Victoria, British Columbia - May 2001
By Barbara Ballard
Victoria has a new $30,000 clock atop the Art Deco tower of the Tourist Information Centre located at the Inner Harbour. It's also boasting new signage in the downtown area. I'm not quite sure why the city is spending lots of money to put up metal signs in the downtown, dividing it into zones; perhaps they figure tourists can't read the little free maps given away at the Tourist Information Centre, or don't want to ask a stranger where something is located.
These signs are supposed to help you find your way around. Six information kiosks have "You Are Here" maps and direction signs to various locations. The downtown is divided into eight areas, each with its own coloured sign. The first is Antique Row (an antique clock picture). In spite of the city touting Fort Street as Antique Row, it isn't. There used to be a lot of antique shops on the few blocks of Fort leading from downtown. Now, most are closed. There are still a few in business, but hardly enough to call it "Antique Row" - a bit presumptuous, but that's my opinion.
The second area is Chinatown - since it's only one block, it's hardly likely you'll get lost.
The third is Douglas Street Corridor - don't ask me what that means. Douglas Street is a street in downtown that eventually turns into a highway; why it needs signage, I don't know.
The next area is Downtown North, which we locals call Old Town, a more apt name. Then there's the Inner Harbour - it amazes me how anyone would need signs to tell them they are standing and looking at a harbour. The last two are Dockside East and New Town. I'm not quite sure where these other two are supposed to be. Since all of Victoria's downtown is at most a 10-minute walk from one end to the other, well, you figure it out.
Quirky Stuff
Have you visited England and indulged in some sweet treats there? Wish you could get them in North America? Victoria has your problem solved. At 635 Yates Street, you'll find the British Candy Shoppe, where you can indulge in chocolates, English toffees, boiled sweets, etc. to your heart's content.
Events
May 2-6
UNO Festival of Solo Performance
UNO is Canada's one and only festival of solo theatrical performance.
Tel. +1 (250) 383 2663.
May 3-29
Gary Bolt, New York: solo show
Starfish Glassworks, 630 Yates Street
Sculptural work based upon cosmology and astronomy.
Info: +1 (250) 388 7827.
May 4-13
On Broadway
McPherson Playhouse, #3 Centennial Square
Victoria Operatic Society, May 13, 8pm, (matinee at 2pm). Tickets are $21-28, with $2 off for students and seniors.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria, tel. +1 (250) 386 6121.
May 5
Dance Arts 2001
Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
Performance starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are $12-15, with a $2 discount for students, seniors and DanceWorks members.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria. Tel. +1 (250) 386 6121.
Through May 6
The Drawer Boy
Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue
The Drawer Boy is about a young Toronto actor sent to the country to gather stories for The Farm Show. While living with Angus and Morgan, two middle-aged farmers, Miles stumbles upon the truth about their past and unwittingly alters their lives. Performances Tuesday-Saturday, 8pm; matinees, Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets: $14-$27.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria, tel. +1 (250) 385 6815.
May 6-Sept. 30
The Government Street Market
Government Street between Pandora and Fisgard
Victoria's only Street Market features an eclectic collection of local arts and crafts, food, antiques and collectibles, imports and entertainment.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria. Tel. +1 (250) 385 6815.
May 7
Arbutus Night of Music
UVic Auditorium, University of Victoria
Performance starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are $8, available at Tourism Victoria.
Tel. +1 (250) 386 6121.
May 13
The Blind Boys of Alabama
Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
Gospel-style performance. 8pm. Tickets are $22-29, reserved seating.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria. Tel. +1 (250) 385 6815.
Mid-May through September
Bastion Square Festival of the Arts
Bastion Square
Local artisans (crafts and music) display and demonstrate their wares. Wed-Sun, 10:30-5:30 pm.
Tel. +1 (250) 413 3144.
Victoria Conservatory of Music Garden Tour
Some of the finest private gardens in Victoria open their gates to the public. This is a self-drive event. Map is provided with admission purchase of $20. Various venues.
Tel. +1 (250) 386 5311 for dates, tickets, and map.
May 17-20
Compaq Cascadia Cup
Clover Point
Beginning at 10am each day. International match-racing sailing regatta with on-site announcements and food services. Free admission.
Tel. +1 (250) 592 2441.
May 19-21
Luxton Pro Rodeo
Luxton Fairgrounds, Corner of Sooke and Luxton Road
World and Canadian Champion Cowboys. Rodeo events start at 2pm daily. Free grounds admission to midway, craft sale, blacksmith and antique farm equipment. Opens 12 noon daily. Dances on Saturday and Sunday. Free parking off of Highway #14. $11 (12 and under free with adult). Students and seniors $9.
Tel. +1 (250) 478 2759.
