A fundraising drive to replace a boardwalk at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary takes flight over the next two months with an announcement that the sanctuary has partnered with the Moscow Ballet for two events.
The world-famous ballet company is bringing the ballet Swan Lake to Victoria. This piece has remained, since its première in Moscow in 1877, one of the most captivating and cherished ballets.
In the next few months, 40 award-winning dancers of the company will arrive to perform the traditional telling of the tragic story as part of the sanctuary’s Bridges to Nature Campaign. The goal is to raise $800,000 for 236 metres of floating boardwalk to span the lake.
“Partnering with world-renowned Moscow Ballet is an exciting opportunity for not only the sanctuary but for the whole community,” said Kathleen Burton, executive director of the sanctuary. “The two organizations share so many synergies; their costumes provide the perfect setting for the ballet’s shifting moods and timeless beauty just as the foliage and flowers do so for the sanctuary.
“I have wanted to bring Swan Lake to Swan Lake since my very first day on the job. When we entered discussions and the ballet company indicated they were planning a stop as part of their North American tour, I think my squeal of excitement could be heard across the lake.”
There will be two events:
On Oct. 8, Olena Nalyvaiko, ballerina and audition director, arrives for a campaign photo shoot on the floating boardwalk. Two separate children’s programs will be offered immediately after, with the first geared to younger children and the second to teens.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for children to take part in a fun workshop of cultural immersion. They will have a highly trained, world-class Russian dancer as a role model — while at the same time raising awareness and much-needed funds for the campaign.
On Nov. 12, audiences can enjoy an evening at the Royal Theatre as the company performs Tchaikovsky’s ballet, with proceeds to support the campaign.
More details and ticket prices will be released as they become available.
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is a non-profit organization that offers the community a place to enjoy the natural habitat that surrounds the Nature House, in which programs and interactive displays educate both children and adults. For more information, go to swanlake.bc.ca.
This is the 24th consecutive year that the Moscow Ballet has toured North America. In addition to Swan Lake, its repertoire includes classics such as Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and the Great Russian Nutcracker.
BeYou campaign promotes girls’ self-esteem
Uptown Shopping Centre and Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada have teamed up to offer BeYou in Victoria, a campaign designed to encourage girls to celebrate their individuality, physical activity, balanced eating and self-esteem.
The program kicked off Saturday at the shopping centre with a day of free interactive activities for girls ages nine to 16. Events included speakers, live entertainment, a Jump and BeYou photo booth, and a variety of developmental tools and information focused on helping girls to increase self-esteem and self-worth.
“Imagine a society where girls grow up with endless self-confidence and pride in celebrating their diversity,” said Kristy Lowes, marketing director for Uptown. “We designed our BeYou campaign to reach out directly to young girls in the Victoria area to encourage them to express themselves and reach for the stars.”
Starting Sept. 1, the shopping centre will also provide a space to Big Sisters Victoria to run a Go Girls! group mentoring program for girls aged 12 to 14.
“We’ve established there’s a need in this community for girls to have opportunities to come together to focus on activities that strengthen their self-esteem and give them the confidence to become caring leaders at home, at school and in the community,” said Rhonda Brown, executive director, Big Brothers Big Sisters Victoria. “We’re very excited to be partnering with Uptown on this initiative and to have a beautiful space to welcome our Go Girls! participants.”
BeYou is a national campaign that includes online components including I Promise, featuring positive statements from girls across Canada. These promises will also be on display at a digital Promise Wall in front of Walmart at Uptown. BeYou is being celebrated in 21 shopping centres across Canada managed by Morguard.
Follow the campaign on social media with the hashtag #beyougirl.
For more information, go to bbbsvictoria.com or shopuptown.ca.
It’s party time for Victoria Foundation
The Victoria Foundation celebrates its 80th anniversary, and the public gets a birthday gift in the form of a day of art, athletics, nature or history — for free — at 25 local attractions on Sept. 17.
On Victoria Foundation Day, popular attractions as diverse as the Robert Bateman Centre, Boulders Climbing Gym and Abkhazi Garden will open their doors and welcome the public for a free family fun day. People can take the opportunity to admire world-class art, stroll through magnificent gardens, climb new heights or explore nature.
“Commitment to community is a cornerstone of the Victoria Foundation,” said Sandra Richardson, CEO of the organization. “So we wanted to mark this important milestone with an inclusive, co-operative event, highlighting the importance of partnership and celebrating all this region has to offer. It’s our birthday gift to the community.”
The Victoria Foundation was founded by Burges Gadsden, a volunteer at a soup kitchen, in 1936. Established by an act of the B.C. legislature, the foundation received its first gift the following year, when Gadsden’s mother, Fannie, donated $20.
The foundation continues to build a vibrant, caring community. It is the region’s largest non-government funder, with assets of more than $270 million and annual granting in excess of $15 million.
