Ingersoll Choral Society’s Dinner Theatre presents “ICS Goes West”

(News Release)



INGERSOLL, Ontario -- You’ll want to be there when the Elm Hurst Inn becomes an old time western saloon as “ICS Goes West” in January.

Featuring songs inspired by the pioneers and early settlers, this Dinner Theatre is a departure in musical style for the Ingersoll Choral Society and promises to be an entertaining evening/afternoon of great music and fun.

Musical Director, Holly Langohr, invites you to “travel back in time to enjoy the beauty of the American Folk Song in the wild, Wild West!

Kick off the New Year with Orillia 150 and skating through the week

(News release)

 New Year’s Eve in Orillia will be a night to remember as the city kicks off its 150th anniversary and the start of many great events planned for 2017.

Orillia became a village in 1867, the very same year Canada became a country and New Year’s Eve and Day will mark the beginning of this milestone celebration. The Orillia community has been preparing a wide variety of experiences for throughout the sesquicentennial year; the first is set to take place on Dec. 31, 2016, at Rotary Place.

“City staff have engaged extensively with partners in the Orillia community to offer special programming throughout 2017 that celebrates Orillia’s sesquicentennial. Join me and others as we honour Orillia’s past, present and future – all starting on Dec. 31st,” said Mayor Steve Clarke.

New Year's Eve and week at Blue Mountain Village

Ring in the New Year at Blue Mountain Village! Choose from over a dozen New Year's Eve celebrations in the Village, then enjoy FREE family fireworks over the Mill Pond at 9:30pm and the main show at midnight over the mountain. 

 

Click the link below for information on reservations and to purchase tickets to events throughout the Village. 

Learn More

JINGLES & JOY: ON NOW UNTIL JANUARY 8! Daily horse & wagon rides, interactive drumming, groove dancing, Columbia snowshoe tours, and more! Visit our website for more information. Click the links below for a printable schedule of the events & activities taking place in the Village: December 23 – 30 December 31 – January 8

Learn More

Learn More

JINGLES & JOY: ON NOW UNTIL JANUARY 8!

Daily horse & wagon rides, interactive drumming, groove dancing, Columbia snowshoe tours, and more! Visit our website for more information. Click the links below for a printable schedule of the events & activities taking place in the Village: December 23 – 30 December 31 – January 8

JINGLES & JOY: ON NOW UNTIL JANUARY 8!

JINGLES & JOY: ON NOW UNTIL JANUARY 8!

Daily horse & wagon rides, interactive drumming, groove dancing, Columbia snowshoe tours, and more! Visit our website for more information. Click the links below for a printable schedule of the events & activities taking place in the Village: December 23 – 30 December 31 – January 8

Daily horse & wagon rides, interactive drumming, groove dancing, Columbia snowshoe tours, and more! Visit our website for more information. Click the links below for a printable schedule of the events & activities taking place in the Village: December 23 – 30 December 31 – January 8

Daily horse & wagon rides, interactive drumming, groove dancing, Columbia snowshoe tours, and more! Visit our website for more information. Click the links below for a printable schedule of the events & activities taking place in the Village:

December 23 – 30
December 31 – January 8

Harbourfront Centre presents DJ Skate Nights, Toronto’s ultimate winter block party

  WHAT:
Harbourfront Centre’s DJ Skate Nights return to the Natrel Rink with non-stop dancing every Saturday night. Sharpen those skates and skills as local and international DJs drop electrifying beats, guaranteed to keep the party going all night.
  WHERE:
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, M5J 2G8
  FULL LINEUP:
A New Year’s Eve Ice Skating Jam Named Saturdays featuring DJ P-Plus in partnership with Ian Andre Espinet Entertainment: December 31, 8pm – 1am Beam Me Up with A Digital Needle & Cyclist: January 7, 8–11pm La Rumba Buena by Blancon & Drumspeak: January 14, 8–11pm Globetrotter by DJ medicineman: January 21, 8–11pm Bey Skate with DJ Lissa Monet: January 28, 8–11pm Soca on Ice featuring Dr. Jay de Soca Prince: February 4, 8–11pm GUMBO featuring DJ Revy_B: February 11, 8–11pm 1 LOVE T.O.’s 10th Anniversary Party featuring DJ DLUX & YUKNODIS: February 18, 8– 11pm

For further information on DJ Skate Nights, please visit http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/djskatenights or call Harbourfront Centre at 416-973-4000.
 

–30–

Toronto Zoo animals ready to party with all of their friends; White Christmas with butterflies in Cambridge

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 24/16

  (c) By Jim Fox

   “Someone told me it’s all happening at the zoo.
   I do believe it; I do believe it’s true.”

