Disney On Ice warms winter; LEGO Batman in Toronto, Metro Detroit

   One-Tank Trip for Feb. 25-17

   (c) By Jim Fox

   An all-new Disney On Ice show glides into London and Toronto next month featuring Disney-Pixar’s Inside Out and Finding Dorey.

   Then, join Mickey and Minnie Mouse as they travel to four timeless worlds in the fun-filled Disney On Ice show Passport to Adventure in Hamilton.

   Dory and friends glide into London for Disney On Ice’s Follow Your Heart. (Feld Entertainment photos)

   The action-packed adventure Follow Your Heart takes to the ice at London’s Budweiser Gardens from March 2 to 5 and at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, March 15 to 19.

   This live production produced by Feld Entertainment is an ice-skating extravaganza featuring Inside Out, Disney’s Frozen and other stories.

   Publicist Beth Merrick says the story swims with Dory, Nemo, Marlin and new pal Hank from Finding Dory as they embark on a life-changing excursion to find her parents and discover the meaning of family.

Art action comes alive for fourth annual Railway City Arts Crawl in St. Thomas, Ontario

(News Release)

City-wide arts celebration sees increase in number of participating artists and host venues

                                                                               

St. Thomas, ON: The Railway City Arts Crawl is back for its 4^th straight year.

The popular winter celebration of local arts and culture invites people to explore venues throughout St. Thomas and meet talented local artists engaging in the creative process.

A free Arts Crawl passport is available at participating venues and helps arts crawlers locate the venues and artists they'd like to explore over the two-day event on February 24^th and 25^th.

A snapshot from the 2016 Crawl at Railway City Brewing Company.

Arts Crawl Coordinator Megan Pickersgill says there are more artists participating and more interactive projects this year.

“There's an ice sculpture in the making at the Elgin County Railway Museum”, said Pickersgill. “Watch a train emerge out of ice while you are surrounded by the big trains of the past”.

Toronto Zoo goes wild through Family Day

Open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm daily*

 

Bring your family to meet ours this Family Day weekend! Meet Canada’s only giant panda cubs, 

Jia Yueyue and Jia Panpan, enjoy over 10 km of walking trails and explore five indoor tropical pavilions. 

Plus, stop by and wish our male Indian rhino calf, Nandu, a Happy First Birthday – he turned one year old

on Friday, February 17^th!  And don’t forget about attending one of the Zoo’s daily animal keeper 

talks, schedule here.

 

Connecting with Wildlife Conservation - Big and Small Wild Families
From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Daily

 

Kids and adults will have the opportunity to connect with wildlife conservation by visiting our BIG and SMALL interactive Interpretive Stations at Polar Bears, African Rainforest and Indo-Malaya Pavilion. Check out our schedule and drop by to learn about how we at the Toronto Zoo are working hard to save and protect animals from around the world.

 

Everything's coming up . . .

   One-Tank Trip for Feb. 18-17

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Everything’s coming up roses and you name it while savouring an early taste of spring at area garden shows.

   The Canadian Shield Rose will debut as “flower of the year” at Canada Blooms in Toronto to mark Canada’s 150th birthday.

A piano with water coming flowing was designed by Richard’s Lawn and Garden in Stratford. (Doug Bingham photos)

   A much-anticipated show is the Stratford Garden Festival from March 2 to 5 and there’s the upcoming Orchid Society show at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

   “Earthly Delights” is the theme of Stratford’s fest at the Rotary Complex, presented by the Lung Association and sponsored by Pro Resp.

   “Welcome spring, savour the scent of fresh mulch, take in the colour of blooming flowers and revel in the earthly delights,” said Deedee Herman, lung association area manager.

   Highlights include numerous gardens that “showcase the talent and creativity of area landscapers and offer inspiration for the gardening season ahead.”

There are lots of colourful flowers at the Stratford Garden Festival.

   Visitors will discover ideas to apply to their own gardens.

Peller Estates launches Barrel Cellar Dinner Series

(News Release)

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ontario --Visitors to Peller Estates Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake can now enjoy the ultimate wine country experience in a brand new series that takes guests on a wine and culinary adventure with exquisite tasting menus created by Executive Chef and CityLine personality Jason Parsons in the stunning Peller Estates Barrel Cellar.  

Each dinner in the series has a unique theme that treats guests to a pre-dinner reception, cooking demo or wine seminar before they are whisked away into one of Niagara’s most memorable underground barrel cellars (surrounded by 300 wine barrels) for a four-course dinner perfectly paired with Peller Estates VQA wines. 

“We set out to create a dining experience that truly captures the flavours Niagara has to offer in an unforgettable setting.  As a proud member of Feast Ontario, it’s always been our philosophy to create seasonal menus using ingredients from Canadian farmers and producers.

Pairing each dish with one of our premium VQA wines and serving dinner in the Barrel Cellar creates an atmosphere that engages all five senses”, explains Winery Executive Chef Jason Parsons. “It definitely provides an exciting dining opportunity for both visitors and Niagara locals by celebrating everything our region is known for”, he adds.

