Weekly Events Calendar Aug. 18-24

 

Events

 

Sat. aug. 20

Cheesecake Burlesque Carwash Fundraiser – Can you think of a better way to to spend a Saturday than having lovely ladies suds up your jalopy? Neither could we. 11am-3pm at the Mohawk Gas Station (2100 Quadra). By donation. cheesecakeburlesque.com.

Sun. aug. 21

Queen Alexandra Car Picnic – European and classic car enthusiasts gather to celebrate and help children and their families. 10am-2pm at the Queen Alexandra Foundation grounds (2400 Arbutus). Picnic by donation, $20 for vehicle registration. 250-519-6955.

Fibrations – A community-based celebration and fibre artists sharing their enthusiasm for craft through demonstrations, hands-on activities and market. 10am-4pm at St. Ann’s Academy Orchard (835 Humboldt). Free. fibrations.ca.

mon. aug. 22

Roaring Women – Dinner meeting and presentation by Susan Low on how to grow your business through customer service maps. Registration required. 5:30-8:30pm at the Howard Johnson Hotel (4670 Elk). $29. roaringwomen.com.

TUES. aug. 23

fringe ’80s prom dance party – Dance like it’s 1986! DJ Mz Niko will spin tunes from the Fringe’s inaugural year and revelers are encouraged to don prom attire for the festivities to kick off the 25th Fringe. Includes fun for the whole family, a Luminara parade and a crazy dance flash mob (shhh! Don’t tell anyone!). 7pm Centennial Square. Free. victoriafringe.com.

Wed. aug. 24

PROMOTING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES – Participate in a public discussion with new candidates for council and help develop a proactive approach to public concerns. 7pm at Scout Hall (459 Chester). Free.

ONGoing

CFB Esquimalt Tours – Walking and bus tours of Victoria’s only militatry installation. Bus tours WEEKDAYS 11am, walking tours SATURDAYS 11am. To Aug. 27 at the Museum Square (CFB Esquimalt base). 250-363-2595.

Butchart Gardens Summer Fireworks – Enjoy the dazzling lights of fireworks. SATURDAYS 9:15pm at Butchard Gardens (800 Benvenuto).  $3-$30. butchartgardens.com.

Family Drumming Workshop – Experience the joy of rhythm with your loved ones. $50/$35 children. SUNDAYS 10:30-11:30am at Rainflower Blessings (238 Beechwood). 250-385-3743.

Chess in the Square – Learn to play giant chess, blitz, casual games and more. Presented by the Victoria Junior Chess Society and the DVBA. SUNDAYS noon-4pm. To Sept. 4 in the CRD Plaza (Centennial Square). Free. victoriajuniorchess.com.

speed dating – Who needs the internet? All ages. Registration required. SUNDAYS 2-6pm at Valentino’s (1002 Blanshard). Free. 250-386-3223.

Board games Night – Scrabble and more! SUNDAY 5:30pm at the Superior (106 Superior). Free. 250-380-9515. 250-380-9515.

mosqoy charity trivia – Battle for trivia supremecy and help raise funds for Mosqoy.org. 7:30-9:30pm at Maud Hunter’s (3810 Shelbourne). Free. 250-721-2337.

SCRABBLE NIGHT – Bring a board game and a friend, or play on the in-house boards and find an opponent there. TUESDAYS 6:30-9pm at James Bay Coffee & Books. Free. 250-386-4700.

 

Markets

 

Sat. aug. 20

Winter Plant Sale – Stock up on your winter veggie seedlings. Certified organic cabbage,carrots, beets, cauliflower, onions, kale, spinach and more. 9am-2pm at 2737 Higgins.

ONGoing

Bastion Square Market –

Artisans open air marketplace. THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11am. To Oct. 1 at Bastion Square. Free. Free. 250-885-1387.

Sidney Summer Market – Over 200 vendors sell gifts, fresh produce, hand-made crafts, great food, and more. THURSDAYS 5-8:30pm on Beacon Avenue, between 1st and 5th. Free.

Night market – Eclectic mix of vendors and entertainers. THURSDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY 7-10:30pm. To Sept. 17 at Ship Point. victoriaharbour.org.

James Bay Market – An outdoor market where local farmers, artisans, musicians, and servicers can meet and sell to the public. SATURDAYS 9am-3pm. To Oct. 29 at the courner of Menzies and Superior. Free. jamesbaymarket.com.

Peninsula Country Market – More than 50 vendors offer farm fresh products, jams and jellies, honey, homemade bread, cut flowers, assorted meats, organic produce and arts and crafts. SATURDAYS 9am-1pm at the Saanich Fairgrounds (1528 Stellys Cross). Free.  peninsulacountrymarket.ca.

