I took our management team on a wine tour as an afternoon out of the office last week and have to share our excitement. Although I’ve visited many of the wineries before, met the players in the industry, keep up to speed on vineyards, this trip was different.
We were picked up at the Arbutus Ridge Golf Club by LA Limosine and escorted to Averill Creek, followed by lunch at Vinoteca and a stop at Rocky Creek and Cherry Point. The Pinot Noir from Averill Creek, scallops at Vinoteca, Blackberry dessert wine from Rocky Creek (mix this in with their salt & pepper chocolate!) and Ortega from Cherry Point stole the show in my opinion. The Gewurtzraminer from both Averill & Cherry Point are fantastic as well and comparing the Pinot Gris from many of the wineries was very interesting and they are all of great quality & have distinguished characteristics. We would have stopped at Blue Grouse and Alderlea if we had more time!
 Photo Courtesy of Heather McGillivray, Tourism Victoria I have to say that although many of the wineries on Vancouver Island may have been categorized as “in their infancy”, the products they are producing right now will surprise many folks who are not familiar. Most of the wineries marketing budgets are small, so it’s important not to get caught up in not knowing a brand or name. The fun is in discovering something new and there are treasures to be found here! In addition to great products, I don’t think you’ll find more genuine hospitality than what we experienced on our tour.
I was inspired afterwards to ensure we tied wine tours more into golf than we had previously, so I created the Arbutus Ridge Golf Club Harvest Golf & Wine Package. The Arbutus Ridge Golf Club is directly surrounded by 9 wineries so it’s a natural. Check out the package located here: http://www.facebook.com/arbutusridgegolf or http://www.golfbc.com/special_offers/vancouver_island. Two nights at the Oceanfront Grand Resort in Cowichan Bay, a round of golf with cart at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club, a four-hour guided winery tour of the Cowichan Valley visiting Cherry Point, Venturi-Schulze, Rocky Creek and Averill Creek Wineries. This is the making of a memorable getaway!
The Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival is underway! Over the past 24 years this annual event has evolved into a much anticipated local institution and major tourist attraction for our town. Artists from around the world have joined Victoria’s most talented performers in this 11 day theatrical showcase running August 26 – September 5 at various venues within walking distance of the downtown core.
 Photo Courtesy of the Victoria Fringe Fesitval The first night of the festival I went to see “Ginger Ninjas” by Elliott Loran & Ingrid Hansen (directed by Atomic Vaudeville’s Britt Small). There’s nothing random about the fact that Ginger Ninjas was scheduled first on my list of shows to see at the Fringe this year. I’m a huge Ingrid Hansen fan. In my June review of Hansen’s Gnomeward Bound , I signed off with “Forbløffende Ingrid. I’ll be the first one in line to see your next show.” As it turns out I was second in line, but I’m pretty sure the woman in front of me camped out in front of Venue 1 last night, so I don’t feel too bad. Like I said, I’m a fan… not a stalker. Gnomeward was a one woman show. This time Hansen is joined by the talented Elliott Loran. Together they are incredibly strong. Great chemistry. Balanced. A perfect match.
The duo play Nicholas Renfrew III and his twin sister Francesca, or “Frankie and Nubbs”: foster kids, adventurers, ninjas. The storyline follows the two as they escape from the modern child welfare system and run off in search of their long lost biological brother. Sometimes heavy, sometimes humorous, the journey’s emotional cadence will keep you engaged and off balance the entire time. From a night at the circus to a day of Rumspringa! it’s a lot to take in. And yeah… I mean that in the best, and most satisfying way.
Both actors deliver rock solid performances, as expected. These two are consummate professionals with so much to offer. I highly recommend getting out to the Fringe and seeing Ginger Ninjas. It’s sure to be one of the festivals highlights this year! For more information visit http://victoriafringe.wordpress.com/
This summer’s Ballet Under the Stars festival draws to a close with a night of new beginnings for the Canadian Pacific Ballet. It’s Co-Artistic Director Roberta Taylor’s time to shine as this performance showcases her choreography through five completely new and very diverse works. From clean, musically illustrative classicism to dance theatre of an operatic ilk, that this much range comes from one mind is reason enough to see this show. Prepare to be impressed!
 Courtesy of The Canadian Pacific Ballet The performance begins as an evening at the ballet should, with the music of a romantic composer with way too many names, Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von Weber (how great is that?) …and with a grand entrance made by graceful women in classical tutus. Perfect.
