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...]
Opening Night: Sin City A Live Improvised Soap Opera – Season TWO: Carnies
November 1, 2011 By 9 Comments
Well the joint was hopping last Tuesday night at the Victoria Event Centre (VEC) as the good citizens of Victoria came out in full force for opening night of the very popular Sin City A Live Improvised Soap Opera - Season TWO: Carnies. The actors in Sin City are well known to local audiences, having performed with Atomic Vaudeville, Giggling Iguana, Launch Pad, and other companies on stages all around town. Season cast members include: Wes … [Read more...]
Cariboo Buckaroo by Theatre SKAM Rides Again!
October 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
European explorers arrived in what is now British Columbia in the last quarter of the 1700s. The period from then to now is relatively short and yet, I am woefully uneducated when it comes to the events that have helped shaped the province. Living on Vancouver Island with an island-centric mentality has not helped. For instance, I knew nothing of the Chilcotin War and the Gold Rush (beyond how it related to Victoria). Well, now rides … [Read more...]
The Fall of the House of Usher – Craigdarroch Castle. A review.
October 21, 2011 By 2 Comments
I love site specific theatre. For me, going to a play is visceral - the sights (costumes, sets, décor) sounds, and sometimes smells (gunpowder) combining to create an emotional experience. Adding the ability to live within the décor only serves to heighten this feeling. Giggling Iguana and director Ian Case have been creating site specific work in Victoria since 2001 at Craigdarroch Castle, beginning with Ian's adaptation of The Fall of the … [Read more...]
Gormenghast – William Head on Stage
October 18, 2011 By 2 Comments
What a magnificent choice to celebrate WHoS (William Head on Stage) 30th year and 50th production, in this, the centenary year of Gormenghast's author Mervyn Peake. This tale - part morality play, part fantasy - recounts the history of a kingdom where rule and ritual reign and the mantra "No Change!" is well respected. It's production in a federal minimum security institution carries a certain level of double-entendre. … [Read more...]
Victoria Conservatory of Music Presents! Concert Series Premiere Season
October 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Founded in 1964, the Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) has trained generations of musicians. They slowly outgrew several locations - the Union Hall near Centennial Square, Craigdarroch Castle, the annex of St Ann's Academy. In 1997, with over 1000 students, they purchased the Metropolitan United Church at the corner of Quadra and Pandora, moving into the space in 1999. The magnificent 800 seat Alix Goolden Hall is a much desired … [Read more...]
Moscow Stations by Theatre Inconnu, Fundraiser Performances
October 14, 2011 By 2 Comments
Theatre Inconnu is Victoria's longest surviving alternative theatre company, established in 1978 by Katya Kern-Aho and Clayton Jevne. I've been a fan since 2005 when they produced The Ecstasy of Rita Joe in the round using masks. The play was almost 40 years old but this hard-hitting treatment made is as relevant to today's audience as it was in 1967. Why had it taken me so long to appreciate their offerings? During the 1980s and 1990s I was … [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...]
Fundraiser for Actor, Chris Mackie, injured in pedestrian-bus accident
October 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I was first introduced to Chris Mackie in 2008 when he performed in Martin McDonagh's harrowing tale The Pillowman at Theatre Inconnu. He was so menacing as the cop Ariel that I was terrified, and queasy. … [Read more...]
Gourmet Gala in the Cowichan Valley – a Success!
October 12, 2011 By 1 Comment
If attendance at Gourmet Gala October 1st is any indication, the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce deserves to be extremely proud. It was a big leap of faith to go from previous galas, held in much smaller venues, to this year's event, held in the brand-new Mellor Hall at the Cowichan Exhibition grounds. When the organizers learned that I would be celebrating a birthday, they graciously extended an invitation … [Read more...]
