Category Archives: News

What is happening in your area.

10.14.20
by

Who Doesn’t Want a Cocktail after Bartender’s 15th Anniversary Release?

Bartender | World of Yamaguchi HoshikoComing to home video on Jan 19, 2021
BARTENDER 15th Anniversary Collector’s Edition is available for pre-order now at ShoutFactory.com

The best-selling Japanese manga Bartender by Araki Joh and illustrated by Kenji Nagatomo is a charming and heartfelt anthology series which can be served at any time of the year! When the Victoria Film Festival’s Art of Cocktail has been cancelled due to Covid-19, I had to consider where else I can get my education on fine wine, and this news arrived at the right time!

This anime has a worldwide cult following because it’s not out to promote alcoholism. It’s more so about how to help people look at life with fresh new eyes. Part of the narrative includes offering to the customer the right drink so that after sipping from it, they’ll feel reinvigorated. This acclaimed series is directed by Masaki Watanabe (Battle Spirits, Bakumatsu, KADO – The Right Answer), written by Yasuhiro Imagawa (Giant Robo the Animation) and produced by Palm Studios.

To know all the drinks offered not only in manga and also in the animated series does require a distributor knowing what discerning taste testers want! Shout! Factory and Anime Limited (UK) partnered up to do just that. Though the many brews will be from the anime, the best of from the manga (for this October season) includes:

Continue reading →

10.14.20
by

Devour! Celebrating 10, er 9.5 Years & Going Online for Cineaste Foodies!

October 21-25, 2020

www.devourfest.com

Devour! 9.5 is Wolfville, Nova Scotia‘s ultimate film and food festival. This year, they’re going online because not everyone will head out to get their taste of two worlds. I’m glad this event is happening, and though I could travel out there to it, I’m still saving my monies for when certain comic book conventions starts up again in 2022.

When compared to at home in Victoria, British Columbia, the decision to not run Feast and Art of Cocktail (which would have took place this month) by the organization which runs these events is a wise one. We are a bigger town, with a greater chance to spread a certain virus and when compared to Wolfville, perhaps it’s best to run with the wolves.

I’m glad to discover that across the country, I can still get my mohito from the agricultural heartland of Eastern Canada. Plus, and it’s a thriving wine region! Ice Wine anyone? For anyone missing a feast for the senses, I’m happy to report that I’ll be covering this event remotely and hope I can get some of the non-perishable treats couriered cross country. This festival promises to be a good one.

I corresponded with the organizers to learn more about this event.

Continue reading →

04.30.20
by

One Man Star Wars Special Livestream Event on May 4th

May the 4th will soon be upon us for those Star Wars fans who understand the reference. Usually, this day will mean a lot more than just enjoying the nine film saga at home. With movie theatres shut down due to Covid-19 and mass gatherings not the norm, Charlie Ross is giving back to fans in the best way possible–a livestream of his One Man Star Wars act. Reviews and interviews of this talented performer’s other One Man shows can be found on otakunoculture.com, here (on Stranger Things) and here (chat).

Ross will be performing from UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium at 5 p.m. (PST) on May 4 and interested parties can bookmark the streaming page here.

Continue reading →

04.05.20
by

Oh Sugar! Delivers in time of Crisis

No photo description available.

NOW DELIVERING!

No it’s not the Crisis of Infinite Earths or anything as big. During this time where many Victorians are self-isolating because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the choice to head out to even satisfy the simplest of cravings is not without some danger. Thankfully, some operations are coming to the rescue! In addition to Uber Eats, Skip the Dishes and Door Dash bringing your favourite meals to you, just what else is there?

We need to support our local small businesses! With reduced sales and no customers coming into the stores, some have decided to change their hours of operations. It’s believed some will not even return at all. Up and along Johnson Street are a bunch of wonderful shops; to satisfy the geek side of me, Curious Comics is offering delivery of their stock, Legends Comics has pick up at their door and a few others are following in the footsteps of the latter operation. The diners here are suffering the most.

Continue reading →

12.07.19
by

When Another Cook, er Comic Book Won’t Do; Zao Dao’s Cuisine Chinoise Brings Worlds Together

Preorder on Amazon USA here

Plenty of Chinese cooking philosophy can be learned in the release of Zao Dao’s comic anthology Cuisine Chinoise: 5 Tales of Life and Food. Dark Horse Comics is publishing the translated edition and it is set for release June 2020.

In what’s key to this culture’s style of cuisine is in different ingredients gel together. It’s not just about the tastes, but also in how it brings people together. It’s said to bring different people of conflicting ideologies together. Just look at Voltron: Legendary Defender. In the finale. Hunk (the Yellow Paladin) believes he can bring feuding empires together at the dinner table. Peace can be made one meal at a time. Mending old wounds can be tough, and when some food has healing properties, perhaps all that’s needed is a careful time to taste that fine red wine.

Not only are the principles of yin and yang involved to bring balance, there’s other facts to be found that nearly all Chinese master chefs share. Key to bringing this balance to the force are also the five flavours–Sour (酸 suān); Sweetness (甜 tián or 甘 gān); Spice (辛 xīn); Bitter (苦 kǔ) and Salt (咸 xián). These specific natures are reflected for those who read Dao’s work when it was originally published in France. Editions Mosquito handled this release and those impatient can hunt Abebooks.com for a copy.

The overlap between food, family, and culture are seamlessly highlighted in this special “cook book.” From insects looking for a meal to a man whose passion for cooking is the only hope of maintaining a family legacy, these wonderfully illustrated stories explore the rich and humorous world within while showcasing the beautiful relationship between Chinese culture and food.

Cuisine Chinoise: 5 Tales of Life and Food has two release dates. Some may consider comic shops are getting the appetizer on June 10, 2020 and hopefully a main course (book signing perhaps?) at bookstores June 23, 2020. The 96-page paperback graphic novel anthology is available for pre-order through Amazon and at your local comic shop for $19.99.

09.04.19
by

Lucy Kirkwood’s The Children arrives at The Belfry Theatre this Fall!

The Children by Lucy KirkwoodFrom September 17 to October 13, 2019, the Belfry Theatre will present The Children by British playwright Lucy Kirkwood. Directed by Michael Shamata, this localized version stars Nancy Palk (Hazel), Brenda Robins (Rose), and Joseph Ziegler (Robin).

Brenda Robins was (as the delightful 90-year old Vera) in our production of 4000 Miles earlier this year. Nancy Palk and Joseph Ziegler (who are married in real life) are returning after making their Belfry debuts in Da (in 1979). The three actors are longtime friends.

Continue reading →