New Year's Eve Events in Vancouver

Christmas has concluded and we are on to the next big event of the holiday season: New Year's Eve. Vancouver is prepping for the big night with events planned across the city. If you are one of those last minute people who still hasn't decided where you will be when the clock strikes 12, here is a quick list of the top Vancouver events with space still available:

The Great Gatsby Affair

-Get out your flapper dress of dust off your Zoot Suit; It's time to return to the twenties. This event is held at the Harbour Event Centre and features styles and music inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, "The Great Gatsby.". The #YOLO spirit will on display as partygoers are treated to acrobats, dancers, musicians and a variety of exotic entertainers. Tickets are $85 and include a champagne toast at midnight.

Solid NYE 2015

-This is Vancouver's premier electronic music party. Tiesto, Steve Aoki and Andrew Rayel are all in town to bring the best bass drops to the Pacific Coliseum. Be prepared to dance until sometime around 10:30 a.m. on New Year's Day.

Early-To-Bed Countdown

-This family-friendly event begins at 4 p.m. at Robson Square. There will be a ton of 'G' rated revelry, including ice skating, live music, craft stations and DJ's. This 'turned down' event will wrap up around 10:30 p.m. so families can put their wee ones to bed.

Family First on the Peak

-Seymour Mountain is hosting this event that includes tobogganing, clowns, magic (who doesn't love magic), fire spinners and fun in the woods (Meryl not included). Tickets are $15 with the festivities starting at 6 p.m. This event concludes with a fireworks show and countdown at 9 pm.

Escape from 2014

-Krakit, Vancouver's Escape Game, is producing a New Year's Eve Special with two games and light refreshments for all participants. Challenge yourself by attempting to escape from two of Krakit's four theme rooms. Find the clues and complete your escape to start the New Year on a high. The price is $50 per player. Pre-booking is a must. To book your escape space, call 604-484-6552.

Harry Houdini's Most Notable Escapes

When one stops to ponder the art of escape, the mind often drifts towards one individual: Harry Houdini. A popular vaudeville performer in the early 1900s, Houdini stumped the world with his miraculous breakouts. He was a showman first and foremost, but his ability to escape complex restraints is unmatched in modern times.

His career started with open challenges to police departments across Europe. After being chained and handcuffed, he would escape the shackles of local law enforcement officials, earning the nickname: "The Handcuff King." His act would later move to America, where his stunts became more elaborate and the crowds of onlookers grew. He became 'the' escape artist, freeing himself from straightjackets, ropes, jails and of course, handcuffs. He even encouraged the public to devise escape scenarios. If only he had been alive for Twitter…

Houdini has become so renowned with art of escape that his last name has now become a verb: "How did you Houdini yourself out of that Krakit escape room?"

Here is a short list of some of Houdini's most popular escape stunts:

Siberian Transport

After being strip-searched and shackled in a military van headed for Siberia, Houdini escaped a trip to Russia's most severe interment camp. Putin won't let this one go and still credits the evil Western Alliance as aiding Houdini.

Reflecting on his life, years later, Houdini was quick to cite this stunt as a standout in his career:

I think my escape from the Siberian Transport was my most difficult performance. I was placed in the great vault usually assigned to political prisoners, and when the great door was shut, I had the hardest time of my life, perhaps, in releasing myself. But nevertheless, it took me 18 minutes to walk out, and face the dazed officials.

The Mirror Handcuffs

In 1904, Harry Houdini accepted a challenge from the Daily Mirror to escape from a pair of specialty handcuffs. Legend has it the cuffs took five years to make. The cuffs required a six inch key to unlock. Houdini did the impossible, and broke them after a hour and ten minutes. 

He was also able to cutoff his suit coat during the escape.

The Milk Can

This escape challenge was a crowd favourite because of the visual confinement element. Houdini was a shorter gentleman, but even with his small frame, the sight of his body being squeezed inside a milk can must have been quite the spectacle. Houdini upped the danger factor by filling the rest of the can with water. The top of the can was latched shut and then secured with a padlock. Oh, and of course Houdini entered the can handcuffed.

Houdini focused the performance on the water element, asking the audience to hold their breath while he was submerged. Of course no one could remain breathless in the time it took him to escape.

