Music festival brings opera into the open
Listen to the sound of the opera on the streets, in Beacon Hill Park or on stage at Butchart Gardens as Pacific Opera Victoria presents Open Air, a summer festival of music, Aug. 1 through 5.
For five days, opera singers will walk the streets throughout Greater Victoria, spontaneously breaking out in song. You can also catch the singers at Pop Up Opera events: 4 p.m. Aug. 1 and 5 at Bastion Square, 4 p.m. Aug. 2 and 4 at Greater Victoria Public Library Esquimalt Branch and 2 p.m. Aug. 7 at the library’s Juan de Fuca Branch.
Pacific Opera and the Victoria Symphony will join violin soloist Elana Lin at The Butchart Gardens (concert included with paid admission), at 8 p.m. Thursday Aug. 1
The highlight of the festival is an afternoon of fun for the whole family followed by a free concert in the evening at Beacon Hill Park’s Cameron Bandshell on Saturday, Aug. 3.
From 3 to 6 p.m. children and families can take part in activities on the lawn, including a Pacific Opera Shop Touch Table, face painting and the Victoria Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo.
Performances on the Cameron Bandshell stage include: Drag Storytime with Persi Flagge from Stashes and Lashes; a performance by soprano Jennifer Turner with Robert Holliston on piano; a family sing-a-long with Pacific Opera Pop Up artists and a “Learn to be a Conductor” (for children) session with Maestro Joey.
Starting at 6 p.m. Pacific Opera principal conductor Giuseppe Pietraroia will take to the stage, joined by the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, with soloists Lucia Cesaroni, soprano, and Justin Welsh, baritone.
The street performances, pop up events and the festival concert are free. The concert at Butchart Gardens is included with general admission to the grounds. For more information, go to .
Government House hosts music and artists
The grounds and gardens of Government House will be filled with music, art, dancing fairies, fashion, food and magic during the ArtisTREE Festival, July 27 and 28.
The free, all-ages festival features 150 market artisans in six display areas throughout the grounds. The festival stage will offer performance art, live artist demonstrations and fashion shows. There will be live music, DJs and surprise musical guests.
There will also be a First Nations art demonstration area created by Hummingbird Collective and children’s crafts. “Everyone that comes will be inspired by the creativity that has come together to build this beautiful offering of craft, art, music and nature,” said Cory Judge, festival co-creator.
The Friends of Government House Garden Society will also be in attendance guiding guests through the gardens.
The event runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July. 27 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 28 at Government House, 1401 Rockland Ave. The Honourable Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor General will welcome visitors at 11:45 a.m. at the bandshell.
For more information, go to .
Eats and Beats returns to the beach
Colwood’s Eats and Beats Beach Party returns to The Beachlands, a seaside park south of the Lagoon Beach in Colwood, Saturday, July 27.
The event features live music, food trucks and liquid refreshments by the Victoria Beer Society.
Activities include a climbing wall, Bungee Run inflatable, beach games, bucket pong or getting a henna tattoo.
The Beachlands features a grassy lawn area, a playground, beach volleyball courts and a sandy play area.
Food options include Greek, Venezuelan, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Filipino, French Canadian, burgers, pizza or ice cream.
There are a number of options to access the site: Hop on a free shuttle from Royal Bay Secondary School or the parking area below Quality Foods; ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Transit routes No. 50, 52, 53 or 61 to Royal Bay to catch the complimentary shuttle; ride your bike and use the free Capital Bike Valet; park your car at Lagoon Beach and walk or paddle about one kilometre to the venue.
The event runs 1 to 8 p.m. July 27 at 3505 Metchosin Rd., Colwood. For more information, go to .
