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Victoria, British Columbia - August 2001
By Barbara Ballard
Two new ways to explore Victoria
Want to travel in style when you go sightseeing? A new company in town, Classic Car Tours, offers a 1965 Pontiac Parisienne and a 1969 Buick Wildcat. It will cost you $50 US an hour for the car, but with five people to a car, that's only $10 an hour for your personal tour of the city complete with commentary and music of the era. Several different tours are on offer or you can arrange your own itinerary. The cars meet the cruise ships on their arrival, or you can book ahead. Call them at 250-383-2342 or email: classiccartours@telus.net. Their website is www.classiccartours.net.
Ever fancied yourself rowing a dragon boat? A new tour of Victoria's historic Gorge waterway hits the water on August 9th and August 16th at 7pm and, on August 25th, at 1pm. In the early 1900's the Gorge was a thriving cultural and social area with picnics, swimming, boating, and more. Then industry came along; the waters (always polluted) were closed down for swimming, and the Gorge declined. It's now cleaned up and making a comeback with a number of yearly events: a swimming race, a plastic duck race, and a dragon boat practice venue. The new Gorge Rowing and Paddling Centre (where the tours start) is at the centre of events.
The tours are given by Graham McLaren, an expert on the area and author of The Gorge of Summers Gone: A History of Victoria's Inland Waterway. He has lots of interesting stories to tell. For a reserved place (essential) on the tour, phone the Gorge Rowing and Paddling Centre at (250) 380-4669 between 8-4:30pm Monday-Friday. Cost is $10 for a unique experience.
There are lots of events this month, so be sure to check out the events list.
** UPDATE **
Please note that the Pacific Wilderness Train, as mentioned in the August 2000 article, is no longer in business.
Events
FESTIVALS
Through October 8
BASTION SQUARE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Bastion Square
Wednesday to Sunday from 10:30am - 5:30pm.
Juried BC artists and craftspeople selling their creations. Music and entertainment, monthly antique & Collectibles Faire, historic tours and more.
SEE A DETAILED LIST OF THE BASTION SQUARE PERFORMANCES.
Info. 413-3144
Through August 18
VICTORIA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
St. Ann's Academy Auditorium
835 Humboldt St
Much Ado About Nothing and Julius Caesar to be performed on alternate days. Tickets $14, $12 students/seniors (55+), and $8.00 for children under 16.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria
Info. 360-0234
August 3 - 6
VICTORIA LATIN - CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL
Market Square
125 International performances, free afternoon performances and children's activities.
Info. 361-9433
August 10 - 12
17TH ANNUAL FIRST PEOPLES FESTIVAL
Royal British Columbia Museum, 675 Belleville St
A "Celebration of Friendship and Understanding" provides a first-hand experience with aboriginal people, culture and art. Features of the Festival include Artists Market, Traditional and Contemporary Performances, Traditional Foods and Family Programs. Storytellers from throughout BC present their nation's oral histories. Free main stage performances, including First Nation's dancers, drummers and musicians.
Info 384-3211
August 18 - 19
VICTORIA DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL
Victoria's Inner Harbour
Dragon boat racing and festival events. The Saturday night Paddlers Party at Market Square with live music and a large outdoor dance floor.
Info 472-2628
August 24 - September 3
VICTORIA'S FRINGE FESTIVAL
Various venues throughout Victoria
A five-venue, 11 day event. More than 30 indoor shows to choose from.
Tickets are $8 or less.
Info 383-2663
GALLERIES
Through August 11
TEN NORTH
Starfish Glassworks
630 Yates Street
Ten North is a loosely affiliated group of Canada's leading artists
including well-known Canadians such as Saidye Bronfmas, award winner Daniel Crichton, Irene Frolic, Laura Donefer and Susan Edgerley. Half of the members of Ten North work primarily with the vessel while the others work sculpturally for the most part. With such diversity of style and technique Ten North is able to exhibit a wide range of what is possible with the medium.
Info 388-7827
Through September 3
EARTHLY GESTURES
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss Street
Earthly Gestures features materials from the living land through the works of four prominent contemporary Canadian artists: Rebecca Baird, Aganetha Dyck, Alastair Heseltine and Marianne Nicolson.
Info 384-4101
Through September 23
EMILY CARR DRAWING THE FOREST
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss Street
Marks the first time this fragile collection of Carr's charcoal drawings
from the Vancouver Art Gallery has been shown in its entirety. The drawings, executed from 1929-1931 reveal Carr as a skilled draughtsman and show the role of drawing in her work as well as a growing influence of modernism.
Info 384-4101
MUSIC
August 3
DUO PIANO CONCERT
Alix Golden Hall
907 Pandora Avenue
Dave's Piano & Keyboard and Yamaha present "Duo Piano Concert" featuring Yi-Fei Hu & Cary Chow.
Tickets are $16.50.
