Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 1
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2019/20
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THE 2019/20 ARTS SEASON PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA’S
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ART • CONCERTS • DANCE • EVENTS • MUSIC • OPERA • PERFORMANCE • THEATRE
2 | ARTS GUIDE
Early Music Vancouver
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Pacific Baroque Series
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he Pacific Baroque Series (PBS) was created in 2018 and is an exciting collaboration between the Pacific Baroque Festival, Christ Church Cathedral Victoria and Early Music Vancouver (EMV). It features some of our region’s most talented musicians specializing in Baroque music as well as established international stars. The PBS Main Season continues Oct. 30 at Christ Church Cathedral for a collaboration with Pacific Opera Victoria. This concert features star counter-tenor, Iestyn Davies, in a concert of music by Henry Purcell and Michael Nyman, accompanied by Fretwork Viol Consort. A regular lead at opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden and Glyndebourne, Iestyn is recognized as one of the best singers of his generation. Give yourself a treat on Oct. 31 at 12:15 p.m. and join Fretwork at Christ Church Cathedral for an intimate reading of J.S. Bach’s The Art of the Fugue.
On Nov. 16, we welcome Ton Koopman, legend of the period performance movement, to play a solo organ recital of music by J.S. Bach on the Cathedral’s mighty Wolff organ. Ton is widely regarded as one the finest keyboardists and conductors of our time. On Dec. 19, the PBS presents a large-scale festive event for Christmas at Christ Church Cathedral — Festive Cantatas: Christmas in
Gabrieli’s Venice. This concert will be led by cornetto virtuoso Bruce Dickey, and will feature solo voices, the trebles of the Cathedral, cornetti, trombones and strings who will all join forces to recreate the Renaissance splendour of seasonal music from St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. The 2019-20 PBS season culminates in the 16th annual Pacific Baroque Festival, running from Mar. 5 to 8, 2020. Led by Artistic Director Marc Destrubé, the festival features five events held at the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s Alix Goolden Hall and at Christ Church Cathedral. Jaap ter Linden, Wilbert Hazelzet and Jacques Ogg — three Dutch masters of the period instrument revival — will join Marc Destrubé, organist Lorenzo Ghielmi, the Victoria Children’s Choir, St. Christopher Singers and the Pacific Baroque Festival Ensemble in revealing the captivating music of the Galant era. For more information, go to: pacbaroque.com
2019/20
YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO THE 2019/20 ARTS SEASON PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA’S
•
ART • CONCERTS • DANCE • EVENTS • MUSIC • OPERA • PERFORMANCE • THEATRE
11th Annual
Arts Guide September 12, 2019 Published by the Victoria Times Colonist, a division of TC Publication Limited Partnership. 2621 Douglas St., Victoria, B.C., Canada V8T 4M2 Phone: 250-382-2255
timescolonist.com Contact: Margaret Long, Advertising Phone: 250-380-5246 Email: mlong@timescolonist.com Editor: Jenus Friesen jfriesen@timescolonist.com Cover Photo: Pacific Opera Victoria (POV) ‘Carmen’ Photo by Jo-Ann Richards.
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Chemainus Theatre
The Legacy Continues
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he legacy of The Chemainus Theatre Festival is one of great people and great stories, offering regionally and internationally acclaimed theatre since 1993. As one of Western Canada’s largest performing arts organizations, this charitable Society welcomes over 70,000 residents and visitors every year by championing exceptional theatre that explores and nourishes the human spirit. Patrons enjoy classic and contemporary productions in musical, tribute, dramatic and comedic style. The Festival has attracted talented artists from across North America — testament to the highly regarded theatrical productions and facilities. Guests have also marveled at the warmth and kindness of the Chemainus Theatre Festival experience, which features quality performances, as well as delectable dining, and an on-site gallery. In the Playbill dining room, enjoy an
enticing and satisfying experience with a selection of culinary delights, and a new menu inspired by every production. The dining experience is accompanied by live music performed by local musicians, and the dining room is tastefully decorated with memorabilia from some of our favourite shows. The Gallery Gift Shop showcases the works of local B.C. artisans, over half of which are from Vancouver Island. There is an exceptional selection of pottery, glass, sculpture, textiles, giftware, jewelry and more. Patrons and art enthusiasts can take home a memorable piece of the West Coast. Each year, your support and patronage emboldens us to continue providing theatre in creative new ways that aim to ignite your imagination. We invite you to join us in the colourful journey through story, and savour the season at the Chemainus Theatre Festival. chemainustheatrefestival.ca
Luxurious Theatre Getaways Dinner, theatre, accommodations & breakfast starting at $125* per person
by George Bernard Shaw
SEP 13 - OCT 5
“ ... Exceptional theatre that explores and nourishes the human spirit.”
book and lyrics by FRED ALLEY music by JAMES KAPLAN story by FRED ALLEY and JAMES KAPLAN
OCT 18 - NOV 2
from O. Henry stories book & lyrics by MARK ST. GERMAIN music & lyrics by RANDY Randy Courts
NOV 15 - DEC 31
2020 season announcement coming soon! Check our website for more information.
*Plus taxes & fees. Call for complete details.
1.800.565.7738 chemainustheatre.ca
4 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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The Royal + Mcpherson Theatre + National Geographic
Dynamic events. Fascinating people. Captivating stories! Dr. Kara Cooney, Egyptologist. Photo by Marissa Stevens
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Steve Winter photo Male Tiger
Capturing the Impossible On the Trail of Big Cats Egypt with Egyptologist
SPEAKER SERIES Dynamic events. Fascinating people. Captivating stories.
Royal OnStage presents National Geographic Live
Royal Theatre
(250) 386-6121 • rmts.bc.ca
Bryan Smith
Capturing the Impossible Extreme Filmmaker: Bryan Smith Nov 20, 2019
On the Trail of Big Cats Photographer: Steve Winter January 29, 2020
Victor R. Boswell, Jr
Mike McKay
Steve Winter
Steve Winter
BUY ALL THREE AND SAVE UP TO 25%
When Women Ruled the World
Egyptologist: Kara Cooney April 29, 2020
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ational Geographic ignites the explorer in all of us through ground-breaking storytelling from the world’s best and brightest scientists, explorers, photographers and filmmakers. For its third season, National Geographic explorers take centre stage at the Royal Theatre and give you a front row seat to captivating and important stories that are shaping our world. Every story is accompanied by stunning visual imagery, gripping footage and an interactive post-show question and answer period. The adventure begins on Nov. 20, when extreme filmmaker Bryan Smith shares his passion and reputation for Capturing the Impossible. Join Bryan as he descends the deepest canyon in the South Pacific, traverses the length of the Alaska Range by para glider and climbs the ice of Niagara Falls. Jan. 29, 2020, get daringly close to tigers, snow leopards, jaguars and cougars with award-winning photographer Steve Winter as he takes us On the Trail of Big Cats. Follow
Steve from Asian jungles to the Himalayas to the rainforests of Latin America, and to the Hollywood Hills as he shares the beauty of big cats and his work to save them. Apr. 29, 2020, travel back thousands of years to ancient Egypt with Egyptologist, Dr. Kara Cooney, to explore the reigns of powerful ancient queens and illustrate a time When Women Ruled the World. Often neglected in the history books, these strong female leaders were considered exceptions to the rule, but their power and influence is undeniable. In addition to the evening presentation, National Geographic explorers take the stage in the morning to inspire the next generation of scientists, explorers, photographers and filmmakers with a student presentation and an engaging Q & A.
Join the exploration — tickets are on sale now. Single tickets start at $37.50, or receive a 25 per cent discount with the purchase of all three National Geographic Live shows. To purchase tickets, contact the box office: 250-386-6121, or go to: rmts.bc.ca.
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 5
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The Victoria Symphony
Take your seat with the Victoria Symphony
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elcome to the 2019/20 Victoria Symphony Season. Take your seat with the Victoria Symphony (VS) this year as Maestro Christian Kluxen returns for his third season as music director. We are thrilled to present our new season which illustrates the Victoria Symphony as a leading force in our community, as well as our ability to reach out across the world of great symphonic music. Beethoven 250 is our celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday. Playing all his symphonies in three consecutive weeks will be a tremendous event, representing the intimate bond that Beethoven’s music has created for us since the beginning of Kluxen’s tenure at the VS. Under the Northern Lights will focus on music from the Maestro’s home of Scandinavia, mirrored by masterpieces from outside the Nordic region. In the Masterworks Series, we present our first overseas co-commission, introducing accordion phenomenon Bjarke
Mogensen premiering a new concerto by legendary Danish composer Poul Ruders. We are visited by Swedish virtuoso Tobias Ringborg acting as both violin soloist and conductor, in music by Grieg, Stenhammar and Dvorák. In our Explorations Series, Norway’s leading composer, Rolf Wallin is featured with his breathtaking Manyworlds 3D, enhanced by three-dimensional video art by Boya Bøckman. In our Classics Series, we present Finnish composer Magnus Lindberg’s exceptional Violin Concerto No. 1, which has already become a true “classic” within the repertoire. Our Dynamic Pops Series will feature Ballet Victoria, the music of Frank Sinatra, Celtic music with violinist Maria Millar, and a stunning production with Cirque de la Symphonie. We look forward to welcoming Canadian Brass as our Christmas Special. Alongside a phenomenal lineup of Canadian artists, we’ve managed to attract some new exciting names, including winner
Christian Kluxen, Music Director of the Victoria Symphony in Mt. Douglas Park. — Kevin Light Photo.
of the German Conducting Prize and assistant conductor of the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra, Leo McFall, as well as young American violinist Stefan Jackiw, who has already appeared with orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony. Through Naked Classics, presented by award-winning music education animateur Paul Rissmann, we continue our commitment to innovating concert forms and building new audiences. This is the concert to bring along someone you’d like to introduce to the great world of symphonic music. We are particularly looking forward to our grand season finale featuring Gustav Mahler’s mighty Symphony No. 3. It will be a monumental conclusion to a season packed with remarkable programming and extraordinary music! Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale now. Call: 250-385-6515 for details. victoriasymphony.ca
6 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre
FIVE-PLAY Variety Pack offers a taste of everything
FARCE! ROMANCE! COMEDY! DRAMA! MUSICAL!
2019/20 SEASON
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OCT 22 - NOV 3, 2019
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Roxy Theatre 2657 Quadra Street Tickets 250.382.3370 bluebridgetheatre.ca *All plays subject to availability. Blue Bridge Theatre Society reserves the right to change any of the plays selected.
Blue Bridge Theatre, ‘Barefoot in The Park’, with Jonathan Mason and Laura-Jane Tresidder - photo by R. Johnson.
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Farce! Romance! Comedy! Drama! Musical!
aving just completed its most popular season in several years that included such hits as Billy Bishop Goes To War and Barefoot In The Park, Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre begins its 2019/20 Variety Pack Season. This year, Blue Bridge presents five classic plays that offer audiences a broad range of farce, romance, drama, comedy and music, this line-up is sure to appeal to every taste. First up, from Oct. 22 to Nov. 3 is The 39 Steps by Patrick Barlow and John Buchan. Mix a well-known Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece with a dash of Monty Python and several dollops of silliness and you have the fast-paced whodunnit that the NY Post called “Riotous”. The classic Canadian romance, Salt Water Moon, by David French follows from Apr. 28 to May 10, 2020. Set in Newfoundland in 1926, this perennially popular classic tells the story of 18-year-old Jacob Mercer and his funny, outrageous and touching attempts to win back his former sweetheart, Mary Snow. June 2 to 14, 2020 sees what many consider to be one of the great dramas of the 20th century. Written by the Nobel Prize winning
British playwright Harold Pinter, Betrayal tells the story of the infidelity of a couple and their best friend. Next up, from July 7 to 19, 2020 is the classic 17th century comedy Tartuffe or The Hypocrite by Moliere. Banned from the French stage by Louis XIV shortly after its premiere in 1664 because of its relentless attack on moral and sexual hypocrisy, this play by France’s greatest playwright has gone on to delight audiences for more than four centuries. Closing out the season, from Aug. 4 to 16, 2020 will be a new show that celebrates the storied career of one of America’s most famous songstresses — Doris Day. Currently titled Carlé’s Day, this musical feature offers new interpretations of 20 of Day’s most famous hits such as Que Sera, Sera, It’s Magic and Sentimental Journey. Season and single tickets for all FIVE shows are available by calling the box office, Tuesday to Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. at: 250- 382-3370 Or visit the Blue Bridge’s home, The Roxy Theatre, at 2657 Quadra St. bluebridgetheatre.ca
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 7
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Charlie White Theatre
Grabba some ABBA!
