Scene Winter 2018/19

WINTER 2018/19

Your guide to fun and entertainment in Prince George

event listings

Don’t miss a thing!

PAGE 19

A Christmas Carol Returns to the Playhouse Stage PAGE 4

UNBC Legacy Breakfast Brings

Curling legend

Olympic gold medallist and two-time world curling champion Jennifer Jones will be the headline speaker. Story page 13.

If you’re a metal queen, a rocker girl, a fierce female of the stage, there’s a spotlight calling for you.

Story page 8.

WE ARE WINTER. Downtown Winterfest returns, highlighting Prince George’s beautiful winter climate. Story page 7.

2

Winter 2018/19

in this

issue Citizen Scene Winter 2018/19

4 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 16 18 19

A Christmas Carol returns to the Playhouse stage

Downtown Winterfest highlights beautiful winter climate

Metal Queens plan summer shows Fundraiser to promote popular

The sign of a mature, modern city with a sophisticated population is the diversity of its entertainment offerings. In that sense, Prince George truly has it all.

As this issue of The Scene shows, there’s plenty of family fare coming up, from A Christmas Carol and Cirque Musica this holiday season to Winterfest and the FMX World Tour early in 2019. Yet for those with a more adventurous entertainment palette, there’s a travelling Broadway production of the hit musical Kinky Boots and two outdoor heavy metal festivals coming next summer, one of them specifically featuring women growling vocals, shredding guitars and double-kicking drums.

It’s unlikely you’ll see the same people at both A Christmas Carol and the Metalocalypstick Festival but that’s the point. There’s something in Prince George for everyone, with all the shows focussed on satisfying their audiences.

Whether it’s screaming vocals or revving engines, song-and-dance numbers or outdoor family fun, you can find it in Prince George.

And The Scene has got you covered for all of it.

metal festival

Local talent in tune for

A division of

Cirque Musica

201-1777 Third Avenue | Prince George, B.C. | 250.562.2441

Get your motor running with

FMX World Tour

Gold Medal Curling Legend to speak at UNC Legacy Breakfast

Kinky Boots strutting this spring

STOMP putting their foot down in PG New day rising for

Sunset Theatre

Publisher and GM Colleen Sparrow

Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout

Director of Advertising Shawn Cornell

Layout & Design: Grace Flack Photography: Brent Braaten Stories: Frank Peebles, Christine Hinzmann Cover Image: Gary Chappel returns to play the part of Scrooge in Judy Russell’s presentation of A Christmas Carol from Dec. 13 - 22 at the Prince George Playhouse.

Photo courtesy of Judy Russell.

Your source for

Local events

check it out...

Local event listings

The Citizen Scene is available online at www.pgcitizen.ca The Citizen Scene is produced by the Prince George Citizen, a division of Glacier Media Group, Copyright ©2018.

Looking for something to do in Prince George or want to promote your local event? Turn to page 19 and check out our events listings!

Winter 2018/19

3

citizen scene

theatre

God bless us, everyone!

A Christmas Carol returns to the Playhouse stage Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca

Gary Chappel stars again as Scrooge in Judy Russell’s presentation of A Christmas Carol. Citizen file photo by Brent Braaten.

4

Winter 2018/19

The ghosts of theatre shows past are dancing with the ghosts of the future in the present production of A Christmas Carol.

Judy Russell Presents has gone back to an old favourite for the holiday season. The Charles Dickens classic has been done multiple times by Russell’s production team, but not since 2014. Her cast and crew have undergone many personnel changes as a result, but what isn’t ever different with this script is the archetypal story of cold human hearts learning to love again and feel again for family and community. Old Ebenezer Scrooge is still, 175 years after he was first introduced to the literary world, a character for our times today.

What also is not different is the man portraying this cranky curmudgeon. Gary Chappel is back.

“Of course he’s our Scrooge,” said Russell. “I don’t think any of us is prepared to do it unless he’s up for it. He’s so fantastic in the role. What he brings to it is way beyond what we could create in someone else trying to fill his shoes.”

There are many actors returning to this production from past versions. Some are in different roles like previous Ghost of Christmas Present actor Mark Wheeler moving into the part of Old Joe, and some roles have entirely new people in them like Scott Roberts (he was Lancelot in Russell’s production of Spamalot, he was in HMS Pinafore, and is a member of the Cantata Singers choir) as Jacob Marley.

“We have cast Melissa Glover in the role of the Ghost of Christmas Present which is a switch for us and she’s just so good,” said Russell. “Sophia Pellegrino is the Ghost of Christmas Past and she’s just 11, so that’s an interesting twist we’re excited about. The Ghost of Christmas Yet To

The show is being directed, as before, by Anna Russell who has amassed a substantial list of credits in both musical theatre and drama.

