Tonight: 2 Nov – Victoria Symphony presents ‘The Planets’

Celebrating the International Year of Astronomy the Victoria Symphony presents Gustav Holst’s dramatic masterpiece “The Planets.” While the orchestra plays artist Dr. José Francisco Salgado’s video suite will be projected on a giant screen. Dr Francisco was interviewed on the CBC this morning and small pieces of “The Planets” was played. The music was dramatic and beautiful and Dr Fancisco’s video installation, which incorporates the highest quality images of each of the planets, sounds like something that is well worth taking the time to see. There will be a preconcert talk in the West lobby, 45 mins before curtain.

Details:

8PM Nov 2, Royal Theatre

Tickets and other details see the Victoria Symphony website: http://victoriasymphony.ca/concerts/#656

7&8 Nov Art of the Cocktail – fundraiser for the Victoria Film Festival

Coming up in the first week of November ( 7 & 8, 2009) is The Art of the Cocktail. It is a  two day festival celebrating the art, craft, and tradition of the cocktail. This is a fundraiser for the Victoria Film Festival, which like all arts in BC has been hit by funding cuts. There are three parts to this festival. First is The Tasting Room where you can taste spirits and cocktails, collect recipes and watch demonstrations. Pick a tasting time!

• November 7 Saturday 1 – 4 PM
• November 7 Saturday 7 – 10 PM
• November 8 Sunday 1 – 4 PM

Tickets for The Tasting Room are on sale now and can only be bought in advance.

In addition to The Tasting Room there are a large range of  workshops for which tickets are $20 each. Finally there are a range of dinners at some of the best restaurants around town. For all the details check out the VFF website.

Urbanite: October 23, 2009 | 8:00pm – 11:00pm

The most recent Urbanite was inspired by the gallery’s current exhibition Vision Into Reality: West Coast Modernism. There was a very good turnout and the crowd seems to be getting younger. (About half of the attendees were in their 20s). There was music by DJ Longshanks (regular at the Lucky Bar), 1950s inspired cocktails and drinks and informative tours of the Vision in Reality exhibition. Unfortunately there was no interactive art making this time. I really loved the collage table at the World Upside Down Urbanite in August. The great little brown bags marked “Home,” “Love” and “Fear” that were filled with little trinkets including fake fur, hearts and stars were imaginative and fun.

Urbanites are held three times a year. If you are interested in art and have not got along to one yet I would thoroughly recommend checking one out. Admission to an Urbanite is $12 non-members or $10 for gallery members. Drinks are usually $7-8.

Details on the gallery website or check them out on Facebook

 

more spooky fun: Ghost walks at St Ann’s academy

SWPL tells us that “When it comes to holidays, there are few that white people like more than Halloween.” So for those of you who know Victoria well it should come as no surprise that there is lots of Halloween activity occurring around Victoria. In addition to the plays I posted about yesterday for the next week and a bit you can join in more spooky Halloween fun by taking one of the Ghostly walking tours of St. Ann’s Academy and Grounds. The walks are happening on Friday 23 Oct, Sat 24 Oct, and Friday 30 Oct at 6PM & 8PM. The 90 minute guided tours will start at the entrance to the chapel. You can pick up tickets in advance at St Ann’s Caademy 835 Humbolt Street Ph 250 – 953-8829 email stanns.academy@gov.bc.ca

Creepy Craigdarroch showing 15-31 Oct

Halloween is coming soon and that means that Giggling Iguana productions are once again playing at Craigdarroch Castle. Last year year they presented The Picture of Dorian Gray and this year they are presenting The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Based on last year’s experience I would say that there is lots to recommend these productions. The rather gloomy Victorian-era mansion is the perfect location for a Halloween play. The director fully utilizes the castle’s unique setting by moving the audience through different rooms as the play progresses. These productions also give adults the chance to dress up and play with their ‘dark’ side. Virtually all of the audience last Halloween were wearing costumes which added a lot of fun to the atmosphere. On the less positive side the production last year was  not 100 percent professional. While some of the actors were great, a couple were a little amateur.  Despite this shortcoming I think we’ll be adding this play to our fall schedule. Check it out from now until Halloween!

Details:

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Opens 8pm Thursday, October 15 To October 31
Craigdarroch Castle, 1050 Joan
Tickets $22-$25 (advance only)
250-592-5323

See also article in this week’s Monday Mag: http://mondaymag.com/articles/entry/creepy-craigdarroch/arts/

Fringe festival: until 6 Sep

The Fringe is in full swing. There is SO much to see. I saw some great shows last year and am looking forward to checking out some shows this weekend. We went to see Fall Fair but it was sold out so we ended up seeing Uncalled for presents: Today is All Your Birthdays. I completely recommend that you go and see it. This sketch comedy piece is an incredibly well written, hilarious, dizzying ride through time and space. The two person cast displayed an impressive physicality and rapport with the audience. I laughed and laughed and laughed. Go see it!