   - At the Zoo, Simon & Garfunkel

   The popular Boxing Day event at the Toronto Zoo to see the animals celebrating the holiday features a series of treks.

   The special Treats and Talks program on Monday also has half-price admission.

   “Visitors can choose from one of three treks to learn about our animals and watch as they enjoy special holiday treats,” said publicist Amanda Chambers.

Visitors to the Toronto Zoo can view the two adult and two baby pandas. (Toronto Zoo)

   Trek 1 starts at 11 a.m. at the Giant Pandas Experience and moves to the Eurasia Wilds with the camels and ends at Tundra Trek with the polar bears at 12:30 p.m.

   Trek 2 starts at 12:30 p.m. with the river otters for indoor viewing and then to the Americas Pavilion to see snakes, ending inside with Indian rhinos.

   Trek 3 begins at 1 p.m. at the Indio-Malaya Pavilion with the Sumatran orangutans, heads to the African Rainforest Pavilion and the ring-tailed lemurs, finishing with the African Savanna’s white lions.

Ring-tailed lemurs are the topic of a zoo enrichment program. (Toronto Zoo)

Winter getaway specials and free ski passes to Horseshoe Resort

EMBRACE WINTER & SAVE
WINTER GETAWAY SPECIAL
SAVE UP TO 15% BETWEEN JANUARY 2 - MARCH 18

The snow has arrived in Muskoka and we're ready to get outside and embrace it, are you?

Packed with outdoor fun, hearty winter menus and cozy accommodations, Deerhurst makes it easy to find your ideal winter escape. ​

BONUS GIFT: ​STAY ON THIS OFFER BETWEEN JANUARY 8 – 31
GET 2 FREE HORSESHOE SKI PASSES – A VALUE OF $140!

Last chance to experience CHIHULY at the Royal Ontario Museum

Must-see exhibition’s extended engagement ends Jan. 8, 2017 

TORONTO, December 20, 2016 — Time is running out to catch CHIHULY, one of the Royal Ontario Museum’s most popular exhibitions this year. During CHIHULY’s Toronto engagement, hundreds of thousands of ROM visitors have been captivated by the visually stunning artworks of the internationally renowned artist Dale Chihuly.

With the exhibition drawing to a close on Sunday, January 8, 2017, visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the Museum’s extended holiday hours to experience the otherworldly beauty and breathtaking artworks of this crowd-pleasing exhibition while they can. 

On display in the Museum’s Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall, the luminous show features 11 spectacular installations that include a number of Chihuly’s iconic pieces, as well as artworks created exclusively for the ROM exhibition.

A favourite with visitors of all ages, the popularity of CHIHULY has contributed to a strong summer/fall season for the ROM, positioning the Museum to repeat last year’s impressive admission numbers of 1.1 million visitors.

It’s a white Christmas at the Toronto Zoo - Come out and say farewell to the White Lion Cubs

(News Release)

 

TORONTO, ON, Wednesday, December 21, 2016 - The Toronto Zoo is announcing that all four white lion cubs, Hank, Harrison, Oliver and Gus, will be embarking on an exciting journey to Parc Safari in Quebec in early 2017.

Visitors will have a chance to see the Zoo’s 15 month old white lion cubs over the holiday break for one last time. This move for the four cubs signifies the next step in their behavioural development as they will have the opportunity to form their own pride.

  The birth of Makali's cubs has been a wonderful opportunity to spread the word on the plight of African lions in the wild.

As one of the Zoo's key mandates is to educate visitors on current conservation issues and help preserve biodiversity, these cubs help highlight the importance of lion conservation and what is being done to preserve this magnificent species in Africa. The Toronto Zoo supports lion conservation efforts in the wild through the Toronto Zoo Endangered Species Reserve Fund.

Lighting up the "festive" season

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 17/16

  (c) By Jim Fox

  Let there be lights – millions of them ablaze in cities and towns casting a festive glow at this time of year.

   There’s the Niagara Winter Festival of Lights, Bingemans’ Gift of Lights in Kitchener, Amherstburg’s River Lights, Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village and Simcoe’s Christmas Panorama to name a few.

  Fireworks light up the night sky over Niagara Falls.

   Called “Canada’s foremost illumination festival,” Niagara Falls says it “captures the magic of the holiday season” now through Jan. 31.

   More than one-million people view the eight-kilometre “illumination route” through the Niagara Parks, Dufferin Islands and into the surrounding tourist areas around the falls.

   There are millions of sparkling lights and animated displays including a huge Canadian-U.S. flag, Skylon Tower, Zimmerman Fountain, Canadian wildlife sculptures and Religions of the World themes.

