Victoria Express

Groove to the Blues in Victoria

Attention Blues Brothers & Sisters – This Labor Day ride the passenger ferry from Port Angeles WA to Victoria BC for the 15th Annual Vancouver Island Blues Bash. Saturday, Sunday and Monday September 5 – 7, live Blues, R&B, Swing Blues….all shades of the Blues will be playing at the Ship Point Pier in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Good food will accompany good music while the Big Rock Brewery graciously provides the “Big Rock Beer Garden” during festival hours.

Free performances between noon and 5:15pm each day. Some of the best Vancouver Island blues and R&B musicians will bring their talents to the stage: Gerry Barnum Band • Cruel Shoes • The PushBand • Soul Shakers • Deb Rhymer Band • Bloozecan • Summer & the Sinners • Jason Buie Band • The Kingmixers • Paul Black & TAXI • Bill Johnson Band • The Midnights.

Evening performances require a ticket. Saturday, September 5 at 7:30 The Insomniacs take the stage ($15). Sunday September 6 Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears play at 7:30 ($20). The Insomniacs, from Portland, Oregon, use vintage instruments to create joyous, 1950s swinging blues. According to Blues Review Magazine, “The Insomniacs could be legendary!” Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears hail from Austin Texas. They bring “wicked groove” to the stage, and hints of James Brown.

This is the perfect opportunity for a weekend getaway. The ferry between Victoria and Port Angeles is a relaxing scenic way to cross the Salish Sea. We offer a number of overnight specials to help make your weekend affordable. Remember, travel between the United States and Canada now requires a passport or an enhanced driver’s license.

Festival tickets are available at the McPherson Box Office and its outlets (250-386-6121 or online at www.rmts.bc.ca), Lyle’s Place and the Victoria Jazz Society office (250-388-4423).

Vampires & Friends Welcome

From sun up to sundown you can celebrate Bella’s birthday during Stephenie Meyer Day this September 12th and 13th in vampire central – Forks, Washington.

Twilight fans will enjoy a sunset Quileute storytelling on First Beach in LaPush complete with bonfire Saturday evening. Listen to the Mitch Hanson Band at the Vagabond restaurant at 6 pm and the Twilight Music Girls Concert at the Round House, both happening on Saturday as well.  Spradlee & Josh Swerin will be playing both days at Tillicum Park. Have your photo taken in the Group Photo, check out the many tours as you visit the vendors, book sale, car judging contest, Twilight Look-Alike contest and many more activities. Be sure to test your Twilight knowledge at the Trivia Contest in Tillicum Park Sunday afternoon.

While you are visiting the North Olympic Peninsula area plan to sail to Victoria BC  aboard the Victoria Express in Port Angeles. Did you know that if you travel round trip to Victoria with Victoria Express this season you can enter to win a 2009 Ford Focus? Plan ahead and make sure you have the proper ID for your Victoria Experience!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

8:00 am Bella’s Birthday Breakfast Congregational Church on Spartan Ave. (across from high school)

 9:00 am “Bella Loves Books” Book Sale Forks Public Library

10:00 am **Tour of high school Forks High school 

10:00 am Check out the vendors at Tillicum Park, Forks

11:00 am **Tour of high school Forks High School

12 noon **Tour of high school Forks High School

12:30pm Music by Spradlee & Josh Swerin Tillicum Park

1:00 pm **Tour of high school Forks High School

1:30pm Music by Spradlee & Josh Swerin Tillicum Park

2:00 pm Be part of the Group Photo in Tillicum Park

2:30 pm Twilight character lookalike Contest Tillicum Park

3:30 pm Decorated Twilight car judging Forks Memorial Library

4:00 pm Movie: “Twilight In Forks (Saga of the Real Town)” FHS

 6:00 pm Mitch Hansen Band Twilight Lounge at Vagabond Restaurant: (Sponsored by Dazzled by Twilight)

Sundown Bonfire/Quileute Storytelling First Beach in La Push: (Sponsored by Quileute Tribe)

10:00 pm Twilight Music Girls Concert 110 Business Park Round House: ($20/person) (Sponsored by Leppell’s)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

10 am Vendors Tillicum Park

11:00 am Music by Spradlee & Josh Swerin Tillicum Park

1:00 pm Mayor reads proclamation Tillicum Park

1:00 pm Twilight Scavenger Hunt Leppell’s 130 S. Spartan Ave.: (Sponsored by Leppell’s)

1:15 pm Birthday cake for Bella’s Birthday Tillicum Park

2:00 pm Another Group Photo Tillicum Park

2:15 pm Test Your Skills at the Twilight Trivia Contest Tillicum Park

**Fee of $3.00 each (for FHS tours).

 For more information go to the Forks Chamber of Commerce.

Victoria Express will be available for private charters following the end of our 2009 sailing season. Here is your opportunity to enjoy a private afternoon or evening on the water.

