Arts & Culture
The Society hosts, sponsors, co-sponsors and promotes a variety of Arts and Culture events throughout the year as well as during Black History Month.
Annual Concert at the Belfry Theatre
Since February 2013 we have co-sponsored a concert at the Belfry Theatre every year in partnership with the Greater Victoria Public Library. Performers have included:
-
- Pablo Cardenas, pianist and band — unique and engaging arrangements encompassing classical, afro-cuban, jazz, blues, latin, fusion & improvisation.
- Justin Carter, actor and playwright — one-man show tribute to his father ‘My Father To Whom I am Not Related’ and in 2016 wrote and performed ‘Welcome Home Mifflin Gibbs’ to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Gibbs’ election to Victoria City Council.
- Adelene da Soul Poet (aka Bertha Clark), Spoken Word Poet, Writer and Actor.
- Cathy Essombé with Ardent Tribe — classic rock, blues, soul, and top hits of the day.
- Songstress Chance Lovett from the Victory Conservatory of Music, joined by Nicholas Mintenko (Bass), Sean Thompson (Drums), and Dakota Hoeppner (Keyboard), performing gospel, jazz and blues.
- Scruffmouth, Spoken Word Poet.
- Ann-Bernice Thomas, spoken word poet and Youth Poet Laureate 2016 for the City of Victoria.
- Maureen Washington, Canadian/International Jazz singer and her trio.
Special Performances & Screenings
July 4, 2019
An Evening with Adelene da Soul Poet
Adelene performed a number of her favourite poems and spent time after the performance with the audience. This event took place at the upstairs lounge at the Bent Mast in James Bay.
June 25, 2019
“Art at the Archives”
Grafton Tyler Brown was a cartographer, lithographer, and landscape painter — the 1st professional Black artist, working and living in the Pacific North West as well as British Columbia and California. He had a studio at the corner of Wharf and Johnson Streets circa 1883. In March 2018 the Royal BC Museum purchased one of Brown's paintings: Giant's Castle Mountain: A.L. Fortune's Farm, Enderby B.C., dated October 6, 1882. This painting was displayed along with other artifacts related to the Black Pioneers. The BCBHAS hosted this event in partnership with the BC Archives and the Friends of the BC Archives. Why June 25th? It was June 25th, 1883 when Brown opened a 1-week art exhibit here in Victoria.
April 14, 2017
“A Queer Trial”
The Society promoted this event put on by the UVIC Office of Community-University Engagement. There were 2 performances at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm at Bastion Square. Free admission. The play tells the story of Victoria's unwitting pioneer for gay rights, John Butt. One of the jurors was Peter Lester, one of BC's early pioneers and business partner of Mifflin Gibbs.
February 4 & March 19, 2017
“The Mystery of Grafton Tyler Brown: Race, Art and Landscape in 19th Century B.C.” and “Re-imagining Race, Art and Landscape”
The Society promoted both of these events put on by the UVIC Legacy Art Gallery. On February 4, 2017 an afternoon presentation about BC's first Black professional artist was given by UVIC History Department Chair Dr. John Lutz and art historian Robert Chandler, including a digital display of Brown's works. On March 19th, artists Charles Campbell, Kemi Craig and Ann-Bernice Thomas responded to the story of Grafton Tyler Brown in 3 performances.
February 25, 2017
“For Jackson – A Time Capsule”
The Society promoted this event put on by the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Leila Sujir wrote and directed the film "FOR JACKSON: A TIME CAPSULE". This moving portrait incorporates interviews, family footage and archival materials to recount history through two grandmothers, Rosemary Brown (1930-2003) and Ruth Horricks-Sujir (born 1925). The documentary is intended as a time capsule for Jackson, their 7-year-old grandson.
February 2, 2017
“Just an Ordinary Lawyer”
In partnership with Metro Theatre. Performance and songs by Tayo Aluko. A one-man show about Tunji Sowande, who left Nigeria to study law in Britain and who in 1968 became the first Black head of a major barrister's chamber.
April 19, 2015
“Abraham Lincoln and the Fight for Freedom”
Through songs and narrative, Lonnie Glass related the story of Lincoln's journey from his pre-Presidential political career through the Civil War to his untimely death. Lonnie recorded "Chapter of Night" - an American Civil War Prospective in 2010, based on his research and tours in the Southern USA. This event was a commemoration of the life of Lincoln who was assassinated 150 years ago on April 15, 1865.
April 16, 2015 & February 20, 2013
“Call Mr. Robeson”
Performances by Tayo Aluko. Paul Robeson was an international star who sang renditions of iconic songs from the thirties to the sixties, and was a political activist persecuted as a communist sympathiser in Cold War America. Tayo Aluko is Robeson, effortlessly recounting his life and times - "A brilliantly put together history lesson delivered as art." BCBHAS co-sponsored this event with the Victoria Multi-Cultural Society, Social Environmental Alliance, UVIC Department of History, UVIC Cultural, Social and Political Thought Program and UVIC Social Justice Studies.
June 22, 2014
“Songs and Stories ’bout Slavery & the Underground Railway”
Sponsored and hosted by BCBHAS. Performed by Lonnie Glass. Lonnie's two passions of music and history were ignited when he toured the southern United States in the 1980s. He has an insatiable appetite for history and combined his passion for music with his historical knowledge. He's toured Canada and the U.S. and recorded several CDs in genres from folk to blues.
February 7, 2014
Leon Bibb at Government House
Hosted by the Honourable Judith Guichon. Leon was accompanied by his personal pianist of 30 years, Bill Sample. The event also became a celebration of Leon's 92nd Birthday. The performance was followed by appetizers and a hosted wine bar; and a mix and mingle with the performers and the Lieutenant Governor.
February 4, 2013
“Go Do Some Great Thing”
Showing of this film at the Greater Victoria Public Library.
February 10, 2012
“Tribute to Mahalia Jackson” and “Son of Africville”
This concert at the Metro Theatre featured Singer Gergana Velinova, accompanied by Pablo Cardenas, performing a "Tribute to Mahalia Jackson" followed by actor/playwright Justin Carter performing his one-man show "Son of Africville" - an autobiographical story of his reunion with his mother in Africville, Nova Scotia.
February 14, 2010
“A Tribute to Black Music”
Hosted and sponsored by BCBHAS at the UVIC Farquhar Auditorium. This event featured Louise Rose, the Victoria High School R&B Band, blues artist Eric Dozier and Moon Dance, an African Dance Group. Three choirs also performed: One Human Family Gospel Choir, Victoria Good News Choir and the Victoria Children's Choir.