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This is an eyewitness report from the NowPublic member Jordan Yerman who was on the scene.
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Vancouver 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies: Leaks and Speculation
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by Jordan Yerman | February 11, 2010 at 09:17 am
16764 views | 77 Recommendations | 24 comments
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No matter how tightly VANOC tries to control the public, it's inevitable that details from the top-secret Opening Ceremonies rehearsals will leak.
Generally, those invited have been keeping the Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremonies a secret because it's fun to be in on something that others aren't, as evidenced by everyone I spoke to last night in Yaletown, who had just come from the final rehearsal. They were just loving it that the rest of us didn't know what was going to happen. Not everyone, though, was so impressed.
However, I was able to ascertain that the Opening Ceremonies will not involve choreographed ice-dancing moose, beavers, raccoons, purse-sized dogs, or any other wildlife that symbolizes Vancouver.
Expect some sort of polar bear, though, since this is Canada, and Coca-Cola is a major sponsor.
The biggest secret of all is who will light the Olympic Torch. This element was not publicly rehearsed, because VANOC knows about Twitter, and there's no way that the public would keep that a secret. I'm guessing it'll be Wayne Gretzky. I'm also hoping for a suprise Leonard Cohen appearance.
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We know that a performer was injured during an early rehearsal which involved a ski jump, and that our First Nations community will play a large role in the Opening Ceremonies, despite the divides taht characterize our day-to-day reality. This is, after all, a show- and the biggest live TV production in Canadian History. Some of the performers couldn't resist telling the world about their participation, though, which is understandable. We know that Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan and Nelly Furtado will be appearing, too.
Any spectator seen taking a photo was hauled out to the aisle like a grade-schooler and told to delete it while security overlooked.
Vancouver is Rain City, and, even though BC Place is a covered stadium, the crowd could still get rained upon. It happened on January 14, while maintenance crews were looking the other way.
Heavy rains forecast by Environment Canada will test the crew responsible for keeping water from pooling on B.C. Place Stadium’s 27-year-old air-supported fabric roof.
If you're attending the Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremonies, get to BC Place early. Very early. Security will make the typical airport procedures look like nothing.
Amazing Opening Ceremonies dress rehearsal last night. Who knew Anne Murray could breakdance like that? #van2010 #spoileralert
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Jordan Yerman
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Sudha Krishna
Vancouver, Canada
Orphan Gordie
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (24)
at 10:56 on February 11th, 2010
Good Luck. We wish Vancouver the same success Calgary had in 1988.
at 11:06 on February 12th, 2010
The 2010 Winter Olympics will begin with an elaborate opening ceremony. The ceremony will be held on February 12, 2010, at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia and will feature, among other events and exhibits, the lighting of the Olympic cauldronAll the exciting details: bit.ly/vancouver-olympic-details
at 20:19 on February 12th, 2010
Are you from Canada? Are u Nancy and Lenny?
at 15:45 on February 11th, 2010
Good luck. This is going to be great. Best Wishes.
at 19:40 on February 11th, 2010
Best wishes to Vancouver for a successful Olympics.
I happen to love watching most of the Olympics sports.
at 20:45 on February 11th, 2010
KD Lang to perform Halleluha at the opening ceremonies
at 23:12 on February 11th, 2010
Definitely don't expect anything similar to Beijing. The only real high point will be the athletes entrance and probably the lighting of the cauldron. The rest is not impressive at all. Lack of budget and use of volunteers shows although I'm sure they worked hard by Canadian standards. The blow up polar bear puppet was a too obvious nod to Coke's bear. I can't believe people would pay over $1000 for a ticket to this. Save it and go to a Bryan Adams concert.
at 23:20 on February 11th, 2010
Watch for the "erection" of the 4 nations totem poles out of the sunken floor stage thing. Way belittle a serious "emotional" moment. I hope it looks better on TV than it did in person. At least the first nations costumes were much more gorgeous than the Canadian / river dance "hoe down" lumberjack outfits. I bet Furlong came up with the choreography and the dancers had to provide their own costumes due to budget.
