Events
Thurs. Jan. 26
Tourism Victoria Mixer – Come early, enjoy the entertainment and celebration. Lorne Little’s acoustic set and Jordano the Great magic. 4:30pm at Ric’s Grill Downtown (910 Government). Free. 250-381-7427.
Sat. Jan. 28
21st Annual Victoria Health Show – Explore the aisles enjoying an abundance of tasty food, learn about cutting-edge health products, services and fitness techniques, relax with a bodywork treatment and shopping with special event pricing. To SUNDAY at the Victoria Conference Centre (720 Douglas). $5/$7.50 weekend pass. thehealthshows.com. 1-888-999-1761.
Chinese New Year Lunch – Presented by the Victoria Canada China Friendship Association. Paul Chow will speak about his experiences at the Governor General’s residence. 12pm at the Golden City Restaurant (721 Fisgard). $22. 250-477-6915.
Family Literacy Day Game-a-thon – The READ Society is celebrating its 35th anniversary. Hosted by Lieutenant Governor Steven Point. Play board, dice and card games and enjoy refreshments in Government House (1401 Rockland). 250-388-7225 or info@readsociety.bc.ca.
Native Plant Gardening Workshops – In this adult class, Pat Johnson teaches you how to incorporate native plants into your garden, which plants suit which environments and how native plants help to conserve water. 9:30am at the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary (3873 Swan Lake). Free. Register at 250.479.0211. swanlake.bc.ca.
Sun. Jan. 29
Seeing It Through Your Eyes 2: Ukrainian Showcase – A multicultural arts event with food, dancing, music, arts and crafts, and guest Speakers. 2pm at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre (3277 Douglas). Free.
Who Gives a Hoot – Drop-in anytime as we explore wonderful, world of owls through games, stories, crafts and hands-on exploration. Admission by donation. Owl pellet dissection activity $5. 12pm at the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary (3873 Swan Lake). 250-479-0211.swanlake.bc.ca.
Wed. feb. 1
Go Do Some Great Thing: A Celebration of Black History Month – A kick-off event showing the documentary Go Do Some Great Thing about BC’s black pioneers. Followed by a Q&A and viewing of Canadian and BC black history displays. 7pm at the Bruce Hutchison Branch. Register online at gvpl.ca or call your local branch.
Ongoing
The Versatile Group – All artists of any genre are 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.
Weekly Winter Market – Ongoing weekly Sunday market featuring vendors with handcrafted funky accessories and hair accent pieces, one of a kind festival style apparel, vintage clothing, storytelling, live entertainment, a kids zone and more. SUNDAYS noon-5pm at The Well (821 Fort). Free.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year – The wonders of nature like you’ve never seen them. This visually striking exhibition from the Natural History Museum showcases more than 100 photographs chosen from more than 40,000 international entries. To Apr. 9 at Royal BC Museum (675 Belleville). 250-356-7226.
Board games Night – Scrabble and more! SUNDAYS 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.
Spring Prelude indoor garden – This is 14th year of the Spring Prelude indoor garden display at Butchart Gardens. From its humble beginnings in 1999 the Spring Prelude has evolved into a world-class indoor floral display. $11-$21.95.
Dance
FRI. Jan. 27
YAM Magazine’s Dance Days – Back by popular demand. 70 events at 31 studios around the city, including free classes and workshops in various styles. To Feb. 5th. community@dancevictoria.com. 250-595-1829.
sat. Jan. 28
Contra Dance – Contra dancing is done to live music with a caller leading. The caller is Rosemary Lach, and the band is Rig a Jig. Beginners welcome, no partner required. Please wear soft-soled shoes and comfortable clothing. 7pm at St. Matthias Church (600 Richmond). $8. 250-384-7823 or victoriacontradance.com.
