Rock Your Awareness took place on Dec. 10th, 2009 at Logan’s Pub. It was a benefit variety show to raise funds for AIDS Vancouver Island. We caught part of the show but had to leave early & missed the last 2-3 acts.

Tegan & Sara performing at the Jingle Bell Rock Concert @ SOFMC in Victoria, BC on Dec. 21, 2009.  They were definitely the biggest highlight of the concert.  The gals are hometown favourites and the crowd really gathered when they took to the stage.  Victoria was the first stop on Tegan & Sara’s North American tour to promote their latest album “Sainthood“.  I brought a reviewer, Kim Magi, with me to the concert and she wrote the review to accompany the photos.

Check out her review of the concert at Guttersnipe with more pics that I took of the bands.

Guttersniped ‘zine & Atomique Productions have permission for full photo usage.   Please do not use any of my photos without prior permission and full credit.  Thank you.

Jets Overhead opens up the Jingle Bell Rock Concert @ SOFMC in Victoria,BC on Dec. 21, 2009, originally uploaded by The Photography Elf.

Jets Overhead opens up the Jingle Bell Rock Concert @ SOFMC in Victoria, BC on December 21, 2009.  They did a good job of entertaining the crowd despite the last minute time change which gave Tegan & Sara a longer set. Most people started coming in at 8PM when the concert was originally slated to begin.  Thus the crowd wasn’t very large for Jets Overhead but I think they did quite well.  The only thing that I didn’t quite enjoy was the fact the band members were spread out pretty far from one another.  This created big challenges for shooting the entire band and it also made it hard for the audience to see how band members ‘connect’ on stage.   I’ve seen this band a couple of times before but hadn’t photographed them until yesterday.  They are promoting their latest album “No Nations“; go pick it up and support an awesome local Victoria band!

I covered this for Guttersniped ‘zine last night and had a great time photographing at the arena.  It was my first time having a full access press pass there and it was both exciting and nerve wracking.   The nervous energy left me a couple of minutes after starting to shoot; for gigs like this I always get a few butterflies in my belly until I’m warmed up.

Guttersniped ‘zine and Atomique Productions have permission for full photo usage.  Please do not use any of my photos without prior permission and full credit.  Thank you.

Thanks to Julie Ovenell-Carter, travel writer on These Boots, I have two passes for the Butchart Gardens to giveaway.   The passes are for two adults to see the Magic of Christmas display and rides on their new Rose Carousel for this holiday season!  If you love travelling in Canada you’ll want to check out Julie’s site and bookmark it or subscribe to her feed.

Read below on how to enter this giveaway.

*You can get an idea of the carousel experience by checking out the video*

Christmas is just around the corner and I thought it would be nice to have a holiday theme giveaway to celebrate the season of giving. Specifically I’m focusing on celebrating giving to others who have nothing to offer us but perhaps a simple thank you.

I’m interested in hearing about what you are doing this holiday season to show strangers that you care and how you are opening your heart to those in need.  Share and you could win!

WHO CAN ENTER:

- Residents of Victoria, BC & surrounding areas who are of the age of majority.  The prize DOES NOT include transportation.  Please do not enter if you are not able to get to Butchart Gardens on your own to redeem the passes.

GENERAL:

This giveaway will run from December 13th, 2009 – December 17th, 2009 MIDNIGHT PST.  Winner’s name will be drawn at 6AM on December 18th, 2009.

By entering your comment you are giving me permission to share your feedback in my blog and giving me permission to post your name and initial if you win.

HOW TO ENTER:

- Reply to this post with a comment on how you are showing strangers you care and/or what you are doing to help a stranger/strangers in need.

It can be something simple because I do believe that a little goes a long way!  For example:  Helping someone across the street or helping a stranger with their grocery bags.  Taking care of an injured animal or person in some way.  Helping someone with directions.  Visiting with someone who has no family and isolated in a retirement home.  Just some examples to help get you started!
*If you have an account please make sure your contact info is accessible so I can notify if you win.  If you don’t have any account please leave your contact info in your post or email me with the info*

ONE COMMENT ENTRY PER PERSON.  You may comment more than once but only the first comment will be counted as an entry.  You must make a comment to gain initial entry and then you can gain additional entries by using any or all of the methods described below.

