April marks the 18th annual National Poetry Month in Canada. Celebrate by encouraging the next generation of poets at the seventh annual Victorious Voices High School Slam Championships, April 11 to 13, a project of the Victoria Poetry Project: Tongues of Fire and Vic Slam.
Now in its 17th year, The LOOK show by the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria runs until April 10 at the Bay Centre.
Launch Pad Productions, in collaboration with Craigdarroch Castle, introduces Bard in the Ballroom’s first show, The Charming of the Shrew, adapted from William Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, March 31 to April 9. thecastle.ca
It takes time to produce new work, something Intrepid Theatre facilitates with the YOU Show. April 2, Kayla Hart presents Once Upon A Coffee Break. A collection of children stories gets a coffee-related spin. intrepidtheatre.com
Watch circus history being made in Victoria as Island Circus Space presents its first production, Catalyst April 2/3 at the Metro Studio, and kicks off the creation of a circus community. IslandCircusSpace.com
The Big Gay Cabaret, April 8 is a fundraiser for Intrepid Theatre’s OUTstages Theatre Festival, with a diverse sampling of the inspired, kitschy, simple, sweet, avant-garde, eccentric and fabulous. intrepidtheatre.com
Celebrate five years of improvised theatre with Paper Street Theatre’s Improv Festival April 12 to 16 as the ensemble brings in guests from Calgary, Ottawa, and Seattle. Paperstreettheatre.ca
The Belfry is 40 years old and to mark the occasion they are remounting the show that started it all Puttin’ on the Ritz, conceived by Don Shipley and directed by Glynis Lyshon. April 12 to May 8. belfry.bc.ca
Whisk back in time to 1920s era prohibition at the second annual Speakeasy – a night of dancing, entertainment and frivolity in support of Kaleidoscope Theatre, April 16 at the Victoria Public Market. kaleidoscope.bc.ca
To honour William Shakespeare’s birthday and commemorate the 400th anniversary of his death, Intrepid Theatre hosts Leer, a new play (reading) by David Elendune (Outpost 31), April 19 at the Intrepid Theatre Club.
Langham Court Theatre brings award-winning playwright George Walker’s working class Toronto to life in Escape from Happiness April 20 to May 7. langhamtheatre.ca
The students of the Canadian College of Performing Arts finish the year with Mary Poppins, the Broadway Musical April 22 to 30 at the McPherson. ccpacanada.com
Out of tragedy, Castlereigh Theatre Project birthed Castle In The Sky a verbatim theatre piece which revisits the story of a 12 year old girl and her 23 year old boyfriend who fatally stabbed her mother, father and eight year old brother. April 23 to 29 at the Belfry Theatre Studio A. castlereigh.com
The art of inspiration and creation are at the heart of the New Music Festival April 15 to 23 featuring concerts by Victoria Symphony, UVic’s Sonic Lab, revered harpsichordist Colin Tilney and The New Guitars at Open Space. victoriasymphony.ca
The Victoria Conservatory’s Opera Studio performs Purcell’s Fairy Queen – a semi-opera based loosely on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, April 29/30. vcm.bc.ca
Join Lifetime Networks April 29/30 for their second The Greatest Most Awesome Show Ever with students of Wes Borg and Celine Richmond. A variety show with spoken word, dance, skits and more. lifetimenetworks.org
Vasily Djokavich: Russia’s #1 State Approved Comedian, appears April 29 at Intrepid Theatre Club. Directed by Mike Delamont (God is a Scottish Drag Queen) and starring Morgan Cranny as the dimwitted and shy Vasily who embarks on a hilarious cultural tour of the west. eventbrite.ca
Workingclasstheatre has just moved into new studio space in Market Square and you’re invited to their production of Burn This by Lanford Wilson April 27 to May 1. workingclasstheatre.com
Janis La Couvée is a community builder, writer and arts advocate.
