Events
Thurs. Dec. 8
Community Craft Fair – Craft sale and silent auction. All proceeds support youth programs. Presented by the Central Saanich Boys & Girls Club and Bayside Middle School. 3-7:30pm at Bayside Middle School (1101 Newton). Free. 250-652-1135 ext. 208.
Preparing Your Artwork for Framing – Framing and matting expert Mitchell Jones teaches cost-cutting measures you can take before even starting your artwork, and what economical materials to look for when framing. Bring a small piece of artwork for advice on how to mat and frame it with a budget in mind. 7pm at the CACGV Arts Centre (3220 Cedar Hill). Free. cacgv.ca.
Fri. Dec. 9
Stuff the Stocking – Come enjoy a cup of cheer, some festive breakfast treats, and the sounds of beautiful Christmas music in the Grand Lounge.The Cridge Centre stocking will be hung and ready to be stuffed with your donation to support The Cridge Respitality Service. 7:30-10:30am at The Cridge Centre for the Family (1307 Hillside). By donation. 250-995-6412.
VGS Christmas Open House – The Victoria Genealogical Society invites the public to visit their Resource Centre and Library, and to meet their genealogical experts. 10am-4pm at The VGS Resource Centre (947 Alston). Free. 250-360-2808, victoriags.org/library.php.
Arts & Crafts for a Cause – The GVPL has partnered with Vancouver Island’s Everybody Deserves a Smile (EDAS) group on their “Kindness Care Packages” campaign. Help the GVPL by decorating a gift bag for a local homeless person and/or donating any of the following items for the gift bags: toques, mittens, wool socks, tooth brushes, tooth paste and scarves. New items only. Gift bags will be given to members of the Greater Victoria homeless community in January by EDAS. Donations will be accepted during all hours of opening from December 10-24 at participating branches. FRIDAY & SATURDAY 10am-6pm at the Juan de Fuca Branch (1759 Island Highway), SATURDAY 10am-6pm at the Nellie McClung Branch (3950 Cedar Hill) & Central Branch (735 Broughton). To Dec. 18. edas.ca.
Christmas Craft & Rummage Sale – Home made Christmas crafts, baking, preserves and many gently used rummage sale items. 10am-2pm at the Fairfield United Church (1303 Fairfield). Free. fairfieldunited.ca.
Your Voice Counts – An open public forum to facilitate discussion and creative input for developing a proactive approach to protecting our communities. 7pm at the Scout Hall (549 Chester). Free.
Sat. Dec. 10
Last Chance Christmas Craft Show – Over 85 artisans and crafters displaying their unique handcrafted wares. SATURDAY 10am-5pm & SUNDAY 10am-4pm at the Mary Winspear Centre ( 2243 Beacon). $. 250-248-0637.
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, plus $10 per photo. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
Sun. Dec. 11
LEGION MANOR CRAFT FAIR – Craft fair and bake sale. 11am-3pm at the Legion Manor (F100 7601 East Saanich). Free. 250-652-3261.
mon. Dec. 12
The Victoria Fibromyalgia Networking Support Group –
An open discussion/social meeting. Bring whatever you would like to drink and a contribution to the food goodies table! 1pm at the First Metropolitan United Church (932 Balmoral). $2.
Holiday Open House – Proceeds support local food banks. 4-6pm at the Community Office of Denise Savoie (970 Blanshard). Free/food donations appreciated.
Ongoing
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.
Victoria flea market – Offering a huge assortment of interesting things. SUNDAYS 9am-2pm at the DaVinci Centre. $2/free after 1pm. 250-381-5033.
Weekly Winter Market – Ongoing weekly Sunday market featuring vendors with handcrafted funky accessories and hair accent pieces, one of a kind festival style apparel, vintage clothing, storytelling, live entertainment, a kids zone and more. SUNDAYS noon-5pm at The Well (821 Fort). Free.
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
Fri. Dec. 9
Saanich International Folkdancers – End of season party. No partner or experience needed. Please wear soft-soled shoes. FRIDAY 7pm at Fairfield United Church (1303 Fairfield). $5/$4 students/free for under 12. 250-384-0592, balkanbarb@hotmail.com.
Swing City – Lesson with dance to follow. 8pm at the Edelweiss Hall (108 Niagara). $10/8 for students. 250-744-3666.
Sat. Dec. 10
Flamenco Tablao – Bring your friends and family to enjoy an evening of flamenco music and dance. 8pm at the Church of Truth (111 Superior). $18/$15 for Flamenco de la Isla members. 250-384-8832.
Island Singles Dance – Christmas dance. Couples welcome. Party dress code. 9pm-1am at the Da Vinci Centre (195 Bay). $15. 250-383-8041.
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.
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
ongoing
Skate outdoors – Skate outdoors on the Centennial Square rink. Limited rentals available. THURSDAYS-SATURDAYS noon-8pm, SUNDAYS 11am-5pm & MONDAYS-WEDNESDAYS noon-5pm at Centennial Square. $2.
WalkSmart – Morning walks for ladies. Coffee and chat to follow. THURSDAYS & FRIDAYS, MONDAYS-WEDNESDAYS 8:45am at the Royal Oak McDonalds (4410 West Saanich). 250-479-4087, walksmartvictoria@shaw.ca.
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 km walk. SATURDAY 9:30am at the Travelodge (2280 Beacon). 250-656-1452.
Spiritual
Sun. Dec. 11
Celebrate-a Life Memorial Service – Everyone welcome. 3-4pm in the Interfaith Chapel (UVic). Free. 250-952-5720, vic.hospice@viha.ca.
Wed. Dec. 14
Astrology and Tarot – Mars: Warrior, inner primal masculinity, assertion, sex, and other drives. Registration required. 3-5:30pm or 7-9:30pm at 429 Vancouver St. $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
Celebrate-a-Life – Add a special message on a tribute card in memory of a loved one to one of the display’s Christmas trees. Free, but donations appreciated. To Dec. 10 at Hillside Centre during shopping hours. For more information, please call 250-952-5720 or email vic.hospice@viha.ca.
The 12 days of giving – From Dec. 1-12 donations will be collected in the holiday spirit to support 1up, the Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre, and provide gifts for families with pre-teen and teenage children. Ocean 98.5 and 103.1 Jack FM invite listeners to drop off donation of gift cards, movie passes, unwrapped gifts and non-perishable food items at the Dave Wheaton GMC on Douglas where Ocean 98.5 and 103.1 Jack FM will be broadcasting live from Dec. 1012. For more info visit ocean985.com or 1031jackfm.ca.
CALL MOM Designated Driver Services – Need to get home after a night of partying? Give a non-perishable food item for the local food bank and save 10% off your trip (minimum of two items) to Dec. 23. 250-507-6515.
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.
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.