Come is the dark abyss - we can’t put a name to that.”

The show is being directed, as before, by Anna Russell who has amassed a substantial list of credits in both musical theatre and drama.

“When she was doing professional theatre in the Lower Mainland, she got to go to Chemainus and do A Christmas Carol there, and she has been able to blend those production ideas, the truth of the text, and her past Prince George versions of it,” Judy Russell said.

One of those key production elements was the use of a doublerotational stage. Despite unwieldy storage necessities for such a structure, it was kept for future use.

“It’s like a pop-up book that’s come to life,” said Russell. “One of the things you can do (when shows are recurring) is you can create legacy works that can come out more than once, and, like we do with (their biennial staging of The Nutcracker), we continue to refine and develop the beauty and efficiency of the presentation. It means you can focus on so many other production values going forward, and the winner is the audience.”

A Christmas Carol happens at the Prince George Playhouse from Dec. 13-22.

Tickets are available now from the Central Interior Tickets website, charge-by-phone at 250596-0020, or go to their box office (3540 Opie Crescent).

The Russell’s at the PG Playhouse, left to right Judy, Bill, Anna and Matthew. Citizen file photo by Brent Braaten.

Winter 2018/19

5

citizen scene

events

downtown

winterfest highlights Prince George’s beautiful winter climate

We are winter.

It’s a Prince George slogan that freezes our local culture in perfect place, and that place is the snowy season. Some cities recoil or complain about the months of brisk air and snowy landscapes, but this community dives into winter with zest.

PHOTO ABOVE: Master carver Peter Vogelaar works on an ice carving during the preparations for last year’s Downtown Winterfest.

Peter returns to Downtown Winterfest this year. Citizen file photo by Brent Braaten.

Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca The pinnacle winter moment for the city’s business core is Downtown Winterfest. The date this year is Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Canada Games Plaza.

“Downtown Prince George is proud to bring this winter festival to our downtown to highlight the unique attributes of our community, our downtown and our beautiful winter climate,” said Colleen Van Mook, executive director of DPG. “It is our goal to offer vibrant and exciting experiences in downtown that will bring our community together, build community pride and strengthen our relationships and overall community goodwill. “ The beats will pump from DJ Ant, so participants can dance from station to station trying out the ice slide, sit on the frozen throne, enjoying exhibitors who are there to talk about their wonders and products, and so many other activities.

Food is always the centrepiece.

It is our goal to offer vibrant and exciting experiences in downtown that will bring our community together.

Like its counterpart on the other side of the calendar, Downtown Summerfest, the city’s food vendors make Downtown Winterfest a delicious destination no matter what the weather. Food trucks and the outdoor food court are a hotspot in any temperature.

And it wouldn’t be a Prince George event if it didn’t help charity. We are renowned for our volunteerism, our crowd-sourcing (long before there were websites for it), our activism to lift our fellow residents higher. When you’re huddled around the community campfire, what better way to do that than with a gooey-tasty s’more?

Van Mook reminded everyone that Downtown Winterfest is ground zero for the “’There’s

S’MORE Downtown contest featuring s’more recipes from groups, businesses and individuals who will donate their proceeds to their favourite charitable organizations.”

Among all the feasts for the tummy, there is also a banquet for the eyes at Downtown Winterfest.

Internationally renowned awardwinning artist Peter Vogelaar will be back in his popular spot chiseling and scraping away at snow and ice to create an epic sculpture in the middle of it all.

Downtown Winterfest is free to attend, with plenty of admissionfree activities (as well as a multitude of additional buy-in fun) provided by scores of arts and recreation organizations who also love winter as much as us.

Winter 2018/19

7

music

If you’re a metal queen, a rocker girl, a fierce female of the stage, there’s a spotlight calling for you.

Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca The Metalocalypstick Festival will return this coming summer for its fourth year featuring females.

Founded by former Prince George/ Robson Valley rock diva Kaija Kinney of Vancouver metal band Anarcheon, Metalocalypstick doesn’t exclude men but it definitively includes women.

“Taking place in the scenic community of Lone Butte, this two-day festival brings in high quality metal acts from around North America (and beyond) each with at least one powerful female member,” said a statement issued by Kinney and her team of festival organizers.

“Camping while surrounded by mountains and great music, it is the perfect setting to enjoy a vast array of talent across metal, punk and

8

Winter 2018/19

hardcore.”

