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The Avenue Gallery – Feature Artist – Marianne Meyer
until"My work is always changing which gives me the pleasure to experiment and move forward. I work and rework my paintings until I reach the point when I feel that they express just the right amount of layering, structure and depth. The final colour constellations invite the viewer to find their own personal experience of my pieces. I believe that that's what art should do." – Marianne Meyer View online: https://theavenuegallery.com/artists/painters/meyer-marianne/ The Avenue Gallery, 2184 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria, BC V8R 1G3 -
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TD Victoria International JazzFest Presents: Sona Jobarteh plus STORRY
Jobarteh is “Africa’s first female Griot kora virtuoso… blending traditional music, blues, and Afropop to impressive effect.” – The Guardian Sona Jobarteh is the first female Kora virtuoso to come from one of five principal West African Griot families. The Kora, a 21-stringed African harp, belongs exclusively to Griot families, and Jobarteh is a pioneer in an ancient male-dominated hereditary practice. Reputed for her skill as an instrumentalist, distinctive voice, and her grace on stage, Jobarteh has rapidly risen to international success. As well as her dedication to spreading powerful humanitarian messages through her music, she is active in social change, as seen in the 2022 CBS TV 60 Minutes segment that explored how she singlehandedly set up The Gambia Academy – an institution dedicated to achieving educational reform across Africa. Her latest album, Badinyaa Kumoo, released in 2022, and she last appeared to a sold-out audience in Victoria in 2019 for TD JazzFest. Opening for this evening will be STORRY -
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TD Victoria International JazzFest Presents: Molly Johnson plus Phil Dwyer Trio
“Mischievous and teasing, Molly makes magic, and her voice uniquely sets a tone for story and message and carries you as far as you want to go and need to go.” – Jazz.fm Molly Johnson’s voice speaks to an emotional depth that few vocalists in any genre ever reach, mixing groovy funk, soul and jazz. A JUNO winner and CBC Radio 2 host for five years, Johnson is also an Officer to the Order of Canada, and most recently, was among the esteemed Canadians to be recognized at the 2023 Governor-General’s Performing Arts Awards for her philanthropic work and international contributions to the arts. She has performed to sold-out halls throughout Canada and the world, including performances for the Prince and late Princess of Wales, as well as Nelson Mandela and legendary producer/multi-instrumentalist Quincy Jones. Opening for this evening will be Phil Dwyer Trio -
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Maya’s plastic pollution campaign
This is a fantastic article on a great campaign initiated by a young environmentalist! It is inspiring to see young people taking the initiative to make a difference in the world. Our junk removal company supports Maya's Plastic Pollution Campaign and encourages other businesses to join too! -
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St Paul’s presents Sara Rose & Iminah Kani
untilSara Rose delivers a mesmerizing performance, tugging at your heartstrings with their soulful voice, colourful melodies, and thought-provoking lyrics. Combined with the clarity of their voice and groovy guitar arrangement, Sara’s presence will take you on an unforgettable, emotional journey. Originally hailing from Timmins, ON, this Franco-Ontarian singer-songwriter is gradually weaving their way back into performing post-pandemic and working on new recordings, in their current home on Lkwungen territory (colonial Ku known as Victoria, BC). Live Recording: https://youtu.be/CG2yknVoOhE Live Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_kyRgvopa8... Most recent album: sararosesongs.bandcamp.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sararosesongs/ (@sararosesongs) At age 20, Iminah Kani moved to the city of Victoria BC to pursue music full-time, touring around BC and Alberta, as well as becoming a music teacher. In the fall of 2018, Iminah started studying the art of flamenco guitar with local flamenco guitarist Gareth Owen. Iminah Kani uses the guitar as a vehicle to express a unique sonic language. As a student of flamenco guitar, she blends this tradition with various genres such as guitarra peruana, trova and finger style guitar, creating layered guitar sounds and experimental soundscapes. Website: https://www.iminahkani.com/home Instagram: @iminahkani https://www.instagram.com/iminahkani/?hl=e Doors open at 1.30pm Tickets $25. Seniors $20. Available also from the church office. The building is fully accessible to wheelchair users and to those with mobility needs, and has free parking on site. Tickets also available through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-pauls-presents-sara-rose-and-iminah-kani-tickets-554723391597 Contact Event Coordinator Geoff at magnolia4events@gmail.com -
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Come and Play! Breathing life into downtown Victoria
I’ve long admired the articulate and well written articles penned in Focus Magazine by Gene Miller. He has been an institution in Victoria for many, many years. I also agree with many points that he has raised in this most recent article regarding the forlorn look of our urban centre here in Victoria. One only has to look at the brightly coloured hues of other cities, both here in Canada and in other parts of the world, to realize that the grey and bland high rises that have, over the past several years, come to dominate the downtown area, to see a general albeit somewhat gradual architectural and dull malaise settle over us all. The only point of contention that I would raise is Mr. Millers suggestion that Victoria could brand itself with the statement “Come And Play,” which for me, conjours up images of nightclubs and bars and young people partying in the streets, riding scooters in unsafe ways, possibly even toppling statues of our colonial settlers (if there are any left) a big increase in public drunkeness and drug use, and street fights when the bars close for the night. Witness the years of such experiences in Vancouver, when the Granville Street Mall became a haven for night clubs and party goers. Although I’m no expert in such matters as branding, I do feel that we need to reach out to a broader audience, which would include the many visitors lost, as their previous, fond memories of the City Of Gardens has gone the way of the Do Do bird, not to mention the loss of many Vacation Rental properties that once provided accommodations for families who could not afford a hotel experience, or had other special needs that were not addressed by local hotels, and the increase in street crime and mentally ill homeless campers who populate the streets (not an issue affecting our city of course) along with local retail businesses and restaurants no longer available for them to browse through or dine in, lost to the rot in our downtown core. All now lost, but recoverable with a little bit of TLC. Obviously there is much work to be done to brighten-up our dingy downtown. Perhaps a return to neon signs on building exteriors, as is planned for the revitalized Granville Street area in Vancouver? Or, a bylaw requiring building owners to maintain their existing exterior paint jobs? Take a look at the peeling paint on the building now housed by a convenience store franchise on the corner of Douglas and Yates Street, or the now vacant Dollar Store on Douglas street, both of which are, among many, in dire need of refurbishment. There are lots of other things that can be accomplished to add colour and brightness to our neglected downtown core, too many to list herein. Having said all of the above, a big thank you to Mr. Miller for his many insightful and interesting articles over the years, he still rates high in my reading list and I appreciate the thoughtfulness that he brings to your publication, it’s just one of the many things that makes it special. Sincerely, Stephen Young -
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Opening Reception for VEN-us: separated | intersected | connected
untilCome celebrate with the artists at the Opening Reception of VEN-us on Thursday, May 11, 6:30-8:30pm. This exhibition features the works of the Gage Gallery Arts Collective’s Anne McCarthy and guest artists Danielle Labonté and Judi Beck. As part of the exhibition, the artists entrust each other with a starting photograph. Creative sparks flew as they bring their interpretation of each other’s images, in an intersection of photography, paint, digital art, and historical photo techniques. Hence, the exhibition explores their individual styles and techniques, as well as where their stories overlap or connect; a Venn diagram of three women’s talents. Gage Gallery Arts Collective, 19 Bastion Square, Victoria, British Columbia https://gagegallery.ca/ Free admission Exhibition runs May 9 - 28 -
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The Avenue Gallery – Feature Artist – Derek Kasper
untilDerek Kasper was first introduced to ceramics at the University of Regina in the early 1970s. Throughout his creative life, he has been fascinated with texture and shadow, and the interplay of light over surfaces that at first hide, and then reveal, meaning. The Avenue Gallery, 2184 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria BC V8R 1G3 View online: https://theavenuegallery.com/artists/ceramicists/kasper-derek/ -
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Avis Rasmussen 60-years at Victoria Arts Council Gallery
untilKegan McFadden, VAC’s executive director and curator says: “I believe visitors will be impressed by the depth and variety of artwork presented in this survey exhibition.”The View From Here demonstrates how Avis has consistently engaged with her surroundings to make artwork, the curator explains. Rasmussen agrees with the curator, adding she uses a variety of mediums for visual expression: drawing, painting, printmaking and narrative poetry. “My art accompanies me every day of my life,” Avis says, “while I enjoy family, friends, teaching or travelling.” -
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Come and Play! Breathing life into downtown Victoria
I concur with Doug Lee’s comments regarding affordable housing in the city. Victoria is now an exclusive enclave and playground of the wealthy. The affluent members of society are the only ones who can afford to live in this former colonial fortress. It’s not surprising they want to convert all the public space around them into their own private “living room” – full of toys and trinkets, entertainment galore, all status symbols of the ‘good life’ to which they feel entitled. As for more “icing” (beautiful decoration) on their “Paradise Cake” paid for by taxpayers, will that change the fact that Victoria is still a fortress of high-priced condo towers and heritage homes or 21st century mansions owned by investors, used by well-heeled tourists as short-term vacation rentals, or owner-occupiers who reside here a few months a year, while those who need decent affordable places to live are being run out of town? Isn’t it enough that many of these multi-million dollar strata properties like the refurbished Customs House on the waterfront already received ten-year tax-free subsidies paid for by all Victoria residents? Now the real estate and development lobby together with their affluent clients demand taxpayers shell out millions more on downtown ‘beautification’ projects. Why? To sell more high-priced homes in this pristine paradise, while removing the ‘blight’ – the sight of the unhoused and long-time tenants who make this city their home? The “Come and Play!” slogan is at best just marketing hype from those who see profit and privileges that can be realized by promoting Disneyland dreams and fanciful fairytales. At worst, this slogan represents a harmful diversion to avoid looking reality in the eye, and accepting the urgent necessity to take concrete measures that will resolve the complex yet fundamental contradictions that lie at the heart this “Dysfunctional City by the Sea.” There are no safe havens and Shangri-las on the Westshore, or anywhere else, that will guarantee a bright future or a place that is risk-free without natural calamities, climate catastrophes, economic downturns, and social unrest. There are no populist slogans that will make problems disappear with a magic wand, a magic bullet, or a ride on a magic carpet. “Come and Play!” disguises the fact that the province’s capital city serves the needs of the top one per cent of society, not those of the 99 per cent who need decent jobs and incomes, secure and affordable housing, and adequate support to sustain their health and well-being. -
