After the dark days and nights of winter, it’s glorious to venture out and celebrate the region’s burgeoning cultural scene. This month, explore spoken word, new music and see the creations of emerging artists.
Kerploding Theatre presents WordPlay – a play for young audiences that tells the story of three young monsters, using live, original music, movement, poetry and dialogue, March 1 (part of Intrepid Theatre’s YOU Show). This piece supports a theatre for development in India. TicketRocket.org.
Now in its fourth year, the Victoria Spoken Word Festival is designed to mentor young and emerging spoken word talent. Due to its popularity, this year the festival moves from the Intrepid Theatre Club to the Metro Studio, March 4-9. Join the festival ensemble and Poet of Honour Barbara Adler (Ten Thousand Wolves) for a full slate of poetry-related events as they explore the theme: Inside Story. TicketRocket.org.
Tucked away in Oak Bay, the Canadian College of Performing Arts trains the next generation of Canada’s performing artists. The TD Festival of New Works, March 13-15 is a showcase of dance, theatre and music by these talented students. ccpacanada.com.
While you’re in Oak Bay, take a walk down the avenue to Eclectic Gallery, 2170 Oak Bay Ave., for its latest exhibition (Peter Dowgailenko and Linda Downie, March 10-April 5). Opening March 12 6-8pm.
For almost 30 years, the Early Music Society of the Islands has been devoted to promoting interest in music composed before 1800. March 14 and 15 it co-presents (with Pacific Opera Victoria) one of the world’s leading baroque music ensembles, Boston Early Music Festival, in La Descente d’Orphee aux Enfers and La Couronne de Fleurs. It’s the most ambitious project in the society’s history and a unique chance for Victoria audiences to experience a semi-staged baroque opera. Tickets rmts.ca.
A Beautiful View, by leading Canadian playwright Daniel McIvor, explores the friendship of two young female friends over more than a decade. Funny and bittersweet, it moves through many phases of relationship. March 13-15 at the Intrepid Theatre Club. TicketRocket.org.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience the cutting edge of new music, mark your calendars for the premiere by Andrea Young of Through the Window and the Wood for voice and electronics by Victoria composer Daniel Brandes, at Open Space March 15. Audience members are invited to come and go as they please. OpenSpace.ca.
The Belfry Theatre’s annual SPARK Festival, March 17-30 is brimming with innovative and alternative work from across Canada and includes free events. Belfry.bc.ca.
György Ligeti is a contemporary classical composer whose iconic works have been featured in 2001: A Space Odyssey, and The Shining. The Ligeti Festival, co-presented by the University of Victoria and the Victoria Symphony, March 21-30 offers the chance to explore his oeuvre at greater length. Sonic Lab performs works at UVic March 21, the Emily String Quartet is featured at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria March 27, and the Victoria Symphony closes the festival at Alix Goolden Hall March 29. Tickets through the respective box offices.