The next edition happens June 28 to July 1. Some of the highlight acts that have already performed at Metalocalypstick include the likes of Brazil’s Nervosa, Egypt’s Massive Scar Era, Mexico’s Cabrakaan, Hollywood’s The Maension, Valfreya, Scythia, Mortillery and many more.

In addition to showcasing the diversity of females on the harder edges of rock, the event also raises money to advance that cause.

Proceeds raised by the show have been donated to charities like Girls Rock Camp, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter, and Earth Protectors plus they sponsor an independent band picked by Metalocalypstick Fest judges.

“This festival means the celebration of both sexes coming together and creating something amazing,” said Kinney. “People like to say women in

metal aren’t a big deal anymore and that we are all the same. I feel that is untrue, this is still a male dominated world and women are still looked upon as lesser. I want to showcase all these bad ass ladies and celebrate the differences of men and woman rather than pretend we are all equal. Truth is we are different. Why can’t we celebrate that?”

At the same time, it draws positive attention and infusions into the local economy since the festival is attracting international eyes onto the Cariboo region.

PHOTO ABOVE: Prince George’s Kaija Kinney is the lead singer of Vancouver metal band Anarcheon and the founder of a Canadian rarity, a metal festival dedicated to female performers. Photo courtesy Anarcheon.

Metal queens

citizen scene

fundraiser to PRomotE popular

Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca The Metallion Festival is partly about the love of thunderous music, but it is also melted into the love of the Omineca-Cariboo region. The show is an altar to the natural forces of heavy riffs, and it is held in the great outdoor cathedral of the north.

The festival’s chief promoter Brad Foster is doing a little missionary work. He has announced that the show and its region are getting a Vancouver showcase to raise money and awareness for the annual event.

“We did one in Edmonton a couple years ago with help from Tides of Kharon,” Foster said.

“It opened up the fest to a new audience and we saw a spike in submissions from Edmonton bands.”

Outreach is a concept many festivals never embrace, relying solely on passive marketing and word of mouth to sell their event. Metallion organizers have become abundantly aware that theirs is a unique entertainment incident each summer. They draw people to the region who would never normally come here, plus they provide a can’t-refuse offer of music that retains local metal fans instead of conceding them to faraway concerts and festivals elsewhere. Taking that evangelism deep into other markets is, as is their musical genre, pleasing and aggressive.

“The idea was born from Dean (Eckert) from Hellchamber and Brian (Langley) from Aggression,” Foster said. “Both bands have played the fest twice and both of those guys i consider among my closest friends. They had a discussion and then brought it to me. Dean found us a venue, Brian made the poster and it was that easy. The icing on the cake for me is I get to play with both of my bands at this show - the first show in Vancouver for Flagon, and a return for Deveined who last played there with Act of Defiance who feature former members of Megadeth.”

The Metallion Vancity Fundraiser will feature those two P.G. bands (Deveined and Flagon) with Hellchamber and Aggression headlining. It happens at Pub 340 on Cambie Street in the heart of the Gastown district.

“The benefit for us is exposure to a market who may have not even heard of the fest,” Foster said “Also allowing the two P.G. bands to play for a different audience. And if you know the people involved the main thing is we have a great party with our friends. We all just happen to play in metal bands who can kick ass.”

The show date is March 16 for the Vancouver appetizer event.

Tickets are $10 at the door.

The sixth annual Metallion Festival - loving called the 666 Edition - happens in August.

Winter 2018/19

9

citizen scene

arts

local talent in tune for

Cirque Musica

Christine HINZMANN Citizen staff

chinzmann@pgcitizen.ca High flying acrobatics, tests of balance and skill, feats of grace and strength combined with orchestrated musicality will be on offer as Cirque Musica Holiday presents Wonderland at CN Centre during a one-show-only event on Dec. 15.

Combining a live orchestra with lovely, ethereal beings seems like a great fit but when the music complements aerial treats and death-defying tricks it might seem like a bit of a stretch but not for Stephen Cook, creator producer of Cirque Musica.

The idea started to sprout when Cook was chief marketing and entertainment officer for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

“I created Cirque Musica about 10 years ago and it’s sort of a hybrid of my career,” Cook said during a phone interview with the Citizen.

10

Winter 2018/19

“I started my career with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey. I was in their marketing department for years so I’m a circus guy.

Later in my career I shifted over to the symphony world and I was the CMO (chief marketing officer) of the Dallas Symphony.”

Cook said working with a symphony offered him some insight and he realized there was a downturn in attendance to live symphony orchestra performances.

As he developed his plan for his company, TCG Entertainment, he saw a unique opportunity.