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The Avenue Gallery – Feature Artist – Carolyn Houg
untilCarolyn Houg's sculptures are mid-fire clay finished with oxides, underglazes and stains. Each piece is unique and one of a kind. Playful and quirky, they often place the subjects in unlikely situations. Birds are riding when they can fly; polar bears sailing when they can swim. Many of her characters act against their usual instincts; sweet lions and fierce rabbits. All are meant to have us pause and consider all we have in common with our fellow creatures. "My goal is to make people smile and feel a caring connection with the animals and birds that surround us and those that are endangered in other parts of the world." – Carolyn Houg View online: https://theavenuegallery.com/artists/sculptors/houg-carolyn/ -
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Hampton Concert Orchestra Spring 2023 Concerts
untilThe Hampton Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Charles Encell, will perform: Les Passmore Seniors Centre 286 Hampton Road Victoria, BC W.A.Mozart - Symphony No.38 Prague E.Grieg - Peer Gynt Suite No.2 C.W.Gluck - Iphigenie in Aulis Overture Admission by donation. -
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Hampton Concert Orchestra Spring 2023 Concerts
untilThe Hampton Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Charles Encell, will perform: Les Passmore Seniors Centre 286 Hampton Road Victoria, BC W.A.Mozart - Symphony No.38 Prague E.Grieg - Peer Gynt Suite No.2 C.W.Gluck - Iphigenie in Aulis Overture Admission by donation. -
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Classical Concert Series: The Cascadia Strings Quartet
untilArts and Culture Colwood is delighted to present the Cascadia Strings Quartet performing 'Nordic Dreams' This is the first of a series of three classical concerts in a treasured heritage venue in the heart of Colwood! It is intimate so every seat will be a premium. Space is limited so please purchase your tickets soon! Full program details are on our website! https://www.artsandculturecolwood.com/classicalconcerts -
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Art Gallery Paint-In 2023
untilSave the date! The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is excited to announce the 34th Art Gallery Paint-In on Saturday, July 15, 2023!The Art Gallery Paint-In is the largest summer arts festival on Vancouver Island, bringing together over 160 Vancouver Island artists in celebration of art. This beloved festival draws 30,000 visitors annually to explore and experience art along Moss Street.We look forward to seeing you! -
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Vé Boisvert - Exhibition of New Paintings
untilA collection of new abstract paintings from young Quebec-based artist Vé Boisvert represent an enlightened series overflowing with positive energy. Drawing inspiration from Feng Shui principles Vé strikes a delicate balance between warm and cool colours. By trusting her intuitive instincts, she produces canvases imbued with sensitivity, self-expression and hope. I am really exploring the abstract rather than the figurative because the possibilities are endless. It's like the windows to the world. I want to give people love, well-being. -
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Ilinca Ghibu "Exhibition of New Paintings"
untilIlinca Ghibu presents her premiere exhibition in Victoria. Using a unique floral language that characterizes her process, Ilinca's style is expressive, spontaneous and colourful. Her brush strokes and her palette are the tangible results of her imagination. Painting flowers is an excuse to explore materials and techniques following her emotions, experiences and moods. "Through my creation, my imagery becomes clearer and my emotions more palpable. My observations, my sensations, my secrets and my boundaries come to life on the surface of the canvas. It is the way I give meaning to my daily life and define my personal story." -
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The Avenue Gallery – Feature Artist – Kimberly Kiel
untilKimberly Kiel expresses herself through a wide variety of subject matter; landscapes, treescapes, figure pieces and florals. She loves the creaminess and long drying time of oil paint, allowing her the opportunity to blend. "I paint as an expression of joy and energy. It is pure delight to squeeze out huge piles of oil paint, squish it around, have it blend, meld, combine. Wet paint, layer upon layer, morphing into a tangible and interesting surface - thick, creamy, an array of gorgeous impasto marks. I strive to leave much to the imagination, for the viewer to fill in the blanks. To go from a blank, white canvas to one filled with brilliant, glorious colour - there is a huge sense of satisfaction in that." - Kimberly Kiel The Avenue Gallery, 2184 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria, BC V8R 1G3 250-598-2184 theavenuegallery.com -
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Fairfield Artists Studio Tour 2023
untilCelebrate Mother’s Day by visiting thirty of Victoria’s top artists in their studios and gardens. May 13-14, 2023, 11-4. Join sculptors, painters, jewelers, textile artists, woodworkers and clay artists as they talk about technique and creativity for all ages. This free art event is one of Victoria’s most respected. See artist descriptions and map at www.fairfieldartistsstudiotour.com
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Upcoming Events
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