Events
Thurs. Dec. 22
The Magic of Christmas – Take a stroll around the beautifully lit gardens and see if you can find all of the 12 days of Christmas distplays. THURSDAYS-SATURDAY 9am-9pm, SUNDAY 1pm-9pm, & MONDAY-Jan. 6 9am-9pm at Butchart Gardens (800 Benvenuto). $3-$25. butchartgardens.com/christmas.
Helmcken House Old-Fashioned Christmas – Discover the Christmas traditions of early Victorians at Helmcken House with activities and crafts. THURSDAYS-WEDNESDAYS noon-4pm. To Dec. 31 at 675 Belleville. Free with museum admission/by donation. 250-387-2137.
Mon. Dec. 26
Christmas Spirit Community Dinner – Enjoy a free meal and a fun family oriented Christmas Day. Registration required. Two seatings. Noon & 3pm at The Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church (1800 Quadra). Free. 250-472-1040, christmasspiritdinner.ca.
TUES. Dec. 27
Victoria A.M. Association Mixer – Mix, mingle and network. 5:30-7:30pm at the Sticky Wicket (919 Douglas). Free.
Wed. Dec. 28
Ongoing
Eagle Viewing – Drop by and see Eagles as they feed on spawned salmon. THURSDAYS-WEDNESDAY 9am-4:30pm. Christmas Eve 9am-3:30pm, Christmas Day closed, Boxing Day 10:30am-3:30pm, and New Years Day 10:30am-3:30pm. All at Goldstream Park. Free. 250-478-9414.
Festival of Trees – Enjoy beautifully decorated trees and help raise funds for The BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. THURSDAYS-WEDNESDAYS to Jan. 6 at the Empress (721 Government). By donation. fairmont.com/empress.
The Versatile Group – All artists of any genre are invited to share their ideas, work and successes. FRIDAYS 2-4pm at The Moka House, Shoal Point (16 Dallas). Free. 778-433-0537.
Father Christmas – Visit with Father Christmas. SATURDAY & MONDAYS-THURSDAYS 11:30am-4:30pm to Dec. 24 in the Old Town Exhibit of the Royal BC Museum (675 Belleville). $10-$15. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
Board games Night – Scrabble and more! SUNDAY 5:30pm at the Superior (106 Superior). Free. 250-380-9515.
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.
Bear Wear – Visit some fashionable teddy bears. Proceeds support the Queen Alexandra School Age Program. To Jan. 3 at the Hotel Grand Pacific (463 Belleville). Free. jane.bowers@viha.ca.
Dance
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.
Saanich International Folkdancers – No partner or experience needed. Please wear soft-soled shoes. FRIDAYS 7pm at the Fairfield United Church (1303 Fairfield). $5/$4 students/free children under 12. 250-384-0592, balkanbarb@hotmail.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.
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.
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.
Nuevo Tango Classes – SUNDAYS, Beginners 2pm, intermediate 3:15pm, practice 4:30pm. All at the Martin Batchelor Gallery (712 Cormorant). $12/$9 students. 778 432-0112, passion4tango.com.
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.
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
Wed. Dec. 28
CRD WALKS – Solve riddles to find clues hidden along the trail with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to discover who the mystery creature is, WEDNESDAY 10-11:30am at Lone Tree Hill Regional Park. Free. 250-478-3344.
ongoing
Skate outdoors – Skate outdoors on the Centennial Square rink. Limited rentals available. THURSDAYS-SATURDAYS & MONDAYS-WEDNESDAYS noon-8pm, SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11am-3pm. To Jan. 2 at Centennial Square. $2.
moksha yoga – Find out what hot yoga is all about. THURSDAYS 2-3:30pm, SATURDAYS 1:30-3pm & MONDAYS 3:15-4:15pm at Moksha Yoga (1088 Fort). $7. 250-385-9642.
Axe Capoeira – Learn the Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports and music. Kids classes THURSDAYS & TUESDAYS 3:45-4:45pm. Adults classes SUNDAYS 11:45am-1:45pm. All at Burnside Gym (3130 Jutland). $65 per month for children/$50 per month for adults. 250-884-7998.
ASHTANGA BASICS – Come try a community class geared for all levels and great for beginners. THURSDAY 7-8:15pm ($6-10) & TUESDAY 9:30-10:45 (By donation) at The Yoga Shala (1322 Broad). 250-383-3849.
Ghostly Walks – We’re living in BC’s most haunted city. Find out why and where on this 90 minute walk. No registration required. FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 7:30 outside the Visitor Information Centre (Government at Wharf). $13/$11 students. 250-384-6698.
