A Beautiful Opening Ceremony

[LuigiVercotti]

I paid $180.00 for a ticket and saw the whole theatrical show...it was amazing. I was worried I wouldn't have a good view, but certainly wasn't the case...and the people weren't as small as I thought they would be.

Simply said, it's an experience of a lifetime: to attend an Olympic Opening Ceremony AND that it's in my hometown.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

$180...bargain!! I think my Sydney OC 2000 ticket (it was part of a package) would have been about A$950...great seat but no idea what that would translate into today's Canadian dollars. Sounds like VANOC had some pretty decent ticketing prices.

[mr.x]

The Torino handover didn't have any aboriginal performances besides the chiefs which I don't really count as a performance. I think if there where real natives there it would be far more authentic and im sure if they had a few months to rehearse they could have done a terrific job.

This ceremony was on a tight budget...and they were quite desperate for performers. This is what David Atkins wanted: several rehearsals last month were canceled solely because things were going so well.

$180...bargain!! I think my Sydney OC 2000 ticket (it was part of a package) would have been about A$950...great seat but no idea what that would translate into today's Canadian dollars. Sounds like VANOC had some pretty decent ticketing prices.

Hahaha...I had a D seat...student budget. From what I've heard, A seats aren't so great as you can't see the whole show...it might be great if you want to see the individual/performers faces, but the Ceremony is a spectacle show.

The A seats at last night's gala was around $1,100.

[cormiermax]

This ceremony was on a tight budget...and they were quite desperate for performers. This is what David Atkins wanted: several rehearsals last month were canceled solely because things were going so well.

I bet aboriginal proformers would have done it for free! And on the rehearsals being canceld, How long does it take to teach someone to dance around in a line?

[mr.x]

The seating prices overall were lower than Salt Lake and Torino.

[NY20??]

I think a historical course would have been boring, but even an idea or concept of thought. Something to bind everything together.

NBC here made the point that the artistic portion was a geographical progression. Beginning with the Artic and Canada's northern regions, down to the east (apparently the Fiddler music segment was inspired by a trip Atkins took to Newfoundland), onto the prairies and the Canadian Rockies, and finally ending at metro Vancouver / modern day Canada.

[SkiFreak]

And they simply didn't understand the concept of the aboriginal segment, that it was a "welcoming".

Personally, I loved the aboriginal segment. It fit the ceremony perfectly.

Having grown up on Vancouver Island in Port Alberni, I was exposed to the native culture and experienced a few Welcoming pole raisings, even one at my elementary school. I thought the first segment was great, very well done.

[Olympian2004]

I maybe was still too upset after the cauldron glitch -- but I didn't notice until now that there were only those very short fireworks fired from BC Place's roof during the global broadcast of the ceremony. The big fireworks after the Coal Harbour cauldron lighting weren't shown on German TV (just like Gretzky's way through the city to the cauldron). So that has to be added as a weak spot of that ceremony, in my opinion. Directly after the ceremony, I somehow knew that there was something missing but I couldn't figure out what it was precisely. Now I know.

And did I miss something or did the ceremony lack a "doves of peace" segment or depiction? I know that Salt Lake and (I believe) Nagano didn't have one either but I'm always curious which artistic concept they use to replace the real doves.

By the way: Someone here or in another thread complained that Michael Bublé and Diana Krall didn't perform in the opening ceremony. I strongly expect to them to take part in the closing ceremony instead. I think it will be a festival of many world-famous singers and musicians, comparable to Sydney's closing ceremony. And they would be stupid to keep those two magnificent local artists out of the ceremony. Although I have to admit that I like both so much that I'm a little bit disappointed as well that they will only sing the "swan song" for these Games and couldn't take part in the more exciting and anticipating opening ceremony.

[jawnbc]

Tsleil Waututh

Somebody find out the name of, and some information on, that hot shirtless Slaywatooth boy, I need to know.

