Events
Fri. July 27
Love Your Liver Health Fair – Celebrate World Hepatitis Day in Victoria with AIDS Vancouver Island and visit the fair for free food, games, music, yoga, information on liver health, nutrition, testing and treatment. Everyone welcome. 11am-2pm at Centennial Square. Free. 250-886-2670, hepcinfo.ca.
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.
Sun. July 29
History2Life Family Festival – Take a step back in time and gather family and friends to explore Victoria’s history through art, music, crafts and activities for all ages. Take part in hands-on art and activity stations, meet the roving History2Life characters and see historical vignettes by the Pioneer Players. Even check out the Fort Victoria Family Festival and Fort Building Competition. Great family fun to celebrate Victoria’s 150th anniversary. 11am-3pm at Centennial Square. Free. 250-361-0358, victoria.ca.
Cuba Day Celebration – Celebrate the accomplishments of the Cuban revolution with live songs and music by the Raging Grannies, RabbleBerries and Art Farquharson. Full dinner served at 5pm, followed by speakers, games and fun for the whole family. 4pm at Mitraniketan Housing Co-op (1241 Balmoral). $15. 250-743-2994, victoriafriendsofcuba.wordpress.com.
MON. July 30
CHESS Night – Bring your own game and a friend, or use one of ours. MONDAYS 6-8:30pm at James Bay Coffee and Books (143 Menzies). Free. 250 386-4700, jamesbaycoffeeandbooks.com.
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 26
The Dog’s Ear: Dog Communication and Training – Learn all about puppy talk through Camas Book’s FreeSkool. 2:30pm at Camas Books and Infoshop at (2590 Quadra). Free. 250-381-0585.
Fri. July 27
Drop-In Math – Learn the basics through high school, along with English/editing help through Camas Book’s FreeSkool. FRIDAYS Noon-1:30pm at Camas Books and Infoshop at (2590 Quadra). Free. 250-381-0585.
Royal Visitors and Royal Portraits – Celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by joining history curator Dr. Lorne Hammond for an illustrated lecture on “Royal Visits to British Columbia” and the Royal British Columbia Museum’s feature exhibition, “Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton.” Register online at gvpl.ca. 12:30-1:30pm at the Central Library (735 Broughton). Free. 250-413-0369.
Tues. July 31
Poetry book launch – Welcome Victoria On The Banks Of The Mainstream, a project funded by a grant from the Greater Victoria Spirit Committee Society to celebrate Victoria’s 150th Anniversary. Readings from poems written by participants in weekly writing sessions at Rock Bay Landing Shelter, Peers Victoria Resource Society, Sandy Merriman House and others. 2pm at Rock Bay Shelter Landing (535 Ellice). By donation. 250-595-2246.
Galleries
Thurs. July 26
Victoria Emerging Art Gallery – See Connally McDougall’s fashion line, Vilkas, and participate in a silent auction fundraiser. 6-8pm at 1016 Fort St.
Fri. July 27
Cenote Lounge – Art Against Enbridge: folk noir and funk country benefit for community action. 7pm at 768 Yates.
Tues. July 31
eclectic gallery – New Work by Jennifer McIntyre and Wendy Oppelt. To Sept. 1 at 2170 Oak Bay.
Stage
Thurs. July 26
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 Aug. 19.
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 July 19-Aug. 18 at Camosun College Lnasdowne Campus. Tickets $22/16 available at ticketrocket.org, The Papery, Shepherd’s Books, Ivy’s Bookstore and Cadboro Bay Book Comapny. Shows at 7:30pm.
The Path – Impulse Theatre’s physical/dance theatre tale of love and hate a the English Inn’s Verdant Gardens (429 Lampson). Wednesday and Thursday at 6pm. To July 26. $15/12.
Fri. July 27
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 from July 18- Aug. 17 at Camosun College Lnasdowne Campus. Tickets $22/16 at ticketrocket.org, The Papery, Shepherd’s Books, Ivy’s Bookstore and Cadboro Bay Book Comapny. Shows at 7:30pm.
Sat. July 28
Suddenly Sasquatch – An original musical by Saanich resident Sasha Moriarty-Schieven. Performances on the Ortega Terrace at Muse Winery and Bistro (11195 Chalet). Curtain 7:30pm. Tickets $25 at Muse or 250-656-2552.
The Magic Flute- St Michaels University School presents a musical tale of dragon attacks, witches and magical flutes with Anne Marie MacIntosh (soprano), Joseph Bulman (tenor) and Crystal Yang (flute). 2:30pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (680 Courtney). $15 at rmts.bc.ca or 250-386-6121.
