Author Archives: Ed Sum

10.02.14
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Cherry Bomb Launches an Atomic Banger for a Limited Time!

hotdogThe Atomic Rocket Breakfast Bomber looks ready to take off, but upon tasting it today, just where it goes is not quite orbital. It’s available today only (while supplies last) at The Pig BBQ Joint and comes with a free early-bird pass (starting at 8am) to Cherry Bomb Toy’s Ultimate Hobby & Toy Fair that’s happening October 5th at the Pearkes Recreation Center.

I flew immediately into town to try this new idea out, and if I had a jetpack, I’d be arriving in my Rocketeer get up. However, that costume is still in the works as I need to find the right aviator jacket before I can make a helmet and flight pack. Instead, I arrived in my all-weather jacket with the Apollo 11 and Tesla patch to show I was in the mood to try this meal.

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10.01.14
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A Ghūl’s All Hallows Eve Guide to Frights & Entertainment in Victoria & the Gulf Islands

22271_1331667404240_2567935_nThe Dead of October is here. As a paranormal and archaeology enthusiast, there’s plenty for me to do at this time of year. But trick o’ treaters and lovers of horror films can find plenty of chills, thrills and frights to choose from. When a certain craving hits, thankfully this time of year is not always about the private parties or candy. Instead, it’s about what can transpire when Hunter’s Moon arrives.

The list of activities is nicely varied and there’s plenty to choose from for the young and old to partake in. Yes, even some nerdish delights can be found in this update, but who wants to be stuck indoors? The excitement is all in what can be found outdoors or in the fringe! But for residents of the Gulf Islands, just how they want to get the inner ghoul on means deciding in what is more interesting to attend. Presented here is a guide for what’s coming up:

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Oct 5, at 2:30pm – 5:00pm
Meets at Centennial Square – Victoria

Put on your best corpse, and somber on down a route to encourage the best that the plague will do upon the masses! This zombie walk will feature a few local makeup talents to help make your costume all the more gross. More information can be found on their Facebook page as to what the route will be.

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09.19.14
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Wontonly Walking with Dinosaurs, the Arena Spectacular Review

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Continues in Victoria, BC at the
Save-on-Foods Memorial Center
till September 21

with shows in Edmonton, Saskatoon and Winnipeg
before continuing in the States beginning Oct 15, 2014

Just like evolution, so must the Walking with Dinosaurs Arena Spectacular change with the times. With a good meal packed into my belly at a new Chinese diner simply called The Cozy Place, my appetite for crustacean was aptly satisfied with some excellently made garlic shrimp rolls before I would head back in time to the Cretaceous period.

When this show first started in 2007 and it came to Victoria around 2009/10, I missed the opportunity to see it then due to evening classes at Camosun College. I’m glad it returned. To see what I missed, I had to browse YouTube and I found the technology more thrilling to see in how the dinosaurs came to life.

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08.25.14
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[Victoria Fringe Festival ’14] The Rise of Basement Boy as a Hero? A Review

img_0068-1Presented by ShaneBob Productions
Directed by Shane Campbell and Markus Spodzieja

In homage to many a geek or nerd who can relate, a free slice of a cheese pizza is going to be offered at every performance of The Rise of Basement Boy. When two buddies are seen playing Dungeons and Dragons, a fantasy role-playing game, before even the show starts, some people may well wonder what will transpire in this comedy musical? If they read the synopsis, Archibald Clarkson (Markus Spodzieja) has to brave leaving the basement in order to be with his first true love or face losing her forever. When he spends most of his time sheltered away from reality along with Clarence, his Grandpa, (Francis Melling), who also struggles with his own demons, the only person they share a camaraderie with is with Bart (Jenson Kerr), a buddy who comes over to play with them.

But when Archie answers the door in order to receive their daily influx of pizza that’ll make the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hungry, just who he meets is not their regular delivery person. Instead of the guy who has been ripping them off for years, he meets Candy (Hayley McCurdy), who happens to be the girl of his dreams. To see Clarkson flabbergasted is not without some chuckles and to witness Bart act jealous gets the plot in motion.

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08.25.14
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[Victoria Fringe Festival ’14] Finding Mask Over Matter, A Review

Presented by Lightning Theatre

Mask over Matter is one of those plays with a name that conjures forth visages of wonderment and intrigue. Instead, the show offers a mix of pantomime and improv where the performers are wearing a mask in order to play archetypical characters from many a narrative. In what they represent are not necessarily that of comedy and tragedy that Greek theatre made famous. The style hails from Italy where it’s more commonly known as Commedia dell’arte. Deception is used to create its humour, and it’s a different type of improv that many may not be familiar with, much less get.

At least for this young comedy group, they are certainly learning the ropes fast. With a few members of the cast schooled by the Dave Morris’ Improv Class, at least they are being trained by the best. Andrew Brimmell and Shahin Mohamadi are two such individuals. Together, with Daniel Belkin, Robin Valerie and Kevin Koch, they play a diverse cast of characters from various social standings. They are caricatures of various occupations and a night’s show can be a discourse in social studies. As with many a performance, Brighella (Shahin Mohamadi) Arlecchino (Kevin Koch) and Columbina (Robin Valerie) introduce what this type of comedy is about and audiences are essentially being taken for a ride of slapstick after a few audience members provide a few ideas and direction to help move the night’s performance along.

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08.25.14
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[Victoria Fringe Festival ’14] Shadows are Abound in Vasilisa, A Review

Presented by
Ouroboros Shadow Pictures

Props have to go to a very stylized theatrical presentation of Vasilisa the Beautiful, a Russian fairy tale that can easily fit right in a Disney Universe. However, this presentation is very dark and it has the feel of belonging in Fantasia more than as a light-hearted animated stand-alone product.

In this stage-version, shadow puppetry, sombre music and dance is used to tell the tale of a young girl tasked by a wicked step-mother to bring back fire from the witch, Baba Yaga. In her spiritual journey through the woods, she learns about courage as she faces the terror borne from the elements. Baba Yaga is the Russian version of the Wild Man of the Woods from Celtic tradition. The only reason to seek this type of “creature” out is to find wisdom.

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