“I wanted to bring new people into the symphony hall and expose them to great music but also entertain them,” Cook explained. “So that’s how the concept started.

The show is performed with orchestras all across Canada and the United States and the holiday show started a few years ago and has grown tremendously because having

this great holiday music and having an orchestra play it is something within itself, then when you add the Cirque element to it, with all these people doing these amazing tricks and stunts it just works for the eyes and the ears.”

During the show, about 40 local musicians will combine their talents to accompany the performers on stage.

The musicians range from experienced members of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra (PGSO) and the Prince George Community Band and for some who have never set foot on a grand a stage Cirque Musica offers.

Bass trombone player, PGSO member and director of the Prince George Community Band, Robert Hannigan is pretty excited to share the experience with local musicians. He’s taking the lead and will conduct the mash up of musicians during the few rehearsals there will be before the conductor from Cirque takes over before the show.

“A lot of the Community Band musicians have been playing for 30, 40, 50 years,” Hannigan said, but perhaps not ever to this big an audience.

When Teresa Saunders, general manager of the PGSO, reached out to Hannigan to help organize an orchestra he thought it sounded pretty cool.

“And what I’ve seen of the videos online, it’s a lot different from my regular gig on stage with the symphony,” Hannigan said, who’s been playing trombone since he was in Grade 8 in 1994. “This is not just stage and audience. During the Cirque Musica show we’re not only playing for the audience but we’re playing for the performers as well and working with them and being so close to the action, which I think is so exciting, so thrilling for everybody in Prince George to see.”

Saunders is helping lineup the symphonic musicians including players of violins, violas, cellos and basses, Hannigan said, while he’s helping out with everybody he can

The musicians range from experienced members of the Prince George Symphony Orchestra and the Prince George Community Band. take from the Community Band like the trumpets, trombones, flutes, oboes, bassoons, and percussion.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Hannigan said, who got his bachelor’s degree in music from Douglas College in 2007 and went on to UBC for his bachelor’s degree in education in 2008 and moved to Prince George to teach the same year.

Cirque Musica provides the symphony orchestra with the music about a week before and that’s when Hannigan will step up to run the couple rehearsals before the show.

Hannigan believes it’ll be a success because he knows the musicians he’ll be working with and there’s a lot of cross over where musicians are in both the PGSO

and the Community Band.

“And those guys - they’re so good, I mean I can give them anything and they’re going to be able to play it, right?” Hannigan said. “And it’s really thrilling to those people who don’t get a chance to play with the symphony - for them to come on stage - this is amazing, right? Like ‘I get to do this, I get to play’ - and that goes for about half of those who will be playing during the show.”

Acrobatic performers in Cirque Musica come from around the world, including Mongolia, Russia, and Equador.

“We’ve really went around the world to find the best of the best circus artists,” creator producer Cook said. “This show has got

a real mix of acts that are really beautiful and lovely on one end of the spectrum to other acts that are super dangerous and super scary and thrilling. So we’ve really tried to do a good mix. The show we created is for those who like Cirque, theatre, Broadway but really we love families and we love it when people bring their kids so it’s a very familyfriendly show. For us it’s a really neat thing when we see people with their kids, eating popcorn, having fun and they’re spending that good family time together and for us that’s huge - we really like that.

This show is definitely what I call a cirque theatrical experience - there’s a lot of people from Broadway in it, as well as Cirque performers and it’s just a fun way to get into the holiday spirit and see something you haven’t seen before.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketsnorth.ca.

PHOTOS LEFT: Cirque Holiday Musica’s Wonderland show.

Photos courtesy of Cirque Musica HOliday Tour.

Winter 2018/19

11

citizen scene

sports

FMX Get your motor running with

PHOTO: Stunt rider with the FMX World Tour. Photo submitted.

World Tour

Pro riders will participate in an intense competition, throwing out some of the most death defying tricks ever seen Citizen staff

12

Some of the most daring, adrenalizing, motor revving athletes in the world will launch into the CN Centre air.

This winter, the FMX World Tour will include Prince George on its rip across the globe. The stars of freestyle motocross will stick the landings on Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. “Look ma, no hands” got left in the dust by these gravitationally challenged riders of the storm.

“Pro riders will participate in an intense competition, throwing out some of the most death defying tricks ever seen,” said an FMX statement. “Superman Seat Grabs, Cliff Hangers, Kiss of Death, Back Flips and Super Back Flips combinations are just Winter 2018/19

some of the tricks that will be used to fight for the Nitro FMX World Tour championship title.”

