GiftGuide_09 by Monday Magazine

Christmas Guide 2009

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Present, Tense Gifts may be the focus of the season, but it’s our memories that last By JOHN THRELFALL

ake a look at this Christmas photo at the Threlfall house, circa 1968. That’s me on the far right, with what by today’s consumer standards seems like a sparse pile of presents indeed—but for the four-year-old me, it was all I could hope for and more: a train set, a toy plane, a snazzy yellow dump track, a board game and a cool Hot Wheels set. Given that I had two sisters, a stay-at-home mom and a father who had recently climbed out on the self-employment limb by starting his own business, it was a good haul. Not that I was aware of that at the time, mind you; like most kids, Christmas was all about what you wanted versus how much you actually got. But while most of those toys are long gone—except for the Hot Wheels, which (pack-rat that I am) I just handed off to my own four-year-old son—the memories of those holidays with my family still burn bright. Grab a quick sleigh ride 40-odd years into the future and somehow I’ve now become the tired father in that chair, struggling to put some damn toy together and trying not to worry about work when I’m supposed to be celebrating a joyous moment with my kids as my wife snaps a picture for posterity. (“Smile!” “You’ve got to be kidding—it’s 7 in the bloody morning.”) And, much like me back then, my own kids have recently discovered the seasonal joy of retail catalogues and started peppering us with requests for toys they will never find under the tree: night-vision goggles, dinosaurs you can ride, dollz that look more like bad dates than good role models. But as the holidays roll on, I hope what they too will retain from these wonder years will be the memories of time spent with their family. It’s always amazes me how much we collectively worry about finding the right gift (or, if you’re a perennial last-minute shopper, any gift), when the best present we could ever give or receive is simply time spent with those we care about. Hopefully that includes your family, but it can also be the friends who become your de facto family, especially if distance is a stumbling block to biological unity. True, the digital revolution has made it easier to connect over the kilometres (“Come say Merry Christmas to the webcam, kids!”), but no seasonal Skype call can ever take the place of a warm hug from someone you love. Seeing how my wife and I are currently on the same single-working-parent path that my own folks trudged down four decades back, we’re once again going the homemade route for many of our gifts this year. (No

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SQUARE spoilers, but let’s just say there’s a lot of shredded newspapers around the house right now.) Not only does this save us money, but it also stretches the seasonal fun out over the course of weeks as we collectively shape and paint and craft with our kids—and it’s far more enjoyable than a last-minute grab-anddash through Bills R Us. Bottom line? It’s not necessarily either the quality or quantity of the gifts under the tree that counts, but the people who put them there. Because once the toys are broken, the sweaters outgrown and the photos have started to fade, all you’re left with is the memories of friends and family you’ve known and loved and will inevitably lose. And, like a favourite carol or seasonal story, that’s what stays with you as the years roll on—and what makes the holidays truly happy, regardless of price or packaging. M SANTA: Jim Parker, Publisher RUDOLPH: John Threlfall, Editor

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Holiday Q&A Some local (and not-so-local) musicans share musical memories By AMANDA FARRELL-LOW

Ever taken a stab at writing a Christmas song? Yeah, I wrote one for a Mint Records Christmas compilation called “Song for the Girl with Two of Everything.” It’s about my Christmas birthday and how a start like that could leave a girl wanting twice as much out of every day.

hether you celebrate the season or not, it’s pretty much impossible to avoid hearing “Jingle Bells” blasted through a tinny mall speaker or catch a glimpse of Bowie and Bing doing their drummer-boy duet while channel-surfing. With thta in mind, we here at Monday decided to ask some of our favourite local (and visiting) musicians—many of whom will be performing here over thewinter months—about their take on the music of the holidays.

Carolyn Mark Carols: love ’em or loathe ’em? Well my mother always liked “Once in Royal David’s City” so I like it too. And “Good King Wenceslas” when you’re a kid is deliciously spooky. Like, “What’s he doing out there at night?” Favourite holiday song? “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” I just heard a version with June Carter and Homer and Jethro that makes it into a disturbing threesome! “Santa Baby” by Eartha Kitt’s pretty good too.

show on December 27. Past themes have included Christmas in Space, Christmas in Hawaii . . . I don’t know what we’re doing this year yet. And every year I mean to learn “Santa Baby.” Maybe this is the one!

Watch for Carolyn Mark’s Home for the Holidays show on December 27 at Logan’s. carolynmark.com Do you have any Christmas-song-related memories? My birthday is on Christmas Day so I have very weird associations with all Christmas songs. But how about a recent memory: last December I was on tour with Corb Lund and NQ Arbuckle and the whole crew became besieged with this awful stomach flu. I remember barfing violently in the really nice bathroom at the Hume Hotel in Nelson while a sugary sweet elevator version of “Deck the Halls” blasted majestically from a hidden speaker. Good times!

Carols: love ’em or loathe ’em? I love Christmas carols! We didn’t grow up going to church but I remember vividly wishing we did around Christmas. Something about mass and a choir singing carols made me nostalgic for something I’ve never done, even as a child. Sara and I were in choir growing up at our elementary school and the Christmas season was my highlight every year!

Do you plan on performing any festive songs over the holidays? Every year we do a “Home for the Holidays”

Favourite holiday song? I love the “A Very Special Christmas” compilation and buy it every year.

Tegan Quin, of Tegan and Sara

Do you have any Christmas-song-related memories? My uncle Glenn used to tear the Christmas Carol lyrics out of the Calgary Sun and make us sing together as a family on Christmas Eve! It was hilarious. I loved every second of it! Do you plan on performing any festive songs over the holidays? No, probably not. Never say never, but we can barely cover regular pop music.

Adam Kittredge, of Jets Overhead Carols: love ’em or loathe ’em? Love ’em. Could be argued that it’s where I got my start! Walking the long and dark winding driveways off the road Jocelyn [Greenwood] and I both grew up on with the whole neighborhood to sing carols to the elderly folks who lived at the end of those driveways; that was a great tradition in our neighborhood. I don’t think it’s been kept up, unfortunately. Jocelyn and I might have to spearhead a 21st century rebirth!

Christmas at Craigdarroch VISIT THE SPLENDIDLY DECORATED CASTLE FROM DECEMBER 1ST TO JANUARY 3RD From December 19 - 31 enjoy festive, seasonal music and children’s entertainment, included FREE with admission, as part of your self-guided tour of the Castle.

NEW THIS YEAR! Family Nights - December 19 & 20 Fun for the whole family when you join Kate the Maid or Christopher the Butler as they take you on a guided tour of the Castle. Find out about Victorian Christmas traditions as well as the Dunsmuir family then enjoy cider and cookies served from the pantry after the tour. Doors open 15 minutes prior - Tours start at 6:30 or 7 pm both nights. Adult: $14.50 Senior: $13.50 Student (19+ with ID): $10.50 Child (6-18): $6.50 Child (5 & under) FreF

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Least favourite holiday song? Most of us have probably worked a job at some point in our lives where the boss gets a twinkle in her/his eye this time of year and rolls the satellite radio dial to the one and only Christmas station on November 27th and doesn’t let up until New Year’s. It’s those jobs in my life that make it hard to single out one song by one performer. Various grocery store jobs later I still find that easy listening Christmas music to be like rye and eggnog; one glass is, “mmmm,” two glasses is, “I’m gonna chunder” and I can’t stand the sight of it until the following year where distance has clouded the trauma. Do you have any Christmas-song-related memories? One classic family tale that relatives love to tell year after year, much to my embarrassment (well, not really, but they like to think so and I oblige with a reddish hue— compliments of the rye and eggnog really), would have to be the year we were all gathered around the piano in my grandparents’ basement where my Granny Dixie was seated at the piano having just finished a rousing rendition of a classic Christmas ditty and I blurted out “now play something you know!” How rude! The family likes to drop that one every once in a while after I finish playing a song for them at the odd family function where I’ve been coerced into singing a Jets Overhead tune with my cousin and band mate Piers [Henwood].

Least favourite holiday song? Hmmm . . . hard to say. I don’t like to put anyone down, but there are a couple of Christmas albums “sung” entirely by farting. I’m not sure who made them... the “classiest” is credited to someone named Flatulina. I get the gag, but, musically can’t say it’s my favourite. Do you have any Christmas-song-related memories? One of the first songs on which I really played piano and sang together was “The First Noel.” I had this old Christmas music book, either of my Mom’s or my Grandma’s, and it was on the first page. I loved it. Allison Crowe performs at her annual Tidings concert with Ellisa Hartman, November 28 at the Alix Goolden Hall. allisoncrowe.com

Jon Middleton, of Jon and Roy Carols: love ’em or loathe ’em? I would say I am somewhere in the middle. I like carols, they remind me of being a kid at Chrismas time. Favourite holiday song? “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” I like it because it is interesting musically; it sounds like a song the Doors could’ve done. Sufjan Stevens does a cool version of it, too. Least favourite holiday song? I don’t like John Lennon’s Christmas song. If it comes on the radio I turn it off . . . it kind of has a self-righteous air to it, and it’s depressing.

