[BCMA] News Release: Christmas at Craigdarroch Castle

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

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NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
November 14th, 2013
Craigdarroch Castle
Historic House Museum

New Programs for Christmas at Craigdarroch

Victoria, BC Canada - Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society announces a new lineup of public programming during the month of December.

Christmas at Craigdarroch is a long-standing tradition which delights both locals and visitors to Victoria.  It takes over a month to decorate the 28,000 square foot Victorian mansion for the holidays and the Castle will be bustling with activities throughout the month of December.  The Castle is open 7 days per week for self-guided tours, from 10 am - 4:30 pm.  Extended holiday hours until 7:30 pm from December 21-23, and December 27-30.  CLOSED December 25, 26, and January 1st.

Daytime Programs:

School tours featuring a guided tour with an actor in costume, along with a Victorian craft activity will take place Monday - Friday from December 2 - 20th.  Groups must be pre-booked and tours are aligned with the BC Prescribe Learning Outcomes for students in Kindergarten through Grade 6.  Teachers can call 250-592-5323 or email info at thecastle.ca<mailto:info at thecastle.ca> to book a group.  $5.00 per child.

Afternoon Music performances will begin on weekends starting December 7th, and then daily through the end of December, beginning December 21st.  All performances will be held in the dance hall at 2:30 pm and are included with general admission price.  (Guests are reminded to allow enough time to make their way up to the 4th floor where the performances are held!)

Children's Activities  will take place during the weekend mornings at 11 am, and will include storytelling, puppet workshops, and craft activities.  Reservations REQUIRED for the puppet workshops, and all activities are included with general admission price.


Evening Programs:

Members and Sponsors Gala kicks off the holiday season on Thursday, December 5th.  Open only to members of the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society and sponsors of the Christmas program, this lavish evening celebrates the supporters of this National Historic Site in true Victorian fashion.  Food, drink, music and live entertainment bring the past to life.  To become a member, apply online at www.thecastle.ca<http://www.thecastle.ca> or visit the Castle in person.  To inquire about current sponsorship opportunities, contact Elisabeth Hazell at 250-592-5323 x32 or ehazell at thecastle.ca<mailto:ehazell at thecastle.ca> .

Sips and Sweets Night will launch our public programming on Saturday, December 7th from 7-9pm and the whole house will come alive with music, food, and holiday spirit.  Delicious samples of local fare will be provided by our sponsors:  Bon Macaron Patisserie, Ooh La La Cupcakes, Taboo Cheesecake, Terrible Truffles, Murchie's Tea, and Fernwood Coffee Roasters.  $20/adult or $15/child (age 12 and under.)  Members receive $5.00 off.

Ladies Movie Night on Sunday, December 15th will be a showing of Little Women.  Gather round for a festive evening and look for the scenes that were filmed in Victoria and at Craigdarroch!  What better way to get in the Christmas spirit than to fill the halls of Craigdarroch with ladies voices laughter.  Joan Dunsmuir lived in the Castle with 3 of her unmarried daughters, making Craigdarroch the perfect setting.  $20 per person, snacks included.  Members receive $5.00 off.  Cash bar available.

A Christmas Carol will return with Jason Stevens performing the same one-man version that Dickens himself took on the road during the 1800's.  This evening program includes a self-guided tour of the Castle along with an intimate salon-style theatrical performance in the dance hall.  The Oak Bay News has described his performance as "perfect" and Victoria radio personality, Barry Bowman enthuses "To have this kind of talent, someone who can do this without lights, without props, is incredible."  December 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20.  $20/adult or $15/student.  Members receive $5.00 off.  Please note that this show is not designed for children under 13 years.  Please check www.thecastle.ca for showtimes.

Self-guided evening tours will be available from December 21st - 23rd, and then again from the 27th - 30th.   We will be keeping the doors open late (last admission at 7:30 pm) so that guests can enjoy a cozy evening in the Castle.  Hot cider or tea included with regular admission prices.

