Victoria, British Columbia - November 2001
By Barbara Ballard
A New Way to See the Sights
A LARC (light amphibious resupply craft) is the newest way to sightsee in Victoria. A 70-minute city tour operates on land and sea and costs you $25. The 12-ton ex Army vehicle floats around the harbour and drives down the street. The boat leaves the water at the James Bay Anglers boat ramp, and going into and coming out of the water adds to the fun. It operates daily every 90 minutes from 9am-3pm from the Victoria Marine Adventure Centre below Wharf St during the summer months - so you will have to wait until next year to savour the experience.
Expand your Universe this fall and winter with evening courses at the Centre of the Universe!
The Centre of the Universe at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory is pleased to announce two new evening courses designed for the novice or
near-novice adult with an interest in the night skies. Autumn Skies and
Winter Skies give you a basic introduction to astronomy, with emphasis on the constellations, planets and deep sky objects visible in season.
Autumn Skies (starting Nov. 7) will focus on the autumn constellations,
visible planets (Mars and possibly Saturn), the Leonid Meteor Shower, and
deep-sky objects visible in Autumn over Victoria.
Winter Skies (starting Jan 16) will feature the constellations of winter and
the deep-sky objects they contain. The course will also focus on the Moon,
Saturn and Jupiter.
Both recreational and educational, the non-credit courses are taught by
Centre staff with help from members of the Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics and the Royal Astronomical Society. Courses will include multimedia instruction, guest speakers, and small telescope observation.
Time: 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm on three consecutive Wednesdays.
Course fee: $89.00 per course.
Enrollment is limited.
The Centre of the Universe
Little Saanich Mountain
5071 West Saanich Road
Tel (250) 363-8262
Divers Take Note
The world's largest artificial reef now resides halfway up the island from Victoria. A ship, the HMCS Cape Breton, was sunk on Oct. 20th after being environmentally prepared. It's a new hot spot for divers to try.
New Place to Spend Your Money
Shoppers, there's a new art and furniture gallery in Victoria at 1033 Fort St. It's called Skanda and hold gemstones, artworks, and handmade furniture from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Africa and Burma.
Fishing Adventures
People who like to fish have a new choice. Seawind Fishing Adventures, located in Sooke, about 45 minutes west of Victoria, is offering fishing guides and a brand new 26-foot aluminum boat. See more details at www.seawindfishing.com or contact Steve French at 250-642-7444.
Events
Christmas Craft Fairs
Please note that the Greater Victoria area has hundreds of Christmas Craft fairs in November. Almost every church, school, and charitable organization puts on something. This list is therefore just representative. Check with the local newspaper and tourism people to see what's on when you are here.
Victorian Christmas Craft Fair
Nov 17, 10-5pm
Nov. 18, 10-4pm
Saanich Commonwealth Place
4636 Elk Lake Dr.
Admission: $3.
Folk art, hand knits, Victorian decorations, hats, Christmas decorations.
Creative Craft Fair
Nov. 9, 10-9pm
Nov. 10-12, 10-5pm
Pearkes Rec Centre
3100 Tillicum Rd.
Admission $4
BC arts and crafts. Juried objects include pottery, jewelry, leather, wood, toys, Christmas decorations, food, clothing and art glass.
Out of Hand
Nov. 15, 12-9pm
Nov. 16, 10-9pm
Nov. 17, 10-6pm
Nov. 18, 10-5pm
Victoria Conference Centre
Admission $6
150 craftspeople and artisans from across Canada. Folk art, glass objects, pottery, home décor, Christmas crafts, jewelry, woodwork, food, and fashion show.
Calico Olde Fashioned Christmas Arts and Crafts Show
Nov. 30, 6-10pm
Dec. 1, 9-4pm
Victoria Citadel
4030 Douglas St.
Admission $2
Victorian gifts, folk art, jewelry, angels, handmade foods, refreshments.
