Aventa Ensemble presents the world première of Gavin Bryars opera, Marilyn Forever, in Victoria BC September 13/14, 2013. I had (ashamedly) never heard of the critically acclaimed and local new-music ensemble Aventa before an insert for the upcoming world première of their commissioned opera, Marilyn Forever, arrived with a local art gallery’s regular mailers. Intrigued, I contacted artistic director Bill Linwood to learn more. The … [Read more...]
Aventa Ensemble presents Marilyn Forever, a world premiere Sept 13/14 in Victoria BC
August 12, 2013 By Leave a Comment
My Fair Lady by Blue Bridge Theatre, a review
August 11, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Simply magnificent. There are no other words to describe the wonderful production of My Fair Lady by Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre currently playing at the McPherson Playhouse until August 18th. From the moment the audience enters the theatre, to a glorious vintage view of London (a scrim specially commissioned by designer Patrick Du Wors) the sense of anticipation is palpable. Brian Richmond (Henry Higgins) and Amanda Lisman (Eliza … [Read more...]
Victoria’s Youth Poet Laureate Launches Diversity Slam August 19 2013
August 10, 2013 By 1 Comment
Victoria's Youth Poet Laureate launches Diversity Slam August 19, 2013. It's only in the past few years that I've come to know anything at all about the slam poetry "scene", which in Victoria BC is extremely vibrant and well-attended. It was by happenstance that I came to be seated at my first event in January 2011 and was introduced to Jeremy Loveday, who was instrumental in lobbying the city of Victoria to create the Youth Poet Laureate … [Read more...]
When I’m 64. Playreading August 26th 2013
August 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
First-time playwright, Comox resident JS Hill debuts When I’m 64 with a play reading Monday August 26th at Victoria’s Shakespeare by the Sea (Clover Point). Hill was invited by Robert Light, director of Shakespeare by the Sea. “This is artists helping artists - our way of giving back to the community,” he said. Faced with a lack of roles for women of “a certain age” Hill began writing When I’m 64. Although based on situations and … [Read more...]
Jimmy Wright A Retrospective: Art with Attitude
August 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Iconic Canadian artist Jimmy Wright died in 2008. To mark the fifth anniversary of Jimmy’s passing, artist Kay Lovett has curated a retrospective of his work, the first public showing and sale.The 12 day retrospective opens August 10, 2013 at the Martin Batchelor Gallery, and continues to the 22nd. Wright was best known for his big polar bears and bisons, he had a master’s degree in economics and a straightforward attitude. For years he had a … [Read more...]
Letter From Wingfield Farm, Belfry Theatre. A review.
August 5, 2013 By Leave a Comment
As far back as Aesop and Horace, people have been making comparisons between “city folk” and “country folk”. The 1960s TV show Green Acres, profiling the adventures of city slickers new to country life, was a massive hit. More recently, on an international scale, we have Peter Mayle and A Year in Provence. We’re fascinated with the differences in the ways of living. It’s a comfortable construct from which to poke fun at one another’s foibles and … [Read more...]
Music in the Park. The Rutledge Park Series 2013.
August 2, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Music in the Park. The Rutledge Park Series 2013 (corner of Cloverdale and Inverness), Tuesdays in August, from 6 – 8pm. Free concerts for the entire family. Years ago when I lived just off Quadra, near the intersection of Cloverdale and Inverness, the area now occupied by RutledgePark was populated with houses that were past their prime. The district of Saanich has long had a policy of buying up properties in areas where they wish to … [Read more...]
Vertical Orchestra 2013:Transpondings. August 11th at the Atrium.
August 1, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Victoria audiences will be thrilled for the opportunity to experience Vertical Orchestra 2013: Transpondings, August 11th at 8pm at the Atrium, featuring compositions by Victoria-based experimental composers. From August 9 to 11, Vancouver’s Redshift Music and Victoria’s Open Space Arts Society will present a series of free new music concerts in alternative, public venues in Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Victoria. Inspired by the … [Read more...]
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre Presents My Fair Lady
July 31, 2013 By Leave a Comment
If the respectful collegiality evident during my recent conversation with cast members of My Fair Lady (running August 6-18th at the McPherson Playhouse) is any indication, then Producing Artistic Director, Brian Richmond, and everyone involved with Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre have achieved their mandate of mentoring young artists, while creating a company that consistently aims for the highest levels of artistic excellence (as indicated by the … [Read more...]
Ocean Fox by Castlereigh Theatre Project – a review
July 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Verbatim playwriting brother-sister duo Francesca Albright and Jude Thaddeus Allen of Castlereigh Theatre Project mine the individual to present the universal in their latest project, Ocean Fox. Subtle in its delivery, true to its subjects, this tale of larger-than-life erstwhile rolling stone turned tropical entrepreneur hints at larger issues – environmental destruction, the cost of amenity tourism, legacy, and vantage point. Most of us … [Read more...]
