Centennial Square is the site of the 17th annual Victoria French Fest, presented by the Société Francophone de Victoria. Celebrate French culture and heritage March 6 – 9th, 2014 in Victoria BC with free events for children, drumming workshops, sugar shack, community booths, an artisans market, performances and more! (Complete program guide -in French and English here). (Scroll to the bottom of this post for more information on the schedule of … [Read more...]
Books I Read in 2013
December 10, 2013 By 3 Comments
I got a Kobo for Christmas in 2012 and thus started the year, by fluke, reading Alice Munro's newest short story collection Dear Life. How fortuitous! I finished the year reading the 2013 Giller prize winner Lynn Coady's books, including Hellgoing. And added the short stories and novels of Lisa Moore, another east-coaster, who was on the Giller short list, to my repertoire. Along the way I re-connected with Joyce Carol Oates, Susan Musgrave … [Read more...]
Samsara by Sacred Centre Dance Company September 7 2013
September 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment
The Sacred Centre Dance Company presents Samsara at the McPherson Playhouse, Saturday September 7, 2013. I first heard of founder Nath Keo in the 2000s when he had a small dance studio in a heritage home on Fort Street. Later, I was re-acquainted with his work when he presented at the Light on Our Feet fundraiser organized by Holly Vivian. Join Nath and his team of dancers for Samsara, Saturday September 7th at the McPherson … [Read more...]
Victoria’s First AfriCa Fest celebrates the 50th anniversary of the African Union
May 16, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Did you know 2013 is the 50th anniversary of the African Union? To celebrate, join members of the African, Caribbean and Créole communities for Victoria's first-ever AfriCa Fest, May 17th - 25th. Free family-friendly activities will be centered around Centennial Square for the opening weekend May 17th - 19th and include musical performances, activities for children, exhibitions, and interactive games. … [Read more...]
“A Place To Listen” concert – January 16th
January 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment
I have declared 2013 to be The Year of Taking More Risks, Having More Fun, and Expanding Cultural Horizons. I love that, sometimes, you can do all three at once. "A Place To Listen" is a new music concert series on the third Wednesday of the month, originated by Daniel Brandes in the fall of 2012. You can read more about the December concert here and learn how I came to meet Daniel. The January 16th concert will feature the North American … [Read more...]
Treasured Holiday Traditions – Tourtière
December 21, 2012 By 6 Comments
In honour of my grandmother Marion, and my mom (her daughter-in-law) Cassy. Christmas would not be Christmas in our household without Tourtière. My dad came from Québec, and my grandmother would serve it every Christmas Eve, right after Midnight Mass. In time, my own mother learned to make tourtière, and eventually I followed the tradition. Like many cherished recipes, the one for Tourtière is highly debated; every region of Québec has … [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...]
A Fall Staycation at the Harbour Towers Hotel in Victoria BC
November 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Who doesn’t love a staycation – that brief vacation away from all the weekend chores, an indulgence to celebrate a special anniversary, or simply the chance to experience Victoria as outsiders do? We make it a practice to schedule regular staycations during the year, and in October had the opportunity to experience a recent weekend at the Harbour Towers Hotel and Suites. Readers may not know that I spent 15 years in the hospitality industry, … [Read more...]
Babes Go Bare Calendar 2011
November 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Babes Go Bare Calendar 2011 I first met Trish Caddy of Babes Go Bare for Cancer in October 2009 through my son, Christopher Loran, community events coordinator with the Q! radio station. Chris had been approached by Stephanie Whitaker, one of the original babes, to see if there was anything the Q! could do to help promote the 2010 calendar. Chris called me since he knew I had some experience with fundraising events In rapid order I told … [Read more...]
