ON SCREEN: Pacific Opera’s Garden of Alice
Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton St.
When: Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 26, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $25 from
Why: A production of Elizabeth Raum’s The Garden of Alice staged for film opens Thursday with the first of three screenings at the Royal Theatre. The re-imagined take on Lewis Carroll’s iconic Alice in Wonderland tale stars Winnipeg coloratura soprano Tracy Dahl, who plays Alice as elderly and in repose. That is one of many surprises being offered. Created in collaboration with conductor Timothy Vernon and director Glynis Leyshon, Garden of Alice is available for both in-theatre screenings and at-home viewings.
IN CONCERT: Johan Smith
Where: First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1205 Pandora Ave.
Tickets: $15-$30 from
When: Feb. 26, 3:30 p.m.
Why: Swiss classical guitarist Johan Smith is appearing Saturday at the Victoria Guitar Society’s third concert of its 2021-2022 International Concert Series. The event provides guitar aficionados with the opportunity of seeing a star on the rise in an intimate setting, First Church of Christ, Scientist on Pandora Avenue. Winner of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America competition in 2019, he’s set to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York on April 28, so purchasing advance tickets for his performance Saturday is advisable. For more information, visit www.victoriaguitarsociety.ca
IN CONCERT: Kalabanté: Afrique En Cirque
Where: Farquhar Auditorium, 3800 Finnerty Rd, University of Victoria
When: Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $22-$42 from
Why: Quebec’s Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque mixes African drumming and acrobatics and hangs it upon polyrhythms of West Africa. The combination of theatre, dance, music, and physical feats by the 12-piece Montréal troupe, led by Yamoussa Bangoura — an acrobat, musician, and aerialist who studied in France and Spain and performed Cirque du Soleil before establishing his own company — are reportedly astonishing. The stage at Farquhar Auditorium is big enough to host this high-wire event, so buckle up and enjoy.