Ever taken a stab at writing a Christmas song? More like a poke—and it didn’t even break the skin. I hope to slice it wide open one day.

Jon and Roy will be performing their Holiday Special concert on Sunday, December 13 at the Alix Goolden Hall with Current Swell, Hey Ocean, Dan Mangan, Sgt. Strumalong Hawaiin Trio and Hannah Georges. atomiqueproductions.com

Catch both Tegan and Sara and Jets Overhead with AFI at Jingle Bell Rock, December 21 at Save On Foods Memorial Centre. atomiqueproductions.com.

Lily Fawn, of Hank and Lily Carols: love ’em or loathe ’em? I wish I could say that I loathe ’em, but the truth is . . . I love them. Any reason for people to get together and sing around a piano is a good enough reason for me. I rarely care what we sing just as long as there is enough rum cider to go around.

Allison Crowe Favourite holiday song? One of my favourite holiday songs is the traditional carol O Holy Night, because it’s such fun to sing and very bluesy (if you sing it that way, that is). It’s a perfect song to sing to get going in the holiday spirit of things!

Favourite holiday song? “Santa Baby” by Marylin Monroe, or Blossom Dearie singing “Baby it’s Cold Outside” as a duet. I think I like those ones best because their voices are in my range, so it is easier for me to sing along. Plus, well, “Santa Baby” is just sexy. When I was little, I loved “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” because I thought it was scandalous that “Mommy” would be secretly making out with Santa. (It’s not all about the cookies, is it Santa?)

Do you have any Christmas-song-related memories? When I was four, my mother painstakenly taught me to sing “Suzie Snowflake” for the local Christmas pageant. I knew it by memory and had practised it over and over (by my mother’s prodding, no doubt) and when the time came to go up on stage and sing, I went up there and sang “Jingle Bells” instead (which I didn’t know the words too or the proper melody). I howled away and Do you plan on performing any festive songs over the holidays? I am trying to organize a few other people to sing carols with me. I call it Guerilla Caroling—we’ll wear masks, show up at your home, then refuse to stop singing until you guess who we are, join in . . . or pour us a drink. (What’s your address?) Hank and Lily are also planning our annual Christmas show this year with Buçan Buçan. Visit hankandlily.com for upcoming Hank and Lily shows.

Tania Miller, Maestra of the Victoria Symphony Carols: love ’em or loathe ’em? Love them absolutely! Favourite holiday song? “Silent Night.” It captures the spiritual and peaceful aspect of Christmas best.

RON BEDARD

Favourite holiday song? “The First Christmas Morn”—a family tradition. My dad and uncle would belt it out as my Granny tickled the ivories.

my poor mother didn’t impress anyone with my musical talents! What are some of the deciding factors when choosing holiday songs to play? For me, the most favorite are those that bring about a peacefulness and a quietness— but I like to program music that celebrates every kind of mood and background. M Check victoriasympony.ca for details on the Symphony’s extensive holiday programming.

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Gift Alternatives Get off the usual shopping path Knitted Owl: This popular and funky two-day market at the Fernwood NRG gym boasts live music Friday night, clothes for all ages, jewellery, passport sleeves made from maps, handwoven textiles and much more. Proceeds go to the Mary Manning Centre. November 20-21 at the Fernwood NRG, 1240 Gladstone. Email info@eaphoto.ca for more details.

Check out some hip alternatives for your holiday shopping By AMANDA FARRELL-LOW

Throw up the horns and get some quality Santa time at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Market

f you’re like me, the thought of heading to the mall—or even just cruising along LoJo—and navigating crowds and canned carols this gifty season is enough to make you want to top up that glass of eggnog. Luckily, there’s a growing number of funky holiday markets popping up around the city, bringing together independent artisans and savvy shoppers in a place where folks can peruse local goods and socialize with friends while maybe even grabbing a drink or taking in some music. Heather Furneaux of Clove and Anchor Entertainment has been organizing the Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock ‘n’ Roll Market at Logan’s for four years now. The local concert promoter decided to start the indie market up after a conversation with Suzanne McDonald, of Sideshow Clothing on Johnson Street. “I was in Sideshow one day when Suzanne used to own it and she said, ‘You should do a rock ‘n’ roll market, but a rock, rock, rock, rock ‘n’ roll market—like the Ramones. We’ll have crazy old-school music playing,’” Furneaux recalls. “I was like, ‘Okay, but you have to do it with me.’ So that’s how it started.” The Rock ‘n’ Roll Market features between 35 and 40 vendors crammed into Logan’s, with the shopping extravaganza followed by musical performances. (“This year we have the Angry Snowmans, who do old punk-rock stuff and dress up as elves and santas and rock out,” says Furneaux.) About half of the vendors are the same each year, but there’s always an interesting mix of different kinds of locally produced arts, crafts and clothing. “We get new ones every year and some people leave

because it’s just not for them,” says Furneaux. “We do have a lot of types of vendors, but your average knitting is just not going to work. We’ve had everything from people selling skateboards and old-school movie posters to leatherwear and other crazy stuff people make.” Furneaux says it’s Victoria’s tight arts scene that makes it a great place for markets such as this. “People like going out to art shows and going to see art and meeting other people that make it and seeing what it’s all about—and they like drinking and mingling,” she says. And while Furneaux may be busy at the market trying to organize so many people in such a tight space (“You really have to try and make the room flow,” she says) she usually finds some time to do a bit of shopping. “There’s usually two vendors that sell baby clothes and I’ve managed to drop probably a couple hundred bucks there,” she says. “We had recon underwear last year, where someone had sewn all different kinds of underwear together. I bought some for my boyfriend.” So, do people ever get so caught up in the post-shopping party that they forget their gifts? “Yes. I’ve even had vendors leave their stuff,” she says. “Then they don’t pick it up ever.” Sounds like my kind of shopping venture. M The Rock, Rock, Rock, Rock ‘n’ Roll Market is on Saturday, November 28 at Logan’s. Shopping starts at 3 p.m., bands are at 9 p.m.. $5 for the market, $8 for the bands or $10 for both with all proceeds going to the Out of the Rain Youth Shelter. 250-360-2711

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Out of Hand: The mother of all artisan fairs, this weekend-long event celebrates 21 years this year. With 130 booths showcasing everything from painting and sculpture to body-care products and home decor, this is truly a onestop shop for everyone on your list from roommate to grandma. Also featuring tasty treats by Truffles. November 20-22, now at the Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas. outofhand.ca Noel Bazaar: One of the city’s funkiest markets, Rebel Rebel’s annual market boasts some of the Island and Lower Mainland’s favourite indie designers and artisans—plus, there’s a cash bar! December 1-3 at the Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad. The Fringe That Stole Christmas: Where else can you bid on an appearance on the cover of Monday Magazine, a house concert with famed local pianist Anne Schaefer or a private glam night with the Cheesecake Burlesque Revue, amongst many other cool items? Only at this special fundraiser for Intrepid Theatre, featuring an evening of cabaret-style entertainment with local performers and a silent auction. From 7:30 p.m. Sunday, December 6, at the Metro Studio. Tickets $10 online (intrepidtheatre.com), by phone (250 383 2663) or at Intrepid Theatre (Fisgard at Blanshard). Moss Street Holiday Market: The beloved Fairfield market heads indoors for its holiday edition. Expect all the great local produce (well, what’s in season, anyway), foodstuffs and arts and crafts you’d get at the summer market with a wintry twist. December 12-13 at the 1330 Fairfield. mossstreetmarket.com

Please join us for our Open House

Saturday, November 28, 2009 12:00 - 5:00 • Treasured gifts for your home & for that perfect person on your list • Great gift ideas • Toyko Milk ~ divinely scented & beautifully packaged fragrances, soaps and lip balms • Hand printed tableclothes in festive colours • Handcrafted ﬁne jewelry ~ Swarovski crystal snowman earrings • Hand carved pine furniture ~ distressed antique cream English bookcase • Homemade Antipasto, Apple Fig Ginger Chutney, Pomegranate Jelly

Not Just at Christmas Holiday help is appreciated, but needed year-round too By NATALIE NORTH

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas time provides an opportunity to reflect and think about the unfortunate situation that many people find themselves in,â&#x20AC;? says Victoria mayor Dean Fortin. Fortin stands by the fact that ending homelessness is his top priority and should be number one at all levels of government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recognize that decent, affordable housing is one of the basic democratic rights of a society and we all have to work for that,â&#x20AC;? he says. Organizations like the Victoria Cool Aid Society are working non-stop to help ensure that these basic rights are met. Not surprisingly, community support for projects swells during the Christmas season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our phone rings off the hook during the holidays and I kind of wish that there was as much enthusiasm and caring and demonstration of support for people who need homes all throughout the year,â&#x20AC;? says Cool Aidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alan Rycroft. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I get a lot of calls from people who want to volunteer and do things but there are only so many people who can serve Christmas dinners. There are a lot of great turkey meals that happen in December, but it would be great for those lovely, thoughtful meals to happen at other times as well.â&#x20AC;? Cool Aid serves 400 hot meals daily, but holds off on their special holiday meal until after Christmas since so many other organizations, like Our Place, will be serving meals throughout December. Dates and times of all meals will be available on the Cool Aid website (coolaid.org) once details become available. Volunteer opportunities across Cool Aidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eight shelters will also be listed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What people do need at Christmas time, when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cold and wet, is warm clothingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; things like socks, mittens, gloves, hats and waterproof jackets,â&#x20AC;? says Rycroft. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And we always need towels, blankets, sheets and pillowcases.â&#x20AC;? Food cards and bus tickets are also much-needed donation items. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People can really understand how hard itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be to be without a home when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pouring rain and freezing cold, so they phone and want to do something,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the weather gets nicer, the interest level tends to drop off even though people are still without homes and still have many needs in

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he holidays are a time of generosity and good will, but is Christmas really the most wonderful time of the year if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re struggling to find a mat to sleep on at a shelter floor?

