I spent some time in England at the start of January. I go to visit my family, but also to soak up the different culture. I love to immerse myself when I’m over there: listening to the radio, watching the news, reading the papers, even watching television is a different experience. This visit I was drawn to the magazine stands looking for interesting ideas, and making notes.
Of course things aren’t so different there, not like visiting somewhere far-flung and non-English speaking, but it’s different enough. For me it’s that I understand all the references (something that I struggle with sometimes here); other people might notice the accents, or the more diverse music. Just the sheer volume of people means that there always seems to be something happening.
This trip, the cultural highlight was taking my two boys to the local pantomime, along with their six cousins, two uncles and grandma. I’d be stretching the truth to say it was a great performance, but it was a great afternoon; gaudy costumes, kitsch and slightly uncomfortable, the catchphrases were repetitive and the first half was way too long. But my kids were still singing the songs at the airport on the way home and I’m sure next time they see their cousins they’ll have great fun recalling it all.
I even find that I like the plane journey on these trips to the UK. When else would you get to watch two, three or even four movies back-to-back! To my surprise I’ve discovered that the answer to that might be in Sidney. This month the Victoria Film Festival is bringing part of its program to our own Star Cinema and the Charlie White Theatre at the Mary Winspear Centre. It’s a big deal for our small town. Also coming in February are two award-winning Canadian authors. The Red Brick Reading Series offers literature fans the chance to get close up to some very successful published artists, whilst helping towards the cost of Sidney’s Literary Festival later in the year (an event that Seaside is proud to support). Gillian Crowley’s extensive Seaside Arts Scene column (page 28) has some great information as does the Shop Local centre-pullout.
I think for a small town, we have a heavyweight arts scene. A cinema; a theatre; a Literary Festival – what else would you like to see happening here on the Peninsula? Letters to the editor are always welcomed. Whether it’s feedback on the magazine or just a comment on events on the Peninsula we’re always interested to hear the reader’s viewpoint. So drop me a (virtual) line deborah@seasidemagazine.ca and tell me how we’re doing.
Hope to see you at some of our cultural events this month.
