True West, by Sam Shepard, currently playing at Blue Bridge Repertory’s Roxy Theatre until December 1st, is a searing tension-filled drama of sibling rivalry that crackles and sparks with male energy and disdain. Shepard was only 37, and already a Pulitzer Prize winner for Buried Child, when he penned True West, considered to be the final play in his Family Trilogy (Curse of the Starving Class 1976, Buried Child 1979). The structure is … [Read more...]
Art Walks, Studio Tours and Sales for the Holiday Season 2013. Victoria BC
November 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Art Walks, Studio Tours and Sales for the Holiday Season 2013. Victoria BC. For me, shop local also means art. Some of my most cherished holiday traditions are walking from gallery to gallery during specially organized art walks, or taking a trip to participate in a studio tour. Of late, the “small works show” has become popular, with three local galleries displaying works that are small in size and cost. Walks, tours and sales all … [Read more...]
Heroes by Gérald Sibleyras at Langham Court Nov 13 – 30, 2013. A review.
November 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Heroes by Gérard Sibleyras, translated by Tom Stoppard, currently playing at Langham Court Theatre until November 30, 2013, is a gentle, sweet , funny and slightly saucy play that treads carefully on well-worn ground, without becoming maudlin or hoary. Travel to Europe, and in every village or town square, at every coffee counter or small bar, pétanque field or outdoor chess game, you’ll see them gathered – the old men. Their days revolve … [Read more...]
Call for Victoria’s Second Youth Poet Laureate. Deadline November 25 2013
November 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Did you know that the City of Victoria is the first city in Canada to have a Youth Poet Laureate? Aysia Law, a current UVic creative writing student, was chosen in January 2013 to represent Victoria. She was active in the community, performing at Pop-Up Poetry events in April to celebrate National Poetry Month, and at council meetings and Culture Days events, as well as organizing a Diversity Slam this past summer. Photo: City of … [Read more...]
South Pacific musical co-presented by Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria Nov 23/24, 2013
November 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Two of Victoria's largest performing arts organizations, the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria, collaborate on a production of the beloved musical South Pacific (Rodgers and Hammerstein) with performances November 23rd and 24th 2013 at the Royal Theatre. “This is a first”, declared POV Artistic Director Timothy Vernon. “It’s the first time that Victoria audiences will experience this Broadway musical with a full orchestra and … [Read more...]
A Tender Thing, Belfry Theatre November 5 – December 8 2013 – a review.
November 12, 2013 By 2 Comments
A Tender Thing, Ben Power’s re-working of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet, is a profoundly powerful, disquieting, and brave examination of eternal love at the end-of-life. With devastating simplicity, two of Canada’s most senior and accomplished actors, Peter Anderson (Romeo) and Clare Coulter (Juliet), working together for the first time, capture the heart-break of bidding adieu. Power was only 28, and a theatrical wunderkind, when … [Read more...]
The Skin of Our Teeth, UVic Phoenix Theatre – a review
November 12, 2013 By 1 Comment
The Skin of Our Teeth currently at UVic’s Phoenix Theatre until November 23rd is a magnificent and mesmerizing spectacle, a veritable aural and visual feast that sustains the audience’s attention over almost three hours. Beloved American novelist and playwright Thornton Wilder had already been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and the play Our Town when, during a trip to Europe in 1941, he saw Mother Courage … [Read more...]
The Passionate Muse: The Life and Music of Pauline Viardot-Garcia Nov 8-10 2013
November 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Mezzo-soprano Elisabeth Wagner presents The Passionate Muse: The Life and Music of Pauline Viardot-Garcia. Wagner first learned of Viardot-Garcia when she sang her compositions. When she did research, she learned that this accomplished vocalist was also a composer of more than 200 pieces, and yet, she remains largely unknown to contemporary North American audiences. Photo: Ergsap on Flickr The Passionate Muse: The Life and Music of Pauline … [Read more...]
2 for Tea by James and Jamesy – win tickets
November 4, 2013 By 3 Comments
Thanks to the remarkable physical theatre duo of James and Jamesy, I am thrilled to announce another ticket contest. Win tickets to their critically-acclaimed and award-winning Canadian Fringe hit “2 for Tea” coming to the Metro Theatre November 28th – 30th. I was fortunate to meet James and Jamesy while volunteering at the Victoria Fringe, and lucky indeed to secure a ticket to the first performance of what proved to be a most solidly booked … [Read more...]
Barenaked Ladies launch 2014 Canaidan tour at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium January 15 2014
October 28, 2013 By Leave a Comment
It's a feather in UVic Farquhar Auditorium's cap to be the opening venue for the 2014 Canadian tour of the Barenaked Ladies. If you're a fan, you'll want to get online at 9:30 am Thursday October 31st when tickets are released. The Barenaked Ladies hit the road this winter embarking on a 2014 Canada tour. The band has a lot to celebrate, surpassing their 25th anniversary and the release of their 12th album, Grinning Streak in 2013. Their … [Read more...]
