A Spring of Theatre 2015 in Victoria BC. March-May.

A Spring of Theatre 2015 in Victoria BC. March-May. Spring is a busy time in the local arts calendar.  It’s book-ended by two festivals—SPARK in March and UNO Fest in May—and features works by emerging and well-established companies—local, Canadian and international. There’s a chance to experience the classics (Waiting for Godot, Hedda Gabler), Shakespeare (Macbeth), musicals (Chorus Line Cabaret, Bye Bye Birdie, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, … [Read more...]

Dave Morris of Paper Street Theatre opens new studio March 2015.

Dave Morris of Paper Street Theatre opens new studio March 2015. Dave Morris is an award-winning improviser, teacher of improv, magician and founder of Paper Street Theatre. I first came to know him at the Victoria Fringe Festival in 2010 when he presented the provocatively-titled Dave Morris is an Asshole.  This full-length improvised show upended my preconceptions of the genre, and I have followed his career closely since then.  After … [Read more...]

Waiting for Godot at Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre. Interview with director Jacob Richmond.

Waiting for Godot at Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre. Interview with director Jacob Richmond. March 3-15, 2015. Victoria BC. Waiting for Godot has been called the most significant English language play of the 20th century. Written by the great Irish playwright Samuel Beckett in 1949, first in French and then translated by the playwright into English, it had its premiere in 1953 at the Théâtre Babylone in Paris. A “tragi-comedy”, it was one of … [Read more...]

Ring of Fire Project Johnny Cash at the Chemainus Theatre Festival February 20-April 11 2015. A review.

Ring of Fire: Project Johnny Cash at the Chemainus Theatre Festival February 20-April 11, 2015. A review. It’s a long way from the wet west coast of Vancouver Island to the hills and fields of Arkansas, and the music halls of Nashville, yet music has the power to tie us together in a celebration of family and community. Mining this fundamental truth, Chemainus Theatre artistic director Mark DuMez opens the 2015 season with Ring of Fire: … [Read more...]

OUTstages Festival at Intrepid Theatre July 5-12 2015

OUTstages Festival at Intrepid Theatre July 5-12 2015. Media release. Intrepid Theatre comes OUT with Victoria’s first queer theatre festival VICTORIA – For over 28 years, Intrepid Theatre has presented alternative, international theatre to audiences in Victoria, BC through Uno Fest, the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival, and an annual presentation series. In July 2015, Intrepid Theatre will launch a new, curated theatre festival, OUTstages: … [Read more...]

Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2015. March 9-22.

Belfry Theatre SPARK Festival 2015. March 9-22, 2015 in Victoria BC. The SPARK Festival is the Belfry Theatre's celebration of new  plays and new ideas.  It's an opportunity for experiences outside their regular programming.  I saw Hawksley Workman's The Good That Comes at UNO Fest in 2012 and wonder how it has developed since then as it has toured around the world.  Anita Majumdar brought Fish Eyes to the SPARK Festival in 2012--here's my … [Read more...]

Victoria Spoken Word Festival 2015

Victoria Spoken Word Festival 2015. February 23-March 1, 2015. I was part of a local group of grass-roots angel investors, the Awesome Shit Club, when spoken word artist Missie Peters pitched her plan to promote the first Victoria Spoken Word Festival in 2011. Now in its fifth year, the festival has grown in size, scope and audience every year since its inception. In 2014, it outgrew the original performance space (the 50 seat Intrepid … [Read more...]

Voice ++ at Open Space March 19-22 2015 in Victoria BC.

Voice ++ at Open Space March 19-22 2015 in Victoria BC. Media Release. I still remember the concert by Christian Zehnder at Voice ++ 2013--incredible artistry and mastery of the human voice. Open-minded music lovers are encouraged to go outside their normal listening and participate in this fantastic festival. Voice ++ (March 19-22) is Open Space’s festival that focuses on the exploration of the human voice and its intersection with sound … [Read more...]

Pacific Opera Victoria Opens the Baumann Centre. Victoria BC.

Pacific Opera Victoria Opens The Baumann Centre. Victoria BC.  (media release) On Monday, February 16, 2015, Pacific Opera Victoria (POV) officially opened The Baumann Centre, a new home for POV and for music-making in the community.  The former Hall of the Church of St. John the Divine at 925 Balmoral Road in Victoria, B.C., has been re-designed to include a rehearsal and recital hall, an office suite, music room and public entrance. Over … [Read more...]

Victoria Symphony New Music Festival celebrates Gerald Barry March 5-9 2015

Victoria Symphony New Music Festival celebrates Gerald Barry March 5-9 2015. Victoria BC. Irish composer Gerald Berry will be celebrated in his first feature festival in North America March 5-9 in Victoria BC. Explore the unexpected and wacky genius of his music and delve into other works created to exhibit the lighter side of life. The vibrant Barry will be in attendance to join the fun. Other concerts in the festival will include the Emily … [Read more...]