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Royal, McPherson theatres host birthday week of world-class arts

100th birthday celebration for cultural institutions takes place all week
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Victoria Operatic Society Celebrates the American Musical at McPherson Playhouse on May 22 as part of the Royal McPherson Centennial celebration this week.

Dozens of music, dance and theatre acts return home for the 100th birthday of the Royal Theatre and McPherson Playhouse this week, beginning with the fascinatingly beautiful choreography of Crystal Pite and her Kidd Pivot Production of The Tempest Replica

Last seen in Victoria with the 2009 presentation of her lauded work Dark Matters, Pite and Kidd Pivot return with The Tempest Replica, based on motifs and themes from Shakespeare’s The Tempest with movement based on that of moths. Pite has been wowing seasoned dance critics across the globe with her modern dance routines, and she started it all right here in Victoria. (tonight, 8 p.m., Royal)

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The Victoria Conservatory of Music is planning a unique pairing of choral masterworks as their contribution to the centennial celebration: The Magnificat by J.S. Bach, and the Berliner Messe (Berlin Mass) by contemporary Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. Vox Humana, the city’s leading chamber choir, will be joined by two dozen members of the Victoria Symphony for this performance. (May 22, 8 p.m., McPherson)

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Daniel Lapp is hosting a West Coast Roots Celebration on Friday, with appearances from the B.C. Fiddle Orchestra Mae Moore, Adam Dobres, Ivonne Hernandez, Carolyn Mark, Ollie Swain, Doug Cox and more. Sure to be a fiddlin’ good time for all. (May 23, 8 p.m., McPherson).

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Victoria’s early punk and new wave roots are on full display during Rock the Royal! Saturday night. Curated by Nick Blasko and Dimitri Demers of Atomique Productions, the show features Vince Vaccaro, Acres of Lions, Kuba Oms, Steph Macpherson, Mindil Beach, Mike Edel, Quoia, Towers and Trees, Isobel Trigger and more.

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Victoria Operatic Society brings back its Broadway: Decades In Review show from 2011 with the rebranded VOS Celebrates The American Musical. Hear classics such as Oklahoma and contemporary shows like Wicked, Grease and Billy Elliot. Full calendar and tickets at rm100.ca.