Want to go to a party? Well, have we got a party for you! “Mamma Mia!” Rob Porter photo.
A glitzy, glamourous, rollicking, joyful party — Mamma Mia! features 22 of Abba’s greatest hits.
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amma Mia!, opening Oct. 18 at the Charlie White Theatre is just that. A glitzy, glamorous, rollicking, joyful party — Mamma Mia! features 22 of Abba’s greatest hits tied together with a story that is full of fun, pathos, passion and lots of laughs. Audiences throughout the world have shown their enthusiasm for Mamma Mia! with wild, excited applause and instant standing ovations. You can’t help but clap along and tap your feet to dynamic versions of Dancing Queen, Super Trouper, Waterloo and, of course, Mamma Mia. It’s Abba! The true test of a successful musical is when you leave the theatre humming one of the songs you’ve just heard. With Mamma Mia!, audiences are humming the songs even before the show starts. When Mamma Mia! first opened in London’s West End, it was an immediate hit. It became the seventh longest running show in London, and continues to delight audiences to this day. It ran for 14 years on Broadway, making it one of the top ten longest running musicals ever. There was the successful film and its sequel, but neither can hold a candle to seeing Mamma Mia! live onstage. And now the Mary Winspear Centre, in collaboration with the Peninsula Players, is presenting Mamma Mia! live on the stage of the Charlie White Theatre. Directed by Steve Ivings, with choreography and music direction by Lena Palermo, this production of Mamma Mia! is a
true musical party from the opening bars of the overture to the closing bows. You’ll be instantly drawn into the delightful story. On a small Greek island, we meet Sophie, raised by her single mom, Donna. Sophie is about to be married. Donna has never revealed who Sophie’s father is but Sophie has discovered it is one of three men. So she invites them all to her wedding! She doesn’t tell Donna, whose reaction, when she first encounters her three former beaus, is priceless. The fact that she’s wielding a live power tool at the time makes for a scarily hilarious moment. While the story is very funny, there are moments of great tenderness, too. Donna trying to hide her heartache when she realizes her little girl has grown up and will soon leave the island. We see Donna fighting to control her anger and frustration when she finally has the chance to tell off one of the Dads for leaving her those 20 years ago. And there’s the fun, goofy, good feelings when Donna’s former bandmates, Rosie and Tanya, arrive to help her handle all the craziness (or add to it) along with the island’s population of delightfully ditzy Greek characters. The story has many layers, all brilliantly backed by Abba’s wonderful songs. Mamma Mia! is a sparkling, joyful celebration. Two hours of fabulous music and a great story overflowing with fun, laughter and love. You don’t want to miss this party! tickets.marywinspear.ca
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December
20, 21 & 27 at 7:30 p.m. 22, 26, 28 at 2:00 p.m.
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8 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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Beacon Ridge Productions
Fantastic show after fantastic show
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he lineup of artists performing at Beacon Ridge Production’s 2019-20 concert season is outstanding, but we are particularly excited about the incredibly gifted and diverse group of female artists we are presenting, many of whom are downright icons and champions of the women’s movement, the LGBTQ community and their own beautiful and unique rainbow of musical styles. As presenters, we are proud to be actively promoting and supporting women in the music industry. They are the ones who inspire and empower a new generation of female artists. Some of these outstanding artists include Christine Tassan et les Imposteures — an all woman ensemble from Quebec who are pioneers in a domain usually reserved for men. They perform in September. The three-time JUNO Award winning singer-songwriter, Connie Kaldor and the equally talented Mae Moore will both be performing in October. Californian funk, jazz and soul vocalist Lucy Woodward
performs in December, along with award-winning guitarist Charlie Hunter. In February 2020, we are pleased to present an exciting double-bill, with Lynne Hanson and multi-instrumentalist and ex Spirit of the West member, Linda McRae. We’re thrilled to present Canadian folk music icon, Ferron — a salt of the earth singer-songwriter. In March, to celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re having Rosie & the Riveters back. With their gritty, sultry, vintage-inspired folk anthems that paint a portrait of a woman’s voice in a man’s world, their show is one you won’t want to miss. In March, we present Shakura S’Aida, who for years has been thrilling audiences world-wide with her powerful pipes and incredible stage presence. We’re beyond ecstatic to present the engaging and charismatic Irish Mythen. In April, we welcome back Madison Violet, who are a ray of sunshine on the Canadian musical landscape. beaconridgeproductions.com
Shakura S’Aida performs March 7, 2020.
VCM PRESENTS CONCERT SERIES 2019-20
CELEBRATING WOMEN IN MUSIC! CHRISTINE TASSAN ET LES IMPOSTEURES
FERRON
FEBRUARY 22
VCM Faculty Chamber Music Concert cert October 27
SEPTEMBER 27
CONNIE KALDOR NOVEMBER 2
ROSIE & THE RIVETERS MARCH 6
SHAKURA S’ AIDA MARCH 7
MAE MOORE & LESTER QUITZAU NOVEMBER 9
CHARLIE HUNTER & LUCY WOODWARD DECEMBER 7
LYNNE HANSON & LINDA MCRAE FEBRUARY 15
IRISH MYTHEN MARCH 27
MADISON VIOLET APRIL 17
BEACON RIDGE PRODUCTIONS CONCERTS
Information & tickets: beaconridgeproductions.com • 250.472.0999
Daniel Lapp’s Home for Christmass Concerts December 20 & December 21 Ensemble Made in Canada January 30 Spark to Flame Student Showcase e February 29 Jonathan Crow, violin and Philip Chiu, piano April 19 Daniel Lapp’s Joy of Life Festival May 1 & May 2
VCM Box Office 900 Johnson Street� |� 250.386.5311
VCM.BC.CA/EVENTS
Jonathan Crow
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 9
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Victoria Operatic Society — Milestone 75th Anniversary
From small beginnings come great things Two Smash-hit Broadway Musicals coming to Victoria
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t was 1945 when six women who shared a love of musical theatre, began the Victoria Operatic Society (VOS), originally the Victoria Gilbert & Sullivan Society. For 75 years, VOS has captivated and delighted audiences of all ages with more than 145 high-quality Broadway productions. But more than that, the Society has proudly contributed to the cultural tapestry of the community, fostered an appreciation of the arts for youth, given local singers and performers the opportunity to display their talents and provided a variety of community and economic benefits across the CRD. The Society has spawned strong and lasting friendships, smaller performance groups and even local stars. None of this would have been possible without the support from volunteers and the Greater Victoria community. VOS thanks you and invites you to enjoy this season’s smash hit Broadway productions
November 2018 VOS production of ‘Rent’.
celebrating 75 years of musical theatre and community impact. Over 60 million people worldwide have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the
music that make MAMMA MIA! the ultimate feel-good show. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propel this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, creating
an unforgettable production. Non-stop laughs and explosive dance numbers combine to make MAMMA MIA! a guaranteed delight for theatre goers of all ages. A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you’ll never forget! Catch Me If You Can: The Musical, based on the hit 2002 Steven Spielberg blockbuster film starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio, is big bright high-flying musical comedy about chasing your dreams and not getting caught. The show follows the real-life adventures of a precocious globe-trotting teenage con artist, Frank Abignale, Jr., and his unforgettable escapades. With nothing more than his boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks, Frank successfully poses as a pilot, a doctor and a lawyer — living the high life and winning the girl of his dreams until his lies catch the attention of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, who pursues Frank across the country to make him pay for his crimes. — vostheatre.ca
10 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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St. Lukes Players
Get Whisked Away in Unfolding Stories
Sleeping Beauty Christmas Pantomine with the St. Luke’s Players.
Entertaining Victoria audiences since 1948. COMMUNITY THEATRE SINCE 1948 Presents our 2019/20 Season of Quality Entertainment! St. Luke’s Hall, 3821 Cedar Hill X Road at Cedar Hill Road • www.stlukesplayers.org
hilarious comedy Written by Rick Abbott Directed by Michael King
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I Never Sang for My Father
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Written by Ben Crocker Directed by Heather Lee EVE: Dec 18, 19, 20, 27 & Jan 2
EVE: Oct 9–12, 16–19 SCRIP
annual panto
MAT: Oct 12, 13, 19, 20
MAT: Dec 21, 22, 26, 28, 29, 31 & Jan 1, 4
touching drama
murder mystery
Written by Robert Anderson Directed by Janine Longy & Geli Bartlett EVE: Mar 11–14, 18–21 MAT: Mar 14, 15, 21, 22
The
Unexpected Guest
Written by Agatha Christie Directed by Geoffrey J. Davidson EVE: May 17–30 & June 3–6 MAT: May 30, 31 & Jun 6, 7
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his friendly and welcoming group of over 150 members (and growing), has provided the community with quality performances for more than 70 years. The energetic, passionate actors and crew, the lovely costuming, incredible sets and creative period decor and furnishings capture their patrons and whisk them away into stories unfolding. Each season, from October through May — the troupe puts up three plays and a Christmas Panto. The 2019/20 season opens with the hilarious romp Play On, written by Rick Abbott and directed by Michael King. This is a very funny story of a theatre group trying desperately to put on a play in spite of maddening interference from a haughty author who keeps revising the script. Act I is a rehearsal of the dreadful show, Act II is the near disastrous dress rehearsal, and the final act is the actual performance in which anything that can go wrong, does. Treasure Island — a Christmas Panto, written by Ben Crocker and directed by Heather Lee. What’s more to ask for than a swashbuckling tale of skullduggery upon the high seas and treasure on a desert island. It’s the very best of traditional pantomime, with
absolutely no opportunity missed to pressgang the audience right into the thick of the seafaring action. A madcap, laugh-a-minute pirate adventure story from start to finish. Guaranteed a sellout, so get your tickets really early. March presents an absorbing, touching drama, I Never Sang for My Father, a moving and perceptive work that probes into the disquieting alienation that can exist between a father and son. This heartwarming play is engaging, remarkably timely and strikes a universal chord on the subjects of family, aging and loss. The season winds up in May with an intriguing, suspenseful murder mystery written by Agatha Christie and directed by Geoffrey J. Davidson: The Unexpected Guest. Lost in the fog, a traveler seeks refuge at a country estate only to find a man shot dead and his wife standing over him with a smoking gun. The woman’s dazed and unconvincing confession prompts the stranger to help her concoct a story that will lay the blame elsewhere. The police investigation opens a thrilling Pandora’s Box of family secrets and multiple motives. stlukesplayers.org
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Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 11
Ballet Victoria — 17th Season
Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People
Twirling into 17 Years
Young People on Stage
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elebrating innovation and collaboration are Ballet Victoria (BV) hallmarks. The company’s 17th season promises to delight audiences with four performances — three of which are collaborations with musicians. Ballet Rocks will feature live music with Tal Bachman and Koko, while the Victoria Symphony will accompany The Gift as well as Romeo & Juliet. Ballet Rocks will rock onto the stage with Bachman performing iconic covers from the Kinks to Pink Floyd via some Queen. His own hit, She’s So High, is perfectly suited to the incredible lifts and twists of BV’s talented dancers. Five choreographers spanning three generations blend ballet tradition and contemporary movement through a musical and temporal journey of rock and roll. The Gift is a unique Nutcracker ballet that revolves around a young girl who opens a present before Christmas, starting an entire conundrum of events. Each year, artistic director Paul Destrooper invents new dilemmas
for Clara and her family. It’s a fun-filled, magical Christmas interlude. The Little Prince by Antoine de SaintExupery has long been a favourite story for Destrooper, and he has finally decided to bring it to the stage. Two additional premieres will be on the Little Prince program, with a work to the music of Elinor Dunsmuir and based on the formidable lady she was, and another piece by international choreographer Peter Quanz. Romeo & Juliet will close the 201920 season in spectacular fashion using the Prokofiev score performed live by the Victoria Symphony. Those in the audience should prepare to be elated by the passionate choreography and deeply moved by the dancers’ dramatic interpretation of Shakespeare’s incredible story. Subscriptions for the season on sale now at: balletvictoria.ca. Individual tickets are available for each performance, but really, you’ll want to see them all! Balletvictoria.ca
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aleidoscope Theatre acting, and dancing are for Young People life skills that develop has been inspiring creativity, collaboration, generations of theatre lovers and communication. for 45 years. Under the As the premiere training artistic direction of Roderick institution for young Glanville, Kaleidoscope is artists, Kaleidoscope’s Vancouver Island’s resident Performing Arts Studio professional theatre focuses on training young company for young audiences people two become highly and families, offering year skilled, confident, wellround theatrical programs rounded young performers. and a performing arts Offering classes in acting, Darien Ngai in The Miraculous of Edward Tulane. theatre school for children and Journey musical theatre, voice, acting Photo by Jennifer Callioux. teens. for film, improvisation and Kaleidoscope’s 45th Season features an countless camps, workshops and opportunities, exciting lineup of productions based on awardKaleidoscope is the leading provider of arts winning literature and stories, with the world education for young people on Vancouver Island. premiere of the theatrical adaptation of Vivaldi’s Introduce a young person to the power of Ring of Mystery, Charlotte’s Web, and The live theatre with Kaleidoscope Theatre for House at Pooh Corner. Young People. To learn more, purchase tickets, When it comes to theatre training for young or get involved, visit Kaleidoscope online at: people, Kaleidoscope believes that singing, kaleidoscope.bc.ca.
