Bigass Victoria Film Festival Gala! Tropical Pirate(s), Ahoy!

It's been four long years, but the Victoria Film Festival reignited the arts community last night/Friday with the return of the Opening Gala! Our group last attended the Gala way back here (scroll down) in 2020, just before the pandemic hit, when we all met Bill Nighy (who called me beautiful, swoon!). 

Note: There will be loads of links in this post, and they're all safe to click, and (as always) I link because I love. 

First of all, kudos to the organizers, volunteers and all the amazing people involved in the VFF and the Vic Theatre - I don't go to a lot of movies, but I love our little indie movie scene and this is my favoutite way to support it. Link here.

L and I, plus Yvonne, Randall, Nick, Linda and Brad all got our tickets right away - good thing, as it sold out! We missed our other friends, but life is busy. 

The theme for their 30th Anniversary Gala was "Tropical" - a difficult theme in the middle of winter when one's summer wardrobe is packed away (also, who does a tropical theme in winter?). L and I brainstormed and came up with...PIRATES. 

They're totally tropical! So, L and I both bought pirate hats from Roberta's Hats (here, I've shopped there since the 80s!), and I found this adorable orangutan next door at Kaboodles toy shop (here, for kids and silly adults, heh). If I'm going to shop retail, I'll support locally-owned and operated actual stores. The hats were very reasonable at around $50 each, and the stuffy was under $20. I made her eyepatch out of a draw-string jewelry bag. 

I put together the rest of my outfit from my closet. 

My companion was safety-pinned through the coat's shoulder, and then her hands were snapped around my neck. She heaved drunkenly around throughout the night, but I tried to adjust her for the pictures. Oh, so many pictures - you may want to grab a beverage. 

• Coat - Tahari, thrifted; last worn here in October 2023 with the same bustier
• Bustier - 3.1 Philip Lim, thrifted; last seen here in that same outfit, in October 2023
• Blouse - Nanette Lepore, thrifted; last worn here in January with red roses
• Pajama bottoms - Calvin Klein, thrifted; first seen in public here (4th outfit) in August 2023
• Boots - Truths Teah, Fluevog; last worn here in November 2023 for a Mental Health Shop

The full pirate get-up. Yarrrrrrr! 

Lots of layers, as I didn't wear additional outerwear. 

This coat is silk velvet and is covered in embroidery.

I tied my hair back and wrapped a ribbon around the ponytail. 

Without the jacket, although I never took it off due to to my shoulder companion.

I was sorely tempted at the end of the evening, however, as I watched my friends cutting a rug on the dance floor. 

You get a better look at all my layers here. 

I delighted in telling people I was wearing my pajamas, that I've worn all of this (except the hat and the orangutan) to the office, AND that everything was thrifted (not the boots). 

I flipped up the cuffs on the coat (the back of them is also embroidered!) later to show off the blouse's ruffled sleeves better.

I also adjusted the scarf tucked into my belt to hang on the bias (pointy ends down). It's a very old square of fabric that L's mom edged for him for his own pirate outfits back when he was a teenager. It's easily 40 years old. 

I wore my tan crossbody purse under my coat and never took it off. 

I carried my map in it! 

What map, you ask? 

Well, how am I supposed to know how to get to the Gala and the after-party if I don't have a map? 

Oh, I supposed this new iPhone would have helped, but I only used it for taking pictures (and yes, so very handy! My pics turned out way better than they used to with my camera).

Besides, every pirate needs a treasure map, right? 

Sadly, L was not able to go, as he was still dealing with his bad head-cold (not Covid) a few days ago, and wasn't up for it. I never pick up these colds, and even when/if I do, they don't hit me with the same ferocity as they do poor L. Must have been all that filthy lucre handling I did in my retail days...

Three cheers to my awesome husband for dressing up ANYWAY! 

I showed these pictures to everyone I talked to at the Gala. We deeply missed you, your energy, and your mad dancing, my love.

L's outfit consists of a studded suede jacket (bought for myself at the vintage mall years ago, and pinched from me immediately), his vintage ruffled shirt (had since c. 1996), the trousers from one of his Zoot suits, Fluevog boots, his lion-head pendant, a thrifted silk scarf, and one of my belts, plus a load of rings. His hat is a bit different than mine. 

My sad pirate. 

He spent the evening watching telly, dozing and cuddling with Vizzini. 

Accoutrements: 

The pirate hat was quite comfortable, and kept me warm, but I did keep bumping into things with it. I took it off for the movie - one must be courteous! - but kept the orangutan on (she was snuggly warm). 

