Events
Thurs. July 19
Random Acts of Yoga – Karma Yoga classes held each week. Suitable for all levels. Noon-1pm at Maynard Building, lower level (733 Johnson). By donation. 250-634-4466.
Taste: Victoria’s Festival of Food & Wine – Check out this culinary tourism event, with a full weekend of tastings, seminars, workshops and more. Various times and locations around town THURSDAY-SUNDAY. Main Event THURSDAY, 6:30-9pm at Crystal Gardens (713 Douglas). $79. Victoriataste.com.
Fri. July 20
Victoria international buskers festival – Check out the second-annual affair, and see everything from juggling acrobats, magicians, fire manipulators, circus acts, local favourites and more. Friday-July 29, various times and locations downtown. By donation. Schedule at victoriabuskers.com.
Mosaic Village Neighbourhood celebration – Discover Upper Fort and Cook during Mosaic Days. From food to fashion, yoga to antiques you’ll find it here. Specials and treats in many locations. Look for the balloons. 10am-6pm at Mosaic Village Neighborhood (Cook and Fort). Free. 250-920-7653, facebook.com/MosaicVillage.
Five hole for food – Join the Topaz Hockey League, Marty the Marmot and special guests to play ball hockey and raise canned goods for the Mustard Seed Food Bank. Bring a stick and a can of food and play along. 3-7pm at Saanich Plaza Save On Foods parking lot (Blanshard). By donation. Fiveholeforfood.com.
SAT. July 21
Volkssport walks – Special walk and potluck picnic. 5/10km. Registration 10:30pm, walk 11am at Fort Rodd Hill (Ocean Blvd, Colwood). Free. 250-642-4515.
TD Art Gallery Paint-In – Check out the 25th-annual event, thanks in part to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Peruse artists, ask questions, even take part in creating an art exhibit or two. 11am-4:30pm at Moss Street (between Fort and Dallas). Free. 250-384-4171.
Aikido: The Art of Peace presentation – See special guest Yoshinobu Takeda Shihan, a modern master, for a presentation of Aikido: The Art of Peace. 4:45-5:45pm at Cedar Hill Recreation Centre (3220 Cedar Hill). Free. 250-381-5048, aikivictoria.ca.
Sun. July 22
White Elephant Sale and BBQ – White Elephant Sale is a collection of new/used items from Passion and Performance. 10am-5pm at Passion and Performance (661 Burnside E). Free. 250-590-8099.
Mon. July 23
TAIKO DRUMMING WORKSHOPS – Two English-speaking leaders of the Japanese taiko drumming group Saiho Kotengu, from Nagasaki Prefecture, will be in residence MONDAY through July 29. All equipment is supplied. No experience is necessary. 6:30-9pm at the Old School House Art Centre (122 Fern, West). $100/five classes. 250-752-6133.
Wed. July 25
Creatures of the Summer Night – Check out the nightlife at Swan Lake! Sharpen your night senses with owl prowling and raccoon trailing. Using a grab bag of tricks, discover how these animals are adapted to their nocturnal life. 6+. Pre-registration required. 7:30-9:30pm at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary (3873 Swan Lake). $6. 250-479-0211.
Markets
Bastion Square Public Market – Check out the eclectic mix of arts, crafts, imports and entertainment, along with locally grown produce and fruits; homemade breads, pastries. THURSDAYS-SATURDAYS 11am-5:30pm, SUNDAYS 11am-4:30pm at Bastion Square and Langley. Free. 250-885-1387.
Ship Point Night Market – Come out for an evening and see the different mix of arts, entertainment, and crafts offered each weekend. FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 7-10pm at Ship Point (Inner Harbour). Free. gvha.v3.ca/f_licensee.php.
James Bay Market – Live music, food, farmers, artisans and service providers offer quality handmade, homemade and homegrown products. SATURDAYS 9am-3pm at 332 Menzies. Free. jamesbaymarket.com.
Metchosin Farmers’ Market – Farm fresh goodies and locally grown offerings to please every taste. Through October. SUNDAYS 11am-2pm at Metchosin Municipal Grounds (4450 Happy Valley). Free. metchosinfarmersmarket@gmail.com.
Victoria Downtown Public Market – Visit Victoria’s one-stop shop for all of your local grocery and farmers market needs. WEDNESDAYS noon-5pm until October at Market Square (Inner Courtyard). Free. victoriapublicmarket.com.
WORDS
Thurs. July 19
You Too are a Facilitator – Find out how at Camas Book’s FreeSkool. 6pm at Camas Books and Infoshop at (2590 Quadra). Free. 250-381-0585.
Double B-Poetry and Spoken Word – Come hear performance poets Bill Bissett and Brandon Wint. 7pm at The Well (821 Fort). $5/$8. 250-590-4995.
Fri. July 20
Planet Earth Poetry – Check out PEP’s monthly summer reading, presenting Emily McGiffin and Nora Gould reading from two new books published by Brick Books. 7:30pm open mic with performances to follow at Moka House (1633 Hillside). $3. Planetearthpoetry@gmail.com.
Sat. July 21
Summer pruning and grafting workshop – Pruning experts will explain the why’s and how’s of pruning and will demonstrate pruning techniques on different types of fruit trees and vines. Participants are encouraged to bring their pruners to practice what they learn. There will also be workshops on bud grafting and maintaining fruit trees. 10am-1:30pm at the old orchard at Hatley Park, Royal Roads University (2005 Sooke). Free. 250-656-0815.
