Feb 26 - Symphony Splash returns this summer

Good morning !

A beloved festival will once again be making a splash in the Inner Harbour this summer. Symphony Splash will return from a five-year hiatus, bringing live classical music back to the bustling tourist hub. It may have been a long break since the last show, but the Splash has built a loyal audience during its 85-year run.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

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Today: ⛅ 11 / 6

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 12 / 6

Friday: 🌤️ 11 / 7

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NEWS

Symphony Splash returns to Inner Harbour this summer after 5-year break

The well-attended Symphony Splash returns as a two-day event, part of the weeklong “Symphony in the Summer Festival & Symphony Splash!” in celebration of the Victoria Symphony’s 85th year.

Expect the crowds to once again line the Inner Harbour to watch and hear the orchestra play from a barge as dozens more look on from kayaks and personal watercraft. 

The last time the Symphony Splash was held in the Inner Harbour was in the summer of 2019. Performances were cancelled for the following two years because of the pandemic.

Issues with the barge prevented the event from happening in ‘23 and last year, prompting the Victoria Symphony to pivot, expanding to a 10-day event that featured concerts throughout the city, including at the Royal Theatre, Christ Church Cathedral, and the Atrium on Yates.

But buoyed by a $250K grant from the city, the classic orchestral sounds—including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture—will once again emanate from the water. 

Slated for Sat. Aug. 2 and Sun. Aug. 3, during the BC Day long weekend, there will be two shows—all free, just show up—each day showcasing a range of musical styles and artists supported by the big orchestral sound. 

Sat.’s programming will feature appearances by the 90 members of The National Youth Orchestra of Canada, Juno award-winning and nominated Indigenous vocalists Celeigh Cardinal and Shawnee Kish, Sal Ferreras and his Latin Jazz Sextet, and the Victoria Symphony.

On the Sun., Naomi Woo will conduct the National Youth Orchestra of Canada before the 44-member Victoria Symphony takes to the barge.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

CRD wants feedback on Juan de Fuca Transportation Network plan, open until March 8. [Details]

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NEWS

UVic training org using Island First Nation knowledge to prepare communities for emergencies

The two earthquakes that hit BC’s coast this week were small reminders that natural disasters can strike at any time. The quakes were mild and by no means qualified as disasters, but a higher-magnitude shaker could rock the Island without warning. As climate change progresses, the instances of other natural disasters like forest fires and floods are likely to increase, putting pressure on communities to set emergency plans.

A research and training program at UVic, known as CIFAL Victoria, is working with two Island First Nations—T’Sou-ke Nation in Sooke and Huu-ay-aht Nation in Barkley Sound—to learn about historical emergency planning and develop a new approach using Indigenous knowledge. The project is still in its early stages, but the end result will be a training program that combines the nations’ scientific and historic knowledge to guide future emergency preparation. These training programs eventually will inform emergency plans for other BC First Nations.

CIFAL Victoria (a French acronym for International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders) is a United-Nations-accredited UVic organization working to improve government response to modern-day challenges. Victoria’s branch is the only CIFAL centre on North America’s west coast and one of 33 worldwide. 

Island First Nations thinking ahead to future disasters

Tommy Happynook, hereditary chief of Huu-ay-aht Nation and UVic anthropology assistant professor, said emergency planning is top of mind for his community as climate disasters become more commonplace. 

“There are a number of sort of natural disasters that are starting to happen that we're really thinking about,” he said in a release.

First Nations on the Island and beyond have tracked natural disasters in their areas for generations. Happynook said the “depths of knowledge” for Huu-ay-aht Nation’s land doesn’t exist within the university, making it imperative that First Nation voices from the community are heard. There are traditional songs within Nuu-chah-nulth culture that discuss tsunami preparation, Sean Flickinger, emergency program co-ordinator for the Huu-ay-aht Nation said.

Community Indigenous knowledge on these disasters can date back long before colonization, offering key details of how a disaster might play out. 

Happynook says he’s glad CIFAL didn’t force an emergency plan on the First Nation, but instead allowed Huu-ay-aht people to guide its approach.

“A lot of the work that they were doing and the programs and support that they're working on building… is all stuff my nation is thinking about,” he said.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

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🗞️ In Other News

More Victoria homes with sewage backups from city pipe project 
The city paid $1.8M to a Surrey-based company to line a series of damaged pipelines and storm drains in the North Park and downtown areas, some of which are now causing backups and flooding. The public works department says the city is working with the contractor to fix the problems and that affected residents should call the city with any questions and contact their insurance companies for claims. [Times Colonist]

Another earthquake rumbles through the Island
For the second time in less than four days a shaker could be felt in the area—this time a 5-magnitude quake that happened at 9:37 Mon. night, centred west of Port Alice near the northern tip of the Island. There were no reports of damage and no risk of a tsunami, Emergency Info BC said. On Fri., a 4.7-magnitude quake struck near Sechelt on the mainland, which could be felt throughout parts of Victoria. [CTV]

Province’s first invasive mussel detection dog calling it a career
Kilo has been working with the BC Conservation Officer Services (COS) for eight years, sniffing out invasive species such as zebra and quagga mussels, which can cling to the bottom of boats and reproduce quickly in new bodies of water. Kilo took part in 200+ “high-risk vessel inspections,” leading to 24 mussel contaminations. Last year, some of Kilo’s work resulted in the federal government closing some national parks in BC. [CHEK]

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🗓️ Things to do

🍛 Culinaire: Vancouver Island’s finest food and beverage event will return to the Victoria Conference Centre tonight. 5pm & 8pm. [Info]

❓ Trivia Night: This trivia game will test your knowledge of random facts at Spinnakers tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎶 Bellbird: On Tour from Montreal: Hear the melodious and approachable free jazz of Bellbird at Hermann's tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎸 Jeremie Albino: Experience the soulful blend of country, R&B, and rock 'n' roll with Jeremie Albino at Capital Ballroom tomorrow. 9pm. [Info]

🎭 Oak Bay High Musical: See students perform The Prom at Dave Dunnet Theatre. Opens Fri. 7:30pm [Info]

👚 Glenlyon Norfolk Mean Girls The Musical: See the high-school friendly version of this musical performed by students. March 5-8. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Obituary scam, family deals with sewage after city roadwork, Island asbestos company fined $61K by Worksafe BC. [Feb. 25]

After-hours clubbing could return to Victoria. [Capital Daily]

Marmot baby boom: Wild population hits record number. [LJI / Capital Daily]

Missing person: Marcus, 51, was last seen Jan. 27. [VicPD]

Blind Victoria woman might have her vision restored using…her tooth. [Vancouver Sun]

Obituary scam warning. [Consumer Protection BC]

Recall: Kids by Babyganics SPF 50 mineral sunscreen recalled due to possible impurity. [Details]

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