Words Frances Litman, Creatively United for the Planet
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of construction on Canada’s timeless monument to peace, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.
On Saturday, October 25, at 2 p.m. (another show follows at 7:30 p.m.), the premiere performance of the multi-media theatrical production Beyond VIMY will direct attention to this profound chapter of Canada’s heritage that pledged to remember and honour the lives that were lost in this struggle, rise above conflict, embrace forgiveness and raise our awareness and compassion for all sentient beings on this one planet we call home. Emphasis will be on the importance of celebrating the past and future of Canadian sovereignty, unity and peace.
This 110-minute show (with 20-minute intermission and black-and-white photography exhibit) will be anchored by the nationally recognized, Juno nominated, Canadian acoustic folk-roots band The Fugitives. They will perform their moving stage production of Ridge, a powerful remembrance of the history and personalities associated with Vimy Ridge based on the songs and letters written by First World War soldiers who were there, in the first act. Songwriters Adrian Glynn and Brendan McLeod are joined by banjo player Chris Suen (Viper Central) and violinist Carly Frey (The Coal Porters).
Act two will feature members of the Victoria Philharmonic Choir under the direction of Peter Butterfield, Pipe Major Roger McGuire, cellist Amy Laing, acclaimed professional dancers Andrea Bayne and Peter Star, plus black-and-white, fine-art photography by Blair Ketcheson of the Vimy Memorial in France, plus a short set of original tunes by The Fugitives.
Tickets are available directly from the Mary Winspear Centre at 2243 Beacon Avenue in Sidney, by calling 250-656-0275 or online at www.marywinspear.ca.
Produced by the Creatively United for the Planet non-profit society (www.CreativelyUnited.org) with support from the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund through the
Victoria Foundation.
