Tim Collins/Victoria B次元官网网址
When Morlene Tomlinson first heard Ken Lavigne perform, she was determined to bring him to Esquimalt for a concert that would form part of the communityB次元官网网址檚 arts festival.
As much as one might not have expected an internationally known tenor who once graced the stage of Carnegie Hall to perform in a free concert in the heart of the township, itB次元官网网址檚 a perception Tomlinson feels is changing.
B次元官网网址淥ur aim from the beginning was to showcase this community as the rich and diverse place that it is,B次元官网网址� said Tomlinson, the founder and past president of the Township Community Arts Council.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e managed to do that to a large extent, and weB次元官网网址檒l continue to build on our successes to create a reputation where people look to Esquimalt as a place to come for arts and culture.B次元官网网址�
That said, the arts council doesnB次元官网网址檛 want to lose sight of its traditional connections within the community.
B次元官网网址淥ur relationship with CFB Esquimalt has always been very close and productive,B次元官网网址� she said, noting that the first band to play at an arts council event was the Naden Band.
That relationship continues this summer during the Esquimalt Arts Festival, when the Pacific Blue Swing Orchestra opens for Lavigne in the June 23 performance at Memorial Park.
The park is hosting a series of six concerts this summer, with local recording artist Maureen Washington (June 20) among the featured performers. Tomlinson maintained the concerts are only part of what is setting her community apart.
On June 24, an art exhibit will feature original works by more than 25 local artists. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a chance to demonstrate the depth of talent we have in our artistic community,B次元官网网址� she said.
The exhibits will also feature a B次元官网网址淪plash of Paint with Emily Carr,B次元官网网址� as well as interactive art displays, music and food. Esquimalt residents take great pride in the townshipB次元官网网址檚 diverse and talented population, its level of volunteerism and its appreciation of all manner of arts and culture.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an unfair image of the community at times, but I believe weB次元官网网址檙e overcoming that more and more,B次元官网网址� Tomlinson said. B次元官网网址˙次元官网网址淵ou might not have expected to see Macbeth performed here, but weB次元官网网址檝e partnered with the Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival to bring three performances to Esquimalt. WeB次元官网网址檝e got aerial dancers who will entertain from the tree tops and we have (talented artisans) in our markets.B次元官网网址�
Holly Courtright, EsquimaltB次元官网网址檚 community development programmer, is similarly high on the change of perception regarding her community.
B次元官网网址淲e have a small-town feel and weB次元官网网址檝e always had a lot of great things going on, but recently I can feel a shift,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he wide variety of attractions has combined to draw people and development to our community. Things are changing.B次元官网网址�
For more information on the arts festival, visit
editor@vicnews.com