Participating venues for the event include the Maritime Museum of B.C., CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum, Abkhazi Garden, Heritage Acres, the Robert Bateman Centre, B.C. Aviation Museum, the Gardens at HCP, Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, Wentworth Villa, Craigdarroch Castle, University of Victoria Climbing Centre and Fieldhouse, Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site, Emily Carr House, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Ross Bay Villa, Point Ellice House, Thetis Lake Regional Park, Sooke Potholes Regional Park, Sooke Region Museum, Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, Boulders Climbing Gym, Sidney Museum, Saanich Pioneer Society Log Cabin Museum and Archives, Metchosin Pioneer Museum and Metchosin School Museum.
Details, including addresses and hours of operation, are available at victoriafoundation.ca.
Cancer program aimed at new Canadians
The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation to launch a Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention campaign for newcomers.
This grant will further current research regarding newcomer perceptions of breast health. The data collected will guide the society in offering relevant and accessible information about breast cancer to both men and women of various ethnic groups.
“We are hoping to reach 250 to 500 newcomers in the survey,” said Keri Greenidge, engagement co-ordinator for the project.
This is the second time the society has received a grant from the foundation. The society launched the Women’s Health Program in 2008 to provide immigrant and refugee women with information on breast cancer.
The Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society is a registered charitable organization that has helped immigrants, refugees, new Canadian citizens and visible minorities settle and adapt into new lives in Victoria for 27 years.
The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is a national community-driven charity and the largest charitable funder of breast-cancer research in Canada. For more information, go to vircs.bc.ca or cbcf.org.
Playgrounds will honour beloved resident
A woman who always saw the best in people will be remembered with four playgrounds dedicated in her honour. Bonnie Clark was a resident of Pacifica Housing who lived most of her life in a wheelchair.
A proud woman of Cree and Métis descent, she was an inspiration to many in the community.
After Clark died unexpectedly last fall, her closest friends wanted to establish a gift in her memory in the complex where she had lived. The housing society and the maintenance staff who knew her wanted her legacy to be significant and represent the values she carried so close to her heart.
After considering the things in life she loved, Pacifica Housing decided to honour her legacy by refurbishing four children’s playgrounds, including one in the complex where she lived.
Through a public appeal, Pacifica Housing and Clark’s friends and supporters raised $10,000 for the Bonnie’s Legacy project, which officially unveiled the first playground last Sunday at 3230 Irma St.
“It is a gift to be able celebrate the life of someone in a way that will be remembered for years and years to come,” said Dean Fortin, executive director of Pacifica Housing. “We are touched by the generosity of our supporters who have rallied to help make this project a reality.”
People are invited join in creating a legacy — and improve the lives of children in the community who need it most — with assistance with securing in-kind donations, services and financial support to complete the project.
To learn more about Bonnie’s Legacy or how to get involved, contact Dean Fortin at [email protected]. Pacifica Housing is a provider of affordable housing and support services in Greater Victoria, Duncan and Nanaimo. With 842 units in 32 buildings, it houses more than 1,500 people.
For more information, go to pacificahousing.ca.
Firefighters donate to summer camps
The Victoria Firefighters Charitable Foundation presented a cheque for $3,500 to the City of Victoria summer-camp staff in support of the city’s Campership Program on Thursday.
The donation took place at a water-themed Summer Carnival event attended by summer-camp staff and children at Royal Athletic Park. Attendees got to enjoy the sunny afternoon with giant inflatables, games and a children’s DJ.
The City of Victoria Campership Program provides financial assistance to the families of children who are unable to register in summer camps due to financial hardship. The program has helped 154 children attend city-run summer camps since 2013. For more information, go to victoria.ca.
Women Warriors race today
Get out and cheer participants of the Woman2Warrior event today at West Shore Parks and Recreation.
Proceeds from this all-women charity obstacle race will benefit the B.C. Lions Society’s Easter Seals camps for children and young adults with disabilities.
The race is a five-kilometre run through grass, road and trails, with more than a dozen obstacles designed to test participants’ strength, agility, determination and endurance.
The first wave of warriors start off at 10 a.m., with another wave every 15 minutes thereafter until about 11:30 a.m.
Tweet or tag them on Instagram at @woman2warriorbc, using the hashtag #Woman2Warrior.
The event runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the West Shore Parks and Recreation, 1767 Island Hwy.
For more information, go to victoria.woman2warrior.ca.
Help a refugee family from Burundi
Enjoy an evening of entertainment and a meal at the African Dinner Fundraiser, sponsored by the Rwanda Women’s Association of Victoria, tonight.
The event is in support of a refugee family from Burundi.
The cost is $25 per person, $55 for a family of up to four people, and free for children 10 and under. It runs 6 to 8 p.m. tonight at United Church, 500 Admirals Rd.
For more information, email [email protected] or call 250-370-9682.