• Hat - Roberta's Hats
• Orangutan - Kaboodles 
• Ribbon - some old top
• Gloves - Danier Leather

I ended up not wearing the gloves as they were too tight over my rings. I had lots of pockets to keep my hands warm. 

The stuff: 

Great boots - I walked to the Gala in them, then to the after-party, and stood for at least 3 hours. My feet were tired the morning after! 

Piratical bling: 

I picked a lot of pieces that had meaning - I like to carry my loved ones with me. 

• Belt - vintage, consignment
• Silver cuff - thrifted, Powell River
• Silver/carnelian bangle - consignment
• Celtic S silver pendant - vintage 80s, gift from Mom and Dad, England
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Silver/amethyst ring/earrings - c. 1986, gift from Mom and Dad
• Silver/opal pendant - gift from Mom, Australia
• Silver/amber thumb ring - consignment
• Gold/sapphire ring - Victorian era, Great-Grandma S's, possibly (Mom?)
• Silver/crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy
• Silver/stone ring - 1996, Scotland

I wore Great-Grandma S's ring at our wedding (it was my "something blue") in 1997, and bought the silver/stone ring on my very first vacation (to Scotland!) when L and I were not yet engaged in 1996. 

I did bold eye make-up, and wore my old around-the-house glasses so that they wouldn't look anachronistic with my outfit. I often pulled them down and peered over the rims. 

I outlined my lips in black eyeliner and filled them in with "Rebel" by MAC. My poor friend has a bit of lipstick on her mouth now, from all the bumping around throughout the night. 

Now, onto pictures of the event itself! I took a bunch, and Yvonne and Randall sent me more. Assume that all the good ones are theirs - mwah, much love you guys, thank you!

Victoria Film Festival 2024 - Movie and After-Party! 

I was first to arrive, as I'd been able to find a taker for L's ticket - my gorgeous work colleague Kristina - and I waited to get her ticket to her.

Brad showed up next and we did a selfie and people-watched. Not a lot of folks at the Gala were on theme, so I stuck out like a sore thumb pirate.

Nicky! There you are, darlin'! 

We gave him that blazer for Christmas! 

In addition to the feature film's director, locally-raised Atom Egoyan (Wikipedia here), we had Toronto-born star Eric McCormack (here) at the Gala, who you probably know as Will from TV show "Will and Grace" (here).

There he is! I didn't meet or talk to any of the stars in person, although I did wave madly at Eric at the after-party. "Don't look at the mad pirate lady," his handlers likely said, ha ha! 

Mom eagerly emailed me the next day to tell me that we were in the CHEK-6 (local TV news station) coverage of the Gala - check out the spot here. I'm in the background right at the beginning, but stunning Yvonne is the STAR as Eric yaks away. Work it, baby! 

We sat near the front of the Vic Theatre, so we had a great view of all the local dignitaries and opening remarks, including the welcome from an Indigenous leader. Here's Atom Egoyan himself chatting about the movie. 

The movie was Seven Veils starring Amanda Seyfried (here). I saw Atom Egoyan's first movie, Exotica (here) in 1994 at UVic's Cinecenta theatre, and it introduced me to the music of Leonard Cohen. Many people know his most-lauded film, The Sweet Hereafter (here), which won the Grand Prix at Cannes and received two Academy Award/Oscar nominations (screenplay, director). 

Like all of Egoyan's films, Seven Veils was intense and emotional and visceral and Amanda Seyfried was soooo good. We all loved/enjoyed it - link here, catch it if it comes to your town! 

After the movie, we walked along Store Street to the after-party venue. 

A crisp cloudy evening along Victoria's Inner Harbour. The building with the domes is our Legislature (aka the Parliament Buildings), and the building to the right with the columns is the old steamship terminal, now housing an art gallery and restaurant. 

Swans Pub, my old hangout! 

We're nearly at the party! 

We arrived at Kwench - oh, sorry, KWENCH - which is a "creative coworking and event space" (here). 

This gentleman was playing the chimes as we came up the stairs to the party area.

Gasps of admiration and major kudos to the volunteers, who MADE all these gorgeous flowers out of paper. 

The amount of detail was incredible, down to the full paper rose lying on the floor at end of the evening. 

I also noticed the butterflies wrapped in actual film stock.

I spy a flamingo hiding back there too! 

Upon arrival, I wandered around to get a feel for the place. The kitchen area was set up with a long table, covered in more paper flowers. 

Coincidentally, the kitchen backsplash is tropical! 