Victoria Express features indoor and outdoor seating, a snack bar, restrooms, video screens and a PA system. Victoria Express is perfect for a wide variety of cruises around Port Angeles Harbor, Sequim Bay, Port Townsend Harbor, the San Juan Islands and other points of interest in the Puget Sound. Consider Victoria Express when you plan your next:

• Charter to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.
• Company Picnic
• Client Social
• Business Luncheon or Dinner
• Sunset Cocktail Cruise
• Retirement Party
• Sales Meeting
• Wedding, Reception or Rehearsal Dinner
• Reunion or Anniversary Party
• Training Class or Workshop
• Private Eco-Tour
• Wine Tasting Cruise
• Or any other reason you want to get out on the water…

Call or E-mail today for more information:

Phone: (360) 452-8088 

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Come enjoy a cold brew in Victoria

For some folks, good beer gives meaning to life. If you are one of these people, or even if you simply enjoy a good beer from time to time, consider a trip to The Great Canadian Beer Festival 2009, on Friday, September 11th and Saturday, September 12th. This is certainly a “must attend” event for beer aficionados. Indeed, people travel to Victoria from all over the world (even from great beer producing countries like Germany, Belgium and Great Britain) to drink beer together. They arrive by train, plane and boat, so book your ticket on the passenger ferry to Victoria today.

Every year, the GCBF is held on the first weekend after Labour Day. This year, over 50 craft breweries from across Canada, Belgium and the American Pacific Northwest will bring their beer to the island; more than 7000 thirsty people will arrive to greet them. You could be one of them. Of course, there will be delicious food to accompany the brews, prepared and offered by six Vancouver Island restaurants and caterers. A fantastic selection of live music will be playing during the festival, to create a fine mood for appreciating beer.

The ferry between Port Angeles and Victoria has many specials and overnight packages. Consider spending a night or two in Victoria, so you will have time to appreciate some other aspects of this lovely city.

Tickets are now on sale. The festival is open Friday from 3pm until 8pm (tickets $20), and Saturday from noon until 6pm (tickets $25). Please be advised that tickets are sold in advance only. THERE WILL BE NO TICKETS ON SALE AT THE DOOR!

Remember, travel between the United States and Canada now requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.

Be sure to ride the Victoria ferry one last time (or two!) before the end of our regular season on September 20. The perfect opportunity presents itself on September 19, when the Belvedere Broadcasters will play at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Hermann’s Jazz Club is located in downtown Victoria at 753 View Street (between Blanshard Ave. and Douglas Street). Make a day trip, or look into one of our overnight specials and enjoy an autumn getaway.

The Belvedere Broadcasters initially formed many years ago when a group of local professional musicians discovered they happened to like playing a certain style of music. They quickly found that others wanted to hear them too! And thus the Broadcasters started their long and illustrious career.

Focusing exclusively on the music of the 1920s and 1930s, they will take you on a voyage back through time filled with nostalgia and charm. Along with exquisite arrangements and superb musical performances, there’s an unequaled style and grace to their presentation. Throw in a good dash of humor and you have Victoria’s own Belvedere Broadcasters.

Don’t forget to put on your dance shoes, because there is a fine, large dance floor at Hermann’s. The oldest live jazz club in Victoria, Hermann’s knows how to create the perfect mood and let the music speak for itself. You won’t want to miss this event! Take advantage of the proximity we in Northwest Washington have to the spectacular city of Victoria, BC.

Travel between the United States and Canada requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.

Take the Victoria Express ferry to Victoria and spend your weekend time traveling back to a musical era that changed the world….

Playing at McPherson Playhouse…”Showtime invites you “across the universe” on a “magical mystery tour” exploring the Beatle’s “revolution” in popular music and culture. Employing authentic “Beatle” instruments, amplifiers, and costumes, coupled with faithful renditions of your favorite Beatle classics “The Beatles Experience” recreates the spirit of the “Fab Four” in ways that have audiences raving about them” Eight days a week.

Musically, no detail is overlooked to re-create the true sound and excitement of The Beatles, with every song performed totally live and in its original key. Visually, the presentation is as close to the real thing as you can imagine… Close your eyes, could it really be them? Quality stage outfits range from the early Cavern days through to Beatle mania.”

BEATLEMANIA
McPherson Playhouse – September 19, at 8pm
Tickets: $59.00 for adults; $29.00 for children; $54.00 for groups of 6 or more

Share this musical adventure with family and friends….Victoria Express can make all of your travel reservations.

While you are in Victoria be sure to take advantage of the last weekend on the free downtown shuttle bus where you can hop on and hop off to many exciting destinations within the downtown, including LoJo, Chinatown, the Design District and Bastion Square.

The shuttle stops on Government Street, both at Humboldt (near Sam’s Deli and Spirit of Victoria) and at Pandora (opposite Mountain Equipment Co-op); Store Street at Chatham (by Capital Iron and Ocian River); and at Wharf Street, south of Yates (in front of Regent Hotel).

The ferry between the US and Canada is an eco-friendly way to travel. Leave your car in the United States and cross the Salish Sea in style.

Travel between the United States and Canada requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.