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Dean Fortin (left) delivers boxes of donated McGregor Socks to Victoria Native Friendship Centre executive director Bruce Parisienne

their lives. So itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice to seeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but it would be even nicer to see year-round.â&#x20AC;? Fortin sees a shift in attitudes toward homelessness in Victoria and appreciates all of the holiday giving, even if the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s yearlong goals have yet to be met. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not underestimate that single act of charity,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those are all so important, but hopefully, the experience will remind us to act through the year.â&#x20AC;? Rycroftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultimate holiday wish for the community to considerâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and which would leave a long-lasting effectâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;is for Victoria residents to include a society fighting against homelessness in their wills. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Everybody who owns a home in Victoria has a lot of equity and could make a huge difference,â&#x20AC;? he says. Both Fortin and Rycroft are certain that the Victoria community has the power to end homelessness and will ultimately thrive for doing so. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The cost of a day in hospital is about the cost of a month of supportive housing for someone,â&#x20AC;? Rycroft points out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you start to look at the numbers, you start to realize that actually doing the right thing for our community, providing support for people in need not only improves their lives it improves our lives because it makes our community a better place and we could actually save money.â&#x20AC;? With the beginning of a new year, new attitudes and solutions toward Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old problem offer hope and insight to the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop poverty, addictions or mental illness,â&#x20AC;? Fortin says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but we certainly can end homelessness.â&#x20AC;? M

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CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009 7

An Island Holiday Setting sail for the season By NATALIE NORTH

erry woes aside, holiday season in the CRD might not look that different from inland celebrationsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; until you look a little closer. Two long-standing traditions remind us that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re neither a mere tourist stop nor Vancouver-lite, but actual island communities with holiday celebrations as unique as the coastlines that span from the southern tip of Vancouver Island and northward through the Gulf Islands.

Light â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Em Up

No question, lights really do look better when reflected in water

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tis the season of parades, with lighted trucks weaving their way through town and out to the Western Communities while floats bearing Mr. Claus will no doubt soon be passing a street corner near you. But waitâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s that off in the distance? Thousands of tiny lights skip and sparkle across the oceanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface in just one more of the seriously west coast holiday traditions: lighted boat parades. The Sidney Lighted Boat Parade has been jazzing up North Saanich waters since Capital City Yacht Club members initiated the first seven-boat sail-past about

a quarter of a century ago. Over the years, the lighted boats have cruised through the darkness just off of the pier and have long since become a holiday mainstay, with approximately 70 boats participating during the peak of the paradeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popularity. While participant numbers in the Sidney parade have fluctuated over the years, people like retired school principal-turned die-hard decorator Don Craigmyle ensure that, big or small, the lighted boat parade (now organized by the Peninsula Celebrations Society) is worth bundling up and coming out to watch. Craigmyle is a relative newcomer to the parade scene, having only participated for the last three years, but he has made quite an impression in his 28-foot Ericson sailboat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In a short period of time you want to tell a brief story,â&#x20AC;? says Craigmyle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the first year that we did it, Santa Claus took presents from the sleigh and moved them toward the Christmas tree. I set it up with a barbecue motor because the rotisserie speed was about the speed that I wanted; the only problem was that it was an AC motor and sometimes it went clock-wise, sometimes it went counter-clock-wiseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;so sometimes Santa gave and sometimes Santa took away.â&#x20AC;?

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Craigmyle sees the humour in some of the hurdles that the top and do more than we need to,” he says. “Anybody he encountered before incorporating his laptop’s software to should be able to throw a string of lights on their boat and time animated light sequences, as well as the more physical go in the parade.” skills that he has acquired when storytelling with lights. At 60, he’s still quite capable of strapping on his mountainCall him Captain Claus climbing gear to mount the top of his mast, but as one of his spotters pointed out post-repel, he’s likely only got about 10 years left for that kind of activity. In some communities, Santa might arrive by land or by Craigmyle has also become a self-taught welder and air, but on the Gulf Islands, boat is his preferred mode of spends hours in his garage, designing and welding steel transport. shapes like the dolphins which Back in 1962, the jumped from his dingy last year Bellingham Jaycees came and helped solidify his firstup with the idea of cruising place wins at the Sidney Lighted Santa up through the San Boat Parade, as well as parades Juans to the Gulf Islands, through the Royal Victoria Yacht delivering gifts and surprisClub and the Victoria Harbour ing children along the way. Authority. The design also Now, almost 50 years later, included Santa climbing to the the Santa Ship—now a Lions top of the Christmas tree to fix a project—is still exciting kids burnt-out star while Rudolf did across the Gulf Islands. a double-take. Come December 12, the All this recognition, however, Victoria Star—a 120-foot just makes Craigmyle uncomcharter out of Washington fortable. “I feel almost a little State—will be stopping in It’s all ashore who are ho-ho-ho embarrassed about the fact that at Saturna, Mayne, Galiano, with the annual Santa boat I’ve done well on it, because I Pender and Salt Spring don’t care if I win first place,” he islands, distributing gifts to says. “The judging is the roar of the crowd and I decorate children of all ages, whether it’s at elementary schools my boat to entertain people.” or extended care facilities. The event is so popular that Craigmyle offers his thanks to his supportive crew of between 125 and 135 Bellingham Lions members sign up friends, family and Coast Guard members who help make a year in advance to ensure a spot on the boat. They also it possible for him to wow the crowd, and hopes that all make a point of dressing as clowns and elves, tying balloon boaters will come out and share in the excitement. “You animals to the ship and taking snapshots with Santa during don’t have to make a fuss over guys like me who go over the unique Christmas circus-like atmosphere.

Salt Spring Island Lions member Don Cunningham has been involved with the Santa Ship since the beginning and continues to play a key role in the event, which has now expanded to include fireworks in Ganges Harbour during Victoria Star’s layover on Salt Spring. “It’s really quite a euphoric time,” Cunningham says. “Whether it’s raining or snowing, the kids just love it.” Once Santa has arrived in Ganges, the line-up of people waiting to sit on his knee and receive gifts, he recalls, is easily 200 children deep. “You look at the smiles on the faces of the kids and they think that it’s just the greatest thing going. It’s very infectious,” Cunningham laughs. “My own kids went and now they’re taking our grandchildren to the Santa Ship.” The Lions to the south collect ample gifts through fundraising below the boarder and their Canadian counterparts contribute by refueling the ship once it arrives in Ganges halfway through their voyage. This is a commitment that the Lions have made and will honour—despite the uncertainty of fuel costs, Cunnigham says. “What started out as a small venture by the Bellingham Jaycees has now blossomed into a major international festival,” he notes. “The Santa Ship is something that all the Lions clubs have said they’re never going to let go. It’s beneficial to all the communities it touches.” M The Sidney Lighted Boat Parade starts at 6:15p.m. on Saturday, November 28. RVYC’s lighted sail-past along Cadboro Bay and Willows Beach is December 4 and the Harbour Authority wraps up the events with a short route in the Inner Harbour on December 5. The Bellingham Lions Club Santa Ship sails over the weekend of December 11 to 13. See bellinghamcentrallions.org for a complete list of stops and scheduled arrival times.

CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009 9

Rose Carousel opens at Butchart Gardens Regardless of whether or not it snows this year, visitors will have something splendid to see at the annual Butchart Gardens winter experience—and we’re not talking about a 13th day of Christmas. (“13 buttons a-popping”?) After much anticipation, the new Rose Carousel is set to take its first spin on December 1, the evening of the annual lightup celebration. Featuring a colourful menagerie of 30 different hand-carved wooden animals and a pair of seated chariots, the carousel sits at the centre of Butchart’s grand new glass-fronted Children’s Pavilion. “Our owner, Robin-Lee Clarke, has had a lifelong interest in carousels,” says promotions coordinator Graham Bell. “At one point her truck had a sticker on it that said, ‘I’d rather be riding a carousel.’” Bell notes that Clarke individually selected each animal and its ornamentation. “It would have been far less expensive to with fibreglass animals,” he admits, “but she wanted it to be a true old-fashioned style carousel,

10 CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009

where the animals are carved and painted. And this is her jewel—her father had the Ross fountain and the three sturgeon fountain, her brother Christopher had the fireworks displays—so I think Robin sees this as her legacy piece to the gardens.” And a beautiful legacy it will be, especially amidst the Christmas lights and seasonal splendour; not only does the domed roof provide a refuge from the weather, but it will be a lovely addition to their famed “12 Days of Christmas” display and popular outdoor ice rink. Transforming the Gardens for Christmas is “a huge enterprise” that starts early in October each year, says Bell, due to all the lights and displays, the ice rink and what he laughingly describes as “umpteen miles of cedar boughs.” (And while carousel rides will normally cost $2, they will be free for the evening of the light-up festivities.) Bell is hopeful that, in addition to giving local families one more reason to visit, that the Rose Carousel will attract people from near and far. “There are carousel followers out there—there’s even a carousel magazine in the States—so we’ll get people visiting who have a life-list of getting to every carousel that exists.”