Next, a Tango… really a tango pas de deux, danced by audience favourites Ursula and Ian Szkolak. I loved the assimilation of movements from the Tango vernacular. It’s a beautiful piece.
Ballet often references the articulations of folk dancing in its movements. The third piece, Tarantella, is a wonderful example of that. Here, Taylor interprets the ancient belief that one can literally dance the poison out of a tarantula’s bite through rapid rhythmic motion. This high energy number might not actually cure any bites, but it could be considered preventative medicine as I’m sure all the tambourine bashing scared any resident spiders out of Market Square for good. Fun.
Then, my favourite piece of the entire festival: “Maggie’s Death”. I was very excited to learn that it is to evolve into a full length ballet sometime in the future. The scene: the little Match-girl lights her last match before the coming of Death to take her away. Gorgeous, theatrical strokes. Big big classical music (yes, 2 “big”s). Throat-lumping, sternum-opening movements. I was covered in goosebumps by the end of it. Seriously. I actually took out my camera to prove it here, but I was too unnerved by hearing Taylor’s “no flash photos please” preamble and then witnessing her command of death itself 15 feet in front of me. Hey, I wasn’t taking any chances.
Finally, “Jazz Suite” (aka whodunnit). I’ll be careful not to give anything away here and just say that it’s the perfect upbeat, light hearted, and interactive finale to the festival. You will leave with a smile on your face. I promise.
I’ve written about the CPB dancers in the past, referring to them collectively as one of Victoria’s great artistic assets, and truly they are. But this was the choreographer’s night. Roberta Taylor’s work is in one hand, sweet and tender, with a pure classical understanding, in another, quite sexy, in the next fun, funny and playful, and in yet another, powerful, and grandiose. I realize that with all those hands I’m painting her Shiva-like here, but in fact, she’s the exact opposite. She is a master of construction, of both Ballet and of the audience’s experience. Manipulating that experience is the choreographer’s fundamental job. And I consider myself duly manipulated… and quite happily so.
CPB’s “Night of Premieres” last night is tonight, August 25 in Market Square. For more information visit www.canadianpacificballet.org
 Photo By Tim Bracken - Victoria Shakespeare Society The Victoria Shakespeare Society is back with its eighth annual “Shakespeare in the Summer” festival. They present two shows this year: “Richard the Third” and “The Taming of the Shrew”. You may be wondering, is it possible to take a double dose of Shakespeare without experiencing any side effects? Well, no… it isn’t. That’s the point really. But rest assured that these two plays couldn’t be any more different. Richard the Third is one of the greatest tragedies ever written. It’s a story of politics, power struggles, deceit, and murder. The Taming of the Shrew is pure comedy. I laughed loud and often at this play despite disagreeing strongly with the “taming” itself. The cast of RIII is diverse, representing all ages and experience levels: children, novice actors, seasoned professionals (like Ian Case, who does an outstanding job as King Richard), and one gentleman who I’m pretty sure is there working off his community service hours. The Taming of the Shrew’s cast is much more homogeneous and quite polished across the board. Yet, as different as they are, together these two productions make up a complete “Shakespeare experience”, in the same way that rice and beans form a complete protein. Consuming one alone is good for you, but both is better. That rings true for most people I think. Experiencing Shakespeare is good for you. But why is that? Why do we still keep Shakespeare around at all? What is it about these plays that we find so valuable? Well, here’s what I think…
The first show I saw was Richard the Third. It had been a very busy week and when I arrived my head was still spinning from work. The performance is en plein air on the grounds of the Landsdowne Campus of Camosun College, a short drive from downtown. I found a seat, breathed deeply and found myself slowly unwinding as I took in the relaxed atmosphere of the outdoor venue. The play began, and like all Shakespeare works I had to listen closely to keep up with the vocabulary. I didn’t mind. I was just happy that no one was trying to do an English accent. I listened, and watched, and soon got lost in the story. I slipped into a kind of trance where all I thought about was what was unfolding in front of me. By the time the play was over I was a changed man. I felt calm and more importantly my mind was completely clear. I found that fascinating. Imagine dozens of people standing in a tight circle around you yelling nonsense and swearing at the top of their lungs. Attending these performances is the exact opposite of that. That’s why we love Shakespeare’s plays. That’s why we preserve them. They stand as mental protection against the ever increasing anti-cerebral movement in this world. In school I learned that dropping an ice cube into a pot of boiling water will cause it to stop boiling immediately. This is because the heat from the element flows directly to the ice as the coldest body in the system in an effort to achieve equilibrium. It follows that water will never boil as long as there is any ice present in the pot. Shakespeare (and I’m really using that as a metonym for all great classical works) is the ice in our societal water. It keeps our minds from boiling over. Long live Shakespearean theatre I say… and long may it keep us all cool.