Social Ballroom Dance & Robbie Burns Day Celebration – Schottische with Wanda. Includes workshop, dance, special performance, refreshments and desserts. Bring your own non-breakable glass to enjoy refreshments. 7:30pm at Saanich Silver Threads (286 Hampton). $17.50. Reservations recommended. 250-477-4811 or classicballroom@shaw.ca.
tues. Jan. 31
Time to Check out Scottish Country Dancing – The Vancouver Island Scottish Country Dance Society invites you to a free basic dancing class. No experience is necessary. No partner is required. Please wear flat soft-soled shoes. 7:30pm at the VFGF Hall, formerly St. Martin’s Parish Hall (550 Obed). viscds.ca or 250-598-0207.
Ongoing
Argentine and Nuevo Tango – Six weeks; $60 regular /$45 student or $12 Drop-in. SUNDAYS 1pm Beginner 1, 2pm Beginner 2, 3pm Intermediate. At the Martin Batchelor Art Gallery (712 Cormorant). 778-432-0112. passion4tangofestival@gmail.com.
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.
Saanich International Folkdancers – No partner or experience needed. Please wear soft-soled shoes. FRIDAYS 7pm at the Fairfield United Church (1303 Fairfield). $5/$4 students. Free for children under 12. 250-384-0592, balkanbarb@hotmail.com.
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.
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.
LATIN BALLROOM – Beginner level, low-impact class. MONDAYS and WEDNESDAYS 7pm at Studio 4 Athletics (715 Yates). 250-382-3687.
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
CRD Walks – Durrance Loop. Join a CRD naturalist for a hike around this picturesque lake to explore its inhabitants. Meet in the Durrance Lake parking lot off Durrance Close. SATURDAY 1pm at Mount Work Regional Park. Ha-bat-itat will help dispel fear and misinformation about these fascinating flying mammals. Meet at the nature centre off Munn Rd. SUNDAY 1pm at Francis King Regional Park. 250-478-3344.
PICKLEBALL SPORT-FIt – This funny but unique program combines sport and fitness in a fun way. $34. MONDAYS, TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS 1:15pm at the Esquimalt Rec Centre (527 Fraser). 250-412-8500.
Walksmart Victoria – MONDAY-FRIDAY. Registration 8:50am. 9am at the Royal Oak McDonalds (4410 West Saanich). 250-479-4087 or walksmartvictoria@shaw.ca.
yoga lab – New to yoga or taking beginner classes? Join our teacher trainees for a yoga class and help us improve our teaching skills. No experience needed. By donation. THURSDAYS 9am to Feb.2nd. Iyengar Yoga Centre of Victoria (202 – 919 Fort St.). 250-386-9642.
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 7-8:15pm ($6-10) & TUESDAY 9:30-10:45 (By donation) at The Yoga Shala (1322 Broad). 250-383-3849.
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.
Karma Class – The regular Moksha series practiced in one hour. All proceeds go to a different charity each month. See what this “hot yoga thing” is all about. Bring your friends and family.” FRIDAYS 8pm at Moksha Yoga (1088 Fort). $7.
Volkssport Walks – 5/10km walk. SUNDAY 10am at Cedar Hill Rec Centre (3220 Cedar Hill). 250-385-8519.
Spiritual
Thurs. Jan. 26
Astrology and TaroT – Workshops in small groups, applied to participants’ charts and lives: Voyager Tarot Practice – New participants welcome. TUESDAY 3 – 5:30pm. Drop-in series Planetary Archetypes: Uranus – Awakener and Revolutionary WEDNESDAY 3 – 5:30pm, and (2nd group) 7 – 9:30pm. 429 Vancouver St. $20 First timers. 250 381-4299.
BEYOND SENIOR: EXPLORING AND SHARING ONE’S GIFTS – An interactive exploration. 7:30pm at BCGEU (2994 Douglas). $10. 250-384-8236.