—John Threlfall

Silver Laughs Concerts and carolling not your holiday bag? Try comedy instead By NATALIE NORTH

AMY KING

All Aboard!

nne Murray Christmas specials have made their way back onto the airwaves and your mother, already into the rum and eggnog, has just suggested you resolve to lose 20 pounds for New Year’s. Happy Holidays. The holidays are a notoriously anxietyridden time, so what better way to ease the pain than laughing it off at some of the many comedy shows around town? At the very least, you’ll have a reason to get out of family events. “Come to the show and escape your relatives,” quips Wes Borg, host and organizer of the Phillips Comedy Night at the Victoria Event Centre. “Have a ripe old heretical evening out.” Borg’s holiday-themed show is set to be a mash-up of improv, sketch, stand-up and video comedy by LoadingReadyRun. “It’s a real grab bag,” he says. “The only rule is that it has to be funny.” As a result, the December 13 comedy night will experiment with different forms. “I’m looking for some god-awful Christmas special like Full House or something,” he says. “We just turn the audio off and do the dubbing for it.” While Phillips Comedy Night is going strong in its second year, two other VEC institutions have holiday offerings as well. The Impromaniacs will be hosting their Gift Bag show on December 17, with theatre sports also scheduled for December 20. Since 1989, the Impromaniacs shows have evolved from a kind of stand-up style to improv as theatre, says Clare Jennings, Impromaniacs workshop director and performer. Jordan Harbour, fellow actor, improv piano player and coincidentally the media liaison for the group, has a more poetic way of describing their M.O. “It’s moved from the head to heart,” he says in true heart-warming holiday fashion. “It’s making what’s there versus exploring what’s already there.” The Impromaniacs work with long- and short-form improv, involving high audience participation. Gift Bag guests are also encouraged to bring one item that will be used in the show, so Jennings suggests making it a rejected Christmas gift. Since a part of the non-profit organization’s mandate is to bring opportunities to the community, the Impromaniacs also host monthly workshops and bring in other improv groups from outside the city. “How do you make something entertaining while being respectful?” she says, underlining the importance of listening to the audience. “It’s real characters experiencing the extraordinary

The Impromaniacs put the ho-ho into holiday fun

and their reactions are true.” The Impromaniacs may have changed over the years as the nature of improv evolves, but they remain a family show—which means none of their jokes are born out of meanspiritedness, Jennings insists. And so much crossover exists amongst local comedy shows that, in the end, they’re all working together—with Harbour and Jennings giving props to cabaret theatre mainstays Atomic Vaudeville. AV’s December show is historically a greatest-hits event where crowd favourites are resurrected once more. “Possibly you might see Spider-Man: The Musical, Bollywood Batman, Dr. Theatre or Slut Revolver,” says AV co-founder and director Britt Small. Unlike the Impromaniacs, Atomic Vaudeville doesn’t try to keep their show family friendly. Themes that emerge are mediadependant and she says sometimes you just don’t know what will make it into a show. “We had two girls ask for their money back when they saw Rod’s penis one time,” Small says of Rod Peter Jr.’s infamous, uh, appearances. “Then we found out later that it was actually one of his ex-girlfriends and her friend.” Beyond the shock value of certain edgier sketches, Small feels it’s easy to see the greater merits of the now-legendary group which she co-founded in 2004 with playwright Jacob Richmond. “I think it’s a chance for local audiences to have their performance group that’s having a conversation with them about what’s going on, and laughing with each other and creating a meeting ground in the absence of religion,” Small says. “Well, some people have religion as well, but it’s a different form of that. It’s a temple full of art and laughter.” M Atomic Vaudeville’s holiday shows will run December 29 to 31 with a special post-show New Year’s party on December 31, with advance tickets at Rebel Rebel. Impromaniacs tickets can be found at Lyle’s Place and there are no advance sales for Phillips Comedy Night. See 1415broad.com for more details.

CHINATOWN WALKS Take a 90-minute walk in Canada’s oldest Chinatown, where Christmas lights and festive shop windows add even more to see in an area steeped in history. Learn why the Chinese came, where they came from and what customs they brought. Check out the best places for Christmas shopping in Market Square, Fan Tan Alley and on Fisgard Street, Chinatown’s main street. Meet at 10:30am Saturdays at the Bright Pearl sculpture on the corner of Governement and Fisgard. $12. Private bookings for December now also being taken at discoverthepast. com. 250-384-6698.

GREAT GINGERBREAD BUILD From a revolving globe celebrating multiculturalism to a log home all made out of gingerbread, culinary arts instructors have judged and awarded ribbons to the top three in each category (professional, corporate and amateur)—and you have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice Award throughout the duration of the display. Over 50 gingerbread creations will be on display throughout the Inn at Laurel Point from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. November 19 through to January 4 at Habitat for Humanity. habitatvictoria.com.

SMALL WORKS SHOW AND SALE The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is the perfect place to pick up unique and original gifts. All works are $100 each plus taxes, and runs from November 19 to January 3. Free entry to this exhibit. Also showing at the AGGV: Crocheting the Database, to November 22; Sacred Arts of Tibet, to December 6; Vision Into Reality: Colin Graham and West Coast Modernism, to January 10; Vision into Reality: The Asian Collection Begins, to March 14. All shows at 1040 Moss. 250-384-4101. Five and under free; five to 17, $2; adults $12. aggv.bc.ca.

BEAR WEAR 2009 Ninth-annual fundraiser to bid on your favorite, best-dressed bear. Over 50 large teddy bears are dressed and donated by local businesses, and the highest bidder gets the bear. Funds raised go to the Queen Alexandra Foundation School Age Program for children with special needs. November 17 to December 20 (bidding opens November 21) at the Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville. 250-721-6855.

FESTIVAL OF TREES 18 years running, the Festival of Trees transforms the Fairmont Empress into a magical and quirky wonderland. Take a stroll through with the family and vote for your favorite of the over 70 uniquelydecorated trees. The kick-off decorating gala is on November 19 and trees will be on display until after the New Year. Funds raised support the BC Children’s Hospital. 250-380-1527.

THE SEASON IS UPON US, MAKE GIFT GIVING SPECIAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, SHOP AT MATTICK’S

KNITTED OWL This popular and funky two-day market at the Fernwood NRG gym boasts live music Friday night, clothes for all ages, jewellery, passport sleeves made from maps, handwoven textiles and much more, with proceeds going to the Mary Manning Centre. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, November 20, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 21, at Fernwood NRG, 1240 Gladstone. Email info@eaphoto.ca for more details.

ARTISANS AT CHRISTMAS 2009 Head on out to the Arts Centre at Tulista Park in Sidney to check out a range of traditional and contemporary work by local artists; you just may discover that ever-elusive Christmas gift for great-aunt Harriet. 11a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday to Decemeber 23 at 9565 Fifth St., Sidney. Free. 250-656-7400.

Mattick’s Farm

DVBA

Christmas Calendar

A Stable Way of Life 250-658-3052

Adrienne's Tea Garden 250-658-1535

Art Knapp Garden Centre 250-658-1013

Country Gift Shoppe 250-658-1812

Country Goose Clothing Company 250-658-2232

Ladybug Candles & Gifts 250-658-3807

Lasting Impression Stamps 250-658-8448

The Lighted Truck Parade is about the only time you’ll be glad to see big-ass trucks downtown

OUT OF HAND CRAFT FAIR 21st annual craft show with a national reputation. Browse some contemporary Canadian crafts and meet the artists. (Say “Hello, door prizes!”) Now located at the newly renovated Crystal Gardens, head down noon to 9 p.m. Friday, November 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, November 21 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, November 22 at 713 Douglas. Tickets $6-$8. 250-737-1788.

THE STEADFAST TIN SOLDIER Four Seasons Musical Theatre presents their latest original family musical by Stan and Nancy Davis, based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale about a tin soldier who falls in love with a ballerina and vows to protect her from an evil Jack-in-the-box. Runs November 21-22 at St. Ann’s Academy, November 28-29 at Sidney’s Charlie White

Mattick's Farm Mini Golf 250-658-4053

Paper Chain 250-658-2725

Pure Day Spa 250-590-7873

Red Barn Market 250-658-2998

Secret Garden 250-658-2455

Sunday's Snowflakes 250-658-8499

The Continental Kitchen 250-658-8191

The Gallery 250-658-8333

Toying Around 250-658-2721

Gramma Fay's Ice Cream Parlour 250-658-1535

VQA Wine Shop 250-658-3116

Opens early December

SANTA COMES TO MATTICK’S December 13th and 20th!