Shakespeare in the Summer runs now through August 21st. For more information visit www.vicshakespeare.com
 Photo By Tim Matheson In this Canadian classic, writers John Gray and Eric Peterson explore the life of Canadian fighter pilot William Avery Bishop and his accomplishments during WWI. The play humanizes the “hero” and examines Canada’s station within the colonial empire at that time. It displays all the youth, adventure and pathos of war and while the context might not exist for younger audiences to be able to make a real emotional connection, for them it’s still a historically interesting and extremely entertaining show.
Essentially, BBGTW is a solo act starring Ryan Beil (as Bishop) who does an outstanding job of carrying the entire piece without once having us jonesing for another voice on stage. Yet Beil’s award winning performance does nothing to eclipse musical accompanist Zachary Gray’s contribution, whose vocal and instrumental work plays a vital role. I was even asked that night, “Would you call this a musical?” I answered no, but it’s very close. This is definitely a play, but it’s a play with a rich and colourful musical component.
For me, BBGTW was outstanding. But it’s important for anyone who writes to qualify their perspective and while I usually leave personal background to my biography, this time I have a little bit more to add. Many people know that I dance. In fact, there was a time when I took dancing so seriously that it almost became a full time career for me. Unfortunately years of martial arts competition had taken a toll on my body and I was advised that my recurring injuries were incongruous with the life of a professional dancer. I was told to “think hard” about other options…. so, I did… and I joined the army. I know, hard to believe, but it makes sense when you think about it: I was fit, disciplined, searching for a life less ordinary and all that. During my entrance physical the doctor told me that he had never seen eyes as sharp as mine. This led me to the battalion shooting team where I excelled, winning six gold medals and the individual all-round championship my first year at provincials (pic). Shooting took me to the states for a while to work at a facility running can-am-british “war games”, but I was sent home due to a bronchial infection that ultimately resulted in me missing my one real shot (no pun intended) at working overseas. Eventually I left the military, happy to have had the experience, and very happy to emerge from it unscathed.
Now… anyone who sees BBGTW will recognize the obvious parallels I’ve drawn. But me relating to Bishop directly isn’t the point. The point is that I, along with anyone else who has either been in the military or has been emotionally close to a member of the armed forces, understand a soldier’s individual reality in a way that is lost on the general public. This play communicates that understanding to everyone, while entertaining us at the same time. That’s what makes it outstanding. We laugh with Bishop, we watch him challenge himself, and struggle, even with his success. We see him demoted from myth to man. But as that happens, through this play and through the audience seeing the soldier as a human being, Billy Bishop becomes more accomplished than his decorations could ever reflect. All that and electric-guitar-driven fighter planes to boot? BBGTW is definitely a must see.
Billy Bishop Goes to War is at The Belfry Theatre until August 14th. For more information visit http://www.belfry.bc.ca/
 Photo courtesy of The Canadian Pacific Ballet Tonight’s must see is Ballet Under the Stars: Dochas and mixed repertoire performed by the Canadian Pacific Ballet. It is a fantastic sampling of artistic director Roberta Taylor’s choreography interwoven with a well chosen cross-section of classical works (La Bayadere, Swan Lake). In the shorter length pieces we see incredibly demanding classicism alongside some well set comedy, perfect for younger audiences. Dochas honours the people of Ireland in a celebration of Irish spirit that is both melancholic and filled with joy. It’s the ideal performance for seasoned audience members, who will appreciate watching a world class ballet company, and those new to ballet that would just like to see a bit of everything.
It is extremely pleasant to spend a summer evening watching ballet outside, and in some cases the forces of nature can even enhance the production. In Dochas the women are dressed in lightweight linen skirts and wear their hair down in traditional Irish styles. The night I was there, almost on cue a warm breeze filled the square just as the more up-tempo portion of the piece began. It whipped through their skirts and hair and made it obvious to me that this kind of dancing is truly meant to be done outside. I felt my heart beat faster as the dancers took us all to a faraway place. It’s a very powerful piece.
