With mighty moustached Movember making way for fresh faces and new themes for parties (Tacky Christmas Sweater Party Dec. 3 at Sugar), now is the time to start getting in the holiday spirit.
Who better to help you get there than Victoria’s own Christmas crooner, Ken Lavigne? He’s hosting his annual Candlelight Christmas at the Royal Theatre, Monday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $32.50 (senior and student discounts available) and are available at rmts.bc.ca or by phone at 250-386-6121 (kenlavigne.com).
If Christmas shopping is more your bag, check out the second-annual Score! Craft Sale, with 20 vendors tabling locally made artwork, crafts, jewelry, baking and more all priced under $20. The first 100 purchases get a hand screen-printed bag for their purchases, Sat, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. At Olio Artists and Workers Co-operative (614 ½ Fisguard).
The Off-Broadway touring production of Mamma Mia! is heading our way, July 31 - Aug. 5 at the Royal Theatre and tickets are going on sale just in time to get some for the musical theatre lover on your list. Tickets are available starting at 9:30 a.m., Fri, Dec. 2 at rmts.bc.ca or by phone at 250-386-6121.
And if you’d like to avoid Christmas for as long as possible, there’s still plenty of non-holiday related entertainment out there this week.
Check out the Canadian College of Performing Arts’ Theatrical Treasures — Celebration of Canadiana, Dec. 1 to 3 in their performance hall (1701 Elgin). CCPA’s second year students have been split into two casts, one performing Ten Lost Years by Jack Winter and Cedric Smith, the other Village of Idiots by John Lazarus. Ten Lost Years (directed by acclaimed casting agent Stuart Aikins from the Twilight saga) presents a powerful portrait of Canada during the Great Depression. “I can’t believe how people made it through,” says Aikins. “I wouldn’t say this is a depressing play, but it’s eye opening to see how people lived on $19 a month on the dole and other things we can’t fathom now, even in this difficult time of recession.”
In contrast, Village of Idiots will tell you why sometimes it’s better to be a fool than a wise man. Ten Lost Years runs Dec. 1 (1 p.m.), Dec. 2 (7:30 p.m.) and Dec. 3 (2 p.m.). Village of Idiots runs Dec. 1 (7:30 p.m.), Dec. 2 (1 p.m.) and Dec. 3 (7:30 p.m.) Tickets are $20/adults and $15 students, available at rmts.bc.ca or by phone at 250-386-6121.
Theatre Inconnu is offering more theatre this weekend with the opening of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg by Peter Nichols, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. It tells the story of a couple simultaneously trying to save their marriage and raise a child with cerebral palsy. Joe Egg runs at the Little Fernwood Hall until Dec. 17.
And if creative non-fiction is more your speed, find out how to sell your house and tour the world with your family of four for a year at the launch of Four Homeless Millionaires, a book by Rik Leaf.
The Leafs sold their house in Winnipeg and travelled far and wide in search of adventure and a new home — at the end of the journey, they settled at 1607 Camosun Street in Fernwood, where the family is hosting a book launch, Dec. 1 and 2 featuring a full concert performance with live music, performance poetry and comedic storytelling. Doors are at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is free, but seating is limited. For reservations, email info@rikleaf.com or call 250-483-4177.
And if music is your thing, there’s more going on this week than you can shake a moustache at, starting with the Official Mo Party and fundraiser at Logan’s Pub, Sat, Dec. 3, featuring Bucan Bucan, Black Valley Gospel and Hawk & Steel. Advance tickets at Regalia Boutique or $12 at the door.
Logan’s is also hosting the fourth annual Aids Vancouver Island Rock your Awareness show Fri, Dec. 2 with Hearse, Dave Lang & the Black Squirrels, Hank Angel & his Island Devils and burlesque. The evening is hosted by J. McLaughlin and all proceeds from the $10 cover go to AVI. M