Raising a glass for film

Festival staging cocktail fundraiser

Facing $50,000 in funding cuts, the Victoria Film Festival is turning to drink. Literally.

The non-profit group is hosting Art of the Cocktail, a two-day event filled with workshops, tastings and competition.

Cocktails and film are related, said Timothy Trebilcock, communications co-ordinator for the festival. “The two go together,” he said, noting the same type of people tend to like both.

Fellow organizer Shawn Soole of Clive’s Classic Lounge said Victoria is getting into the cocktail scene.

“(But) we have got a long way to go to be up there with Vancouver.”

Few local bars buck the mainstream options of push-button cranberry juice from a gun, flavoured vodkas, and sweet martini lists, he said.

“This bar show is going to raise the bar for every bartender and every bar manager in Victoria. It’s going to expose them to certain things, and I think a lot of the general public that do attend will be expecting that afterwards.”

Victorians have already embraced fine foods, wines and beers, he said, adding, why not cocktails?

So far five bartenders have signed up for the competition, which combines mixology, a written test and a blind tasting.

The event runs Nov. 7 and 8 at Victoria Arts Connection, 2750 Quadra St. Tickets for dinner and the individual workshops and tasting sessions are only available in advance.

For more information, visit www.artofthe cocktail.ca.

Proceeds from the event will go to fund year-round events and speakers for the Victoria Film Festival.

rholmen@saanichnews.com

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