Archives for posts with tag: historic Chinatown

We love our neighbourhood and the fact that it is filled with other artists. So, we thought we should share our experience with visitors from around the world. Check out our website avantcrossingguard.com or go straight to tickets at our online store.

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It is with reluctance that I write about anything that is not happy, beautiful, or inspiring. We are, however, about to see some changes to our beautiful Chinatown neighbourhood, and that is making me sad. The extent of these changes I do not know, but for me the word “gentrification” means the end of affordable rental accommodation in a city where anything under $1000 per month is almost impossible to find. So many artists, students, and local small businesses call this neighbourhood home. These renovations are to a set of buildings which back-to-back face Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue. They are beside a brand new condo building which was just completed in a space that was a parking lot. A building on the west side of historic Fan Tan Alley was just recently gutted. The facades were kept intact, but a taller addition was added inside the original walls. This one seems to be advertising rental units, but the cost?

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Yesterday our neighbourhood of Chinatown hosted the Lion Dance celebration as part of Chinese New Year. Colourful lions, martial arts displays,  drumming and fire crackers welcomed in the new year. It was a lively afternoon!

Participants and spectators taking part on the Lunar New Year Lion Dance, Chinatown Victoria BC.

Participants and spectators taking part in the Lunar New Year Lion Dance, Chinatown Victoria BC.

Shops and homes along the lion dance route hang lettuce and red packets with money enclosed. Accompanied by drummers, the lion visits each doorway and accepts the packet and lettuce. Firecrackers scare away evil spirits and leave be behind good luck and good fortune for the year ahead.

Shops and homes along the lion dance route hang lettuce and red packets with money enclosed. Accompanied by drummers, the lion visits each doorway and accepts the packet and lettuce. Firecrackers scare away evil spirits and leave be behind good luck and good fortune for the year ahead.

Eight lions seen photographed through old wavy glass.

Eight lions seen photographed through old wavy glass.

My favourite lion. The artistry is magical.

My favourite lion. The artistry is magical.

So many beautiful colours and costumes.

So many beautiful colours and costumes.

A colourful dragon waiting to come to life.

A colourful dragon waiting to come to life.

Dales Gallery ready with it's offering for the Lion.

Dales Gallery ready with it’s offering for the Lion.

We were so pleased to read an amazing review of GJ’s work by Robert Amos in this morning’s Time Colonist. Heading into our second full week of the show at Dales Gallery. We shot lots of video yesterday and hope to have a few new films on GJ’s YouTube channel next week.

Tiny Flying Ship detail, hand-cranked kinetic sculpture by GJ Pearson.

Tiny Flying Ship detail, hand-cranked kinetic sculpture by GJ Pearson.

Chew, kinetic sculpture by GJ Pearson.

Chew, kinetic sculpture by GJ Pearson.

Bluebird of Happiness on the wall at Dales Gallery.

Bluebird of Happiness on the wall at Dales Gallery.