Kristine Wickheim, Author at islandparent https://islandparent.ca/author/kriswick/ Vancouver Island's Parenting Resource Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:28:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol https://islandparent.ca/a-wonderheads-christmas-carol/ Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:26:21 +0000 https://islandparent.ca/?p=13809

A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol is pure holiday magic Acclaimed theatrical imagineers the WONDERHEADS make their highly anticipated seasonal return to the McPherson Playhouse and Port Theatre this December with A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, the extraordinary reimagining of the Charles Dickens’ classic beloved by audiences. The multi-award-winning company brings Ebenezer Scrooge’s magical Christmas eve journey to […]

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A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol

is pure holiday magic

Acclaimed theatrical imagineers the WONDERHEADS make their highly anticipated seasonal return to the McPherson Playhouse and Port Theatre this December with A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol, the extraordinary reimagining of the Charles Dickens’ classic beloved by audiences. The multi-award-winning company brings Ebenezer Scrooge’s magical Christmas eve journey to life like never before, with giant masks, whimsical puppets, and wondrous theatrical invention in this spellbinding production.

Photo by Peter Pokorny

The WONDERHEADS, who specialize in visual storytelling, have been praised by the CBC as “Pure magic” and the Globe and Mail as “Powerful, surprising, and moving.” Now in its sixth year of touring, A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol has become an unmissable holiday tradition for thousands of theatregoers, and this year will be no different with a residency at the Arts Club Theatre in Vancouver (Olympic Village Stage, Nov 26 – Dec 14) before captivating audiences in Victoria (McPherson Playhouse, December 19-21) and Nanaimo (Port Theatre, December 23-24).

Co-Founding Artistic Director Kate Braidwood embraces the ‘live-action Pixar’ comparison often used to describe WONDERHEADS’ work: “It’s a real compliment because, like Pixar, we set out to create entertaining and enchanting shows that resonate with all ages. If we haven’t made you laugh, cry, and gasp with wonder, then we haven’t done our job!”

The production’s four performers share more than twenty roles between them, and the virtuosity on display is world-class. “Our ensemble is breathing hard by the end of the 75-minute show” says Andrew Phoenix, Director. “In one moment, a performer is playing Bob Cratchit, in the next, bringing to life an enormous backpack puppet, and the next, spinning set pieces through the air in a cyclone of time travel.”

 Photo by Peter Pokorny

The WONDERHEADS have spent more than a decade touring the world to critical acclaim and sold-out audiences who describe the experience as watching animation come to life. Performed entirely without dialogue, their enchanting work has earned widespread praise, including six Critics’ Choice Awards and twelve Best of Fest honours.

In what the CBC describes as “Captivating and magical,” the one-of-a-kind theatrical experience of a WONDERHEADS show is not to be missed. Tickets are on sale now and selling fast! Recommended for ages 7+. Visit www.wonderheads.com to secure your seat, or find out more about the show of the season.

Check out this trailer for a sneak peek of what’s in store:

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Biodiversity Protection https://islandparent.ca/biodiversity-protection/ Tue, 08 Apr 2025 21:12:08 +0000 https://islandparent.ca/?p=12360

Join the City Nature Challenge April 25-28, 2025 Join community scientists and nature lovers across the capital region in celebrating local species and ecosystems by participating in the 2025 City Nature Challenge, happening April 25-28. During the City Nature Challenge over 400 cities across the world compete to photograph and document their local biodiversity. Join the 2025 City […]

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Join the City Nature Challenge April 25-28, 2025

Join community scientists and nature lovers across the capital region in celebrating local species and ecosystems by participating in the 2025 City Nature Challenge, happening April 25-28. During the City Nature Challenge over 400 cities across the world compete to photograph and document their local biodiversity.

Join the 2025 City Nature Challenge

Image

1. A bird is in a graphical image. 2. The bird stands next to a phone that features a collection of imaginative drawings.

