ADVENTURES IN COOKING 23

the greatest influence on actual music making has been the musical com-
petition festivals, some of which have been in existence over 30 years. Today
the number of competitors runs into thousands and standards are becoming
increasingly higher. Choral work fluctuates but there is a growing number
of opera students and enthusiasts. —The Vancouver Opera Theatre was
launched in 1956.

School bands are flourishing everywhere; some have gone on tour in
Europe and entered world competitions.

In the composing field there is great interest, too, though few have
been accorded recognition so far.

Dancing

Square and folk dancing, as well as the popular dances of the era, pro-
vided a goodly measure of the entertainment of our old timers. Wherever
there was a building large enough and someone to play the fiddle, old and
young took part in this pleasant activity. ‘The last few years has seen a great
revival of square and folk dancing and many of the regional festivals pro-
vided competitions for this interesting and entertaining art.

_ Literature

B.C. writers both men and women, have made a worthwhile contri-
bution to this art during the past century. With poetry and prose they have
described our magnificent mountains and our attractions of field, forest and
stream. The legends and customs of our native Indians have been an inspir-
ation to some, as has been the struggle of the Doukhobors and other ethnic
groups to reconcile life in the new world with habits and beliefs of the old.
Dramatically and romantically our short, colorful history has been recorded;
political and economic problems discussed and analysed. In journalism,
radio, movie and television writing, as well as in straight fiction, significant
results are being achieved.

Interest in classical dancing is of fairly recent origin, though many
excellent touring companies from outside B.C. have made their appearance
from time to time in our major cities. ‘The Vancouver Civic Ballet Society
is now in its tenth year and an increasing number of B.C. ballet dancers
are appearing with shows both here and elsewhere.

Mention should be made of the B.C. branches of the Canadian Folk
Society. ‘These groups by means of their annual folk festivals have been
making a worthwhile contribution to culture and the promotion of good
citizenship by bringing together talented people from many diverse ethnic
groups and encouraging them to express their talents through the medium
of folk dances and handicrafts.

Drama

British Columbia has always had a deep interest in Theatre. From its
earliest days it has given support to touring professional companies, as well
as the amateur groups. Though early performances were given in tents,
mess halls and even warehouses, Victoria’s first theatre was a log structure,
built within the Fort in 1862, almost on the site of the Royal Bank on
Government Street. In far-off Barkerville, fabulous town of the gold rush