Okay, so James Bay doesn’t have a super-sized cinema…but it does have a fun flick or two plus some unforgettable nummies to enjoy with your noir/naughty night out!
Wednesday, February 10, 6:00– 9:00 pm: A sinfully delicious menu inspired by the film"Chocolat" (which will be shown during this unforgettable entertainment event at The Superior Cafe, 106 Superior Superior Street). Reservations: 250.380.9515
Wednesday, February 24, 2:30 pm: Movie & Beef Stroganoff Supper – "An Affair to Remember" at James Bay New Horizons Activity Center, 234 Menzies Street. ($5.50 per person plus $35 annual membership fee). For more information contact: programsjb.nh@shawbiz.ca or tel: 250.386.3035.
Wednesday, February 24, 6:00-9:00 pm: Great meal followed by the David Lynch film, "Blue Velvet". Come dressed in the style of the film; prizes awarded for the best-dressed film buff; movie starts at 7:15 pm at The Superior Cafe, 106 Superior Superior Street). Reservations: 250.380.9515
Friday Movie Nights – hosted by VLSCS at James Bay New Horizons Activities Centre, 234 Menzies Street. For more information contact: programsjb.nh@shawbiz.ca or tel: 250.386.3035
There are a number of entertaining events being organized in our own backyard to entice music and merry-makers alike to join in and make the spirits bright this holiday season.
All performances will be held at St. Ann’s Academy Auditorium , 835 Humboldt Street in Victoria, BC. Seating is limited to only 200 per show and may be at www.rmts.bc.ca or by calling McPherson Box Office – 250.386.6121 or 1.888.717.6121.
$17.50/ regular admission (+service charge)
$12.50 children under 12 (+service charge)
Friday, December 18 – 7:00 pm – Making Spirits Bright! A Pops Christmas. Featuring Host/Performer Scott Walker, John Gogo, and the acclaimed Vic High R&B Band
Saturday, December 19 – 7:00 pm -Merry Christmas, Baby – A Blues Christmas. Featuring International Blues guitarist David Gogo
Sunday, December 20 – 4:00 pm -A Polish Christmas. Featuring The White Eagle Ensemble, traditional and modern Polish holiday
Sunday, December 20 – 7:00 pm – Christmas Miracles & Northern Lights. Featuring Hall of Fame Country Artist, Alan Moberg
and Outstanding West Coast First Nations Singer/Songwriter, Ed Peekeekoot
Monday, December 21 – 7:00 pm – A Celtic Christmas & A Tango Christmas. Featuring Celtic performers Qristina and Quin Bachand; & Passion for Tango with Pablo Diemecke and DieMahler Tango Ensemble
Tuesday, December 22 – 7:00 pm – Bon Nadal – A Spanish Christmas. Featuring Alma de España – traditional Villancicos, music, dance and colourful costumes. Family member Gareth Owen featured; soloist- acoustic Flamenco Guitar
Wednesday, December 23 – 7:00 pm -Noel – A Special Christmas Gift. Featuring Pablo Diemecke, Violin; Sahara Sloan, Soprano
James Bay is a pretty entertaining if not eclectic place to get into the ho ho ho holiday spirit.
Let’s face it, there’s plenty to keep you busy, especially if you’re an outdoor enthusiast and nature lover. Why not try roasting chestnuts, marshmallows or weiners on an open fire down on the beach below Holland Point or perhaps on the low tide gravel and sand bars around Ogden Point? What do you mean you’re bored looking through your binoculars for a sleigh pulled by some very red-nosed reindeers and a merry man in a rotund red-suit with a long white beard yelling ho-ho-ho at the top of his lungs?
On the other hand, you’re probably more interested in some fun and frolic during this wonderful winter season.
Daily Thursday, November 26 – January 3 – 10am – 6pm
"Ginger Bread House Display" at Laurel Point Inn, 680 Montreal Street– Feast your eyes and noses on the creative inspirations of local chefs who make all manner of mouth-watering things from gingerbread! Free event with donations to Habitat for Humanity appreciated
Daily Monday, November 16 – December 20
9th Annual Bear Wear Display at the Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville Street. Check out the best-dressed teddy bears in town and vote for your favorite ($2 suggested donation) and place your bid for a silent auction! Funds raised at “Bear Wear 2009” go to the Queen Alexandra Foundation School Age Program for children with special needs. Tel: 250.721.6855 – For tickets call 250.386.0450 ($10 per adult, $7 for first child and $5 for each child thereafter).