   The illumination of the power generating station has a choreographed sound and light show with an interactive display of reindeers leading Santa’s sleigh and there’s a 3-D show on the facade of the Oakes Hotel.

A $4-million upgrade provides more robust lighting of the Horseshoe and American falls.

What's all happening at the Toronto Zoo

‘Tis the season for giving! From now through Dec. 25 (2016), check out our “12 Days of Giveaways” on the Zoo’s Facebook page.

From discounts to giveaways, we will be posting a special surprise for our Facebook fans to enjoy each day at 9:00 am. Be sure to share with your friends and family too for their chance to win including hashtag #TZ12DaysofGiveaways

To LIKE us on Facebook...

UPCOMING EVENTS

You can have a white Christmas at the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory

CAMBRIDGE, Ontario -- It's going to be a white Christmas again this year at Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory with the opening of the eighth annual Flight of White exhibition.

This truly unique holiday exhibit transforms the tropical Butterfly Conservatory into a magical oasis featuring thousands of additional Rice Paper butterflies that flutter like snowflakes through the conservatory.

The Flight of White experience also includes lush tropical poinsettia flowers, thousands of sparkling white lights, and soft strains of classical music playing in the background.

“The Rice Paper is a favourite of our guests because among all of our butterflies they land on visitors most often,” said Adrienne Brewster, Executive Director and Curator. “The Flight of White exhibit is a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of holiday activities.”

2017 Monster Jam rides into Rogers Centre

(News Release)

 

TORONTO -- Monster Jam® is the most action-packed live event on four wheels where world-class drivers compete in front of capacity crowds in both monster truck racing and freestyle competitions. It roars into Toronto's Rogers Centre on Jan. 28 and 29, 2017.

Celebrating 25 years of adrenaline-charged family entertainment, Monster Jam combines spontaneous entertainment with the ultimate off-road, motorsport competition. Monster Jam features the most recognizable trucks in the world including Grave Digger®, Max-DTM, El Toro Loco®, Monster Mutt® and many more.

Grave Digger flies through the air (Feld Entertainment)

Monster Jam events leave you on the edge of your seat as these competitors thrill fans with jaw-dropping displays of gravity-defying feats.

Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family makes North American premiere at Waterloo Region Museum

(News Release)

 

WATERLOO REGION – A blockbuster exhibit Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family makes its North American premiere at the Waterloo Region Museum in Kitchener, Ontario this winter and is on exhibit from February 3 to April 30.

Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family, developed by the Australian Museum, is an innovative, hands-on immersive experience. Come face-to-face with life-sized dinosaur skeletons, including ‘Scotty’ the Tyrannosaurus rex.

“We’re thrilled to bring this incredible exhibit about Tyrannosaurs to Canada,” said Geoff Lorentz, Regional Councillor and Chair of the Region of Waterloo Community Services Committee.

“Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family provides a snapshot of dinosaur life and shows how this group of animals became the world’s top predators with their massive skulls, powerful jaws and bone-crunching teeth. Who isn’t fascinated by dinosaurs!” said Tom Reitz, Manager/Curator of the Waterloo Region Museum.

The Waterloo Region Museum anticipates record crowds to see this world class exhibition that is on exhibit during Family Day weekend and March Break.

DJ Skate Nights, Toronto’s coolest party, returns to Harbourfront Centre, Dec. 17– Feb. 18 (2017)

TORONTO, ON – This winter, sharpen your skates and skills as Harbourfront Centre’s DJ Skate Nights return to the Natrel Rink. Get ready for nine weeks of non-stop dancing every Saturday night (excluding December 24) as DJs drop electrifying beats guaranteed to keep the city grooving all night.

The needle drops on December 17 with Katie Stelmanis (Austra), and the fun just keeps going from there. On December 31, count down to the new year at DJ Skate Nights: A New Year’s Eve Ice Jam Named Saturdays serves up the hottest hits of R&B, hip hop and Top 40.

No posing, no pretense, just real music! Then, on February 4, Dr. Jay de Soca Prince brings back the ever-popular Soca on Ice. The party concludes on February 18 with a family skate fest with none other than 1 LOVE T.O.’s annual winter skate party, hosted by Mr. 1 LOVE T.O. himself, Tyrone ‘T-rex’ Edwards. DJ DLUX, official DJ for the Toronto Blue Jays, and YUKNODIS will be spinning funk, hip hop, R&B and house beats.

Lighting up the Christmas season at Bingemans in Kitchener

Getting in the spirit of the holidays with Bingemans’ Gift of Lights

KITCHENER, Ont. — An illuminating two-kilometre drive through Bingemans campground is putting Waterloo Region into the Christmas spirit.

