All the entertainment you could ever want is on PEI

Photo by Confederation Centre of the Arts

Every year I visit Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada, and almost every day I take in a live show.  It's easy and convenient and affordable to do so, because most of those shows take place at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in the capital city of Charlottetown. Check out this season's lineup:

Anne of Green Gables – The Musical. This is the 45th season for this play about a plucky orphan, based on the novel by L.M. Montgomery. More than 2.3 million people have seen the show on the Centre’s 1,100-seat Mainstage theater  since 1965, making Anne  Canada’s longest-running musical and one of the longest-running musicals in the world.

Disco Cirque. Also on the Mainstage, this  musical revue of the disco era is made contemporary with silks dropping from the ceiling and performers both on and above the stage.

Stan Rogers – A Matter of Heart. The music of this great Canadian composer will be presented at The Mack, across the street from the Centre's main building.

Charlie Farquharson and Them Udders. In this sketch comedy, Don Harmon portrays Farquarsohn, who says, “This show is gonna be a ring-tailed snorter of a rang dang doo!” You get the idea.

Abegweit – The Soul of the Island. One of the many good thing about this 45-minute musical production by the The Young Company is that it is absolutely free. Another good thing is that it celebrates Prince Edward Island.

Sketch 22.  This late-night show of short sketches at the Mack isn't for everyone, because it can be smutty. But it can also be hilarious.

And that is just some of what goes on. Ticket prices vary, but you save 15 percent by buying tickets to  two shows, 20 percent for three shows and 25 percent for four-plus shows. The summer season, called the Charlottetown Festival, runs June 18-Sept. 26. And apart from the Centre, all of the island is filled with musical and other entertainment.

Visit www.confederationcentre.com. For Prince Edward Island information, visit www.gentleisland.com.

Trivial question

Since the above item was about Canada, let's have a trivia question from that country. Which U.S. city and which Canadian city are connected by the International Bridge? Hint: It doesn't involve Prince Edward Island. (Answer Friday.) 

Virginia, at 40 percent off ...

In connection with the 40th anniversary of the Virginia Is for Lovers promotion, the state is offering 40 percent off dozens of hotels and attractions. In addition, there are $40 off deals and Buy 3 Get One Free promotions.

For the offers, click here.

... and a third night free in New York

 Hundreds of  lodging properties, including privately-owned campgrounds, will take part in I Love New York's "book two nights, get the third night free" offer. In addition, travelers can save 20 percent on fares to all New York state destinations served by Amtrak and/or receive a 5 percent discount on Enterprise car rentals at Amtrak and MTA Metro North Railroad station stops.

For more information, click here.

Worth quoting

New York's "tall buildings are a waste. In Boston, Bunker Hill gets to the point much quicker than Radio City. "

                                                                                                           -- comedian Fred Allen 

'Saks in the City' is a Boston shopping spree

In Boston, the Fairmont Copley Plaza has partnered with its retail neighbor, Saks Fifth Avenue, to offer a Saks in the City Package. Participants get access to the exclusive Fifth Avenue Club with personal shopping plus light dining and beverages for two,  a cosmetics consultation and  a $100 Saks Fifth Avenue gift card. The package includes one night at The Fairmont Copley Plaza, and is available through Sept. 7. Rates  start at $279.

Click here or call 800-441-1414.

Choose your cruise: Elvis or Sinatra & Martin

An Elvis cruise sails Nov.12-16 from Tampa, Fla., to Cozumel, Mexico, on the Carnival Inspiration, with prices starting at $599. Some of Elvis Presley's former band members will be onboard, rocking out the Elvis oldies.

Click here or call 877-749-8462.

Meanwhile, a Tribute to Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin will be presented by Ron & Joyce Della Chiesa on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Costa Atlantica, sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,  Feb. 27 - March 6. Michael Dutra stands in for  Sinatra and Steven Palumbo plays the Dean Martin role. Prices vary.

Click here or call 800-989-8188.

Fascinating fact

The full name of Los Angeles was El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula, which means The Town of Our Lady the Queen of Angels of the Little Portion. That name can be abbreviated to 3.63 percent of its size: LA.