The Chinese Water Torture

Jesse 'The Body' Ventura would have firmly disapproved of this trick. For the Chinese Water Torture, Houdini was suspended upside down in a glass case, with an inner cage that prevented him from twisting his body. He was of course handcuffed as well. Another crowd favourite, Houdini preformed this trick until his death in 1926.

The Straightjacket Dangle

Unlike the escapes mentioned above, this one was done without cover. Houdini was suspended from a crane upside down in a straightjacket. Done as publicity stunt in New York City, Houdini escaped his restraints in two minutes and thirty-seven seconds.

All of these stunts are incredibly dangerous and should not be attempted. Houdini's mastery came in his ability to stay focused and calm. These are the same elements that will lead to success at the Vancouver Escape Room. We've dialed back the danger factor considerably, but it never hurts to channel the accomplishments of one of the greats.

Prepping for the Holiday Escape

We receive a lot of questions about our escape rooms from potential guests, but one of our favourites is: "How can I prepare for the Krakit escape experience?"

Well, for our new SAMTSIRHCER EROFEB ERAMTHGIN (Nightmare Before Christmas) theme we've created a detailed prep regiment. We can't guarantee it will lead to success, but it's the only clue we're offering in advance, so do with it what you will.

Background Viewing

Start with "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and move outwards. Include all those weird claymation shows about the dentist and Rudolph. CBC seems to be offering one a night.

Holiday Math

Count the number of lights on your Christmas tree, then times that number by ten, divide by five and add three. Remember that number.

Elvish Memories

Put the extended poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas," to memory. You may need it. You may not…

Shopping List

Get all your holiday shopping finished. You don't want to be thinking about the gifts you need to buy when you're inside the escape room. Christmas won't be saved by a distracted mind.

Logs On the Fire

Fuel up for your Krakit appointment with a combination smoothie of candy canes, gingerbread latte and Brussels spouts. "Mmmm…that does go well with the turkey."

Christmas Conductor

Take a ride on the Stanley Park Christmas train. Underneath the first seat, on the third car from the front, is a clue. Tell no one.

Follow this simple prep schedule and you might have a chance.*

*For best results at the Vancouver Escape Game, bring a friend, or five.

Holiday Party Games

The holidays are a time to come together and celebrate. It's a chance to meet up with friends and family and share some laughs with a few beverages, some good food and a little holiday cheer. Party games are the perfect activity to get the fun started.

This week we thought we would run through a list of our favourite party games. So without further ado, here is a list of the ten best social games for mixing it up this holiday season:

10. Things

One person makes a statement about a certain category of Christmas 'things'. The rest of the group writes down a one-word answer and turns it in. All the answers are read and the guests try to match the answers to the writer.

9. Salad Bowl

A version of character charades with three rounds, where every player provides three names (fictional or real) for the collective bowl. The first round, each contestant can say or do anything except say the name on the paper. The second round is classic charades and the third round is a statue pose. Third round turns into a speed round as everyone knows the characters in the bowl. 

8. Werewolves

This is a bit more of an advanced party game. We like it because it adds a bit of fear to the festivities.

7. The Dancing Chain

Pretty simple. The first person starts with a simple dance move (almost always the "Staying Alive" point) and then each consecutive guest adds a move. Tip: put the more skilled dancers at the end of the chain.

6. Two Truths and a Lie

We've all played a version of this game. Pick a category and one-by-one, ask each guest to give two truths and one lie. The group then gets to decide which is which. Use holiday categories like "worst Christmas gifts you've ever received" to make it seasonal.

5. Christmas Character Karaoke

Fill a bowl full of character names and then fill another bowl full of well-known Christmas songs. Each guest has to pick a name and then a song. They then need to sing the song in the character they chose.

4. Indoor Snowball Fight

You will need two bags of large marshmallows. Let chaos ensue.

3. Christmas Sausages

This is a version of "Honey I love you, but…" The idea is to make the other team laugh. One at a time, players ask a member of the opposite team a question. The other player then needs to respond by saying "Christmas sausages" without giggling.

2. Cards Against Humanity

The best adult card game to date. Download a copy from their website.

1. White Elephant Gift Exchange

Set a theme for the gifts. Be as naughty or nice with the theme choice as you want.

 

Bonus Suggestion:

If you really want to have a memorable holiday game, move the party to Vancouver's favourite escape room, Krakit. Work as a group to solve our holiday puzzle or take on one of our three spooky theme rooms. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you may even save Christmas. Good luck and happy holidays.