Explore the magical northern landscape this Family Day at HarbourKIDS: North

WHAT:
Harbourfront Centre celebrates the northern winter landscape with HarbourKIDS: North. Featuring free family activities, discover, examine and explore the mighty expanse of the North and its ever-changing terrain while considering conservation and respect for the environment.

WHERE:
235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, M5J 2G8

WHEN:
February 20, 2017 (11am-5pm)

HIGHLIGHTS:

Blue Mountain Village has lots happening on Family Day Weekend 2017

FAMILY DAY WEEKEND (FEBRUARY 18-20)

There’s no better way to spend Family Day Weekend than at Blue Mountain Village!  Gather the family for a weekend of skiing and entertainment.  Head off on a FAMILY CHANNEL Scavenger Hunt, try maple taffy on snow, join a DJ party in the heart of the Village, or check out one of the free activities below:

New concerts at Casino Rama: Bill Engvall, Reza, Riverdance, Umverto Tozzi in May 2017

Great Entertainment Headlines at Casino Rama Resort

New concerts added to the spring 2017 event line-up at the Great Indoors

RAMA, ON (Monday, February 13^th, 2017) - Casino Rama Resort is one of Ontario’s premier entertainment destinations offering world-class concerts & events year round in our award-winning Entertainment Centre. The just released additions to the 2017 concert line-up includes performances by:   

Bill Engvall

Saturday, May 6

SHOWTIME: 8 PM, DOORS OPEN: 7 PM

Tickets are $39.82/$48.67/$57.52

This popular Southern comedian is a celebrated actor, Grammy nominated, multi-platinum selling recording artist and a member of the now legendary Blue Collar Comedy team #HeresYourSign

REZA

Edge of Illusion Tour

Friday, May 12

SHOWTIME: 9 PM, DOORS OPEN: 8 PM

Saturday, May 13

SHOWTIME: 1 PM, DOORS OPEN 12 noon

Tickets are $23.89/$32.74/$46.02

Hailed by critics as the Nation's Top Touring Illusionist, Reza has sold out venues across North America, entertaining millions.  He has been profiled/featured on television and radio in 31 countries around the world.

Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau announces five new participants in the D Discount Pass program

(News Release)

 DETROIT – The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCVB) is excited to announce five new participating attractions to The D Discount Pass, a downloadable pass designed to save visitors money on admission to metro Detroit attractions.

New participants include:

·         The Adventure Park at West Bloomfield, 20 percent off admission

·         Automotive Hall of Fame, 20 percent off admission

·         Detroit Institute of Arts, 20 percent off admission

·         United Shore Professional Baseball League, 20 percent off admission

·         Wheelhouse Detroit, half off two-hour rental

“Since the program’s inception in 2014, more than 24,000 tourists and locals have utilized The D Discount Pass,” said Larry Alexander, DMCVB President and CEO.

“We’re thrilled to have a variety of new participants on board this year. We appreciate their contribution to this free program that saves metro Detroit visitors money.”

Detroit's iconic Buddy's Pizza to open 12th location in Ann Arbor

   (c) By Jim Fox

   ANN ARBOR, Michigan --Buddy’s Pizza, home of the original Detroit-style square pizza, will be opening in Ann Arbor by “late summer.”

    In the 71st year since the introduction of the “Original Sicilian Style Square Pizza,” Buddy’s will expand to 12 outlets throughout Metro Detroit with the opening in Ann Arbor.

   It will be located in the Pittsfield Place development on Ann Arbor-Saline Road.

Buddy’s continues to pile up awards and accolades and is regularly named one of the top pizzas in Detroit, Michigan and the United States.

 

   The chain opened its first location at the corner of Six Mile Road and Conant Street in Detroit in 1946.

   Offering traditional Sicilian-style square pizza, made-from-scratch soup, celebrated antipasto salad and more, the family owned restaurant uses only the freshest ingredients and original family recipes.

The Hawaiian pizza (top) and Detroit Zoo pie at the Dearborn location. (Barbara Fox photo)

Winter warriors take to the ice, snow and Kidapalooza Family Festival in Markham

   One-Tank Trip for Feb. 11-17

   By Jim Fox

   Attention winter warriors, let’s brrrrrrr-ing it on.

   The Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association (The Heart of Ontario) has just the activities that should be of interest.

   Don’t hibernate when you can be a “winter warrior,” not a winter wimp, said Maria Fortunato, executive director.

An icy pursuit on Ancaster’s frozen Tiffany Falls. (Hamilton Halton Brant photos)

  

   “If time truly does fly when you’re having fun, it will be spring before you know it with these great options for outdoor adventures,” she added.

    Climb a frozen waterfall

   Local outfitter One Axe Pursuits gears up participants and offers instructions on hacking your way up Ancaster’s frozen Tiffany Falls and the Elora Gorge.