See it at:

Venue #4 – St. Andrews School Gymnasium 1002 Pandora, Victoria, BC,

Show Times: Fri, August 28th – 5:45pm Sat, August 29th – 10:00pm Sun, August 30th – 7:15pm

Thu, September 3rd – 7:30pm Sat, September 5th – 5:45pm Sun, September 6th – 9:15pm

Some friends have recommended The Power of Ignorance a satirical comedy about motivational speakers.  It’s received rave reviews: http://www.tjdawe.com/works/ignorance/index.php Check it out at:

Venue #7 – Victoria College of Art + Design UCW (950 Kings near Quadra)

SHOW TIMES  •  Sat, Aug 29 2:15 PM  •  Sun, Aug 30 7:30 PM  •  Fri, Sep 04 6:00 PM  •  Sat, Sep 05 7:45 PM  •  Sun, Sep 06 1:30 PM

One of the shows which we haven’t seen but which is getting great reviews is:

Pretty Little Instincts
SNAFU Dance Theatre
Victoria BC
Dance • 60 minutes
Adults: $9 • Seniors/Students: $9
Parental Guidance: Nudity

From the creators of BLiNK — Pick-of-the-Fringe Best Dance/Physical Show 2007: Renegade outdoor dance theatre. High society tea crumbles into a display of primal instincts as eight women, painted an eerie chalk white, unravel their raw intuition. “Fresh, daring, evocative… SNAFU is one to watch out for.” 4.5 Stars – Monday Magazine. Free tea and cookies.
Point Ellice Webpage
Sponsored by: Point Ellice Heritage Society, Earle Clarke House, The Salvation Army, Discovery Coffee
A portion of ticket sales will be donated to the Victoria Women’s Transition House.
DIRECTIONS: Point Ellice Heritage House is a garden oasis sandwiched between a mountain of crushed cars and gravel pit at 2616 Pleasant Street. 20 minute walk (4 minute drive) from downtown: Follow Douglas North towards Mayfair Mall, Left on Bay, Right on Pleasant.
AUDIENCE ADVICE: Dress warmly.

Details of all the shows/tickets prices/ venues/ at:

http://www.intrepidtheatre.com/fringe2009/

Assume nothing: new social practice exhibition

The Art Gallery of Victoria exhibition Assume Nothing: new social practice is heading into its last month. This exhibition includes sculpture, video, filmes, and sound works that explore socially engaged art. The quality of the works in this exhibition varies greatly. Some works are original and provoke thought while others are rather dull. However the exhibition as a whole is well worth a look. Check it out before May 24. For a full list of artist bios, events and projects see www.aggv.bc.ca

Earth day film festival 21-22 April

Tomorrow is earth day. Open cinema, VIDEA and the Sierra Club of BC
are presenting the Annual EARTH DAY FILM FESTIVAL FRIEND & FUNDRAISER. Entry is free. For more details see:

http://www.harbourliving.ca/event/open-cinema-presents-2nd-annual-earth-day-film-festival

26th Annual Swiftsure Breakfast – May 23rd Clover Point

The Swiftsure International Yacht race is an annual event that can be watched from Clover point. This year the Fairfield Community association is holding a breakfast which will include yummy Bubby Rose baked goods. If the fine weather keeps up this should be a fun morning event.You can find more details about the race at:

http://www.swiftsure.org/
You can find more details about the breakfast at:

http://www.fairfieldcommunity.ca/events/ssb.html

Oak Bay artist’s studios walk

Free art walks at Okay Bay this weekend. The website tells us:

Recreation Oak Bay is proud to announce the 10th semi-annual show of fine arts in Oak Bay this April 18 and 19. Many of Oak Bay’s established and emerging artists will use their homes and studios as backdrops to display the products of their creativity in a variety of original watercolour, acrylic, oil, fibre, photographic, woodcut, glass and pottery creations. This juried tour, which is produced by Recreation Oak Bay, will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19, from noon to 4:30 p.m. The two-day special event is free to the public. Brochures with artist descriptions and a tour map are available at www.recreation.oakbay.ca in early April. Brochures are also available at the Oak Bay Recreation Centres, the Oak Bay Municipal Hall and the Oak Bay Library as well as at local businesses on Estevan and Oak Bay Avenue and through participating artists prior to the show. For more information call Recreation Oak Bay at 250-370-7129.

My favorite was the weaving at Jean Betts (no. 13 on the art walk). She has a range of scarves and bags from the quirky, to bright and contemporary to simple and classic.