[mr.x]

I maybe was still too upset after the cauldron glitch -- but I didn't notice until now that there were only those very short fireworks fired from BC Place's roof during the global broadcast of the ceremony. The big fireworks after the Coal Harbour cauldron lighting weren't shown on German TV (just like Gretzky's way through the city to the cauldron). So that has to be added as a weak spot of that ceremony, in my opinion. Directly after the ceremony, I somehow knew that there was something missing but I couldn't figure out what it was precisely. Now I know.

And did I miss something or did the ceremony lack a "doves of peace" segment or depiction? I know that Salt Lake and (I believe) Nagano didn't have one either but I'm always curious which artistic concept they use to replace the real doves.

By the way: Someone here or in another thread complained that Michael Bublé and Diana Krall didn't perform in the opening ceremony. I strongly expect to them to take part in the closing ceremony instead. I think it will be a festival of many world-famous singers and musicians, comparable to Sydney's closing ceremony. And they would be stupid to keep those two magnificent local artists out of the ceremony. Although I have to admit that I like both so much that I'm a little bit disappointed as well that they will only sing the "swan song" for these Games and couldn't take part in the more exciting and anticipating opening ceremony.

Buble and Krall are in the city...they will most definitely be involved in the Closing...and it makes me wish I had tickets to the Closing as well.

As for the doves of peace segment, doves were projected towards the end of KD Lang's song.

[Olympian2004]

As for the doves of peace segment, doves were projected towards the end of KD Lang's song.

Oops, you're right. I must have missed it because I was already typing something for the live discussion.

Very beautifully done -- just like the whole song's performance! And I'm even glad that the audience didn't follow the instructions and switched on those flashlights immediately. It was such a nice backdrop for kd lang when she sang. And the whole stadium covered with those warm golden lights looked stunning.

By the way, I'm glad that I downloaded the ARD broadcast on my hard disk. YouTube really is not a help these days, due to the IOC's overly strict copyright policy.

[Citius Altius Fortius]

Tsleil Waututh

...awwww - I thought that's the name of that "god"/"hunk"/"guy" - but thats the name of the nation...

But thanks very much jawnbc for the information - I will try to find some other pics of him on the net...

In the case that somebody has his phone no. I would be very pleased to get it...

[4seasonscentre]

And did I miss something or did the ceremony lack a "doves of peace" segment or depiction? I know that Salt Lake and (I believe) Nagano didn't have one either but I'm always curious which artistic concept they use to replace the real doves.

Nagano released helium (I assume) filled paper doves, but I forget exactly when. I think it was after the Ode to Joy.

[Olympian2004]

Somehow I knew right when I saw that "wolfman" that he would lead to lots of discussions here in this forum...

Now let me drool about Michaelle Jean for a change:

*sigh* Still incredible for me that she's already 53. She doesn't even look like 40.

And once more, here's the lady we have to live with:

Can we rent Michaelle Jean when you Canadians don't need her anymore?

Nagano released helium (I assume) filled paper doves, but I forget exactly when. I think it was after the Ode to Joy.

Thanks for the info!

[cormiermax]

Michaelle Jean really is quite beautiful, shes also quite a great governor general.

[Rafa]

So awesome they used the "both sides now" song.

Its one of my favourite songs...ah amazing.

The ending was an anti-climax,

1. Select one cauldron lighting person

2. Select one cauldron

[scielle]

Buble and Krall are in the city...they will most definitely be involved in the Closing...and it makes me wish I had tickets to the Closing as well.

As for the doves of peace segment, doves were projected towards the end of KD Lang's song.

Buble - maybe. But Diana is on a month-long tour of Australia starting Monday, so I doubt it.

