BARD ON THE BEACH 26^th SEASON – FIREWORKS EVENINGS, CONCERTS & MORE

Celebrate summer by attending one of Bard on the Beach’s special events under the tents. In addition to the four productions currently playing on the BMO Mainstage and the Howard Family Stage, Bard is presenting a series of special events, from Bard-B-Q & Fireworks (on Celebration of Light evenings) to Vancouver Symphony Orchestra concerts and more, all in beautiful waterside Vanier Park. Bard-B-Q & Fireworks

Enjoy a performance of The Comedy of Errors or Shakespeare’s Rebel, followed by dinner and an up-close view of the Celebration of Light fireworks. Each evening includes a delicious wild Pacific salmon barbecue, dessert, a cash bar and entertainment. Tea and coffee will also be served before the fireworks display. Performance dates/times for Bard-B-Q and Fireworks are Saturday July 25, Wednesday July 29and Saturday August 1 at 5pm (NOTE: new 2015 start time). Tickets from $95 (includes play, dinner and site entertainment).

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: Live at Bard
Back by popular demand for a second season! The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Associate Conductor Gordon Gerrard entertain against the spectacular backdrop of the BMO Mainstage with two evenings, each featuring unique repertoire. On Monday, July 13 at 7:30 pm, the VSO presents a concert of Classical-era masterpieces, including Mozart’s brilliant Symphony No. 40, one of the greatest symphonies ever written. On Monday, July 20 at 7:30 pm, enjoy the beautiful music of the Baroque era, including Bach’s famous Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, a suite from Handel’s Water Music and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4. Tickets from $26.

Opera and Arias: Gilbert & Sullivan!
Delight in the well-loved classics of Gilbert & Sullivan, from The Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Mikado and more. Christopher Gaze hosts this in-concert performance showcasing the gifted young stars of the UBC Opera Ensemble, under the direction of Nancy Hermiston. The performances are enhanced with instrumental accompaniment by members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra, conducted by Leslie Dala.Opera & Arias is presented on Monday August 24 and Monday August 31, with performances at 2pm and 7:30 pm on each date. Tickets from $26.

Family Night
Your family will love seeing the whimsical world of The Comedy of Errors come to life! Arrive at the Village early on Thursday, August 6 and enjoy food trucks, an exclusive pre-show talk designed just for kids and plenty of special activities for the family. Please call the Bard Box Office to book your tickets; ask about money-saving Family Package pricing.

Wine Wednesdays
Wine Wednesdays are an intimate pre-show wine tasting in the Bard Marquee, presented by special guests. Chat with wine makers and experts as you learn tasting etiquette and sample select wines. On August 12join Sandhill Winery for a tasting hosted by Howard Soon, Master Winemaker at Sandhill and winner of the 2015 Spirited Industry Professional Award. Tickets are $20 (play ticket sold separately).

Bard ExploredEnhance your Bard experience by taking in one or more of our public talks.

In the Exploring Shakespeare series, Simon Fraser University’s Paul Budra delivers in-depth explorations of each play in his lively and engaging style. Go beyond the story and explore Shakespeare’s inspirations and influences on Mondays throughout the season at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 and dates are: July 13 – The Comedy of Errors, July 20 – King Lear and August 31 – Love’s Labour’s Lost. The August 10 talk on Shakespeare’s Rebel will be presented by playwright C.C. Humphreys.

Returning for a second season, Discovering Shakespeare provides a comprehensive introduction to this season’s productions on Saturday mornings at 11:30am, prior to a matinee. Bard’s Director of Education Mary Hartman delivers a colourful backgrounder on the story, characters, language and historical context of Love’s Labour’s Lost on August 8. Playwright and Rebel author C.C. Humphreys will present the July 18lecture on Shakespeare’s Rebel. Tickets are $10.