PROFESSIONAL THEATRE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Hope & Family
4&"40/
Vivaldi's Ring of Mystery A story of Vivaldi, Venice, and Violins
Charlotte's Web
Ballet Rocks - Oct 25-27 The Gift - Dec 27-29 The Little Prince - Mar 21-22 Romeo & Juliet - May 23-24
A Holiday Family Musical
House at Pooh Corner An adventure into the Hundred Acre Wood
Box Office - Call 250.386.6121 Or visit www.balletvictoria.ca P AUL D ESTROOPER - A RTISTIC D IRECTOR - BALLET VICTORIA
KALEIDOSCOPE.BC.CA
12 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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Dance Victoria
Passionate. Compelling. Unexpected.
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ance Victoria brings the World’s Best Dance to Victoria with a passionate, compelling and unexpected 2019-20 season. The four shows in Dance Victoria’s Dance at the Royal series are beautiful — Aspen, Santa Fe Ballet accompanied by renowned pianist Joyce Yang, innovative — Kidd Pivot’s sensation, Revisor, heartbreaking — Ballet BC’s Romeo + Juliet, and spectacular —Tania Pérez-Salas Compañía de Danza from Mexico. Two additional presentations are dance companies visiting Victoria for the first time. Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ Nutcracker with the Victoria Symphony is unlike any Nutcracker you’ve seen, featuring principal dancers from the Kyiv Ballet (National Opera of Ukraine) and the Virsky Ukrainian National Folk Dance Ensemble. On Feb. 4, 2020, Dance Victoria presents the world’s foremost all-male comic ballet company, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, for one night only. Playful and entertaining, this skewed view of traditional ballet is a perfectly polished parody of the highest order. When you purchase a Dance at the Royal series subscription, you get access to the best seats at the best prices, save up to $91 off regular prices, receive access to Trockadero tickets before they go on sale on Nov. 18, 2019, and enjoy additional benefits. Perhaps you don’t want to commit to dates so far in advance? With the Flex Pass, you redeem four vouchers for four tickets to any of the Dance at the Royal Series shows. Want to go to one show in particular? Buy a Flex pass and bring your friends. You’ll save up to $51 dollars off regular prices. Adult single tickets for all Dance Victoria shows are on sale now. Additional ticket options include Pay Your Age (for patrons 12 to 29 years old), Night Moves (for 30 to 45 year olds) and 50 seats for every performance at the unbelievable price of $29 (Trockadero and Nutcracker excluded). One popular option, designed so you can bring a young family member or friend to the theatre with you, is to pair your ticket with a Pay Your Age. Great dance at great savings! Dance Victoria is committed to community, and offers free master classes taught by the world-renowned dancers on the season. The mid-winter Dance Days event promotes as many as 70 free dance classes and workshops at studios all over town. Annually, Dance Victoria awards almost $45,000 to Western Canadian dance artists making new work or continuing their training. Dance Victoria’s studios in Quadra Village welcome 5,000 young dancers to a diverse range of classes every month. You could say they are dance dedicated. Best Seats. Best Prices. The World’s Best Dance. DanceVictoria.com Box Office: 250-386-6121.
Ballet BC dancers Emily Chessa and Brandon Alley in Romeo + Juliet. Photo © Michael Slobodian.
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 13
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2019/20 Season Now On Sale
DANCE AT THE ROYAL SERIES
ADDITIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet: Pianist Joyce Yang with Aspen Santa Fe Ballet dancer Katherine Bolanos. Photo © Michele Cardamone. Kidd Pivot: Renée Sigouin, Cindy Salgado, Rena Narumi, Tiffany Tregarthen, Matthew Peacock, Jermaine Spivey, David Raymond, Doug Letheren in Revisor. Photo © Michael Slobodian. Ballet BC: Emily Chessa and Brandon Alley in Romeo + Juliet. Photo © Michael Slobodian. Tania Pérez-Salas Compañía de Danza: The Company in Ex-Stasis. Photo © Andrea López.
ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET
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NOVEMBER 15 + 16, 2019 • 7:30 pm An unforgettable mix of dance and piano virtuosity with world-renowned pianist Joyce Yang.
NOV. 29 + 30, 2019 • 7:00 pm NOV. 30 + DEC. 1, 2019 • 1:00 pm Nutcracker • Viktor Lytvynov + John Pichlyk With stars from the National Ballet of Ukraine, Shumka’s Nutcracker blends grace and lyricism with the power of Ukrainian folk dance.
KIDD PIVOT
EARLY BIRD NUTCRACKER PRICING THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15. SAVE UP TO 20%!
FEBRUARY 7 + 8, 2020 • 7:30 pm Revisor • Crystal Pite +
Jonathon Young The mutable language of conflict and comedy examines themes of corruption, deception, human failing and moral bankruptcy, with eviscerating wit and bold physicality.
UKRAINIAN SHUMKA DANCERS + VICTORIA SYMPHONY
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LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO
ONE NIGHT ONLY! Playful and entertaining, this all-male comic ballet company’s skewed view of traditional ballet is a perfect, polished parody of the highest order.
BALLET BC
MARCH 13 + 14, 2020 • 7:30 pm Romeo + Juliet • Medhi Walerski A fresh and thought provoking retelling of the tragic tale of “star-crossed lovers” set to Sergei Prokofiev’s original score.
TANIA PÉREZ-SALAS COMPAÑÍA DE DANZA
MAY 1 + 2, 2020 • 7:30 pm Ex-Stasis • Tania Pérez-Salas Religare • Tania Pérez-Salas
Innovative. Theatrical. Raw. Personal. Pérez-Salas investigates the power of dance as a ritual that reconciles the body with the spirit.
SEASON SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSOR
TICKETS 250-386-6121 DANCEVICTORIA.COM Save with Pay Your Age (12–29 yrs) or Night Moves (30–45 yrs)! All performances at the Royal Theatre
PUBLIC SECTOR
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ss Flexe inPaany Us ation combin E! V and SA
Ukrainian Shumka Dancers: Photo © Marc J Chalifoux Photography 2015. Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo: Photo © Zoran Jelenic.
FEBRUARY 4, 2020 • 8:00 pm
14 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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The Wonderheads
A Wonderheads Christmas Carol A holiday classic whimsically reimagined: A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol is sure to please
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enowned theatrical imagineers, the WONDERHEADS hit Island stages this December with A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol — a whimsical reimagining of the beloved holiday classic. The multi-award winning company brings Scrooge’s haunted Christmas eve journey to life with masks, puppets, music and fantastical theatrical invention. The WONDERHEADS, who specialize in visual storytelling, have been praised by the CBC as “Pure magic” and the Globe and Mail as “Powerful, surprising and moving.” For the past decade, the WONDERHEADS have toured from Alaska to Hawaii, Shanghai to Los Angeles, and St. John’s to Victoria — all to critical acclaim and sold out audiences who describe the show as watching animation come to life. Co-founding artistic director Kate Braidwood
embraces the live-action Pixar comparison often used to describe the company’s work: “Like Pixar, we create really entertaining and heartfelt stories with elements that both kids
FESTIVAL 2020 • APRIL 1 TO MAY 8
Adjudicated performances in 211 c categories ategor atego at teg gor orie ies es in including ncl c ud udin in ng piano, strings, brass, woodwinds, ds d s gu s, g guitar, uit i ar a, choral, vocal, dance, and dramatic mat atic c arts. s With 11 Highlight Concerts.
ONLINE REGISTRATION BEGINS EGINS EGIN GIN IN NS JANUARY 6, 2020 For more information visit: www.gvpaf.org call 250-386-9223 email: festival@gvpaf.org /gvpaf
and adults love.” Co-head Andrew Phoenix adds, “Our take on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a meaningful examination of greed and compassion that
includes glowing ghosts, joyful giants and the sweetest Tiny Tim you’ve ever seen. We’re aiming to make each audience member laugh, cry and gasp with wonder.” It’s rare to see this kind of work performed in Canada. WONDERHEADS’ founders have journeyed from California to Berlin to Japan to hone the company’s craft. The result is something entirely unique, entertaining and memorable. A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol will show at the Sid Williams Theatre (Courtenay) on Dec. 3; Art Spring Centre for the Arts (Salt Spring Island) on Dec. 7 & 8; The Tidemark Theatre (Campbell River) on Dec. 12; Cowichan PAC (Duncan) on Dec. 14; The Port Theatre (Nanaimo) on Dec. 15; The McPherson Playhouse (Victoria) on Dec. 17 & 18; Kay Meek Arts Centre (West Van) on Dec. 20; and The Massey Theatre (New Westminster) on Dec. 21. Tour info and tickets available at: wonderheads.com. Photo by DesignEgg
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 15
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Caravan World Rhythms
World Music + Dance
Constantinople - Exceptional Middle Eastern Ensemble on Nov. 8.