[Citius Altius Fortius]

in a way I liked the idea that more than one person lit the flame - what I don't like is the split between "lightning" the "indoor" (for the audience in BCPlace) and the "outdoor" official one - it would have been much nicer, if the four or five torch bearer would have bend down and light a kind of fuse on the faked ice floor in BCPlace and then four/five flames should have run over the floor (forming the Olympic Rings) - then they should have run via "rops" to the roof - find a way out of the BCPlace and light an outdoor cauldron next to the BCPlace...

[Mr Tickle]

sorry guys may be u react me sooo fiercely but..... i really dont like british countries opening ceremonies ( salt lake vancouver atlanta ..) ... except australia....

:S even london 2012 is hopeless for me after Beijing ....

but rio could be awesome:)

ah by the way why no one can think about this.... if they can use some chemicals even can the fires colour change into green purple and white ????

ahahahah the cauldron looks like kebab house oven

hahahahahahahah

Erm how can u say u wont like the London ceremony, it's years away.

I think its best to keep an open mind on a ceremony that hasnt even been planned yet LOL

[Olympian2004]

Buble - maybe. But Diana is on a month-long tour of Australia starting Monday, so I doubt it.

Well, she has a concert on February 27 and then again on March 3 -- three days off in between, that's the longest pause she takes during her Australia tour. It could be that this is not a coincidence...

See http://www.dianakrall.com/tour.aspx

[blueview]

I have to agree to some comments that blasted "Bang the drum" song. It was actually nice and the music was catchy. the presentation was a bit weird though as it did look like something out of the closing with FHFN performers huddling around the stage like a mosh pit. I would have had them scatter a bit more (not just for that song but in some other segments as well) and start using colored lighting at least. It was drowned out as this filler segment to seque into the cultural performances.

[baron-pierreIV]

The seating prices overall were lower than Salt Lake and Torino.

Actually, X,...no...

Here's what I researched for MY BOOK (these are in US$ as priced for the US market both by the Salt Lake OC and CoSport for Torino and Vancouver):

Salt Lake Opening prices: US$250 / $575 / $885

Torino Opening: 250 euros (US$300) / 550e ($815) / 950e ($1020)

Closing: 50e ($62) / 350e ($405) / 600e ($720)

Vancouver Open: US$600 / $900 / $1,200

Close: US$398 / $622 / $930.

Vancouver's are the MOST EXPENSIVE Ceremony tix so far in history -- even more so than the projected London ceremon tix.

Edited February 14, 2010 by baron-pierreIV

[baron-pierreIV]

in a way I liked the idea that more than one person lit the flame - what I don't like is the split between "lightning" the "indoor" (for the audience in BCPlace) and the "outdoor" official one - it would have been much nicer, if the four or five torch bearer would have bend down and light a kind of fuse on the faked ice floor in BCPlace and then four/five flames should have run over the floor (forming the Olympic Rings) - then they should have run via "rops" to the roof - find a way out of the BCPlace and light an outdoor cauldron next to the BCPlace...

I think just as the Chinese used "8" as their lucky number, Atkins and his team were going for "4."

- four First Nations to welcome

- four Seasons in the artistic section (I'm surprised they didn't use Vivaldi's FOUR SEASONS)

- Four final lighters for the Four Spokes of the cauldron

Edited February 14, 2010 by baron-pierreIV

[Dinhu4ever]

Baron's right. Even if you adjust for inflation, Vancouver is a good deal more expensive than Salt Lake or Torino (more than 100 dollars if you take the most expensive tickets for comparison)!

[NY20??]

I think just as the Chinese used "8" as their lucky number, Atkins and his team were going for "4."

- four First Nations to welcome

- four Seasons in the artistic section (I'm surprised they didn't use Vivaldi's FOUR SEASONS)

- Four final lighters for the Four Spokes of the cauldron

Those four First Nations are the official four host First Nations from the host region in BC. Atkins didn't choose those four for the sake of having four because they had to include those specific four.

[mr.x]

There was actually a news article awhile ago about how the Vancouver ceremonies tickets were cheaper than Torino's and Salt Lake's...i think you may have your numbers wrong.