Summer arrives and with it, a gentler pace – one that is perfect for exploring and new experiences. It’s the time to leave routines behind and try something different like a course, workshop or arts event. Here are a few of my highlights.
The Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts MISSA (June 27-July 12) celebrates 30 years of producing a residential summer workshop series that includes photography, writing, jewelry making, pottery and more. Broadcaster Shelagh Rogers will receive the 2014 MISSA Ambassador of the Arts Award at the 30th anniversary party and annual Celebration of the Arts evening, July 4. missa.ca.
In association with The Makehouse, Theatre SKAM’s Fashion Machine premieres June 6, 7 and 8. Adventurous attendees have the opportunity to surrender their outfits to have them remade by kids into new works of fashion art. It’s a one-of-a-kind visual art experience. Skam.ca.
June’s YOU Show for emerging artists at the Intrepid Theatre Club features Vancouver-based Angela Ferreira’s play, The Peaceful Sea – a theatrical investigation into Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe that explores the evolving multiplicity of his identities: explorer, conqueror, hero, villain and failure, focusing on imagined encounters with historical figures. ticketrocket.org.
If you’ve ever studied Shakespeare’s Hamlet, you’ll remember two minor characters – Rosencrantz and Guilderstern. In 1966 playwright Tom Stoppard wrote a play about them, and staged it at the Edinburgh Fringe. It went on to win a Tony and a New York Drama Critic’s award for New Play. The very witty and funny Rosencrantz and Guilderstern are Dead runs June 11-June 28 at Langham Court Theatre. Langhamtheatre.ca.
Bob LeBlanc is well known to Victorians for his depth of knowledge of Broadway musicals. He originated The Broadway Chorus, and, more recently, the vocal sextet Variety Fare. If you love tunes from shows like Annie Get Your Gun, Les Miserables, Sound of Music and Phantom of the Opera, be sure to mark your calendars for their Broadway Showcase June 12/13 at the Metro Studio. ticketrocket.org.
June’s A Place to Listen features renowned harpsichordist Colin Tilney performing a selection of unmeasured preludes by Louis Couperin and Daniel Brandes playing Antoine Beuger’s Pour être seul(e), sans réserve. Wednesday June 18 at 7pm at James Bay United Church. aplacetolisten.tumblr.com.
There’s a new variety show in town – founded by Priscilla Costa of SavageCreamPuff Productions – featuring clowns and bouffons. Dingbats and Dongbags (a bizarro variety show) Friday, June 27 at the Intrepid Theatre Club promises a “sparkling rainbow trip down the rabbit hole.” SavageCreamPuff on Facebook.
Victoria Fringe and UNO Fest favourite The Birdmann returns to Victoria for one night June 28 at the Metro Studio. He’s definitely one of the “fringiest” performers I’ve ever seen with his ultra-vaudeville act – an original performer that everyone should experience. ticketrocket.org.
