Paper Street Theatre Improv Festival April 24-28 2018. Preview. Paper Street Theatre has built a loyal following since their inception in 2011. The Paper Street Theatre Improv Festival (April 24-28), now in its third year, brings together the ensemble and guest improvisers from as far away as Sweden and Finland for five days of shows, workshops and mash-ups. The festival has been a great success, selling out in each of the previous two … [Read more...]
Meridiem Wind Orchestra presents Legacy: Song & Dance April 22 2018
April 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Meridiem Wind Orchestra presents Legacy: Song & Dance April 22 2018 I love wind instruments for their versatility. Audiences in Victoria are fortunate to have many highly experienced musicians with this specialty. The Meridiem Wind Orchestra brings together both professionals (who play with the Victoria Symphony, the Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific and Victoria Operatic Society), talented amateurs and music educators (from the … [Read more...]
Pushing the Boundaries of Song & Games at A Place to Listen. April 18 2018. Preview.
April 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Pushing the Boundaries of Song & Games at A Place to Listen. April 18 2018. Preview. Since 2012 A Place to Listen, an experimental listening music series founded by Daniel and Laura Brandes, has been programming "small quiet music" with an ensemble of like-minded composers, musicians and artists. It's a highlight of my arts experiences in the capital region, a time to set myself apart from the hub-bub of modern life to focus on a few, … [Read more...]
Lessons by Wendy Graf. Bema Productions April 12-22, 2018. A review.
April 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Lessons by Wendy Graf. Bema Productions April 12-22, 2018. A review. Bema Productions does it again with the nuanced production of Lessons by Wendy Graf (performed in the most appropriate 153 year old heritage synagogue Temple Emanu-El April 12-22, 2018). Now in their fourth season, Bema has come to be known for insightful renderings of scripts that on the surface appear simple—it is director Zelda Dean’s single biggest gift—to find the … [Read more...]
Victorious Voices Festival April 9-11, 2018. Preview.
April 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Victorious Voices Festival April 9-11, 2018. Preview. One of my favourite arts activities occurs next week; Victorious Voices Festival is the high school poetry slam championships--the longest running youth poetry festival in Canada. Now in its 9th year it brings eight lower Vancouver Island teams together for competition, workshops and showcases. Founded by Jeremy Loveday, a slam poet who has represented Victoria at the national … [Read more...]
ThySelf by Broken Rhythms Dance March 2018. A review.
April 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment
ThySelf by Broken Rhythms Dance March 2018. A review. Since 2011 when she founded Broken Rhythms Dance, choreographer Dyana Sonik-Henderson has consistently created new work and engaged unusual audiences by applying to Fringe theatre festivals, first in her home city of Victoria BC and then further afield in Port Alberni, Edmonton, Halifax and Toronto. As a marketing move, it was pure genius—patrons unaccustomed to dance had the opportunity … [Read more...]
Tomorrows Child at Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2018. A review.
March 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Tomorrows Child at Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2018. A review. The mind-bending experience of Tomorrow’s Child by Ghost River Theatre (currently at the Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2018 March 20-24) begins long before entering the theatre. Panels and poster boards provide information on the company and the main creators. Bright-eyed “performer mecs” greet patrons assembled in the lobby for this auditory immersive piece. Instructions are … [Read more...]
Cafe Daughter at Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2018. A review.
March 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Cafe Daughter at Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2018. A review. Café Daughter, the fictionalized story of the life of Senator Lillian Eva Quan Dyck, by noted Cree playwright Kenneth T Williams, currently at the Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2018 March 20-24, is a deep dive into systemic and internalized racism through the eyes of a child, told with humour and grace. Yvette Wong (Tiffany Ayalik), growing up in small town Saskatchewan in the … [Read more...]
The Comedy of Errors at UVic Phoenix Theatre. A review.
March 17, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Comedy of Errors at UVic Phoenix Theatre. A review. The Comedy of Errors, currently at the University of Victoria Phoenix Theatre until March 24th, deserves to be widely seen by the youth and young adult audiences of the Capital region. Director Jeffery Renn has made it abundantly clear in this contemporary, bright and frothy adaptation that he is aiming directly for Generations Y and Z. Fear not—even older audiences will appreciate the … [Read more...]
Who Killed Spalding Gray at Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2018. A review.
March 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Who Killed Spalding Gray at Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2018. A review. What do you get when you cross Daniel McIvor, playwright, performer and renowned Canadian theatre artist with Spalding Gray, the man who practically invented the autobiographical monologue? Daniel McIvor. Photo: Guntar Kravis Two celebrated storytellers—Canada’s Daniel MacIvor, Siminovitch Prize winner, playwright and actor Spalding Gray, the American who re-invented … [Read more...]