Dochas means “hope” or “justice” and Taylor’s choreography explores the concept beautifully. In one of the more moving sections of the piece, we see “Caroline” (performed by Ursula Szkolak) hoping for the return of a husband who isn’t coming home as she dances with her memories of him. Justice is interpreted by a blindfolded Ashley Evans in a dramatic demonstration of technique and balance. And it ends with an ensemble finale that screams of hope and of a culture’s refusal to crumble under the weight of their troubles.
I looked around at the visibly entertained faces in the audience as the performance ended. I thought, do they really know how lucky they are? We were presented here with selected works from some of the most famous ballets in history. Thousands of tears have been shed over these pieces. Thousands of throats have been screamed raw with their praise. Ballet aficionados wait years to see just one of these productions. Yet here, in Victoria, we can just stroll down to market square and see a handful of these works with some amazing local work thrown in as a bonus. And we can see it all expertly presented by a company whose mission is the performance and preservation of classical ballet. I for one feel very lucky indeed to have the CPB in my town. They are just one more reason why this city was recently rated one of the top cultural destinations in Canada.
The second and third stages of this repertoire can be seen July 27 and 28. Ballet Under the Stars runs Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in Market Square through August 25. For more information visit www.canadianpacificballet.org/onstage/
TASTE is a 4 day culinary festival from July 15-18 that I have been eagerly awaiting all year!
 Photo credit: Caroline West We have many amazing culinary events in Victoria, but I would put this one right at the pinnacle as this city’s premier food and wine festival, because it gives you an incredible diversity of experiences and flavours, and showcases the best of local cuisine from top Vancouver Island chefs, farmers, cheesemakers, BC vintners and regional food producers. In fact, TASTE is beyond a festival – it’s really a culinary adventure that educates, inspires and delights anyone who loves good food and drink.
Taste is worth the trip to Victoria alone, and even if you have been here many times before, you’ll be impressed with the incredible food and drinks that are being grown, produced and created here. Our mild Mediterranean climate allows us to grow an abundance of food locally and our coastal location gives us access to unparalleled fresh seafood. But what also makes an equally big impact is our culinary community – we are a city filled with talented chefs and discerning and passionate foodies, and it is the unique combination of all of these factors which helps explain why we have ended up turning into such a gastronomic paradise.
 Photo credit: Rebecca Kirstein The deliciousness begins on Thursday, July 15th with The Main Event at Crystal Garden. You’ll get to taste over 100 wines, along with an abundance of local cuisine. More culinary and wine events take place around Victoria throughout the weekend from “Swine and the Vine”, “Sips & Seafood“, to “Wine Tasting with the International Culinary School” to “Chocoholics Anonymous”! For tickets and information visit www.VictoriaTaste.com
 We’ve been feeling under attack by the weather lately. Spring was cool and wet, and summer seems to be blowing into town with full gale force winds.
For a bicycle rider, it’s always about the weather. How wet, how cold and which way is the wind blowing. But, as someone once said, I can’t remember who, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.
Still, the roads and trails seem full enough, despite the wild variety of weather we’ve had of late. Bike to Work Week, a Victoria tradition for 16 years now, saw almost a thousand bikes an hour crowd through checkpoints on the popular Galloping Goose. Out and about across the region I saw evidence of touring cyclists exploring the backroads, panniers loaded up and pouring over maps by the roadside.
With cycling, you don’t get rained out like a round of golf or a baseball game, but it does take some preparation. I kept the fenders on longer than usual and the outfits I usually reserve for winter were kept clean and ready for my daily commute or a trip on some errand or another.
We are a green city and I suppose we do need to be watered now and again. But I am looking forward to the hot, dry weeks of summer and a spin out to the lake for a swim or a long climb up to some viewpoint or another, to take in the expanse of the city or the subtle palette of the Sooke hills in the background. The changes of the seasons are inevitable, and welcome.
There’s no end of other reasons to ride. The racing season is on and the training rides are filling up with Victoria’s ambitious young riders. Morning and afternoon rush hours see a constant pulse of bike traffic going to and fro. The waterfront is busy with weekend riders of families and friends enjoying the scenery and taking in the vistas. Kids are pedaling to the parks.
No matter the season, no matter the weather, there’s always a reason to ride. Think I better go for one myself.
Forty years ago, the French anthropologist Claude Lévi-Strauss coined the term “the raw and the cooked ” to describe the dichotomy between what is found in nature (raw), as opposed to that which is a product of human culture (cooked). Lévi-Strauss felt that this duality exists in all societies to varying degrees, and that human beings have a need to find a balance between the raw and the cooked.
