Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Movies Under the Stars...plus a chance to win the Best Seat in the House ( = park)

Movies Under the Stars Blog
Hard to believe, but we’re past Canada Day and into the second week of summer already! The weather hasn’t been the best, but we’re a hardy outdoor bunch, aren’t we?
What’s a little unsettled weather when you can enjoy a free movie in the great outdoors! Every Thursday night from July 11 through August 15 (rain date will be the Aug. 22), Tim Hortons presents Movies Under the Stars. This outdoor movie series is open to everyone and not only do we have great movies lined up again this summer, but Tim Hortons is also offering a chance for you to win The Best Seats in the House! So, how do you win these coveted seats, you ask? Well, let me tell you:
  1. Follow @Burl_ParksRec or @BurlEvents on Twitter (if you’re not already...).
  2. Watch for our tweet/retweet announcing the Tim Hortons store where the Golden Ticket is for that week’s movie
  3. Go to this Tim Hortons and ask for the Golden Ticket. If you’re the first one there, the Golden Ticket will be yours
  4. Go to that week’s Movies Under the Stars and present your Golden Ticket to the Burlington Events Staff (look for our rad van – we’re usually close by...)  and you will enjoy The Best Seats in the House (which is actually the best seat in the park for the movie, but you knew that right!?). Your seating for the evening includes:
·         Reserved front row seats
·         4 chairs for you & your family/group
·         4 blankets to use & take home
·         Pillows… because who doesn’t love to get cozy while watching a movie?!
·         and a cooler filled with drinks & snacks to devour and/or take home

So, what movies are we showing you ask, and are they any good? Take a look at our line up:
Thursday, July 11 –Hotel Transylvania at Nelson Park
This animated feature offers a twist on the age old belief that humans are afraid of monsters. Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) operates a hotel so monsters can get away from the everyday stresses of dealing with humans. This feel good movie offers a teenaged heroine (Selina Gomez) wanting to explore the outside world, an over protective dad who doesn’t want her to and a surprise love interest (Andy Samburg).
I recently saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Rodrick Rules with our resident movie critic (12 year old Zac). He loves these books (note: he’s more of a video game guy than a bookworm) and thought the movie was a good representation. High praise coming from him. Anyway, in this lastest Wimpy movie, Greg has big plans for an awesome summer, which if you know Greg, of course don’t pan out and hilarity ensues! I’ve heard that the young actors who play Greg and Roderick do a great job and that Steve Zahn as their dad is a riot as he reacts to all their shenanigans.
The Chipmunks and Chippettes are back and in trouble again, of course...Poor Dave just wants to relax on a Cruise but Alvin has other plans. See what happens when they find themselves overboard and washed ashore on a deserted island, which might not be so deserted after all. Some funny references – see if you notice the spoof on Cast Away.
Thursday, August 1 – The Croods at Emerson Park
So, The Croods are just your average family except they’re the first “civilized” family ever. Their home is destroyed and they need to find a new one. Amazing voice cast including Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, and Ryan Reynolds . Some have said this is even educational since there are prehistorical references that are pretty accurate. And it must have done well at the box office as a sequel has been announced for 2017!
Thursday, August 8 – Oz the Great and Powerful at Lowville Park
If you loved the original Wizard of Oz movie, reunite with the characters in the fantastical prequel from Disney. Oscar (Oz for short) is played by James Franco who starts out as lowly magician. His adventure takes him to Oz where he meets three witches, played by Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams. At over two hours, and with some parts that may be too scary for young ones, I recommend this for older children with a good attention span!
Thursday, August 15 – Despicable Me at Mohawk Park
I’m not quite sure what this says about me, but this is one of my all time favourite family movies! Steve Carell heads up an all star cast of voice talent and is hilarious as Gru. An evil villain losing his place in the world of evil villains, Gru decides to adopt three adorable little girls to help him with his evil plan. What could go wrong with his plan and the backing of his adorable band of yellow minions. My only question is, where can I get a minion of my own!
Be sure to grab a chair and a blanket and check the web site or call the Burlington Events hotline at 905-335-7766 for information before heading out to any of these movies. They are weather dependant so will be cancelled in case of rain. A rain date is planned for August 22 at Burloak Park to show the movie that got rained out.
See you at the Movies Under the Stars!
BurlEventGurl

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

I AM Canadian...