Tickets to see this full throttle rocket ride go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. and if you buy before Nov. 30, a pit pass comes with it. “Pit passes will allow fans to come on to the floor and party in the pits, to meet all the stars of the FMX World Tour,” said organizers. “(The) pit party is from 4:30-5:30 p.m. This allows fans the chance to meet the riders and take the opportunity to take pictures and receive autographs.”

Tickets are $30 adult and $14.50 for those aged 16 and younger. They are available online at the TicketsNorth website or in person at CN Centre.

gold medal curling legend to speak at UNBC Legacy Breakfast

Citizen staff

Olympic gold medallist and two-time world curling champion Jennifer Jones, will be the headline speaker at the fifth annual University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves Legacy Breakfast on Wednesday March 6.

Jones is Canada’s most decorated and recognized woman curler. She won gold as skip of the Canadian women’s team at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, going undefeated over 11 games. More recently, Jones won her second women’s world curling title in March in North Bay, Ont. “We could not be happier to welcome Jennifer to the Charles Jago Northern Sports Centre and have her be a part of our annual Legacy Breakfast fundraiser,” said UNBC Athletics and Recreation Director Loralyn Murdoch.

“Jones has accomplished so much in her sport and life

Jones is Canada’s most decorated and recognized woman curler. including a major comeback post ACL injury, to being wife, parent and winning an Olympic medal.

I am very excited to hear her story and hope that she inspires all who attend.”

Jones also has strong academic credentials. A graduate of the University of Manitoba, where she completed her Bachelor of Laws degree in 1999, Jones has worked as a lawyer both in private practice and as in-house counsel in a corporate setting.

In its five-year history, the Timberwolves Legacy Breakfast has raised more than $250,000.

Tickets are $90 for an individual seat, or $720 for a table of eight.

Other ticketing options are also available. The doors open at 6:45 a.m. and the breakfast begins at 7 a.m.

For information, or to register a table, visit www.unbc.ca/legacybreakfast.

Jennifer Jones Citizen News Service Photo

Winter 2018/19

13

citizen scene

theatre

set to strut this spring Citizen staff

The hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots - featuring songs by pop icon Cyndi Lauper - is walking into CN Centre on March 22.

Kinky Boots project power - the spiritual power of music and the sensual power of footwear. This hit on stage was also a popular British film based on the book telling the true story of a man who inherited a shoe factory and struck up an unlikely partnership with a cabaret performing drag queen.

“Charlie Price reluctantly takes over his father’s business, a shoe factory, and he is looking for a new idea,” said CN Centre manager Glen Mikkelsen,

explaining the plot.

Charlie meets up, by way of a street fight, with Lola, a drag queen who tips over some dominoes in his brain that reboot the business. It sets its focus on sexy footwear, especially the kind that can handle the weight and hip position of men in high heels.

This hilarious romp earned 13 Tony Award nominations, taking home six of the coveted trophies including the all-important Best Musical as well as Best Score for Lauper.

When it was staged in London, it picked up another set of honours: three Laurence Olivier Awards.

It has been a smash in Toronto, Australia, Korea, Chicago, Japan, and scores of other places.

This hilarious romp earned 13 Tony Award nominations, taking home six of the coveted trophies including the allimportant Best Musical.

14

Winter 2018/19

Mikkelsen was in New York City on a family trip when he and his wife Joanne spotted ads for a Broadway show with which they were not familiar. They took a chance on Kinky Boots and it ended up being “one of the most exciting and fun Broadway shows”

he had ever seen.

When True North Touring called to say they were bringing the show to Canada, CN Centre was quickly penned into the schedule. “It is fun, it is lively, it is uplifting - a wonderful show,” Mikkelsen said.

True North Touring is the

presentation company behind The Illusionists and Dirty Dancing that previously performed at CN Centre. They are also the production house behind Rain: A Tribute To The Beatles, and have connections to the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose hockey

franchises.

Tickets to see Kinky Boots are on sale now at the CN Centre box office or online via the TicketsNorth website.

Photos courtesY of Kinky Boots National Tour.

Winter 2018/19

15

citizen scene

theatre

putting their foot down at CN Centre

If musical theatre had its version of a drum solo, it would be the play Stomp.

Citizen staff

It’s only partially right to call it a play, in fact. It’s better termed a show. It’s a wild ride on the back of a drum beat. It bangs on garbage cans, ricochets off of brooms, to claps into hands and exorcises the soles of your feet. If there’s a solid object in sight, the cast of Stomp will probably concuss it to make music.

From its beginnings as a street performance in the U.K., Stomp has grown into an international sensation over the past 20 years, having performed in more than 50 countries and in front of more than 24

million people.

