by Jeff Stackhouse
The Summer of 2016 is officially wrapping up but it sure was great.
The PNE, Abbotsford Agrifair and Airshow, Langley Cruise-In and “Expo ’86: An Unofficial History” all helped create one of the most memorable summers of all-time.
Just weeks ago I went to the PNE in Vancouver and it was amazing.
They had a new magic show “Unbelievable!”, a Broadway–style Marquee show that was as good as anything I have bought tickets to.
World-renowned magicians graced the stage that have won magic awards equivalent to an Olympic gold medal. Very amazing.
(Try to be aware of free shows if you are on a budget because they are worth $100 a ticket regularly if you were to go see them at places like the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.) After that I saw the “Good Times: The Monkees 50th Anniversary” concert, another $100 to $200 show for free.
The show was sold out and was probably most peoples highlight of the summer. They are getting older but can hold a tune perfectly and I am doubtful if anyone thought they would get to hear classics like “Daydream Believer” and “I’m a Believer” live. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience for the very appreciative crowd.
The Abbotsford Agrifair included a very moving performance by “Sidewalk Prophets”. They have several huge hits that you will recognize if you Google them such as “The Words I Would Say” which is truly one of my favorite songs of all time. I didn’t know who wrote that song before seeing them live and was very pleasantly surprised.
Abbotsford Airshow was fantastic. If you have never gone before and want to go next year the best night by far is the Friday Night Light show.
You get all of the big acts like “The Snowbirds” and will also get some awesome fire demonstrations at night and lot of great fireworks.
I went all 3 days this year because the jets are so powerful and fantastic.
Langley “Cruise-In” keeps getting better and is now a “world-renowned” event and is one of the biggest car shows staged in the entire world.
Cars go on for miles and miles with no end in sight.
I could not even get to see every car there was so many so go early and take your time in 2017.
To finish the summer of 2016 on a high note several artists and I put on the now legendary art show titled “Expo ‘86: An Unofficial History” at the prestigious Pendulum Gallery in Vancouver.
It was specifically created to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Expo ’86 in a new innovative fashion.
We did not want to put on your average show of stock footage from old postcards, but instead wanted real raw emotion in every photograph.
We looked to personal unseen images, which were unearthed for the first time as Vancouver found new excitement for our city and home. My image “Life Moves Pretty Fast” was featured in the show and has now gained quite a significant Internet following and ended up getting me an live interview with The Vancouver Public Library on “This Vancouver: Retro Expo”.
To end the evening off in style I went LIVE (on Facebook Live), had lots of great food and drinks, and mingled with Vancouver’s finest personalities at the gala reception. Oh what a night indeed!
If you are unhappy that most events have ended rest assured that there is a wealth of great events planned in every community in the upcoming months.
Remember Mission presents Diwali Fest on October 26th, and Abbotsford presents The Garden of Earthly Delights September 29th to October 1st.
Also Abbotsford Envision concerts are still free every Saturday night from 7pm to 9pm at various locations and Abbotsford Centre is still drawing enormous crowds for many sold-out shows.
Next to perform is Kenny Rogers, John Fogerty, Slayer, Mariana’s Trench/ Shawn Hook, Our Lady Peace/I Mother Earth, Mamma Mia, Michael W. Smith /Amy Grant and Celtic Thunder!
Happy end of summer and beginning of fall- to all!