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aravan World Rhythms, B.C.’s premiere world music and dance presenter since the turn of the century, is pleased to announce the launch of its second full season in the region, presenting international calibre performers representing cultural influences from Spain, India, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, North Africa, Madagascar, the Middle-East and Canada. Caravan audiences will be able to travel the world of music, dance and culture here in our hometown of Victoria. Launching Caravan’s fall season on Sept. 26 is the North American premiere of La Caramelita Flamenco Company’s presentation of Nritya, an Indian-infused Flamenco spectacle featuring artists from Spain, France and Canada. Audiences will experience a voyage of rhythm, music and dance from India to Spain. On Sept. 27, the legendary Tuvan ThroatSingers Huun Huur Tu bring their spinetingling overtone singing and nature-inspired music from the Steppes of Eastern Russia to the First Church of Christ Scientist. We return to this venue on Oct. 11 with the guitar super-group, Tri-Continental, featuring multi-award winning performers Bill Bourne, Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim. Caravan ups the tempo on Nov. 3, hosting the ridiculously festive 12-piece UkrainianBalkan-Klezmer party band from Toronto,
the Lemonbucket Orkestra. Equal parts exhilarating precision and reckless abandon, LBO’s live shows are a truly immersive experience, ranging from the ecstatic to the cathartic. On Nov. 8, audiences will experience a more sublime, traditional world music experience with Montreal’s Constantinople, presenting In the Footsteps of Rumi, featuring an exceptional Middle-Eastern ensemble (Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Tunisia). Constantinople takes us on a journey into the luminous universe of Rumi’s timeless poetry about love and existence, brimming with wonder, mysticism and musicality, led by musical director Kiya Tabassian, with the collaboration of Tunisian singer and multidisciplinary artist, Ghalia Benali. Last but not least, Caravan returns to Hermann’s Jazz Club on Nov. 24, presenting the always entertaining Lache Cercel and the Roma Swing Ensemble, showcasing the flare and passion of traditional Eastern European melodies on violin and accordion, with swinging jazz harmonies and a touch of Arabic vocals and percussion. For details about Caravan events, join their social media pages on Facebook, Twitter: @ VanWorldMusic and Insta: caravanworldrhythm Visit: caravanbc.com
16 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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Belfry Theatre
Powerful stories by talented playwrights
ts fo r th e Pl ay w righ 19 -20 20 Belfry’s r, Se ason (l to : Lucy clockw is e) Kat Ki rkwoo d, icha el M r, le nd Sa Ta ra d an ey He al Be ag an. en — Lucy Th e Ch il dr s awar dKi rkwoo d’ o -d ra m a, w in ni ng ec Belfry’s open s th e . ne w se ason
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rom the offices of the Prime Minister of Canada to the East Coast of England to the deserts of Southern California, in the next nine months, the Belfry is going to take you to some incredible places, each with an amazing story. The Belfry is a contemporary theatre — the work we produce reflects what is happening in the world now, albeit with a few twists and some big questions. The Children, by British playwright Lucy Kirkwood, is about responsibility and friendship. Inspired by the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan, The Children is a pressure cooker that asks powerful questions of us all. Playing out in real time, by turns it is a mystery, comedy and drama. The Children, directed by Michael Shamata, starts Sept. 17. Who gets to tell your story? That’s the dilemma in Kat Sandler’s comedy, Bang Bang. Lila is a black police officer who shot a young, unarmed black man. Tim is a white playwright who used the incident as a “jumping off point”
for his hit play. Now that play is being made into a Hollywood movie — without Lila’s knowledge. Bang Bang is being co-produced with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and starts in Victoria on Oct. 29. The show is directed by Kelly Thornton. “I’ve always thought the best way to talk about things, to communicate, share, is through humour,” says British comedian Jonny Donahoe. Jonny and playwright Duncan Macmillan have created Every Brilliant Thing — one of the most moving pieces of theatre you’ll ever see. Every Brilliant Thing discusses mental health issues by asking the audience to help tell a story of coping with depression and suicide. But don’t worry, it is truly a life-affirming, unforgettable adventure. Every Brilliant Thing is directed by Estelle Shook and starts Dec. 3.
The Ministry of Grace, Tara Beagan’s grand, sweeping story of friendship and redemption, will have its world premiere at the Belfry in February 2020. It’s 1950 in the deserts of Southern California. Evangelist Brother Cain has a booming trade; his tent revival show moves from town to town, fleecing crowds desperate for something to believe in. When he discovers Mary, a Ntlaka’pamux woman from the Nicola Valley, reading the bible, he puts her onstage, renames her Grace, and displays her as a miracle: an Indian who can read. Tara Beagan will direct The Ministry of Grace. Finally, in April, 1979 is Michael Healey’s very sharp and very funny comedy about backroom politics. In June 1979, Joe Clark was sworn in as Canada’s youngest Prime Minister. By Christmas, it looked as though it could be all over.
Everyone — Pierre Trudeau, Brian Mulroney, Maureen McTeer, and even a very young Stephen Harper — comes tumbling through his door with an opinion about what Joe should do. Should he play the game and remain in power or do what he thinks is right? The tension between principles and politics makes this play incredibly timely. 1979 is directed by Glynis Leyshon. We hope that you’ll come with friends and strangers to experience some wonderful theatre — to rejuvenate your soul, to laugh, to cry — but mostly, to experience the power of a good story, well told. Season tickets are the most economical way to attend the Belfry. For those who like to pick and choose what they see, the Belfry offers a Flex Pass, giving you the freedom to see just what you want, when you want and in the best seats available. Single tickets for all of the Belfry’s shows are on sale now. Tickets can be booked online at: belfry.bc.ca or at: 250-385-6815.
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 17
ADVERTISING FEATURE
80 F E AT U R I N G The Children by Lucy Kirkwood Bang Bang by Kat Sandler Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe The Ministry of Grace by Tara Beagan 2020 SPARK Festival 1979 by Michael Healey
Please call us at
250-385-6815 to purchase season tickets or for more information.
Online at
belfry.bc.ca/season-tickets PUBLIC FUNDERS
SEASON SPONSORS
18 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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Jaguar Entertainment
The Ultimate Tribute to Bryan Adams RECKLESS The Ultimate Tribute to Bryan Adams Saturday, Sept. 28, 9 p.m. Platinum Room, Elements Casino, 1708 Island Highway
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“Sherman Friesen” as Bryan Adams fronts this amazing tribute band and truly looks and sounds like the real thing. He is accompanied by Vancouver musicians Steve Crane on guitar, Stephen Manning on bass and Rick Smook on drums.
ECKLESS is Canada’s tribute to Bryan Adams. They faithfully reproduce the look, the sound, and all the energy and excitement of a real Bryan Adams performance. The band passionately performs all the major hit songs such as Run To You, Summer of ‘69, Everything I Do, I Do It For You, Heaven, Cuts Like A Knife and many more, all closely matching the original recordings. Current hits such Room Service and Open Road are also included and show just how close the band’s sound is to that of Adams himself. RECKLESS always gives a highenergy show with plenty of audience participation. The band takes their tribute to another level, delivering a pure Bryan Adams experience. “Sherman Friesen” as Bryan Adams fronts this amazing tribute band and truly looks and sounds like the real thing. He is accompanied by Vancouver musicians Steve Crane on guitar, Stephen Manning on bass and Rick Smook on drums. You won’t believe your eyes and ears when you experience this unbelievable show. Don’t miss it! The musicianship alone is worth the price of admission. Bryan Adams continues to bring his stunning performances to the world stage, producing hit after hit, getting your feet moving, and bringing tears to his female fans’ eyes with his incredible song writing ability — the man truly knows how to write a rock ballad. RECKLESS plays all the Adams hits and much, much more, and guarantees to impress even the most discerning Bryan Adams fan. To see a Reckless video demo, visit: youtu.be/p2EsHI5-qhc
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Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 19
20 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Pacific Opera
Be Seduced!
‘Carmen’. Photo By Jo-Ann Richards.
Be Seduced by Pacific Opera Victoria’s 2019-20 Season
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reat theatrical experiences are colourful, surprising, entertaining and unforgettable. Pacific Opera’s musically thrilling performances are all of these things and more. In 2019-20, Pacific Opera embarks on a two-season celebration of 40 years of exhilarating productions with a new brand, a new look and five thrilling productions. From the powerfully seductive Carmen to the contemporary comedy Flight and the masterful lyricism of Puccini’s Il Trittico, this season has something for everyone. Things kick off in October at the Royal Theatre with Giacomo Puccini’s rarely produced Il Trittico — three one-act operas in one breathtaking evening or afternoon. Il tabarro (The Cloak) is a noir thriller of infidelity and suspicion, set on a river barge in Paris. In Suor Angelica (Sister Angelica), in the confines of a convent, a nun with a devastating secret struggles with anguish and guilt. And in the comedy Gianni Schicchi, a family squabbles over an inheritance in a zany tale of greed and skullduggery. In February, also at the Royal, the season continues to soar with Flight, a high-flying comedy by leading British composer, Jonathan Dove. In this touching story of our time, an airport becomes a place for unexpected encounters when travelers and airport workers are grounded overnight by a storm. Inspired by the true story of a refugee who lived in an airport for 18 years, Flight is surprisingly playful, sometimes risqué, and it frequently soars into sheer poetry. The final production at the Royal, in April, is Georges Bizet’s utterly irresistible Carmen. Bewitching, wilful and earthy, Carmen is a woman who dictates her own terms, whatever the cost. Bizet’s masterpiece brims with dramatic intensity, vivid characters, and irresistible melodies that have earned their place in popular culture. Two intimate productions at Pacific Opera’s Baumann Centre will engage audiences in compelling stories that are grounded in ancient wisdom and grapple with challenging contemporary themes. In November, Pacific Opera remounts its 2017 world-premiere co-production, Missing — a deeply moving chamber opera by Métis playwright Marie Clements and Juno-winning composer Brian Current. Missing gives voice, in English and Gitxsan, to the story of Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women. Set in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and along the Highway of Tears. Missing is a poetic expression of loss and hope. This production will also be presented in Prince George and Regina. In March, Pacific Opera presents The Flight of the Hummingbird. In this enchanting new opera for the whole family, with music by composer Maxime Goulet, the animals of the forest are inspired to come together by Dukdukdiya, the brave Hummingbird, to save their beautiful home from a raging fire. The Flight of the Hummingbird is based on a parable from the Quechuan people of South America, which travelled through precontact trade routes to become well-known within Haida culture. The opera is influenced by the graphic novel written by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas and will include elements of his dramatic Haida-manga illustrations. The Flight of the Hummingbird will tour B.C. schools this season. For tickets to all performances and to learn about all that Pacific Opera has to offer, visit: pacificopera.ca.
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 21
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Il Trittico | Flight | Carmen Flight of the Hummingbird | Missing We are excited to launch a thrilling new season of opera. Come for the rich, colourful experience of all that is opera: the music, the drama, the spectacle, the stories, and a live orchestra. Enjoy this breathtaking art form. Get your tickets today.
SEASON SPONSOR
22 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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UVic School of Music
Unrivalled Repetoire and 130+ Concerts The UVic School of Music hosts over 130+ concerts and special events each year, plus many more community events. Join them this season for student, ensemble, special guest, alumni and faculty concerts ranging from jazz and pop music to baroque and classical.
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The Real Group will make its only Canadian tour stop on Oct. 19.
UVIC
ON NOW!
19/20 UVIC ORCHESTRA
SEASON
ooking for Victoria’s most diverse concert season? UVic’s School of Music pairs world-class artists with the best in emerging talent and offers the largest number of musical performances in the city. From symphonic masterworks and intimate chamber ensembles to jazz, choirs, new music and acclaimed guests, our unrivalled repertoire and 130+ concerts offer something for everyone. While the season features weekly programming through to April 2020, the fall concert highlights are not to be missed. Direct from London, England, the annual Emerging Artists Alumni Series presents the awardwinning Echéa Quartet (Sept. 25), currently the Fellowship String Quartet at the Royal Academy of Music. The Faculty Chamber Music concert, Our Canadian Landscape (Oct. 10), is a special showcase of Canadian music featuring a faculty brass quintet, noted pianist Arthur Rowe and the Lafayette String Quartet. If you’re a fan of the Pitch Perfect movie series or the vocal group Pentatonix, you won’t want to miss the only Canadian performance by The Real Group (Oct. 19), with guests Fifth Street and UVic’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Hailing from Sweden, The Real Group is one of the leading forces in vocal music today,
entertaining and inspiring international audiences by using the voice as their sole instrument. We keep things international with the arrival of Mexico’s award-winning Cuarteto Latinoamericano (Oct. 20), the leading proponent of Latin American music for string quartet for over 30 years. Cuarteto has toured extensively and premiered more than a hundred works written for them. You will delight in music by composers from Spain, Brazil, Chile and Mexico. Finally, we continue the tradition of presenting an off-campus afternoon concert of UVic Choirs at Christ Church Cathedral (Nov. 30). ‘Tis the Season offers more than 250 voices from the combined UVic Chorus, Chamber Singers and Vocal Jazz Ensemble, plus the UVic brass ensemble joins in harmony for this popular seasonal concert. Arrive early to get a seat — this concert always fills the house! Did you know that many of our events are free or by donation? We offer special pricing for students, alumni and seniors — and plenty of nearby parking. For concert details and tickets, visit: uvic.ca/music. If you can’t make it to the concert hall, many of our performances are broadcast live at: livestream.com/somlive.