NORTH SAANICH FARM MARKET  – Seasonal produce, locally raised meat, eggs, baking, plants, crafts. Come meet your neighbours. SATURDAYS 9:30am-12:30pm at St. John’s United Church (10990 West Saanich). Free. 250-656-1330.

Goldstream Station Market – Stock up on local produce and crafts. SATURDAYS 10am-2pm. To Oct. 15 at the corner of Bryn Maur and Goldsteam. Free. goldstreamstationmarket.ca.

Moss Street Market – Offering local farmers, artisans, crafters, bakers, cooks, bodyworkers and more a place to exchange their goods and services. SATURDAYS 10am-2pm. To Oct. 1 at the corner of Moss and Fairfield. Free. mossstreetmarket.com.

Metchosin Farmers’ market- SUNDAYS 11am-2pm. To Oct. 31 at the Metchosin Municipal Grounds (4450 Happy Valley). Free.

SUNDAY Market in the Square – An exciting array of arts, crafts, locally designed clothing, imports and food. SUNDAYS 11am-4:30pm in the 1600 block of Government. Free. 250-598-2593.

 

Dance

 

Sat. aug. 20

Van Isle Dancers – Enjoy an evening of dance and Ceilidh performances. No partner or experience required. Wear soft-soled shoes. SATURDAY 7pm at the Victoria Dance Studio (2750 Quadra). Free. 250-598-0207, viscds.ca.

ONGoing

Salsa caliente – Beginner and advanced salsa, THURSDAYS 8-10pm. Intermediate mambo, MONDAYS 6:30-7:30pm. Fundamentals of mambo TUESDAYS 6-7pm. Latin workout WEDNESDAYS 6:30-7:30pm. All at Café Casablanca (2524 Bridge). $10. 250-389-0222.

Argentine Tango – Beginners drop-in classes, with David and Vanessa. FRIDAYS 8pm at Café Casablanca (2524 Bridge). vanessawinn.com.

VBDS BALLROOM DANCE WORKSHOPS – Pre-Bronze/Bronze Waltz 1-2pm, $5/$8/$10 per person, per workshop. Intro to Social Foxtrot and Rumba 2-3pm, $5 per person, per workshop. Singles & couples welcome. SATURDAYS 1-3pm at the Les Passmore Centre (286 Hampton). 250-721-5483, vbds.org.

Tango Vita – Beginner classes with Hilda-René SATURDAYS 7pm, intermediate 8pm, Milonga 9pm at 306-1221 Broad, 250-477-6360. Beginner and intermediate classes with Jorge-Liliana WEDNESDAYS 8pm, Milonga 9pm at St. Matthias Hall (600 Richmond), 250-858-1234. tangovita.com.

SWING – Dance to Nightclub music. SATURDAYS 9pm at the Carlton Club (900 Carlton). $5. jayholman@telus.net.

Tango moderna – Argentine Tango lessons SUNDAYS (beginners) 1:45pm & (intermediate) 3pm, $12/$9. Followed by hosted Milonga SUNDAYS 4:30-7pm, $6/$5 for Tango Moderna/Passion for Tango members. All at the Martin Batchelor Gallery (712 Cormorant). 250-661-5921.

West Coast Swing Classes –

Dance to Blues, Country, R&B and Top 40. No partner or experience required. SUNDAYS 6-7pm at Studio 7 (1221 Broad). $13 drop-in. 250-382-4500.

Contemporary Dance – MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 6-7:30pm at the The Victoria School of Contemporary Dance (649 Gorge East). $15/$8. 250-383-7183.

Cuban Salsa – Classes with Salsa Moderna. Beginner and intermediate MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS 7:30-9:30pm at Café Casablanca (2523 Bridge). 250-891-2310, latinvictoria.ca.

salsa – TUESDAYS Beginner’s lesson 7pm & intermediate lesson 8:15pm at Studio 4 Athletics (715 Yates). $15. salsavictoria.com.

VI Scottish Country Dance Society – All beginners welcome. No partner required. Wear soft-soled shoes. TUESDAYS 7:30-9:30pm at Eastern Star Lodge (3281 Harriet). 4 classes for $24/6 classes for $30. 250-598-0207, VISCDS@shaw.ca.

Vic BALLROOM DANCE Society – Practice. FRIDAYS 7-9:30pm at Les Passmore Centre (286 Hampton). WEDNESDAYS 7:45-10pm at Cedar Hill Rec Centre (3220 Cedar Hill). Free for first-timers. 250-721-5483, vbds.org.