FABULOUS HOLIDAY SHOPPING 5325 Cordova Bay Road Next to the Cordova Bay Golf Course Free Parking - Open Every Day www.matticksfarm.com CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009 11

f u r n i s h i n g s Monarch designer furnishings at warehouse prices. Come visit our NEW Warehouse Gallery or Herald Street Showroom with over 6000 sqft. of combined floor space, both conveniently located right in the heart of the Design District. With two locations to better serve you, Monarch has more unique lines than ever before for every room in your home. Contemporary, hand crafted, original pieces including bedroom sets, entertainment units, dining tables, coffee tables, bar stools and a whole lot more.

— Live Beautifully. Warehouse Gallery — 1807 Store Street (Directly opposite Value Village) Store Hours: Open 7 days a week, 11–5pm (Parking available) T Ã 250 590 3955 Monarch Boutique — 546 Herald Street Store Hours: Mon–Fri. 10:30–5:30pm, Sat–Sun 11–5pm

Don’t miss the spectacle of hundreds of Bald eagles feeding on spawned-out salmon carcasses at Goldstream Park. Bring binoculars if you have them or watch on the remote eaglecam, and be sure to visit the Nature House as the eagles are less likely to feed upriver where there are people to disturb them. Open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (except Christmas Day) through to January. Donations are greatly appreciated and you can support the park by doing some great last-minute shopping at the Nature House gift store. Buy a raffle ticket too! 250-4789414 or goldstream@naturehouse.ca.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL Looking for something fun to do before the Island Farms Santa Light Parade? Festive carolers and holiday musical performances will bring Spirit Stage to life. Warm up with a free cup of hot chocolate while the kids make assorted decorations under heated tents. Santa and his helpers will make a special appearance. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Mustard Seed Food Bank. Rain or shine. (But what about snow?) 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 21 at downtown’s Spirit Square (formerly Centennial Square). victoria.ca.

Amici Stainless Steel Bench $799 $649

Take a ride on Duncan’s carol train

SAINT MARY’S CONCERT SERIES Four Advent concerts, each at 12:10 p.m., bring your own lunch; coffee and tea are provided. Strings from the class of Anne Elliot-Goldschmidt of the University of Victoria, November 25. Choir of St. Mary the Virgin under the direction of Curt Bergen, December 2. Soprano Marnie Setka-Mooney with pianist Kathryn Le Gros. Marnie teaches at the Conservatory as well as at the Canadian College of Performing Arts, December 9. Pianist Robert Holliston of the Conservatory of Music, December 16. All happening at Saint Mary’s Anglican Church, 1701 Elgin Road. Admittance is by donation. 250-598-2212.

BLACK UMFOLOSI

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Step 6 Pigeon $599 $449

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Zen Queen Bed $1399 $899

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BALD EAGLES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SANTA LIGHT PARADE

T Ã 250 388 4226

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Theatre and December 5-6 at Langford’s Isabelle Reader Theatre. Tickets $8-$10. 250478-0329. fourseasonsmusicaltheatre.com

MIKE SZASZIK

WA G TH REH RAN RO O D UG USE OP E H NO SAL NIN VE E O G MB N ER NO 30 W TH

Then you can see Santa make his grand entrance with this great Christmas parade through the festively decorated streets of Victoria. You won’t be alone with over 40,000 spectators generally attending this event. Non-perishables or donation to the Mustard Seed Food Bank graciously accepted. 5:30 p.m. November 21 along Government Street. Free. 250-382-3111.

FREE DOWNTOWN SHUTTLE SERVICE Designed to be as convenient as possible for residents or visitors who wish to park and ride, this distinctive, antique-styled bus will be stopping near seven parkades and many parking lots. Every Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from November 21 to December 19. The DVBA will also be offering two hours of free parking at any one of five City-owned parkades: Bastion Square, 575 Yates; Centennial Square, 645 Fisgard; 750 Johnson Street; Library, 745 Broughton; and 743 View Street.

DAVID AND LAURIE LADMORE Annual Christmas show and sale of oils, acrylics, watercolours and etchings. Open 10 a.m. -5 p.m., November 21-22, 28-29 and December 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 at #7-103 Menzies. 250-361-3243 or davidladmore.com.

Take in an African Christmas, direct from Zimbabwe and complete with seasonal gumboot dancing. 8 p.m. November 26, Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora. Tickets $28.50. 250-386-6121

VICTORIA GALLERY WALK Join Victoria’s downtown galleries for an evening of art, food, and company. Start at any gallery and walk or take a free horse-drawn trolley to the next one. View Art Gallery, Alcheringa Gallery, West End Gallery, Winchester Galleries and Legacy Gallery all take part in the show. Exhibitions and light refreshments continue Friday and Saturday during regular gallery hours. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, November 27.

OAK BAY LIGHT UP Thousands of lights have been hung on buildings, trees and lampposts for the Christmas season. Family entertainment begins at 3 p.m. with a kids flower arranging workshop, giant games, roasted chestnuts and more. Quicksbottom Morris will perform a Mummer’s Play and enjoy upbeat musical entertainment featuring the energetic, upbeat sounds of the Getting’ Higher Choir, Daniel Lapp’s BC Fiddle Orchestra, and a special appearance by Adrian Dolan of the Bills. At 5 p.m., the lights come on with help from Santa Claus and Oak Bay’s town crier. Following Light Up, several stores are holding special receptions: Rogers Chocolates will be serving

hot apple cider and treats from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Eclectic will be serving cookies and specialty tea from Metchosinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happy Valley Herb Farm from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.. All of it happens Sunday, November 30 at Hampshire & Oak Bay Avenue.

seating is limited. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. November 28, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. December 3, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. December 6 or 6 p.m.-8 p.m. December 8 at the Martitime Museum in Bastion Square. 250-385-4222 ext 111.

ROCK Nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ROLL CHRISTMAS MARKET

Head up-Island to join in the festivities at Ladysmithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Christmas Light Festival. This year, the Light-Up ceremony and parade takes place at 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, November 26, starting out along First Street with light displays lasting through to the New Year. Festival Night highlights include entertainment, concessions, a visit from Santa and a Kinsmen Parade, as well as a huge fireworks display and over 200,000 twinkling Christmas lights. 250-245-5888.

ALBERTA BALLETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S THE NUTCRACKER The definitive performance of this classic is back in Victoria. See the Alberta Ballet perform the new Nutcracker choreography. 7:30 p.m. November 27 and 28, and 2 p.m. November 28 and 29 at the Royal Theatre. $58-$98. 250-386-6121.

SPIRIT SQUARE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHT UP The DVBA is fronting some serious festivity at this family event, so bring the kidlets and leave your bah humbugs at home. From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, November 27, you

DVBA

LADYSMITH LIGHT-UP

Nothing says â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmasâ&#x20AC;? quite like tubas

can catch the Magic of Christmas on the new Spirit Stage followed by the grand lightup (no, not that kind of light up, geez) at 6 p.m. Be sure to hang out for the dramatic Fire and Light show to polish off the evening. Free. downtownvictoria.ca

NAUTICAL WREATH WORKSHOPS Add a decorative dimension to your knottiness this year at this wreath-making workshop at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia. $25 for instruction and materials for one wreath (extra wreath materials cost 10 big ones) . . . and no, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not made out of kelp. Pre-registration required, as

Local bands Angry Snowmans and Blackie and the Triumphs rock the local craft market after your big fat shopping bonanza. 3 p.m.-9:30 p.m. for the shop and 9:30 p.m. onwards for the rock. Happens Saturday, November 28 at Loganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. $5 minimum suggested donation goes to Out of the Rain Youth Shelter plus $5 cover to check the bands. Registration at Regalia Boutique, 556B Pandora. 250-595-8610.

ALLISON CROWEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIDINGS CONCERT The Nanaimo-born Crowe will be covering old Christmas faves with her unique blend of jazz, folk, rock, and gospel, and will be joined by special guest Ellisa Hartman. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warm holiday cheer at the Alix Goolden come 8 p.m. Friday, November 28. This annual holiday season fundraiser supports Artemis Place and HepCBC. $15-$20. 250-386-6121.

CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spent a Christmas in New York, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to pretend; the City of Gardens Chorus is producing their popular bi-annual

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November 27, 5pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 7pm Start the holiday season with an evening of Joy + Light in Centennial Square with the Magic of Christmas performance at 5pm, followed by the lighting of the magniďŹ cent Sequoia tree at 6pm and a spectacular ďŹ re-dancing show. All evening, fantastical glowing performers will be mingling throughout the crowd, and the whole family can enjoy the festive atmosphere and a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Taste of Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with local treats and hot beverages from downtownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best shops!