Now it’s Prince George’s turn. The innovative percussion spectacle will be at CN Centre on Jan. 28. Local fans of dance, live music, costumes and sets, stage arts of all kind will get to enjoy what audiences in major centres have seen all over the world.

Stomp has rung up the box office but it has also become part of the cultural fabric. It’s been on Sesame Street, there was an IMAX movie made, it was a big part of the Closing Ceremonies for the London Olympics. Stomp has been performed at the Vaudeville Theatre, at the Acropolis in Athens, for international sports events, in Vegas and London’s West End, for television audiences and for royalty in person.

Tickets are on sale now via the TicketsNorth website. The prices range from $69 to $99 (plus service charges).

Photo courtesY of STOMP National Tour, Photographer: Junichi Takahashi

16

Winter 2018/19

citizen scene

theatre

new day rising for

Sunset Theatre Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca The sun seems to be rising on the Sunset Theatre.

The performing arts space is prominent in downtown Wells (next door to Barkerville) since 1934.

The Sunset operation has received a Strategic Initiative

18

Winter 2018/19

Grant from the BC Arts Council that will allow for the hiring or two new administrative positions.

It will take the organizational pressure off of owner-operators Dave and Karen Jeffery who bought the place in 1999, did a major renovation, then put it to use for music, film, oration and drama.

Two of the Cariboo region’s best

box office names, Julia Mackey and Dirk Van Stralen, will take up professional residence there.

They already live and work in Wells and had a tight preexisting bond with the Sunset Theatre.

Mackey will become the director of presentations, while Van Stralen will be the director of production. Jeffery remains artistic director.

“This is a dream come true” said Jeffery. “I couldn’t ask for two better people to help move the next phase of the company’s growth forward.”

Mackey and Van Stralen are best known for their internationally successful play Jake’s Gift, which got much of its start at the Sunset.

The pair also helped Jeffery operate the facility on an interim basis a few years ago.

“When Dirk and I ran the theatre for Karen back in 2011, it was that experience that solidified our desire to move to Wells and become part of the community, and we realized how much we

loved being part of the everyday operations of the Sunset,” said Mackey. “We are thrilled to jump on board and help move this beautiful theatre into its next chapter.”

Van Stralen said Jake’s Gift was part of the inaugural re-opening of the Sunset Theatre, and was a member of the Sunset’s Exploration Series development program in 2006, before they lived in the Cariboo. Their play got its first public reading on that stage.

“As a result of the success of Jake’s Gift, we’ve had the privilege of working in dozens and dozens of spectacular venues from coast to coast to coast in this country,” he said. “The Sunset, however, remains my favourite, in no small part because of its unique setting in historic Wells, B.C., an astonishing pool of local professional talent to draw from, and its intimacy as a venue that allows room for great ideas to run wild.”

events

your source for Local

december

Current – December 29th 2018 Every Saturday

Current - December 10th 2018 Every Monday

PJ Storytime

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca 25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

JERRY LEE

LEWIS

CARL

PERKINS

MILLION

ELVIS

PRESLEY

JOHNNY

CASH

DOLLAR

Q U A R T E T THE BROADWAY MUSICAL INSPIRED BY THE ELECTRIFYING TRUE STORY

By Colin Escott & Floyd Mutrux

Current NOV–22December - DEC 12, 2018 12th 2018

Title Sponsor : Rebecca Sinclair

THEATRE NORTHWEST | PARKHILL CENTRE SHOWTIMES & TICKETS: www.theatrenorthwest.com

Theatre Northwest Million Dollar Quartet Location: Theatre Northwest, #36-556 North Nechako Rd. More info or tickets: theatrenorthwest.com Current – December 13th 2018 Every Thursday

Teen Anime Hour

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca Current – December 17th 2018 Every Monday

Teen Tabletop Meetup

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca

PG Road Runners Group Run

Location: Otway Nordic Ski Centre More info or tickets: pgroadrunners.ca Current – December 29th 2018 Every Saturday

Prince George Farmers Market

Location: Prince George Farmers Market, 1310 3rd Avenue Current - December 30th 2018 Every Sunday

Scrabble Sundays

Location: Books and Company, 1685 3rd Ave. More info or tickets: facebook.com/ booksandcompanyprincegeorge/ Current - December 30th 2019 Every Sunday

NeedlEcrafters

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca Current – January 26th 2019 Every Saturday

Storytime at Books and Company

Location: Books and Company, 1685 3rd Ave. More info or tickets: facebook.com/ booksandcompanyprincegeorge/ December 8th 2018

2019 Canada Winter Games Torch Relay Stop

Location: Canada Games Plaza, 808 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: facebook.com/ events/472199796611442/ December 8th 2018

Current – December 20th 2018 Every Thursday

Cafe Chess

Location: Books and Company, 1685 3rd Ave. More info or tickets: facebook.com/ booksandcompanyprincegeorge/

Omenica Arts Centre Holiday Market

Location: Omenica Arts Centre, 369 Victoria St. More info or tickets: omenicaartscentre.com

Turn the page for more events!

