For some people, it is the plethora of craft fairs or musical events that signals the advent of the holiday season. For me, it has traditionally been Gallery Walk - an evening in late November, hosted by seven downtown Victoria art galleries who open their collections for viewing. This year's walk, the 14th annual, is Thursday November 24th from 3-8pm. Of note is the "passport" which participants in the walk can get stamped for a chance … [Read more...]
Contemporary North Exhibit – Madrona Gallery
November 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I trace my love of print making to a Pablo Picasso retrospective in Hamburg circa 1974. With a couple of hours wait before the ferry left for Denmark, this art opening caught my eye. It was a very humbling experience for a young woman from Ucluelet (which at the time had no art galleries or shops) to have the opportunity to view, in person, works that covered his artistic career from start to finish. Prints afforded me the possibility of … [Read more...]
Esquimalt Centennial Kickoff October 8 2011
October 13, 2011 By 2 Comments
For over 20 years, Esquimalt was my home, and Saxe Point my neighbourhood. It's here we raised our family and got involved in local grass roots community building and politics. We loved the small town feel, and the easy access to beaches, a world class rock climbing face, beautiful parks, a recreation centre, library, town square and shopping plaza. My children went to the region's francophone school École Victor-Brodeur … [Read more...]
Shakespeare in the Summer – Victoria BC
July 13, 2011 By 4 Comments
The crowd settles in, having gathered blankets, chairs and cushions along the way. Regulars carry extra layers of clothing, including hats, and even mitts, for evenings outdoors can be brisk in Victoria in July and August. We gather in a field close to a rocky outcropping and Garry Oak meadow remnant at Camosun College, Landsdowne Campus, for Shakespeare in the Summer by the Victoria Shakespeare Society. Families take advantage of free … [Read more...]
Theatre SKAM’s Bike Ride
July 12, 2011 By 2 Comments
What a way to combine the love of bicycles and theatre! Have you heard of Bike Ride by Theatre SKAM, held along 3 kilometres of the Galloping Goose in Victoria BC? You still have a weekend to get involved - this Saturday and Sunday July 16th and 17th. Just what happens at Bike Ride, and how did it come about? Theatre SKAM is an alternative Victoria theatre company that was founded in 1995 by 4 UVic grads (Sarah Donald, Karen Turner , … [Read more...]
Five Hole for Food – Help the Mustard Seed Food Bank
July 6, 2011 By 2 Comments
It's no secret that a good deal of my news concerning special events comes from social media via Twitter and Facebook. So, when Dixon Tam tweeted me about Five Hole For Food, I was only more than happy to help promote this fundraiser/foodraiser for the Mustard Seed Food Bank. I've known Dixon virtually for several years now; Five Hole For Food is his volunteer commitment. It will be an added bonus to meet him in person. What is Five Hole … [Read more...]
International Free Hugs Day 2011 Victoria BC
July 3, 2011 By 3 Comments
Saturday July 2nd 2011 marked the 2nd time we celebrated International Free Hugs Day in Victoria BC. Our inaugural event in 2010 came about after Alex Yates @Lunacee tweeted about the day and before you knew it, we had crowd sourced a small group of people willing to meet at the Visitors' Information Centre for a few hours of hugging. International Free Hugs Day was the inspiration of Juan Mann (a pseudonym) an Australian, in 2004. The hugs … [Read more...]
Canada Day Living Flag 2011, Victoria BC
July 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I LOVE Canada Day, and up until quite recently, you would most likely find me involved in the organizing of a community Block Party complete with entertainment, kids activities and BBQ. That all changed when I moved from Esquimalt to Victoria BC a few years back. Now the entire downtown is "my" neighbourhood. The Canada Day celebrations organized by the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) include activities for families, music and a … [Read more...]
Quadra Village Day 2011
April 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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 9th annual Quadra Village Day, Saturday May 7th 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...]
#ReadUp Tweetup for Family Literacy Day
January 30, 2011 By 1 Comment
A huge thank you to Drew and Kate of Tall Tales Books for hosting the #Read Up Tweetup for Family Literacy Day in their store on Saturday January 29th. What is Family Literacy Day? Here's information from the ABC Life Literacy Canada website: "Family Literacy Day is a national awareness initiative created by ABC Life Literacy Canada in 1999 and held annually on January 27. This special day promotes the importance of reading and … [Read more...]