Hogmanay Whisky Tasting

Lastly, we are bringing back a Hogmanay event on December 31st, and revelers can kick off their New Years Eve celebrations with a Scottish whisky tasting from 5-7pm.  Tour up to the dance hall and enjoy the joyful sounds of Cookeilidh to set the mood for a fun and informative whisky tasting.  Learn a little about the Scottish tradition of Hogmanay, and a lot about whisky from Macaloney Distillers founder, Graeme Macaloney.  $30/person, members receive $5.00 off.

Event Booking Contact:
Email:  info at thecastle.ca<mailto:info at thecastle.ca>
Phone:  250-592-5323
Web:  www.thecastle.ca/events-programs/<http://www.thecastle.ca/events-programs/>

MEDIA Contact:
Elisabeth Hazell
Manager of Operations and Development
Craigdarroch Castle
ehazell at thecastle.ca<mailto:ehazell at thecastle.ca>
250-592-5323  ext. 32

Thank You to our Generous Sponsors:


GOLD SPONSORS
Black Ball Ferry Line (MV Coho) ~ Black Press ~ Tourism Victoria ~ The Times Colonist ~ Victoria's Historic Inns  ~ David & Meredith Zaparinuk

MYRRH SPONSORS
Bayside Press ~  Clay & Company, Barristers & Solicitors ~ Grant Thornton, LLP ~  Victoria Coal & Heating ~ Waddell Raponi Lawyers

FRANKINCENSE SPONSORS
Randy & Katherine Bonsen ~ Una H. Ferguson ~ JONESco Real Estate Inc. ~ Kilshaw's Auctioneers Ltd. ~ Merry Maids

LOANS & IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
Lis Bailly, John Boehme, Richard Coleman, Jerymy Brownridge ~ Government House, Ann Landsell, Neil Russell, and Bill Stephenson.

Our Generous Event Sponsors
Bon Macaron Patisserie ~ Emerald Coast Vineyards ~ Fernwood Coffee Roasters ~   Murchie's Tea ~ Ooh La La Cupcakes ~ Taboo Gourmet Cheesecake ~ Terrible Truffles

Our Volunteer Recognition Sponsors
Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours ~ Artina's ~ Big Wheel Burger ~ Black Ball Ferry Line ~ The Butchart Gardens ~ Café Brio ~ Clipper Vacations ~ Fairmont Empress ~ Fernwood Inn ~ Five Star Whale Watching ~ Good Things Consignment ~ Great Pacific Adventures ~ The Guild ~ Hallmark at the Bay Centre ~ Hook Fine Foods ~ Hotel Grand Pacific ~ Hotel Rialto ~ Il Terrazzo ~ Imax Victoria ~ The London Chef ~ Oak Bay Beach Hotel ~ Oswego Hotel ~ Pacific Coach Lines ~ Prince Of Whales Whale Watching ~ Royal BC Museum ~ Salt Spring Soapworks ~ Shine Café ~ Spring Tide Whale Tours & Charters ~ Studio 7 ~ Sweet Dreams Boutique ~ Ten Acres ~ Victoria Bug Zoo ~ Victoria Butterfly Gardens ~ Victoria Marriot Inner Harbour

About Craigdarroch Castle
Craigdarroch Castle is an example of a "bonanza castle", massive houses built for people who became wealthy because of the industrial transformation of North America.  Craigdarroch was built between 1887-1890 for Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his fortune from Vancouver Island coal. This legendary Victorian mansion, built on a hill overlooking the City of Victoria, announced to the world that Robert Dunsmuir was the richest and most important man in Western Canada. He died in 1889, leaving his entire estate to his wife Joan, who lived in the Castle until her death in 1908. The Castle was subsequently occupied by Craigdarroch Military Hospital, Victoria College, the Victoria School Board, and the Victoria Conservatory of Music.  Today this National Historic Site is open to the public as a historic house museum and ongoing restoration and conservation is conducted by the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society, a registered charity in Canada.  The museum is funded entirely by admissions, donations, memberships and gift shop sales.
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