 

Active

 

 

CRD WALKS – Blood & Guts, learn more about animals that make their living by eating meat. Cougars and owls and bears, oh my! THURSDAY 11am-2pm in the tents at Beaver Beach (Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park). Campfire at the Beach, learn more about the animals that call Island View Beach their home. FRIDAY 6-8pm at the picnic shelter on Homanthko (Island View Beach Regional Park). Bountiful Berries (5 years and up), Search for blackberries, Oregon grape berries, salal berries and more! SATURDAY 1-2:30pm at the kiosk in the Aylard Farm parking lot off Becher Bay road (East Sooke Regional Park). Tree-mendous Trees, learn more about local tree species. SATURDAY 1-3pm at the Francis King nature centre (Francis King Regional Park). Cougar Ridge Hike (18 years and up), hike along one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the region. Wear sturdy shoes, pack a lunch and bring your camera. SUNDAY 11am-3pm at the parking lot of Gillespie road (Roche Cove Regional Park). Stop, Look & Listen, find what’s hidden on the “unnature trail,” meet a tree and more. WEDNESDAY 10am-noon at the nature centre of the main Beaver Lake parking lot (Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park). Hike the Lakes of Thetis (18 years and up), Enjoy the beauty of both Thetis Lakes on this guided hike. WEDNESDAY 10am-noon at the main Thetis Lake parking lot (Thetis Lake Regional Park). 250-478-3344, crd.bc.ca/parks.

Yoga in the Park – Beginner to intermediate hatha yoga. All proceeds go to charity. THURSDAYS 5:30-7pm. To Sept. 8 at Beacon Hill Park (on the lawn across from the Petting Zoo). $5. 250-588-6118.

Victoria Lawn Bowling Club – Come out and try lawn bowling. To protect the greens, please wear flat, smooth soled shoes, no heels. FRIDAYS 6pm. To Aug. 26 at the corner of Cook & Park in Beacon Hill Park. First three visits free. 250-383-5039, victorialbc.com.

Victoria Horseshoe Club – Adult drop-in mixed doubles. FRIDAYS 6:45pm. Junior program (8-17 years), WEDNESDAYS 6:30-8pm. All at Glanford Park. 250-385-6162.

Volkssport walks – 7/11 km walk, SATURDAY 9:30am at the parking lot off Russ Durrance road (Gowlland Tod Park). 250-665-6062.

Ghostly Walks – We’re living in BC’s most haunted city. Find out why and where on this 90 minute walk. No registration required. Every night 7:30pm & 9:30pm, with an extra tour FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 8:30 pm outside the Visitor Information Centre (Government at Wharf St). $13/$11 students. 250-384-6698.

moksha yoga – Find out what hot yoga is all about. SATURDAYS 1:30-3pm, MONDAYS 7-8am & WEDNESDAYS 3:15-4:15pm at Moksha Yoga (1088 Fort). $7. 250-385-9642.

 

Spiritual

 

 

Learn to Meditate – Learn mantra meditation. THURSDAYS 4:30-5:15pm in the Interfaith Chapel (UVic). Free. 250-721-8338

Dharma Teachings – With Resident Lama Jhampa Tenzin. THURSDAYS 7-9pm at the Victoria Dharma Centre (3371 Maplewood). By donation. 250-385-4828.

Meditation – Emotional freedom technique and insight meditation. THURSDAYS 7-9pm at Unity Church of Victoria (838 Pandora). By donation. 250-382-1613.

SAHAJ MARG MEDITATION INTRODUCTORY TALKs – A heart-centred meditation practiced worldwide for real change from the inside out. Call for more information. SATURDAYS 11am-1pm. Free. 778-430-1104.

Buddhist Community Sits –

Silent meditation followed by taped Dharma talks and discussion. SUNDAYS 7-9pm at Lynn Wylie Yoga Studio (202-1600 Bay). By donation. 250-380-6383.

Cowabunga Meditation –

Join Brad Morris, co-founder of GratiDudes, for a surfer’s approach to meditation. MONDAYS 6:30pm at 1088 Fort. $10. cowabungalife.com.

A Course in Miracles – Using Ken Wilber’s Integral Mapping. Study group. MONDAYS 7-9pm at the James Bay New Horizons, 234 Menzies. By donation. 250-220-9797.

Drop-In Meditation – Each class includes guided meditation, practical instruction and discussion. MONDAYS 7-8:30pm and WEDNESDAYS 10-11:30 am at Bodhichitta Buddhist Centre (2020A Douglas). WEDNESDAYS 7-8:30pm at Fairfield United Church (1303 Fairfield). THURSDAYS 7-8:30pm James Bay United Church (511 Michigan). 250-592-7164, meditateinvictoria.org.

Zen meditation – Learn Zen mediation. TUESDAYS 7-8pm in the Interfaith Chapel (UVic). Free. 250-721-8338.

WAY OF MASTERY – Taking you from sleep to wakefulness, from fear to love. Reminding you of who you are. Registration required. WEDNESDAYS 7-9:30pm at 415-200 Dallas. By donation. 250-920-0948.

 

Community

 

Children’s Choir – St. Mary The Virgin Anglican Church is offering a program of vocal music for children, including singing technique and musical literacy. Two sessions (Sept.-Dec. & Jan.-April) are available. Call 250-598-2212 for details.