at 23:52 on February 11th, 2010
I wish success,no disturbance or attack of any kind from any quarter to keep the spirit of games alive
at 02:45 on February 12th, 2010
Hi! Im Pedobear!
at 06:54 on February 12th, 2010
lol @ pedobear fail
at 07:03 on February 12th, 2010
It is all over American websites that Nelly Furtado, Sarah Mclaughlin and Bryan Adams are among the performers at the Olympic Opening Ceremonies tonight. I cannot rejoice in this debacle, with the Provincial Government cutting almost 57 million dollars in programs to some of our most vulnerable citizens like children and the mentally ill. All so they can put on this ridiculous party. Also the money being spent on security is so over the top. The number of police around Vancouver and at the Canada Line out in Richmond is ridiculous and is so oppressive. I just hope there are no more incidents like yesterday, where some poor numbskull left his fishing rod near the seabus and it almost became WW III. The expense of it all. The message of the Olympics is lost now, due to the IOC, corporate influence and the ridiculous cost to stage this kind of event.
at 11:02 on February 12th, 2010
VANCOUVER
at 11:04 on February 12th, 2010
www.androidcentral.com/
at 20:16 on February 12th, 2010
Kids all left the room... BORING>>>>We can't figure out what most of this has to do with Canada?? and why those indigenous people dancing like they are on caffeine highs??By the way.. who sang "Both Sides Now?" and why did the kid look like Peter Pan?
at 22:21 on February 12th, 2010
joni mitchell wrote and sang both sides now at the 2010 olympics.
at 23:01 on February 12th, 2010
Who was the French Cdn fellow who sang near the end of the ceremony? Sounded like 'Gaveu'. Nice voice.
at 07:42 on February 13th, 2010
Wayne was a great choice!!! I think Canada missed opportunity...... to show case other visible minorities..... I think it was too much for the aboriginals. I was ok that they get to be show cased.Canada is much taller then portrayed. ONCE AGAIN LEADERSHIP IN THE COUNTRY HAS FAILED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW CASE CANADA IN ITS ENTIRETY....
at 06:31 on February 14th, 2010
Wayne was a great choice!!! I think Canada missed opportunity...... to show case other visible minorities..... I think it was too much ABOUT the aboriginals. I was ok that they get to be show cased.Canada is much taller then portrayed. ONCE AGAIN LEADERSHIP IN THE COUNTRY HAS FAILED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW CASE CANADA IN ITS ENTIRETY....
at 13:32 on February 15th, 2010
I agree with Nizar. WAAAAY to much Native stuff!! Canada is about so much more then ridiulous outfits, and ridiculous dancing! It would have been nice to see other cultures shown and appreciated. I did find the opening ceremonies a bit boring but there still were some nice touches. Out of a 10 I give the opening ceremonies a 6. Oh and our National Anthem was totally butchered! What was that about???
at 00:06 on February 19th, 2010
Who do you think you are for saying we, First Nations people, are buzzed up on caffeine when we do our traditional dances?!?! And we DO NOT refer to our regalia as costumes!! That is completely disrespectful! Do some research, people!! I was a part of the welcoming cast and find this completely insulting to myself and the 300+ Aboriginal youth who participated! SHOW SOME SUPPORT FOR THE YOUTH AT LEAST! If you had such a big problem with the ceremony, all you had to do was turn off your television or switch to a different channel! AS ALWAYS, you people are being so ignorant and not being open-minded! Here's a tidbit, the closing ceremony won't be as "boring" as you thought the opening ceremony was. It will involve more "bilingualism" and diversity. HAVE SOME PATIENCE!
at 22:41 on February 19th, 2010
i think that the opening ceremonies lacked ALOT ! and they were boring , no offense to anyone or any group in particular. i agree that the aboriginal stuff was important and of value, but perhaps the diversity of our country could have been shown with different cultural things being done too. Canada lost, maybe what you could say, the greatest oppurtunity to show the world its multiculturalism. However, the first nations events were good, but as i said, this event could have been better.
at 13:24 on February 21st, 2010
whatssuppp
at 22:25 on February 21st, 2010
i totaly agree with john_k!