09.14.16
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Shakin’ Up The Sushi Establishment with Rockn’ Rolls

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Rockn’ Rolls Modern Sushi
1 Dallas Rd C1
Victoria, BC

(250) 888-5336

No matter where you go to eat sushi, the basics will more or less taste the same. The taste found in tuna and salmon rolls are distinguished by the freshness of the fish (I have yet to find a place to beat what I had in Sidney, BC ages ago), rice to meat ratio used and where the fish came from. Where the rice is harvested from matters, but ultimately, it is the temperature of this grain that makes the difference. Over at Rock n’ Rolls Modern Sushi at the Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria, BC, they pride themselves on using locally sourced ingredients.

This operation is all about 100% sustainability and it shows in the Polynesian Roll. Made using local crab, bell peppers and sweet squash, this delectable maki roll is a taste for the senses! Rockfish was used, and this is a topping I do not usually see in menus. Sometimes, whitefish is listed, and the last time I really appreciated its taste was over at Southern Lake Tahoe, where a buddy and I went to The Naked Fish — I have fond memories of my sushi experience there.

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09.09.16
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Back by Popular Demand to Victoria, BC Monty Python’s Spamalot the Musical is Rip Roaring Fun!

vos-spamalot-event-detailLocation:
McPherson Theatre
3 Centennial Square
Victoria, British Columbia

Remaining Shows:
Sept 9, 8pm
Sept 10, 8pm
Sept 11, 2pm 

Back by popular demand, the Victoria Operatic Society is performing Monty Python‘s Spamalot at the McPherson Theatre September 8 to 11. Do yourself a favour and go see it! Everything fans love from the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail is recreated with love and by the end, everyone will be whistling to “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” (Life of Brian)

With a live orchestra performing, the energy and enthusiasm by all can easily be felt. The many styles of stage performance recall 100 years of musical theatre. From grand can-cans from gay Paris to chorus girl lineups performed on Broadway (and ripping into the style perfected by Andrew Lloyd Webber), I could not help but want to toe tap whenever I can. But in the tight seating that makes up this theatre, that’s tough to do. This venue is not known for generous leg room and that’s okay. I hummed along to fantastic numbers like “Come with Me” and “Whatever Happened to My Part?” Tara Britt is an amazing singer, and her voice blows me away. After seeing her at Victoria Fringe Festival‘s [Title of Show] and laughing at the intentional plug, I knew I had to be here opening night.

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09.07.16
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The Stubborn Chef 拉麵館 changes the Ramen Scene ‘Round with AsUsual Cafe – 老地方

stubborn_chefStubborn Chef – 拉麵館
AsUsual Cafe – 老地方
3960 Shelbourne St
Victoria, BC
(778) 432-3818

Only James can think Kuma Noodle Japan has the best ramen all around Victoria. He’s most likely right, but he’s not had the complete Japanese experience (I had it in Japan, a place he has yet to travel to). Yes, I’m relentless in teasing him about this fact and one year, we will visit the Land of the Rising Sun to sample the food together. Back in Victoria, in the meantime, competitors eventually will emerge to challenge my buddy’s statement.

Trying to schedule his willingness to go out with my Pokémon GO adventures (I need to fuel up somehow) is like dragging a closet gamer out of the comfort of his own home to see the light, er sun.

We have tried a few places together. Foo Ramen Bar has been running for a while and unless you know which Japanese restaurants to go to, they will have this common staple buried along with the Udon and Soba. Next to the Victoria Public Market downtown is Ox King Noodles. In Gordon Head, The Stubborn Chef specializes in a variety of noodles. James finally checked out this place during one of his rare departures from Langford. By then, I’ve been here for the third time. Interestingly, the chef is a third generation noodle-maker. He’s been trained by the best and I’m glad he’s settling into the Gordon Head culinary landscape. The folks who ran this operation used to operate out of Chinatown in the past five years. And when it was sold a few years ago, I’m assuming the change of pace is because this municipality is closer to home. There’s less distance to travel. I’m thinking the owner/operator is taking a cue from James’ book. Why travel far when you can enjoy the comforts of home?

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09.06.16
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After #yjjfringe30 the Stage Musical Effie & The Vampire Can Be A Sweet Halloween Treat

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My last day of the 2016 Victoria Fringe Festival was spent at Langham Court Theatre, taking on three shows during the mid afternoon and spilling into the evening. The transition could not be any more apt with a fun loving cabaret style melodrama, Effie & The Vampire, A Lesbianistic Musical by Dragon Monkey Theatre.

This show is on my list of must see again because of all the fun I see put into this production. It can easily be brought back as a Halloween treat for theatregoers wanting more variety in the arts offered in this city during this season. Between the big three – Kaleidoscope, Launch Pad and RKO Productions – to have an addition to will most likely be appreciated.

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09.05.16
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Urban Arts Productions Return with [Title of Show] and their Future after #yyjfringe30

14231373_1238086086212450_6727287945412331739_oWhen I first saw [Title of Show] years ago during the Victoria Fringe Festival, I was hooked on a feeling. Urban Arts Productions is a wonderful collective of talents, and while they seemingly have disappeared from previous year’s schedules, that’s only because this celebration selects its shows through lottery. Not every company is lucky to be able to perform every year and apparently, they took a break because those days jobs were really paying the bills. True to this story, to be a full time actor-director-playwright is tough. To see this group regroup and to perform again (with recognizable talents on board) only reveals how they have has grown and to stay a fixture in this city’s arts scene.

I like to see them perform independently from the Fringe, and they can certainly bring the house down. This musical was one great show to end the 2016 Victoria Fringe Festival with, and according to Pat Rundell, the founder of this collective, they are back and are developing new shows.

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09.05.16
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[Victoria Fringe Festival ’16] Afterthoughts on Everlast & Its Future as a Show

Everlast-ITC.jpgFringe Festivals offers many an entertainer to experiment. Some shows have an afterlife where it becomes a sensation, and other shows might pitter out, to be forgotten. Everlast by Kevin Koch is a work in progress, where this creator eventually wants to take it on tour. Even he admits that it needs refining.

In what I’ve seen in the final weekend of the 2016 Victoria Fringe Festival, there’s a great seed of an idea; to challenge world views from not only within organized religion but also in how people see life. After having two random encounters with “missionaries” in my neighbourhood looking to spread the word and me expressing to them that I have my own world views to follow and I do not need theirs, going to this show could not be timelier.

The show is rough at the edges, like it’s mirroring the soul of Marty (or Pope Martin VI) on purpose. He’s come from a tough life. He grew up in the tough streets and has Rocky Balboa and his mother as inspiration. This character might have said he’s from Philadelphia, but as with any sermon I tend to hear, in one ear and out the other (unfortunately).

Just how Marty managed to achieve residency and move up the papacy is almost a head-scratcher. He boxed his way to the top. God, on the other hand, is a timeless character and I liked the fact that Koch’s interpretation is very Old Testament. I was more engaged with his fight with Lucifer. How can anyone not want to miss this match?

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