Daily Wednesday, November 18 – January 4 (Day and evening)
“Festival of Trees” on display throughout the Fairmont Hotel, 721 Government Street. You’ll never be disappointed with this myriad of merry-minded trees for the holiday season, with donations accepted for the BC Children’s hospital. Local businesses, organizations and individuals decorate the trees – in a sometimes wacky, often irreverent and always stunning way!
Every Friday & Saturday Evening
November 21-December 19 – 7:00 pm
"Victoria Harbour Ferry Santa Ballet" – Presented by Victoria Harbour Ferries dancing to Christmas music in Victoria’s spectacular Inner Harbour! Take a peek at how these world-famous skippers take their iconic wee green boats through a precision choreographed water ballet. Free event.
Wednesday, December 2 – 2:00 pm
“Elf” — Funny family-friendly film about innocence, goodness and Christmas cheer starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart. Popcorn and lots of laughs. James Bay New Horizons Activity Center, 234 Menzies Street: Cost of Admission: $2.00 per person
Saturday, December 5 – 10 am – 4:00 pm
“29th Annual Dickens Craft Fair” at James Bay Community School, 140 Oswego Street. Organized by James Bay Market Society, this handmade and homegrown extravaganza offers visitors an opportunity to pick out some very unique and affordable gifts for family members, friends and even a foe (ho ho ho). Admission by donation, with proceeds going to support the James Bay Market Society. Contact: 250.381.5323 or email: dickens@jamesbaymarket.com for more information. (Hop on direct bus #16, #30 or #31).
Saturday, December 5 – 7:00 pm
"20th Annual Lighted Ship Parade". The festively decorated ships will make two loops of the Inner Harbour after the Lighted Truck Parade passes by the Inner Harbour caseway. Enjoy the lights from a vantage point at Laurel Point, the Inner Harbour in front of the legislature or over at Ship Point where there will be night market with live entertainment and local artisans presenting holiday wares (from 5-9 pm)! Free event!
Saturday, December 5 – 4-7pm "Deck the Docks" Holiday Lights go on at Fisherman’s Wharf, (access off St. lawrence at Superior, or at Dallas and Erie).
Sunday, December 6 – 1:00-3:00 pm
“Teddy Bear Party for the Kids” – Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville Street. Children aged 3 to 10 are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal and favourite grown-up for cookies, milk and fun – with a visit by Santa to round off the afternoon. Tickets available from November 17, in advance only at Hotel Grand Pacific. Funds raised at “Bear Wear 2009” go to the Queen Alexandra Foundation School Age Program for children with special needs. Tel: 250.721.6855 – For tickets call 250.386.0450 ($10 per adult, $7 for first child and $5 for each child thereafter).
Sunday, December 6 – 4:30 pm-5:00 pm
"Carillon Light Up at the Royal BC Museum", 675 Belleville Street. Ring in the season with a sing-along concert. Live music will be provided by Provincial Carilloneur Rosemary Laing, choir members and members of the public! Song sheets will be available along with free hot chocolate and cookies. Following the concert, the Carillon will be lit for the season!
Tuesday, December 8 – 4:30-5:30 pm
Celebrate “Lighting of Legislature Christmas Tree” on the front lawns of the BC Provincial Legislature. Features festive children’s choir, Christmas Carols band, plus hot chocolate and cookies for the entire family! Free event. Sponsored by the Legislative Assembly, Public Education & Outreach – Tel: 250.387.8669 Email: peo@leg.bc.ca
Wednesday, December 9 – 2:00 pm
“Christmas Crackers Concert" by “Seniors on Stage” – Live performances featuring variety of songs, dances, and skits plus snacks and oodles of fun. James Bay New Horizons Activity Center, 234 Menzies Street. Cost: $4.00 per person
Wednesday, December 9 – 5:00 pm
"Seniors Holiday Dinner" – a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, hosted by the James Bay Community School, 140 Oswego Street, Victoria, B.C. Purchase tickets in advance from James Bay Community School receptionist, $7.50 each.
