VOCALEYE NEWS — AUGUST 2017
Image: dog’s face in a sprinkler

IN THIS ISSUE:
1) Hot Dog Days!
2) Described Performances and Events:
Aug 2: Celebration of Light Fireworks
3) Aug 6: Vancouver Pride Parade
4) Aug 11: The Drowsy Chaperone at Theatre Under the Stars
5) Aug 27: Accessible Fringe 101
6) Last Call for Raffle Tickets
7) Buddies
8) Support
9) Reminders

** 1) HOT DOG DAYS!
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The dog days of summer are upon us and there’s still fun to be had! This month, we describe 3 spectacular outdoor events and we’ll be handing out free Fringe Memberships to VocalEye users who attend ($5 value). (https://www.almanac.com/content/what-are-dog-days-summer)

We’ll put our Fingerworkers to the test tomorrow at the Celebration of Light (August 2). This event is pretty much “sold out”, but we might have room for one or two more. Check with Donna, buddies@vocaleye.ca

Happy Pride Week! We are thrilled to partner with the Vancouver Pride Society for our third year, making the Pride Parade more accessible with live description. Allan and Eileen are very excited to describe the parade for you. Seats and headsets are still available and we hope you can join us for this fun, free, fantastic event! Reserve your spot with Donna, buddies@vocaleye.ca

I just got a phone call today from the Vancouver WhiteCaps and they’re offering Pride Partners a special deal that I’m passing on to all of you: tickets to the Sat August 19 game (Vancouver vs Houston) for $27 (regular price is around $60). Support Pride Night will include pre-show events and the first 1,000 ticket holders will receive a complimentary pair of Pride shoelaces (rainbow stripes, natch!). Contact Adrien at 604.669.9283 ext. 2804 or alafleche@whitecapsfc.com and mention VocalEye (you may want to call just to hear a beautiful Parisian accent).

You won’t want to miss our last described show of the season, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE at Theatre Under the Stars in Stanley Park with a Touch Tour afterward. What a perfect way to end the season!

August marks the beginning of the end of summer and also the end of VocalEye’s seventh season. Details for next season are coming soon, but here are a few highlights:

The new season begins with the Vancouver Fringe Festival: 100 shows, 700 performances, 11 days. We’re not describing all of them, of course, but 30 shows are designated as Low Vision Friendly and VocalEye will describe one performance as well. Find out what all this means at our Accessible Fringe 101 orientation (details below).

We are delighted to return to the Arts Club for our 8th season! Single tickets are now on sale for all described performances with shows and dates on the Arts Club website. Be sure to mark your calendars for Beauty and the Beast. We’re describing this one twice: Sunday, December 17 at 2 pm with a Touch Tour; and again on Wednesday, December 20 at 7:30 pm (no tour). Season subscriptions are also available with more savings and perks. Call 604-687-1644 for more info. (http://artsclub.com/shows/2017-2018/vocaleye)

We’ve also confirmed another described season at The Belfry in Victoria. They’re offering a season ticket package for described performances for greater savings this year. Call 250-385-6815 for more info. (http://www.belfry.bc.ca)

VocalEye will also return to the Surrey Arts Centre, the Kay Meek Centre, The Gateway in Richmond and Stanley Park for The Ghost Train. (http://www.surrey.ca/culture-recreation/1688.aspx)
(https://kaymeek.com)
(https://www.gatewaytheatre.com)
(http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/ghost-train.aspx)

Save the date: Saturday, November 4 for VocalEye’s 5th annual TALES FROM THE BLIND SIDE storytelling fundraiser at Moose’s Down Under. (http://www.vocaleye.ca/shows/tales-blind-side-2017/)

I could go on, but summer’s almost over already. Get out there and enjoy!

See you soon!

Warmly,

Steph

** 2) DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS…
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** 3) VANCOUVER PRIDE PARADE
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VANCOUVER PRIDE PARADE described on Sunday August 6, 2017 from Noon until 3 pm, Beach Avenue Accessible Seating near Alexandra Park. Free public event. (http://www.vocaleye.ca/shows/vancouver-pride-parade-2017/)

Headsets and priority seating will be provided free of charge for people with vision loss in the accessibility area from 11 am to 3 pm on Parade Day (Sunday, August 6). Reservations are required. Contact 604-364-5949 or info@vocaleye.ca

Seating and equipment are limited. We recommend arriving early.

Please note: The new accessibility area is located on the water side of Beach Avenue at the foot of Broughton Street. This is across the street and farther down the parade route (to the left) when compared to our location in previous years.

