Going Local

Victoria’s Weekly Arts and Entertainment Video Update: February 13, 2012 by CVV Magazine

Philip Pierce — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:39:54 +0000

CVV Magazine reports on recent and upcoming arts and entertainment events in Victoria, B.C.

This week: The National Geographic IMAX Theatre‘s 70mm Film Festival, Pacific Opera Victoria‘s Carmen and the latest CVV Travel piece – to be filmed at Mt. Washington.

For many more Victoria, B.C. arts and entertainment videos, please check out CVVmagazine.com.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in B.C.’s Romantic Capital

tourismvictoria — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:24:28 +0000

Photo Credit Downtown Victoria Business Association

Ah Valentine’s Day. Like many holidays, you can almost feel it in the air this time of season. A sense of hope and anticipation from women across the land contrasted by a sense of dread and soon to be last minute urgency among men as the day approaches. I joke of course! Believe it or not, people of both sexes enjoy Valentine’s Day equally.

As a child, I loved it. I can’t recall anything really special in my mind that happened, except I would always receive a tub of red Gummi bears from my mom. Candy you see, was the way to my heart back then. I do not think much has changed by the way, if anyone is feeling romantic.

If you are looking for a romantic evening, Victoria has more than enough opportunity to come out looking like a hero. In my mind, the best bang for your buck would come from some of the great packages that are pre-arranged already, you just have to give your name, set a date and be on your best behaviour. One that really catches my eye (and sweet tooth. Hey, Valentine’s Day is for everyone!) is the Dip Me Inn Chocolate package from the Victoria Historic Inns.

This sweetheart of a deal contains two nights accommodations in any of the awesome historic inns, breakfast on both mornings, champagne to celebrate with, roses for the lady, chocolate truffles to indulge upon, a $100 gift certificate to one of several gourmet restaurants and to really seal the deal, a romantic half hour carriage ride around Victoria with Victoria Carriage Tours.

If you are planning something more than a romantic evening getaway, or perhaps planning to make more permanent arrangements, than look no further than the
Inn at Laurel Point.

The Just Say I Do is perfect for those looking to pop the big question. With a fantastic panoramic view from the penthouse suite, a five course meal, champagne to match, personalized bathrobes, breakfast in bed and late checkout, Laurel Point sets the perfect evening for a decent proposal. They are so dedicated to getting it right for you, that they will even get a custom engagement ring ready to your specifications!

Not ready propose? Well just enjoy a romantic getaway by taking advantage of either their Naughty or Nice packages. The naughty package includes a Naughty Love Kit full of mischievous surprises and the nice package includes a Romantic Bath Kit and a rose petal turndown

For everyone that has a little hopeless romantic in them there are plenty more activities and getaways available in the romantic city of Victoria. Visit www.tourismvictoria.com to find out what else we have to offer. Don’t forget to share some love with me either. Comments are welcomed and appreciated below!

IMAX Star Sean Casey Visits Victoria in the Tornado Intercept Vehicle

Philip Pierce — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:33:30 +0000

CVV Magazine’s Leanne Allen interviews Sean Casey of Storm Chasers and the new IMAX movie Tornado Alley, then she hitches a ride in the Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV2) for a cruise around Victoria.

Tornado Alley is playing now at the Royal BC Museum’s Imax Theatre.

For many more Victoria, B.C. arts and entertainment videos, please check out CVVmagazine.com.

Victoria’s Weekly Arts and Entertainment Video Update: January 23, 2012 by CVV Magazine

Philip Pierce — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:47:39 +0000

CVV Magazine reports on recent and upcoming arts and entertainment events in Victoria, B.C.

This week features:

Snow days and Dance days in Victoria B.C., the 2012 Chinese New Year Lion Parade and introducing … CVV StyleFeed!

For many more Victoria, B.C. arts and entertainment videos, please check out CVVmagazine.com.

Victoria’s Weekly Arts and Entertainment Video Update: January 9, 2012 by CVV Magazine

Philip Pierce — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:20:08 +0000

CVV Magazine reports on recent and upcoming arts and entertainment events in Victoria, B.C.

This week features:

Shake those winter blues!, Support Jung-Ah!, Flight of the Conchords’ Arj Barker, new Travel videos and more!

For many more Victoria, B.C. arts and entertainment videos, please check out CVVmagazine.com.

Victoria’s Weekly Arts and Culture Video Update: December 18, 2011 by Culture Vulture Victoria

Philip Pierce — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:51:32 +0000

Culture Vulture Victoria reports on recent and upcoming arts and culture events in Victoria, B.C.

This week features:

Must do Victoria, B.C. Christmas Events – A Christmas Carol and Christmas at the Castle. Culture Vulture Victoria also has new name: CVV Magazine!

For many more Victoria, B.C. arts and culture videos, please check out CultureVultureVictoria.com.

Starting the New Year Right

Bradley Cottrell — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:38:59 +0000

Hello Everyone.

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.

Here are a few venues that caught my eye:

The Jim Cuddy Band

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!

Playing at: The McPherson Playhouse

Date: Tonight, January 6, 2012, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $61

The Tom Ackerman Quartet

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.

Playing at: Saint John’s Hall

Date: January 7, 2012, 8:30 p.m.

Tickets: $10 to $13 (students, seniors and members get a discount)

Pacific Baroque Music Festival 2012

Discover the musical brilliance of Versailles and beyond with the baroque style of the Sun King Louis XIV

Playing at: Victoria Conservatory of Music

Dates: January 10, 11, 17, 18 and February 9 to 12, 2012. Times vary per showing

Tickets: $100 per four shows, $80 per four shows for seniors and students

Snowed In Comedy Tour

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

Playing at: The McPherson Playhouse

Date: January 13, 2012, 8 p.m.

Tickets: $35

A Salute to the Rat Pack

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

Playing at: The Royal Theatre

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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlVSGRjHDuo

What event are you excited for?

Did I miss something that should be getting more attention? Let me know in the comments below.

Victoria’s Weekly Arts and Culture Video Update: December 12, 2011 by Culture Vulture Victoria

Philip Pierce — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:27:24 +0000

Culture Vulture Victoria reports on recent and upcoming arts and culture events in Victoria, B.C.

This week features:

Ice Skating in Downtown Victoria’s Centennial Square, The Salvation Army’s Annual Toy Drive with the Naden Band, Miracle on 34^th Street at The Fairmont Empress Hotel and more!

For many more Victoria, B.C. arts and culture videos, please check out CultureVultureVictoria.com.

‘Tis the Season to be Shopping

Bradley Cottrell — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:01:07 +0000

Shopping in Victoria is different.

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.

Victoria’s Weekly Arts and Culture Video Update: December 5, 2011 by Culture Vulture Victoria

Philip Pierce — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:46:13 +0000

Culture Vulture Victoria reports on recent and upcoming arts and culture events in Victoria, B.C.

This week features:

Footage from one of Victoria’s best known landmarks, The Fairmont Empress Hotel, as well as photos from the big Movember Victoria wrap up bash, Pecha Kucha at the Victoria Events Centre and more!

For many more Victoria, B.C. arts and culture videos, please check out CultureVultureVictoria.com.