Music
THURS. July 5
Stampede Weekend – Line dance lessons, bluesy country jam, country Music Bingo, Country Karaoke and $4 Bottles of Bud all weekend. To July 8 at My Bar and Grill (310 Gorge).
The Timebenders – Kicking off the Music on the Lawn concert series at Government House (1401 Rockland). 6-8pm. Free.
Kitchener Connection- Kitchener’s Mike Aviano and Victoria’s James Kasper accompanied by multi-faceted harmony singer/guitarist Geoff Howe for a set of gritty harmonica-infused roots-noir ballads and rockers. 7:30pm at the Well (821 Fort). $10.
Rock to End MS -A benefit concert with Spaceport Union and Smash Boom Pow and silent auction for the MS Society. 7;30pm at Solsctice Café (529 Pandora). $10.
Adults – Geoff Lundstrom and Jason Cook. 9pm at Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift). $5 after 9pm.
FRI. July 6
USS – With Celebrity Traffic, Hundy Thou and DJ Boitano. 6pm at Phillips brewery. $25 at Lyle’s, Ditch Records.
Pat LePoidevin – The Midnight Run Tour. 7:30pm at Solstice Café. $8.
Handsome Distraction -With DT Jackson and The New Colours. 7pm at V Lounge. $10.
Run For Cover – Covering rock, alternative and pop music at Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift). $5 after 9pm.
The High Arctic – Ice is nice in the summertime. With The Prime and Automatic Planet. 930pm at Logan’s Pub (1821 Cook). $10.
Club Salsa – Music and dancing from 8:30pm to 1am at Victoria Event Centre (1415 Broad). $10.
SAT. July 7
Larsen on the Lawn – Fundraiser to subsidize spots in musical summer camp, featuring West My Friend, Bucan Bucan, Leisure Suit, Anne Schaefer, Victoria Ukulele Society, Ensemlele, Dougal McLean and Andrew Slade on an outdoor stage from 11am to 4pm. By donation at Larsen Music (1833 Cook).
Bruce Hurn Septet – Performing a selection of standards and original compositions, arranged by Bruce Hurn. 8pm at Hermann’s Jazz Club. (753 View). $15.
Afternoon recitals – 4pm through July and August at Christ Church Cathedral (930 Burdett). By donation.
Versa – With Lakefield, New Tricks and Claire Coupland. 9pm at the Cambie (856 Esquimalt). $7.
Mike Edel – Pop influenced folk-rock from the local singer-amazing-songwriter. At Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift). $5 after 9pm.
Jennifer Louise Taylor – Traditional and not so traditional songs to sing along to with Rose Birney (mandolin) and Ken Hall (cello, guitar and flute) at the Spiral Cafe (418 Craigflower). 8-10pm. $7-10 sliding scale.
Sun. July 8
Littlehouse – An acoustic duo specializing in original instrumental compositions with a Celtic flavor, after Open Stage, 7:30pm at Norway House (1110 Hillside), $5.
Homeland Remembered – A glimpse into classical music’s movement from Old World to New World: from Baroque to Romantic to 20th Century, featuring John Alac – classical guitar, with Nicholas Fairbank – pipe organ, and Orthodox Voices – a cappella. 7:30pm at Alix Goolden Hall (907 Pandora). $20/15.
SCOTTY HILLS – Contemporary soul, country twang and straight-up guitar pop. On the patio at Canoe Brewpub (450 Swift). 4-7pm. Free.
CanUS Hot Jazz Band – A hot band with smooth harmony. 4-7pm at Hermann’s Jazz Club (753 View). $12. Canusjazz.com.
Tues. July 10
Liam Farrels 25th Birthday Party – With The Role Models and Fuck You Pigs. 8pm at Logan’s Pub (1821 Cook). $5 suggested donation.
Victoria’s 13th Annual Ska Fest – The best ska, reggae, dancehall, dub, rock, jazz and latin music from across the world. Through SATURDAY at Ship Point and others. Full schedule at victoriaskafest.ca. Free/$75/$125 +HST. See Page 12 for more.
Wed. July 11
Lyle Lovett – American singer/songwriter brings new album It’s Not Big It’s Large to the Royal Theatre. 7:30pm. Tickets starting at $77.50 at rmts.bc.ca.
Stage
Thurs. July 5
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.
Of Mice and Men- Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre presents the dramatic Steinbeck depression-era masterpiece and towering indictment of American capitalism with a star-studded cast including Gary Farmer and David Ferry. Opens Thursday at 8pm at the McPherson Playhouse (runs until July 15). Tickets $24.50 at rmts.bc.ca.
FRI. July 6
Swing City – Lesson at 8pm, dance at 9pm. Edelweiss Hall (108 Niagara). $10/8.
Sat. July 7
Bill Maher – Real Time funnyman and political commentator brings unflinching honesty to the Royal Theatre. 8pm. Tickets starting at $60.25 at rmts.bc.ca.
Sun. July 8
Phillips Comedy Night- Vancouver’s Melanie Rose is the featured with “M” Award winning host Wes Borg. 8pm at Victoria Event Centre (1415 Broad). $10/8.