November 28 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 20 Saturdays 11am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2pm, Sundays 1pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4pm Enjoy a classic downtown tradition with your family this season compliments of the DVBA. Every weekend, horsedrawn trolleys will circulate throughout downtown making it easy to take in all the sights and sounds, free of charge.

downtownvictoria.ca

silent auction/afternoon tea/concert and their theme is, obviously Christmas in the Big Apple. This 70-strong award-winning chorus promises first-class entertainment replete with vibrant costumes, dynamic choreography and ringing chords (minus Central Park skating). 2 p.m. Sunday, November 29 at the Langford Legion Auditorium, 761 Station Ave. 250-954-0450.

ALBOAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EQUINOX Original music, flamenco dance, local art and lots of lights and images. 8 p.m. November 26 to 28 and 2 p.m. November 29 at Metro Studio, 1411 Quadra. Tickets $20 at Larsen Music.

SUGAR PLUMS, CHAMPAGNE AND SONG Featuring conductor JĂĄnos SĂĄndor, the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra performs Tchaikovskyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music from the Nutcracker ballet and Johann Straussâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; First Night favourites. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 29 at the University Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farquhar Auditorium. Tickets $6-$17. 250-721-8480.

ST. ANNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S: MUSIC FOR THE SEASON The Academy will be decking out the halls for the holidays; donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss this series of four Sunday afternoon concerts. Catch Sounds of the Season with Prevedoros, Golden & Joy at 2 p.m. November 29. A Jazz Christmas with Julie and Carly Kennedy happens at 2

UaTT S^f]c^f] bWdcc[T Qdb November 21 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 20 Saturdays + Sundays from 10:30am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:30pm Discover all of Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique, eclectic precincts, each with its own distinct character, while hopping on and oďŹ&#x20AC; this cozy antique bus. Shopping, dining, and entertainment information is available onboard.

CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009 13

Coming to The Royal Theatre

p.m. December 6. Madd Regaele’s Muse, a Renaissance twist on the season takes place at 2 p.m., December 13. Harpist Alison Vardy with Calliope featuring seasonal favorites with a celtic flair at 2 p.m., December 20. $36-$45 for full program or $12-$15 for individual performances. All at St. Ann’s Academy, 853 Humboldt. 250-953-8829

DVBA

Give the Gift of Entertainment this Holiday Season

ELVIS, ELVIS, ELVIS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL One guess who this event is featuring. Elvis Presley last performed in Canada over 50 years ago; he’s back, in the form of three of the best Elvis impersonators on the planet. Donny Edwards, Daylin James and Greg Miller each play a different era of the King’s career in this internationally acclaimed tribute concert. Whadya wanna bet they do “Blue Christmas”? 8 p.m. Monday, November 30 at the Mary Winspear Centre. $35. 250-656-0275.

A VINYL CAFE CHRISTMAS

January 10 at 1:00 & 7:00 PM

Thanks to Stu, cooking a turkey will never be the same. One of Canada’s most treasured storytellers, Stuart McLean, is back for another classic Christmas performance with new laugh-out-loud tales of Dave and his family. This year’s tour will also feature music by the Vinyl Cafe Orchestra, featuring East Coast Music Award winners Jill Barber and Matt Andersen. 7:30 p.m. November 30 to December 1 at the Royal Theatre. $31.50$54. 250-386-6121.

BUTCHART GARDENS CHRISTMAS MAGIC December 1st will mark the start of the 23rd season of festive Christmas displays at the Butchart Gardens. Tens of thousands of colored lights combine with evergreen swags and wreaths of holly and winter berries to line walkways and festoon lamp posts. The popular Twelve Days of Christmas displays are tucked away about the Gardens and the new Children’s Pavilion and Rose Carousel will be open and running. From 5 p.m.-9 p.m. in the piazza you will find lively performances featuring traditional caroling and music. Lights are on from December 1 to January 6, 2010. $23.50. butchartgardens.com

CFB NAVAL FLEET LIGHT UP

January 19 at 7:30 PM Tickets at the McPherson Box Office and usual outlets Charge by phone (250) 386-6121 or 1-888-717-6121 Online www.rmts.bc.ca 14 CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009

The Canadian Pacific Naval Fleet decorates eight ships as a food-bank fundraiser, and you’ll also be able to visit the Admiral’s residence. No admission charge, but visitors are encouraged to bring a donation of cash or non-perishable food. Don’t forget to cast your ballot for favourite display. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly throughout December. 250-363-4006.

Too tired to walk and shop downtown? Take a free trolley instead

in the forest and on the trestle. (Over 3,500 people braved the unusually cold temperatures and record snowfall last year to ride the Christmas Express!) 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays, December 4 to 20, and Monday through Wednesday December 21 to 23 at 2892 Drinkwater Road in Duncan. 250-715-1113. discoveryforest.com.

CHRISTMAS STARLIGHT CINEMA Every Tuesday and Wednesday in December before Christmas watch a free Christmas movie on the Harbour Patio at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. Bring your blanket and lawn chairs and enjoy a Christmas story under the stars. Hot Beverages will be for sale and donations to Santa’s Anonymous will be greatly appreciated. Free.

GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST WALKING TOUR A 90-minute variation on the popular Ghostly Walks, specifically designed to focus on ghost stories and the supernatural at Christmas in Victoria. The legend of Christmas Hill, the ghosts of Helmcken Alley, Adelaide Griffin (Victoria’s first documented ghost sighting at Christmas 1861) and the Christmas Eve assassination on the steps of the Roman Catholic cathedral in 1890 are included. 7:30 p.m. December 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 27-31 leaving from the Visitor Info Centre. $10-$12. 250-384-6698.

CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE Saanich Heritage Acres presents Christmas lights, food, music and the one and only Santa Claus. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. December 4-6 and 11-13 at 7321 Lochside Drive. 250-652-5522.

MILNER CHRISTMAS MAGIC CHRISTMAS EXPRESS It’s full steam ahead for the arrival of the Christmas Express at the BC Forest Discovery Centre. Visitors will ride behind Samson, the museum’s 1910 steam train, through festive light displays and exhibits

Head up-Island to enjoy this familyoriented festival of lights and music in the Gardens. Thousands of Christmas lights and Santa will be here! Musicians will entertain in the Milner House, which will be decorated in old fashioned Christmas splendour. Guess

the number of teddy bears in the gardener’s cottage to win a prize or bid on silent auction items. The gift shops and tea room will be open. December 4-6, 11-13 and 17-20 at the Milner Gardens, 2179 West Island Highway in Qualicum. By donation. milnergardens.org

CHRISTMAS FAVOURITES Come out and enjoy the Peninsula Singers as they belt out your beloved Christmas standards. If you love the singsong of Christmas you are sure to enjoy this choir-ific performance. 7:30 p.m. December 4 to December 6 at Mary Winspear Centre. $10 for the kid, $20 for those surpassing the elderly age of 12. 250-656-0275.

ISLAND UKULELE PLAYERS Dreaming of a Mele Kalikimaka? Dust off that old lei you’ve had hanging on your bedroom mirror since 1980 and come out to listen to this young group put a tropical twist on some favourite Christmas tunes. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, December 5, at Market Square. Free. 250-386-2441.

TUBA CHRISTMAS Don’t miss this year’s brass extravaganza as over 50 tuba players from across B.C. and the Pacific Northwest march into Market Square to perform seasonal tunage in a really big way. Kick off the holiday season with this tradition that originated more than 30 years ago in New York City’s Rockefeller Centre. 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, December 5, at Market Square. Free. 250-386-2441.

LIGHTED TRUCK PARADE Don yourself in warm winter garb and join the crowds to watch this delightful display of heavy-duty trucks inventively decorated with lights. Don’t forget to donate to the Mustard Seed Food Bank at one of the drop-off points along the route on December 5. And yep, it’s free! Here’s the route, but be sure to allow for traffic delays: trucks leave the parking lot at Ogden Point at 5:45 p.m., arrive Oak Bay Village 6:30 p.m., arrive at Yates and Douglas 7 p.m., arrive at Helmcken and Trans Canada overpass 7:30 p.m., and end up at Western Speedway at 8:15 p.m.

LIGHTED SHIP PARADE Watch a magical parade of ships, dressed in their finest colours tour through Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Happening in the evening on December 5.

Join us for some family fun this Christmas at Spirit Square, across from Victoria City Hall. Children’s Christmas Festival Saturday, November 21 | 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Enjoy festive carolers, holiday performances, crafts and hot chocolate as a prelude to the Island Farms Santa Light Parade.

