Organizers of the eighth annual Victoria Tea Festival Revival on Saturday, Oct. 28 are promising “a grassroots farm-to-cup experience” and a chance to pick up plenty of tea-related lore.
The International Tea Appreciation Society event will run from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Nootka Court at 633 Courtney St., with tastings, a tea symposium, live music, food, a ceramics gallery and documentary screenings.
The symposium lineup includes a Japanese tea ceremony demonstration at 11:15 a.m., and talks on “The Ethics of Wildcrafting” at 12:15 p.m. and “The Bond Between Water and Tea” at 2:15 p.m.
Teas from around the world prepared by more than 20 merchants will be offered, including samples from farms in Japan, China, India, Taiwan and Korea.
Festival-goers can bring their own tea cups or buy a mini-mason jar for sampling, by donation.
“This festival is always a celebration of those who drink tea and want to enrich their lives, alongside those who wish to hone their tea-making skill,” said tea society representative Jared Nyberg.
The festival will be both in-person and virtual, and is being supported by the Capital Regional District, the City of Victoria, Creative B.C., the provincial government and the National Association of Japanese Canadians.
Last year’s event brought out 900 to 1,000 people.
Entry is by donation, with $10 to $20 suggested as a minimum. Tickets and online viewing are available at the door and at .
Spooky pumpkin walk in Sooke’s Pineridge Park
The Friends of Sooke Parks Society is planning post-Halloween fun with its Spooky Pumpkin Walk — a place for people to bring their carved pumpkins after trick-or-treaters have done their thing.
The event is set for Pineridge Park from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 1, with more than 100 lit-up jack-o-lanterns expected. Hot chocolate will be served.
Members of the public are invited to drop off their pumpkins any time after noon on Nov. 1 at the park. Access is from Rhodonite Drive or the path off Pineridge Place. Volunteers will start lighting the pumpkins at 5 p.m.
Trevor Paul, one of the society’s founding members, said the free event will let people enjoy their pumpkins one last time before the society arranges to have them composted.
“We want to see Sooke’s spookiest, most artistic, craziest pumpkins illuminating Pineridge Park,” he said. “We are also excited to announce that a generous donor will contribute $1 for each pumpkin we compost to be used to plant trees in Sooke Parks.”
Paul said the event is the first of several the society will be holding to generate awareness and enjoyment of the district’s parks. He said the society’s efforts have been boosted by an $8,000 Climate Action Seed Funding grant received this year from Sooke.
“We will be spotlighting four parks over the next 12 months as part of our Sooke Parks Enhancement Program, and our first park is Pineridge,” Paul said. “So far we have undertaken a park clean-up and FireSmart initiative, are soon to plant two or three trees near the park entrance and will be hosting a pop-up children’s story-book walk in collaboration with the Sooke Library in November.”
• For more details on the society and the Spooky Pumpkin Walk event, visit .
Empress launches artists in residence
The Fairmont Empress Hotel has launched its Artist in Residence program, where the hotel brings in a local artist each month for live painting sessions.
The artists will talk about their creative process and inspirations with hotel guests and members of the community.
“We are thrilled to support local artists and be a part of their creative journey,” said Empress general manager Dan McGowan. “This program provides our guests and the community an invaluable opportunity to engage with artists and learn about their discipline and artistic approach.
“We deeply appreciate the arts and wish to celebrate our local artists by providing a space for them to connect with our local community and those from abroad visiting our beautiful city.”
Participating artists will be at the hotel three times a week during their residency, and schedules will be posted online at the beginning of each month at .
In addition to the program, nine artists will be at the hotel on Nov. 18 for an event called Artistry at Afternoon Tea. They will paint during tea service from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and other works they have produced will be available for purchase.
Nanaimo calls for public art proposals
Proposals are being sought for temporary public art in Nanaimo.
Nanaimo’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture is looking for sculptural work that will be completed in 2024 and be able to last for five years.
“This program supports artists in the creation of new works, by providing necessary resources and staff support through the course of project development and realization,” the city said in a statement. “Over the past decade, the City of Nanaimo invited artists to exhibit sculptural works in Maffeo Sutton Park on an annual basis through open calls for temporary public art.”
The program expanded to include more spaces in 2021.
The opportunity is open to all artists, but applications from people who have had “barriers of access” due to gender identity and expression, racial identity or perception of disability are especially encouraged.
Artists do not have to be Nanaimo residents to apply but must have knowledge of and experience in the area.
The application deadline is midnight Nov. 13, with application details at .
Proposals will be evaluated by a panel of city staff and members of the Art in Public Spaces Working Group.
“The Public Art Program has enjoyed enormous success, and we encourage artists to submit their art proposals as we continue our efforts to create memorable experiences throughout our city’s landscape,” said Jaime-Brett Sine, Nanaimo’s cultural-services co-ordinator.
Volunteer CVRD parks advisers needed
Volunteers are needed in the Cowichan Valley Regional District to help in planning for parks and trails.
They will serve on the CVRD Regional Parks and Trails Master Plan Advisory Group to contribute to the update of the plan, beginning early next year.
The CVRD board will select volunteers with a variety of pertinent interests, such as ecological and heritage conservation, outdoor recreation, Indigenous issues, climate change and accessibility.
The advisory group is expected to be in place for up to 15 months, with members required to attend several meetings and public-engagement events.
“As we begin the process of updating this regional master plan, we’re excited to work with interested residents who can contribute their knowledge and share values for parks and open spaces within the CVRD as we plan for the future,” said Ladysmith Mayor Aaron Stone, CVRD board chair.
“This is a great opportunity to contribute to the ongoing enhancement and longevity of our renowned regional parks and trails system, and we encourage anyone interested to learn more by reviewing the terms of reference on the CVRD website.”
Submit an expression of interest in volunteering at .
