Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Ways to enjoy the season

A Las Vegas-style "Elvis" Christmas show, sparkling New Year's Eve party and Disney on Ice are some ways to enjoy the season.

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Stage West's rockin' Christmas show

Be entertained with "The Way It Was," an Elvis show performed in a Las Vegas-style showroom, along with a sumptuous buffet dinner on Dec. 20.

The annual Christmas show, starring internationally acclaimed Elvis tribute artist Stephen Kabakos of Milton, Ont. has become a tradition at Stage West Theatre in Mississauga, Ont.

Kabakos is "the king in this spectacular live tribute to the legendary Elvis Presley," said Laurie Wallace-Lynch, director of marketing and public relations.

"He's got the moves, the looks, the voice and the respect for the music -- and nothing equals seeing a live performance," she said.

This performance showcases Elvis' early Sun Studio recordings through to the army, movies, 1968 comeback and "explosive concert years."

To mark the season, Kabakos and his 14-member TVB (The Very Best) Ensemble mix in selections of Presley's greatest Christmas music.

Crowned a world champion in Memphis where the Elvis' Graceland mansion is a huge tourist attraction, Kabakos provides an experience that is "note for note, song for song and word for word" authentic.

There's also pre-show lavish buffet highlighted by a turkey dinner with all the trimmings for dining at the tables in the showroom.

"If you are an Elvis fan, you will talk for days about how great this show is. If you aren't Elvis fan, you will be now," Wallace-Lynch said.

Kabakos is back at Stage West on Jan. 10 for the Elvis Birthday Show to mark the king's 76th birthday (Jan. 8), and again on May 16.

More Elvis sightings at the Cavalcade of Champions

Not one, two or three Elvis', but 10 tribute artists at Stage West's fourth annual Cavalcade of Champions on Jan. 3.

Seven Elvis "troubadours" perform several songs each followed by three award-winning artists each doing a 35-minute set.

James Gibb of Harrow will salute Elvis during the early years while Toronto's Marcus Wells pays tribute to his gospel music and Thane Dunn of Moncton closes the show with a salute to the king during the '70s.

The troubadors, "who will schmooze the audience while they dine," are Dave Stewart, Joey Cundari, Spencer Bristow, John Cigan, T. J. Jackson, Eric Evangelista and Anthony Carbone.

Current ongoing show at Stage West is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat running through Feb. 14.

Hit the jackpot with Casino Rama's New Year Eve and shows

Casino Rama near Orillia, Ont. rings in the New Year with an overnight getaway, dinner and shows.

The New Year's Eve Hotel and Dining Experience for Two includes a stay in the luxury hotel, dinner at any of the dining places including the upscale St. Germain's Steakhouse and Willow Restaurant, breakfast or room service and "welcome favours." It's priced at $799 plus taxes.

The casino kicks off another "exciting, hit-filled concert season" on New Year's Day with the '70s soul group the Spinners, followed by the Righteous Brothers' Bill Medley on Jan. 2, said publicist Jenna Hunter.

Other shows include the Rat Pack, Jan. 6 to 9; Canadian country star Terri Clark, Jan. 14 and 15; the TSN Curling Skins Game, Jan. 22 and 23; Machine performing Pink Floyd, Jan. 28; and R&B's Boyz II Men, Jan. 29. www.casinorama.com; 1-800-832-PLAY (7529); www.ticketmaster.ca

Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy on ice

Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they travel to four magical destinations "all in one fun-filled ice production."

Publicist Beth Merrick said the Disney on Ice presentation of Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey runs in Toronto at the Rogers Centre from Dec. 25 to Jan. 2.

The journey includes the "magical worlds" of Lilo and Stitch in Hawaii, Simba and Nala in Africa, Ariel and Sebastian in their undersea kingdom and Peter Pan and Tinker Bell soaring through the sky. www.disneyonice.com; (416) 870-8000.

Disney Live! Mickey’s Rockin’ Road Show! comes to seven cities including London on Jan. 9. Other stops are Kitchener, Jan. 7; Ottawa, Jan. 8; Oshawa, Jan. 13; Toronto, Jan. 14-16; Windsor, Jan. 21; and Hamilton, Jan. 22-23. www.disneylive.com

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If you go:

Tickets for the Elvis show Dec. 20 at Stage West Theatre in Mississauga are $63.99 plus tax and include the multi-course, pre-show buffet. The Elvis Cavalcade of Champions show is $65.99.

Tickets and information: www.stagewest.com; 1-800-263-0684.

Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

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