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...]
Bilingual Tours of St Ann’s Academy Precinct Highlight Victoria’s Francophone Roots
August 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
CCPA Performing Arts Party at Uptown
July 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment
As I’ve shared before, there is a special place in my heart for the Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA). The Canadian College of Performing Arts is one of Canada’s top training centres for a career in the arts. Over the past 14 years, the Victoria-based College has made a difference in the lives of gifted young artists who have taken major steps towards their goals of becoming performers, teachers and arts leaders in communities across … [Read more...]
Quadra Village Day 2012. Celebrating 10 Years!
May 3, 2012 By 2 Comments
Who doesn’t love a free, family-friendly, all-ages celebration? Especially when food is involved. You’ll find all that and more at the 10th annual Quadra Village Day, Saturday May 12th from 9:30 am to 1pm. I’ve been actively involved on the planning committee since shortly after moving to the Hillside-Quadra neighbourhood in 2006. It’s wonderful to see people pulling together – businesses, not-for-profits, citizens (young and old), community … [Read more...]
Quadra Village Day Dance needs YOU!
April 21, 2012 By 1 Comment
I've been a supporter of Quadra Village Day since moving to the Hillside - Quadra neighbourhood in 2006, and a member of the entirely volunteer-run planning committee since 2008. This year one of our community partners and long time supporters, Dance Victoria, is organizing a "flash-mob" style dance to be performed at Quadra Village Day on Saturday May 12th. In 2011 Dance Victoria received municipal funding to create an … [Read more...]
A Spring to Fall 2012: Art Shows and Studio Tours in Victoria BC
April 11, 2012 By 5 Comments
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...]
Victoria Shakespeare 2012 – Live Outdoor Summer Theatre
March 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
A few years ago, I had the pleasure of volunteering for the Victoria Shakespeare Society during their summer season. It was so much fun, I've become a regular. Although the society has been a vital part of summer arts programming in the capital region since 2003 (in this incarnation), it wasn't until the summer of 2009, when a friend of my son’s was in Julius Caesar, that we wandered up the hill to the grounds of Camosun College. You can read … [Read more...]
SPARK Festival 2012 at the Belfry Theatre
March 10, 2012 By 1 Comment
We are so fortunate in Victoria BC to have a plethora of arts events and festivals during the year, including the spring SPARK Festival at the Belfry Theatre. Since 2009 SPARK has grown to two concentrated weeks of theatrical goodness in March (12th – 25th) with five components: big shows, miniplays, new play readings, professional development workshops and one big party right in the middle. There are a total of over 70 shows and events (many … [Read more...]
15th Annual Victoria French Fest
March 1, 2012 By 2 Comments
Celebrate French culture and heritage March 8-11th in Victoria BC with free events for children, circus workshops, a sugar shack, artisans marketplace, performances and more! Centennial Square is the site of the 15th annual Victoria French Fest. (Complete program guide -in French and English here). Most free events take place noon - 4pm in the Square. People are often amazed at the number of Francophones and Francophiles in the Capital Region … [Read more...]
Free Monthly Skates – Victoria BC
January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I never really learned to skate. Growing up in Ucluelet, we had an ice surface at the Long Beach Airport, but it was strictly reserved for curling. In Victoria, however, there are numerous skating rinks. The City of Victoria even offers FREE monthly skates. the outdoor rink at City Hall earlier this winter Monthly Free Skates The City of Victoria Recreation Services and Save-On-Foods have partnered to offer monthly free skates in the … [Read more...]
Holiday traditions – A December of Theatre in Victoria BC
November 24, 2011 By 2 Comments
Traditionally, theatre in December could be any number of oft-repeated tales, from Christmas fare like pantomine and the nativity, to seasonal stories made popular by radio, television or film, or even, regular programming not related to the holiday. A wide range of possibilities is available for theatre-goers in Victoria this December. … [Read more...]
