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| February 2012 | |
B.C.’s Capital Gets Meaty
2012 sees downtown Victoria’s gastronomic delights expand by two with the opening of Big Wheel Burger in Victoria’s Cook Street Village and Smoken Bones Cookshack, which relocated from Victoria’s suburbs to open in the posh historic Hudson Building in the heart of downtown Victoria. From the brilliant minds behind Victoria’s Zambri’s Restaurant and Pig BBQ Joint comes Big Wheel Burger, Victoria’s newest classic burger joint. Modeled after the über popular Shake Shack in New York City, Big Wheel aims to bring together quality ingredients worthy of fine-dining, with the simplicity and convenience of fast-food. Committed to sourcing products from within 100 miles of their Cook Street location, the owners have set out to build a burger joint that serves up authentic, unadorned, affordable burgers in a playful, contemporary environment. Their extremely local burgers are ground fresh daily-perfect for a causal date night or a picnic in the park. And speaking of meat, Smoken Bones Cookshack, run by former Island Chefs’ Collaborative President, Ken Hueston, is a perfect spot to satisfy your barbeque meat cravings. Serving up southern comfort food north of the border, Smoken Bones offers mouthwatering meals made in-house. From naturally wood-smoked meat and crisp salty bacon, to juicy sausage link and smoked cheese, Smoken Bones prides itself in their hands-on approach to serving the best. The menu showcases southern staples such as Cookshack Gumbo and Fried Oysters and has an extensive drink list to wash it all down featuring an extensive bourbon list, a drink including bacon-infused vodka and even their very own signature beer, Smoken Bones Ale, made by local brewer Matt Phillips. For more information visit www.bigwheelburger.com and www.smokenbones.ca. |
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David Foster Comes Home for a Gala Weekend
In May 2012, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel in Victoria, B.C. celebrates its grand re-opening with a Gala Weekend not to be missed. Sixteen-time Grammy award winner David Foster lends his support to this spectacular weekend, bringing his popular Hitman Show back to his hometown for an unbelievable “Miracle Concert”. The David Foster Foundation 25th Anniversary Miracle Concert & Gala will be held on Saturday May 26 at downtown Victoria’s Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre and is the key celebration during a weekend where some of North America’s brightest stars are expected to descend on B.C.’s capital city. The concert is being held in conjunction with a star-studded David Foster Foundation gala grand opening weekend May 25 to 27, 2012 to celebrate the Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s glamourous transformation on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Concert seating-only tickets to the Miracle Concert as well as various hotel packages will go on sale in early March with full Gala Weekend Packages on sale now. Gala Weekend Packages include a two-night stay, private concert in the David Foster Foundation Dinner Theatre, located in the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, with David and a couple of his musical friends, opportunities to mix, mingle and dine with celebrity guests, full access to all of the hotel’s amenities and tickets to the spectacular David Foster and Friends Miracle Concert complete with dinner and VIP seating. Packages for two are available for $10,000 CDN based on double occupancy. A $7,500 CDN tax receipt will be issued to purchasers as 100% of the proceeds from gala package sales are being donated to the David Foster Foundation. For more information visit www.davidfostermiracleconcert.com or www.oakbaybeachhotel.com. |
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Winter Farmer’s Market
Taking place every first and third Saturday of the month until March 2012, the Victoria Downtown Public Market Society and its vendors will be raising their tents to showcase local fare at the Winter Farmer’s Market. Located in downtown Victoria’s Market Square, the winter market runs from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. focusing on local food producers at every level: farmers, fishers, butchers, bakers, cheesemakers, preservers, brewers, vintners, florists and restaurants. From Haliburton Farms and Kildara Farms to Saltspring Island Cheese Company to the Vancouver Island Salt Company there is something for every taste and something to tempt every tummy. The Victoria Downtown Public Market Society was formed in August 2010 to raise awareness, support and funds for the establishment of a permanent year-round marketplace in the downtown core of the City of Victoria, B.C. For more information visit www.victoriapublicmarket.com. |
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Light up the Night with the Spark Festival
Victoria, B.C. is home to the Spark Festival; the Belfry Theatre's early Spring festival of innovative and alternative theatre pieces from across Canada. Running March 12 to 25, 2012, the festival features mini plays, play readings, Belfry 101 Live, professional development workshops and outstanding new plays. Festival highlights include internationally acclaimed Goodness from Toronto, Ontario’s Volcano and the premiere of the 2012 Belfry Incubator Project Kitt & Jane, featuring the SNAFU Dance Theatre. Tickets for the mini-plays and readings are free and distributed by lottery each evening; Spark Passes, for the four shows, are $72 CDN, or $20 CDN per performance. For more information visit www.belfry.bc.ca. |
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Calling all Culinary Tourists
On March 22, 2012, visitors to B.C.’s capital city are invited to bring their appetite and immerse themselves in the wonderful world of fine cuisine at Culinaire, Victoria’s Premier Food Tasting Experience. Celebrating its third year at The Crystal Garden part of The Victoria Conference Centre, the event brings together the region’s best restaurants and purveyors of fine foods. From iconic Victoria landmarks like The Fairmont Empress and The Butchart Gardens, to the new Big Wheel Burger and local purveyor Hilary’s Artisan Cheese, learn about menu offerings, indulge in samples of amazing cuisine and enjoy the chance to rub shoulders with the chefs themselves to learn about their backgrounds, their vision and food concepts. This food event is for all to enjoy, from the restaurant novice to the most refined foodie. Guests have a choice of two seating times; the first runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. and the second from 7:30 p.m. to 9:35 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.ticketrocket.org and are $32 CDN. Tickets include 10 food tastings from the presenters on hand with extra tickets for food and beverage tastings available for $1 CDN each. Wine and spirits are available for purchase during the event. For more information visit www.culinairevictoria.com. |
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Celebrating 150 Years in 2012
The City of Victoria is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2012. The town site of Fort Victoria was incorporated as the City of Victoria on August 2, 1862 and in celebration several events have been planned over the course of the year. The 2012 Victoria Day Parade (May 21) and Symphony Splash (August 5) celebrations will incorporate heritage-themes to honour the occasion. On August 2, there will be a public ceremony followed by a community celebration in Centennial Square featuring music, performances, cake and many more activities. The past 150 years has seen Victoria mature and change into the world class city we know today. Victoria is a city of beautiful contrasts, where the elegance of history mingles with the panache of modern life. For more information visit www.victoria.ca. |
