Kidding Around Vancouver Island » Courtenay

World Under-17 Hockey Challenge

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Hockey fans in the Central Island area are being treated to some world-class hockey right now, with the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge taking place at arenas in Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Campbell River, Courtenay, Cowichan, and Oceanside.

View the entire schedule and get up to date scores here at the official website.

Crafty outings for early December

kimmom — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:54:01 +0000

Christmas craft season has been in full swing here on the Island for a while now and just the other day the four of us were off to visit the Kris Kringle Craft Market in Qualicum Beach. When I say the “four of us” that means my mum was substituting for George, who often finds that chores around the yard don’t look so bad when the word ‘crafts’ is mentioned. Anyway, it was a girls’ trip out and we weren’t disappointed.

Ella was old enough this year to really get into the crafting experience. If it was fluffy, flowery, frilly or fancy, she was on it. She looked so sweet in her little dress, oohing and aahing at just about any table. And when she saw there was face painting too! Well, even a fancy girl’s allowed to let out a scream every so often. Grace on the other hand was on the lookout for the cool, the wacky, or the edible. She was particularly impressed with anything to do with pottery – we’ve been taking pottery classes and we have a much greater appreciation of how difficult it is to do!

While the Kris Kringle show is over now, there are still some craft shows you can catch for last minute shopping. There’s the Denman Island Christmas Craft Stroll this weekend, Dec. 6 and 7th and on Dec. 6th the 15th Annual Christmas Faire is on at Morning Glory School on Hilliers Rd. in Qualicum. Up in Courtenay, the 34th Annual Christmas Craft Fair continues until Dec. 31 at the Comox Valley Art Gallery. On Salt Spring Island, the Wintercraft show begins Dec. 6 and runs until Dec. 21 with over 100 artists on view. And the Errrington Hall Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair takes place on December 13th.

Pantomime Theatre….Such a Treat!

sharimom — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:40:34 +0000

Having traditions is very important for kids – even if they don’t always recognize it until later in life – and one of our traditions is to attend a pantomime each Christmas. A pantomime is a tradition in British theatre dating back to the middle ages – something between a music hall production and Italian commedia dell’ arte – and it’s alive and well on Vancouver Island, where many theatre companies run a pantomime, usually from Boxing Day until just after New Years. What’s so special about a “panto,” as they’re called? Audience participation is not only ok, it’s mandatory. Cheering the heroes and booing the villains, among other things, is crucial to a panto – and that’s something you don’t get sitting in a movie theatre.

Here’s a quick rundown of some pantomime in the area:
The Chemainus Theatre has Rumpelstiltskin running from Dec. 20 – Jan. 3,
Ladysmith Little Theatre features A Very Sticky Christmas from Dec. 26 – Jan. 6,
Peter and the Wolf plays at the Nanaimo Theatre Group Dec. 26 – Jan. 5,
Echo Players Village Theatre in Qualicum will be putting on Puss in Boots Dec. 19 – 31st,
and Courtenay Little Theatre has Snow White at the Sid from Dec. 26 – 31st.

Do Try and catch some of these showings…