VocalEye is proud to describe the 39th Annual Vancouver Pride Parade for people who are blind and partially sighted. This is VocalEye’s third year describing the Vancouver Pride Parade thanks to a request from Richard Marion, a member of the blind community.

Described by Eileen Barrett and Allan Morgan with live-tweets from VocalEye volunteers.

Your sighted friends are welcome to listen in on Eileen and Allan’s description of this year’s Pride participants. Bring an extra set of ear buds and ask us for a splitter and you’ll be able to share your receiver. Friends can also follow our live tweets on Twitter (https://twitter.com/vocaleye) .

The Beach Avenue Accessibility Area features seating, shade and accessible washroom facilities. Free bottled water will be available, but to reduce waste, we encourage you to bring your own water. VocalEye will provide light snacks and treats. Be sure to dress for the weather as necessary, it can be cooler near the water, and don’t forget your sunscreen! You may want to bring a little cushion for your seat.

** 4) THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
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THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, described by Eileen Barrett on Friday, August 11 at 8 pm at Theatre Under the Stars, 610 Pipeline Road, Stanley Park, Vancouver. TUTS offers a free companion rate for VocalEye users. Regular ticket prices range from $30 to $49. To purchase tickets, please call 604-734-1917. For best headset reception, seating is recommended in the left section of the audience, rows 10 and higher. Running time is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes. This performance will be followed by a Touch Tour and we’ll also draw the winning raffle tickets. (http://www.vocaleye.ca/shows/the-drowsy-chaperone/)

Arrive early and grab a bite to eat at the Garden Café or a light snack from the snack bar. There is a wide range of hot, cold and alcoholic beverages for sale as well. Bring your own seat cushion for more comfort. A limited number of cushions will be reserved for VocalEye guests on a first come, first served basis (http://www.tuts.ca/garden-cafe-menu)

You’ll be sitting outdoors, so be sure to dress for the weather and be prepared for cooler temperatures in the evening.

“There’s nothing snoozy or sleepy about this TUTS production of The Drowsy Chaperone: it’s flat-out, full-on fun. Plus it’s wickedly clever.”
-Jo Ledingham (http://bit.ly/2vvnCkf)

Alone in his modest, one-bedroom apartment, a die-hard musical fan plays his favourite cast album, a 1928 smash hit called The Drowsy Chaperone. As the record spins, the show magically bursts to life, filling his living room with colourful characters, immersing him in the hilarious tale of a celebrity bride and her impending nuptials, complete with gangsters, playboys, singing, dancing and drinking.

“There’s much ado these days about a Canadian musical, Come From Away, making it big on Broadway and scooping a Tony Award for direction earlier this month. (https://www.vancouverpresents.com/theatre/come-away-coming-vancouver/)

But what many people forget, or don’t know, is that just over a decade ago, another subversive little Canuck musical pulled off the same magic. Written by Bob Martin and Don McKellar as a wedding present to Martin’s wife, it was first staged off the beaten track in Toronto’s storied Rivoli bar back in 1998. A long, winding, and unlikely path led it to the bright lights of Broadway by 2006, nabbing it five Tony Awards and the chance to go on to England, Australia, and Japan.” -The Georgia Straight (http://bit.ly/2uwEkCC)

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – PLOT SYNOPSIS (https://gallery.mailchimp.com/de65e4fe4220a1a668fdef7ee/files/4c821ca6-d291-46f7-ac51-756e9586446d/DROWSY_PLOT.doc)

THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – SONG LIST (https://gallery.mailchimp.com/de65e4fe4220a1a668fdef7ee/files/bd3f9ddb-7e0d-4cbb-b89e-2e48008fa6ce/DROWSY_SONG_LIST.doc)

** 5) ACCESSIBLE FRINGE 101
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The Vancouver Fringe Festival tagline is “Theatre for Everyone”, an ideal that VocalEye fully supports! (http://www.vancouverfringe.com)

Personally speaking, I am a long-time fan of the Fringe. Full disclosure: I performed in the very first festival (1985) and have been involved with more than a dozen Fringe shows as an actor or director and many, many more as an audience member. Frequent Fringe-ing or Fringe Binge-ing is one of my all-time favourite things to do. With $14 tickets, a free companion rate and 60 minute shows (on average), you can do it, too! Let us show you how…

If you are a VocalEye member with vision loss or a Theatre Buddy who’s new to the Fringe, this orientation session will show you how its done!

