Victoria Arts Adventures March 2014

Victoria Arts Adventures March 2014. When I started writing about the arts, some of my first posts were an attempt to capture what was happening on a seasonal basis in the theatre community in Victoria BC.  It provided a place to get all the theatre listings in one place—I figured if I was having trouble keeping it straight most people would have the same problem.  Since 2011 the number of offerings has increased exponentially, and I've also … [Read more...]

Langham Court Theatre presents “Here’s To You Mrs Robinson” group art exhibition and sale. Mar 5-22 2014

Langham Court Theatre Presents ~ “Here’s to You, Mrs. Robinson” Group Art Exhibition and Sale Langham Court Theatre has invited 30 artists of various backgrounds and mediums to produce work inspired by the 1960’s iconic coming-of-age story, The Graduate. The art show concept is to connect the art work to the theatrical production allowing the theatre audience to experience a unique opportunity of visual expression through the eyes and minds of … [Read more...]

Puente Theatre update February – May 2014

They’ve been busy at Puente Theatre recently, and are about to get even busier.  Coming up (Friday February 28th) are A Party To End Seasonal Depression with the premiere of a puppet adaptation of Judd Palmer’s book The Umbrella and music by Bucan Bucan, followed by the next Analogue Launch and the closing night of WorldPlay, their series of play readings from around the world (Sunday March 2nd).  You’ll want to be at either, or—hopefully—both of … [Read more...]

WordPLAY by Kerploding Theatre, March 1st, 2014. A preview.

 Kerploding Theatre presents WordPLAY March 1st at the Intrepid Theatre Club as part of Intrepid Theatre’s The YOU Show series. I first met Mollison Farmer, Kerploding Theatre’s Artistic Director, during the Victoria Fringe Festival in 2013, where they presented Trunk! to enthusiastic young audiences as part of the Fringe Kids line-up.  In the fall, I had the opportunity to see another show she directed—Amelia and the Dwarves—which was part of … [Read more...]

What Happened Was…by Theatre Inconnu Feb 18-Mar 8 2014. A review.

What Happened Was by Theatre Inconnu Feb 18-Mar 8 2014. A review. Just like many a first date, What Happened Was (currently at Theatre Inconnu from February 19th –March 8th, 2014) is quirky, awkward and vulnerable. It also has a deliciously dark twist that elevates it from standard rom-com territory, and takes it into the realm of bold social commentary. All the action takes place in “real time” in the period slightly prior to, and during, … [Read more...]

Victoria Spoken Word Festival 2014 – interview with Poet of Honour Barbara Adler

Victoria Spoken Word Festival 2014 (VSWF) - interview with Poet of Honour Barbara Adler. Barbara is a poet, spoken word artist, slam champion and musician (accordion). She'll be in Victoria for the festival March 4-9, 2014, and is also offering a workshop (Sunday March 9th) that will be open to the public. Photo: Tony Hoare 2013 You participated in the inaugural Canadian Festival of Spoken Word.  How have you seen the “scene” change in the … [Read more...]

Victoria Spoken Word Festival 2014 – Inside Story

The Victoria Spoken Word Festival - Inside Story, March 4-9, 2014 brings more than 20 artists from across North America to Victoria. 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. She’s grown the festival in size and scope every year since, bringing together spoken word artists to create and … [Read more...]

Fabulous French events in Victoria, Feb-Mar 2014.

Fabulous French events in Victoria, Feb-March 2014. It’s not often that a plethora of francophone events lands in Victoria at the same time.  In February and early March local francophones and Francophiles (people who love, appreciate and speak French as a second language) can rejoice. The big event is, of course, the 17th edition of the Festival Francophone de Victoria French Fest (March 6th – 9th)—and I promise a separate blog post with … [Read more...]

Picnic, UVic Phoenix Theatre, Feb 11-22, 2014. A review.

Picnic, currently at the Phoenix Theatre (February 11-22, 2014) thrums with hope and yearning. Nothing is as it appears in a small town.  In the space of one day, events can change the direction of people’s lives in spectacular, and devastating, fashion—the ripples felt throughout. Picnic may be set in small town Kansas in the early 1950s but there are definite parallels, even to our more sophisticated and inter-connected age. Hal (Jenson … [Read more...]

The Glass Menagerie by Blue Bridge Theatre at the Roxy (Feb 11-23, 2014). A review.

The Glass Menagerie, by Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre, at The Roxy in Quadra Village (February 11th -23rd, 2014) is a moody and lush theatrical feast, ambitious and true to the playwright’s original vision. Written in 1944, The Glass Menagerie catapulted American playwright Tennessee Williams to success (New York Drama Critics' Circle Award 1945). Staged as a “memory play” it stands alone among his works—mixing realistic moments with mimed … [Read more...]