Karma Class – The regular Moksha series practiced in one hour. All proceeds go to a different charity each month. An affordable class for someone looking to see what this “hot yoga thing” is all about. Bring your friends and family.” FRIDAYS 8pm at Moksha Yoga (1088 Fort). $7.
Volkssport Walks – 5/10/12km walk. SATURDAY 9:30am at Harbour Towers (345 Quebec). 250-598-4316.
Spiritual
Sat. Dec. 24
Christmas EVE/Day service – Enjoy Christmas carols, special music and more. Christmas Eve 6:30-7:30pm, Christmas day 10:30am-noon at the Central Baptist Church (833 Pandora). Free. 250-385-7786.
Wed. Dec. 28
Astrology and Tarot – Asteroid Goddesses Pallas Athena & Ceres/Demeter. Registration required. 3-5:30pm or 7-9:30pm at 429 Vancouver. $20 for first timers. 250-381-4299.
Ongoing
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 details. SATURDAYS 11am-1pm. Free. 250-595-4732 the.
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.
A Course in Miracles – Unite the light in you. In-depth study group. MONDAYS 7-9pm at James Bay New Horizons (234 Menzies). $2. 250-220-9797.
WAY OF MASTERY – Taking you from sleep to wakefulness, from illusion to reality. Reminding you of who you are. WEDNESDAYS 7-9:30pm at 415-200 Dallas. By donation. 250-920-0948.
Zen meditation – Learn Zen mediation. TUESDAYS 7-8pm in the Interfaith Chapel (UVic). Free. 250-721-8338.
Drop-In Meditation – 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.
Community
Call for Submissions – Vancouver Island Music Awards. Deadline: Dec. 31. All genres. Info available at islandmusicawards.wordpress.com.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BRAIN-EXERCISE STUDY – Dr. Brian Christie, a neuroscientist in the University of Victoria’s Division of Medical Sciences, is seeking community help to find out uf exercise improve memory and learning in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. He’s looking for children with FASD between the ages of six and 17 to participate in a 12-week exercise program. Visit fasdatuvic.ca or call 250-472-4244 for more info.
call for artists – The Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival is accepting applications for their 2012 festival. Submission deadline: Jan. 10, 2012. Apply online at intrepidtheatre.com.
call for submissions – Artists, Curators, Musicians and Performers from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are invited to submit proposals for Xchanges’ next gallery season. Xchanges Gallery programming is open to diverse, contemporary and traditional visual arts disciplines with a particular interest in exhibiting artists at the early stages of their career and those who have taken a new departure with their work. Deadline: Jan. 15. More details at xchangesgallery.org.
CRD development project grants – CRD Arts Development Project grants provide support for arts organizations that work on a project-to-project basis, new and emerging arts organization and arts organizations undertaking special, one-time initiatives or unique or developmental projects. Application deadline: Jan. 13, 4:30pm. Information and applications are available at crd.bc.ca/arts.
SHARE UVIC memories – Organizers of UVic’s upcoming 50th anniversary celebrations are inviting members of the community to contribute to the anniversary website. The link to “Great Moments at UVic” is now live and ready to accept nominations about memorable events, achievements, campus developments and personal memories. Submission deadline: Jan. 20, 2012. To submit, go to uvic.ca/anniversary and click on the “Great Moments” tab.
Harmonious singers – Kids, teens, parents & grandparents sing together for the sheer fun of it. Feel free to try a “no-audition session”any MONDAY evening. For more details visit harmoniousfamilychoir.com, sing@harmoniousfamilychoir.com or 250-385-7464.
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.
LifeRing – Addiction support program. FRIDAYS 6:30pm at Pearkes Rec Centre (3100 Tillicum). 250-920-2095.
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.
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.
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.
PFLAG- Confidential support for parents, families, friends, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, two-spirit, intersex, queer, questioning and allies. 250 592-0305, victoriabc@pflagcanada.ca.
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.
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.
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. 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.
Volunteers Needed – To drive cancer patients to medical appointments. Contact the Canadian Cancer Society at 250-414-4253 or visit us online at cancervolunteer.ca.
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.
Holiday Meals
Christmas meal: FRIDAY noon-2pm at the Rainbow Kitchen (310 Henry).
Christmas Eve Breakfast: 8:30am at Central Baptists Church (833 Pandora).
Annual Dinner for people who are Homeless: SATURDAY 11:30am-3pm at the Tapa Bar Restaurant (620 Trounce Alley), 250-383-0013.
Christmas Day meal: SUNDAY 1-3pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (680 Courtney), 250-383-5734.
Christmas Spirit Community Dinner: MONDAY Registration required. Two seatings. Noon & 3pm at The Glad Tidings Pentecostal Church (1800 Quadra), 250-472-1040, christmasspiritdinner.ca. All free.