UVIC WIND SYMPHONY FACULTY CONCERT SERIES VOICE ENSEMBLES STUDENT RECITALS GUEST CONCERTS & MASTERCLASSES ALUMNI SERIES HEALTH & WELLNESS EVENTS
Find out more at uvic.ca/music
Award-winning Echéa Quartet will Perform on Sept. 25.
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 23
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Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
What’s Next?
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lans are continuing to take shape for The NEXT Gallery project at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV). The Gallery first opened in 1951 in the historic Spencer Mansion (circa 1889), but before long, the collection had outgrown its space, so seven new modern galleries were added, attached to the mansion, with the last one in 1978. Forty years later, the AGGV is bursting at the seams once again with over 22,000 works of art, making it the largest public art collection in B.C.
What’s NEXT? The NEXT Gallery project includes a sculpture garden, café, expanded gift shop, community auditorium and gathering space, and most importantly, much more room to display many of the pieces currently in storage. Currently, only four per cent of the AGGV’s collection can be displayed at any given time due to lack of space. “The new wing,” says AGGV Director Jon Tupper, “will repurpose a lot of the old building and put an additional floor on top, and that will increase our available exhibition space by about 30 per cent. The addition of an auditorium means public program space will increase by 25 per cent.”
The NEXT Gallery, HCMA ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN.
During the design phase of The NEXT Gallery, accessibility was top of mind. A new elevator will bring people to the second floor, the space will have wider doorways and access to the Asian Garden outside will be improved. Part of what makes The NEXT Gallery project unique is that, according to Tupper, it’s “... the largest capital campaign of any cultural institution in this region’s history.” The new building’s amenities will provide an important community meeting place and a resource for local arts and cultural groups. It is estimated that the project will require about $30 million to complete. To date, the AGGV has secured donations and commitments for more than half that amount, including $6 million from the Provincial government. The AGGV is waiting to hear from the Federal government regarding their contribution. The AGGV is very pleased with the generous response to The NEXT Gallery. “We’re well on our way to reaching our goal,” said Tupper. The AGGV hopes to begin construction in January of 2020. If that happens, Victorians can expect to enjoy the new space in late 2021 or early 2022. aggv.ca
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 11AM - 4PM
TICKETS $35 | Available at the Gallery or online at aggv.ca/house-tour Beginning September 1, tickets will also be available at Dig This, GardenWorks, Ivy’s Bookshop and Munro’s Books.
PRODUCED BY
Volunteer Connect Fundraise
24 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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Early Music Society
The crème de la crème The crème de la crème of the international Early Music scene
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or the past 34 seasons, the Early Music Society of the Islands (EMSI), a non-profit society based in Victoria, has been bringing to local audiences, the very best in historically-informed performances of music composed before 1800 — performed exclusively on period instruments. Since 1985, the crème de la crème of the international Early Music scene has appeared on local stages: Anonymous 4, Nancy Argenta, Baltimore Consort, the Harp Consort, Monica Huggett, Ton Koopman, London Baroque, Orlando Consort, Jordi Savall, Tafelmusik, Sequentia, Red Priest, Fretwork, Daniel Taylor, Concerto KÜln, Ensemble Clement Janequin, Dame Emma Kirkby, Stile Antico, London Handel Players, Boston Early Music Festival, Collegium Vocale Gent, Tallis Scholars, and a host of others. We invite you to join us this season for exceptional performances of exquisite music. earlymusicsocietyoftheislands.ca James Young, EMSI Artistic Director Rondallyn Perras, Society President
Above: The London Haydn Quartet and Eric Hoeprich (clarinet) from the November concert.
th SEASON
Imaginario: de un libro de mĂşsica de vihuela 5 October 2019 Sat 8 pm Oak Bay United Church
ArmonĂa Concertada (SPAIN) MarĂa Cristina Kiehr soprano Ariel Abramovich vihuela de mano
Haydn, Beethoven, von Weber 26 October 2019 Sat 8 pm Alix Goolden Hall Eric Hoeprich classical clarinet London Haydn Quartet (UK)
Corelli and the Roman School 23 November 2019 Sat 8 pm Alix Goolden Hall
Accademia Hermans (ITALY) )DELR &LRÂżQL harpsichord and direction
Christmas in Colonial Latin America 21 December 2019 Sat 8 pm St. Andrew’s Cathedral (740 View St.) El Mundo (CALIFORNIA) Richard Savino guitar and direction
If Music be the Food of Love 11 January 2020 Sat 8 pm Alix Goolden Hall
The Baltimore Consort (USA)
The Four Seasons 22 February 2020 Sat 8 pm Alix Goolden Hall Concerto KĂśln (GERMANY) Shunske Sato violin
Vivaldi in Paris 14 March 2020 Sat 8 pm Alix Goolden Hall
Martin Bernstein recorder (USA) Anna Marsh bassoon Byron Schenkman harpsichord
Plaisirs de la Chambre 18 April 2020 Sat 8 pm Alix Goolden Hall
Emma Hannan soprano Victoria Baroque (PACIFIC NORTHWEST) Soile Stratkauskas ÀXWH DQG GLUHFWLRQ
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Right: From the Oct. 5 concert. MarĂa Cristina Kiehr, soprano. Below: Baltimore Concert.
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 25
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Just for Laughs
Just for Laughs
Danny Bhoy: Age of Fools
Rick Mercer on Stage Hosted by Rick Mercer Nov. 16, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Farquhar Auditorium
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fter a year’s hiatus, Just For Laughs is bringing back Canada’s foremost comedy tour — the Just For Laughs Comedy Tour — with a stellar all-star line-up featuring some of Canada’s brightest talents. The comedy tour’s 18th edition aptly titled, ‘Just For Laughs Comedy Night in Canada’, will see Canadian superstar Rick Mercer at the helm of the evening’s festivities when the tour visits Victoria for two shows on Saturday, Nov. 16 (7 and 9:30 p.m.) at the Farquhar Auditorium. Just For Laughs Comedy Night in Canada will see Rick Mercer join 2018 Juno Award winner for comedy album of the year Ivan Decker, Gemini award-winning comedian Debra DiGiovanni and the host of CBC and Sirius XM’s Laugh Out Loud, the hilarious Ali Hassan. The last time Rick hosted the Just For
Laughs Comedy Tour was 16 years ago to sold out audiences across Canada. That tour is considered by organizers to be one of the most successful tours in the franchise’s history. This will be Rick’s first time across Canada since 2003 and the first time Canada’s top political satirist will be in front of large audiences since wrapping up the 15th and final season of The Rick Mercer Report on CBC on April 10, 2018 with an hour-long special. Rick has continued to remain in the public eye with the release of his 4th book, entitled Rick Mercer Final Report last fall and receiving the prestigious Governor General Lifetime Achievement Award this past April. Audience members in Victoria will definitely feel lots of Canadian pride when Mr. Canada and his fellow Canadian comics take to the stage for a show that will have audiences laughing and happy that they live on the northern side of North America! tickets.uvic.ca
DANNY BHOY Dec. 5, Royal Theatre
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cottish comic superstar Danny Bhoy hits the Royal Theatre on Dec. 5, bringing his unique brand of observational storytelling to the stage. In his new, critically-acclaimed show, Age of Fools, Danny explores life in a new era. The Scotsman, in a relatively short period of time, has established himself as one of the biggest-selling comedians in Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as his home country of Scotland. In November 2014, he performed his first tour of the US with his critically acclaimed show, Dear Epson, and in 2016, continued building on his success with his tour Please Untick This Box with sold out shows in Australia and New Zealand and his sold out Canadian tour Commonwealth Comedian. The Gemini nominated performer has made annual appearances at all the major festivals around the world including regular appearances
at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. He has also been featured on The Late Show with David Letterman and has recorded a one-hour Comedy Central special entitled Subject To Change. In 2016, Danny Bhoy sold out two shows at the Farquhar Auditorium, so audiences in Victoria are definitely in for a treat when Danny returns to the Royal Theatre stage this fall. Tickets start at $39.50 plus service charges and are on-sale now at the Royal and McPherson box office or on-line at rmts.bc.ca. See what the critics have to say and go see him live! “He creates a remarkable intimacy with his audience. A must-see.” — The Age, Australia “Brilliantly original and intoxicating comedy.” — The Guardian, UK “This is a show you could see time and time again. Exceptional.” — The Sunday Mail, Australia
Just For Laughs brings Victoria two great shows this fall! JUST FOR LAUGHS BY ARRANGEMENT WITH LISA THOMAS MANAGEMENT PROUDLY PRESENTS
STARRING
IVAN DECKER DEBRA DIGIOVANNI
ALI HASSAN Line-up subject to change
DECEMBER 5 • 7:30 PM
NOVEMBER 16 • 7 & 9:30 PM
ROYAL THEATRE
THE FARQUHAR AUDITORIUM
THE ROYAL & MCPHERSON PLAYHOUSE BOX OFFICE 250-386-6121 OR 1-888-717-6121 OR RMTS.BC.CA
UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA - UNIVERSITY CENTRE 250-721-8480 OR TICKETS.UVIC.CA Media partner
HAHAHA.COM
26 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra
Expressive. Focused. Adventurous! Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra Yariv Aloni, Music Director
S
ymphonic sounds spring from Baumann Centre in Downtown Victoria every Saturday morning. Sixty-five exuberant young musicians — friends and collaborators committed to their musical craft — make up the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra. Expressive, focused and adventurous, the GVYO is respected as one of the finest youth ensembles in the country. GVYO players are guided by Maestro Aloni and a faculty of Victoria’s top musicians through rehearsals, workshops, and sectional coaching sessions. They develop musical style, ensemble skills and teamwork. With commitment and initiative, senior players inspire their younger colleagues, who embrace new repertoire with energy, enthusiasm and imagination. Over the years, the GVYO has been further enriched by internationally esteemed guest artists such as Sir Yehudi Menuhin, Jonathan Crow, Ben Heppner and Timothy Vernon.
