Archives
Tag Cloud
The Asian Collection, at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Just across the Straits of Juan de Fuca exists one of the finest collections of Asian Art in all of Canada. Anyone interested in experiencing the timeless beauty of Asian Art should hop aboard the ferry to Victoria and head to The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, at 1040 Moss Street, close to the passenger ferry dock. AGGV will present a show about the origin of its Asian Art Collection with Vision Into Reality: The Asian Collection Begins. The show runs Friday, August 21st, 2009 – Sunday, September 13th, 2009.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s Asian Collection has grown to one of the most important collections of Asian Art in Canada. Yet at its inception, the idea of showcasing art from Asia was groundbreaking. It was Colin Graham, the Founding Director of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, who had the vision to bring Asian pieces into the museum. In fact, two Japanese woodblock prints by Utamaro (1753-1806) were among the first pieces in the museum, donated in 1950 by early benefactor Miss Katherine McEwen. Two other important benefactors, Miss Kathleen Agnew and Mrs. Massy Goolden, liked the idea of including Asian pieces in their new gallery in Victoria, and generously supplied funds to purchase early Chinese ceramics and bronzes, as well as Japanese lacquerware.
It was in the summer of 1960 that the collection got its first major boost. Colin Graham persuaded Mrs. Isabel Pollard of San Francisco to begin collecting Asian art for the Gallery. Working with Bunzo Nakanishi, an astute Japanese antique dealer, and the well-known Japanese scholar, Dr. Toru Mori, she built an extraordinary collection of nearly 1,000 works, mostly Japanese. Over a decade later in the 1970s, Graham emerged from retirement and encouraged the esteemed collectors Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Finalyson & Family of Toronto and Brian S. McElney of Hong Kong to add pieces to the Gallery. Their support of the Gallery is ongoing.
Hats off to Colin Graham for his vision and dedication; thanks to him and to the above mentioned contributors, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria now has a world renowned Asian art collection. Isn’t it time you rode the ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria and viewed it yourself?
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is open Monday-Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm Thursday 10:00am-9:00pm Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm (Closed Mondays from Sept. 14-May 18, 2010). The cost is $12 for adults, $2 for children under 5, $10 for seniors and $10 for students. The cost for a family is $26, and of course the gallery is free for members.
Travel between the United States and Canada now requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.
This event is for Everyone
More Info:
Visitor Services
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(250) 384-4171 ext. 0
Event Website
The Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival is fast approaching. From August 27 through September 6, Victoria will be inundated with drama, comedy, dance and spoken word companies from around the world. There are to be at least six venues downtown, making it exceptionally convenient for folks traveling via the passenger ferry between the United States and Canada. This is also a good time to book one of our overnight specials in Victoria.
For 23 years, the Victoria Fringe has brought unjuried and uncensored shows to the Pacific Northwest. Prices are reasonable, with Fringe membership being just $5 and tickets $9 or less at the door. True Theater buffs who know one show won’t be enough may want to purchase a 10-show Frequent Fringer pass for just $65.
Learn about Love at first sight with Missed Connections, by 47th Place Productions of Victoria, BC. Live the High Life with Tokyo’s Ryuzanji Company. Meet two brothers “as different as video games and bananas” in The Accident, by Jonno Katz – Epicworlds from Melbourne, Australia. Perhaps you long to learn about The Power of Ignorance from London’s Chris Gibbs, who quips that if “you don’t know who you are, you can be anyone you want to.”
You will laugh. You will cry. You be astonished and amazed during the Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival. Check out their website to purchase tickets in advance, or be spontaneous and see what is available once you arrive. Either way, the ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria is the way to travel around the Pacific Northwest. Overnight specials in downtown Victoria will help you visit the area and still allow time for the theatre.
Travel between the United States and Canada now requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.
Mid August has been a bit chillier than usual in the Pacific Northwest. While that is sure to change (it is already warmer), it reminds us that August is on the downward slope towards Labor Day, when we officially mourn the end of summer.
That said, it is still summer, and there is still much to do. Travelers aboard the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria should rush to see the World Upside Down exhibit at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria before it closes August 30. According to the AGGV website, “When power relations are suddenly turned on their head, we have the opportunity to recognize that some behaviours that we take to be natural and necessary are merely conventional. For this reason, contemporary artists using inversion tend to seek out existing hierarchy, often satirizing the most venerated works in the Western canon.”
Fun at the other end of the ferry
An entirely different form of entertainment can be found at the Free B Film Festival, which runs through August 29, 2009. Beautiful Beacon Hill Park is the venue for outdoor screenings of oft-neglected B Films. It can be downright hard to head indoors to watch a movie when the night is fine and the rains of autumn are not too far away – even if the film being screened is a much beloved old b-film.
Fear not! Grab a blanket or a lawn chair and and head to Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park. 1965 Nightmare Castle starring Barbara Steele will screen Saturday August 22; crowds will surely turn out for American Graffiti on August 28; and Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal will be shown on August 29. Movies start at 9pm, but arrive early.
