
MUSIC, A SIDEWALK MARKET, TASTINGS, A MINI-FASHION EVENT AND MORE LAUNCH UPPER FORT STREET’S TRANSFORMATION TO
THE MOSAIC VILLAGE SHOPPING DISTRICT FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24 FROM 11 AM TO 7 PM.
Victoria, B.C. September 20, 2010 … With the landmark Mosaic Building anchoring the 1000 block Fort Street and the surrounding area, a progressive group of 24 merchants on upper Fort and Cook Streets are announcing the re-branding of the historic shopping district as Mosaic Village. Friday September 24 from 11 am to 7 pm rediscover a lively neighbourhood with a wide variety of locally-owned unique shops and services including some new ones opening on the weekend. Strolling musicians, a sidewalk market, tastings, free yoga classes, a mini-fashion event, leatherwork demonstrations, advice on home stylings, bakery and restaurant specials and more will brighten up your lunch hour or your shopping excursion. The excitement continues on Saturday within each individual shop.
Said Trevor Walker of Plenty 1030 Fort Street “Since the turn of the century Upper Fort Street has been a primary shopping/service destination for residents heading home from downtown. It has been called the "Original Uptown". He continued “During the 1960s and 70s design shops and 'counter culture' restaurants joined the evolving 'Antique Row'. Recently distinctive restaurants, boutiques, yoga and fitness studios have joined the mix. It still has the city's finest antique stores but now they are part of a dynamic urban village. New York has Greenwich Village, Toronto has Yorkville, Victoria meet Mosaic Village!”
The merchants have a community conscience and are using the Mosaic Village launch to fund projects in slum communities in India. Architectural firm de Hoog and Kierulf generously allowed an empty storefront next door at 977A Fort Street (formerly the Luz Gallery of Photography) to become a temporary exhibition space for Kane Ryan and his powerful collection of images from his travel in India and his work with the Dirty Wall Project Foundation which he founded to "see a need and fill it" in developing countries. Currently he is working with the Saki Naka slum community in Mumbai.
September 21 is the United Nations International Day Of Peace. Called Love and Peace, supporting the exhibition will be a selection of acclaimed photographs from the famous John Lennon andYoko Ono Bed-in photographer Gerry Deiter. The Give Peace A Chance images were first seen in Victoria in 2005 and now have been viewed by over 120,000 people in the UK and the USA. The opening community reception is Tuesday September 21 from 5 to 8 pm (everyone welcome) and the show runs 11 am to 5 pm to September 25. Admission by donation. Enter a draw for an original Kane Ryan photograph.
Christopher Gower, one of Victoria City Hall’s planners looking at the area was pleased with the initiative. “This is the perfect compliment to the overall community plan the City has been working on for the area. Self-identification of a district is a very potent catalyst to renewal.”
Mosaic Village’s new logo was designed by Lara Minja of Victoria’s Lime Design www.limedesign.com. “I love the shops and made them a part of my shopping routine before I was asked to create the look” the talented artist said .
For more information: Joan Athey, Communications Advisor 250-294-6040
Joan_athey@yahoo.ca