   Armed with an ice axe, courses are offered at both locations (weather permitting).

   “It is an especially empowering feeling to reach the top of a frozen waterfall,” organizers said, adding: “No one said ice climbing is easy, but who wanted easy anyway?”

Juno Award Nominee Alysha Brilla of Kitchener in concert February 24 at Stratford’s Revival House

Stratford worth a winter visit

Stratford, ON (February 6, 2017) – String Bone Presents! critically-acclaimed singer, songwriter and producer Alysha Brilla in concert February 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm at Stratford’s Revival House. Opening the show will be Juno-nominated Andrew McPherson (Eccodeck). Prior to the concert Stratford’s Deejay Edward Bear (aka Shane Hartman) will be spinning some groovy beats.

Alysha Brilla's route to success has taken her from southwestern Ontario through to Los Angeles and the Juno Awards. Her music reflects the diversity of her upbringing.

Born in Mississauga to an Indo-Tanzanian immigrant father and a European-Canadian mother, Alysha regularly performs in Toronto and lives in Kitchener, a town where she feels comfortable in and where there is a plethora of interesting musicians to jam with.

A graduate of Humber College's jazz program, Alysha Brilla plays guitar, piano and djembe.
Vocally, she dabbles in Amy Winehouse retro soul-jazz with moments of calypso, rumba and acoustic balladry. Her new music draws on the influences of her unique ethnic background. An ancestral journey to her father’s homeland in 2015 delivered inspiration for ten new songs which blend Indian and East African sounds with a contemporary aesthetic.

Chelsea Hotel makes it easier to stay longer in Toronto

(News Release)

TORONTO – Chelsea Hotel, Toronto, is having a winter sale and you won’t want to miss it.
 
Guests staying for one night will save 15%. Those wishing to stay two or more nights will enjoy a savings of 20%. Savings are based on the best rate of the day and subject to availability.
 
When you stay at Chelsea Hotel, downtown Toronto is in your backyard. Whether you’re a lover of theatre, art, sports, shopping or the culinary scene, Chelsea knows Toronto .

Chris de Burgh’s ‘A Better World’ tour headed to Casino Rama Resort

(News Release)

RAMA, ON - Casino Rama Resort is excited to announce the addition of popular performer Chris de Burgh to the fall concert line-up at one of Ontario’s premier entertainment destinations.

As part of a 16-city Canadian tour de Burgh will make his Entertainment Centre debut on Friday, October 6^th 2017, at 9 p.m. performing his greatest hits and live cuts from his brand new album, A Better World.

Fans can expect to hear a selection of some of Chris de Burgh’s greatest hit songs from an international career that spans over 30 years as well as some selections from his latest album, including the single “Bethlehem”, which is a reminder of what a great rocker he is at heart.

Monster Jam lets loose in London, Ontario Feb. 11 and 12 (2017)

London Lineup Features 8 Trucks including Grave Digger, Northern Nightmare

Plus 2 Father/Daughter Drivers

LONDON, ON – January 30, 2017 – Monster Jam fans get ready for a battle at Budweiser Gardens this February!  Feld Motor Sports® has announced three massive Monster Jam shows in London: February 11 at 1pm & 7pm and February 12^th at 1pm. 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.

Celebrating 25 years of adrenaline-charged family entertainment, Monster Jam combines spontaneous entertainment with the ultimate off-road, motorsport competition. Monster Jam events are affordably priced for the whole family with seats starting at $20*. Tickets are on sale now and are available at Budweiser Gardens Box Office, www.budweisergardens.com, or by calling (866) 455-2849.

Final weekend to say goodbye to the Toronto Zoo's White Lion Cubs

Toronto Zoo has confirmed our white lion cubs, Hank, Harrison, Oliver, and Gus, will be travelling after this weekend to their new home at Parc Safari, Quebec. Parc Safari will offer these lions the opportunity to form their own pride, and this is the next step in behavioural development for these young lions.   The lions will be outside daily during the Lion Keeper Talk at 1:30pm* in the African Savanna,  now through Sunday February 12th, 2017 so if you are planning a last visit, you’re best to stop  by during this time to ensure a sighting.

Cool outings to Ontario Parks

   One-Tank Trip for Feb. 4-17

   (c) By Jim Fox

   For a cool getaway, numerous Ontario Parks are open for winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

   At this time of year, the air is crisp and invigorating and the forest is hushed in the 19 provincial parks that offer more than 450 kilometres of trails.

   Half of all trails are groomed or track set and many include warm-up shelters and washrooms.

   In all, there are 26 provincial parks open during the winter with services and facilities ranging from day use to front and back country camping and roofed accommodation.

A gaggle of cross-country skiers for the Sleeping Giant Loppet on March 4. (Ontario Parks photos)

   Some of the parks also offer equipment rentals and skating.

   Ontario Parks provides the following examples of the wintry fun: