Bradley Cottrell is a new resident to the city of Victoria. Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Bradley has recently moved to Victoria in order to attend Royal Roads University. This has lead to the opportunity to take on an internship with Tourism Victoria.
Bradley hopes to be a regular contributor to the Going Local Blog and providing a unique point of view as a local tourist in the city.
Having spent time travelling to some varied locations around the world, Bradley has a unique mix of interests and experiences that can hopefully shed some light on the long list of fascinating things that are going on around Victoria.
Bradley would love for everyone to be able to engage readers with insights and discussion through comments and messages on his posts, so do not be afraid to show your support, ask any questions and provide feedback where you see fit!
It has been a while since I have written, almost a month in fact. Time flies when you are having fun during the holidays …and you go on vacation in the middle of it.
It is always great to come home after being away for a spell and trust me, after living in various other places in Canada during winter, Victoria is definitely the place to be. The Christmas season is pretty special here, in that there is a city-wide spirit that you can get wrapped up in. I definitely recognized the difference when I was out and about in other locations.
Victoria is something else during the holiday season, but it doesn’t end there! While everyone is in the post Christmas malaise that is generally highlighted by your credit card bill, revulsion of turkey meals and back to work stress, there is still a consistent and exciting flow of events, performances, shopping and culinary activities taking place in Victoria. Even without the bright lights and looping festive soundtracks, the entertainment is top notch all the same. This city is known for its unique alternative scene mixing harmoniously with mainstream culture. The variety of the artists and virtuoso’s that are attracted to playing here is astounding, and the locals are stellar as well. On almost any given week, a person could take a quick look through an event catalog or our Calendar of Events and find something of interest, even in this “slow” period of the year.
Jim Cuddy, of Blue Rodeo and an excellent solo career, is touring for his most recent album release. This man really should need no introduction in Canada!
The Swing Dance Association of Victoria presents Tom Ackerman’s Killer Quartet to the Nothin’ But Swing dance night that includes live jazz, swing dancing and even a no partner required lesson.
Stand-up comedians Arj Barker, Dan Quinn, Glenn Wool, Pete Johansson and Craig Campbell plow through to Victoria bringing laughs and entertainment along the way
The Victoria Symphony Beltone Pops brings an exciting and energetic collection of orchestral hits from Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and others with an arrangement of guest performers
Dates: January 19, 2012, 2 p.m. and January 20 and 21, 2012, 8 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $33
With the sun going down so early these days, it would be easy to miss out on some great concerts and unique acts. I know I am looking forward to Jim Cuddy tonight. Here is a sample from his new album Skyscraper Soul:
What event are you excited for?
Did I miss something that should be getting more attention? Let me know in the comments below.
Victoria is home to a great variety of local, boutique and all together different stores. No matter what type of gift you are looking for, Victoria can fit the bill with a non-big-box-store option. Collectables, toys and fun? Check. Clothes, shoes and bags? You better believe it. Home wares, trinkets and oddities? Got ‘em all! The boutique shopping scene is omnipresent throughout Victoria’s communities and is a defining part of the city’s culture. Women’s fashion reigns supreme, yet there is a definite niche for the men as well. However you define your own style, there is a selection of boutique shops where you can find the gift that is just right for the friends and family on your list. While you are at it, I am sure you will find something for yourself as well (and why not? The spirit of giving does not have a clause against giving to yourself!).
Shopping in Victoria is an adventure in cultures, architecture, style and socializing. With many of the boutique shops located right in the downtown core in the divisions of the Design District, Fort Street and Johnson Street, not only can a person enjoy the shops, but can also take in the historic architecture of the area. Many of the buildings the boutique shops are located in are historical buildings. I dare say it is almost impossible to not stop and take in the rainbow façade of the buildings along Lower Johnson, even on the rainiest of days.
Getting out on the streets while shopping is also reinvigorating for a person’s Christmas spirit. Victoria is bursting with holiday cheer and decorations all over the city. I do not know if it is because we are a smaller city or because we are on an island, but the Christmas shopping experience feels more about the spirit of giving than it does the pressure to exceed commercial sales quotas by corporations. You will not have to worry about getting pepper sprayed in a mob here either.
So all this shopping, all this holiday hoopla, all this walking, what else makes gift shopping in Victoria so special?
The pubs, cafes and tea houses of course!
There is no way better to beat holiday stress than one of the oldest relaxation techniques in the world. Tasty alcoholic concoctions, soothing varieties of tea and invigorating cafe drinks are sure to give you the boost you need to keep on your twinkle toes. Silk Road and Teaopia are must visit locations when you need to regroup for a second wind, while no holiday shopping excursion would be complete without a stop in the Bengal Lounge for a seasonal cocktail. Maybe extravagant drinks are not up your alley? Well Sauce Restaurant & Lounge makes a fantastic classic Martini or Old Fashioned to punctuate a successful foray.
Visiting Victoria over the Christmas season is about more than just shopping and gifts. The very nature of the city is so much easier going and relaxed than our big city brethren that it is difficult to not stop and enjoy the surroundings while taking in a beverage or two. Our cozy little island city is warm in both weather and soul (not just from the drinks either!) and the boutique experience is hard to beat. Whether shopping for that rare find or one-of-a-kind trendsetting new bag for the perfectionist or a new pair of shoes because you wore yours out while browsing, Victoria’s collection of street side storefronts have got everything you need to leave something special for everyone under your tree.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of this 2011 year, be sure to take a silent moment and reflect on the ultimate sacrifices made by members of the armed forces of Canada since World War One.
Canada has held a sombre celebration at this time and date since 1919 in honour of the signing of the Armistice to end the First Great War. Every year, Remembrance Day increases in importance to the education and understanding as to what previous generations of great Canadians endured to ensure our way of life and freedom. While Canada has not mobilised for a total war in over 65 years, soldiers of numerous conflicts and missions must also be honoured.
Victoria has a strong naval history that is still a major component of the city to this day. We are lucky to also be a provincial capital city, where the Remembrance Day traditions get strong government backing. This Friday, November 11, 2011 please join one of the many events to around the Greater Victoria Area and pay tribute to our national heroes.
Here are a few of the Remembrance Day celebrations happening in the Greater Victoria area:
When: November 7 to November 11, 2011. Click here for daily activity details
What: RBCM has partnered with Veteran Affairs Canada to present five days of free talks, activities and displays that honour those who have and those who are serving our country
When: November 11, 2011, 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. breakfast and candlelight ceremony, 10:35 a.m. parade and ceremonies
What: Remembrance Day ceremonies in Sooke begin with a candlelight ceremony and breakfast at the legion, followed by a parade from Evergreen Centre to the Sooke Canadian Legion Branch
There are very few events during the year that I always get excited for. Halloween is one of them. I don’t know if it is the excitement it creates in children’s imaginations (oh the motivational powers of candy), the spectacle of people in full costumes and regalia or just the darker theme of the season, but Halloween is special for me.
With the oldest Chinatown in Canada, haunted buildings and a colourful past, Victoria is easily one of the spookiest destinations this side of the after-life during the Halloween season. Whether attending a spooky play, a haunted zip line course, swashbuckling with pirates or taking a ghostly tour, the Greater Victoria Area has something that should get you in costume and enjoying yourself.
Tourism Victoria has a whole list of events that are happening in honour of All Hallows Eve available on the events calendar as well as a handy Halloween hit list here.
Read on for all the freaky details of events and activites taking place this October inVictoria…if you dare.
Depending on how many chills and thrills you are looking forward too, there is an event ready to accept the challenge. Make sure to book early though, many events have limited capacity and are filling up fast!
Be sure to share some of your pictures and comments with us on Facebook and Twitter. After all, where is the fun in getting all decked out in your Halloween vestments if you aren’t going to share with everyone?
The 2011 Art of the Cocktail is already upon us and like many people in the city, I am in the spirit to taste classic cocktails and experiment in molecular mixology! What is the Art of the Cocktail? It is a weekend festival running from October 1 to 3, 2011 that celebrates all aspects surrounding … you guessed it, cocktails!
In recent years, boutique and microbreweries have dominated the alcohol-based beverage scene around the city. The interest in more customized and character drinks is exploding and creators and fans of libations are not going to be left behind. The Art of the Cocktail is a three day event that involves education seminars, competitions and, most importantly, tasting!
Sip Around has been running over the course of the last few weeks and leads right up to the event. Sip Around has been building anticipation of the Art of the Cocktail by encouraging people to try a variety restaurants, lounges and pubs that might not have been attended previously. In doing so, the patrons will get the chance to challenge their taste buds with exotic new food and drink pairings created and presented by some of the most talented chefs and mixologists in Victoria.
One such pairing prepared by Lure Restaurant and Lounge is an appetizer of scallops and apples with apple-celery root puree, apple confit, basil and a cider reduction and complimented by a Vrai Pomme cocktail. This is a delicious concoction of Calvados Apple Brandy, Sea Cider Farm’s Pomona Dessert Cider, Green Chartreuse and Apple-Rosehip Bitters. My mouth is watering writing about it!
This is just a warm up to the main event though, the big draw of the Art of the Cocktail is The Grand Tasting. This is a two and a half hour event on Saturday night that allows guests to sample approximately 50 different flavours born from the world of spirits. Victoria is a great host in this regard because several outstanding local artisan distillers will be on hand, intermingled with some of the world’s largest brands and companies. While sampling and tasting is going on, patrons will have the opportunity to learn intimate cocktail secrets from some of the most respected industry representatives from around the world. Favourite drinks, recipes and intriguing ingredient ideas will be prevalent throughout the tasting.
It would not be responsible of me to mention attending an event that consists mainly of consuming alcohol (even in sample sizes) and not recommend safe transport and lodgings. Whether coming by ferry or already on the island, the Art of the Cocktail team have got you covered for the event.
BC Ferries Vacations has a round trip Vancouver to Victoria package for two including vehicle transport and a night stay in the Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites. Click here to book now
The Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites is the host hotel for Art of the Cocktail and has a special rate for event participants. Call 1-800-663-5891 or the local line at 250-361-5656 for reservations
The Art of the Cocktail is only a week away and I have just scratched the surface of what is going on directly related to the event. It is definitely a whole weekend of hi-jinks awaiting the culturally adventurous. With fall weather setting in, what better way to keep warm and entertained than by taking in the new spirits, ingredients and lessons and giving them a try yourself?
Hello everyone! I am back after a few weeks off for vacation and am in the blogging groove. Did you miss me? I know I missed sharing news of upcoming events and wonders to behold in this great city of Victoria.
One such example of a tremendous event is Rifflandia Festival 2011. Rifflandia is entering its fourth year of operations and is expected to be the largest yet. Featuring a diverse and eclectic collection of performances, Rifflandia is sure to offer something for everyone. This years main stage is at Royal Athletic Park. The venue has had to expand this year due to the growing attention and attendance from “wristbanded Rifflandians”. “Rifflandians” are the attendees to Rifflandia and are referred to as such due to the awesome ticket system Rifflandia uses.
Instead of looking at four days of events from September 22 to September 25, and struggling with getting tickets for the shows you want, tickets for Rifflandia come in the form of a wrist band that allows open access to the venue for the length of the festival. This is fantastic because it also allows people to take in performances that they normally would not consider as well as reduces disappointment for anyone who perhaps would have missed out on tickets for their favourite performers (De La Soul or City and Color for example).
The Rifflandia Festival has grown steadily in the previous three years. Starting in 2008 with the main set up outside of the McPherson Playhouse and 65 acts performing, 1,500 people took in the spectacle. This increased in 2009 when 2,500 attendees experienced the wrist band magic. 2010 was a special year with 3,500 Rifflandians, a city wide treasure hunt named “Winlandia!” and several contests for attentive wrist band adorned fans.
2011’s Rifflandia Festival is shaping up to be a doozy. With the move to Royal Athletic Park, the venue has grown to accommodate a much larger audience. Royal Athletic Park has an official seat count of over 4,500. There is a wide range of ticket options available starting at $55 and peaking at $275. The Super Pass is the best bet for anyone looking to be fully engrossed in Rifflandia, but single day/night passes are also available for people who are unable to attend the full event.
With summer winding down and condensation on vehicle windows in the morning, the 2011 Rifflandia Festival is one of the last chances to get out and enjoy an event outdoors in one of Victoria’s marvelous parks (ok, Royal Athletic Park is a stadium and not really a park in the traditional sense, you got me). Rifflandia performers are also out and about at several venues around the city for evening performances so make sure to check out the festival schedule even if you can’t become an official Rifflandian!
For nearly as long as I have been alive, there has been a Fringe Theatre Festival in Victoria. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary in 2011, Fringe has grown to play host to 72 independent performing companies and over 430 total performances.
What makes the Victoria Fringe Festival special is that just about anything goes. Not all the performers are professionals; amateurs are welcome to try their best in a performance genre of their choice. Fringe is both a testing ground and a launching point for many aspiring performers. It is this very nature of the festival that keeps everything so interesting to me.
With performances being random in selection time and location, the artists present shows that are usually created specifically for Fringe. This allows for a level of chaos that is not present in other festivals. A show may go fantastic, or a show may tank, it is entirely up to the mood of the audience and atmosphere of the venue. This allows for some trial by fire for the performers, as well as inspires some more interaction with the audience.
Something worth noting for an event this size and length is that due to having 13 venues across the city with shows going on all hours of the day, it can be hard to figure out where and when a show is playing that you might like to see. This has been handily taken care of with the creation of the 2011 Victoria Fringe Festival iPhone app. I have noticed the larger festivals (like the 2011 JazzFest) are starting to employ mobile technology to help the festival attendees find their way around. I think it is fantastic how much information is literally in the palm of your hand with these apps; dates, venues, ticket information, show descriptions and changes are all simply organized and easy to follow.
There are a host of special events going on in the festival this year that are “free” (“free” meaning if you have purchased a Fringe Visa Button). Since all the proceeds of tickets go to the performers, a Fringe Visa Button is required for entry into any show. This is so the Intrepid Theatre can fund the event and continue providing the shows and the opportunities to the performers to entertain everyone. All in all, it is a good cause for the cost of a cup of coffee.
Here is a video of the Flash Mob that took place in Centennial Square on August 23:
Keep in mind that while there is a Fringe Kids Fest on Saturday, August 27, not every show is appropriate for children. The performances are not specifically filtered for material, which adds fun and a level of mystery into every show. The Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival is designed to have something for all ages and interests. The Fringe Kids Fest on Saturday August 27, is going to be a big draw for families and is a free event that is filled with live performances, crafts, puppeteers and more. Running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Fringe Kids Fest is sure to tire out the little ones for the rest of the day.
Victoria Fringe is a long running staple of the arts community and Victoria as a whole. The event has grown steadily over the years and is now internationally recognized. Several performers can attribute foreign tours and breakout successes that all began in the Victoria Fringe Festival.
Over the next two weeks, be sure to stop and check out a show in one of the 12 venues around the city. Whether to escape the summer heat or to relax on a lazy weekend, the Victoria Fringe Festival has got all angles covered, so don’t miss out!
Imagine yourself relaxing for a weekend in a unique heritage house that offers all the luxury offerings of a hotel with all the intimacy and romance of a bed and breakfast.
Now imagine doing it for free.
Think it’s too good to be true? It’s not! In partnership with Victoria Historic Inns, Tourism Victoria is sponsoring a getaway to Victoria, BC to celebrate (Good Timber: Songs and Stories of the Western Logger.)
The historic getaway package winner will receive a two night stay in one of seven Victoria Historic Inns. Bon Rouge Bistro & Lounge has also taken part by contributing a $100 gift card to ensure that you do not go hungry during your visit. To really sweeten the deal, how do tickets to some of Victoria’s top attractions, including the Royal BC Museum, The Butchart Gardens, and Craigdarroch Castle sound? Don’t forget we have transportation covered for you too, with Big Bus Hop On Hop Off tickets to help you get around!
Using a multi-media backdrop to present archival footage of logging from the 1900s, Good Timber: Songs and Stories of the Western Logger is a musical revue based on the writings of logger-poet legend Robert E. Swanson.
Good Timber has been on tour throughout the Pacific North West in 2011, and is currently playing at the Royal BC Museum presented by The Other Guys Theatre Company until August 27.
This contest closes on August 27, so be sure to act quickly, there is only one week left!
Summer in Victoria would not be complete without some enlightenment for your soul through a variety of arts and culture. Luckily, there is plenty going all around Victoria. Whether you are looking for some relaxing times in the sun or attempting to escape the heat indoors, the arts community of the city has got you covered!
There are plenty of events happening at any given time in and around the city, and you just have to keep your eyes and ears open to take in the festivities.
Here is small compilation of some of the events going on this week that fit the bill:
Abkhazi Gardens is playing host to some light and upbeat musical performances from local acts of Victoria. Taking place on Wednesday evenings, feel free to bring a picnic basket and a blanket to stretch out and enjoy the variety of musical presentations all summer long. An outdoor supper is also available for purchase during the show if you did not bring your own.
Mom’s the Word: Remixed is a show from mothers that delves into the ups and downs of parenthood. Mom’s the Word and Mom’s the Word 2: Unhinged are combined into one super value show that shares stories from the experiences of six women raising children from birth through teenagers.
Do not worry if you are not a mother, the show is enjoyable for all ages and sexes. Based on real personal experiences of the ladies involved, this act will have you laughing one moment and choking back tears the next!
Good Timber is a multi-media collection of song and story that has been cultivated from the works of logger poet Robert E. Swanson. Using a backdrop multi-media screen to present archival footage of what logging life was like in the early 1900s, the Other Guys Theatre Company creatively share the history of logging in the Pacific North West.
All summer long, Butchart Gardens has a no-extra-charge entertainment line up with a wide variety of sounds to please your ears as you enjoy the delights of the gardens. Live music is always great accompaniment to a summer evening and the artist line up for Butchart Gardens cover a wide assortment of genres including jazz, big band, celtic, pop, brass sets and some rock & roll thrown in for good measure.
Also, adding to an already exceptional package at the Butchart Gardens Evening Summer Entertainment line-up are the Summer Fireworks on Saturday nights. The fireworks show on Saturdays is an exceptional way to wrap up an evening of wandering the gardens and enjoying a picnic within them.
The Fiddler on the Roof production is one of the most successful stage acts in history. Telling the story of a Jewish man struggling to uphold his religious and cultural traditions while raising five daughters during pre revolutionary Tsarist Russia, Fiddler has captivated audiences around the world and captured many awards in the process.
Being presented by the Chemainus Theatre Festival, Fiddler on the Roof is a great chance for an escape up the island for an early weekend getaway.
How much is it: $39 to $69 based on the time and date of the show and meal inclusion
These are just a few of the highlights that are out there, so make sure to keep your eyes and ears open. When in Victoria, you never know what fun is just around the corner.
In this year, I have spent my first full summer in Victoria. Working in an internship with Tourism Victoria, I was told to be prepared for a roller coaster ride of festivals, events and spectacles. Looking on a calendar and thinking I was going to be able to do anything, but hold on tight and enjoy the ride was silly of me in hindsight!
One of the things I most looked forward to has to be the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. I think this is one of the best representations of not only what makes Canada a great country to be in, but what makes Victoria stand out as an embracing multicultural location and destination.
The festival is centered around three days of Dragon Boat racing, with over 75 teams coming together from all over the West Coast, including some this year coming from as far as California. With 20 paddlers, a drummer and a steerperson per dragon boat, the speeds are high and the competition is intense.
The Victoria Dragon Boat Festival would not properly be called a festival if there were only races though and there is plenty to keep you entertained all throughout the Inner Harbour area over the whole weekend.
While I theoretically have enough space to go into detail of every event, I think the Program Guide will do a much better job of explaining the schedule, so make sure to check it out.
Something I do want to highlight and is new for this year is the addition of the Classical Chinese Tea Garden by Silk Road Tea. Hosted by fellow blogger and the owner of Silk Road Tea, Daniela Cubelic, the Chinese Tea Garden exemplifies the fusion of cultures that Victoria is home to. Starting the festival on Friday, the Tea Garden will be performing a traditional opening ceremony using a special Lucky Dragon tea set. Throughout the weekend there will be a focus on tradition, ceremony and education (and enjoying tea and the races of course!) that will hopefully help to shake the stereotype that Victoria is more than just old folks having afternoon tea.
I will refer you too Daniela’s Silk Road Tea Blog to get a full schedule of events in the Classical Chinese Tea Garden and a full description of what each event encompasses. Being an acclaimed Chinese tea master, I think she could describe the finer details of the Tea Garden in a more professional manner than myself.
What kind of festival would it be if there was no food available? Not a good one, that is for sure! Thankfully, the Dragon Boat Festival has an entire food court set up called the Forbidden City and it is hosting a wide variety of cuisine to satisfy your cravings. From Thai to Lebanese to Italian, the Forbidden city is definitely going to a multi-visit affair for me.
With weather predicted to be mostly sunny and a weekend full of fantastic entertainment, I cannot think of many things that would drag me away from one of the most anticipated events of the summer in Victoria. The Victoria Dragon Boat Festival is a great cultural event in the heart of the city that is fun, family-friendly and like many of my favorite activities, free!
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