Choose eco-friendly travel this weekend and take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria for an experience you won’t soon forget. Canada’s most authentic Pink Floyd Tribute Band will be performing at the Alix Golden Hall 900 Johnson Street in Victoria Saturday, September 19th. The band has been amazing audiences since 2008 with their authentic re-creation of one of the world’s favorite rock groups.

The performance looks, sounds and feels like the real Pink Floyd in their hey-day: the 70’s. You can expect long, psychedelic jams with songs as ‘Shine on You Crazy Diamond’ and ‘Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun’ as well as ‘Comfortably Numb’ and ‘Us and Them’.

Travel back to the 70’s with the band’s amazing showcase of lights and visuals.

Share this musical adventure with friends and family….Victoria Express ferry to Victoria BC can make all of your travel reservations – Call today to book your hotel accommodations.

While in Victoria, take advantage of the free shuttle bus in the downtown Victoria area. Running every fifteen minutes between 10:30 and 5pm, this shuttle service provides a great service to travelers and locals alike. Hop on and off the shuttle as you visit different areas of town, from LoJo to Chinatown.

Travel between the United States and Canada requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.

Ride the ferry to the Belfry Theatre

Belfry Theatre in downtown presents Bordertown Cafe. This play is a co-production with Prairie Theatre Exchange from Winnipeg, and is another great play from the Canadian canon. Take advantage of the scenic ferry to Victoria and cross the Salish Sea to take in an afternoon or evening at the theatre. You won’t want to miss a show that the Hamilton Spectator calls “…humorous, human, touching and recognizable…”

This play is a gentle and funny slice of Canadiana, filled with quirky and endearing characters. 17 year-old Jimmy, who grew up in a greasy spoon on the US-Canadian border, has a big decision to make. His soon-to-be-remarried father wants him to come and live with him in the States. His mother, Marlene, trapped in a life of missed opportunities, can’t seem to say the words “don’t go”. Marlene’s gregarious American mother won’t shut up. And her quiet farmer dad refuses to tell Jimmy what he should do. You’ll be touched and amused as you watch one gawky teenager become a young man.

Season Tickets are available. They are a great excuse to plan a weekend getaway in Victoria on a regular basis. Savings on single tickets are up to 28%, and you will be seated in “your” seat throughout the season. You may exchange your tickets should you not be able to make your scheduled performance. Another fantastic perk is the free, professional childcare we offer for one of our Sunday Matinees. Please check out the Belfry Theatre for more great perks of season tickets.

Victoria Express ferry between Port Angeles WA and Victoria BC can arrange overnight lodging for our clients. Check us out today! This Saturday, you may also take advantage of a free shuttle bus running throughout downtown Victoria, making travel that much free of care.

Travel between the United States and Canada requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.

Fantastic Canadian Folk Music

Don’t delay! Fans of Canadian folk music should stop everything and hop on board the ferry to Victoria for a concert tribute for Stan Rogers. The concert is a benefit for the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, in the heart of historic Victoria.

Stan Roger’s Canadian folk music honored folks who work the the land and sea of the Pacific Northwest. His songs, Northwest Passage, Barrett’s Privateers and The Mary Ellen Carter have earned him a place of honor in Canada’s musical history. Stan died in an airplane accident in 1983 when he was just 33.

Tonight, some of Canada’s top folk musicians will come together to honor Stan and raise funds for the Maritime Museum of BC: Valdy is a two time Juno Award recipient. A resident of Salt Spring Island, his music touches all who hear it. Tiller’s Folly, from Vancouver, has been captivating audiences for over a decade with their memorable blend of storytelling with a potent Celtic influence. Their recent CD, Stirring Up Ghosts, celebrates BC’s 150th anniversary and fosters awareness of Pacific Northwest heritage, culture and history. Hank Cramer, from the Seattle area, is one of the best-loved folksingers in the American West. He is best known for his booming bass voice, sense of humor and mix of original, traditional, and contemporary folk songs about cowboys, sailors, soldiers, miners, and adventurers.

All three performing groups are very excited for the opportunity to honor Stan Rogers and help raise funds for the Maritime Museum of BC. They will play individual sets and then perform as an ensemble in the final set. This will mark their first live performance together on stage. Order tickets here.

So don’t delay. Ride the ferry to Victoria today! We can arrange overnight accommodations as well.

Travel between the US and Canada requires a passport or enhanced driver’s license.

Now that we have completed our 2009 sailing season, our Victoria Express fleet is available for private charters. Here is your opportunity to plan your private holiday party on the water. 

Victoria Express features indoor and outdoor seating, a snack bar, restrooms, video screens and a PA system. Victoria Express is perfect for a wide variety of cruises around Port Angeles Harbor, Sequim Bay, Port Townsend Harbor, the San Juan Islands and other points of interest in the Puget Sound. Consider Victoria Express when you plan your 2009 Holiday event:

• Holiday Charter to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island
• Sunset Holiday Harbor Cruise
• Or any other reason you want to get out on the water

 Call or E-mail today for more information:

Phone: (360) 452-8088

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it