Early Music Society of the Islands presents Bach’s Mass in B Minor August 6th. Interview with Artistic Director James Young. The Early Music Society of the Islands (EMSI), in conjunction with Early Music Vancouver, Ottawa Chamber Music Festival and the Lamèque Baroque Festival in New Brunswick, presents one of their most ambitious concerts to date—J.S. Bach’s magnificent Mass in B Minor—August 6th at Christ Church Cathedral, featuring eight … [Read more...]
The Canadian Music Centre in British Columbia opens The Victoria Creative Hub
July 26, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The Canadian Music Centre in British Columbia opens The Victoria Creative Hub at the Victoria Conservatory of Music's VCM library. The hub will host a unique pedagogical library of Canadian music, offering free instructional resources and workshops. (Media release) The Canadian Music Centre in British Columbia (CMC BC) announces the launch of its first-ever Vancouver Island branch, the Victoria Creative Hub, part of an exciting new partnership … [Read more...]
Footloose The Musical at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review.
June 28, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Footloose The Musical at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. A review. Drawing upon timeless themes and buoyed by hit music from the 1984 film, Footloose at the Chemainus Theatre Festival (June 10-August 27, 2016) presents a feel-good exploration of family and inter-generational skirmishes. When Ren McCormack (Justin Stadnyk) and his mom Ethel (Sarah Carlé) are forced to leave the big city for small town Bomont, the adjustments to their … [Read more...]
Seventh Annual Summer So(u)lstice at Royal Oak Burial Park. June 25, 2016.
June 7, 2016 By 1 Comment
Seventh Annual Summer So(u)lstice at Royal Oak Burial Park. June 25, 2016. When my husband Yves Loran passed away in 2001, I did what many people do--keep his cremated ashes at home--while I made a decision about a final resting place. Many years later, after exploring all options, and remembering that my beloved grandfather was buried at Royal Oak Burial Park (ROBP), we chose a columbarium nestled in a grove of trees. Royal Oak Burial … [Read more...]
Pretty Good Not Bad Festival June 17-19 2016. Preview.
June 6, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Pretty Good Not Bad Festival June 17-19 2016. Preview. A new festival for Victoria BC. When noted musical improviser Dan Godlovitch contacted me with news of a new festival—I was intrigued. Over the years I’ve come to know Dan more for his work with Paper Street Theatre Co, but others will recognize him from The Krells, Urban Therapy, Cloud Sounds and CFUV. Media release follows: Pretty Good Not Bad (PGNB) is a brand new festival … [Read more...]
The CCPA Alumni Company Presents Get Happy and The Pitch. May 14-28 2016.
May 19, 2016 By Leave a Comment
The CCPA Alumni Company Presents Get Happy and The Pitch. May 14-28 2016. (media release) Canadian College of Performing Arts Alumni Launch Two Hot New Productions Hailing from all across Canada, a new musical theatre company will be touring Vancouver Island presenting two new works created and presented by graduates of the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA). Overall, CCPA alumni are some of Canada’s most successful singers, … [Read more...]
Victoria celebrates 400 years of Shakespeare’s legacy in 2016.
March 9, 2016 By 2 Comments
Victoria celebrates 400 years of Shakespeare's legacy in 2016 Arts companies all over the region are producing works by Shakespeare—some adapted and re-imagined—to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death. Where There’s A Will Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival Craigdarroch Castle February 18 — 21 and 24 — 27, 8pm 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's legacy, and we are having a party! Join the … [Read more...]
Into the Woods by Company C January 28-February 6, 2016. A review.
February 1, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Into the Woods by Company C January 28-February 6, 2016. A review. The large performance hall (formerly the church hall of St Mary’s Oak Bay) at the Canadian College of Performing Arts has been transformed, once again, into a magical world for the final performance of the 2015-2016 Company C year—Into The Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. There’s something warm and inviting about the space with its vaulted roof, reminiscent of an … [Read more...]
Double Diamond at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, January 22-February 20, 2016. A review.
January 28, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Double Diamond at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, January 22-February 20, 2016. A review. Bill Zaalberg (Double Diamond) is close in age to Neil Diamond, and like Diamond, has been performing since he was young, having formed Victoria’s first rock band in 1961 before making music his full-time profession in 1975 when he resigned from the telephone company. Although an admitted “shy person” (as is Diamond himself) he is an experienced and smooth … [Read more...]
Into The Woods by Company C January 28-February 6, 2016. A preview.
January 21, 2016 By 1 Comment
Into The Woods by Company C January 28-February 6, 2016. A preview. It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies. It’s been 10 years since my son Elliott Loran first became a student at the Canadian College of Performing Arts and I still remember, fondly, the productions of the inaugural season of Company C, the year III program that sees students forming their own repertory company and taking on roles from production to performance. To cap … [Read more...]