HOW TO GAIN ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

1.  Go to Twitter & tweet this:  I’ve opened my heart & want to win! http://tiny.cc/0oTzr #photographyelf

2.  Subscribe to my blog

3.  Comment a photo that you like on my Flickr

4.  Post about this giveaway in your blog and post the link in a reply here or send me the link via email

MAXIMUM OF 4 ADDITIONAL ENTRIES PER PERSON IS PERMITTED.

Selection of winner will be done by a random barrel draw.  Winner will be notified within 24 hours of drawing and contacted via email.  Their name and last initial will be posted in my blog.

Good luck!

Cordova Bay Records celebrated their 10th anniversary with a combo holiday party on Dec. 5th.  They are a well respected local music record company that has been able to evolve with the changing industry.  CBR supports talented independent Westcoast Canadian music artists and will continue to do so in coming years.

The celebration featured some amazing acoustic performances by CBR’s artists.  It was a lovely way to see the musicians in a more intimate setting.

Acres of Lions ended the night’s performances with a sing a long; it was fabulously spontaneous and awesome!

Cordova Bay Records celebrated their 10th anniversary with a combo holiday party on Dec. 5th.  They are a well respected local music record company that has been able to evolve with the changing industry.  CBR supports a lot of talented independent westcoast music artists and will continue to do so in coming years.

The celebration featured some amazing acoustic performances by CBR’s artists.  It was a lovely way to see the musicians in a more intimate setting.

Jeff K from Acres of Lions performed a fab acoustic solo set which was a real crowd pleaser.  This was the band I really wanted to see perform because I’ve heard a few tracks prior and enjoyed them.  I was not disappointed at all even though the entire band wasn’t playing.  Jeff did a smash up job of owning the stage with his voice and an acoustic guitar.  The performance was intimate, engaging and entertaining.  Make sure you go see this band when they hit up your town!

Cordova Bay Records celebrated their 10th anniversary with a combo holiday party on Dec. 5th.  They are a well respected local music record company that has been able to evolve with the changing industry.  CBR supports a lot of talented independent westcoast music artists and will continue to do so in coming years.

The celebration featured some amazing acoustic performances by CBR’s artists.  It was a lovely way to see the musicians in a more intimate setting.

Second up was storyteller/musician Wyckham Porteous from bop ensemble; I really loved his set & looking forward to seeing more of him solo and with his band in the future.  I was introduced to his music at this event and adored the entire set.  This man has got a lot of talent and his lyrical style has a real storyteller’s feel.  Make sure you go see him and/or his band when you get the chance – you won’t be regret it!

Cordova Bay Records celebrated their 10th anniversary with a combo holiday party on Dec. 5th.  They are a well respected local music record company based in Victoria, BC, that has been able to evolve with the changing industry.  CBR supports a lot of talented independent westcoast music artists and will continue to do so in coming years.

The celebration featured some amazing acoustic performances by CBR’s artists.  It was a lovely way to see the musicians in a more intimate setting.

The first musician to perform was the ultra talented Vince Vaccaro.  If you haven’t seen him perform yet make sure you check out one of his show’s in the future.  Keep your eye on Vince in the music world; he’s going to go far with his talent – I’m willing to bet my life on that.  Amazing musician that you must see live!

Cordova Bay Records celebrated their 10th anniversary with a combo holiday party on Dec. 5th.  They are a well respected local music record company that has been able to evolve with the changing industry.  CBR supports a lot of talented independent westcoast music artists and will continue to do so in coming years.

The celebration featured some amazing acoustic performances by CBR’s artists.  It was a lovely way to see the musicians in a more intimate setting.

Canada’s top blues guitarist David Gogo performed a splendid acoustic set!  Relatively a young gun in the world of blues guitarists; David can definitely hold his own.