There are overnight specials for passengers of our ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria. You’ll have time to explore the magnificent city of Victoria before enjoying dinner at one of the many fine restaurants. Then head over to Beacon Hill Park to watch the sun set and the screen light up with FREE B MOVIES (should B movies be anything but?).
Each year, the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival breathes new life into an old tradition. This is a great time to hop aboard the ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria; while dragon boat festivals take place around the world, the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival is one of the best on the west coast. There is so much going on that it can be hard to know where to start. What follows are suggestions for events that are not to be missed:
The 2009 festival kicks off at 1pm Friday, August 14th, with the Eye Dotting Ceremony at Ship Point, just below the Tourist Information Centre. Taoist priests will “awaken the dragon” in an ancient rite that precedes every dragon boat festival – by dabbing red paint on the eyes of each dragon boat’s “blind” figurehead.
The Paddler’s Air Band Contest takes place Saturday night; it is by far the most hilarious event of the entire Festival. It is here you’ll see teams strut their stuff and enjoy their 10 minutes of fame! With stylistic judging and wacky categories like “Quality of air!” each act generates oodles of YouTube worthy material. If you are a paddler, get your team in the ACT and join us on Saturday evening. (Watch for the Air Band contest entry forms. Don’t delay-as there area limited number of spots!) If you are not a paddler, don’t miss this opportunity to witness the paddlers other talents.
On Saturday August 15 and Sunday August 16th, the Dragon Boat Races will fill Victoria’s Inner Harbour from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. 90 different teams from across North America will race down the 500-metre-long racecourse, from Laurel Point to the Royal London Wax Museum. The Finals will start at 1pm Sunday; you definitely won’t want to miss the fastest teams of the festival viing for victory around 4:15pm. One of the best places to view the races is from the bleachers along Ship Point.
At 12:00pm on Sunday, be sure to catch the Silk Road Tea Breast Cancer Survivors’ Cup. Immediately after the race, all the survivors will take part in a Carnation Toss Ceremony. You can support the fight against breast cancer by purchasing a carnation or making a donation at the BC Cancer Foundation tent on Ship Point any time during the festival weekend.
don't miss this festival
Be sure to ride the fast 55 minute Victoria Express ferry to Victoria, BC so you won’t miss this unique event. Our round trip fare is only $25.00 – Make your reservation today! Remember, travel between the United States and Canada now requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.
Cross the Salish Sea to visit the Port Angeles Fine Art Center
A Contemporary Art Gallery in Port Angeles….Yes Indeed!
Plus an amazing forest trail displaying thought provoking sculpture you can explore as you walk the trail.
Port Angeles has a lot going for it. Aside from its spectacular setting on the Olympic Peninsula – squeezed between the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca – it has a thriving arts community. Visitors from Canada need only hop aboard the passenger ferry between Victoria and Port Angeles to discover an art gallery hidden on a hill.
The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center, the westernmost center for contemporary art in the contiguous United States, is a first class facility featuring artists from around the world. PAFAC is primarily interested in showcasing the many talented artists of the Pacific Northwest. The artists range from well-known masters to innovative emerging artists and their exhibits encompass all forms of visual and media arts.
From now through November 29, “Envision Cascadia - 33 Pacific Northwest Artists Imagine a Homeland” will be featured at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. According to PAFAC director and exhibition curator Jake Seniuk, “Artists from British Columbia, Oregon and Washington submitted work related to a state of mind that we’re calling Cascadia…. Cascadia won’t be found on a triple-A road map, because road maps are gridded out in compliance with political logic. Cascadia’s boundaries are defined not by contracts and laws, but by the human imagination and by the natural ecology that comprises this bioregion.”
The Port Angeles Fine Arts Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 11am – 5pm. The Outdoor Sculpture Garden is open daily. The multimedia museum is at 1203 E. Lauridsen Blvd., ½ mile east of Race Street behind the Jones Street water dome; it is just under 2 miles from the Victoria Passenger Ferry dock. Admission is free.
PAFAC is located in a beautiful hilltop setting overlooking the city of Port Angeles, the harbor, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island. You can dedicate an entire afternoon to viewing the art and exploring the outdoor art gardens. This is a great place for a relaxing afternoon summer picnic.
Travel between the United States and Canada now requires an enhanced driver’s license or passport.
For details on the current exhibit go to:
One good reason to hop aboard the passenger ferry to Victoria this summer is to visit Butchart Gardens. Each summer, Victoria’s Butchart Gardens has live music every night of the week at the Concert Lawn Stage. Folks are encouraged to bring a blanket and relax, or bring dancing shoes and dance. There are always children enjoying music on the lawn, so don’t feel that you have to leave yours at home. Music starts at 7:30 pm, Sunday through Friday evenings.