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Winter Exhibitions
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Thursday 10am-9pm, Sunday 1-5pm
Until January 2, 2002
Splendour of Chinese Textiles
One of the greatest achievements of China in world culture is the production of silk fabric from silkworms. These fabrics were beautifully embroidered and richly decorated and made into costumes for royalty and the nobility. The rich heritage of costumes and textiles from the Chinese Qing dynasty from the Gallery's collection are on display.
Until January 2, 2002
From Geisha to Diva: The Kimonos of Ichimaru
The Art Gallery received a donation of kimonos worn by the Geisha, Ichimaru, who became known as one of Japan's greatest classical folk singers. Ichimaru was born into a poor family and became a geisha in the 1920s and early 30s. She gained a reputation as an elegant and beautiful Geisha who possessed a "nightingale-like voice". She signed a contract with Victor Records and remained a popular singer who performed in geisha regalia from the 1930s to the 1970s. She died in her nineties.
The kimonos on display in this exhibition reflect her taste from the 1930's to the 1970's. The costumes are preserved in almost pristine condition and reflect several different styles and methods of decoration. Along with the costumes, several pieces of her furniture, souvenirs, and records make up the collection.
Woodblock prints illustrating the life of geishas are part of the exhibition and include an actual print of Ichimaru herself.
Victoria Symphony Orchestra
Nov. 1, 2, 3
Thur, 2:00 pm; Fri & Sat, 8:00 pm
Royal Theatre
A Tribute to Liberace
The Victoria Symphony's master of Pops, Brian Jackson, reprises his role as the legendary Liberace. With dazzle and energy, the costumed Maestro entertains the audience with glitter and glissandos from one of Chopin's Nocturnes to Fina's Bumble Boogie.
Sun 4 Nov, 2:00 & 3:30 pm
Royal Theatre
Theatre Beyond Words
A Show for Children
What do you do when you wake up one morning to discover a symphony orchestra in your backyard? Mask, mime, music, and mayhem ensue when the Potato Family wake up to discover a conductor and 40 musicians in their backyard! Join the musical spuds as they stumble into the orchestra's performance creating chaos on stage. Providing a gentle lesson in theatre etiquette and a delightful introduction to classical music, critically acclaimed Suite Potato is an entertaining treat for the entire family.
Sat 10 Nov, 8:00 pm
UVic Centre
Convoy PQ 17 is an original, evening-length theatrical production inspired by the infamous naval disaster of World War II: the sinking of the merchant shipping convoy carrying supplies to northern Russia. With set, dancers, chorus, and orchestra, the Canadian premiere of this Coleman & Lemieux production comes direct from its world premiere in St. Petersburg.
Theatre
Belfry Theatre
Oct. 30-Nov. 25
The Weir
A tale of the supernatural. The story goes thus: Finbar, one of the main characters, has just sold a supposedly haunted houses to Valerie and is bringing her around to the pub to meet his bachelor friends. In an attempt to impress Valerie, the men begin to regale her with their own spooky stories of strange occurrences said to have taken place in the area, but, as fate would have it, Valerie has a far more harrowing tale to tell.
Audience advice: The Weir contains some strong language.
Tickets range in price from $15 - $28, depending on the show you attend, and can be purchased by visiting or calling the Belfry Box Office at 385-6815. Tickets can also be purchased, in person only, at Tourism Victoria's Information Centre at 812 Wharf Street. Discounts for groups of 10 or more are available.
Performance Schedule
Tuesday - Saturday at 8 pm
Wednesday Matinees at 12 noon
Saturday Matinees at 4 pm
Sunday Matinees at 2 pm
Other
November 1-4
VICTORIA SYMPHONY WINE FESTIVAL
The Fairmont Empress
721 Government Street
Tickets to all events are available at the Dining Reservations Desk of hotel.
November 2nd: Trade Tasting and Public Wine Tasting
November 3rd: Seminars
Tel. 389-2727
November 29
VICTORIA GALLERY WALK
Various Galleries throughout Victoria
The fifth annual Victoria Gallery Walk tours five of downtown Victoria's best galleries in a horse drawn trolley as they stay open late for gourmet snacks and liquid refreshments and exhibitions of art of all types.
Tel. 388-0009
©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.
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