This is your chance to connect with other nature lovers across the capital region in celebrating local species and ecosystems by participating in the 2025 City Nature Challenge. Join now: City Nature Challenge April 25-28, 2025(opens in new window)

Over four-days, April 25-28, photograph and document local biodiversity in the capital region using the free iNaturalist (opens in new window)website or app and help to build a record of the nature that surrounds us. More than 700 cities around the world will be participating in the City Nature Challenge this year. By joining in, you will help build a record of the nature that surrounds us, which is used by local governments and scientists to protect biodiversity.

Join the Greater Victoria City Nature Challenge project to be eligible to win one of three exciting prizes:

  • First prize (Most species observations): $50 gift card to Satinflower Nurseries
  • Second prize (Most observations overall): $30 gift card to Wild Birds Unlimited store
  • Third prize (randomly selected participant): Greater Victoria nature guidebook
     

Participating in City Nature Challenge in the capital region is easy:

  1. Create an account using the free iNaturalist app (AppStore (opens in new window)or Google Play(opens in new window)) or website(opens in new window)
  2. Become a member of the Greater Victoria City Nature Challenge project(opens in new window). Members will receive project updates and have the chance to win great prizes.
  3. Join the hunt! Search for local nature in your backyard, neighbourhood, or favourite park or beach between April 25 and 28. Observations of wild native plants, animals, fungi, insects, tracks, or even scat are all welcome.
  4. Use a digital camera or smart phone to capture your sightings, and upload to iNaturalist. Any iNat observation made within the capital region between April 25-28 will count towards the Challenge.
  5. Identify your findings as best you can and have people from the iNaturalist community help confirm your identifications

Don’t miss any of the City Nature Challenge Events! Partners across the capital region are offering free events to encourage people to join this fun competition. Click on the links for more information, and check back as new events are continually added:

DateEvent
April 24Rocky Point Bird Observatory “Feathers and Flight” iNaturalist virtual training (zoom link coming soon)
April 26Mini Biothon at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary(opens in new window)CRD Wildflowers of Horth Hill guided walk (Pre-registered program,18+)Nature Walks at Goldstream Provincial Park  (opens in new window)Earth Day Celebration at Oak Haven Park(opens in new window)
April 27Saanich Gorge Park Tour and City Nature Challenge

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WildPlay’s Anti Gravity Camp! https://islandparent.ca/wildplays-anti-gravity-camp/ Thu, 30 Jun 2022 17:35:10 +0000 https://islandparent.ca/?p=8215

Victoria just got an invigorating new outdoor adventure day camp for kids ages 10-14. This brand new program is not just another place to drop off your kiddos for a week. At WildPlay’s Anti-Gravity Camp, your little ones will climb, zip, jump and swing through the treetops in Victoria’s West Shore, learning about themselves and […]

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Victoria just got an invigorating new outdoor adventure day camp for kids ages 10-14. This brand new program is not just another place to drop off your kiddos for a week. At WildPlay’s Anti-Gravity Camp, your little ones will climb, zip, jump and swing through the treetops in Victoria’s West Shore, learning about themselves and the world around them while making lasting friendships and unforgettable memories.

While WildPlay’s famous ziplines and adventure courses are all about fun and games in the trees, our mission with the camp is to provide fertile ground for kids to focus on relationship-building and developing interpersonal skills through activities designed to encourage and support internal growth.

But don’t just take it from us.

“10/10! She was proud of herself, which doesn’t come naturally. She became more outspoken, willing to express her concerns and successes, and able to share her experiences with me. These are huge leaps and bounds for my child who has autism and anxiety. Thank you WildPlay for bringing out the child in my child!”

– Parent Testimonial, Spring Break 2022

If you’re looking for a summer camp that is a place for your kids to learn and grow, WildPlay’s Anti-Gravity Camp is the place for you.

Location: WildPlay Victoria (#1757 Island Highway, Victoria BC)

Dates: 5-day programs all summer long, starting June 25th

Space is filling up fast! 

Learn more & register online at wplay.info/ip-agc (or scan the QR code above!)

Register by phone: +1-250-590-PLAY (7529)Take $25 off registration with code ISLANDPARENT25!

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