Gabriola Island Lifestyle Blog

Archive for the ‘Holidays and Special Events’ Category

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Canada Day was filled with festivities which kicked off with live music and hot dogs at The Folklife Village. Locals and visitors alike started to assemble and by noon the band was rocking, playing tunes we all remember from the 60′s and 70′s. From there the party moved to brickyard beach where potato cannons were employed in an effort to bombard Mudge Island. Though not far away the Mudgkins were safe as the lobbed potatoes ended up in the sea. After dinner islanders and visitors were treated to the Gypsy Music of Orkestar Slivovica at the All Ages Dance party at the Haven. For those of us who like a home style party it was a perfect evening for a back yard BBQ with friends and family.

Posted in Gulf Island Lifestyle, Holidays and Special Events, Music | No Comments »

13th Annual Gabriola Home & Garden Tour

Monday, June 27th, 2011

It was a lovely day and there was a very good turn out at the Home and Garden Tour which is a fund raiser for PHC (People for a Healthy Community). We were able to view most of the 11 fabulous homes and gardens that were on display in the four hours that we had committed to. The gardens ranged from compact displays surrounding patios and walkways to rolling acreage with hidden paths and quiet glens ringed in a riot of color. There were a multitude of fragrant roses and many flowers and shrubs that I have not seen before, very impressive! And the homes were truly inspiring. It was a wonderful way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Posted in fundraising, Gardening on Gabriola, Holidays and Special Events | No Comments »

Peter and the Wolf

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

This past long weekend was abuzz with activities! The Farmers Market kicked off with the first of the Saturday openings, there was a bicycle race, the grand opening of the Hen House - a working Studio and Gallery, a play at The Centre, live music at Raspberry’s Jazz Cafe, Comedy at the Silva Bay Restaurant, a photography show and more! Peter and the Wolf, produced by local dance teacher Miss Mara, was well attended. This lively little show was danced delightfully by local children aged 3 to 17. With three of our granddaughters involved it is no wonder this was our favorite event.

Posted in family life, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, Music, The Arts | No Comments »

Mothers Day

Monday, May 9th, 2011

With three mothers in the family it is no wonder that we celebrate Mothers Day. The weather co operated marvelously with afternoon sunshine and the warmth that we so appreciate. We set up table and chairs and a blanket in the garden and all the family met for tea and fresh rhubarb crumble, custard, luscious brownies and incredible meringue cookies. The children and dogs ran and played and fun was had by all. Being the oldest mother I even got a present – a pretty summer dress from the local dress shop.

Posted in Buy Local, Cooking, family life, Holidays and Special Events, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Thanks to all and a Happy Holiday!

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

Thanks to all who made it out to the studio today for the Gabriola Winter Art Affair, it was a fantastic event! To all who receive the gifts we hope you love them even more than we do, locally made is extra special! Also a very happy holidays to all, may it be full of warmth, family, friends and laughter. Here’s to a great last 2 weeks of 2010 and a smile to the year to come, may 2011 be a wonderfully special year with new adventures and experiences. Thanks for all the support and business we have received this year, you are all wonderful in your own special way and we appreciate all of you!

“Ther are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward”

Kahlil Gibran

Posted in Buy Local, Crafts, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Holidays and Special Events, People, Shopping on Gabriola, The Arts, Uncategorized, west coast, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Gabriola Winter Art Affair 2010

Monday, November 8th, 2010

Saturday, December 18, 11- 5 p.m.

We had so much fun with the Thanksgiving Studio Tour – Gabriola has decided to host another studio tour for all those last minute Christmas shoppers! Read the Press Release below:

We are pleased to announce the inaugural launch of the 2010 Gabriola Winter Art Affair (GWAA). This year we will be hosting over 30 local artists working in a variety of mediums such as glass, ceramics, jewelry, woodworking, painting, sculpture and textiles. In addition, some of our studios will be featuring accessories such as homemade soaps and apothecaries. Be it an item big or small we assure you that each is made with the utmost care and craftsmanship making each purchase the perfect gift for the ones you love the most.

Located just 20 minutes by ferry from Downtown Nanaimo, you can pick up a Gabriola Art Affair map at Artworks in the Folklife Village Slice of Life Gallery in the Madrona’s Shopping Centre or any participating artist’s studio. All of the artists’ studios are indicated by a an easy-to-spot Igloo poster!

For more information you may contact Sylvie Milman at jupiterranch@shaw.ca

or Mariko McCrae mariko.feedlotstudios@gmail.com

Enjoy a getaway to the “Isle of the Arts” this holiday season… we hope you enjoy!

Posted in Buy Local, Gabriola Island, Holidays and Special Events, Shopping on Gabriola, The Arts | No Comments »

Halloween on Gabriola

Sunday, October 31st, 2010

Halloween evening for most families on Gabriola consists of joining with friends and going out trick or treating then off to the park at Twin Beaches for hot chocolate and a fabulous display of fireworks reflected in beautiful Taylor Bay, the smallest are soon exhausted and need a little nap.

Posted in Beaches, family life, Gabriola Living, Holidays and Special Events, Kids | No Comments »

Halloween Fun

Saturday, October 16th, 2010

We were so lucky today to have the chance to take the girls to a pottery class at Feedlot Studios here on Gabriola. We were greeted by an extremely fun and warm Mariko and her husband Bryan in their large, bright studio space located at 800 Valli Place. The girls started by getting in the Halloween mood with some ghoulish drawings to get the creative juices flowing. Once they had done a drawing Mariko showed us how to create a Halloween landscape complete with owls, pumpkins, snakes, crows, tombstones, cats and “Do Not Enter” signs as well as so much more. Once the creepy landscapes were formed the kids were able to paint them with a non-toxic ceramic paint in fun colours such as orange, green, black, red and white as well as a myriad of other “non-Halloween” colours. Once they were finished the kids were told that there pieces would be put in the kiln and would be ready for a later date. The finishing touch for the kids was a lovely little treat bag with Halloween candy and stickers. What an incredible way to spend a Saturday morning in October! To keep up to date on what this talented couple are doing subscribe to their blog http://feedlotstudios.blogspot.com/ and check out their website at http://feedlotstudios.ca

Photo courtesy of Bryan and Mariko

Posted in Crafts, family life, Gabriola Island, Gabriola Living, Gulf Island Lifestyle, Holidays and Special Events, Kids, People, The Arts, West Coast Living | No Comments »

Tour Studio 9

Sunday, October 10th, 2010

It is day two of the 14th Annual Thanksgiving Studio Tour and the island is hopping. This event has been advertised far and wide and the attendance by islanders and vistors alike is phenominal! They are browsing and buying original creations of jewelry, clothing, paintings, photograpy, sculpture, leather bags, woodwork, pottery, glass work and more. Gabriola should be very proud of its artist community, such diversity and quality of art work is unsurpassed. Be sure to get out and see the artists in 41 locations, Studio 9 still has a few things left and would love to have you drop by. Robyn’s line ‘For Give and For Get’ offers some very special children’s and women’s clothing and accessories in exciting and colorful fabrics - and Carly’s luminous jewelry showcasing semi-precious stones is a delight!

Posted in Buy Local, Crafts, Gabriola Living, Holidays and Special Events, The Arts | No Comments »

2nd Annual Gabriola Theatre Festival

Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

This largest of summer art festivals on Gabriola promises to be a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Two days of a variety of theatre performances, show and sell Street Art, music, and dancing, with the Gabriola Lions Club providing a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning. There is something here for everyone. The main theater tent holds 220 and there were still a few tickets available on Saturday for some of the performances.