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)

Heron Rock Bistro

Image Credit: Marlina at flickr.com

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.

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!