toronto: Jan. 16, 17, 2016

DESCRIPTION: Monster Jam® is the most exciting form of family motorsports entertainment on the planet. The stars of the show are the biggest performers on four wheels: the Monster Jam trucks!

Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, Monster Jam trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds.

Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, Monster Jam trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster Jam trucks can fly up to 125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.