Uvic’s Phoenix Theatre Celebrates 50 Glorious Years this Month & “One” Huge Revue

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The University of Victoria’s Phoenix Theatre is celebrating 50 glorious years of creating great theatre and many great acts are on board to let citizens know just how awesome this school is. From Charles Ross working an exhaustive One Man Marathon (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Batman) starting things off  October 11 – 17, 2016 to TJ Dawe with The Slipknot [October 18 – 22] and Shannan Calcutt (Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity) & Sue Morrison in Burnt Tongue [October 25 – 29], the list does not end there!

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Last Chance Production’s Evil Dead the Musical is Coming to Victoria, BC!

file_747610_edmusicalBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Portland, OR
October 14-15, 2016
Alberta Rose Theatre

Vancouver, BC
October 28-29, 2016
Revue Stage at Granville Island

Victoria, BC
November 4-5, 2016
Metro Studio Theatre

Tickets can be bought online here

If you have not made any plans for Halloween yet, Last Chance Productions is taking Evil Dead: The Musical across the Pacific Northwest before, during and after Halloween 2016! This year, they are adding Victoria, BC to the list of where to hit and the timing could not be any better. Since I have seen three versions by different groups, I must say this particular troupe are dedicated film buffs who have an absolute love for the cinematic genre.

And, of course, they promise to lay the blood thick in the splatter zone! When I saw the Arts West production, I did not realize you have to sit very close to the kitchen set to get hit. Depending on whether the show can be held outdoors or indoors, there’s bound to be some hidden sprinklers to really get people soaked! Tip: wear a white shirt if you intend to get soaked with the blood effects. Afterwards, upon leaving the theatre, you can proudly show off their badge of honour.

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Buffet A-Plenty at Hope Key

Hope Key Front Door

Hope Key
1313 Douglas St.

Victoria, BC
(250) 382-6048

J: Hope Key is one of those places I was introduced to by a friend a few years ago. Although I have previously visited here, I’ve never tried their food or their drinks. My only experience with Hope Key was relaxing in their loft while my friend enjoyed her bubble tea. But now things are different, I was hungry and they were offering a dinner buffet after many restaurants in downtown Victoria had closed for the night. With Ed just as desperate to find a place to eat, he stepped through the doorway willingly.

E: On a late night, we were without a chance in hell to find a place that would be open after 9pm. James keeps on thinking we’ve run out of places to hit to review, but I always point out that it depends on how much you’re willing to spend on a meal. Given his frugalness, that pretty much eliminates many places.

I wasn’t prepared to spend a lot either since my dollars were depleted after several travel excursions. Vancouver and Seattle can do that. We were without a hope until he mentioned this place.

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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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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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The Road to Germany at Rathskeller

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The Rathskeller Schnitzel House
1205 Quadra St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 386-9348

J: After eating our weight around Victoria and up and down this island, I’ve grown a little tired of the local restaurant scene. There are some good places, but in order to really get a large variety of restaurants, I would have to leave this city for greener pastures.

E: And before we see some old establishments completely disappear, I suggested that we visit the only one German Restaurant before it completely closes. The Times Colonist reported the news that this establishment will be closing, near the end of the year — and the faithful will be coming here to feast for perhaps one last time.

J: That is why I was eager to check out this Bavarian restaurant I forgotten. It has been in this city for over 40 years and this was my first time stepping onto the premises. But not Ed, he’s a veteran.

E: I’ve been here a few times, and generally enjoyed the food. This was before Two Hungry Blokes started, and while I did not think the food was exceptional, I had to see if anything has changed in the years that passed. There are a few Polish diners in town that I enjoy going to more. I was Hungary for something unique I don’t often find elsewhere. The last time I enjoyed a truly enjoyable German meal was in Leavenworth, Washington where I got Amadeus to “feed me.”

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