Go Nanaimo Blog

The Vancouver Island Animal Defence League is calling on Nanaimo residents to join a peaceful protest on the morning of Saturday, March 19, 2011, at the entrance to the Departure Bay Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo. March is Harp Seal Aaction Month in Nanaimo and VIADL strongly objects to the Canadian commercial seal slaughter. Each spring tens of thousands of helpless seal pups aged 12 days to three months are clubbed and skinned on the ice flows off Newfoundland by non-natives. This savage “hunt” is heavily subsidized by Canadian taxpayers. Our government is currently wasting $10 million on a disgraceful World Trade Organization challenge to the European Union’s ban on seal product imports. Virtually all members of the Canadian parliament support this inhumane “hunt” in the hope of attracting a few votes for their party down east.

The ferries from West Vancouver arrive in Nanaimo at 10:10 am and 12:10 pm and leave at 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. Thus the group will be on the street at the traffic lights on the corner of Brechin Road and Stewart Avenue in front of the terminal in two shifts, from 10 to 10:30 am and from noon to 12:30 pm to catch most of the cars coming and going. Participants need only commit to being there for 30 minutes to do one shift. Signs will be provided. Those willing to do two shifts can retire to a nearby pub from 10:30 am to noon. Free parking is available all along the harbour side of Stewart Avenue. Please set aside some time on Saturday, March 19, for this symbolic action. Join other Nanaimo residents in demanding that this cruel “hunt” be cancelled now, permanently.

The Nanaimo Art Gallery, downtown at 150 Commercial Street, is presenting a Wacky Self Portraits workshop for children from 10.30 am to noon on Saturday, March 19, 2011. This event is part of the ArtRageous Saturdays series offered every second Saturday. Children ages five to 11 (four year olds considered if accompanied by an adult) will learn all about making their own wacky self portrait. Working with markers and oil pastels, they will first learn about basic proportion and then how to create their very own, unique, expressionist portrait to take home. Come join the fun and learn new, fun art techniques. The fee is just $10 per child or $15 for two siblings and all the art supplies are included. Contact the gallery at 250-754-1750 to register.

Archbishop Oscar Romero

At 7 pm on Sunday, March 20 , 2011, people will have an opportunity to reflect on the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero at St. Andrew’s United Church, 315 Fitzwilliam Street, Nanaimo. The featured speaker will be Remi De Roo, Bishop Emeritus of Victoria Diocese, who knew Archbishop Romero personally.

Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador was assassinated as he celebrated mass on March 24, 1980. Romero paid with his life for his outspoken advocacy for human rights, his fearless defense of the poor, and his opposition to war and militarism. As we celebrate his spirit 31 years later, we not only remember a great and loving human being, we also ask, “What are some of the issues Archbishop Romero would be involved with if he were still with us?”

Among the many issues of peace and justice facing our world today, this commemoration will focus on mining which is a major issue for the people of Central and South America. Since many of the mining companies involved have their headquarters in Canada, this is also an important issue for Canadians. In addition the event will look briefly at mining ventures in British Columbia, such as the proposed Raven Coal project in the Comox Valley.

Joan Wallace and Barry Hall from Nanaimo and Charlie Fox from Ladysmith will provide special music. Following the event, refreshments will be served in the hall. Admission is free but there will be a jar for contributions at the reception to be split between Nanaimo’s 7-10 Club and Rights Action, a non-governmental organization which works for justice in Central America. For more information, call Phil Little at 250-245-7245 or Jim Manly 250-758-0966.

It’s a fundraiser like no other! Now in its twelfth year, the Symphony of Roses Day brings happiness and spreads smiles from Qualicum through Parksville, Nanaimo, Gabriola, and down to Ladysmith, while raising funds for the region’s very own professional orchestra, the Vancouver Island Symphony. On Wednesday, March 16, 2011, unsuspecting friends, loved-ones, business associates, neighbours, doctors, bankers, favourite teachers, great staff, and clients will get a surprise knock at the door from one of the many Symphony of Roses Day volunteers, and will be handed a boxed bouquet of beautiful, long-lasting, colourful, premium-growth roses.

“Roses are like music and magic,” says Marianne Turley who with husband Jim Turley has volunteered for and sponsored this event since its inception. “Just to watch a rose is so incredible. There is magic in its opening from a bud as the many petals reach a crescendo and unfurl into a magnificent bloom. It is like the notes of a symphony brought to life by an orchestra.”