Transformational Healing Circle – Rémi Thivierge skillfully incorporates an insightful blend of ground-breaking Western counselling methods and ancient healing modalities centuries from India, Tibet, and China. Pre-register at bnurtured@gmail.7pm at the Victoria Eldercare College (Suite 2b-1218 Langley). Suggested donation $20. 250-474-4324.
sun. Jan. 29
Walk Victoria Sunday Walks – Weekly meditative walks. The purpose is to reflect on each of the weeks focused values of this year’s 2012 Cultivating Peace Project and combining this with letting Nature host the space for deepening our inner/outer connections. Self – Forgiveness – 10 am at Mount Douglas. Meet up at Parking, ocean side off Shelbourne, by washrooms. Moderate/Difficult. By donation. renee@insideawareness.com or 250-361-7508.
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.
COMMUNITY STUDY GATHERING – Meditation followed by dharma talk or reading and discussion time. Third Thursday of each month. 6:30pm at Moksha Yoga Victoria (1088 Fort). Free. info@mokshayogavictoria.com.
FOLLOW YOUR JOY – Each evening is honoured as a peaceful time for reflection or meditation in order to nurture the self and the whole of our global village. WEDNESDAYS 7pm at the Church of Truth. (111 Superior). Free or by donation. cotvictoria@gmail.com. 250-380-6383.
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. 250-595-4732.
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 7-9pm at James Bay New Horizons (234 Menzies). $2. 250-220-9797.
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
RESCHEDULED OPEN HOUSE – Help us improve Cook St Playground in Beacon Hill Park. wednesday 4pm at the Victoria Lawn Bowling Club. victoria.ca
Chemtrail discussion – Film and analysis about geo-engineering. FRIDAY 7pm at Scout Hall (459 Chester). 250-385-1199.
Sing-Along Concert – With Ron Klusmeier, his band and choir. Bring friends, neighbours, and family to a good old fashioned sing-along. SUNDAY 7:30pm at Sylvan United Church Mill Bay (985 Shawnigan Mill Bay). 250-743-4301.
Seeking singers – Newcombe Singers Choir welcomes new members, especially in the Tenor/Bass range. Attend the first two rehearsals commitment free. TUESDAYS 7:30-9:30pm at St. Mary’s Church (1701 Elgin). 250-480-5087 or newcombesingers.com.
Saanich Songmen – Welcoming all men who can carry a tune. Come and enjoy singing popular standards and comic songs with our unauditioned chorus. SATURDAYS 9:30am at the Passmore Centre 286 Hampton Road. 250-389-1059 or 250-361-9878.
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.
GUITAR WORKSHOP – Presented by The Victoria Bluegrass Association with Chris Herbst. SATURDAY 2pm. Location TBA upon registration. $25. workshops@victoriabluegrass.ca or 250-388-4520.
Open Choral Workshop – With Ron Klusmeier. 1pm at Sylvan United Church Mill Bay (985 Shawnigan Mill Bay). 250-743-4301.
Violin and viola players wanted – Hampton Concert Orchestra. Free this term. 7:30pm MONDAYS at Les Passmore Centre. Program: Haydn 101, Mozart 39. Concerts May 2012. 250-721-1940.
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). TUESDAYS 7:30pm at the Esquimalt Rec Centre (527 Fraser). 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.
LECTURES
Deep Green Resistance and Dismantling Empire – Award-winning author Derrick Jensen answers your questions live via Skype. THURSDAY 7pm at David Lam Auditorium (UVic). Admission by donation. Proceeds benefit SalmonAreSacred.org and WildCoast.ca.
Living with Hiroshima: My Memories of 66 Years – With Koko Tanimoto Kondo. This Japanese writer and educator was a baby when the first bomb fell on Hiroshima and grew up wanting to meet the guys responsible. One day, she met the co-pilot of the plane that dropped the bomb.TUESDAY 7:30pm in the Clearihue Building, room A127 (UVic). Free.
Wikileaks: The Haiti Files – With Kim Ives, editor of the Haiti Liberté. Straight from the U.S. diplomatic cables on Haiti, you will hear how the U.S. conspires to keep Haiti poor, who is running Haiti, and what happened to the earthquake relief effort. FRIDAY 7:30pm at UVic, David Strong 103. info@vicpeace.ca. 250-655-6691.
