Events

 

Thurs. Nov. 24

PMAfund Lymphoma Foundation Silent Auction – With special performance by Daniel Stolfi, comedian, actor and Lymphoma survivor. 5:30pm at the Victoria Event Centre (1415 Broad). $30. pmafund.com.

Fracking 101 – A panel discussion about the health and environmental impacts of the natural gas gold rush in B.C.’s north. Speakers include Ben Parfitt from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Lana Lowe from the Fort Nelson First Nation, Naomi Owens with the Salteau First Nation and Irene Merrick from PESTS, a Dawson Creek citizens group. Moderated by the Sierra Club of BC. 7-9pm at the Ambrosia Centre, (638 Fisgard). By donation. 250-475-1948.

Thurs. Nov. 24

Elevator Pitch Workshop – Learn to craft an elevator speech. Noon-2pm at InHub Coworking (833 Fisgard). $20. 250-893-9596.

Solar Colwood – Info session on Colwood’s Solar Energy grants and programs. 7-8:30pm at Colwood City Hall (3300 Wishart). Free.

Fri. Nov. 25

Out of Hand Artisan Fair – An incredible selection of handmade, beautiful and sometimes delectable gifts. Fashion shows, cocktails and DJ Friday night and live music in the lounge Sunday. FRIDAY 10am-9pm, SATURDAY 10am-6pm & SUNDAY 10am-5pm at  the Crystal Gardens (713 Douglas). $8/$7 students & seniors. outofhand.ca.

Victoria SPCA Silent Auction FUNDRaiser – A night of fun with appetizers, beverages and a silent auction, Proceeds support raised the Friendly Neighbor Organization. 7pm at Vshoen Boutique (620 Broughton). By donation. 250-361-6709.

Sat. Nov. 26

Nautical Wreath Workshop – Give this Christmas a nautical flare with your very own Nautical Wreath. Includes rope and ribbon. Please bring any other decorations you may wish to add and gardening gloves. Registration required. SATURDAY & SUNDAY 1- 5pm. Cost is $29. 250- 385-4222, ext. 113.

4th Annual Christmas Tree Light-up – Bring the family to the annual lighting of the giant sequoia tree and enjoy musical performances, roving entertainment, ice sculptures and free treats. 4-5:30pm in Centennial Square. Free. Followed by the Island Farms Santa Light Parade on Government. Visit victoria.ca and click on What’s New?

Sun. Nov. 27

Celebrate slugs – Find out if the world looks better through “slug goggles,” check out how powerful you become with “slug power,” and discover the essential job banana do to maintain the health of our forests. Includes slugs, slime, songs and a bunch of other find stuff. Noon-3pm at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary (3873 Swan Lake). By donation. 250-479-0211, swanlake.bc.ca.

The Victoria Canada China Friendship Association – Dinner meeting. Dr. Berte Marr, a doctor of Chinese Medicine, will speak about how the seasons affect our overall health, and how we can protect ourselves. Reservations required by THURSDAY. 6pm at the Golden City Restaurant (721 Fisgard).  $22/$20 members/$10 students. 250-477-6915.

Debate – The teachings of Jesus are irrelevant for those of us living in the 21st century. Presented by the Victoria Secular Humanist Society.10:30am at Cedar Hill Rec. Centre (3220 Cedar Hill). Free. 250-744-3652.

 

Mon. Nov. 28

Roaring women of Vancouver Island – Dinner meeting. With introduction to the PEP personality process. Registration required. 5:30-8:30pm at Howard johnson (4670 Elk Lake Drive). $51. roaringwomen.com.

 

DOug Biffard – Sea Level Rise in British Columbia: a New Challenge to Protected Areas Management. Presented by the Victoria Natural History Society. 7:30pm in room 159, the Fraser Building (UVic). Free. naturevictoria.ca.

TUES. Nov. 29

Toastmasters – Meeting. Guests welcome. 7am in the South Pender room, the Richard Blanshard Building (at the corner of Blanshard & Pandora). Free. 250-480-8409, info@camosuntoastmasters.com.

United Way Book & Record Sale – Discover thousands of great reads and catchy tunes for $2 each. A silent auction of typewriters, collectable books, records, and rarities runs the duration of the sale. Proceeds support the United Way of Greater Victoria. TUESDAY 9am-5pm, WEDNESDAY 9am-8pm & Dec. 1 9am-5pm. in the Michele Pujol room, the Student Union Building (UVic). Free. unitedway.uvic.ca/events/events.php.

ONGoing

The Versatile Group – All artists of any genre 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.

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.

basics of Braille – Learn about the two hundred-year-old, six-dot reading system used by blind people. Registration required. WEDNESDAYS 7:30pm. To Nov. 30 at the Esquimalt Rec Centre (527 Fraser). $78. 250-590-9048, elizabeth@blindway.ca.

 

 

Dance

 

Sat. Nov. 26

Contra Dance- Contra dancing is done to live music with a caller leading you through the dances. Beginners welcome, no partner required.  Please wear soft-soled shoes and comfortable clothing. Lesson 7pm, dance 7:30pm at St. Matthias Church (600 Richmond). $8. 250-384-7823, victoriacontradance.com.

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 Soaciety – 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

 

SUN. Nov. 27

Birding in Uplands Park – Join Birder Ralph Archibald of the Friends of Uplands Park in a bird walk from Cattle Point through Uplands Park. Bring binoculars, bird books or checklists, or simply show up to enjoy the outing, rain or shine. 8:30am at Cattle Point (by the kiosks). Free. 250-595-8084.

Mon. Nov. 28

Skate outdoors – The Centennial Square outdoor rink opens for public use. Limited rentals available. MONDAYS-WEDNESDAYS noon-5pm, THURSDAYS-SATURDAYS noon-8pm, SATURDAYS noon-8pm & SUNDAYS 11am-5pm. All at Centennial Square. $2.

ongoing

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 7:00-8:15pm ($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.

 

AUDITIONS

Murder At The Howard Johnson’s – A hilarious romp through the perils of nuptials, nooses and Novocaine. One female and two males, ages 35-50 needed. TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY 7-9pm & Dec. 3 1-3pm at Peninsula Players Clubhouse (1649 Mt. Newton Cross). 250-858-5936.

I’ll Be Back Before Midnight – St. Luke’s Players require two females (20’s or 30’s) and two males (20’s to 50’s). Production March 14-25, 2012. Audition Dec. 2 7:30-9:30pm & Dec. 3 2-4pm at St. Luke’s Hall (2821 Cedar Hill X). 250-665-7683.

Rabbit Hole – A funny but moving play, dealing with the death of a loved one. It shows how four members of a family, a mother and her sister, the father and grandmother of a 4-year-old child and a neighbourhood young man come to terms with this in their own way. Dec. 4 1-5pm & Dec. 6 7-10pm at Langham Court Theatre (805 Langham Court). langhamtheatre.ca

 

 

Spiritual

 

Sun. Nov. 27

ADvent Carol Service – 4:30-5:30pm at Chrish Church Cathedral (930 Burdett). Free. christchurchcathedral.bc.ca.

Wed. Nov. 30

Astrology and Tarot – Mercury/Messenger: Communication and Craft, including Mercury retro, in action. 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. 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.

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 – Come join Victoria Hospice as they present the 26th anniversary of Celebrate-A-Life, an event that provides individuals and families with a unique way to remember their loved ones during the holiday season. 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. Nov. 30-Dec. 10 at Hillside Centre during shopping hours. For more information, please call 250-952-5720 or email vic.hospice@viha.ca.

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.