The results are performances of an impressive calibre and invaluable experience for young people, who mature not only as musicians, but as contributors to their community. For 34 years, the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra has enchanted audiences across Vancouver Island and as far afield as the Kootenays, Haida Gwaii and Yukon Territory. GVYO alumni are found in ensembles, orchestras and academies throughout the world. Join the GVYO for three Sunday afternoon concerts at The Farquhar at UVic: Nov. 3, Feb. 9 and Apr. 26. Program highlights include a collaborative performance of the full cycle of Smetana’s Má Vlast (My Homeland) with the Victoria Chamber Orchestra and the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra, Bach’s Toccata & Fugue, Grieg’s Symphonic Dances, Sibelius’ Karelia Overture and more. Phone: 250-360-1121. Email: gvyorchestra@gmail.com. Visit: gvyo.org
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 27
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA)
Variety + Innovation highlight season
T
he national performing arts college’s 2019-20 season offers a compelling balance of comedy, music and drama, a collection of plays that managing artistic director Caleb Marshall describes as a thought-provoking showcase that conveys “the power of community coming together, and the dangers of going too far… seen from both sides.” The season opens on Oct. 17 at the CCPA Performance Hall, 1701 Elgin Rd., with The Birds, a retelling of one of western theatre’s earliest comedies. The classic explores the Indigenous/settler relationship and respect for the land with wit and insight by two of the country’s leading indigenous theatre artists — playwright Yvette Nolan and director Keith Barker. Following on Nov. 28 is Unity (1918) by Kevin Kerr. Glynis Leyshon will stage this darkly comic, Saskatchewan-set Gothic romance in which hope is put to the test in a town whose citizens are quarantined after a deadly outbreak. Janet Munsil will stage Ann-Marie MacDonald’s Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), which opens Dec. 11. The lively comedy uses its heroine’s PhD thesis to suggest that the Shakespearean tragedies,
Othello and Romeo and Juliet, had comedic origins. Also opening that week is The Crucible, directed by Marshall. Arthur Miller’s scorching classic uses the Salem Witch Trials as the basis for a potent morality tale. The Light in the Piazza opens Jan. 31 with Roy Surette returning to Victoria to direct the romantic and quintessentially Italian musical set in Florence during the summer of 1953. The season will close April 17 at the McPherson Playhouse. Disney’s Newsies delves into the world of orphaned and runaway newsies in 1899, New York and inspires theatre goers to unite and fight for what is right. Directed by Jessica Hickman, it marks the first time that one of the College’s alumni will direct the year-end production. Other notable events include the College’s annual Concert of Remembrance, Nov. 7 at Oak Bay High’s Dave Dunnet Theatre; and A Christmas Carol (in concert) Dec. 18 and 19 at the Metro Studio Theatre, a new partnership with the Victoria Conservatory of Music. For tickets, email: boxoffice@ccpacanada.com or call: 250-595-9970. ccpacanada.com.
West Side Story
THE BIRDS OCTOBER 17 - 20
UNITY (1918)
NOV. 28 - DEC. 1
GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA (GOOD MORNING JULIET) DECEMBER 11 - 14
2019 - 20 SEASON see through a new light
250 595 9970 or ccpacanada.com for tickets, complete season information, and other special events
THE CRUCIBLE DECEMBER 12 - 14
THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA J AN. 31- FEB. 8
DISNEY’S
NEWSIES
APRIL 17 - 25
plus special events and more!
CONCERT OF REMEMBRANCE A CHRISTMAS CAROL TD FESTIVAL OF NEW WORKS
NOV. 7 DEC. 18-19 MAR. 26-28
28 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Relive the Music
50s & 60s Rock ‘n Roll Show “Rock opera musical concert with a Broadway feel with live band, singers, dancers, tributes, video and trivia.”
“Standing ovations at every show” ... “Baby boomers go wild”... “My Grandma wanted to go out and party after seeing this show.”
T
his is a brand new one-of-a-kind show that takes the audience through music history, trivia and memories of the 50s and 60s. You will learn many things you never knew about these artists. You will see an energetic live band, amazing frontline singers and dancers transforming and re-living through two decades of music, costumes, trends and dancing along with informative video imagery in the background. Performing hits from Doris Day, Patti Page, Dean Martin, Johnny Cash, Fats Domino, Frank Sinatra, Little Richard, The Platters,
Bill Haley and the Comets, Elvis, Paul Anka, Patsy Cline, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson, Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker, Dion, The Four Seasons, The Beatles, Roy Orbison, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Rolling Stones, Sonny and Cher, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond, and many more…. The audience will see silhouettes of a band onstage, video will roll in the background with the narrator describing trivia about the upcoming artists prior to each song without mentioning the names. There will be a pause. The audience is encouraged to shout out their guess of what song is coming up.
Let the party begin! We sorted through 20 years of over a thousand songs into this one show. The main criteria was to trim it to hit songs that are still relevant and memorable to this day. We made our pick of songs that we feel will never get old. See more at: ReliveTheMusic.ca
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 29
ADVERTISING FEATURE
UVic Phoenix Theatre
Ageless Stories for Today’s World
Great theatre transcends a story’s political and social context to speak to the human condition. This season, UVic’s Phoenix Theatre is exploring ageless plays that continue to help us make sense of the world we live in.
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eaksauce & Other Stories (Oct. 9 to 19) is a greatesthits collection of stories by Canadian comedy award-winner and alumnus, Sam Mullins. Described as the ‘Stuart McLean of the millennial generation,’ Mullins shares the comingof-age story of the summer he turned 16 and left home to work as a camp counselor, only to be blindsided by the first great romance of his life. Short, story-slam versions of his shows Tinfoil Dinosaur and The Untitled Sam Mullins Project are followed by a new story about the bleary-eyed joys of fatherhood. Shakespeare’s poignant tragedy, Othello (Nov. 7 to 23) offers a disturbing portrait of racially infused politics, misogyny and backstabbing friendships — this could have been ripped from today’s news. Director Brian Richmond calls Othello “as controversial as it is brilliant.” It follows the love story of the foreign General Othello and the beautiful Desdemona. Their marriage is put to the test when bigotry, ruthless politics, a friend’s betrayal and jealousy pull them and their worlds apart. The romantic sci-fi satire Comic Potential (Feb. 13 to 22, Canadian comedy award-winner and alumnus, Sam Mullins. 2020) is a hilarious cautionary Photo by Adrien H. Tillmann tale of the rise of artificial McGuire. Two women risk everything for the truth to intelligence in our lives. be heard when a spiteful pupil whispers a rumour about “Like all of Alan Ayckbourn’s work, this is a finely her headmistresses, triggering a devastating chain of crafted and very funny comedy,” says director Conrad consequences at the all-girls boarding school. Alexandrowicz. Set in the near future, an aspiring writer “Rumours are distributed differently today in our world falls for the charming Jacie Tripplethree (JCF 31333), a of “fake news” but their effects are just as destructive,” robot actor or “actoid” on a TV hospital soap opera. The says McGuire. programming glitch that makes her laugh hysterically also The Phoenix Theatre’s 2019/20 season is available makes her more human ... could make her a star! now as a three or four-package subscription deal, starting The season closes with The Children’s Hour (Mar. at only $42 — a saving of 50 per cent off regular ticket 12 to 21, 2020), Lillian Hellman’s startlingly relevant, prices. Individual shows are available one week before pre-WWII drama about the power of lies, directed by Peter each play. Phone: 250-721-8000. phoenixtheatres.ca
SPOTLIGHT ON ALUMNI
Weaksauce & Other Stories By Sam Mullins (BFA ‘08)
OCTOBER 9 - 19, 2019
Othello
By William Shakespeare Directed by Brian Richmond
NOVEMBER 7 - 23, 2019
Comic Potential By Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Conrad Alexandrowicz
FEBRUARY 13 - 22, 2020 The
Children’s Hour
SAVE
UP TO
Directed by Peter McGuire
50%
MARCH 12 - 21, 2020
with a 2019/20 season package:
By Lillian Hellman
phoenixtheatres.ca | 250.721.8000
3 plays 4 plays
$42 $56
30 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Victoria Jazz Society
Fall Winter Spring Concert Series The Victoria Jazz Society (VJS), producer of the TD Victoria International JazzFest and Vancouver Island Blues Bash, is a professional arts organization that offers high-quality jazz to our community by showcasing performances with acclaimed musicians. The VJS presents this Fall/Winter/Spring concert series, with an incredible line-up of talented artists.
Straight out of Havana...
MCPHERSON
PLAYHOUSE
plus Pablo Cardenas
...a blazing ensemble nsemble of deeply soulful ma mambo and “a groove as intense as a runaway train.” —NPR
Thursday, Nov 14 | 8PM TICKETS: Royal & McPherson Box Office (250-386-6121 / www.rmts.bc.ca)
ON SALE NOW!
IN A SOLO PERFORMANCE...
Multiple Juno-winning “slide guitarist/songwriter whose works have been covered by Keb Mo’, The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Colin James and The Band.” - Blues Blast Magazine
Thursday, y Nov 7 | 9PM
LARNELL LEWIS BAND
Toronto’s prolific, Grammy-award winning ng musician, composer, producer and long-time me drummer of Snarky Puppy displays a continually evolving musical style that has s kept him at the top of the list as a musical collaborator for artists across the globe.
Saturday, November 16 | 7:30PM TICKETS: VJS Office (977 Alston St./ 250-388-4423) Royal & McPherson Box Office (250-386-6121 / www.rmts.bc.ca)
j a z z v i c t o r i a . c a | @VicJazzSociety
COLIN LINDEN Thursday, Nov. 7
SAMANTHA MARTIN & DELTA SUGAR - Friday, Feb. 21
Hermann’s Upstairs. Multiple award-winning singer-songwriter and slide guitarist Colin Linden has performed with stars such as Bruce Cockburn, Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant and Allison Krauss. His originals have been covered by The Band, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Keb’ Mo’ and Colin James. He has received seven Junos, multiple Maple Blues Awards, a Toronto Arts Award, a Grammy nomination, and his song, Killing Floor Blues, was featured on the hit Coen Brothers’ movie, O Brother Where Art Thou. Don’t miss this prolific guitar master in a solo performance at Hermann’s Upstairs.
Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar have been likened to Leon Bridges, Sharon Jones and Lee Fields. Their 2018 album, Run To Me, was nominated for a 2019 Juno for Blues Album of the Year, and received four nominations at 2019 Maple Blues Awards. Martin possesses a stunning voice that is rich with emotion. In combination with co-vocalists Sherie Marshall and Mwansa Mwansa, the vocal blend Delta Sugar produces is pure, gospel-tinged magic.
ORQUESTA AKOKÁN Thursday, Nov. 14 McPherson Playhouse - Havana’s top musicians join forces with some of the most creative talents of New York’s Latin music scene to reinvigorate the sound of Cuban’s golden era mambo with a bold new energy, reminiscent of Benny Moré, Pérez Prado and banda gigante of the 1940s and 50s. This 12-piece ensemble made their US debut in July 2018 and continue their tour to Victoria to showcase their captivating music and myriad of rhythmic styles. Tickets are on sale now.
Keep live jazz alive in Victoria Learn about future VJS presentations first, and access member-only pre sales. Join the Victoria Jazz Society. Find out about VJS membership, upcoming VJS performances, plus when and where to buy tickets at jazzvictoria.ca, or call: 250-388-4423. Gift certificates can be purchased and redeemed for tickets to VJS presentations, including TD JazzFest. The 37th edition of the TD Victoria International JazzFest occurs June 19 to 28, 2020. The 27th annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash occurs Sept. 5 to 7, 2020. Photo above: 13-piece ensemble, ORQUESTA AKOKÁN perform Thursday, Nov. 14, at the McPherson Playhouse. Adrien H. Tillmann Photo.
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 31
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Cowichan Performing Arts Centre Don’t miss the Ukrainian world-music phenomenon DakhaBrakha on Oct. 20 at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre.