Winter 2018/19

19

December 10th 2018

December 11th 2018

December 12th 2018

December 15th 2018

11th Annual Seniors Christmas Celebration

Reading Buddies Kids 5-9

Location: Prince George Civic Centre, 808 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: 250-612-4181

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca

Tens to Teens Gaming Hour

Handel’s Messiah at the Prince George Symphony

December 10th 2018

December 12th 2018

Read to me in French Kids 5-9

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca

December 11th 2018

Dr. Tech by Appointment Technical Assistance Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca

DECEMBER 2018 Christmas Wish11,Breakfast 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM • KIN 1 AND THE ATRIUM Bring aBring giftaand enjoy a breakfast gift and enjoy a with SANTA! breakfast with SANTA! Location: Kin 1 and the Atrium (CN Centre)

Spanish 2

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca December 13th 2018

Lego Time

Drop-In Hockey

December 12th 2018

Breakfast

December 12th 2018

December 12th 2018

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca

CHRISTMAS WISH

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca

Double Digits 10-12 Yrs Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca

Location: Kin Centre 2, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: princegeorge.ca December 13th 2018

Teen Anime Hour

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca

December 13th - 22nd 2018 Multiple Dates

Proceeds to support non-profit organizations throughout Prince George.

Location: Vanier Hall, 2901 Griffiths Ave. More info or tickets: pgso.com December 15th 2018

Winterfest Market

Location: Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, 808 Canada Games Way December 16th 2018

Prince George Aquatic Centre 20 Year Celebration

Location: Prince George Aquatic Centre, 1770 George Paul Lane More info or tickets: princegeorge.ca December 17th 2018

Craft Night in Canada

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca December 18th 2018

Drop-In Hockey

Location: Kin Centre 2, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: princegeorge.ca

S TR

IAL M U

T

December 18th 2018

UA L

A ID COM M

CE

PGIMAC IT

G E O RGE I N

SPONSORED BY

DU

TE

E

PR

IN

Community Partners-Unified Response

Library Queer-Straight Alliance for Teens

Hart

Judy Russell Presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” Location: Prince George Playhouse, 2626 Recplace Drive More info or tickets: centralinteriortickets.com December 14th & 15th 2018

Open Mic with Host Danny Bell

Location: Nancy O’s Restaurant, 1261 3rd Avenue More info or tickets: facebook.com/nancyospg December 20th 2018

Breastfeeding Cafe in Artspace

Location: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena, 888 Dominion Street More info or tickets: sprucekings.bc.ca

Location: Artspace upstairs at Books and Company, 1685 3rd Ave. More info or tickets: facebook.com/ booksandcompanyprincegeorge/

December 15th 2018

December 20th 2018

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Boulevard South More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca

Winter 2018/19

December 19th 2018

Prince George Spruce Kings vs. Surrey Eagles

Cirque Musica Holiday Presents Wonderland

20

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca

Drop-In Hockey

Location: Kin Centre 2, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: princegeorge.ca

December 27th & January 3rd 2018

Winter Break Story Time Kids 0-5

January 12th 2019 COUNTRY NIGHT

Prince George Cougars vs. Kelowna Rockets

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca

December 31st 2018

January 11th 2019

Boogie with the Stars Location: Prince George Civic Centre More info or tickets: boogiewiththestars.ca

january January 2nd 2019

Dance Party Kids 0-9

Location: Bob Harkins Branch, Prince George Public Library, 888 Canada Games Way More info or tickets: pgpl.ca January 3rd 2019

Drop-In Hockey

Location: Kin Centre 2, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: princegeorge.ca January 4th 2019

UNBC Timberwolves Basketball

Location: Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, 3333 University Way More info or tickets: unbc.ca/timberwolves January 5th 2019

Snowed in Comedy Tour

Location: Prince George Playhouse, 2833 Recreation Place More info or tickets: snowedincomedytour.com January 8th 2019

UNBC Timberwolves Basketball

Location: Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, 3333 University Way More info or tickets: unbc.ca/timberwolves January 11th 2019

Prince George Spruce Kings vs. Cowichan Valley Capitals

Location: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena, 888 Dominion Street More info or tickets: sprucekings.bc.ca January 12th 2019