Christmas Tree Light-up Friday, November 27 | 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

BANFF CENTRE

A BAROQUE CHRISTMAS

If it’s winter, it must be time for Stuart McLean and a good turkey story

DICKENS CRAFT FAIR Shop for unique homemade, homegrown or handmade items at this 29th annual fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. December 5 at James Bay Community School Centre, 140 Oswego. By donation. 250-381-5323. jamesbaymarket.com

TRIBAL MARKET Get your holiday gift shopping done in one groovy place with five awesome vendors including a fine selection of crystals and gems, bamboo clothing, leather work, jewellery and original clothing designs, December 5-6 at the Base Lounge, 1303 Broad. 250590-1816

BLUEGRASS BENEFIT John Reischman & the Jaybirds perform at this charitable event to benefit Our Place Shelter, Woman’s Transition House and Cridge Center for Children. 8 p.m. Saturday, December 5 at Cordova Bay United Church. $25. 250-658-5911. cbunited.ca

Presented by the Early Music Society of the Islands, Canada’s premier chamber choir joins with a group of instrumentalists to perform seldom-heard masterpieces of baroque Christmas and Advent music, including Johann Casper Ferdinand Fischer’s Mass, Nun Komm and Der Heiden Heiland. 7:10 p.m. is the intro by Robert Holliston and 8 p.m. is the concert, Saturday, December 5 at Alix Goolden. $28-$30. 250-386-6121.

Includes magic on stage, the light-up of the giant sequoia tree at 6 p.m., and a dramatic Fire and Light show. Sponsored by Downtown Victoria Business Association.

A Global Christmas Celebration Saturday, December 12 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER

Experience how diﬀerent cultures celebrate the season with carols, dance, crafts, entertainment, and delicious treats from around the world.

Kaleidoscope Family Theatre presents this hilarious story concerning the efforts of a woman and her husband to put on the annual church Christmas pageant despite having to cast the Herdman kids—the meanest, nastiest, most inventively awful kids in the history of the world. Catch this wholly wholesome mayhem at 7 p.m. December 5 & 11, 2 p.m. December 6 & 13, and 4 p.m. December 12 at the McPherson. $21.50$23.50. 250-386-6121.

ROYAL BC MUSEUM Live music provided by Provincial Carilloneur Rosemary Laing, choir members and you! Song sheets will be available long with complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. The event takes place outdoors from 4:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, December 6, so dress appropriately. Following the concert, the Carillon will be lit for the season. Current exhibitions at the Museum include Silver of the Stars and S’abadeb: The Gifts. Pacific Coast Salish Art and Artists, until March. 8.

Help support your community. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Mustard Seed Food Bank. Events will happen rain or shine. For more information: visit www.victoria.ca and click on What’s New? or call 250.361.0548 CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009 15

Regular admission rates apply. 675 Belleville, 250-356-7226. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

THE FRINGE THAT STOLE CHRISTMAS Intrepid Theatre is proud to announce its annual Christmas Fundraiser, which will be an evening of cabaret-style entertainment featuring local performers and a silent auction. This year’s auction will feature a silent auction with an array of items ranging from an appearance on the cover of Monday Magazine, an intimate house concert with Anne Schaefer, afternoon tea at the Empress and much, much more. The evening’s entertainment will feature a series of short performances from various local talent, including Victoria Jazz pianist Jan Stirling; comic performer Wes Borg and local comic, improviser and performer Morgan Cranny. Like all arts organizations in B.C., Intrepid Theatre is facing massive cuts to its regional arts funding budget. This makes its annual fundraiser auction a vitally important event to the future of the Victoria Fringe and Uno Fest organizers.7:30 p.m., Sunday, December 6 at the Metro Studio. $10. 250-383-2663.

Experience how different cultures celebrate Christmas. Enjoy carols performed in their native language, traditional dance, and a variety of children’s entertainment on downtown’s Spirit Stage. Make unique cultural crafts, and warm your taste buds with delicious treats from around the world. Santa and his helpers will make a special appearance. Bring a non-perishable food item for the Mustard Seed Food Bank. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, December 12. Free. victoria.ca

TEDDY BEAR PARTY FOR THE KIDS Annual seasonal Fundraiser for the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children. Children aged three to 10 are invited to bring their favourite stuffed animal and favourite grownup for cookies, milk and fun. Children’s activities and entertainment keep the kids busy and an appearance by Santa will round out the afternoon. Funds raised go to the Queen Alexandra Foundation School Age Program for children with special needs. 1 p.m.-3 p.m., December 6 at the Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville. $5-$10. 250-386-0450 hotelgrandpacific.com

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS ACROSS CANADA Come and celebrate the lighting of the provincial Christmas tree on the front lawn of the Legislature. This national celebration includes a festive children’s choir, hot cocoa and cookies. 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, December 8. 250-356-1120. (No throwing cookies at Campbell.)

INSPIRED BY JAVA Take in this concert to support Indonesian Earthquake Relief and catch performances by the likes of Sutrisno Hartana and the Busy Island Gamelan Orchestra, plus the Jon Miller Jazz Trio, Niel Golden, Tim Gosley and the Victoria Puppet Zone and

A GLOBAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

more, 8 p.m. Sunday, December 6 at St. John the Divine, 1611 Quadra. Tickets $12-$20. 250-598-1430

CHRISTMAS AT CRAIGDARROCH CASTLE The Castle is decorated for the festive season, so come for a visit and enjoy seasonal music, theatre and storytelling, including a formal Curator’s Dinner

GREATER VICTORIA CONCERT BAND

Celebrate the season with Jon and Roy’s Holiday Show

on December 10, Sweet Night Music on December 17, Family Nights December 19-20, and Hogmanay, a Scottish New Year’s Celebration, on December 31. $6.50-$14.50. 250-592-5323.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD The Victoria Symphony, conducted by Tania Miller, will perform this Christmas Pops concert, with Landrecht as the featured soprano. This concert is bound to put you in the Christmas spirit. 8 p.m. December 11-12 and 2 p.m. Dec 13 at the Royal Theatre. $31-$69.250-386-6121.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KENNEDYS Local sister act jazz up the holidays, with Kelby MacNayr and guests, 7:30 p.m. December 11 at the Metro Studio, 1411 Johnson. Tickets $15 at Larsen Music, Long & McQuade or the door. cjkennedy.com

Holiday magic on special with this supagrand Christmas performance. 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 12 at Market Square, 560 Johnson. Free.

MOSS STREET HOLIDAY MARKET All the usual Moss Street goodness. Admission is free, a hot lunch and Salt Spring Island Coffee will be available. Take a mug for free hot apple cider! 10 a.m.-4 p.m., December 12-13 at Fairfield Community Place, 1330 Fairfield. mossstreetmarket.com

SANTA’S PANCAKE BREAKFAST What could be better than pancakes and Santa? Pour some syrup on your ho-ho-ho, 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 12, at Burnside Gorge Community Centre, 471 Cecelia Rd. Fun for the whole family—live entertainment, crafts, a family play zone, plus Santa’s gift and photo area. $4 or $8 for family. 250-388-5251.

WONDERFUL WINTER WHAT-NOTS WHO THE HELL IS TODD ALLEN? Comedian and Uno fave is back in town for the season. 8 p.m. December 11 and 12 at the Intrepid Theatre Club, Fisgard and Blanshard. $15. 250-383-2663.

Get outside and let nature inspire your creative side. Drop in at this holiday craft event at Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, December 12. Free, and open to all ages. Meet at the Nature Centre near the main Beaver Lake parking lot. 250-478-3344.

FLAMENCO DE LA ISLA SOCIETY PRESENTS

GARETH OWEN IN CONCERT

featuring International guest artist Great Antonio de Jerez Christmas & Alma de España gift Sat. Jan 23, 2010 8 PM Doors 7:30 PM

idea!

St Andrews Presbyterian Church 924 Douglas St Tickets On Sale Now! at Larsen Music (on Cook St) For more information call 250-384-8832 www.ﬂamencoguitar.ca www.ﬂamencodelaislasociety.org photo credit: Samantha King

16 CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009

Jon and Roy will be joined by a host of friends and guests at this festive all-ages concert blow-out. Gracing the stage you can expect the likes of Current Swell, Hey Ocean, Dan Mangan, Sgt. Strumalong, Hannah Georgas and more. 8 p.m. December 12 at Alix Goolden Hall. $22. 250-386-6121.

ROSS BAY CHRISTMAS TOUR The Old Cemeteries Society has two Christmas Tours, 2 p.m. December 6 at the Old Burying Ground next to Christ Church Cathedral (meet at the corner of Quadra St. and Rockland) and there’s the Ross Bay Christmas Tour, on which Emily Carr’s birthday is marked with a holly wreath placed on her grave, 2 p.m. December 13. Meet outside Starbucks at Fairfield Plaza. $5. 250-598-8870.

WINTER BIRDS AT WITTY’S Kids nine and older can come out to learn more about winter birds during this one-day program. Find out who’s who at the lagoon—a favorite bird hangout. Bring binoculars if you have them. Spotting scopes are provided. Meet at the Nature Centre in the parking lot off Metchosin Road. 10-11:30 a.m. Sunday, December 13. Free. 250-478-3344.

TROLLEY TOURS Enjoy a 45-minute Horse-Drawn Trolley Tour of Downtown Victoria this season. Tours wind through Victoria describing the history of Christmas past. Nice warm blankets are provided. Reservations required, tours leave hourly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., December 12-13, 19-24 and 26-29. $10-$20.

Willcocks and Rutter. The songs performed by children, orchestra and organ, will evoke the gentle beauty of the season. 7 p.m. December 14 at Christ Church Cathedral. $15. victoriachildrenschoir.ca.