May 19-28
Victoria Harbour Festival
Inner Harbour
A celebration bridging two holiday long weekends, Canada's Victoria Day and the U.S. Memorial Day. Activities: Victoria Day Parade, harbour events and the internationally renowned Swiftsure International Yacht Race. Admission free.
Tel. +1 (250) 472 1690.
May 19
Lafayette String Orchestra
Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, University Victoria
A programme of contemporary classical music by composers David Jaffe, John Burke, John Celona, Christopher Donison and Syd Hodkinson, including works commissioned by the Lafayette String Quartet. Guest artist for Donison's Music by the Sea: Keith MacLeod, clarinet. Tickets $16 for adults, and $12 for students and seniors. Performance at 8pm.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria. Tel. +1 (250) 385 6815.
May 19-20
Historic Military Encampment
Fort Rodd Hill, 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road
May 19, 10am-5pm; May 20, 10am-4pm. Military re-enactment and vehicles, uniforms and equipment reflect British Columbia's colourful naval and military history from the 1850s to the 1950s.
Tel. +1 (250) 478 5849.
May 20
64th Highland Games & Gathering
Hatley Castle & Royal Roads University
Features highland dancing, piping, tug-o-war, and various other traditional activities, including pony rides and kids games.
Tel. +1 (250) 598 1531.
May 20
Parade of Bands
Parliament Buildings Lawn
A free concert from 2 to 4pm.
Tel. +1 (250) 382 3111.
May 21
Victoria Day Parade
Douglas Street
Departs from the Mayfair Mall on Douglas Street at 9am and goes to Humboldt Street. Marching bands and floats from Victoria, the Island, BC and Washington and Oregon.
Tel. +1 (250) 382 3111.
May 25
Farmer's Daughter
McPherson Playhouse, #3 Centennial Square
Performance starts at 8pm. Tickets are $22.75, with $5 off for students and $59 for a family of four.
Tickets Available at Tourism Victoria. Tel. +1 (250) 386 6121.
End of May
Bastion Square Cycling Grand Prix
Features professional riders, as well as those in categories 1 and 2, the next notches down from the pro. Criterium-style race, featuring a closed-loop circuit on city streets.
Tel. +1 (250) 360 BIKE.
Through May 21
Marlene Creates: Dwelling and Transience
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 1040 Moss St.
This photo-based exhibition profiles Victoria through the eyes of an artist from St. John's, Newfoundland. Eye Candy: contemporary art exhibit. Exotic Objets d'art: Chinese Amber and Ivory carvings. Sculpture and Graphics: George Wallace. Open daily, $5 adults; seniors/students $3.
Tel. +1 (250) 384 4101.
May 18-21
Literary Arts Festival
2nd floor, 2621 Douglas St.
Guests includes JM Coetzee, Ian McEwan, Anne Michaels, Caryl Phillips, Linda Spalding, Rosemary Sullivan and Jane Urquhart. Tickets $8-12.
Tel. +1 (250) 381 6722.
May 24-27
Swiftsure International Yacht Race Festivities
Various locations around Victoria. Tel. +1 (250) 382 4604.
May 24-25: All-day viewings of boats in Inner Harbour.
May 26, 8-11am: The 19th Annual Pancake breakfast, at Clover Point.
May 26, 9-10am: Swiftsure International Yacht Race starts at Clover Point every 10 minutes. Swiftsure Lightship Classic, Cape Flattery Race, Juan de Fuca Race, Multihull races, Sooke Harbour Classic Race and the Exhibition Race for unique vessels. Info: +1 (250) 598 9098.
May 26-27, 10am till end of race: Swiftsure Race Centre, Ship's Point. Free round-the-clock vessel plotting.
May 27: All day until Mon, May 28, at 6am, Swiftsure Finish Line. Best viewed from Ogden Point breakwater. Info +1 (250) 598 9098.
May 26
Pacific Coast Savings Community Corporate Rowing Challenge Championship Regatta & Festival
Selkirk Waterfront, 9am-4pm
Approximately 1,000 local professionals will demonstrate rowing skills in this fun regatta on the Gorge Waterway. The Selkirk Waterfront will be alive with activities for the whole family, as the Burnside-Gorge Community Festival creates a celebration of live music, farmers market, petting zoo, boat rides and lots more.
Tel. +1 (250) 658-6333.
May 26
Victoria's Community Annual Hot Dog BBQ
Ship's Point
Food, fun and entertainment for the whole family at Ship's Point. All proceeds to BC Children's Hospital Foundation. 11am-3pm.
May 26
5th Annual Esquimalt Lantern Festival
Parade of hundreds of handcrafted lanterns along the West Bay Walkway to West Bay Marina, then dance till midnight. 7pm-midnight.
Tel. +1 (250) 383-8557.
Questions?
If you want more information about this area, check out our North America Insiders page.