PGSO Presents: String Beans KinderConcerts

Location: Prince George Playhouse, 2833 Recreation Place More info or tickets: pgso.com January 16th 2019

Tea & Chat with REAPS

Location: REAPS, 1950 Gorse Street More info or tickets: facebook.com/ events/639137619758873 January 16th 2019

Prince George Cougars vs. Prince Albert Raiders

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca

January 18th 2019

Drop-In Hockey

Location: Kin Centre 2, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: princegeorge.ca January 11th 2019

Prince George Cougars vs. Kelowna Rockets

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca

PGSO PResents: Winter Gales Location: Ramada Plaza Hotel, 444 George Street More information: pgso.com

Turn the page for more events!

Winter 2018/19

21

January 19th 2019 VEGAS NIGHT

Prince George Cougars vs. Kamloops Blazers

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca January 20th 2019

Prince George Cougars vs. Kamloops Blazers

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca January 20th 2019

Alban Classical presents A Sunday afternoon concert – Classical from Folk Location: Trinity United Church, 3555 5th Avenue More info or tickets: albanclassical.org January 22nd 2019

Prince George Cougars vs. Moose Jaw Warriors

anuary 26th 2019

February 18th & 19th 2019

Robbie Burns Night Dinner

Prince George Cougars vs. Everett Silvertips

Location: TBD More info or tickets: pgso.com January 28th 2019

STOMP

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca

february February 1st 2019

UNBC Timberwolves Basketball

Location: Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, 3333 University Way More info or tickets: unbc.ca/timberwolves February 1st & 2nd 2019

Prince George Spruce Kings vs. Surrey Eagles

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca

Location: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena, 888 Dominion Street More info or tickets: sprucekings.bc.ca

January 25th – February 2nd 2019

February 2nd 2019

Coldsnap Music Festival

Location: Various locations around Prince George More info or tickets: coldsnapfestival.com January 25th & 26th 2019

Prince George Spruce Kings vs. Coquitlam Chiefs

Location: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena, 888 Dominion Street More info or tickets: sprucekings.bc.ca

January 26th 2019

UNBC Timberwolves Basketball

Location: Charles Jago Northern Sport Centre, 3333 University Way More info or tickets: unbc.ca/timberwolves February 5th & 6th 2019

Prince George Cougars vs. Vancouver Giants

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca February 7th - 24th 2019 Multiple Dates

The Occupation of Heather Rose

Location: Theatre NorthWest, #36-556 North Nechako Road More info or tickets: theatrenorthwest.com February 9th 2019

PGSO Presents: German Masters

Location: Prince George Playhouse, 2833 Recreation Place More info or tickets: pgso.com

Nitro FMX World Tour Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca

22

Winter 2018/19

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca

February 14th 2019

Prince George Spruce Kings vs.

West Kelowna Warriors Location: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena, 888 Dominion Street More info: sprucekings.bc.ca

February 22nd & 23rd 2019

Prince George Spruce Kings vs. Chilliwack Chiefs

Location: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena, 888 Dominion Street More info or tickets: sprucekings.bc.ca February 26th & 27th 2019

Prince George Cougars vs. Spokane Chiefs

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca February 27th 2019

February 15th 2019 ALUMNI NIGHT

Prince George Cougars vs. Victoria Royals

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca February 16th 2019

Prince George Cougars vs. Victoria Royals

Location: CN Centre, 2187 Ospika Blvd More info or tickets: ticketsnorth.ca

Wine Wednesday

Location: Theatre NorthWest, #36-556 North Nechako Road More info or tickets: theatrenorthwest.com February 28th – March 20th 2019 Multiple Dates

Miracle Theatre presents The Comedy Halfway There Location: ArtSpace (Upstairs at Books and Company, 1685 3rd Ave.) More info or tickets: facebook.com/ booksandcompanyprincegeorge/

February 15th - 24th 2019 Multiple Dates

World Para Nordic Skiing Championships

Location: Caledonia Nordic Ski Club, 8141 Otway Road More info or tickets: caledonianordic.com

Feature your

event

Citizen Scene events pages are a FREE way to get your event published and in the hands of residents and visitors looking for something local to do.

Email your event to: events@pgcitizen.ca Include: date, event name, brief description (25 words or less), location, contact and ticket information.

February 10th 2019

Downtown Winterfest Location: Canada Games Plaza More info or tickets: downtownpg.com

The Citizen Scene publishes quarterly *Events may be edited or omitted depending on space, for good taste and to line up with publishing dates where possible.