Based on Nanaimo's Royal Hotel (1890), our soundscape highlights the haunted past of Vancouver Island. Immerse yourself into our historic tea party in "Tea Party After Dark". Listen for the chime of the ancient grandfather clock, he clanking of bone china, and the final haunting notes of the old piano.

The soundscape follows the travels of a Japanese glass float after it has broken free from its bindings and moves its way across the ocean to the shores of British Columbia. As it travels, it bobs in and out of many different cultures and music, but it always keeps the hum of the Ocean.

Using sounds of metals and furs being traded, rowing canoes and waving masts of ships, the discovery of British Columbia by Captain Cook and his men are recreated in a soundscape using household items.

Our soundscape focused on The Grand Hotel lobby based on Nanaimo's Royal Hotel in 1890 The old town reflects the late 1800's growth of British Columbia's economy and society We wanted our soundscape to reflect the sopciety and general ambience that could be found inside the hotel during this time period.

Listening to the sounds of the mountain diorama

A short video of kayaking into Tod Inlet (near Victoria, BC) with my cousin and friend.

This article was originally published in the Curious Ancestry edition (Fall 2015). It is a personal reflection on the messiness and strange dynamics inherent in some family relationships. It was also an epilogue, reflecting on the process of being guest editor for the Royal BC Museum publication.

May 26, 1896 a streetcar crowded with 143 people crashed through the Point Ellice Bridge in Victoria, BC. 55 people died.