When: Sunday, August 27 from Noon until 3 pm.
Meet up location: northeast corner of Broadway and Granville
Session location: Carousel rehearsal space, 1411 Cartwright Street, across from Kid’s Market and the Waterfront Theatre

This free orientation session includes:
* a walking tour from Broadway and Granville to Granville Island (starts at Noon)
* Accessible Fringe 101 session (begins at 12:30)
* Introduction to the Festival
* first-person reports from blind and low vision frequent Fringers, Deb Fong and Tami Grenon
* Low Vision Friendly programming
* tips on how to Fringe: choosing shows, booking tickets and more
* walking tour of Granville Island’s Fringe venues and landmarks
* snacks and refreshments
* free Fringe membership ($5 value)
* the opportunity to connect with a Fringe buddy
* the opportunity to become a Fringe buddy

This year’s Fringe is scheduled from September 7 to 17. There are more than 30 shows designated as Low Vision Friendly, plus one VocalEye described performance of “A Very Unpleasant Evening at the Rockefeller Rink Sometime Late December…ish”, on Saturday, September 16 at 3:50 pm at The Cultch Historic Theatre. This fresh and quirky comedy features some delightful characters, including one who happens to be a legally blind zamboni driver. Find out more at the orientation session!

To register, please contact Donna, buddies@vocaleye.ca
Deadline to register is August 24, 2017

** 6) LAST CALL FOR RAFFLE TICKETS!
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Don’t miss your chance to win one of three great prizes!
* First Prize: Plextalk Linio Pocket daisy/mp3 player from Canadian Assistive Technologies, value $369
* Second Prize: One-year subscription to Audible.com with AfterShokz bone-conducting headphones, value $210
* Third Prize: Save-On gift card, value $100

Ticket Price: $5

With three easy ways to purchase:
1. at the equipment table at one of VocalEye’s events
2. from a friendly VocalEye board member
3. or from Steph, 604-364-5949.

Draw Date: Friday, August 11, 2017 at 10:30 pm

Draw Location: Theatre Under the Stars, 610 Pipeline Road, Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2

Presence not required at time of draw. Winners consent to the release of their name by VocalEye, 303-355 E 15th Ave, Vancouver V5T 2R2 | 604-364-5949

Number of tickets for sale = 300 | BC Gaming Event License # 95264

Limit one prize per winner | BC residents only

All proceeds go toward VocalEye’s description programs.

** 7) VOCALEYE THEATRE BUDDIES…
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Theatre Buddies are available to guide VocalEye Members 18 years of age and over from a designated meet up location to and from selected theatres in the lower mainland. Reserve your Theatre Buddy by calling 604-364-5949 or send us an email. 48 hours notice is required. buddies@vocaleye.ca

** 8) SUPPORT…
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VocalEye will describe more than 40 performances and events this season for people who are blind and partially sighted, thanks to the generous contributions of our funders and supporters (http://www.vocaleye.ca/support-us/sponsors/) .

We gratefully acknowledge the Canada Council for the Arts, the BC Arts Council, the Province of British Columbia, the City of Vancouver, Metro Vancouver, our Community Donors and Individual Donors for their critical financial and in-kind support. VocalEye is currently in the process of becoming a registered charity and will not be able to issue tax receipts for donations until our application is approved. In the meantime, donations are greatly appreciated from anyone not requiring a tax receipt.

We thank you for helping us provide people with vision loss greater access to arts and culture.

DONATE HERE (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=W6ZXMTEJ9MSGC)
** 9) REMINDERS…
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* VocalEye’s complete season of described performances can be found on our website (http://vocaleye.ca/shows/) .
* Tickets and headsets must be reserved by calling the theatre, unless instructed otherwise.
* Be sure to mention VocalEye when booking your tickets to receive any discounts offered and indicate whether you have partial vision, a guide dog or other seating preferences. Seating options may be limited.
* Arrive early to pick up your equipment so you can be seated in time for a sound check and to listen to our pre-show introduction that includes brief descriptions of the set, characters and costumes. These begin 10 minutes before curtain.
* Our handheld receivers come with a single earpiece that can be worn on the left or right ear, or you can use your own earbuds or headphones. The audio signal is mono, so it will come through on only one side.
* VocalEye Memberships are FREE for people with vision loss.
* VocalEye Members are eligible for Theatre Buddy assistance, ticket discounts and equipment pickup without a deposit.
* VocalEye newsletters are available in your choice of formats: Plain Text or HTML with images. Both include a link at the top to a simple Word Doc format.
* VocalEye respects your right to privacy. We will not rent, sell or trade our list. Our mailings are intended to inform you of our events, programs, services and fundraising activities. You may unsubscribe at any time.
* You can help us spread the word about described performances and arts access for people with vision loss by sharing this newsletter with those in your network.

Thank you for reading through. See you at the theatre!

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