There's nothing better, on a lazy and damp winter weekend, than to head out into the country for a ramble that involves art, food, and perhaps hiking. Fortunately, living in Victoria, you can accomplish all three by travelling to Metchosin for a visit to the new contemporary, non-profit, Metchosin Art Gallery, created by the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Association. Curator Haley Finnigan (a UVic Visual Arts grad) has been extremely busy since … [Read more...]
Shakespeare in Love: Love Scenes from Shakespeare at Craigdarroch Castle
January 30, 2013 By Leave a Comment
After a sold-out run of Dracula - the Blood is the Life in October 2012, Giggling Iguana Productions returns to Craigdarroch Castle and partners with the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival for a Valentine's treat - Shakespeare in Love: Love Scenes from Shakespeare. Don't be disappointed - Giggling Iguana shows are extremely popular and will sell out. There are only 50 tickets for each performance. Michael Glover, Michelle Chowns, Melissa … [Read more...]
Speaking in Tongues, Belfry Theatre – a review
January 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Four actors, nine lives, four infidelities, and several unsolved and mysterious situations form the backbone of Andrew Bovell’s Speaking in Tongues, currently playing at the Belfry Theatre. Bovell, an Australian, and screenwriter first known for Simply Ballroom, penned Speaking in Tongues in 1996. It won an AWGIE in 1997, played to critical international acclaim, and was adapted for film as Lantana in 2001. Yet, somehow, it missed Canada. … [Read more...]
Dr Andrew Weaver – acclaimed climate scientist and – actor?
January 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Dr Andrew Weaver, acclaimed climate scientist, Nobel Prize winner, Oak Bay Gordon Head Green Party candidate and – actor? It was a chance comment by “Corky Blanshard” (in real life, actor Kathryn Popham) that lead me to the story of Dr Weaver’s transformation. I knew he had been a guest of Derwin Blanshard (Wes Borg) for Episode Two of Derwin Blanshard’s Extremely Classy Sunday Evening Programme, but how had he come to have a recurring, if … [Read more...]
That Face at Langham Court Theatre – a review
January 22, 2013 By 4 Comments
Langham Court Theatre’s production of That Face packs a ferocious emotional wallop as actors plumb the depths of a family in free fall. Be warned, this is not a tale of sweetness and light where everything is tidied up neatly at the end. Advised as being for “mature audiences” I would add that some individuals may find the content disturbing, and likely to include triggers. Polly Stenham erupted on the theatrical scene at the young age … [Read more...]
Jazz at the Gallery 2013
January 22, 2013 By 2 Comments
In our ongoing exploration of 2013 as The Year of Taking More Risks, Having More Fun, and Expanding Cultural Horizons, why not spend a Sunday afternoon at the historic Spencer Mansion, home of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV), listening to the cool tunes of some of the city's most renowned jazz artists. Founded in 2010 as a collaboration of the UJAM (Universal Jazz Advocates and Mentors) Society and the AGGV, Jazz at the … [Read more...]
Internationally-Awarded Slam Poet Buddy Wakefield Returns to Victoria March 18th 2013
January 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment
My introduction to slam poetry, Tongues of Fire, the Victoria Slam Team and many other local poets was at a Buddy Wakefield event in January 2011. Photo: Inti St Clair Arriving close to start time, to a packed Solstice Café, I was ushered to one of the only seats left, a comfy arm chair at the very front of the room. As one of the oldest people there, I felt very cossetted and definitely unworthy of that special attention. After the open mic … [Read more...]
Finding The Poem in Your Heart’s Garden with Wendy Morton at RRU February 9th 2013
January 17, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I have declared 2013 to be The Year of Taking More Risks, Having More Fun, and Expanding Cultural Horizons, and will be exploring this theme on my blog. I can’t think of a better way to do all three than to attend Finding The Poem in Your Heart’s Garden with Wendy Morton at Royal Roads University, Saturday February 9th. Wendy is my poetry mentor, the woman who re-ignited my passion for the form, both written and spoken. … [Read more...]
An Interview with Kirsten Van Ritzen, multi-talented performer
January 15, 2013 By 2 Comments
It seems that everywhere you turn lately you’ll see or hear Kirsten Van Ritzen. This popular Victoria-based actor, comedienne, writer and television producer has an incredibly busy schedule for the months of January and February; playing the mother in Polly Stenham’s hard-hitting, award-winning drama, That Face, at Langham Court Theatre while simultaneously launching a third season of the live-improvised serial, Sin City: Bedlam-by-Sea, and … [Read more...]
“A Place To Listen” concert – January 16th
January 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I have declared 2013 to be The Year of Taking More Risks, Having More Fun, and Expanding Cultural Horizons. I love that, sometimes, you can do all three at once. "A Place To Listen" is a new music concert series on the third Wednesday of the month, originated by Daniel Brandes in the fall of 2012. You can read more about the December concert here and learn how I came to meet Daniel. The January 16th concert will feature the North American … [Read more...]