I AM Canadian
and other reasons why you can proudly celebrate Canada Day in Burlington
Canada truly is a great country and it’s fascinating to think about how we are perceived around the world. So, you and I know that we don’t live in igloos (but that would be nice and cool if it didn’t melt in this heat wave) all have pet moose we play hockey with or say “Eh?” after every sentence. But we also know that there are many great reasons to celebrate our great country on her 146th birthday.
The Burlington Canada Day Committee has been working for almost a year to plan an amazing day to help you celebrate what it means to you to live in this great country, not to mention city (did you hear that Money Sense declared Burlington as the #1 Canadian mid-size city to live in!?). Here’s what you can look forward to on July 1 in Spencer Smith Park:
Exercise your right to celebrate
Before the Canada Day Celebrations officially start at noon, you can get a run in with Green Germann Sakran Canada Day 5K put on by VRPro. The run starts at 8:30 a.m. behind the Waterfront Hotel and goes along our beautiful waterfront. Get a good stretch in with a free yoga class at 9:30 a.m. with Beth Rutty Yoga in the west end of the park.
Pledge to have fun
This year the Citizenship Court will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the Gazebo. Congratulate 40 new Canadian Citizens as they receive their citizenship on Canada Day. I can’t think of a better day to become a Canadian, can you?
Make it official
The event starts at noon with the official ceremony at 1 p.m. Now perhaps by the time the event rolls around I’m just tired but seeing the Burlington Teen Tour Band perform always chokes me up! Not to mention hearing Charissa Pavlou lead the crowd in the singing of O Canada. That girl sure can sing! MP Mike Wallace, MP Jane McKenna, Chair Gary Carr and Mayor Rick Goldring will bring greetings.
Let’s get this party started
So, personally, I think the best place to celebrate Canada Day is from the Canadiana Viewing Tent. If you purchase your tickets in advance, $20 gets you a catered meal from Niche Catering, who’s created the Canadian roast beef sandwich:
Firecracker shaved roast beef beef sandwich on 7' hoagy bun, with rosemary au jus, caramelized onions, cremini mushrooms, roasted garlic, topped with smoked Gouda cheese.
Or if you’re not a carnivore, there’s a veggie sandwich too:
Grilled vegetable medley of sweet peppers, mushroom, onions, zucchini, Swiss chard, in Basil pesto with toasted sunflower seeds, on hoagy bun topped with three cheese shred. Hmmm, suddenly I’m quite hungry! They’re also serving watermelon and we’ve got snacks and a choice of two drinks: soft drinks, water, wine or Nickelbrook beer.
If that wasn’t enough value for your money, you get in and out privileges to seating that offers shaded areas and great views of the main stage and the lake (both water ski shows and the fireworks will be in front of the Canadiana Viewing Area). And most importantly, upgraded washroom trailers so you don’t have to use the porta-potties.
Did I mention that children are only $10 and can choose a kids’ meal and hang out with the family?
Last year we sold out but if we still have tickets on Monday, they’re $25 at the gate for adults. Kids are still $10.
We are family
Everyone is welcome and there really is something for all ages. Check out the marketplace for some great shopping, the activity providers to keep busy and the food court for sustenance. There’s fun on the East Lawn (behind the Waterfront Hotel) with bouncers, a monster mural, crafts and the Community Stage featuring Canadian talent Ivy James, Lesley Pike, and Burlington’s own Beautiful Nothing.
Be amazed by the Scholars in Collars agility dogs beside the Gazebo at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. and check out the tricks on Lake Ontario during SWS Water Ski shows at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Do a little dance
The main stage will have a fantastic line up of free music by original Canadian artists this year. Our headliner is Hawksley Workman. They hit the stage at 3 p.m. We’ve also got local favourites Charissa Pavlou on at 2 p.m., Melissa Bel at 4:30 p.m. and Lesley Pike at 6 p.m. Steve Wilkinson of The Wilkinsons fame will perform at 7 p.m. The grand finale will be provided by Symphony on the Bay at 9 p.m.
Out with a bang
We’re pretty excited to launch our fireworks presentation from the new Brant Street Pier this year at 10 p.m. Symphony on the Bay will accompany the fireworks with their rendition of 1812 Overture.
If you’re able to celebrate with us, have fun, keep cool and take some photos and send them to me, eh?
BurlEventGurl
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