Greek Fest, August 28th – September 3rd, Victoria BC

As summer slowly wends its way to a close, and the nights get a touch cooler, we have one last opportunity to experience the warmth of distant, sunnier climes.  Perhaps you haven't had the chance to vacation in Greece this year, but you can definitely experience the hospitality of the local Victoria Greek community during the 11th annual Greek Fest, September 28th - September 3rd. I don't know how this well-attended local festival has remained … [Read more...]

Little Shop of Horrors – Blue Bridge Theatre – a review

Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre has definitely knocked it out of the park with the final production of their 2012 season - Little Shop of Horrors.  From the moment the curtain opens to reveal the incredible printed backdrop (featuring an iconic 1950s New York alley streetscape) to the closing number, the show is replete with an incredible array of stylistic and vocal elements that taken together, make it a banquet for musical theatre … [Read more...]

Big Mama! The Willie Mae Thornton Story at the Belfry Theatre. A review.

I sit, mesmerized, eyes closing, as “Big Mama” (Jackie Richardson) sings the slowest, most heart-felt rendition of Summertime I have ever heard, seeming to tease my very soul from its body. Big Mama! The Willie Mae Thornton Story, a Belfry Theatre/National Arts Centre co-production, is a blues musical feast, exposing Victoria audiences to an often under-appreciated stalwart of the 1950s-1980s blues scene. I am a blues fan, but, … [Read more...]

Quadra Village Day 2012. Celebrating 10 Years!

Who doesn’t love a free, family-friendly, all-ages celebration? Especially when food is involved. You’ll find all that and more at the 10th annual Quadra Village Day, Saturday May 12th from 9:30 am to 1pm. I’ve been actively involved on the planning committee since shortly after moving to the Hillside-Quadra neighbourhood in 2006. It’s wonderful to see people pulling together – businesses, not-for-profits, citizens (young and old), community … [Read more...]

Footloose and TD Performing Arts Festival by Canadian College of Performing Arts

In just one week, the young students of the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) take the stage at the MacPherson Playhouse for Footloose , adapted and directed by Darold Roles, college Artistic Director, with music direction by Dr Marvin Regier. Footloose, the film, defined the 1980s for most people and featured such tunes as the eponymous "Footloose", "Hurts So Good" and "Let's Here it for the Boy".  The musical debuted on Broadway in … [Read more...]

Uncork Your Palate, fundraiser for the Victoria Conservatory of Music, April 26th

Every foodie and oenophile in Victoria will be thrilled at the announcement of the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s première fundraiser Uncork Your Palate, (a very special evening of wine, food and music Thursday April 26th) in partnership with Naramata Bench Wineries. Meet the winemakers and be the first to taste the Naramata Bench Wineries Spring Release wines, paired with delectable morsels fromVictoria’s finest eateries and accompanied by … [Read more...]

Atomic Vaudeville and CCPA present “Digital Sunshine”

There's a special place in my heart for both the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) and Atomic Vaudeville (AV). My son , Elliott Loran, graduated from the former, and performed with the latter (mostly recently in the hit musical Ride the Cyclone). Now, Victoria theatre audiences will have a chance to see both CCPA and AV perform together, for the very first time,  in AV's Spring Cabaret - Digital Sunshine. … [Read more...]

15th Annual Victoria French Fest

Celebrate French culture and heritage March 8-11th in Victoria BC with free events for children, circus workshops, a sugar shack, artisans marketplace, performances and more!  Centennial Square is the site of the 15th annual Victoria French Fest. (Complete program guide -in French and English here). Most free events take place noon - 4pm in the Square. People are often amazed at the number of Francophones and Francophiles in the Capital Region … [Read more...]

Traditional Indonesian Puppetry Workshop at Merlin’s Sun Home Theatre

I've written before about the intimate performance space at Merlin's Sun Theatre in Victoria BC. Timothy Gosley and Petra Kixmoeller have worked hard to create a theatre with a variety of performances and classes, suitable for many ages groups.  Tim, a well known puppeteer, has convinced Javanese puppet master Sutrisno Hartano to offer a workshop (Victoria's first) in traditional Indonesian shadow puppetry (Wayang Kulit). … [Read more...]

Urban Arts Productions Announces their Second Season

We are so incredibly fortunate in Victoria BC to have a vibrant arts culture. Most people are familiar with larger companies like the Belfry Theatre and Intrepid (producers of the Victoria Fringe Festival), but there are many smaller and younger groups that merit our attention too. Urban Arts Productions had a very successful start in 2011, and has just announced their second season. … [Read more...]