Victoria Fringe Festival – Volunteering is fun, easy and a great way to see shows for free! Intrepid Theatre could not run without the help of our incredible army of volunteers who help out with a wide range of jobs, including Fringe box office, tech crew, promotions, info kiosk and more. See intrepidtheatre.com for details.

SUPPORT GROUP – Support group for phobias, generalized anxiety, panic attacks and OCD. With Dr. Tom Lipinski, registered psychologist. THURSDAYS 7-8:30pm at the Bridge Centre (125 Skinner). Free. 250-389-1211.

SIPCCentre – Counsellor-led support group for mature women ready to re-explore their sexual orientation. $8/session. FRIDAYS 5-6:45pm at James Bay New Horizons.

LifeRing – Addiction support program. FRIDAYS 6:30pm at Pearkes Rec Centre (3100 Tillicum). 250-920-2095.

queer youth DROP IN – South Island Pride Community Centre welcomes queer youth, friends, allies and youth from queer families. MONDAYS 6-8pm at Esquimalt Youth Centre (530 Fraser), WEDNESDAYS 6-8pm at Fairfield Community Place (1330 Fairfield). Free. southislandpridecentre.ca.

Kiwanis House Program – Lifering support group for young mothers dealing with addiction. Free onsite childminding is available for young mothers participating in the program. TUESDAYS 6-7:15pm at 2652 Cook. Child minding starts at 5:30. Calling in advance is appreciated. 250-382-1004.

Dual Recovery Anonymous – Support group for recovery from both an addiction of any kind and a mental health issue. TUESDAYS 7:30pm in the BCSS Board Room (941 Kings). Free. 250-384-4225.

ALT LOVERS – Sagacity Alternative Lifestyle Society is where folks who enjoy BDSM, alternative lifestyles, kink, and fetish gather to talk, laugh, socialize, share and learn. TUESDAYS 7:30pm at the Ledge, Bedford Regency (1140 Government). Free. sagacitygroup.net.

Letting Go While Holding On – Explore how your role as family caregiver changes when the person you are carng for moves into a care facility. Registration required. 250-384-0408, familycaregiversnetwork.org.

Overwhelming Emotions Support Group – Borderline personality disorder, self harm, PTSD? B.C. Schizophrenia Society meets regularly at 941 Kings. 250-383-5144 box 2127, bpdvictoria@gmail.com.

call for artisans – Applications are being accepted for Gifts for Myself & Others 2011. Work to be offered for sale must be three-dimensional and of original design made by the applicant. Commercial components must be very secondary to overall design.  Work made using commercial molds, kits, hobby crafts, soaps, lotions or food items will not be considered. Deadline for applications Sept. 25, 2011. Visit islandartisans.ca for more information.

become an AVI volunteer –

Volunteer with AIDS Vancouver Island. AIDS Vancouver Island (713 Johnson, 3rd floor). 250-384-2366 ext 2262. leslie.robinson@avi.org.

CRIDGE TRANSITION HOUSE –

Looking for female volunteers to drive women to appointments, take them apartment hunting, spend time with children letting them know they are valued and cared about, fill the house with delicious smells of baking and help out with dozens of other tasks and errands. Contact Anita: 250-479-3963.

ANIMAL LOVERS – Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders needs volunteers to foster strays, answer phones, assist with transportation and trap feral cats. info@animalcrusaders.ca, 250-474-5581.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES – Volunteer with Victoria Riding for the Disabled Association. No experience necessary. 16+. MONDAY-THURSDAY mornings and TUESDAY-THURSDAY afternoons. 778-426-0506, vrda@shaw.ca.

Volunteers Needed – To drive cancer clients to medical appointments. Contact the Canadian Cancer Society at 250-414-4253 or visit us online at cancervolunteer.ca.

VICTORIA LABOUR CHOIR – Are you interested in singing for social justice, songs of peace and protest?  We are looking for committed singers (and a conductor) for a non-audition choir. If interested, please email your name, email address and phone number to   victorialabourchoir@gmail.com.

The Vic West Toy Library – We offer a place for children and parents to come and play, try out some new toys and to take a few home with you for a two week loan period. There are free refreshments available. Annual membership is $30 and each family can take home a maximum of 6 items. High Point Church (949 Fullerton). 250-383-6290, info@pointful.ca.

Seeking Backyards for Local Food – Four-year-old urban farming co-op seeking large backyards in Oak Bay, Fairfield, Fernwood or Camosun for growing fresh, organic produce. We share a portion of the produce. You support the local food movement.cityharvestcoop.com.

Seeking singers – The Jewish Community Choir of Victoria is looking for additional singers, both male and female. For more information contact choir director, Carol Sokoloff at casjazz@islandnet.com or 250.385-3378.