As we reflect on the year that was, Andrew and Leeann would like to thank the Town Hall Brands team, clients, and all of those in the public, trade, and media who support our clients.
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Inspiring Children's Theatre Gears up for 2019
Following the success of Aladdin last year, and The Little Mermaid Jr. in fall 2018, The Children's Theatre of Richmond Association is prepared to step into the spotlight in 2019.
We now have dates for two of their productions: Cinderella G2k and Mary Poppins Jr. and e would love for you to help us spread the word for this burgeoning theatre company.
Cinderella G2K
Date: May 17th - 20th, 2019
Location: Granville Island Stage, Vancouver, BC
Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website
Fun fact: director Heather Ondersma has worked on Broadway!
Mary Poppins Jr.
Date: November 22 and November 23, 2019
Location: Massey Theatre, New Westminster, BC
Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website
Fun fact: director Emma Swords was the creative director for The Little Mermaid Jr. (photos below)
Founded by Lily Yuan, the Children's Theatre of Richmond Association(CTORA) is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities to support young artist and youth in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver community.
Youth Performers are cast each year to perform in annual musical productions that showcase their artistic talent and passion, while providing an opportunity to learn from some of the best artists and musicians in British Columbia. Past musical productions include: Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid and more. Learn more at CTORA.ca
Media: please email us at info@townhallbrands.com if you want more information or interview opportunities.
New Year, New Winemaker for Black Hills Estate Winery
[Oliver, BC] Black Hills Estate Winery (Black Hills) is excited to announce its new head winemaker, Ross Wise.
Wise brings with him a breadth of expertise to the role of head winemaker at Black Hills Estate Winery. Originally from New Zealand, Wise holds a Bachelor of Viticulture and Advanced diploma in Wine Science from Charles Sturt University in Australia. He has worked with renowned producers in New Zealand and Ontario before the cool climate wine industry in British Columbia drew his attention.
After 16 years of winemaking, viticulture and consulting experience, Wise and his family settled in Oliver, British Columbia. Prior to Black Hills, Wise was head winemaker and general manager at Phantom Creek Estate. Wise holds a WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits and is pursuing his Master of Wine.
Ross Wise at Black Hills Estate Winery - Lionel Trudel Photo.
"We are thrilled have Ross join us at Black Hills," enthuses Glenn Fawcett, chief wine evangelist. "We conducted a wide-ranging international search for our new winemaker that resulted in several outstanding candidates, and Ross stood out for us."
Fawcett continues, "His passion for the craft and our Black Sage Road terroir, combined with his extensive experience, academic credentials, and endearing personality, made his selection a natural for us."
Wise is keen to assume the new role. "I'm really looking forward to joining the Black Hills team in January," he notes. "This is a great opportunity to be part of the next chapter of one of the Okanagan's most recognized and respected wineries. The ability to focus on making premium red wines such as Nota Bene," he continues, "is a big draw for me."
Wise is eager to get to know the Black Hills Estate vineyards intimately to make wines that clearly reflect their origins. "I hope to continue to elevate the outstanding quality of Black Hills wines, using precision and high attention to detail in the vineyard, combined with gentle and thoughtful winemaking," he shares.
Fawcett is equally excited. "We are extremely confident that Ross Wise is the perfect person to carry the winemaking torch at Black Hills and help us continue our journey to the next level."
Wise joins the winery team effective January 7, 2019.
Photo Library:
Photos of Ross Wise and Black Hills Estate Winery available via Dropbox.
Haywire Makes Decanter’s Most Exciting Wines of 2018 List
[Summerland, BC] Okanagan Crush Pad winery announces its Haywire Free Form White 2016 has made Decanter magazine’s Most Exciting Wines of 2018 list, placing in the top 10, with a score of 94 points.
In the January 2019 issue, Decanter’s experts from around the world named the top 50 bottles under £60 that impressed them most this year, with Oz Clarke calling the Haywire an “astonishing Canadian Sauvignon Blanc”.
This is the fist time a Canadian winery has made Decanter’s Top 10
The winery, while no stranger to UK wine circles, is beyond excited to have these kudos.
“We are so proud of our team, in particular the work of our chief winemaker Matt Dumayne, and growers Terry Waters and Cathy Banks,” notes winery owner Christine Coletta. “Our mission is to have Okanagan wines stand proudly next to a global selection of respected brands. This recognition shows us we are well on our way to demonstrating that our region can compete on the world stage.”
The focus at Okanagan Crush Pad is on authenticity and quality. Free Form wines are made using organic grapes, native yeast, extended skin contact, are free of commercial additives, have little to no sulfites added, and are unfiltered.