Wednesday, December 16 – 1:00-3:00 pm
“Community Holiday Celebration” – everyone invited! Hosted by James Bay Community Project Family Resource Centre, 547 Michigan Street
Wednesday, December 16 – 5:00 pm
"Family Holiday Dinner" – Glazed ham with all the holiday trimmings and a visit from scintillating Santa! A special event hosted by the James Bay Community School, 140 Oswego Street, Victoria, BC. Purchase tickets in advance from James Bay Community School receptionist – $6.50 each for adults, $4.50 each for children.
Friday, December 25 – 1:00 pm
“Christmas Dinner” with all the trimmings and treats! Prepared and served by James Bay New Horizons and James Bay United Church volunteers. Tickets on sale – December 12. Cost: $12 per ticket
For dancing duos, it’s definitely time to trip the light fantastic again!
And why not…"Swing City" is coming to James Bay!!
So Cinderella, slip into your glass slippers, kiss the nearest frog (who’s bound to turn into Prince Charming if you promise to dance with him), and get ready for an evening of fun — 8:15 pm, Friday, October 9 at Edelweiss Hall, 108 Niagara Street in James Bay.
This modest form of merriment (for under $10 each), means you can swing your hips, tap your toes, and wiggle your nose all you want to the beat of some pretty hot music. Frankly, if you have two left feet, you’ll definitely appreciate a dance lesson from John Savage…and then you can show off your spiffy new steps afterwards at a social dance party.
Contact: 250.744.3666 for more details…or just show up at the door!
The impact of climate change on the natural environment is on the minds of everyone today. Whether it’s the increasing temperature of the world’s oceans and the effects on fish habitat or the warm winters in the Interior of British Columbia resulting in the proliferation of the Pine Beetle and catastrophic loss of forested land.
The Royal B.C. Museum (at 675 Belleville Street in James Bay), will be featuring a new Natural History Gallery Tour focusing on the theme of "British Columbia’s Changing Climate" in the new Living Land, Living Sea Gallery on Saturday, September 26 from 11:00 am until 12 noon.
Visitors will discover all manner of interesting things from fossilized palm trees to satellite imagery, from Woolly Mammoth to web-cam, experience British Columbia as it was and as it is now. Chances are you and your ancestors were not around 90 million years ago, so this exhibit will fill you in on what you missed not to mention take you through time and allow you forecast BC’s future climate, (particularly if you’re not inspired by the Farmer’s Almanac predictions for next year’s crops or the weatherman’s less than stellar forecast for next week’s outdoor croquet tournament).
Keep your arts calendar clear for the evening of Thursday, September 24th!
Then mosey on over to James Bay Coffee & Books at 143 Menzies Street, to experience the warm hospitality of owner Kim Willoughby as she introduces a talented poet and James Bay resident by the name of Hubert Meeker.
What makes this event special is the fact that Mr. Meeker has more than seven decades of life under his belt, and at this tender age…he’s just published a book entitled, 18 Wheels: Poems that Move (illustrated by artist friend, Alana Kapell).
An American by birth, he spent much of his working life in Ontario and British Columbia. Having earned his M.A. in English Literature in Ohio, this talented renaissance man has penned five unpublished novels, a hundred short stories and plays, not to mention a thousand poems and light verse in between earning a living as a teacher, journalist, school bus driver, psychotherapist, hotel night cleark, counsellor, building superintendent, free-lance writer and janitor.
What makes this collection unique is the theme of "distances and dissonance", more particularly how vehicles have shaped our relationships — be strollers that carried us as children to the three-wheelers, and bikes to the more sophisticated automobiles, trains and planes that offer us the convenience of speed and comfort, and finally to the humble wheel chair which may accompany us out of hospital, or even out of life!
His poems chronicle the milestones, misadventures and memories of life a well led, not to mention the wonder and vision of an elder generation who gathers and sifts through them to glean the wit and wisdom that only time can give us.
