[Bcma-l] Royal BC Museum comes a-carolling

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

------- Forwarded message follows -------
Subject:	Royal BC Museum comes a-carolling
Date sent:	Mon, 1 Dec 2008 11:13:06 -0800
From:	"News, RBCM RBCM:EX" 
<RoyalBCMuseumNews@RoyalBCMuseum.bc.ca>
BCC to:	
For Immediate Release
Dec. 1, 2008

Royal BC Museum comes a-carolling

VICTORIA, BC - The Royal BC Museum (RBCM) is ready for the holidays, 
with carolling and displays for all. And for the first-time in its 41-year history, 
the Netherlands Centennial Carillon will brighten the night sky with the 
Carillon Light-Up.

Before the light-up on Dec. 7, the bells of the carillon will ring out to 
accompany the second-annual Carol-Along with the Carillon. Provincial 
carillonneur Rosemary Laing and members of Newcombe Singers invite 
carollers to join them for a variety of seasonal songs.

"The spirit of the season is alive at the Royal BC Museum," says RBCM 
CEO Pauline Rafferty. "Our exhibits team is busy putting the final touches on 
the carillon in preparation for the light-up - the tower will glow like a holiday 
lantern in reds, yellows, blues and greens. It's really going to look 
spectacular."

Inside the museum, the streets of Old Town are already decked with festive 
garlands and a 4.7-metre (15-foot) Christmas tree. Costumed performers 
share the holiday spirit with visitors, telling seasonal stories in the Free 
Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC exhibition area. And from Dec. 20, historic 
Helmcken House will be decorated for an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas, 
complete with boughs of fir and a traditional holiday feast.

The Carol-Along with the Carillon and Carillon Light-Up events start at 4:30 
p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 at the corner of Belleville and Government streets. 
Song sheets and refreshments will be provided. All displays run until Jan. 4, 
with the Free Spirit storytellers performing until Jan. 9, 2009.

The Netherlands Centennial Carillon was a gift to the RBCM from British 
Columbia's Dutch community to honour Canada's 100th birthday in 1967. 
Last year, thanks to a donation from the Bodine family, the RBCM 
completed a restoration of the carillon, including the upgrade of the clavier 
(keyboard) and foot pedals.

As the provincial museum and archives, the Royal BC Museum preserves 
and shares the stories of British Columbia - on-site, off-site and online - 
through its research, collections, exhibitions and educational programs. Its 
two-hectare cultural precinct also includes a number of historically significant 
buildings and First Nations sites.    

For more information on the Royal BC Museum's latest activities, events and 
exhibitions, visit www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca or call 1-888-447-7977.  

-30-

Contact:	
Diane Dakers, Communications Manager
Royal BC Museum
(250) 387-2101
ddakers@royalbcmuseum.bc.ca


DETAILS

Carol-Along with the Carillon 
Join us as we ring in the season with this sing-along concert, featuring live 
performances by provincial carillonneur Rosemary Laing and members of 
Newcombe Singers. Song sheets, apple cider, hot cocoa and cookies will be 
provided. (Dec. 7, 4:30 - 5 p.m.)

Carillon Light-Up
The Netherlands Centennial Carillon will brighten the night for the first-ever 
Carillon Light-Up. 
(Dec. 7, 5 - 5:15 p.m.)
 
An old-fashioned Christmas at Helmcken House  
Experience an old-fashioned Christmas at historic Helmcken House. Decked 
with boughs of fir and holly, a traditional holiday feast, homemade 
decorations and carefully wrapped presents, the house comes alive with the 
spirit of a Victorian Christmas. (Dec. 20 - Jan. 4, 2009, 12 - 4 p.m. - closed 
Christmas Day and 
New Year's Day)

Celebrate the season in Old Town 
Old Town is ready for the holidays with a 4.7-metre (15-foot) Christmas tree, 
streets laced with festive garlands and shops decked in seasonal finery. 
(Dec. 1 - Jan. 4, 2009, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. - closed Christmas Day and New 
Year's Day)

Free Spirit holiday program 
Share in the spirit of the season as actors tell festive stories in the Free 
Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC exhibition area.

Date	Time	
Dec. 1 - 22	10 a.m. - 4 p.m., every hour	
Dec. 23 - Jan. 9, 2009*	10 a.m. - 4 p.m., every half-hour	

*Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day






------- End of forwarded message -------