Ladies: Grab those crinoline and hoop skirts from the backs of your closets. Gentlemen: It's time to don your most charming three-piece ditto suits.
Centennial Square will look like 1862, or at least attempt to, when the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria hosts a free afternoon of songs, dances and games from Victoria's past.
The event, dubbed Sunday Afternoon, takes place Aug. 26 from noon until 5 p.m. Attendees are invited to wear hats or costumes inspired by the era of Victoria's incorporation, but clothes from 2012 are welcome, too.
"We wanted to share in the celebration of Victoria 150," said council president Bob Williams. "We've tried to characterize the whole event as being a Sunday afternoon in 1862: What would families have done? And what songs would they sing? And what dances would they do?"
It's also an expansion project for the non-profit organization. "We also wanted to become more active in performing arts," said Williams, "because we've been focused in the past on visual arts."
Organizer Sheila Blake, who has done extensive research to prepare the day's events, will lead simple line dances to "as many as will," as they would say.
The public will have a chance to chime in on some hits from the period, during a singalong led by Bill Hewitt.
Rig-a-Jig, a Celtic band headed by Molly Newman (who can also occasionally be spotted dressed as Emily Carr), will also perform, Blake said.
Speakers include Sylvia Van Kirk of the Pioneer Players, who hosts tours in the Ross Bay Cemetery; John Adams, who leads Ghostly Walk tours; and Vanessa Winn, author of The Chief Factor's Daughter.
Kids six and older can play with wooden tops made especially for the event, as well as hoops, hopscotch, bubbles, skipping ropes and other games. Food vendors will be on site, but picnickers are also welcome.
