Victoria’s Luminara Festival Lights Up Beacon Hill Park

If anyone doubts that Victoria, BC, is one of the most romantic cities in the world, he or she should visit during the annual Luminara Festival, held each year in Beacon Hill Park and St. Ann’s Academy grounds near downtown. This year the festival will be held from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 25th.

Luminara Victoria is a lantern festival inspired by the many festivals of light held in countries around the world. This unique and inspired cultural event enhances community development by bringing groups and individuals around the region together in a creative celebration, to build social capital and community cohesiveness.

This is the tenth year of the festival. The event is sponsored by the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA), a unique non-profit organization that combines arts and social services to address the needs of immigrants and to promote the embracing of cultural diversity in the Victoria community.

In the months leading up to the festival organizers run a series of workshops throughout the community, where participants learn to build lanterns based on a range of cultural influences, and work with artists to create larger lantern installations. Workshop participants and people from the community, as well as visitors throng to the event, many carrying lanterns of their own making.

Costumed characters, musicians, acrobats and performers are lit by the light of thousands of lanterns, including large-scale installation pieces which are spread throughout Beacon Hill Park. The process of creating the event and the event itself involve people of all ages, cultural backgrounds and artistic abilities. Handmade lanterns, candlelit installations, elaborate costumes, musicians and performers will once again infuse the landscape with a captivating blend of light and shadow, colour and form.

For more information about Luminara Victoria, contact ICA at 250-388-4728.

Best of Salt Spring Island Art June 19-21

The first ever-collaborative show of its kind for Salt Spring, the “Masterpiece Weekend” takes place June 19-21, 2009. As many as forty artists will participate in a ‘best of show’ by producing a single work instead of a body of work with pieces on display at ArtSpring for three days only. Salt Spring Fine Art sponsors the weekend event.

Salt Spring Fine Art spokesperson, Matt Steffich, is looking forward to a unique weekend for visitors and islanders alike. “We are excited to showcase some of the best works available on Salt Spring for one weekend only. This is the first of what we hope will be an annual event and a rare opportunity to enjoy masterful works in one setting.”

Salt Spring based artist, John Bateman is participating in the show. “This is an excellent opportunity for the public at large to experience art work representing an artist at his or her best. I know every town and city in Canada to some degree has an artistic community that is vital and rich. Salt Spring’s natural beauty and geographical boundaries attracts an unusually rich and dense population of artists and crafts people.” Bateman grew up in an artistically rich family; his current mediums include working in conceptual wood sculpture and drawing.

The “Masterpiece Weekend” is an event organized by the Salt Spring Fine Art Group. The Fine Art Group is: Galleons Lap Atelier-Gallery, Jill Louise Campbell Fine Art Gallery, J. Mitchell Gallery, Martinus Studio-Gallery, Pegasus Gallery of Canadian Art, Steffich Fine Art, Stone Fish Gallery with sculptor Allan Crane, the Salt Spring Arts Council and sponsors, Hastings House Country House Hotel and ArtSpring, the Islands performing Art Centre.

For future updates please visit: www.saltspringfineart.com

Canadian Pacific Ballet Presents “Coppelia”

A great Valentine’s Day gift, Coppelia comes to the McPherson Playhouse February 13th and 14th for 3 shows. A comic ballet, notable as the last of the Romantic era, Coppelia was originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Leon and premiered in 1870 at the Opera House in Paris, France.

Famed for its beautiful score, composed by Leo Delibes, the ballet has remained a hallmark and a major step in the development of a ballerina.

For ticket information call the McPherson Playhouse

(250) 386-61211-888–717-6121

World Curling Championships at Save-On Memorial Arena

The Scotties Tournament of Hearts will be hosted in BC for the fifth time in the championship’s twenty-eight year history. Following on the heels of a very successful World Curling Championship in 2005 at the new Save-On Food Memorial Centre, Victoria has been awarded the premier women’s sporting event in Canada which will be held February 21-March 1.

