There’s more than just sports and recreation going on at Bear Mountain.
The West Shore’s growing arts and culture community makes another mark in the vibrant north Langford community, as the Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa welcomes the Victoria Symphony Orchestra for the second annual Symphony Spectacular on July 24.
Event director Cathy Noel said the VSO is a perfect fit for a community looking for more local arts and cultural opportunities.
“The population and diversity of residents in the West Shore is growing,” she said. “Being able to have (events) that are easily accessible will allow people the opportunity to experience them and get involved. It’s harder to say ‘no’ if it’s right here.”
The resort’s ballroom will accommodate 200 guests for an afternoon of classic compositions entitled “Dvorak’s New World,” from Czech composer Antonin Dvorak. Michael Gormley conducts the full orchestra in a venue Noel calls unique.
“With the symphony (performing in a large theatre), you can close your eyes and have a great experience, but (here) you are not looking at a huge venue where you are so far away,” she said. “(This is) more of a boutique, intimate venue, so you can hear and feel like you are part of the performance, in a way, because you are not just one of thousands.”
Doors open at 3 p.m. with a welcome reception, followed by the performance from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person, available at bearmountain.ca.
There is an optional barbecue buffet dinner directly afterwards for $35 for adults, $17.50 for children five to 12 and free for kids under five.
alim@goldstreamgazette.com