With more than 30 static and animated displays boasting one million twinkling lights — including a 200-foot light tunnel as the stunning conclusion — Bingemans’ Gift of Lights opened to rave reviews.

“We’re very excited hearing and seeing guests’ reactions to the displays,” says Mark Bingeman, President of Bingemans. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. People are travelling from an hour away — sometimes more — and are very glad they made the drive. We are looking forward to adding new and exciting holiday experiences to Gift of Lights next year.”

Give the gift of Ontario Parks

(News Release)

Give Ontario Parks this holiday season. Park gift certificates and seasonal vehicle day-use permits allow family and friends who love the outdoors to experience Ontario Parks in a variety of ways. Both are easy to purchase from Ontario Parks' online

store, https://www.ontarioparks.com/parkstore.

 

Proceeds support Ontario Parks directly. Gift certificates come in $20 denominations. Seasonal day-use vehicle permits are available for winter ($75 CDN), summer ($111 CDN) or year round  ($155 CDN)) visits.

 

They allow for unlimited daily vehicle entry to all Ontario Parks while valid. Christmas orders must be placed by December 16 for Canada and December 12 for the U.S. Here are a few of the ways family and friends can enjoy their Ontario Park gifts:

 

Use gift certificate (s) to: 

Casino Rama Resort adds Gordon Lightfoot, Travis Tritt and more to the 2017 concert line-up

Make this Holiday Season a Memorable One with the Gift of Music

RAMA, ON (Monday, December 12^th, 2016) – Long known as one of the premier entertainment destinations in Ontario, Casino Rama Resort has earned its reputation for presenting world-class concerts & events one outstanding performance at a time.  For anyone with a music fan on their gift list these new concert announcements might be just the ticket to making you a Holiday Hero this season!

The additions to the 2017 Casino Rama Resort concert line-up include performances by:

André-Philippe Gagnon

Friday, March 3

SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM

Saturday, March 4

SHOWTIME: 8 PM, DOORS OPEN: 7 PM

Tickets are $32.50/$42.50/$54.50

This award-winning Canadian comedian known for his 400+ unique impersonations, including both the singing and speaking voices of various celebrities, returns to perform live.

Travis Tritt

Friday, March 10

SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM

Tickets are $30.97/$39.82/$54.86

“It’s a Great Day to Be Alive”, “Anymore” & “Tell Me I Was Dreaming”.

Tanya Tucker

Saturday, March 11

SHOWTIME: 8 PM, DOORS OPEN: 7 PM

Tickets are $22/$32/$42

“Delta Dawn”, “Strong Enough to Bend” & “Would You Lay with Me (In A Field of Stone).

Disney On Ice glides into Toronto for the holidays; Monster Jam roars

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 10/16

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Disney princess fans will be excited to learn that a new wintry ice show featuring sisters Anna and Elsa and the hilarious snowman Olaf glide into Toronto over the holidays.

   Not one, two or three but eight Disney princesses – Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana, Jasmine, Aurora and Snow White – embark on “incredible adventures, determined to make their dreams come true.”

Ariel and friends perform in the Disney On Ice show. (All photos from Feld Entertainment)

    The tales of these most courageous leading ladies are told through artistic skating and acrobatics in Disney On Ice’s Dream Big at the Rogers Centre from Dec. 23 to Jan. 1 for 15 performances.

   It features “high-flying jumps, daring acrobatics, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends,” making this an unforgettable family show, said publicist Beth Merrick.

   Produced by Feld Entertainment, the audience will “experience the sisterly love that has captivated millions as Disney’s Frozen is brought to life on the icy stage,” she added.

Rant Maggie Rant brings holiday tradition to Stratford's Revival House

News Release

 

8^th annual Frost & Fire: A Celtic Christmas Celebration! – A night of music, comradery and joy

Rant Maggie Rant (from left to right): Steve Clark, Rob Larose, Glen Dias, Lindsay Schindler, Barry James Payne and Daev Clysdale.

 Stratford, ON (December 9, 2016) – For eight consecutive years, Rant Maggie Rant’s fans and friends have reunited in Stratford to celebrate the holiday season. This year’s Frost & Fire: A Celtic Christmas Celebration! concert will be held at Stratford’s Revival House. Concert time 8:00 pm on December 16, 2016.

“The show is a seasonal celebration of music, as well as a gathering place for friends, family and loved ones,” said Glen Dias, the band’s lead vocalist. “We realized that Frost & Fire has evolved into more of a community experience now.”