THE NADEN BAND CFB Esquimalt’s in-house band host their annual Salvation Army Toy Drive concert, 7:30 p.m. December 14 to 16 at the Royal Theatre. Tickets $5 plus an unwrapped toy at the door. 250-386-6181.

JON LAJOIE AND SPECIAL GUESTS Tired of holiday bells and whistles? Catch Canadian comedian and actor Jon Lajoie for a laughing reprieve from crowded malls, he’s one of the few talents who has been able to transform the cult following for his internet videos into a mainstream audience. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 15 at the McPherson. $25. 250-386-6121.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL Acclaimed Canadian actor Scott Hylands plays Mr. Bah Humbug, in this one-man performance of Scrooge. Christmas just isn’t the same without this classic tale, and really, how is he going to play all those past present and future ghosts and Tiny Tim and the turkey and all that at the same time? Find out at the Mary Winspear Centre. 8 p.m. December 17-19 and 21-23 plus 2 p.m. December 20. $12-$20-$25. 250-656-0275.

GERALD YUNKER

JON AND ROY HOLIDAY SHOW

HANDEL’S MESSIAH The Victoria Symphony joins forces with the Victoria Choral Society for a majestic performance of Handel’s iconic classic. This performance features a brilliant cast of soloists. 8 p.m. December18 and 2:30 p.m. December 20 at UVic’s University Centre Auditorium. $26-$41. 250-721-8480.

CARR HOUSE Emily’s Victorian Christmas includes a tour of the seasonally festooned Carr House, Celesital Seasonings special teas, cookies and readings by actress Molly Raher Newman as Emily Carr. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. December 18-30 at 207 Government. $4-$6. 250-383-5843. emilycarr.com.

Don’t miss Alberta Ballet’s spectacular version of The Nutcracker, complete with the Victoria Symphony

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BIKE RIDE Decorate your bike and head out on this perennial family fave with the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition. Colourful Christmas light displays and crisp air awaits on your leisurely ride. Leaves at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, December 19 from the CNIB Building, 2340 Richmond, and returns at 9:00 p.m. for free refreshments and door prizes. The ride is approximately 20km. Participants must wear helmets and bicycles must be in good mechanical condition. By donation. 250-480-5155

MICHAEL KAESHAMMER’S THE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Michael Kaeshammer makes his orchestral debut with the Victoria Symphony. Be prepared for a knock-out, up-beat performance of Christmas favourites and Kaeshammer’s stellar originals. 8 p.m., Saturday, December 19 at the Royal. $35-$75. 250-386-6121.

HELMCKEN HOUSE OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS Spend Christmas at one of the oldest houses in British Columbia still on its original site. Discover the Christmas traditions of early Victorians while enjoying an authentic festive atmosphere. December 20 to January 11. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

Toronto-based piano-playing jazz star

NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS Put some pop-punk and metal in your stocking and catch VonBones and Haddonfield on December 17 at Evolution. $9.

CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

CHRISTMAS WITH THE FAB FOUR

Join the Victoria Children’s Choir in the candlelit Christ Church Cathedral for this annual favourite concert featuring familiar carols and classical repertoire, by composers such as Haydn, Mendelssohn,

Yep, it’s yet another Beatles tribute act, this time doing all their, uh, Christmas hits? 8 p.m. December 18 at the Royal Theatre. Tickets $35.50-$60. 250-386-6121

re We’ ! 20! 2009/2010

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Dec. 23 7:30pm Just two nights before Christmas, once again we are joined by Beacon Hill Brass (always fun!) for a festive evening of carols and seasonal music.

See you there! Tickets $25 regular/22 senior/10 student Children under 12 free when accompanied by Ɵcket holder

Available at Ivy’s Bookshop, Christ Church Cathedral office, Larsen Music, Long & McQuade, Munro’s, from choir members and at the door. (cash or cheque only) All concerts at Christ Church Cathedral for information visit www.capriccio.ca or phone 250.652.3508

CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009 17

technical skills of the dancers as well as their immense dramatic talent. If you missed it the first time, catch it at 7:30 p.m. December 27 to 30 at the Royal Theatre. $31.50-$56.50. balletvictoria.ca

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE AND THE SUGAR PLUM FAIR

Four Seasons Musical Theatre offers one for the kids with The Steadfast Tin Solider

JINGLE BELL ROCK Rock your way around the Christmas tree with AFI, Tegan and Sarah and Jets Overhead. 8 p.m. Monday, December 21 at Memorial Arena. $37.50. 250-220-7777.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL FAMILY CELEBRATION Sing along with the Victoria Philharmonic Choir. 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 22 at Church of St. John the Divine, 1611 Quadra Street. $15-$20, kids free. vpchoir.ca.

CINDERELLA Ballet Victoria returns with one of fairy tales’ most loved princess! Witness the magic of the fairy godmother and enjoy a laugh or two at the expenses of a few villains. The imaginative and humorous choreography of artistic director Paul Destrooper, showcases the brilliant

Christmas without The Nutcracker is like plums without sugar, and Canadian Pacific Ballet puts on a sure-to-please performance. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy all the classic Nutcracker moments, with the additional magic of a Sugar Plum Fair—yeah, you read right, it’s an interactive transformation of the McPherson lobby where children, young and old, can enjoy the sweets of the land. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec 29 at the McPherson Theatre. $36.50 to $46.50. 250-386-6121.

DECORATED HARBOUR FERRY TOURS The Victoria Harbour Ferry Company offers 45 minute harbour tours in ferries decorated for Christmas. All proceeds from these tours benefits the Times Colonist Christmas Fund. 11am-4 p.m. departing from the Inner Harbour. $8-$16. victoriaharbourferry.com.

CASABLANCA It’s the Superior’s third annual New Years Eve dinner featuring a screening of Casablanca. If you’ve ever secretly wished you looked like Bogart or Bergman, now’s your chance to put it to the test. Awards for best look-alikes, menu based on the film. Tickets $50, limted to 50 seats, and it usually sells out early. 250-3809515. thesuperior.ca. M

Sweet Relief It’s also the season for international fundraisers While many of the fundraisers happening at this time of year tend to focus on supporting the needy in our own community, local puppet master Tim Gosley is turning his attention to overseas efforts instead. His upcoming fundraiser, Inspired by Java, hopes to raise money for the recent earthquake in Indonesia by showcasing the talents of Javanese puppet master Sutrisno Hartana and his Busy Island Gamelan Orchestra. You can bid on this mandala by Kristi “If you know anything about puppet history, these Bridgeman at the December 6 Indonesian Javanese puppet masters are like spiritual figures,” earthquake fundraiser says Gosley of Hartana, who is currently working on his PhD at UVic. “He’s a master of the puppets and the dance and gamelan orchestra.” Ensemble and the Jon Miller Jazz Trio, as well as Gosley, Hartana and the BIG Orchestra first a silent auction. fused their skills during Luminara this year—but Plus there’s Gosley’s own unique ambient light don’t feel bad if you missed it, as they were one of reflection. “It’s a different take on a light show,” the many acts that were rained out. “Traditionally, he explains of the mix of projections and hardthe shadow puppets are always accompanied shadow imagery. “I’m working toward becoming by a gamelan orchestra,” he explains. “It’s usu- more of a visual musician, where I have a table ally a large group of guys—although the local of tricks and images, both two- and three-dimengroup is mixed—playing mostly metal gongs and sional, that I can manipulate along with the music xylophones, although flute, strings and voice are to make some kind of visual representation while also incorporated. Sutrisno explains it as being it’s being played.” It’s true that all money raised will be going like the state between awake and asleep; it’s very directly to earthquake relief but, says Gosely, “the meditative.” But, this being Victoria, don’t expect a tra- show will be fun, whether it’s got anything to do ditional gamelan performance (which, Gosley with earthquake relief or not.” And it’s also a secnotes, “often go on for five or six hours all night ond chance to present gamelan to local audiences. long”). “While Sutrisno is traditional, he really “The new Victoria gamelan was sort-of baptized at likes the east-meets-west circumstances, so he’s Luminara, as we’d never had one before. What’s fascinating about it is the building in not afraid of experimenting with of ceremony and the art—it’s fun other musical forms,” says Gosley. and mystical at the same time—but Which means you can expect the Inspired by Java not pretentious in any way.” likes of first nations drummer and 8pm Sunday, Dec. 6 Sounds like the ideal show for singer Rob Hunter, world music St. John the Divine,1611 Quadra any giving season. star Neil Golden playing the hang, Tickets $12-$20 • 250-598-1430 Doug Hensley on the medieval timgosley@shaw.ca —John Threlfall lute, the Darya Persian Music

Moss Street Holiday Market December 12th and 13th from 10 am to 4 pm At 1330 Fairﬁeld Rd in Fairﬁeld Community Place and Sir James Douglas School Hot food provided by the International Women’s Catering Cooperative. Bring a mug for free hot apple cider! 18 CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009

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1402 Douglas Street 250-386-7993 CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2009 19

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