>> Rik Leaf
In the throes of an economic recession, Rik and Zara Leaf sold their house in Winnipeg, MB, and spent a year traveling around the world with their son Zion and daughter Riel. After all the countries and communities they visited, Rik and Zara chose Fernwood as their dream destination.
“Searching for a house that could accommodate the creative activity and community we were building with another family was problematic,” Rik reminisces. “We’d pretty much given up hope that we were going to find anything, when serendipity rode to the rescue in the form of a great big three-story, 9 bedroom house.”
In July the two families moved into 1607 Camosun Street, into the 121 year-old mansion, once home to Victoria’s 10th mayor, William Darby. With a place to call their own they quickly set about embracing Fernwood with mind, body and soul.
Zara is a professional tattoo artist who worked out of Winnipeg’s premiere studio for seven years. “Finding a cute little space in Fernwood Square just a five minute walk from home was exactly what I was looking for,” Zara says. She spent three months renovating the space and has just opened the doors to, Fly the Cage Tattoo & Design.
Rik is a professional recording artist, performance poet, TV host, author and the founder of the Canadian performance collective, Tribe of One. He has just published, Four Homeless Millionaires, the story of the family’s year of adventures that included getting caught sneaking onto a Hollywood set in Hawaii, surviving a feral dog attack in Malaysia and dorsal fins emerging from the surf as they swam off the coast in Australia.
The official book launch is being held at 1607 Camosun Street over the course of two nights, December 1 & 2. The event will feature a full concert performance featuring live music, performance poetry and comedic storytelling. Building on the momentum Rik generated by winning the Spirit of Canada Songwriting Contest in July, both evenings are being filmed and professionally recorded as part of an international promotional series.
Doors open at 7:00 pm, presentation at 8:00 pm. Admission is free, seating is limited so reservations are required. This is an all ages event. Families are welcome!
“We really moved into Fernwood heart, body and soul. Our kids are in Central and Vic High. The Cornerstone Café is there when you need it in the morning, and the Fernwood Inn is waiting at the end of the day. We love it here, seriously…how could it get any better?” Rik laughs.
To reserve, email info@rikleaf.com or by phone 250-483-4177