I don’t remember how or when I first learned of the Royal BC Museum’s Amplification Project (now in its second year and originally called Site and Sound), but I knew I wanted to experience it. Some of my favourite performers have been involved, and the styles of performance span the genres. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday April 20th and tickets are available here. The Museum Amplification Project is curated by Chris O’Connor who … [Read more...]
A Place to Listen 7 – April 17th, 2013
April 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
In our hectic modern lives, taking the time to stop, breathe in, and listen to the sounds around us seems to be such a luxury. Afford yourself the treat of A Place to Listen 7, a concert for listening in the intimate venue of James Bay United Church. Victoria-area composer Daniel Brandes has been a student of Antoine Beuger's Wanderweiser School and now brings us a different way of approaching music. For our 7th concert, A Place to Listen … [Read more...]
Quadra Village Day 2013
April 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
It's time again for my neighbourhood's favourite event - Quadra Village Day 2013! This year we celebrate the 11th annual event, one planned and executed with an entirely volunteer-run planning committee and close to 100 event-day volunteers. This vibrant diverse neighbourhood is proud to be "Building and Celebrating our Thriving Community". Thanks to generous sponsors and donors the event is entirely FREE - and that includes two breakfasts … [Read more...]
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre – a review
March 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Jewel tones pop and cartoon characters come to life in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at the University of Victoria Phoenix Theatre (March 14-23rd). Full of high energy from the opening number to the close, this show has heart and cross-generational appeal. Audiences will easily recognize episodes from the comic strip Peanuts: Charlie Brown longing to meet the little red-headed girl, the kite-eating tree, Snoopy as a World War I fighting … [Read more...]
A Place to Listen 6 – March 20th, 2013
March 13, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I've had the great pleasure of attending several of Daniel Brandes' A Place to Listen concerts. It's time well spent, focusing on sound and silence, in the intimate venue of James Bay United. Time seems to evaporate, and I leave with a lasting impression of calm. If you too are willing to "stay awhile" I would recommend experiencing this concert series. For its 6th program, A Place to Listen presents the world premiere of other echoes inhabit … [Read more...]
Spring Theatre 2013, Victoria BC
March 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Spring is a busy time traditionally in Victoria BC theatre, and 2013 is no exception. The period March to May is book-ended by festivals - the Belfry Theatre's Spark Festival in March, and Intrepid Theatre's UNO Fest at the end of May - and includes theatre for all tastes, with three (Let's Make an Opera/the Little Sweep, the 39 Steps and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown) that would be appropriate for young audiences (without being children's … [Read more...]
Saltwater Inc presents: Side by Side by Sondheim – February 28 – March 3rd, 2013
February 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment
One of my highlights of the 2010 Victoria Fringe Festival was seeing Saltwater Inc's production of Kurt Weill's Mahagonny Songspiel. Joanna Hounsell had only recently formed Saltwater, and this was an ambitious project, complete with projections and choreography. Now, she brings the music of one of musical theatre's most-awarded composers and lyricists, Stephen Sondheim, to the stage with Side by Side by Sondheim. This revue features songs from … [Read more...]
Wired Arts Festival, the first online performing arts festival
February 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
We’re at a pivotal moment in the future of the performing arts, world-wide. New technologies and social media give us the ability to connect, as performers and audiences, in un-paralleled fashion. Kathryn Jones and the team at Virtual Arts TV hope to capitalize on this interest as they present the first online performing arts festival Wired Arts Festival, February 19th – March 2nd, 2013. I first met Kathryn on Twitter, and became very … [Read more...]
Diversion 2 Cabaret – February 13th, a fundraiser for the Victoria Event Centre
February 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Since January 2013, a new cabaret has appeared on the busy performance calendar at the Victoria Event Centre (VEC) - Diversion is scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month, and is a fundraiser for the Victoria Multicultural Society who runs the VEC. Funds raised will help with improvements for this very busy venue. This month's cabaret features performing artists I'm familiar with (Missie Peters, performance poet; Ryan Bangra, comedian; … [Read more...]
Britten Festival 2013 Pacific Opera Victoria
February 7, 2013 By 1 Comment
The entire community comes together for the Britten Festival, in joyous celebration of the centenary of composer Benjamin Britten’s birth. Join Pacific Opera Victoria and collaborators, Belfry Theatre, Victoria Conservatory of Music and Victoria Children’s Choir, for three events that include opera, music ensembles, choirs, and theatre. The celebration begins with Albert Herring and continues with Noye’s Fludde and Let’s Make an Opera/The … [Read more...]
