I love art, and remember well growing up on the West Coast at a time when many artists were escaping the city. Moving to Europe in my early 20s, I spent endless hours wandering the corridors of museums and galleries, frantically sketching (poorly) my impressions. When I returned to Victoria I knew art had to remain in my life. Remembering an early comment by Robert Amos about the value of purchasing local, original art, we began. Our budget … [Read more...]
Announcing Uno Fest 2012 – 15th anniversary
April 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I wonder if the arts administrators at Intrepid Theatre knew in 1997 that they were in the process of creating what has become the longest running solo performance festival in North America– Uno Fest, Canada’s Singular Live Theatre Event. This year Uno Fest runs May 24th – June 3rd inVictoria, BC. … [Read more...]
The Government Inspector – May 2 – 6th – Kate Rubin Theatre and Drama Studio
April 7, 2012 By 2 Comments
Graft, corruption, bribery and human perfidy – these are heady topics for a group of teens to address, but the Advanced Performance Group from Kate Rubin’s Theatre and Drama Studio is ready for the challenge when they perform Gogol’s The Government Inspector for Victoria audiences May 2 -6th. Since the beginning of the school year they have been honing their craft during regular studio sessions and rehearsals, and will be involved in every … [Read more...]
Nicola Cavendish IS Shirley Valentine, an interview. Appearing May 15-20 in Victoria.
April 7, 2012 By 4 Comments
Celebrated Canadian actor Nicola Cavendish has played Shirley Valentine more than 600 times, but the upcoming shows in Victoria May 15th – 20th may be her last in this role. After recent triumphant runs in Winnipeg and Calgary, she generously made time out of a full schedule to talk to me about the significance of the role and play (25 years after its creation by Willy Russell) not only for the audience, but to her personally. In particular I … [Read more...]
Footloose and TD Performing Arts Festival by Canadian College of Performing Arts
April 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
In just one week, the young students of the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) take the stage at the MacPherson Playhouse for Footloose , adapted and directed by Darold Roles, college Artistic Director, with music direction by Dr Marvin Regier. Footloose, the film, defined the 1980s for most people and featured such tunes as the eponymous "Footloose", "Hurts So Good" and "Let's Here it for the Boy". The musical debuted on Broadway in … [Read more...]
Jeremy Loveday, performance poet and community organizer
April 6, 2012 By 2 Comments
Social media has opened many new worlds to me – among them the world of slam poetry and spoken word. In January 2011 I had the opportunity to attend a Tongues of Fire-hosted Victoria performance by the celebrated slam poet, Buddy Wakefield, and heard local performance poet Jeremy Loveday. … [Read more...]
1st Annual (Poker) Tournament of Superheroes for BC Children’s Hospital
April 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I recently received a request to spread the word about a new Victoria-based fundraiser in support of BC Children's Hospital - the 1st annual BC Children's Hospital Tournament of Superheroes. My young teenage nephew has been a patient at "Children's" for many years, and receives excellent care there - I'm more than happy to promote efforts to assist the foundation. Congratulations to Janette Roch and the organizing committee! If you are a … [Read more...]
Cuts Hit Applied Communication Program At Camosun College (Victoria BC)
April 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
When budget cuts were announced at Camosun College (Victoria BC) Wednesday April 4 2012, it became apparent that the renowned and respected Applied Communication Program (ACP), a mainstay for almost 40 years - class 40 graduates in 2013 - is on the chopping block. This is the curated content regarding the impact of these cuts to many generations of communications professionals, and the greater community they serve. … [Read more...]
Pacific Brant Festival (Parksville Qualicum) and tour with Pacific Rainforest Adventure Hikes
April 2, 2012 By 2 Comments
I've lived on Vancouver Island almost all my life, first on the West Coast, and then in Victoria. In the late 1980s my parents retired to Oceanside (Parksville - Qualicum Beach). We've spent many hours on beaches and in the forest exploring. One popular event we've enjoyed in the past is the Pacific Brant Wildlife Festival. This year, wanting to surprise my husband (an avid bird watcher and photographer) for his birthday, I remembered the … [Read more...]