WED. July 25
Philosophers Cafe – Topic: Does God Exist? Arguments for and against the existence of God will be examined and discussed. 7-8:30pm at James Joyce Bistro (1175 Douglas). 778-433-1547.
Open mic – Poetry night. WEDNESDAYS 7-9pm at The Well (821 Fort). Free. 250-590-4995.
Spirit of Canada – Check out the city’s best poetry, spoken word and singers/songwriters for the 2012 Spirit of Canada contest, to run WEDNESDAY and Aug. 6. Guest judges. 7-9pm at The Well (821 Fort). $7. 250-590-4995, thewellvictoria.com.
Galleries
Sat. July 21
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria – Portrait of the Artist: Special Thematic Tour : Kurelek’s developing sense of self in his painting with chief curator Mary Jo Hughes. 7-8pm at 1040 Moss.
Call for submissions
Artlandia – Calling all artists interested in submitting work for Artlandia Art Festival, part of the 2012 Rifflandia, Aug. 24-Sept. 22. Two spots available, and those selected receive a wristband and $100. Email info@artlandia.ca, and visit facebook.com/artlandiafestival.
Stage
Thurs. July 19
The Path – Impulse Theatre’s brand new physical/dance theatre tale of love and hate at the English Inn’s Verdant Gardens (429 Lampson). Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm. To July 26. $15/12.
Much Ado About Nothing – The Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival presents this classic comedy directed by Ian Case. Opens Thursday and runs TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS and SATURDAYS from THURSDAY-Aug. 18 at Camosun College Lnasdowne Campus. Tickets are $22/16 and are available at Ticketrocket.org, The Papery, Shepherd’s Books, Ivy’s Bookstore and Cadboro Bay Book Comapny. Shows at 7:30pm.
Fri. July 20
As you Like It- The Greater Victoria Shakespeare Festival presents this classic comedy directed by David MacPherson. Opens WEDNESDAY and runs WEDNESDAYS, FRIDAYS and MONDAYS to Aug. 17 at Camosun College Lnasdowne Campus. Tickets are $22/16 and are available at Ticketrocket.org, The Papery, Shepherd’s Books, Ivy’s Bookstore and Cadboro Bay Book Comapny. Shows at 7:30pm.
Sat. July 21
Audition -Langham Court Theatre is holding auditions for 84, Charing Cross Road, directed by Sylvia Rhodes. SATURDAY and SUNDAY from 1 to 4pm both days. Production dates October 3-20, 2012. Roles for four men and five women available. Some accents required. Call 250-384-2142 for more information.
Tues. July 24
Big Mama! – The Belfry Theatre presents Big Mama! The Willie Mae Thornton Story, which musically tells the story of the creator of such songs as Hound Dog and Ball & Chain. Previews TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY at 8pm and runs until August 19.
WED. July 25
On the Line – Free pubic screening of eco-adventure documentary that follows two men who hike, bike and paddle the proposed route of the Norther Gateway pipeline. 7:30pm at the Eric Martin Pavilion (1900 block of Fort).
Music
THURS. July 19
Steph MacPherson – Folk-pop singer-songwriter launching debut album Bells & Whistles with Headwater and guests at Upstairs Cabaret. 10pm. $8 at Lyle’s Place, Ditch Records and $10 at the door.
Eliza Gilkyson – Politically minded, poetically gifted singer-songwriter, who has become one of the most respected musicians in folk and Americana music circles performs at the Alix Goolden Hall at 8pm. Tickets $30 at Ditch Records and Lyle’s Place.
Crush Fest! – Featuring Eye of Odin, Atrous Leviathan, Traitorr and Torrefy. 9pm at Logan’s Pub (1821 Cook). $8.
Adults – Geoff Lundstrom and Jason Cook. 9pm at Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift). $5 after 9pm.
FRI. July 20
Maureen Washington – Jazz chanteuse to serenade the lunch crowd at Centennial Square noon to 1pm. Free.
The Jessica Stuart Few – Indie-folk trio from Toronto touches down in Victoria for a show with Anne Schaefer at the Solstice Cafe. 7:30pm. $TBA. The Jessica Stuart Few will also be playing a free afternoon show at Centennial Square WEDNESDAY from noon to 1pm.
Adonis Puentes – Club Salsa goes cuban with Adonis Puentes and his new band, featuring Pablo Cardenas, Amine said, Jason Cook, Nicholas Marquez and Rick May. Dance lesson at 8:30pm, show at 9:30pm. $20.
Everybody Left – With Sweet Leaf and Blackwood Kings. 9:30pm at the Cambie (856 Esquimalt). $10.
The Temps – 9pm at Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift). $5 after 9pm.
SAT. July 21
Summer and the Sinners – Saturday afternoon blues party and jam, 3 to 7pm at My Bar and Grill (310 Gorge).
Gypsy Hacks and Insomniacs – Eves of Destruction rollerderby afterparty with the Tower of Dudes. 10pm at Logan’s Pub (1821 Cook). $10.
Colleen Eccleston and john Gogo – Two Island singer-songwriters back each other up on this double bill. 8pm at Hermann’s Jazz Club (753 View). $12.
Afternoon recitals – 4pm through July and August at Christ Church Cathedral (930 Burdett). By donation.
The Broken Strings – Live music. At Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift). $5 after 9pm.
