Events
Thurs. Nov. 17
Goldstream Co-op Preschool Silent/Live Auction - Proceeds support the Goldstream Co-op Preschool. 6pm at the Log House Pub (2323 Millstream). Free. 250-474-3011.
Ad night in victoria - Mingle with fellow creative types and watch the 2011 Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival winners. Proceeds support the National Advertizing Benevolent Society. 7pm in the Three Point Motors Showroom (2546 Government). $35/$25 students. nabsvi.com.
Fri. Nov. 18
Urbanite - A South Asian-infused evening featuring live music and video performances, collaborative storytelling, custom cocktails and seasonal drafts. 8-11pm at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1040 Moss). $13/$11 AGGV members. 250-384-4171.
Sat. Nov. 19
TEDX - 14 speakers with ideas worth spreading, three live performances, and interactive media exhibits. 9am-6pm at the Victoria Conference Center (720 Douglas). $50. tedxvictoria.com.
Greek Christmas Bake Sale and Snack Bar - Featuring delicious home-made Greek desserts and pastries associated with the Xmas season. Souvlaki, Gyros, spanakopita, other delicacies and freshly made loukoumades will be available at the Snack Bar. All proceeds support of the Victoria and Vancouver Island Greek Community Society cultural programs and for charity purposes. 10am-5pm at the Greek Community Centre (4648 Elk Lake Drive). Free. 250-479-9391, michaelikonomou@shaw.ca.
Scandinavian Craft Fair - Crafts, baking, jewellry, Norwegian sweaters and more. 10am-4pm at Norway House (1110 Hillside). Free. 250-598-2603.
Goward House Society Craft Fair - Find the handcrafted presents your loved ones adore. Tea room open. 10am-4pm at Goward House (2495 Arbutus). $2. 250-477-4401, gowardhouse.com.
Victoria Downtown Farmers' Market - Farm tables loaded with the best locally produced meat, cheese, bread, ice cream, honey, produce, sprouts, jams, mushrooms, salt, preserves and more. 11am-3pm at Market Square. Free. victoriapublicmarket.com.
Rally for Political Reform - Find out what's wrong with our political system and how to fix it. Listen to great speakers, Dr. Budd Hall, Dr. Janni, Ken Wu, and others. Presented by the People's Assembly of Victoria. Noon at Centennial Square. Free. occupyvictoria.ca.
Crystal Singers’ Holiday Shopping Fair - With Partylite, Epicure, Jockey, Guatemalan Scarves, Arbonne, Avon, Universal Books, Tupperware, Silpada and Nelia C. Caye Jewellery and more. 1-3pm at St. Peter’s Church (3939 St. Peters St.). Free. 250-727-3538, crystalsingers.ca.
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR & TEA - Featuring Crafts, Books, White Elephant, Jewelry and More. Proceeds support the Victoria Cat Rescue Corps’ Spay & Neuter fund. 1-4pm at Knox Presbyterian Church (2964 Richmond Rd). Free. 250-656-1100, victoriacatrescue.com.
Nautical Wreath Workshop - Give this Christmas a nautical flare with your very own nautical wreath. Please bring any other decorations you may wish to add and a good pair of gloves. We recommend thick gardening gloves. Materials provided. Registration required. FRIDAY-SUNDAY & Nov. 26-27 1-5pm at the Maritime Museum of BC (28 Bastion Square). $29. 250- 385-4222 ext. 113, mmbc.bc.ca/about-2/whats-new-at-the-museum/.
Matoto Multicultural Arts Society AGM & Celebration - Meeting, followed by dancing & silent auction. 7pm at Oak Bay United Church (1355 Mitchell). $15.
Sun. Nov. 20
Co-op Community Wellness Clinic - Treatments by a naturopathic doctor, acupuncturist, craniosacral therapist and energy worker and hypno-therapists, are available from practitioner members of the VCHC who are volunteering their time. Proceeds go to the VCHC Health Access Fund. Appointment required. 10am-4pm at the Co-op Community Health Centre (547 Michigan). Pay-what-you-can. 250-483-5503.
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
Fri. Nov. 18
CONTRA DANCE - A warm and welcoming way to try contra dancing and meet people. Come alone or with friends. 7-9:30pm in the Garry Oak room (1335 Thurlow). $8/$6 students, seniors & unwaged. 250-382-4604.
Swing City - Dance lesson 8pm, dance 9-11:30pm at the Edelweiss Club (108 Niagra). $10/$8 students. 250-744-3666.
heartbeat - Dance and fundraiser. With performances by Sultan, Okibi, Zeighn, Reenie and Compassion Gorilla. Proceeds support the People's Assembly of Victoria. 8pm-1am at Felicita's (UVic). $5.
Club Salsa - Start with a free Salsa lesson with Bernard at 8:30pm and stay to dance to great Latin beats from DJ Ramesh and Son De Cuba 8:30pm -1am at the Victoria Event Centre (1415 Broad). $10. 1415broad.ca.
Sat. Nov. 19
Social Ballroom Dance - Learn night club two-step variations with Bob & Donna. Bring a non-breakable mug for refreshments. 7:30pm at Saanich Silver Threads (286 Hampton). Workshop $5/dance $10/both $12. 250-477-4811, classicballroom@shaw.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.
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
Sat. Nov. 19
Dog-Walking as Pilgrimage - Learn how to use the time you spend walking your dog to live better. Registration required. 9:45am-1pm at A-110 Medana. Pay-what-you-can ($75-$125). info@nicolemoen.ca.
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.
LAUGHTER YOGA plus - Combines the breathing of yoga and the healing powers of laughter. THURSDAYS 7:30pm at James Bay Community School Centre (140 Oswego). $8. 250-389-1470.
Volkssport walks - 5/10 km walk, FRIDAY 9:30am at the YM-YWCA (851 Broughton), 250-385-8519. 5/10km walk, SUNDAY 9:30am at Fisherman's Wharf (12 Erie). 250.598-9390.
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.
Spiritual
Fri. Nov. 18
Chanting as Sacred Practice - A path of awakening and renewal. Registration required. FRIDAY 7-9pm ($25) & SATURDAY 9:30am-4pm ($50) at the Church of Truth (111 Superior). 250-381-9650, contemplative.org.
mon. Nov. 21
Astrology and Tarot - Rulership of Signs, 6:30-9:30pm. Registration required. All at 429 Vancouver. $20 for first timers. 250-381-4299.
TUES. Nov. 22
KIRTAN CHANT & HANUMAN CHALISA - Invoke inner peace and grace through a shared musical experience. Take part in devotional call and response chanting in a friendly community atmosphere. 7-8pm at The Yoga Shala (1322 Broad). Free. 250-383-3849.
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 7:30-9:30pm. Call for details. 250-386-5919.
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
Donation drive for United Way Book & Record Sale - Books, records, typewriters and record players in good condition accepted with thanks for UVic Libraries' 17th annual fundraising sale for the United Way of Greater Victoria. Sale runs Nov 29-Dec 1. Drop-off donations SATURDAY 10am-4pm in the Student Union Building (UVic). Free. libsales@uvic.ca, 250-472-4977.
VICTORIA LEADERSHIP AWARDS - Nominations are being accepted for the 2012 ceremony. Nomination packages are available and may be completed online at leadershipvictoria.ca. Deadline: Nov. 20, 2011. 250-386-2269.
DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - For persons with diabetes. Family members and friends welcome. MONDAYS 1-3:30pm. To Nov. 21 at the Canadian Diabetes Association Office (276-2950 Douglas). Free. 1-866-902-3767, selfmanagementbc.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.
