Good Person of Setzuan at UVic’s Phoenix – a review

It’s not often that Victoria audiences have the fortunate pleasure of experiencing a 23 person cast.  Good Person of Setzuan, currently at the University of Victoria’s Phoenix Theatre until November 24, 2012 offers one such opportunity.  This highly entertaining, multi-element visual feast showcases the large talents of students and faculty. Brecht’s morality play, originally written between 1938 and 1943, has been transported to modern day. … [Read more...]

Arts Fundraisers for the Holiday Season 2012 – Victoria BC

Do you love the arts? Would you like to support them and at the same time put a dent in your holiday shopping?  Or, perhaps you'd like to treat those you love before the  holidays, or give them a gift they can enjoy early? If  so,  these upcoming arts fundraisers  will be on interest to you. PLEASE NOTE: November 23, 2012   The Belfry Theatre has just announced a special online auction which will close December 16th at 4pm- scroll down for … [Read more...]

Art Walks, Shows and Sales for the 2012 Holiday Season – Victoria BC

An impressive cornucopia of artistic treats awaits art lovers as the holiday season approaches.  How often have I heard people wish, sometimes with a trace of envy, that they had more art in their lives? I’m reminded of the old English proverb “What, a cat may look on a king, ye know!”  I may not have the finances to purchase all the art I would like to have hanging on my walls, but I can definitely attend art openings, studio tours, gallery … [Read more...]

Bounce Dance Cabaret Returns – November 24, 2012

Bounce Dance Cabaret is back and I couldn't be happier.   Mariko Ihara, Kimberly Tuson, Stacey Horton, Jung-Ah Chung, Lisa Milloy, Lori Hamar, Hugh MacPherson photo: Michael Barnes Treena Stubel, award winning dancer and choreographer, founded Bounce! in 2009 to support new work by independent dance and physical theatre artists. As a long time collaborator and friend of Victoria’s Atomic Vaudeville cabaret, she was inspired to create a … [Read more...]

Open Cinema hosts: “Play Again” – November 7th, 2012

Open Cinema hosts the thought-provoking and gently funny documentary PLAY AGAIN Wednesday November 7th, in partnership with the Habitat Acquistion Trust, and asks the question – “What are the consequences of a childhood removed from Nature?”   As a child, growing up on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island in the 1960s and early 1970s, I spent hours exploring the woods and beaches surrounding my community.  It wasn’t unusual for me … [Read more...]

Theatrical Treats for Halloween in Victoria BC

Since time immemorial people have gathered together at this turn in the seasons, as night falls earlier and earlier, and conversation around campfires, hearths and living rooms has turned to spooky and scary tales.  Victoria theatre companies have seized upon this desire for the frightful, and propose a panoply of plays for your viewing pleasure. In addition, the ever popular Ghost Bus Tours narrated by local historian John Adams, a fundraiser … [Read more...]

Cage 100 Festival in Victoria BC – a fine arts collaboration

I’m always looking to extend my cultural horizons beyond tried and true choices. The Cage Festival, November 8th – 22nd has definitely piqued my interest.   Four Victoria arts institutions - the Victoria Symphony, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, University of Victoria (School of Music) and Open Space - are celebrating the 100th anniversary of John Cage’s birth by hosting a series of concerts, art exhibitions and special retrospectives … [Read more...]

Popular Belfry Theatre fundraiser Crush – cancelled – due to LCLB decision

Just as I was about to update my readers on a number of popular arts fundraisers, the Belfry Theatre is forced to cancel their popular CRUSH - A Fine Wine Affair, due to a Liquor Control and Licensing Board decision.  This last minute decision has far-reaching implications for others arts groups as well. Ivan Habel, General Manager, announced this afternoon (October 22nd, 2012) that Crush, the Belfry’s fundraising event scheduled for Sunday, … [Read more...]

The Hobbit at William Head on Stage (WHoS) – a review.

It’s a fair journey through the country roads of Metchosin for William Head on Stage’s production of The Hobbit, but definitely not as epic as the one travelled by the intrepid band of thespians interpreting Tolkein’s classic for our viewing pleasure. Now in its 31st year (The Hobbit is their 51st), WHoS started as a final exam for prisoners taking the University of Victoria’s drama course, and is the only inmate-initiated, inmate-run theatre … [Read more...]

Peter N’ Chris – The Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel. A review.

Local fans of Peter Carlone and Chris Wilson, better known as the comedy duo “Peter N’ Chris”, will be pleased to know they’ve returned to Victoria and are currently the Alumni Spotlight at the University of Victoria Phoenix Theatre with The Mystery of the Hungry Heart Motel. Graduates (in 2008) of UVic’s Theatre program, Carlone and Wilson were already regulars of Itsazoo Productions and Atomic Vaudeville when they mounted their eponymous … [Read more...]