A Season Chock-ABlock Full of Talent
C
owichan Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) presents an incredible, diverse fall season — chock full of award-winning, multifaceted musicians, esteemed theatrical dance performances and critically-acclaimed comedy shows. Burton Cummings, one of Canada’s most famous musicians and songwriters, brings his Up Close and Alone Tour to Duncan on Oct. 16. Fortunate fans who purchased early are happy as the show is sold out. A waiting list is being taken at the ticket centre. Returning this fall is fringe-fest sensation Mike Delamont with the third installment of God is A Scottish Drag Queen: Part 3 on Oct. 5 and Ukrainian worldmusic phenomenon DakhaBrakha on Oct. 20. The CPAC season opens on Sept. 26 with boogie-woogie jazz sensation, Michael Kaeshammer, and continues to deliver unique musical performances with a dual guitar trio performance featuring the California Guitar Trio + Montreal Guitar Trio on Oct. 17. On Nov. 14, the original tribute to the Eagles Hotel California takes the stage with a performance that’s sure to sell out. Then, aussie-born folk singer Kim Churchill kicks-off the Cabaret Series on Nov. 17, when the stage is transformed into an intimate, speakeasy-style venue with on-stage seating. Mark your calendar, because the fall season is heating up. Serena Ryder is heading our way on Nov. 26 with her Christmas Kisses Tour. On Oct. 24, CPAC brings back Ballet Victoria’s Ballet Rocks — a powerful ballet performed to the iconic music of Pink Floyd, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Jimmy Hendrix and Aretha Franklin. The Wonderheads return on Dec. 14 with a re-invented version of A Christmas Carol in a wondrous, wordless theatrical performance featuring their giant masks and whimsical puppets. Here are more of this season’s highlights: Oct. 7: See the season opening performance
of Noteworthy Classical Concerts featuring the Canadian Piano Quartet with The Bergmann Piano Duo and Duo Turgeon, performing a musical celebration called Pianopoly featuring two pianos, eight hands and 40 fingers. Nov. 8: Arts Club on Tour presents a charming comedy about being out and finding home with their production of Mark Crawford’s delightful heartfelt comedy, Bed & Breakfast. Dec. 1: Tenor Benjamin Butterfield performs classical songs and arias from some of the world’s best loved operas with the Bergmann Piano Duo. Warm up to winter with a special Noteworthy Classical Concert Sunday matinee performance. Feb. 3: The Bergmann Piano Duo perform an enticing program with Canadian concert violinist Jasper Wood, featuring the music from the Academy award-winning score of The Red Violin in the third installment of CPAC’s Noteworthy Classical Concert Series. Feb. 7: Canada’s Ballet Jörgen transforms the beloved Canadian story of Anne of Green Gables in a playful, colourful ballet production — sure to delight audiences of all ages. Feb. 13: Enjoy a night of outstanding jazz stylings with JUNO award-winning jazz pianist and host of CBC’s Saturday Night Jazz, Liala Biali, as she performs her bright and vibrant music in an intimate setting in the CPAC Cabaret Series season finale. cowichanpac.ca
Cowichan Performing Arts Centre presents
MICHAEL KAESHAMMER “One of the best jazz pianists in Canada - right up there with Diana Krall, David Braid and Oliver Jones.” ~ CBC Music
Thursday Sept. 26, 2019 7:30pm
Tickets $36 eyeGo $5 cowichanpac.ca
Ticket Centre: 250.748.7529 2687 James St. Duncan, BC
32 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra
Exciting Musical Concerts + Events
J
oin the celebrated Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO), one of the finest community orchestras on the Island, for its 22nd season of exciting musical concerts and events. “I’m proud to lead the dedicated and talented musicians of the SPO, and through our concerts, music workshop and competition, add to the cultural richness in Sooke and the surrounding area,” notes Yariv Aloni, SPO music director. The season opens Oct. 27 with a program featuring the Brahms Violin Concerto, with Jeanel Liang, winner of the 2019 Don Chrysler Concerto Competition as soloist. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, the Sooke Philharmonic Chorus joins the Orchestra for Christmas in Bohemia, including joyous renditions of Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Ryba’s Czech Christmas Mass. Feb. 9 brings together the SPO with two other celebrated regional orchestras — the Victoria Chamber Orchestra and the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra. What a rare treat for area music lovers as the combined orchestras
present Smetana’s Ma Vlast (My Fatherland) at the Farquhar Auditorium, University of Victoria. The SPO annual, and always popular, Tea & Symphony on Mar. 1, presents relaxing music and refreshments in a casual setting. The Orchestra and Chorus meet again Apr. 4 and 5 for Mozart’s Requiem, KV 626. Then on Jun. 7, the Orchestra Celebrates Summer with works by Holst, Haydn and Dvorak. The season ends Jul. 5 with the traditional Philharmonic Fling! — a pops open air family concert. In addition to SPO Music Director Yariv Aloni, well-known area conductors Nicholas Fairbank and Michael Klazek will lead individual concerts. The SPO organizes an annual Concerto Competition for young and emerging musicians, a Chamber Music workshop and the annual fundraiser Sooke Secret Garden Tour. For more information about concert dates, times, venues, programs and ticket sales or to learn about other SPO events check out: sookephil.ca.
Yariv Aloni Music Director
Tickets www.sookephil.ca 250-419-3569
Making Harmony...Naturally
2019-2020 SEASON
SOOKE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA& CHORUS October 27 Celebrating the Concerto Nov 30, Dec 1 Christmas in Bohemia Feb 9 Celebrating Together March 1 Tea & Symphony April 4 & 5 Mozart’s Requiem April 18 Don Chrysler Concerto Competition May 31 Sooke Secret Garden Tour July 5 Philharmonic Fling!
Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director Yariv Aloni at the podium.
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 33
ADVERTISING FEATURE
UVic Farquhar Auditorium
Don’t miss Kalabanté: Cirque Afrique is a stunning evening of extraordinary African drumming and acrobatics. Apr. 11 at the UVic Farquhar Auditorium.
Creativity. Culture. Community. Exceptional music, comedy and physical performances highlight the Farquhar at UVic’s 41st Season. SEASON 19/20
W
ith excellent sight lines, spacious and comfortable seating and exceptional acoustics, the Farquhar Auditorium at UVic presents some of the most exciting performances in Victoria. Kicking off the season, award-winning local comedian Mike Delamont (God is a Scottish Drag Queen) assembles some of the funniest comedians on the West Coast for his West Coast Comedy Showcase on Sept. 21. Sept. 29, Rosanne Cash graces the Farquhar stage with songs from her new album, She Remembers Everything. Don’t miss one of North America’s pre-eminent singer/songwriters performing her poetic, lush and soulful songs. Quebec’s acclaimed Sursaut Dance returns with Me Squared, exploring adolescence and the search for self, using breakdance inspired choreography and shadow-play to create a visually impeccable experience suitable for families.
Have a devil of a good time on Jan. 17 when Mike Delamont returns to the Farquhar stage with Hell Yeah! From the creator and star of God is a Scottish Drag Queen comes everyone’s favourite bad boy, The Devil! Jan. 26, International Guitar Night celebrates 20 years of touring. Join guest host, Mike Dawes (England), with his incredible twohand contemporary style with Germán López from the Canary Islands, jazz virtuoso Olli Soikkeli from Finland, and Hawaiian slack key master Jim Kimo West. Kalabanté: Cirque Afrique is a stunning evening of extraordinary African drumming and acrobatics on Apr. 11. Suitable for families, the show features daring gymnastics accompanied by the intense rhythms of Guinean djembés. If you seek creativity, culture and community, you’ll find it at the Farquhar at UVic. Tickets at the UVic Ticket Centre at: 250-721-8480 or visit: tickets.uvic.ca.
ROSANNE CASH SHE REMEMBERS EVERYTHING
SUNDAY
SEPT 29
One of North America's pre-eminent singer/songwriters performs her poetic, lush and soulful songs that reckon with a flawed and fragile world.
7:30 PM
SEP 21 | 7:30 PM MIKE DELAMONT'S BEST OF THE WEST COMEDY SHOWCASE OCT 27 | 7:00 PM SURSAUT DANCE | ME SQUARED JAN 17 | 8:00 PM MIKE DELAMONT | HELL YEAH! JAN 26 | 7:30 PM INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT APR 11 | 7:30 PM KALABANTE | AFRIQUE EN CIRQUE
uvic.ca/farquhar | 250-721-8480 |
UVicFarq
34 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Victoria Choral Society
Quatro Entertainment
200 Voices, One Performance
Koo-koo-ka-choo, Mrs. Robinson
T
T
he Victoria Choral Society, under the direction of Brian Wismath, will perform This Thirsty Land by Leonard Enns and No. 2 Mass in G major by Franz Schubert in collaboration with Oak Bay High School Choir, bringing together over 200 singers. The program features three soloists: Abby Schuliger (soprano), Casey Edmunds (tenor), and Nathan McDonald (bass). The choirs are accompanied by an orchestra of musicians from the Victoria Symphony. The performance opens with the B.C. premiere of Enns’s This Thirsty Land, a stirring five-movement tribute to our fragile planet. “From early recorded texts to the very present, water has remained a profound focus of our attention, and the realities of climate change make it an ever more crucial object of our concern: water as life source, as life sustaining, but also life threatening through both regionally dependent over-abundance or lack of access.” ~ Leonard Enns After intermission, the program journeys back in time to Schubert’s second mass,
which was composed in less than a week in 1815. The most popular of his three shorter masses, its charming song-like melodic writing, especially in the Kyrie and the Credo, forms a magical counterpoint to the more prominent solo instrumental parts in the Gloria and the Sanctus. More than 200 years later, Schubert’s striking and beautiful Mass in G still captivates audiences worldwide.
About the Victoria Choral Society The Victoria Choral Society, directed by Brian Wismath, is an auditioned, mixed-voice symphonic chorus dedicated to presenting the finest choral music, from baroque to contemporary. Founded in 1934, the Victoria Choral Society has played a leading role in Victoria’s cultural life and has performed with every Victoria Symphony conductor since the symphony’s inception. The sole performance of this show will be at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at the University of Victoria Farquhar Auditorium. Tickets are available online at: tickets.uvic.ca. For details, go to: victoriachoralsociety.ca.
he Simon & Garfunkel Story is touring North America again this year. Using state of the art projection photos and original film footage, featuring a full live band performing all the hits, including Mrs. Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound and many more. The immersive concert-style theatre show chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It tells the story from their humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60s to their dramatic split in 1970. The show culminates with the famous The Concert in Central Park reunion in 1981, with more than half a million fans in attendance. With more than 100 million album sales since 1965, Simon & Garfunkel’s perfect harmonies and songs that poignantly captured the times, made them one of the most successful folk-rock duos of all time. Over the years, they earned 10 Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in
1990. In 1977, their Bridge Over Troubled Water album was nominated at the Brit Awards for Best International Album. In 2003, Simon and Garfunkel were awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the following year, saw their The Sound of Silence awarded a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. ‘‘Fantastic’’ – Elaine Paige, BBC Radio “Authentic and Exciting” – The Stage See ad in this publication for tickets. thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com Victoria - Royal Theatre March 4, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Tickets at rmts.bc.ca Charge by phone: 250-386-6121 or toll free: 1-888-717-6121. Nanaimo -Port Theatre March 5, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Tickets at: porttheatre.com Charge by phone: 250-754-8550.
+++++
“FOR ONCE, YOU CAN BELIEVE THE HYPE” BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE
BC Premiere by Leonard Enns
SAT. NOV. 9 2019 | 8PM
& MASS IN G BY FRANZ SCHUBERT
University Centre Farquhar Auditorium
VICTORIA - ROYAL THEATRE
MARCH 4, 2020 | 7:30 PM
TICKETS AT RMTS.BC.CA CHARGE BY PHONE: 250-386-6121 OR TOLL FREE: 1-888-717-6121
TICKETS In person at UVic Ticket Centre, by phone at 250-721-8480, or online at tickets.uvic.ca. For more info go to victoriachoralsociety.ca.
NANAIMO - PORT THEATRE
MARCH 5, 2020 | 7:30 PM
TICKETS AT PORTTHEATRE.COM CHARGE BY PHONE: 250-754-8550
www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com
Design by:: dgfx.co.ukk
Performed by the Victoria Choral Society with the Oak Bay High School Choir, members of the Victoria Symphony, and soloists: Abby Schuliger, Casey Edmunds, and Nathan McDonald.
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 35
ADVERTISING FEATURE
CapriCCio Vocal Ensemble
Virtuosic clarity, sensitive and spirited musicality. CapriCCio’s repertoire spans music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods to that of the 21st century.