Events
Thurs. July 5
Victoria’s q awards – Find out who made the top as the queer-friendliest players in the city. 7-10pm at The Ledge Lounge (1140 Government). Free. VictoriaPrideSociety.org.
SAT. July 7
SOUL Organic Garden Tour – Join the with Society for Organic Urban Land Care to explore five of Victoria’s wonderful organic gardens. See the diversity of organic gardening in action: new and old, private and public, wild and orderly, edible and ornamental. 10am-4pm at various locations in Victoria and Esquimalt. $20. 250-508-5452.
Big Gay Dog Walk – Pride isn’t just for the two-legged, it’s for our four-legged best friends as well. Bring your best friend to the annual dog walk and let them take a day to be PROUD! 1-3pm at Cook and Dallas. Free. hestonsmom@telus.net.
Sun. July 8
Women’s Yoga & Hiking Adventure – Join the Heart & Hands Health Collective to bring your yoga practice outdoors. Bring a sweater, yoga mat, water, lunch. 10am-2pm at Mount Douglas Park (main entrance/parking lot). $20. 250-858-7957.
Volkssport walks – Join in with “Saanich Sunfest” for a 5/10 km walk (rated 1B) and potluck picnic. Registration 9:30am, walk 10am. Meet at Beaver Lake Picnic/Beach Area (off Elk Lake Drive). 250-598-4316.
ivy pull – Join Friends of Brighton Avenue Walkway volunteers in a new community effort to remove invasive species and encourage native plants. Get exercise and meet new friends at the same time. Second and fourth SUNDAYS 9-11am at the walkway between St. David Street and Transit Avenue (Oak Bay). Free. 250-475-4412.
Pride Parade – Victoria’s annual Pride Parade makes it way down Government street, toward the Legislature, and finishes for the Pride Festival (1pm) at MacDonald park in James Bay with vendors, KidZone, food, entertainment, beer garden and more. Don’t miss the colour, diversity, and PRIDE! Noon at Government and Pandora. Free. victoriapridesociety.org/eventlist.html.
Summer salty sundays – Explore the Maritime Museum’s Salty Sundays, every second Sunday of the month. Enjoy crafts, activities, programming and tours. 1pm at the Maritime Museum (28 Bastion Square). $12, programming is included with admission, two kids free with each paying adult. 250-385-4222, mmbc.bc.ca.
Pride Week Wrap-Up Party – When the Pride Parade is over, keep the party going with an all-night celebration with plenty of surprises and non-stop revelry. 2pm-2am at Paparazzi Show/Nightclub (642 Johnson). Free. paparazzinightclub.com.
Tea leaf readings – See into your cup and have your tea leaves read by Ellena. SUNDAYS 2-4pm at James Bay Coffee and Books (143 Menzies). 250-386-4700, jamesbaycoffeeandbooks.com.
Board games Night – Scrabble and more. SUNDAYS 5:30pm at the Superior (106 Superior). Free. 250-380-9515.
Tues. July 10
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.
Markets
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.
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.
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
Fri. July 6
Jed La Lumiere Reading – Patience: A Gay Man’s Virtue is a new book by author Jed La Lumiere. offers individuals guidance on how to find their own way and live a life of honesty for themselves and their loved ones. Opening act: the poetry stylings of Julian Gunn. 7:30-9:30pm at Sex Positive Art and Resource Centre (426 Montreal). Free. jedlalumiere.com.
Sat. July 7
Pride and the Word – Victoria Pride’s annual literary event features community authors sharing their works as only they can. We encourage people of all races, ages, gender, orientation and means to become involved and submit an items of your work to: president@victoriapridesociety.org. 7pm at Ambrosia Conference Centre (638 Fisgard). $10. victoriapridesociety.org/eventlist.html.
Whaling Tales – See the screening of Sharkwater, compliments of Camas Books’ FreeSkool. All proceeds to Sea Shepherd. 7pm at Camas Books and Infoshop (2590 Quadra). Free. 250-381-0585.
Sun. July 8
Journey to Balance – Experience an afternoon of speakers, alternate health practitioners and put yourself in the driver’s seat of your own health. Proceeds donated to PEERS. 2-4:30pm at Comfort Hotel (3020 Blanshard). $20. deb@journey-to-balance.com, Journey-to-Balance.com.
WED. July 11
Open mic – Poetry night. WEDNESDAYS 7-9pm at The Well (821 Fort). Free. 250-590-4995.
Call for submissions
Call for contributors to Spirit of Canada – Seeking all poetry, spoken word and singers/songwriters for the 2012 Spirit of Canada contest, to run July 18, 25 and Aug. 6. Winners will be interviewed by the CBC and have an opportunity to read or perform their winning pieces on air. Enter at thewellvictoria.com.
Galleries
Thurs. July 5
dales gallery – See Patricia Hughes and other various works for Summer at Dales Gallery. To Aug. 31 at 537 Fisgard.
Fri. July 6
West End Gallery – New fused glass works by Tammy Hudgeon. To July 12 at 1203 Broad St.
Sun. July 8
GOWARD HOUSE – See Soaring the fabric art of Margo Styan. Opening reception 1:30-3:30. To July 25 at 2495 Arbutus.
