Author Archives: James Robert Shaw

07.17.14
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The Five Must See Movies of July 18 – 24, 2014

The weekend is here and we all know what that means. No, it doesn’t mean you can sit in front of your computer and play World of Warcraft. It means you can do something better by going out with friends and/or loved ones to your local cinema. The smell of the popcorn, the rattle of candy and the slurping of soda hasn’t changed in generations.

Are any of you old enough to remember watching a film from the balcony or seeing your first film in Victoria’s Coronet. Do you even remember watching movies in the Royal Theatre? If the answer is no to the aforementioned then you are most definitely not old enough. And if you don’t have enough memories of going to the movies then perhaps a Saturday night out is what you’ve been missing.

Please check media for local showtimes, ratings and admission rates.

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07.11.14
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The Five Must See Movies of July 11 – 17, 2014

Vancouver Island has alot to offer our residents and visitors when it comes to outdoor festivals, foodie events and even a nature walk or two. But for people like me who enjoy a good film over a good hike, I look to our local movie houses. With the Langford Caprice suffering an early death thanks to progress, I lean on the four remaining indie theatres in my area. Although the Roxy may have converted to live theatre, as Blue Bridge at the Roxy, they still show movies from time to time.

Please check media for local showtimes, ratings and admission rates.

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04.07.14
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Your West Coast Events: April 7 – April 13, 2014

Just some of the events happening among British Columbia’s Gulf Islands this week.

Monday, April 7th

The Legacy Series: Yoon Plays Schumann – In his first concerto with the Victoria Symphony, Principal Cellist Brian Yoon will perform Schumann’s soulful Cello Concerto. Near the end of the evening, Maestra Tania Miller will conduct Brahm’s magnificent and haunting Third Symphony. Performance is 8pm at Victoria’s Royal Theatre.

Wednesday, April 9th

Jeeves In Bloom – P.G. Wodehouse’s portrayal of daft yet likeable characters from British upper class society continues on Chemainus Theatre’s stage. Adapted by Margaret Raether and directed by Mark DuMez, this version sees Bernard Cuffling as respected gentleman’s gentleman Jeeves and Warren Bain as young playboy Bertie Wooster. If you are a fan of the Richard Briers and Michael Hordern BBC radio plays or the Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie television series then this play might be a must see. The story is set in late June 1931 in Brinkley Court in Worcestershire. The show runs March 21 – April 26. Check the Chemainus Theatre’s official website for show times.

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10.09.13
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Dining for Under Ten Bucks: Maiko Sushi

Maiko Sushi Restaurant
#119 – 877 Goldstream Ave.
Langford, B.C.
(250) 995-8432

It may be easy for someone from my generation to confuse the former Maiko Gardens with Maiko Sushi but apart from Maiko Gardens having served Japanese cuisine, there is little they have in common.

Mariko, owner of Maiko Sushi (now former owner, she just sold the restaurant) has a keen eye for creating decent decor and should seriously consider her future as an interior decorator. Her sense of style is pleasing to the eye from the Japanese influenced displays in her business right down to the brightly furnished and vibrant washroom.  But in this current day and age Maiko still has some growing to do before they could eve match what locals remember so fondly of the name’s predecessor.

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10.04.12
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Your Island Events – October, 2012

Updated – October 9th
This is something new we are attempting here at Two Hungry Blokes. As passionate as we are about food, we are equally passionate about supporting our local communities. I can only hope that through the listings of local events among the islands, we can help point our readers to fun activities but at the same time we can support local independent businesses as well.

A post will be made monthly with that month’s events listed (and those in the near future). The post will be kept updated.

To find out more about an event, click on the event name for a link to their information.

Chickens
Chemainus Theatre – Chemainus, September 21st – October 27th

By Lucia Frangione, directed by Sara-Jeanne Hosie, with music by Royal Sproule, Lewis Frere, Mark Lewandowski and Jason Bertsch.

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06.03.12
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James’ Pick of the Events – June, 2012

Esquimalt’s Buccaneer Days
I may not have a peg leg but I knows a good pirate festival when I sees one. What true pirate can resist a fair? or refuse a pancake breakfast? A pirate has to have something to go down with the rum. Activities for the whole family including a parade, a craft and garden sale, children’s activity area and a Saturday night dance.

Vee Dub 9 Skateboard Competition
Much has changed since the days of being thrown from a banana board and today, the sport isn’t just for kids.

Island Chefs’ Collaborative Food Festival
What can be better than partaking in alcoholic beverages and food in the beautiful historic setting of Fort Rodd Hill. Names of the new businesses, the old establishments and the well established have served their wares at previous ICC Food Fests. Let’s hope for the sun on this one.

Christ Church Cathedral Community Fair
I can easily enjoy a good church social and the CCC’s Community Fair sounds very inviting. Here, I can look for local baked goods, And Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore will be performed. The Church has a strong history. They were graced 2 years ago by the presence of HRH the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall. In the 1960’s CCC produced a record of songs performed by choir boy Bill Dyson.

First Peoples Festival
In elementary school, I was read the stories of Raven, I was also taken to see the Aboriginal People’s exhibit at the Royal BC Museum. Here at the festival, I can relive some fond memories of observing wood carvers, jewellers, and weavers ply their craft. Also, there will be knitters from Cowichan Valley and shamans teaching traditional medicine.

Fernwood Bites 2012
Victoria’s neighbourhood of Fernwood is “distinct.”

Topped by the crown jewel that is the Belfy Theatre, this commuity offers a decent amount of fine businesses to patronize — Aubergine Specialty Foods, Fernwood Inn, The Little Piggy and Stir It Up.

Besides an excellent Vintage Fair, Fernwood Bites is a must attend. They offer many delights for attendees to savour. They have plenty of delicious food, fine wines and spirits. But it is the meeting of many creative individuals that make this scene an excellent venue for anyone to mingle in.

To those people who loathe the nightclub scene, this event is a refreshing salvation.