Saturday evenings, picnics are available at Butchart Gardens (be sure to order one early), and folks settle down to listen to the music at 6:15 pm. Every Saturday night from July 4 until September 5 the live music is followed by spectacular fireworks. These fireworks rival the best, anywhere. After the skies clear and there is a moment or two of quiet, lovely music from a rare Aeolian Pipe Organ floats out of the Organ Pavilion, filling your ears.
The WEEDS rock Butchart Gardens August 21, 22
August 21 and 22, 2009, plan to listen to the locally grown classic rock of The WEEDS at Butchart Gardens. Don’t worry, these weeds won’t try to choke out the lovely heirloom roses currently in bloom. These Weeds will rock those roses. This is the perfect excuse to take the ferry from Port Angeles WA to Victoria BC for a night or two on lovely Vancouver Island. Remember that Saturday, August 22, The WEEDS will play before the fireworks – a pyrotechnique spectacular!!!
So come take in the beauty of The Gardens and listen to the locally grown classic rock sounds of The WEEDS.
For more info contact The Gardens 250 652-4422 or on-line at http://www.butchartgardens.com
And check out The WEEDS website at http://www.theweedsrock.com
Travel between the United States and Canada now requires a passport or an enhanced driver’s license.
On August 8th and 9th, 2009, First Federal Savings & Loan and the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce will present the annual Heritage Weekend. This year’s theme is Historic Maritime, and it is certain to be interesting given Port Angeles’ role in maritime history. Many of the downtown area merchants will have historic displays in their shops, and invite you to stop in and see them.
Leave your car in at home and take the passenger ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles. This is a great opportunity to learn about that little Pacific Northwest city on the other side of the Straits of Juan de Fuca.
Heritage Tours present Historic Walking Tours of downtown Port Angeles, including a visit to the “Undergroud.” Walking Tours begin every half hour, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Sunday. Limit 9 people per tour.
Driving Tours of historic homes in the city of Port Angeles will also be offered; and these include a visit to the Historical Society Museum. Tours depart every two hours, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Sunday. Limit 11 people per tour. And this year there will be a special tour of the historic Clallam County Clock Tower, on Saturday at 11:00 AM. It is limited to first 50 people.
Car enthusiasts should be sure to drive past the CAR SHOW, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, on Front Street. Those interested in alternative forms of transportation should stop by the CITY PIER DISPLAYS, where you’ll find a Coast Guard “Fast” boat and Native American Canoes. Saturday: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Sunday: 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM.
A fascinating demonstration of COAST GUARD HELICOPTER SEARCH AND RESCUE techniques will be held on Hollywood Beach, Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 PM.
You can also dance to the music of the Roaring 20’s Saturday night at 6:00 PM in the atrium of the Landing Mall.
Tickets for all the tours will be on a first come, first served basis. Ticket sales start at 9:30 AM Saturday and Sunday in the Atrium of the Landing Mall, on Railroad Avenue. All tours begin at the Atrium.
TICKET PRICES ARE:
Walking tours, Historic Home tours: $12.00 Adults, $8.00 Children, Family Pass (Two adults and up to 3 children) $30.00.
Courthouse tours: $5.00.
The passenger ferry between Victoria and Port Angeles currently offers three runs daily. The ferry is a great way to step out of your normal routine and visit another country. Remember, travel between Canada and the United States now requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.
Come to the Clallam County Fair
Have you ever wanted to experience a slice of Americana?
Here is your chance to experience a classic country fair….from the live rodeo, to the logging show and demo derby, to the draft horse and mule show, to live music. There are even lawn mower races for the power gardners.
Each year, the Clallam County Fair in Port Angeles, boasts a great variety of fun attractions and events. So ‘Saddle Up’ and plan to ride the passenger ferry from Victoria BC to Port Angeles WA and attend the Clallam County Fair August 20 – 23.
Thursday evening at 5pm, the Timebenders Rock Down Memory Lane at the Wilder Stage. More than twenty costume changes and many impersonations will keep you enthralled as you listen to music hits from the past fifty years. Wear your dance shoes, because you will not be able to sit still during this show. Goldy McJohn and the Friendz will bring down the house Friday evening at 7pm. The orginal keyboardist for legendary band Steppenwolf, McJohn has come out of retirement and plays classic rock and blues with his Friendz. Or head to the Grandstands Friday night to witness the hottest stunt jumpers in the business in the Moto-Cross Stunt Show (warning: not for the faint of heart).
If you’ve never seen a Rodeo, you really should. If you are a Rodeo fan, you know how much fun they are. Be sure to catch the Rodeo Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at noon. See cowboys tackle bulls, and do amazing feats with ropes.
Be sure to take the ferry between Victoria and Port Angeles for four fun-filled days at the Clallam County Fair. Come for one day, or look into one of our overnight packages and stay for a few days. There is nothing quite like a county fair on the Olympic Peninsula. You won’t be disappointed.
Travel between Canada and the United States requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.