Performance starts at 8pm.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria
Info 386-6121
August 5
SYMPHONY SPLASH
Victoria's Inner Harbour
Performance starts at 7:30pm. Be there early. This event attracts upwards of 40,000 people.
Info 385-9771
August 22
CWMBACH MALE VOICE CHOIR
University Centre Auditorium, University of Victoria
Performance starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria
Info 386-6121
August 26
COR AELWYD CRYMYCH
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
The Welsh Youth Choir presents "Cor Aelwyd Crymych."
Tickets are $12
Performance at 7:30pm.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria
Info 386-6121
August 31-September 3
VANCOUVER ISLAND BLUES BASH
Ship's Point, Inner Harbour
Four day Blues Festival with free and paid admission shows and a beverage garden.
Info 388-4423
ON STAGE
August 2 - 4
A BEDROOM FARCE
Sooke Community Theatre
Tickets are $13.50, available at Tourism Victoria
Info 386-6121
August 7, 15, 21 & 28
"SPIRITS OF THE MASKS"
Ocean Pointe Resort Hotel & Spa
45 Songhees on the Harbour
This event features the dances and legends of the Kwakawaka'wakw
culture. Colorful ceremonial robes and killer whale and grizzly bear masks are used in the historical dances. The "Le-La-La Dancers" are the West Coast's premier aboriginal dance troupes.
Doors open at 6:30pm
Tickets are $79 and can be purchased at Ocean Pointe Resort, Tourism Victoria, or by calling (250) 812-7103.
Groups are welcome.
Info 812-7103
SPORTS AND LEISURE
Through August 17
FREE GUIDED BUS TOURS OF CANADIAN FORCES BASE ESQUIMALT
Naval and Military Museum parking lot, end of Esquimalt Road at Admirals Road.
10am Monday through Friday with the exception of all holidays. Walking tours for parties of 10 or more are also available. CFB Esquimalt museum hours are 10am - 3:30pm, Monday through Friday.
Info 363-4312
Through September 3
GHOSTLY WALKS
Meet in front of Tourist Info Centre
812 Wharf Street
Ghostly Walks are held every night at 7:30pm.
No reservations are needed.
Tours last about 2 hours and there is a brief rest break at mid-point.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria
Info 384-6698
Through October
MOSS STREET MARKET
St. James Douglas School
Fairfield Rd at Moss St
Saturdays from 10am - 2pm.
Local live music, crafts and organic food
Info 361-1747
May to October
JAMES BAY COMMUNITY MARKET
Corner of Menzies and Superior
Every Saturday from 9am - 3pm
Locally grown produce, plants and flowers, free range eggs, handmade quality artworks and crafts, homemade foods, preserves
and bakery, entertainment, a kid's tent and special events.
Info 381-5323
Through September 30
THE GOVERNMENT STREET MARKET
Government Street between Pandora and Fisgard.
Eclectic collection of local arts and crafts, food, antiques and collectibles, imports, and entertainment.
Info 598-2593
Through September 4
SUMMER IN THE SQUARE 2001
Centennial Square
Free lunchtime entertainment every Monday through Friday at noon.
Other highlights include Saturday community performances, and free dance instruction followed by Dancing under the Stars featuring some of the regions best swing, salsa and big bands. Sunday nights mark the return of Concerts under the Stars, broadcast live at 7pm on 100.3 the Q.
Info 595-1829
Tuesdays & Wednesdays through August 30
STARLIGHT CINEMA
Ocean Pointe Resort Boardwalk
45 Songhees Rd.
Classic movies for the whole family shown outside all summer. Movies start at dusk. Bring a blanket, deck chair or reserve a seat on our patio.
Info 360-5889
Sundays through September 9
HARBOUR FERRY BALLET
On the Water in the Inner Harbour
Watch the Harbour Ferries dance to the music of the Blue Danube.
Performances at 9:45am.
Info 708-0201
August 4 - 6
THE 2001 COMIC BOOK, SCI-FI & FANTASY CONVENTION
Victoria Conference Centre
A world-class fan event that intends to bring together the myriad and
diverse elements of "fandom" into one place for three days of rockin' good fun.
Info 380-9355
August 24 - 25
4th ORGANIC WORLD EXHIBITION
St. Anne's Academy
835 Humboldt Street
Put on by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.
Info: www.cog.ca/ifoam2002
August 31 - September 2
CLASSIC BOAT FESTIVAL
Inner Harbour
100 classic sail and power boats from throughout the Pacific Coast and beyond arrive for the Classic Boat Festival. Marking the start of the festival at noon on Friday will be the arrival in the Inner Harbour of this year's Honorary Commodore, James Butterfield, aboard the salute vessel HMCS Oriole.
Info 385-7766
©2001 by Barbara Ballard. Reproduction of this work in whole or in part, including images, and reproduction in electronic media, without documented permission from the author is prohibited. Photos of cars courtesy Classic Cars; photo of dragon boat courtesy Dragon Boat Festival.
Questions?
If you want more information about this area, check out our North America Insiders page.
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