Sun. July 29
Boomerangst – Broad Theatrics presents a stand-up comedy show featuring a librarian, chef and doctor telling jokes about aging, divorce, mortality and other ills as a few young pups make the rest feel old. Hosted by Kirsten Van Ritzen as the students from her level one comedy class make their debut. 8pm at Heckler’s (123 Gorge). $5.
Mon. July 30
Beer and Shakespeare-KeepItSimple productions presents a Shakespearian variety show featuring a cross-section of scenes from Shakespearean plays with some theatrical surprises and beer! 6:30pm at the Fort Street Cafe (742 Fort). $5.
Comedy Special – Hilarious, clean and cringe-free comedy show hosted by the Queen of Quirky, Diana Kuch. Ten comedians for $5. 7:30pm Moka House (1633 Hillside).
Tues. July 31
Comedy For Cancer – Four local comedians and four local musicians come together to raise money and awareness for the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock. 7:30pm at Club 9ONE9 (919 Douglas). $25.
Little Shop of Horrors- This smash-hit rock ’n roll musical follows the orphan Seymour’s rise to fame, fortune and love through the care of a mysterious plant thirsty for blood. Directed by Jacob Richmond with music direction by Brooke Maxwell. Starring Sara-Jeanne Hosie, Jeff Jones, Christopher Mackie and Kholby Wardell. TUESDAY to SATURDAY at 8pm and SUNDAY and WEDNESDAY at 2pm until Aug.12 at the McPherson Playhouse. Tickets starting at $24.50 at rmts.bc.ca or 250-386-6121.
Mamma Mia! – The smash-hit musical by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus based on the songs by ABBA in town for six nights only at the Royal Theatre. TUESDAY TO SUNDAY at 8pm and SATURDAY and SUNDAY at 2pm. Tickets starting at $93 at rmts.bc.ca or 250-386-6121.
Music
Thurs July 26
Nick Everett and Everybody – With Nathan Speller of the Ghostbirds and Lonesome Pine Special. 7:30pm at the Fort Cafe (742 Fort). $7.
Wyrmwood – With This Day Burns and The New Colours. 9pm at Logan’s Pub (1821 Cook). $7.
Fri July 27
Handsome Distraction – Kicking off their Fight or Flight Canadian tour at Lucky Bar with Woodsmen and Smash Boom Pow. Special guest DJ Joshua Fact after the bands. $12. Doors at 9pm.
Navaz- Persian fusion with elements of jazz, Latin and blues. 8pm at Merlin’s Sun Home Theatre (1983 Fairfield). $15. Reservations at 250-598-7488 or timgosley@telus.net.
Isotopes- With Purple Grimus, Wait for It and Dope Soda. 9pm at Logan’s Pub. $10.
Mike Edel – Pop influenced folk-rock from the local singer-songwriter. $5 after 9pm at Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift).
Sat July 28
Jell- With The June Fiasco and Empire Monday. 9pm at Logan’s Pub (1821 Cook). $10.
Cabal Metal Night – No One’s Ark blasting heavy underground classics. All ages. Bar with ID. Food all night. 7pm at Cenote Restaurant and Lounge (768 Yates). No Cover.
The Sardines – Easy listening folk-rock jams. $5 after 9pm at Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift).
No UFO’s- Psychedelic synthesizer jams and motorik rhythms. With Secret Pyramid (Vancouver) and Eclipser (Victoria). 8pm at Olio Gallery (614 Fisguard). $8. All-ages.
Animal Astronauts- With Jim Houston. 8:30pm at The Well. $10.
Duke’s Big Cambie Music Party- With Hawk & Steel, Duke & The Robobabes, The New Colors. 8pm at the Cambie (856 Esquimalt). $10.
Sun July 29
Pied Pumkin Pumkids – Theatre Inconnu youth theatre program presents family entertainment featuring Joe Mock, Shari Ulrich and Rick Scott. 2pm at Little Fernwood Hall (1923 Fernwood). timgosley@telus.net or 250-598-4788 for reservations.
Pied Pumkin – Reunion tour. 8pm at Merlin’s Sun Home Theatre (1983 Fairfield). $20. Reservations at 250-598-7488 or timgosley@telus.net.
Vocal Jazz- With Carol Sokoloff and Laura Cave. 7pm at the Well. $5.
Tues July 31
The Night Birds – Underground punk rock from New Jersey. With Big Eyes, Sheglank’d Shoulders and The Hoosegow. 10pm at Logan’s Pub. $15.