This annual event not only brings joy to recipients but also a happy experience for the volunteers. “It has become tradition for volunteers like Buzz and Margaret Heath and Dave Miles who have been doing it every year. They look forward to it,” adds Turley. Volunteers fill thousands of water tubes, then on the day before the event, take each rose, strip it of thorns, and dress it ready to be placed in a box which is labelled and kept overnight in a cooler. Early on Symphony of Roses Day, volunteer drivers take the boxes and deliver them to the door of every recipient. In 2010 there were five thousand roses delivered. “Each year we have new colours and varieties,” adds Turley. “And, this year we are introducing the choice of one or two-dozen roses in a box.”

To send along a symphony of love and gratitude to someone special, call Turley’s Florist at 250-754-6344. All orders must be placed through Turley’s Florist, 60 Terminal Avenue, Nanaimo, by 4 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011. If you would prefer to pick the flowers up yourself, they will be ready from 9 am on March 16. Order by March 11 and your name will be added to two separate draws to win a dozen roses for yourself. The cost: Box of 12 roses – $30 (includes taxes etc.) or a box of 24 roses – $52. All proceeds go directly to the Vancouver Island Symphony.

The Tania Gill Quartet will celebrate the release of their album, Bolger Station, at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music, 375 Selby Street, Nanaimo, at 8 pm on Monday, March 14, 2011. Tickets are $15 at the door (cash only). For advance tickets, phone 250-591-3913.

Acclaimed composer and pianist Tania Gill grew up in Victoria and is a key figure in the Toronto jazz and popular music scenes. She has twenty years’ experience working with diverse world-class artists, including Deep Dark United, Charles Spearin’s The Happiness Project, Mary Margaret O’Hara, and Anthony Braxton. Her long-awaited 2010 debut recording, Bolger Station (Barnyard Records) was “disc of the week” and short-listed for “disc of the year” by The Globe and Mail, and was nominated for “debut album of the year” in The Village Voice critics’ poll.

The Tania Gill Quartet is a consummate contemporary jazz group that plays with intelligence, passion and grace. For this performance, Tania will be joined by three gifted players and close colleagues: Toronto’s Andrew Downing (bass) and Mark Segger (drums); and Victoria’s Alfons Fear (trumpet).They will play music from Bolger Station that features free-spirited improvisation and compositions that are by turns playful, contemplative, fiery, and serene.

The Nanaimo Art Gallery, 900 Fifth Street, is organizing a Mythical Beasts workshop for young artists aged 7 to 11 from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, March 19, 2011. Give your children’s imagination free flight as they create wonderfully whimsical creatures from myth and fantasy. They’ll learn how to make weird and wonderful creatures using a stupendous supply of magical materials. This workshop will take place at the campus location, 900 Fifth Street, entrance 5D, building 330, and tuition is $30 plus HST for gallery members or $35 plus HST for non-members, all supplies included. All-day Vancouver Island University parking is $4. To register call the campus gallery at 250-740-6350.

Doug Dodd, producer of Super Summer Singing Workshops, and Manda Chelmak of Headliners School for the Performing Arts are presenting a series of workshops for young singers during the up coming spring break. This year, the school district’s spring break will be two weeks in length, allowing ample time to present this innovative and creative opportunity. Doug and Manda are offering several workshops to be held at Headliners, 165 Fraser Street, Nanaimo, during the March 14 to 25, 2011, break. These workshops are the perfect vehicle for eager young people who want to learn and develop new singing and performance skills, while still having fun. All the courses will be taught by industry professionals and each course will conclude with a concert performance at Headliners School for the Performing Arts.

The first workshop will be a Musical Theatre and Performance Workshop with instructors Joelle Rabu, Nico Rhodes, and Doug Dodd from March 14 to 18 for ages 9 and up. It involves a total of 20 hours of music instruction, concluding with an on-stage performance concert complete with musicians, sound system, and lights. The registration fee is $250 including music, lyric sheets, rehearsal CD’s, and a daily snack break.

A Singer/Songwriter Workshop for ages 12 and up with instructors Alexandria Maillot and Doug Dodd will be from March 21 to 25. A total of 13 hours of instruction will be offered, concluding with an on-stage performance concert complete with musicians, sound system, and lights. The registration fee is $150 including paper, pencils, and a small snack during the break. If a student plays or writes with an instrument they should bring their own. An electric piano, music stands, amps, and bass will be supplied. For registration or information contact Doug at 250-741-8857 or Manda at 250-753-2323.