A Place to Listen season three. A conversation with Daniel and Laura Brandes. I had the opportunity recently to sit down with Daniel Brandes, co-founder with his wife Laura, of A Place to Listen, the listening series— now in its third season—that takes place every third Wednesday of the month at James Bay United Church (corner of Michigan and Menzies). I spoke with Daniel over coffee and then Laura added her thoughts via e-mail. Since … [Read more...]
A Place to Listen season three. A conversation with Daniel and Laura Brandes.
November 13, 2014 By Leave a Comment
James and Jamesy in High Tea. November 13-16, 2014 Victoria BC.
November 12, 2014 By Leave a Comment
James and Jamesy in High Tea. November 13-16, 2014 Victoria BC. One of my favourite duos, the acclaimed, multi-award-winning James and Jamesy return to Victoria BC with their summer 2014 Fringe hit High Tea. Unknown to Fringe audiences before 2013, their high energy physical performance attracted attention and garnered sell-outs from coast to coast. In particular, I was struck with their ability to incorporate four audience members into the … [Read more...]
Fête Française avec Charlotte Diamond November 15 2014
November 12, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Fête Française avec Charlotte Diamond November 15 2014. Presented by Canadian Parents for French in Victoria BC. My children who grew up in the francophone education system (Conseil Scolaire Francophone) rather than in the immersion stream, were nonetheless big fans of Charlotte Diamond. I still remember hits like "Four Hugs a Day" and "May There Always Be Sunshine" and look forward to introducing this longstanding and prolific artist to my … [Read more...]
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at UVic Phoenix Theatre. A review.
November 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment
A Midsummer Night's Dream at UVic Phoenix Theatre. A review. Boisterous, rambunctious and full of heart, the current UVic Phoenix Theatre production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (November 2 -22, 2014) is a treat. Director Fran Gebhardt has set the play in 1970s New York City, imagining factions of hippies, punks and preppies, complete with an extensive collection of music of the time (Kieran MacNaughton sound design) The Duke—Theseus … [Read more...]
Laughing Allowed! —The Slapstick World of Neighbourhood Activism. November 8th, 2014.
November 3, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Laughing Allowed! —The Slapstick World of Neighbourhood Activism. November 18th, 2014. My readers may remember local theatre director Will Weigler for his community-based work that resulted in From The Heart: Enter the Journey of Reconciliation. He's at it again--this time with a more comedic bent. It’s great when neighbours unite and work hard to make their community better, but sometimes there are bumps on the road to getting … [Read more...]
Intrepid Theatre launches New Play Reading Series
November 3, 2014 By 2 Comments
Intrepid Theatre launches New Play Reading Series. I'm a big fan of play readings and play workshops. They are an important part of the play development process and represent an opportunity for the playwright to "test" their work in front of a live audience. I received the following message from Janet Munsil, Artistic Director at Intrepid Theatre. Intrepid Theatre has launched a New Play Reading Series at the Intrepid Theatre Club, on … [Read more...]
The Rocky Horror Show by RKO Productions October 23-November 1, 2014. A review.
October 26, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Bold, energetic and full of heart, The Rocky Horror Show by Rebel Knock Out Productions (currently at the Metro Studio October 24-November 1, 2014) was an initiation to the cult classic musical that exceeded all my expectations. How I’ve missed both the film and the musical up to this point remains a mystery, and other than a few signature songs I was completely in the dark, other than availing myself of a plot synopsis. Thankfully I wasn’t … [Read more...]
Spring Awakening by Company C, October 21-November 2, 2014. A review.
October 25, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Spring Awakening by Company C, October 21-November 2, 2014. Presented at the Belfry Theatre in Victoria BC. Edgy and frank, with catchy and raw tunes that remain days later, Spring Awakening (the current Company C/Canadian College of Performing Arts production at the Belfry Theatre October 21-November 2, 2014) takes us back in an instant to the chaotic days of our adolescence. Based on Frank Wedekind’s scandalous (and later banned) 1890 … [Read more...]
Faces of Love, Portraits from Our Place by Elfrida Schragen
October 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Faces of Love – Portraits from Our Place by Elfrida Schragen. When artist Elfrida Schragen was approached about a month-long artist-in-residency program at a local resort, she immediately knew what – and who – she wanted to paint. In 2007, Schragen painted a series of portraits featuring people from all walks of life who used the services of Our Place, an inner-city community centre for the most vulnerable of Greater Victoria. When she … [Read more...]
Spring Awakening by Company C, October 21-November 2, 2014. Preview.
October 24, 2014 By Leave a Comment
Spring Awakening by Company C October 21-November 2, 2014. Presented in association with the Belfry Theatre Victoria BC. 14 highly talented Year III performers from Oak Bay’s Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) are working tirelessly to produce the region’s first-ever staging of Spring Awakening. Claiming an astonishing eight Tony’s in 2007, Spring Awakening is a ground-breaking musical by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik that … [Read more...]