So, drop by, and appreciate some poetry from the heart of man who knows how to weave words well! Pip pip hoorah – another contribution to the rich treasury of talent right here in our very own neighborhood!
The James Bay neighborhood offers some unique opportunities to enjoy a flick with food and fun.
The National Geographic Imax Theatre at the Royal BC Museum (675 Belleville Street) is featuring a number of films until the end of September:
Africa: The Serengeti (11am, 2:00pm, 6:00pm)
Celebrates the largest animal migration on earth, 1.5 million wildebeests thundering across 500 miles of Africa’s signature Serengeti in an annual search for water and the promise of new life.
Grand Canyon (noon, 4:00pm)
This film features a journey through one of the picturesque physical landscapes in North America.
Journey to Mecca (10am, 5:00pm)
An interesting historical re-enactment of the annual Muslim pilgrimage known as the “Hajj”. (Note: No 10am TUESDAY JOURNEY TO MECCA)
Ride Around the World (11am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm)
Ocean Oasis (3:00 pm)
For those who love the natural world, this film takes you on voyage to swim with the dolphins and manta rays in Mexico’s Sea of Cortes, and then takes you soaring above the nearby tropical desert of the Baja peninsula.
Star Trek (8:00 pm)
According to Monday Magazine, this “stylish, funny, fast-paced and very entertaining, ‘Magic Flute’ of space operas” is worth every penny.
Under the Sea (10am, noon, 2:00pm, 4:00pm, 6:00pm)
Whales (1:00 pm, 7:00pm)
A classic film about those massive mammals that live in the ocean and manage to keep the audience spellbound, not to mention whale-watching tours busy in Victoria, B.C.
Meanwhile, over at the JAMES BAY NEW HORIZONS ACTIVITY CENTER (234 Menzies Street), they’ve got a big screen, big bags of popcorn, and sometimes a meal to go along with your movie matinee. They’ve got great shows and snacks, all for under $6.00 if you include a full-course meal!
Features this month and next include:
Wednesday, October 28 – 2:00 pm
My Life In Ruins- A comedy starring Nia Vardalos (from the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding") and Richard Dreyfuss – (Only $5.50 includes movie, quiche and salad)
Thusday, November 12 – 2:00 pm
Passchendale – A First World War love story starring Canadian actor, Paul Gross.
For the home-movie buffs who don’t mind preparing their own tasty tidbits to go along with an action movie, adventure theme or comedy, there’s a lot to choose from according to John Adlington, owner of PRIME TIME VIDEO SHOP located at unit 3-230 Menzies Street.
The “Top 10 Movies” rented from the last two months are:
1. One Week
2. Knowing
3. Stone of Destiny
4. Watchmen
5. Crossing Over
6. The Code
7. Gran Torino
8. Push
9. Confessions of a Shopaholic
10. He’s Just Not That Into You
And, if you’re looking for new “Theatrical Releases”, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for: “Adventureland”, “Sunshine Cleaning”, “Duplicity”, “State of Play”, and “X-Men Origins”.
For those who missed their favorite episodes of TV soaps, or adore collecting them for posterity, there’s “Desperate Housewives – Season 5”, “The Office – Season 5”, “Greys Anatomy – Season 5” and “30 Rock – Season 3”!
Celebrating its 15th year of live musical performances, the annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash, produced and hosted by the Victoria Jazz Society will take place September 5-7 in Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
The weekend festival has become a major showcase for both established and emerging blues and R&B performers and features regional, national and international artists.
For those who enjoy classic rock, funk as well as rhythm and blues, there’s plenty to choose from including free afternoon concerts at Ship’s Point in the Inner Habour, as well as evening ticketed performances featuring more than 14 indivividual bands including: The Insomniacs, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Gerry Barnum Band, and The Push Band.
Almost the entire holiday long-weekend is free with tickets to the Friday and Saturday night concerts only $30 for both performances.
Given the weather forecast for the weekend, it might not be a bad idea to bring along a bumbershoot, galoshes, and a long rubber raincoat. What do you mean you can’t move to your groove in that outfit? People, people, people…use your imagination and your resourcefulness!
