Reef or Madness?

Reef or Madness?
Thursday, August 28th
DaVinci Centre
195 Bay St.(click for map)
Doors at 8pm

This gala event dazzled participants with a feast for the senses while the name made reference to the impact of climate change and ocean pollution of the fragile coral reef environments of the Pacific and how this connects back to the health of our shores and important economic and cultural assets such as the salmon who range as far as the mid-Pacific. As with the other events representatives from the SurRider Foundation were on hand to inform the public about their environmental work where members of the surf community take part in beach clean-ups and provide environmental education in an effort to take care of our shores and oceans- acting locally while thinking globally. Pacific Peoples’ Partnership displays showcased our work with Pacific and Canadian First Nations communities seeking rights and recognition.

This show featured music by Victoria surf band Brave New Waves, local experimental hip hop boys C.F.C., who combine classic hip-hop energy with a distinctly West Coast flavor and Ain’t Dead Yet who followed with contemporary Bluegrass fusions. Jimmy Peekaboo (of Atomic Vaudeville fame) provided comic relief in his MC role while local spoken word bandits powered through beat-boxing and sublime melodies.

Contemporary dancers added a fresh nautical twist to classic Ella Fitzgerald tunes in an homage to the ocean that surrounds us that included participation by a very fresh fish (you had to be there…).

As with Heat Wave tasty tropical treats were provided by The Blue Nile and The Reef while Chef EJ of Nosh’in showcased her fabulous vegan raw food chocolates.

Around the room a diverse collaboration of local artist turned their creation into live art performance, painting canvases, surf and skate boards and the bodies of willing models while spectacular fire spinning displays illuminated and dazzled participants.