This Canadian Women’s Curling Championship will showcase the best women’s teams representing the provinces and territories, according to Jack Bowman, Director of the Canadian Curling Association and a Victoria resident. The Victoria curling community is looking forward to a very successful and memorable championship with all of the excitement associated with a pre-Olympic year.

Kruger Products Limited is the longest sponsor of amateur sport in Canada. David Ronald, Western Region Manager, Canada and the U.S. said, “Our curling teams have an impressive record on the international stage, bringing home Olympic medals in 1998, 2002 and again in 2006.” He added, “The competition amongst curlers is already fierce and the winner of the 2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts will gain valuable points towards the Olympic trials and the ultimate dream of representing Canada right here in BC.”

TICKETS ON SALE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16th, 2009 @ 10:00am

Full Tournament Package Gold $393.75 Silver $367.50 Bronze $315

Weekend Champ Gold $183.23 Silver $157.50 Bronze $157.50

Evening Champ Gold $183.23 Silver $157.50 Bronze $157.50

Opening Weekend Package All Seats - $68.25

**RESERVED SEATING **

Tickets are available at www.selectyourtickets.com, charge-by-phone 250-220-7777 and Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre Box Office.

For more information contact: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre info@saveonfoodsmemorialcentre.com Office: 250.220.2600

Pacific Opera of Victoria Presents Semelle February 12-21

Meet the It Girl of 1744.

The alluring Semele is in love with the god Jupiter. And she wants to be immortal.

Things come to a bad end when Jupiter’s wife Juno, who sets the gold standard for the conduct of jealous spouses, makes elaborate plans to get rid of Semele.

Discover Baroque opera at its most charming! Handel’s luscious writing for the voice, his sense of dramatic momentum, and his dead-on characterizations make Semele an irresistible treat.

February 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 2009 in English with English surtitles. Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street, Victoria, BC. Performances at 8 pm. Pre-Performance Lectures at 6:45 pm

Sinner’s Ball February 7 at Laurel Point Inn

The Belfry Theatre’s popular annual fundraiser, The Sinners’ Ball, is set for Saturday, February 7, at the Inn at Laurel Point. This year’s Ball features high-energy R & B dance band Bryden Street House Party (in Hell) and a very special performance by jazz great Louise Rose (in Heaven). Tickets are $66.60 (+ GST) for Hell and $125 (+ GST) for Heaven (Guests in Heaven may move freely between Heaven and Hell) with all proceeds supporting the Belfry and its ongoing operations.

The evening kicks off at 7 pm with Cocktails in Purgatory before guests are sent to Heaven or Hell. The band starts at 8 pm and throughout the evening there will be surprise performances in both Heaven and Hell. Towards the end of the evening prizes will be awarded for best costumes (best female, best male, best couple).

It is suggested that guests wear something that makes them feel good. Classic cocktail attire (little black dress, smart suit, etc.) or wild and wonderful costumes, both are encouraged. The event gets an even mix of attire. For this year’s event, the Belfry is teaming up with Victoria Costume Rentals (http://www.victoriacostumes.com/ or 250-896-0781) for those who would like to attend in costume.

In light of last year’s “Little Red Devil” incident, organizers are asking that patrons refrain from wearing body paint unless it has been applied by a professional. (For costume inspiration, photos from past balls are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/10219958@N07/sets/72157601997988013/

Tickets are available at the Belfry Box Office (250-385-6815) and are $66.60 (+ GST) for Hell and $125 (+ GST) for Heaven. Hell features an enticing selection of fine food, and a specialty cash bar with signature drinks. Dancing takes place in Hell.

Heaven includes all of the sinful activities above plus drink vouchers and entry into our very special lounge, Heaven, where Louise Rose will play. Guests in Heaven may move freely between Heaven and Hell. Guests in Hell may not. A tax receipt will be provided.

Web Savvy

To help promote The Sinners’ Ball we are trying something new. We have created a Sinners’ Ball widget (or sprout), which is available on our website (www.belfry.bc.ca). By clicking on the share button, anyone can email this widget to their friends or post it to myspace, facebook or a variety of other social networking sites.