Rant Maggie Rant will be entertaining the audience with their distinctive rootsy Christmas tunes, ancient and traditional Celtic melodies, blazing jigs and reels, lesser known seasonal fare and new material from their recently released CD Latitude.

Based in Stratford, Ontario, Rant Maggie Rant showcases the talents of Lindsay Schindler (fiddle, background vocals) who also performs with the acclaimed Ontario folk trio Trent Severn; Glen Dias (lead vocals, recorders, percussion); and Barry James Payne (guitars, harmonica, bouzouki, background vocals). Joining them will be guest musicians Steve Clark (bass) and Rob Larose (percussion), who both hail from London, Ontario, as well as Stratford’s Rosanna Vito (harp) and Toronto’s Daev Clysdale (Irish whistle, Irish flute and accordion).

Jingles & Joy at Blue Mountain Village

On Saturday from 1-4, join us in the Event's Plaza for pet portraits with Santa! Donations collected will benefit the Georgian Triangle Humane Society. Visit www.gths.ca/wishlist for a complete list of items in need. High-res images will be available for download on Monday, December 12th from the Blue Mountain Village website. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village are a seasonal treat in Michigan

Model T rides are offered through Greenfield Village during Holiday Nights. (Barbara Fox photo)

 

 

(News Release)
 

Don’t Miss the No. 1 Event of the Season presented by Citizens Bank

Dearborn, Mich. – See why Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village presented by Citizens Bank continues to be voted a can’t-miss family-friendly event each year. Tickets are going fast for this authentic and immersive holiday celebration that continues on Dec. 9-11, 16-18, 20-23 and 26-30 from 6:30 p.m to 10 p.m.

“There is no better way to celebrate the holiday season than with the sights, sounds and sensations of Greenfield Village,” said Rick Hampson, state president of Citizens Bank, Michigan. “We are proud to be a part of this celebration and continue our partnership with The Henry Ford as presenting sponsor of the 2016 Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village.”

This unique holiday experience immerses visitors in 300 years of holiday history. Inside the historic homes, visitors will be welcomed by the smell of evergreen-filled parlors and freshly baked-holiday treats as presenters bring to life traditional menu staples.

At Giddings Home, the rich aroma of chocolate will greet guests as they watch presenters preparing hot cocoa 1700s-style. If the smells and sights inside the homes work up an appetite, food stations throughout the streets will be available with hot chocolate, hot apple cider, roasted chestnuts and a roast beef carving station.

Children can visit Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Bramalea City Centre

HAVE YOU BEEN NAUGHTY OR NICE?

Brampton, Ontario – Get your wish list ready! Santa has arrived at Bramalea City Centre (25 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton) and he is meeting with boys and girls to find out what they want to find under the Christmas tree until December 24 (2016) in Santa’s Winter Wonderland, sponsored by Pandora in the Bay Court.

NEW for 2016, families can schedule appointments for photos and a personalized visit with Santa from December 5 to 24. For more information, visit bramaleacitycentre.com.    

Visit Santa in his Winter Wonderland until December 24

“Join us for a traditional Santa visit in his Winter Wonderland in the Bay Court where no appointment is necessary,” states Eleni Koukoulidis, Marketing Director, Bramalea City Centre.

The Foxes meet the animal critters at Parc Omega, Quebec

   One-Tank Trip for Dec. 3/16

   (c) By Jim Fox

   You can talk to the animals, feed them and get up close like nowhere else at a drive-through safari park a short distance from Ottawa.

   Parc Omega, just 45 minutes east in Montebello, Que., isn’t a zoo but a “natural life museum,” says Serge Lussier, zoologist and park ambassador.

   “We’re here to discover Canadian animals, history and heritage,” says Lussier who was previously with the African Lion Safari in Cambridge.

   Calling this sprawling 890-hectare park a “Canadian hidden treasure,” it’s the only one of its kind in Canada, he added.

Feeding time for this huge elk at Parc Omega. (Jim Fox photo)

   We took a 90-minute, winding 15-kilometre road journey to discover animals living in the wild in their natural habitat. (There is also a safari bus, open vehicles and tour guides available.)

   Animals at almost every turn kept coming up to Lussier’s vehicle to see what treats we had for them.

It's all happening at the Toronto Zoo: Ring-tailed Lemur enrichment

(News Release)

Saturday's in December at the Toronto Zoo

African Rainforest Pavilion, 1:30 pm

Ring-tailed Lemurs are one of the more widely recognized of all lemur species due to their long black and white ringed tails.

Native only to the Island of Madagascar, they also happen to be one of the most terrestrial of all lemur species.

Come out to the African Rainforest every Saturday in December at 1:30 pm to see our Lemurs receive special enrichment and learn more about these incredible primates.