“As soon as I got off the plane, it felt like home,” says Robin Calvert, director and choreographer of “ ,”about landing in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
, 20 years ago. She had arrived to join the Charlottetown Festival, Atlantic Canada’s largest theatre festival, as an ensemble dancer. Since that debut, she has grown with “Anne,” becoming the production’s choreographer in 2017 and, this year, its director.
“It felt very full circle, and very emotional,” says Calvert, who is based in Stratford, Ont., but continues to travel to Charlottetown for work. “It’s such a magical show.
The message is enduring. We always want to find our home, and that’s what Anne shows us, how to bring a community together.” Charlottetown’s small-town feel and amazing arts and food communities instantly resonated with her.
“And the beaches are beautiful,” adds Calvert, who also lauds the boardwalk in Victoria Park, an all-ages beacon of peace along the city’s southern tip, revered for dreamy harbourfront sunsets. Even after Calvert’s two decades with the musical, “Anne of Green Gables” (on now until Aug. 31) still inspires her, as does working at the world-class Confederation Centre of the Arts, which is celebrating its 60th birthday.
“It really feels like a golden summer,” she says. For your next trip to Charlottetown, Calvert shares some of her recommendations (beyond, of course, taking in a show). Robin Calvert, director and choreographer of “Anne of Green Gables: The Musical” (on now until Aug.
31). When Calvert visits P.E.
I., the first place she goes is the outdoor patio at Sea Rocket, across from the theatre’s stage door, for the signature bivalves and a glass of wine. “The atmosphere’s incredible, the oysters are perfect, and the pan-fried haddock is unbelievable,” she says.
Plus, it’s parked in a prime spot bordering Victoria Row, a pedestrian walkway with cafés, galleries and shops spilling from Victorian buildings, and an outdoor mini stage with live music often drifting in the air. For Calvert, no visit to the Charlottetown Farmers’ Market, which has been operating for more than 200 years and in its current location since 1984, would be complete without stopping at (she buys beans to take home and “covets them” until she returns). Another essential stop at P.
E.I.’s biggest farmers’ market is Fauxmagerie, where owner Julain Molnar (who once performed with the Charlottetown Festival) serves vegan breakfast, vegan cheeses, and “an amazing smoked salmon made out of carrots.
” The market is open on Saturdays year-round, and on Wednesdays from early June to early September. Head to Moonsnail Soapworks for natural soaps made in-house, in small batches. While all of the natural soaps and beauty products at Moonsnail Soapworks — handmade in-house, in small batches — delight, Calvert beelines to the nearly 30-year downtown mainstay on a mission: “The (spiced) almond swirl soap is the best,” she says of the boutique’s bestseller, made with ingredients like cinnamon, exfoliating ground almonds and coconut oil.
“For 20 years, I’ve been buying that soap. It smells so good and makes my skin so soft.” The shop is also gloriously stuffed with other local artisanal wares, like beautifully beaded earrings, cheerful ceramics and herbal teas.
“Infrared Fitness is my favourite yoga studio on the island,” says Calvert, who’s partial to their hot yoga studio, which uses infrared sauna heaters (“so good for your body”). The space, in the old Legion building, is owned by husband-and-wife duo Dave MacEachern and Triona Harrop. She’s a former “Anne of Green Gables” dancer, and he’s an Olympic bobsledding gold medallist.
They also offer Pilates and “a cute boutique where you can get your dancewear.” Founders’ Food Hall & Market is a mix of retail and restaurants in a handsome waterfront building. At Founders’ Food Hall, opened in 2019 and home to about 20 vendors in a handsome brick building on the waterfront, you’ll find Calvert browsing for high-end wine and local craft beer; dining on Mexican street fare at ; poking around , a stationary and art boutique; and settling into , a cosy pub with bar stools that also has a big patio overlooking Water Street.
“It’s a great little spot.”.
