A Black History and Heritage Day, an evening of poetry and song, a documentary film, a solo show, a cemetery tour and three presentations make up the very ambitious schedule in celebration of BC Black History Month February 2013 in Victoria. Many people are not even aware of the significant role black citizens played in the establishment of the City of Victoria– including the founding of a precursor to the Victoria Police Department; nor that … [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...]
A Winter of Theatre in Victoria BC – Jan/Feb 2013
January 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Theatre companies in Victoria are launching 2013 with a number of dark plays (some of them dark comedies) deemed “suitable for mature audiences”, as well as ground-breaking trans-media and immersive experiences at the new Winterlab Festival. Families will be happy to hear of a new Family Theatre Festival, and lovers of multi-cultural story telling will want to check out WorldPlay (re-scheduled to March 7-10th) Sin City returns for a third … [Read more...]
Word Camp Victoria 2013 Presentation: Blogging to Build Community, Online and Off
December 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I’m honoured to be speaking at the fifth Word Camp Victoria on January 12th, 2013. It’s a labour of love for Paul Holmes and a way for the community of WordPress enthusiasts and developers to give back. When I approached blogging in the mid 2000s I couldn’t imagine having enough to say. Then I started using Twitter in April 2009, posting tweets of interest to me - mainly regarding the performing arts and community building initiatives in … [Read more...]
Open Cinema hosts: “Play Again” – November 7th, 2012
November 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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...]
Envisioning the World at the Royal BC Museum, Oct 4 2012 – Jan 27 2013
November 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment
If you've ever pored over an old atlas, or traced your fingers from Point A to Point B on an antiquated road map, you might have the same interest that sparked a life-long passion for Henry Wendt. It’s as a result of this passion that the Royal BC Museum is able to present a most unique exhibition Envisioning The World: The First Printed Maps, 1472 – 1700 in association with the Sonoma County Museum. … [Read more...]
The Hobbit at William Head on Stage (WHoS) – a review.
October 19, 2012 By 1 Comment
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...]
iPod Pharmacy Week October 15-19, 2012. Donate at Victoria’s Simply Computing Store.
October 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
It started with a tweet from musician Dominque Fricot to Steffani Cameron. .@smuttysteff I'm currently looking to find somewhere in #Victoria to drop off mp3 players. Do you, @wrobson, @avsouthin have any ideas? — Dominique Fricot (@DominiqueFricot) October 3, 2012 And Steffani, new to Victoria, thought that I might be able to help. @dominiquefricot @wrobson @avsouthin I'm sorta new in town. I think the more savvy folks like @lacouvee & … [Read more...]
Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival September 8-16, 2012
August 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Summer will soon be over, but there is still the opportunity to enjoy the last few days of sun, and revel in the culinary bounty this season brings. A short drive north of Victoria lays “The Warm Land”. The wineries and food producers of the Cowichan Valley have once again united to present the 8th annual Wine and Culinary Festival September 8th – 16th. Marsha, Wine Taster at Damali Winery The festival begins with a Grape Stomp at the … [Read more...]
Bilingual Tours of St Ann’s Academy Precinct Highlight Victoria’s Francophone Roots
August 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
My first introduction to the Sisters of St Ann came as a young girl, visiting my grandparents near the Victoria–Esquimalt border. One of the Sisters’ properties (now the site of the Sea Gate Apartments) overlooked the water close to their house. Years later, when the downtown St Ann’s Academy fell into dis-use and was boarded up, we would go “scrumping” for apples in the orchards. And while the restoration of the Academy may have deprived us … [Read more...]
