The public is invited on Saturday, Aug. 3 to get a sneak preview of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, being put on by the Shawnigan Players as part of their Shakespeare Festival.
The performance takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cowichan Public Art Gallery at 126 Ingram St. in downtown Duncan.
Attendance is by donation and seating is limited so people are asked to RSVP to attend by calling 250-737-5229. Proceeds from the show will be split between the Shawnigan Players and the Cowichan Public Art Gallery.
The Two Gentlemen of Verona is one of Shakespeare's early romantic comedies.
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Two new artists are being featured in the windows of Imagine That! gallery in downtown Duncan until Aug. 23.
"Mosaics and painting on glass will dazzle shoppers in our window displays," said Imagine That's Katie Daniel.
Veronica Scott is featured in one window with her mosaic work.
“The act of transforming little pieces of disparate glass into a 'painting' strikes me as magic," said Scott. "Stained glass offers a glorious colour palette and an equally wide range of textures. I am especially drawn to the reflective nature of glass, the way it creates movement and a feeling of 'aliveness.' As an avid gardener, the colours, textures, and shapes of the flowers in my landscape intrigue me, particularly the impact of light and contrast.”
Visit her new website at veronicascottmosaics.ca.
Terry Harrison is showing "Flowers Galore" in the other window.
"Goblets, wine glasses, plates, bowls, and tiles hand-painted by Harrison all feature flowers, domestic and wild, in glorious colour," said a press release. "Roses, irises, daisies, snowdrops...many flowers make an appearance. Modern painted glass doesn't have to be hand-washed and is meant to be enjoyed and used every day. Terry also paints her flowers on wearable art pieces."
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Vancouver Island Pagan Pride Day is holding their 18th annual festival in Charles Hoey Park in Duncan on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The day features an entertainment lineup of local musicians and performers, said a press release for the event, interspersed with rituals that the public are encouraged to participate in.
There will be workshops and information tables from pagan organizations plus a wide range of vendors with clothing, jewelry, artwork, pottery, organic soaps and skin care products, along with pagan items and supplies.
There will also be an array of astrologers, psychics, tarot and oracle card readers, reiki practitioners, crystal therapists and spiritual healers.
“Paganism is an umbrella term for a lot of different religions and spiritual practices, including Wicca, Druidry, Heathenism, ancient reconstructionism, and many more,” said Mary Malinski, archpriestess of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church of Canada. “While there is a wide variety of practices, most of them are based on honouring the earth and all the people, plants, and animals that live here. Most pagans believe in the power of diversity, and that respect and kindness are part of how we honour each other and the Divine Spirit, by whatever name you call it. This year, we are excited and honoured to have our siblings from the Temple of Witchcraft leading the main ritual.”
Organizers encourage people to get to the festival by using public transit, carpooling, cycling or walking to "demonstrate their reverence for our Mother Earth."
Attendees can donate cash and non-perishable food items to the Share the Harvest Cauldron, which will be shared with the Cowichan Basket Society.
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On Aug. 17 Habitat for Humanity is hosting a pop-up donation drop event at the Bings Creek Recycling Centre.
People are invited to donate new or gently used building materials or clean, good working condition appliances and home décor.
The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
