Almost 20 years after Indiana Jones last galloped across the big screen in “The Last Crusade”, the bullwhip-cracking hero is back on Thursday, May 22. As a diehard “Raiders” fan, I plan to be there on the first day and would love to get a group of friends together to share the adventure of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull!

Naturally, I’ll be in full Indy regalia, and I encourage you to also “dress up” in the spirit of this 1930’s adventure!

The Schedule:

I located an ancient scroll that reveals the top-secret location and showtime for the premiere. Well, OK, I actually just found it on the Internet. Here’s the details:

Day: Thursday, May 22
Location: Scotabank (aka the Paramount) theatre, downtown Vancouver (Burrard @ Smithe)
Time: 7:00 pm.

The movie runs 122 minutes, so we’ll be done by a little after 9.

The Plan, Part 1: Tickets

This showing will sell out - getting tickets at the door is chancy. Please arrange your tickets in advance via the online ticketing service of the Paramount. Visit this URL (and ignore the silly popup message; see below):

Paramount Theatre Online Tickets Page

Once there, choose Thursday, May 22 from the pop-up menu, and take it from there.Note:Mac users may get a messages hinting strongly that you should use Internet Explorer. Don’t believe this Microsoft propaganda. I had perfect success in Firefox and I suspect Safari will also work for you.

The Plan, Part 2: Meeting

The theatre will be a zoo and good seats will go in a flash, so I would aim to get there a full hour before at 6:00. I’ll be stationed in the Paramount lobby at about that time, and watching out for the gang. Hopefully we’ll all have arrived and confirmed/purchased our tickets by the top of the hour, as that’s when I will be heading for the actual theatre lineup. My cell will still stay on as long as possible for last-minute communications.

RSVP’ing

Please confirm via email if you’ll be attending so I know who to watch for… and I will also provide you with my cell number in case you need to reach me at any time up to showtime!

The wait is nearly over - I hope you can join me in this grand big-screen thrill ride!

Hi all,

I was saddened to read of the imminent closing of Wally’s Burgers on Kingsway at the end of this month, and the resulting disappearance of one last bit of that strip’s historic car culture. Between that and the looming “redevelopment” of the 2400 Motel, the last one standing of many such motels that used to line Kingsway, the little historic character that remains on the “Royal Road” will soon be a memory.

So, I say, let’s go celebrate it while we still can!

On Monday, March 24th, last day of the Easter long weekend, you’re invited to join me as we cruise down Kingsway, and into the past, in my classic 1963 Rambler. Our first stop: the 2400 Motel, with its individual “cabin” style accommodation and its truly fabulous neon sign.

Then, we’ll head for Wally’s Burgers for some classic drive-in style food under the fading but still jaunty-looking Wally’s sign. Be sure to order the “top-secret relish”.

If at all possible, do dress for the fabulous 50’s and 60’s era we will be celebrating. From Fonzie-style greaser or poodle skirted bobby-soxer to Kennedy-era cat-eye glasses and scarf wraps… or wherever your imagination (and available wardrobe) takes you!

Depending where you are, I can pick you up on the way or meet you at the 2400 - just let me know. I plan to leave the West End at 10:00 AM. Email me if you’re interested!

This Sunday, March 2, I will be performing along with the Kol Halev Performance Ensemble in the Chutpah! Festival’s 2nd annual Community Dance Show. Three local dance troupes in total are performing.

Our 20-minute presentation is called “The Forties: Life on the Home Front”. It includes a thrilling tap dance number, songs, poems of WWII, and wraps up with “Yiddishe Blues”, a big, expressive finale.

The show is this Sunday, 10:30 am and 12:30 pm, at the Jewish Community Centre. Tickets are a deal at only $10. I hope you can make it!

Vancouver’s peppy and boisterous Broadway Chorus is proud to present the MOST CANADIAN SHOW EVER!

Sure, Anne of Green Gables is a Canadian classic, but it’s just that little bit more Canadian when gutsy imp Anne Shirley is replaced with multi-Grammy and Juno winner Anne Murray, Canada’s sweetheart. Yes, in Anne Murray of Green Gables our favourite pop star is adopted by Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of Avonlea. She can’t work on the farm, she can’t help around the house, but she has a beautiful singing voice, and just might be their ticket to winning that talent contest they’ve always lost to the Lyndes.

Will Anne fit in to her new family? Will the Lynde Family (and the Partridge Family) adopt a pop star of their own? Find out in this hilarious spoof featuring songs from Broadway, the movies, pop hits, and beloved seasonal favourites. Christmas will never be the same!

Watch for me in the role of Reuben Partridge, and also also in a cameo appearance as a highly recognizable musical legend!

To reserve tickets, e-mail ashley.lm@ubc.ca or call 778-322-7182. Tickets are $14, or $11 for students, seniors and kids. All shows begin at 8:00pm.

The Roundhouse Community Centre is located at Davie & Pacific in Vancouver’s Yaletown district; there is paid underground parking available. Click here for a map.

Hope to see you at the show!

A musical tradition returns. Come enjoy a great night of showtunes sung by a fabulous group of singers, with great snacks, drink, and doorprizes - all to support APPLAUSE! Musicals.

And yes, I will be contributing a number!

Carousel Theatre Space
1411 Cartwright Street
Granville Island (across from the Waterfont Theatre)
$10 at the door (APPLAUSE! Alumni $5. Cash bar.)

Here’s an event that looks to be worth checking out. And it’s free!

Everyone is interesting. This Conversation sets out to prove it. While conventional talk shows focus on newsmakers or celebrities promoting their latest movie, book, or album, This Conversation seeks out people who are normally on the sidelines and puts them centre-stage to hear their stories.

Whether it’s someone celebrating their one hundredth birthday, a street busker, tow-truck driver or grocery store clerk, everyone has a story to share. And it’s probably extraordinary, funny, insightful, or all of the above. This Conversation is that stage. We’ll talk to some celebrities, too, but we’ll find the angles to their stories that you wouldn’t normally hear in the media.

Hosted by local comedian and award-winning actor, Brendan Beiser, This Conversation promises to be a unique, humorous and touching look into life behind the scenes.

HOST – BRENDAN BEISER – Mr. Beiser is a local actor in the film, television, stage, and voice-over industry. Brendan has always been interested in people and their stories. He is the host of the Celluloid Social Club and a reporter for Novus television. This marks his debut into the talk show format.

What: This Conversation
When: 7:30 pm, Thursday, October 18th, 2007
Where: Cafe Montmartre, 4362 Main Street, Vancouver, BC
(604) 879-8111

Host: Brendan Beiser
Guests: Malcolm Parry (journalist, The Sun)
Miriam Mattoff (101 years old)
Veronika Vice (wrestler - Extreme Canadian Championship Wrestling)
Info: 604 734-8339 or paularmstrong@telus.net
Cost: Free

Contact: Paul Armstrong, C: 604 727-0253, E: paularmstrong@telus.net