CapriCCio Vocal Ensemble is an auditioned choir for adult voices based in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia, and is directed by the talented Michael Gormley. CapriCCio Vocal Ensemble’s 31st season
C
apriCCio Vocal Ensemble welcomes you to their 31st season. Formed in 1989 by director Michael Gormley, CapriCCio Vocal Ensemble is dedicated to the performance of the finest choral music. Their repertoire spans music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods to that of the 21st century. CapriCCio excels in the performance of a capella music, but the choir also collaborates with large and small instrumental ensembles. The choir continues to captivate audiences with performances of choral music from Brahms to Chatman, folksongs to sacred works — all performed with CapriCCio’s signature style — virtuosic clarity with sensitive and spirited musicality.
Four wonderful concerts for the 2019-20 season In Remembrance, Nov. 11, 2 p.m. Traditional Remembrance Day concert includes Remembrance Traditions followed by a program of music featuring works by Rheinberger, Parry and Chilcott. Soloists: Jane Edler-Davis (piano), Robert Dukarm (organ), and Stevan Paranosic (trumpet). The Night Before the Night Before Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. Christmas concert is a perennial audience
favourite and has become a Christmas tradition for many families. It features carols and seasonal music for choir and brass, with returning guest artists Victoria Brass. Time Pieces Feb. 29, 7:30 p.m. What to do with an extra day in February? Celebrate with music about Time! Stephen Chatman’s Time Pieces, a work commissioned by the choir for its tenth anniversary, will be the featured work of this Leap Day concert. Brahms Requiem May 30, 7:30 p.m. The Brahms Requiem is loved by audiences and musicians alike. This authentic version has a twist — it will be accompanied by four hands on one piano, just as it wasº scored by Brahms in his original version of the work. Guest performers will be KlaVIERhands (Jane Edler-Davis and Wendy Stofer), a percussionist and four young singers. Concerts are at Christ Church Cathedral, Quadra at Rockland. Tickets are available online at: capriccio.ca, from choir members, at the door, and three weeks prior to each concert at Ivy’s Bookshop, Munro’s Books (except Christmas), and the Christ Church Cathedral office. For season tickets, email: choir@capriccio. ca; for details, visit: capriccio.ca.
Michael Gormley |
DIRECTOR
In Remembrance November 11, 2019
2 pm | Christ Church Cathedral Quadra at Rockland MUSIC BY Rheinberger, Parry and Chilcott as well as traditional observances VETERANS FREE | Tickets $25, $22, $10 12 and under free with ticket holder Munro’s Books, Ivy’s Bookshop, Christ Church Cathedral Office, at the door or online www.capriccio.ca | INFO 250-472-1096
Guest
ARTISTS
2019 - 2020 CONCERTS The Night Before the Night Before December 23, 2019 7:30pm
Time Pieces
February 29, 2020 7:30pm
Brahms Requiem May 30, 2020 7:30pm
Stevan Paranosic TRUMPET
Jane Edler-Davis PIANO
Robert Dukarm ORGAN
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The Civic Orchestra of Victoria
Long-lasting community
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or over 35 years, the Civic Orchestra of Victoria has been bringing local music enthusiasts from a wide array of backgrounds together to extend an appreciation of orchestral music in the Greater Victoria region. Including dozens of collaborations with other local performance groups, soloists and international guests, the Civic Orchestra’s history is woven deep into the community and continues to evolve each season with the addition of new members and volunteers. Now entering its 36th concert season and its third season under the music direction of Brian Wismath, the Civic Orchestra has four exciting concerts slated for 2019-20. On Nov. 14, the season kicks off with ‘European Romantics’ at Dave Dunnet Theatre, featuring the music of Bruckner, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Borodin. December brings the 21st Annual ‘SingAlong Messiah’ at Alix Goolden Hall — a perennial holiday favourite! In March 2020, the Orchestra returns
to Dave Dunnet Theatre for ‘Treasures of England’, featuring the music of Vaughn Williams and guest-conducted by Giuseppe (Joey) Pietraroia, Conductor-in-Residence for both Pacific Opera Victoria and the Victoria Symphony — sure to be a treat for both orchestra and audience members alike. The season closes in June with a crowdpleasing ‘Century of Broadway’, featuring highlights from ‘Porgy and Bess’, ‘West Side Story’, ‘Camelot’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and more. Season ticket packages are available. As a registered charity, the Orchestra also provides tax receipts for donations. The Civic Orchestra currently has vacancies in the viola and violin sections and encourages anyone with orchestral experience to contact the Orchestra about joining. Rehearsals are held Thursday evenings at Centennial United Church, 612 David St. If you’d like to be involved with the orchestra in any capacity, to make donations, advertise in programs, or to purchase tickets, visit: civicorchestraofvictoria.org
Victoria Film Festival
A Toast to Spirits 10 New Exhibitors added to Art of the Cocktail: A Trip to Paris
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rt of the Cocktail, Vancouver Island’s most exclusive cocktail festival for the past decade, returns to celebrate local and artisanal distilleries. The evening kicks off at the Crystal Gardens on Saturday, Oct. 19, with the Grand Tasting. Patrons can expect an exciting array of local and international spirit providers, as well as many local purveyors of food and drink. This year’s theme, A Trip to Paris, is a nod to the sophistication and elegance of the City of Lights. For those who love to dress-up, it’s also a chance to win big! This year’s winner for Best Dressed will receive four tickets to the Opening Gala of the 26th Victoria Film Festival on Feb. 7, 2020. “Art of the Cocktail is really a celebration of spirits. As Victorians, we’re proud to be a part of such a diverse and exciting spirit scene,” says Kathy Kay, director of the Victoria Film Festival, the charitable arts organization for which Art of the Cocktail serves as a fundraiser.
Limited VIP tickets are available, and are expected to sell-out quickly, having eclipsed last year’s sales at an unprecedented rate. “The bartenders in this city are immensely talented, and it’s exciting to see the imaginative cocktails they concoct,” adds Kay. “To celebrate, we hold a Most Popular Cocktail contest judged by the attendees.” Last year’s winner, Cenote Restaurant and Lounge won the coveted award with their original recipe cocktail, Night Swim — a fresh and zesty tequila-based libation. Night Swim was soon featured as part of Cenote’s regular cocktail menu. Cocktails Up Close are playful hands-on seminars led by industry professionals to help you up your home game. Victoria Film Festival wants everyone to enjoy the evening safely and responsibly. Make sure to bring two pieces of ID and arrange for a safe ride home. Tickets are available at artofthecocktail.ca or at the Victoria Film Festival Office, 1215 Blanshard St., Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Victoria Film Festival’s
victoria’s only licensed movie house
Go Local, We have.
Great films with a side of BC wine,, beer,, soda,, cheese & & cookies.
get Tickets at THEVIC.CA
808 DOUGLAS ST.
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 37
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Really, really good theatre.
“Over the River and Through the Woods” Photo by Andrea Cross
Langham Court Theatre
Driven by passion. Fueled by community.
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“The upcoming season has something for everyone.” — Production Chair, Alan Penty.
e open our season with the heartwarming comedy, Over the River and Through the Woods by Joe Dipietro, directed by Jason Vikse, and yes, there will be pasta and grandparents! The second show is the suspenseful and shocking Rope by Patrick Hamilton, adapted and directed by Alan Penty. Company by Stephen Sondeim and George Furth, directed by Heather Jarvie, takes us into the new year with the question “What is the value of a relation in our modern society?” New to directing at Langham Court is David Elendune, who brings to stage an edgy and haunting production, The Blue Light by Canadian playwright Meiko Ouchi. In April, Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson, directed by Wendy Merk explores the life
of Henrietta Leavitt and her discovery that changed astronomy forever. And to wrap up the season is the warm and comical Mambo Italiano by Canadian Steve Galluccio and directed by John Manson. Established in 1929, Langham Court Theatre is a Canadian success story of what happens when passionate, talented people work together doing something they love. With nearly 400 volunteers and members, Langham is also Victoria’s largest volunteer-run community theatre and operates its own theatre facility in the community. The theatre produces six shows per season, in addition to offering numerous events, workshops and collaborations with other arts organizations in Victoria. Langhamtheatre.ca
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Theatre Inconnu
Exciting Season of Contemporary Plays
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You are invited Non-Audition Community Choir
Sing with us for the joy of singing! Victoria Good News Choir Directed by Louise Rose
Rehearsals: Saturdays 10AM starting SATURDAY, SEPT 14TH
Photo of Louise Rose by Stan Funk
Cadboro Bay United Church 2625 Arbutus Road
ALL AGES TOGETHER IN SONG victoriagoodnewschoir.com
2019 production of “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Stephen Adly Guirgis. Photo by Clayton Jevne, Artistic Director, General Manager.
heatre Inconnu is proud to offer Victoria audiences four shows that have entertained, excited and challenged audiences internationally. We kick off the fall with a satire by one of America’s most exciting modern playwrights. In Dead Man’s Cellphone, Sarah Ruhl explores modern technology’s ability to both unite and isolate people in the digital age. Are we who we think we are? Or are we who others think we are? Dead Man’s Cellphone is both hilarious and nail-biting. Theatre Inconnu then enters the holiday season with an awareness that it can be a challenging time for many. Sheila Callaghan’s play, Crumble (Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake), is a surrealistic, funny and moving story of a mother and daughter coping with a loss that casts a shadow over their festivities. Appearances by Harrison Ford and Justin Timberlake help make this one of the most unique holiday shows you will ever see. We bring in the new year with
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time — Simon Stephen’s stage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s lauded novel. This play has been celebrated on international stages, winning best play awards in both London and New York. In a story brimming with compassion and humour, Stephens gives us entry into the world of 15-year-old Christopher Boone, a young boy on the autism spectrum. Spring at Theatre Inconnu answers the burning universal question: What will happen to the Peanuts gang as they struggle with teenage angst? Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead provides the answer. This award-winning play by Bert Royal is a convincing extension of the lives of Charles M. Schulz’ iconic kids. Whimsy is tempered by the very real challenges facing today’s young adults. Theatre Inconnu always promises a warm welcome, delicious cookies, and the best theatre prices in town! theatreinconnu.com
Victoria ARTS GUIDE | Sept. 12, 2019 | 39
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Victoria Philharmonic Choir
John Cleese examines the dysfunctional world we live in and “Why There is no Hope”.
Classical and Romantic eras
Reuben Butterfield, M.Brand Photo.
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rom dramatic compositions by Mozart and Haydn to a delightfully operatic mass by Rossini, the Victoria Philharmonic Choir’s 2019-20 season, under the direction of Peter Butterfield, promises to captivate audiences. An evening of Mozart in October features the composer’s Mass in C Minor, a thrilling sacred work combining dazzling coloratura passages and elaborate choral fugues, while his Solemn Vespers is known for the exquisite Laudate
John Cleese Unique Lives
World’s Funniest Man Live at the Royal Theatre Monday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
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on’t miss the “One and Only” John Cleese as he examines the dysfunctional world we live in and “Why There is no Hope”. The World’s funniest man first made his mark as a member of the legendary Monty Python Troupe in the 1960s and has gone on to write, produce, direct and star in some of the greatest comedic hits of the last 40 years, even receiving an Oscar nomination for the best screenplay for A Fish Called Wanda. One show only, back by popular demand. Tickets: uniquelives.com
Dominum movement with a soprano soloist. December sees the annual Family Christmas Carol Sing-along Concert, where youngsters have the chance to sing up front and even try their hand at conducting. In March, the choir will perform Haydn’s masterpiece The Creation, before wrapping up the season in June with Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, an arrangement for choir, two pianos and a harmonium. For tickets and concert details, go to: vpchoir.ca.
40 | ARTS GUIDE | Victoria Times Colonist
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