admin

The internationally-acclaimed Gesualdo Six present a program of English music on their North American tour. There will even be some special guest appearances from our own Cathedral Choir members and Young Choristers as they prepare for a trip to the UK. Christ Church Cathedral, 7:30 pm February 11, 930 Burdett Avenue, Victoria BC. Tickets available at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-gesualdo-six-english-motets-tickets-478952579057

Groups announce February 25 rally at Provincial Legislature, issue declaration calling on the Province to accelerate action for threatened forests. UNCEDED LEKWUNGEN TERRITORIES/VICTORIA—168 organizations across British Columbia have issued a declaration called United We Stand for Old-Growth Forests, calling on Premier David Eby and his government to fulfill their commitments on old-growth. Signatories of the declaration, including the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, the Climate Caucus network of municipal elected leaders, and B.C. General Employees Union (BCGEU), are urging Eby to follow through on his October 2022 promise to “accelerate” action to protect old-growth forests within 100 days, and implement a paradigm shift in forest stewardship to safeguard biodiversity. The organizers announced plans for a mass mobilization to hold the province accountable, with a march and rally scheduled for February 25, Eby’s 100th day. “The government’s continued negligence and stonewalling on truly protecting old-growth and elder trees is endemic in its approach to climate change and the stewardship of our environment,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. “This feigned ignorance of what is happening to our forests by government and industry will be our downfall, and the impacts of this inaction will prevent us from leaving our future generations with a rich legacy of vibrant, healthy and productive forest lands.” Phillip added. “We must do everything in our power to protect these ancient giants and we cannot stop putting pressure on our governments to do their jobs: to protect us and the environment, not act as timber barons whose only concern is this year’s financial statements.” Despite promising to implement all 14 recommendations from the Old Growth Strategic Review (OGSR) in 2020, the B.C. government has permitted the destruction of thousands of hectares of the most at-risk old-growth stands in the province. The 2020 recommendations were tied to a three-year framework with the goal to have all implemented in 2023 — to date, not a single recommendation has been fulfilled. Premier Eby pledged to accelerate action upon becoming leader of the B.C. NDP, and called on Water, Land and Resource Stewardship Minister Nathan Cullen to “begin implementation of recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review” in his mandate letter. However, the most at-risk old-growth forests are still being clearcut while B.C. stalls on enforcing logging deferrals. The deferrals are the bare minimum and most urgent recommendation of the 2020 OGSR. “We must continue to hold our governments accountable for their contributions to the climate crisis that we are suffering through, and this environmental negligence and corporate greed must be stopped,” said Kukpi7 Judy Wilson, Secretary-Treasurer of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. “Our future generations are dependent on the actions we take today, and we are at a critical point in time for direct action to protect forest ecosystems. For too long we have allowed governments to tear down our ancient elders, who are our relatives, but no more. We are standing up to protect them.” Protecting the last stands of old-growth is as much an issue for human rights, labour, education, and healthcare as it is for environmental groups. Organizers say this is a movement for all people, which is reflected in the list of declaration signatories, and are inviting all individuals and groups to participate in the United for Old-Growth march and rally at the B.C. Legislature on February 25. The signatories are calling on the province to align all forest management with the principles of free, prior and informed consent for First Nations. The declaration draws on the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Resolution 2022-32, affirmed by Chiefs in June 2022, and calls for full financial support to enable logging deferrals, and fulsome funding for First Nations-led conservation initiatives. Organizers say the declaration is open to additional signatories and invite new groups to join and demonstrate the broad support for old-growth protection in the lead-up to February’s mass mobilization. “Whether it’s youth yearning for a liveable climate, working families seeking sustainable jobs in their communities, doctors and nurses speaking up for a healthy planet, Indigenous people defending what’s theirs, or faith, environmental and community groups standing up for irreplaceable ecosystems, protecting old-growth is a movement for everyone,” said Jackie Larkin, organizer with Elders for Ancient Trees, a founding signatory on the United We Stand declaration. “From elders to the youngest children, everyone belongs and all are welcome—we invite all organizations to join this declaration, and everyone who’s able to unite with us to make February 25th a day to remember.”

Luke Ramsey: Real Cloud September 12 - 26 Opening Reception: September 12, 1-3 PM Artist in Attendance Madrona Gallery is pleased to announce "Real Cloud", a solo exhibition of works by Luke Ramsey Artist Statement: The show is titled "Real Cloud." The premise stems from considering dependencies on the digital cloud - uploading data, messages, photos, and art, while considering that real clouds don't store large amounts of data in the same way. A real cloud may store a moment of visual data, but clouds change and evolve and don't need servers. I like to approach my work like the flow of a cloud passing in the sky and how it can also shape itself to its environment. In most of the new work, clouds are represented as themselves, as islands, as molecules, aggregates, or patches of paint on a graffiti wall. Luke Ramsey is internationally recognized for his art and design work. He describes his work as, "Organized chaos - a play with paradoxical themes. The content is influenced by a beautifully strange cosmos of organisms and comedy. The approach needs to feel fluid and not forced." Ramsey served as the City of Victoria's first artist in residence from 2017-2018 and his work is held in numerous private and public collections, including the permanent collection of the City of Seattle. mage: Luke Ramsey, "Real Cloud", 30 x 24, Acrylic on Canvas M A D R O N A G A L L E R Y | 606 View Street | Victoria, B.C. V8W 1J4 T: 250.380.4660 E:info@madronagallery.com Check out our website.

Fringe Mini Celebration August 26 - 30 In July we announced that we had made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Victoria Fringe Festival. This has been a year like no other, and we couldn’t let a summer go by without a mini celebration of the Fringe to bring us together, share some great memories, and be entertained – and it’s all FREE! As the saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. We are stirring up a fresh batch of Fringey lemonade August 26 to 30. We hope you'll join for this Fringe celebration featuring: FringeKids Online, August 29 + 30, fun for kids ages 6+ with special online appearances from some favourite characters. Josephine Online, August 26 - 30, stream the 2019 Audience Favourite Pick of the Fringe winner on demand anytime online between noon on August 26 and midnight on August 30. Postcards of Fringe Love, an analogue and digital memory sharing project. Meet the artists of the Victoria Fringe Indigenous Artist Program with Q&A's featuring four artists, released over the next 2 weeks. Explore the Fringe celebration events