Canada

10 things to do in Toronto –

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I wanted to write a post about how we can still enjoy Toronto without endangering anyone. There are many things to do in Toronto while social distancing so I put together a shortlist of possible … Read more

Watch12 past productions of Stratford Festival online – Stratfeset@Home

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Festival Theatre Straftord Festival photo credit
past productions of Stratford Festival online - Photo Credit: Stratford Festival on Film
Festival Theatre: Stratford Festival (photo credit)

Always a fan of The Stratford Festival, I am disappointed that in this time of covid-19, we will not be able to see any plays for the time being. We do have tickets for the end of June and have our fingers crossed that we will be able to see Chicago and Much Ado About Nothing. I can hardly wait. Although there is nothing like live theatre, if we can’t be there in person it’s great that we’ll be able to see past productions of Stratford Festival online.

The Stratford Festival is presenting a free film festival by making 12 productions available for you to view at home during this period of social isolation. Beginning on Shakespeare’s birthday, Thursday, April 23rd with King Lear directed by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino and starring Colm Feore. Each Thursday at 7 pm EST, simply go to the main website and watch online. It’s that easy.

Twelfth Night

past productions of Stratford Festival online - Stratford Festival on Film Schedule

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Intriguing Whale Watching Online in Quebec Maritime – #ArmchairTraveler

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Online Whale Watching in Quebec Maritime Photo credit Marc Loiselle QM @Downshifting PRO Final

We find ourselves in trying times but that should not keep you from becoming an armchair traveler. Why not do some whale watching online? You can see some of the most beautiful whales in the St. Lawrence Seaway online with the help of the GREMM Project and their Whales Online website. Having been to Quebec Maritime multiple times, knowing summer is prime time for whale watching in Quebec, I was pleased to see you can still visit the region online. I found this series of 21 short whale videos along The Whale Route on the Côte-Nord (North Shore) of Quebec.

One of the most thrilling experiences I had in Quebec Maritime was going whale watching. I have an extensive guide on what you need to know when searching out these majestic mammals. Whether you see them from the deck of an excursion ship, a sea kayak or approach cautiously on a zodiac (pontoon boat), there are plenty of ways ways to learn more about whale watching in Quebec.

Minke whale watching from the shore, in the Tadoussac sector : Marc Loiselle / Quebec Maritime
Minke whale watching from the shore, in the Tadoussac sector :
Photo Credit: Marc Loiselle / Quebec Maritime

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What’s Great about Stratford Festival’s Little Shop of Horrors

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Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors at the Stratford Festival 2019

Little Shop of Horrors

Something that occurred to me as I came home after seeing the Stratford Theatre Festival’s production of Little Shop of Horrors is that musicals transcend the qualities of most stage plays. It begs the question: What’s Great about Stratford Festival’s Little Shop of Horrors?

Okay, hear me out.

What's Great about Stratford Festival
Audrey II in the Gift Shop of the Avon Theatre

I like musicals. Musicals are a cool, fun way to tell a story through an unconventional sort of medium. Because of constant singing, there’s an emotional disconnect of sorts. So long as the characters are singing and dancing, you can tell even a grim, morbid tale with glee and joviality.

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What to do at the Quebec Winter Carnival

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Quebec Carnival with DownshiftingPRO
Quebec Carnival with @DownshiftingPRO

What to do at the Quebec Winter Carnival

Would you drive 11 hours to go to a winter carnival?  We did!  Last year, we spent a few days in the beautiful city of Quebec to celebrate the best winter carnival in the world.  Full of music, outdoor activities, night parades and a giant outdoor slide, you must make a trip to Quebec City at least once in your life.  The last time I was here for Carnaval I was in University and it was much, much colder with more of a never-ending party.  It was also very different, the current rendition is all about a great family experience and making it memorable for all. Get ready for this year’s REFRESHING! Carnival as this year’s edition will run February 8 –17, 2019.  There is much to see and no reason to stay home.  Be sure and take in these great events. 

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To Kill a Mockingbird at Stratford – Outstanding Production

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To Kill a Mockingbird at Stratford @DownshiftingPRO compelling theatre
To Kill a Mockingbird at Stratford - review by Hayden Ibbott

It’s not too late to see To Kill a Mockingbird at Stratford.  Just go!

This year was a slow start for us.  We have left going to Stratford until the end and now, I regret not getting on it sooner.  So far, we have seen The Music Man and To Kill a Mockingbird (one of the best productions I have ever seen at Stratford), and at the end of the month, we will see The Rocky Horror Show.  Our son was lucky enough to catch The Tempest in September.

Chastising myself for missing out on The Tempest and Coriolanus,  I’ve picked up the line-up for the 2019 Stratford Festival season and have started to plan which plays to go to next year.  There are no excuses not to go, Stratford is located a short one-hour drive from both Toronto and London.  If you love live theatre and you love Shakespeare, you can’t go wrong with the Stratford Festival.

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