2 pianos 4 hands - The Belfry, April 27, 2011

After a slightly delayed start (one of the organizers thought it was a 10:30 start instead of the 10:00 start clearly marked on the tickets - mentioning no names of course!*) our large group set off for the Fernwood Inn.  We had a great scenic drive to the inn and a short stop at Mount Tolmie en route.

The inn had a display of art derived from photographs. They looked pretty interesting, and this was before any of us had had a beer!! 

 We liked the food at the Fernwood, and the inn is handily situated right across the street from the Belfry. It's almost as if we had planned it!

After lunch we took our seats for 2 Pianos 4 Hands by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt. Patrick Burwell and Tom Frey were excellent as the two characters Richard and Ted, and they used their musical and acting skills to take us through their characters' involvement in the piano from childhood to middle age. There were scenes of piano lessons, music festivals, discussions between parent and child, piano exams, and interviews for top academies - all acutely observed and full of humour with some pathos.The music was excellent - those guys can play, and the comedy timing was right-on.  Overall, this was an excellent production, which is why it has been getting rave reviews.

Thanks to everyone who attended the trip and made it a fun day out!

Check out the upcoming season at the Belfry and let us know which of the productions you would be interested in for a Let's Do It Day Trip! The new season at the Belfry starts in September.

*mentioning no names, but it was Chris :-)

April 20 Art Gallery of Greater Victoria

Our select group of art lovers left the centre at 10:30 and enjoyed a scenic drive to the Beagle for lunch.  We stopped off at Saxe Point to take in the ocean views and the spring flowers before heading off to the pub.

We had private tour at the Art Gallery.

First, we visited the Serenity exhibit that featured art depicting aspects of Asian gardens.  We learned that the concept of having a garden was first developed for a few "scholars," or high ranking civil servants in China.  Instead of focusing on flowers and plants, these gardens incorporated high and low ground, flowing water, and caves. Plants were, of course, featured as well with each having a specific meaning or connotation. Gardens were a mega status symbol at that time and the ornate naturally etched "scholars' rocks" featured in the very best Chinese gardens were extremely rare and expensive and were themselves the subject of portraits.

Next we visited the Flora exhibit which focused on flowers and plants with art employing a wide variety of different styles. One section of the exhibit depicted the changing seasons while another showed how different techniques have been used over the years in still life.  Our guide reminded us that the purpose if still life was to remind us that life is fleeting and we should enjoy it while we can.

Next we went "down the garden path" to see a more modern exhibit featuring a split image seventeen minute video loop showing a boulevard in Berlin at dawn and at twilight simultaneously, some interestingly adjusted photographs showing how we alter public and private spaces, and a piece featuring furniture and wallpapers alongside a series of photographs that explored themes of environmental destruction and reality versus artificiality.

The old mansion and other exhibits were ideal for browsing.

Also, we had time to appreciate the Emily Carr: On the Edge of Nowhere exhibit.

Overall an interesting and enjoyable day trip!

April 13, Songs of Spring

The trip started with a scenic and excellently well timed bus ride to the Fernwood Inn for an early lunch.  The food and service were very good, so we are using the Inn again in two weeks' time when we go the Belfry Theatre, which is just across the street, to see 2 Pianos 4 Hands. Several people we met had just seen the dress rehearsal and said that it is an excellent show.

After lunch we browsed a couple of galleries.  We met Harumi Ota at the Collective Works gallery.

He gave us all one of the beautiful ceramic paperweights (shown in the picture above) that he has prepared to promote an event supporting Japan on Saturday, April 16, at the Ecole Victor Brodeur School, 637 Head Street, Esquimalt, 11 am to 4 pm - FREE ADMISSION. The event features Japanese cultural performances including Taiko, Dance, Nagomi Tea Circle tea ceremony and more - cultural activities, children's corner, Japanese food, craft and bake sale, giant garage sale, and silent auction.  Support Japan 2011 Gambare Nippon T-shirts will be on sale. Harumi's ceramics were excellent and very striking!

Next we chatted with Marnie Hueston in the She Said Gallery.  It's an Aladdin's cave filled with art produced by local women artists. We're hoping to see her again when we visit the Belfry.

Next, we drove over to the Royal Theatre to join the other music lovers for a refreshing cup of tea and some cookies.

Victoria Symphony's Songs of Spring was an excellent way to get us in the mood for the new season. Host Duncan Regher's introductions were lugubrious and droll, soprano Melanie Krueger's singing was wonderful, and the concert was a refreshing interlude. Everyone had a great time, and we're looking forward to seeing you on the next Let's Do It Day Trip!

April 6, Birds of Prey

Unfortunately, due to a sudden medical situation, we had to miss the trip to see the Birds of Prey at Duncan.  Thanks to John and Merilee for stepping in at the last moment to host the trip.  I know that several photographers went on the trip and we are hoping to post some of their pictures soon.

Everyone said it was a fun day out!