Overnight Accommodation?

The Inn at Laurel Point is providing hotel suites at a special rate for those wanting to stay overnight. Details available upon booking tickets.

The Sinners’ Ball is generously supported by The Inn at Laurel Point and Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut.

“High School Musical” at Save-On Memorial January 29-February 1

 

High School Musical mania reaches new heights when Disney’s High School Musical: the Ice Tour skates into Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. The only production to showcase the story, music and choreography of both hit Disney Channel Original Movies, The Ice Tour will now feature a high-energy High School Musical 3: Senior Year Special Bonus Experience, exclusive to The Ice Tour ticket holders. The video and live-action pre-show bonus experience includes behind-the-scenes footage from the new movie High School Musical 3: Senior Year and a one-of-a-kind sing-a-long dance party.

Produced by Feld Entertainment and Emmy’sAward-winning director Kenny Ortega, The Ice Tour extravaganza features a live celebration of songs, dance and team-spirited fun including popular story moments with the East High Wildcat classmates. World and national skating champions portray the popular characters and perform to the charttopping tunes with signature choreography made popular in the Emmy’s Award-winning Disney Channel Original Movies.

The Ice Tour is the only way for Wildcat fans to experience the pep, pop, drama and dazzle of the first two “High School Musica” movies live, plus an exclusive High School Musical 3: Senior Year pre-show feature that will rock the arena. The complimentary Special Bonus Experience includes High School Musical 3: Senior Year behind-the scenes footage, music videos and cast member interviews. Kenny Ortega introduces this exciting feature via video screen, and families are treated to a one-of-a-kind experience as movie and Ice Tour choreographer Chucky Klapow joins Kenny on screen to provide a High School Musical 3: Senior Year dance lesson. Fans will be rocking in the aisles to the new movie’s anthem song as skaters demonstrate the hot new steps. The result is the hottest show on ice!

Don’t miss “High School Musical: the Ice Tour” perform live at Save on Foods Memorial Centre January 29th, January 30th, January 3/1st, and February 1st! More.

“That Summer” at Langham Court January 17, 20-24

That Summer by David French, directed by Toshik Bukowiecki.  After an absence of 30 years, Margaret returns to the family cottage located on the shore of an Ontario lake. Memories flood in and soon we are back to the summer of 1958, when she and her sister Daisy were teenagers, mostly cared for by an eccentric elderly neighbour. Their carefree vacation culminates in a single day of love and of loss, triumph and tragedy that changes their lives forever.

Please call the Langham Court Theatre box office at 250-384-2142 for more information or to book tickets. More.

James Cotton Superharp Blues Band January 22

The musical pedigree of Grammy Award-winner James “Superharp” Cotton consists of a veritable who’s who in the world of the Blues. Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2006, the Smithsonian Institute in 1991, and winner of countless W.C. Handy Blues Awards, he has shared the stage with B.B. King, Johnny Winter, the Allman Brothers, Santana, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and The Grateful Dead, among others.

Please call the Langham Court Theatre box office at 250-384-2142 for more information or to book tickets.

More.

Bob Dylan at Save-On Foods Memorial Arena October 23

Legendary songwriter and pop cultural icon Bob Dylan will appear at the Save-On Foods Memorial Arena beginning at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 23. Dylan is one of the world’s most popular and acclaimed songwriters, musicians and performers in the world, having sold nearly 100 million albums and performed literally thousands of shows around the world in a career spanning five decades.

Dylan’s most recent trilogy of studio albums — Modern Times, Time Out Of Mind and Love & Theft –have been among his most commercially successful and critically lauded, each having sold more than a million copies in the U.S. and earning Grammy nominations for Album Of The Year (Time Out Of Mind won that award in 1998). He wrote and recorded “Things Have Changed” for the 2000 film Wonder Boys, for which he received both the Academy Award and Golden Globe. Read more