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Critic's picks: Caravan at Hermann's, Celebrating John Williams

Caravan set to lay down the gypsy jazz at Hermann's, while the Victoria Symphony pays tribute to John Williams.
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Daniel Lapp and Marc Atkinson lead Caravan, one of the city's finest gypsy-jazz groups, into Hermann's Jazz Club on Friday.

JAZZ: Caravan

Where: Hermann’s Jazz Club, 753 View St.

When: Saturday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. (doors at 5:30)

Tickets: Sold out; livestream at

Why: Longtime local music fans will likely recognize Caravan by name, if not by the names of its key ingredients. Marc Atkinson and Daniel Lapp, two of the city’s most esteemed musicians, mine the gypsy-jazz vault of Django Reinhardt and the like for shows under the banner of this jazz institution, which also includes heavyweights Chris Frye (of The Bills) and Scott White. This show is a make-up date for Caravan’s cancelled New Year’s Eve performance, so expect to see four phenoms getting their long-awaited ya-ya’s out on Friday. Lapp’s daughter, Soley, will also join the group for four songs on vocals. Count this as a surefire swinging good time.

CLASSICAL: Celebrating John Williams

Where: Farquhar Auditorium, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd.

When: Saturday, Feb. 12, 8 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 13 2:30 p.m.

Tickets: $40-$60 (adults/seniors); $20-$30 (students) from or 250-721-8480

Why: There is no better time to celebrate the music of composer/conductor John Williams than during the same week nominations for this year’s Academy Awards were announced. Williams, 90, has received 52 Oscar nods over the years — second only to Walt Disney — which makes him the ideal choice for two pops concerts by the Victoria Symphony this weekend. His work on franchises (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park) and stand-alone classics (Schindler’s List, Jaws) is equally impressive, and will give conductor Sean O’Loughlin, who has worked with Williams in the past, plenty to toy around with.