Nick and Randall checking out the beer selection. 

All of the food and beverages were included in our tickets (under $100, well worth it!). 

Again, much appreciation to all of the volunteers and representatives of local sponsors. 

These ladies were just lovely. 

There were also mixed drinks (Nick enjoyed the Mai Tais) at the main bar, and a wine bar near the kitchen area. 

Let's take a look at my gorgeous friends, shall we? That's Yvonne, Randall, Linda, Nick and Brad.

And this is my drop-dead fabulous colleague and friend Kristina! 

This "last-minute" outfit is actual her burlesque gown (minus the feather crown!!) that she wore for a performance the night before. 

She did all the rhinestones herself. 

Heh, she stuffed her purse full of cookies to take home to her daughter. Go for it! 

The Green Burlesque Queen and the Pirate Queen! 

So glad you could make it! 

I was told by a couple of attendees that I was "Best Dressed" at the event, but I vote for this amazing outfit. 

My outfit is creative in its composition, but hers is all hand-done. My (pirate) hat off to you, O Bird Queen! 

Yvonne with the paper flowers - a vision!

Oh my gosh, you look so much better in that dress and obi than I ever did, honey! 

Then she took one of me...

As we took these, event photographers were snapping away. I'm sure we'll be in tons of the pics - I'll be watching for them and will update this post once I grab them. [None up by Sunday - I'll keep looking]

Brad and Linda. 

Brad's shirt has a tall palm tree on one side, and Linda's dress is just stunning. 

I actually dug down in the back of this (very lovely) lady's dress to see the label. Alfred Shaheen! Classy! (about him here)

KWENCH was a superb venue for the party - lots of seating areas, couches, booths and space to stand around and gab, and a dance area too! 

Randall went with a "James Bond in Hawaii" look for his outfit - well done on the bow-tie, sir! (I know it vexed you sorely). 

Nick's your standard tourist with his shell necklaces, shorts and sunnies. Work that pose, gents.

One more of Randall, looking debonair.

He rented the tux - and bought a fresh carnation boutonniere for the occasion. 

I'm so grateful that my friends embrace the dress-up! 

Love you guys! 

Having some chats. 

I challenged people all evening to come up with a name for my orangutan. She's looking a bit tipsy here (getting into the rum, no doubt). 

The lady on the right is always at these events. 

One of the lovely booths where people sat and hung out. 

Here's her friend - love the headdresses! 

A little blurry - there were a lot of people around! 

I met this charming gent, Jam, local entrepreneur and learning architect.

He was chuffed that I thought his outfit was blog-worthy. Totally! We had lovely chats here and there over the evening. 

"You have the best suit here!" I told this woman (sorry, I've forgotten your name!). 

She happily posed in it (it's a Zara!), and showed me her black Fluevogs. Rock that suit! 

I bonded with David Lennam over the food and gabbed with him for a while. 

A fascinating person, and local writer/interviewer - enjoy this piece here on "placemaking" in Cook Street Village (I lived there in the 90s for 5 years) from local Yam Magazine. 

And the hours flew by! I noticed the crowd had gotten sparser and went to find my friends. 

Of course, they were grooving on the dance floor! If L had been here, he would have been out there too.

Thanks for taking my picture, Randall. 

And for getting me and Nick home to our abodes via Uber after the party. 

On our way out, the charming door volunteers gave out Spinnakers chocolates. A lovely person commented on my outfit, so I showed her the pics of L (the Sad Pirate), and I posed the question, "What would you name her?" of my shoulder primate. 

"Felicita," she said. It means "happiness, satisfaction, contentedness" in Italian (I looked it up later).

"That's the best suggestion I've had all night - that's now her name," I said, "Your prize is my Pirate Map!" 

She was so excited, she gave me another bag of chocolate for L (and yes, I actually gave it to him and did not eat it myself!).

It was in a much more crumpled state than this by the end of the night! I'd been pulling it out to show people (Jam LOVED it). I made it myself with Web/Wingdings symbols. It shows "Home Sweet Home (plus Feline Companion) on the right; golf flags/holes below that for hoity-toity Oak Bay; lots of homes and tall buildings for downtown; Ye Ole Vic Theatre as my first destination; then along the water to KWENCH Grog Bar. I also added water, ships, a plane, and mountains at the bottom. Of course, to the north..."Here There Be Dragons."

And now...I'm off to enjoy what's left of my weekend, my friends. I hope you enjoy our Gala adventure! 

This is Felicita's new home, up in my closet where she won't get in the way. Hang in there!