In my estimation Victoria has evolved into an ideal combination of the two, but until recently, it’s been better known for the raw than the cooked. Victoria has often been referred to as a sleepy and laid back place, but that is no longer a fully accurate description. Nowadays, it also offers the kind of vibrant cultural experiences that are typically associated with large urban centers. If you’re surprised by this revelation, you’re not alone – even locals have been slow to notice the city’s transformation into a dynamic cultural center.
It is true that there are lots of opportunities to unwind in Victoria – our fresh sea air, breathtaking scenery, and relaxed pace are the perfect antidote to the stress-filled hustle and bustle of the modern world. But Victoria also offers a great mix of cultural and arts activities as well, and there is a much hipper vibe than you might expect, particularly if you know where to look.
There is an increasingly wonderful independent arts, music and theater scene here. In fact, a significant part of what I enjoy about living in today’s Victoria is that it offers the juxtaposition of sophisticated big city experiences and amenities, with virtually immediate access to nature. Whenever I’m feeling overly “cooked”, I head to the ocean or to one of our many gorgeous parks, lakes or trails to rejuvenate, and whenever I’m craving big city experiences, I attend an art show, see a play, or go to a musical performance.
Speaking of which, if you’re planning a visit to Victoria and thinking about taking in some live music, check out Atomique Productions. They bring excellent performers to Victoria, and you frequently get to see up and coming artists who are often on the verge of major success in an intimate setting, at a very affordable price. Atomique is like having a cool friend with great musical taste.
 Photo credit: Robert Etcheverry For music of an entirely different sort, take in the Victoria Symphony. They offer a wide range of high caliber performances from experimental music to pops, along with very traditional classical music. Pacific Opera is also well worth attending. The music, the costumes, the sets and the entire experience makes for an unforgettable night out.
For excellent live theater (which is also often incredibly affordable), check out Intrepid Theatre. This company puts on the Fringe Festival in Victoria, along with a terrific selection of other productions throughout the year, and it’s always a good idea to see what they are up to when you are in town.
Atomic Vaudeville is a local favourite for their cabaret style theater. Their productions are innovative, edgy, and fun, and tickets are very affordable as well.
The Belfry Theatre offers highly acclaimed and polished productions. Try to be sure to get a ticket in advance, as their shows can sell out quickly.
The Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre was established in 2008 but has quickly risen to prominence and received much critical acclaim.
If Dance Victoria happens to have a show on while you are in town, don’t hesitate to get tickets – you will be glad that you did. They offer an exciting mix of contemporary and classic dance productions that invariably take my breath away.
The suggestions that I have made are just a small sampling of the increasingly dynamic presence of arts and culture in Victoria. Whenever possible, I recommend trying to book tickets in advance of your trip, so that you don’t miss out on some amazing experiences. And when you arrive, be prepared to meet the new Victoria – a perfect balance of cooked and raw!
 Canada Day is a very splashy affair in downtown Victoria, and it’s worth the trip here just to experience it.
The grand finale is a dramatic fireworks show in the magnificent Inner Harbour at 10:20 pm, but there is so much more to do prior to that. The fun begins early in the day with free walking tours covering a wide range of interesting topics and places. There are also impressive historic buildings which are normally not open to the public (but that you will get to enjoy on Canada Day). From noon to 2 pm, you can join a Living Canadian Flag, which will contain a record breaking 2010 people this year. Evening entertainment and musical performances start at 5:30 pm on the lawns of the Parliament Buildings. There are so many things to see and do, that it’s hard to fully describe, so follow these links for details – for walking tours, Open the Doors to History (entry to historic buildings) and a wide selection of daytime activities visit downtownvictoria for information about evening performances, fireworks (and much much more!) visit victoriacanadaday.
One of my favourite things to do on Canada Day is to go out for dinner somewhere with a view. Taking in the festivities with friends over a great meal, with an amazing view, is my way to celebrate the day. If you’re like me, then I suggest booking a table at Aura, (the fabulous restaurant at the Inn at Laurel Point) as soon as possible! The vistas overlooking the Inner Harbour are amazing, and the food and cocktails will be spectacular too.
Spending July 1st in Victoria is guaranteed to be a fun and memorable day. You’ll meet and mingle with locals, and start to feel a little Canadian no matter where you hail from.
|
Check out Victoria from a local's perpective.
|
Social Media