“We found the best way to achieve authenticity of place is to not manipulate or add anything to wine, including oak influence,” remarks Dumayne. “While you need to give up some modern conveniences, with a highly-skilled team with global viticulture and winemaking experience, you can get it right.”
Coletta credits consulting winemaker Alberto Antonini and terroir consultant Pedro Parra for their guiding influence. “Their vision for what the Okanagan is capable of has driven our work.”
While the 2016 Haywire Free Form White is now sold out, customers seeking to experience Free Form wines can visit okanagancrushpad.com.
Okanagan Crush Pad has quickly built a reputation as a premium producer and has received many awards and accolades since its launch in 2011 with chief winemaker Matt Dumayne at the helm. Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie created Okanagan Crush Pad as a purpose-built custom crush facility. Increasingly, the facility is used to craft the team’s own wines and now produces 45,000 cases annually.
From here, their own wines, Haywire, Narrative, and Free Form are made. Located in beautiful Summerland, BC, the winery overlooks Switchback Organic Vineyard, a site that is also home to chickens and ducks. Dumayne and his cellar team craft wines using concrete wine tanks, native yeast and minimal winemaking intervention. The wines reflect the region’s unique high mountain/northern desert setting noted for its intensely hot, short growing season with hallmark cool evenings and winters that bring a protective covering of snow.
Visitors to the tasting lounge, set in the heart of this state-of-the-art facility, get a rare glance into the art of winemaking. Watch the cellar team in action, discover concrete tanks, and learn how the team composes wines that are definitive expressions of their vineyards.
For more information visit: okanagancrushpad.com.
L-R: Okanagan Crush Pad chief winemaker Matt Dumayne, owners Christine Coletta and Steve Lornie Credit: Lionel Trudel
3 Productions, 3 Cities, 1 Dream Come True
[Richmond, BC] Following the success of Aladdin last year, and The Little Mermaid Jr. last month, The Children's Theatre of Richmond Association is not ready to step out of the spotlight just yet.
Tickets are on sale now for this weekend's production of another Disney classic: Beauty and The Beast Jr., (December 7 and 8, 6:30 pm at the Norman Rothstein Theatre, Vancouver) and the company returns in 2019 to present Cinderella (G2K) and Mary Poppins Jr..
And... The Little Mermaid Jr. Returns!
By popular demand, the "Little Mermaid" will be performed again, this time at the Gateway Theatre in Richmond. The dreamy show, which ran at the Massey Theatre last month for nearly 2,500 spectators, will once again enchant, with an innovative 3D interactive background, intricate hand-crafted scenery, and best of all: the same talented cast and crew will play out this wonderful story.
The CTORA’s The Little Mermaid Jr. returns in 2019.
In addition, The Children's Theatre of Richmond Association has finalized "Cinderella (G2K edition)" and "Mary Poppins Jr." as the 2019 dramas and will present more beautiful musical works in May and November respectively.
Lily Yuan, founder of The Children's Theatre of Richmond Association and play producer shares: "It has been my dream for youth to perform in productions to showcase their artistic talents and passion. I am so thrilled that we are bringing this dream to life with these upcoming productions."
Yuan has been on a mission to provide an opportunity for youth to perform and learn from some of the best artists and musicians in British Columbia. She looks forward to the Little Mermaid's return. "The actors' understanding of their characters is growing with their age, the arc of these characters and the dramatic tension will also further develop, and the vivid back drop will again be included in the 2019 show."
"...and in 2019," she continues, "the show will be staged in other cities, so those who missed the first run have another chance to see it."
Auditions On Now for 2019 Productions
Lily Yuan does not rest. On December 9, right after Beauty and the Beast Jr., casting takes place for the new play "Cinderella G2K" set for 2019. So far, more than 400 young music lovers and more than 100 local professional actors have submitted audition applications. These 500 applicants will be narrowed to 90 call backs on Dec 9.
Yuan shares, "There is so much talent, but eventually only 25 people will be selected. Cinderella will return to the stage first, to highlight the actors' performances with traditional sets and gorgeous costumes, bringing the audience into the world of fairy tales."
The Little Mermaid utilizes state of the art background technology and costumes.
Beauty and the Beast - *LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN*
Date: December 7 and 8, 2018
Location: Norman Rothstein Theatre, Vancouver, BC
Booking details: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/361520
Little Mermaid Jr.
Date: TBA 2019
Location: Gateway Theatre, Richmond
Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website
Cinderella G2K
Date: May 2019
Location: Granville Island Stage, Vancouver, BC
Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website
Mary Poppins Jr.
Date: November 2019
Location: Massey Theatre, New Westminster, BC
Booking details: Please pay attention to ctora.ca official website
Photo library: https://bit.ly/2Cu6JyE
Get Social with the CTORA
Instagram: @ctora.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/childrens-choir-of-richmond