'Tales from Tanzania' with travel screwball William Jans

William Jans sure to entertain in his kooky travel slideshow "Tales from Tanzania" November 5

There’s the movies, drinks out, a play maybe or comedy down at Granville Island. Or you could do something a bit different on “Little Friday.”

On Thursday, November 5, consider being whisked away to the other side of the globe, to the East African country of Tanzania. Your guide: none other than the charmingly kooky William Jans.

The Vancouver photographer is the captain at the helm of this wildly popular slideshow presentation, part of a series of travel shows he puts on all across Canada. With shows spanning the globe, from Tanzania to Tibet, South America to Burma, William delights sold-out audiences with tales of his travels, using mostly photos and some video as well as indigenous music, costume, language and stories to illustrate the beauty of the lands he features.

In “Tales from Tanzania,” expect a safari through the African savannah, a trek to the top of Kilimanjaro, breakfast with the Massai and a slew of adventures along the way. His photos are stunning and the video clips endearing, as he disarms locals with his screwball antics and delightfully irreverent manner.

William also offers advice for would-be travelers, with perhaps his most sagely being, “always say yes.” And “yes” he does, which serves only to charm the socks off the indelibly kind Tanzanian people and make friends all along the way. (Here's a taste.)

And audiences just love him, packing school auditoriums, movie theatres and community centres wherever he performs—and leaving testimonials aplenty:

"Great show,” writes VanArts digital photography program manager Christa LeCraw, a happy audience member among the many who’ve left their impressions on his website, “I'm a travel buff at heart and your show got my feet itchy!"

"Awesome show,” writes Mike Braacx of Vancouver. “My wife, brother and friends really enjoyed it. So glad I came. Your slides brought back great memories, although having seen how you were able to interact with the locals, it made me want to try and redo my trip. I am sure I will be seeing more of your shows."

“Truly William, you are not 'just a guy that travels and takes pictures',” writes Barb Sorenson of Nanaimo. “In my eyes, you are so much more than that and your spirit shines in all that you present to those who come to listen to your stories...”

Catch “Tales from Tanzania” Thursday, November 5 at 8 p.m. at the Hollywood Theatre in Vancouver. Tickets can be purchased online or enter to win a pair of tickets here on Granville Online, courtesy William Jans!

For those outside Vancouver, "Tales from Tanzania" will also be presented in Courtenay on Saturday, November 14.

Visit William Jans’s website to learn more about “Tales from Tanzania” and his other shows: Trekking in Tibet; Solo in South America; Burma Bound; Top of the World (India and Nepal); and Burn it! (Burning Man Festival).

Follow William Jans Live Shows on Facebook for regular updates, photos and videos. Or sign up for his newsletter.