Victoria Events April 2-9

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, the newsletter equivalent of your neighbourhood coffee shop bulletin board.

Just announced

🎤 Ice Cube: See the hip hop legend on his Straight into Canada tour at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, April 23.

🤡 Bianca Del Rio: The RuPaul’s Drag Race winner and self-described “clown in a gown” will bring her brash standup comedy to the Royal Theatre, April 13. 

🍻 The Great Canadian Beer Festival: The fest will take place at Royal Athletic Park, Sept 6-7. 

🤘 Rifflandia: Victoria’s biggest music festival will take place Sept 13-18 at its new location at Metullia Lands.

🎡 Oak Bay Tea Party: The annual summer fair will return to Willows Park, May 31-June 2.  

🏴‍☠️ Esquimalt Buccaneer Day: Esquimalt’s annual pirate-themed fair will happen May 10-12 at Archie Browning Sports Centre.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Highland Games: The games return for the 161st year at Topaz Park, May 18-19. 

🎸 Sum41: See the pop punk legends at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, with special guests PUP and Gob, January 10, 2025. 

🎶 Laketown Shakedown: The music festival will take place June 28-30 at Laketown Ranch in Youbou, with headliner Gwen Stefani. More artists to be announced. 

🐶 Paw Patrol Live: This interactive stage show at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre will be fun for the whole family. April 27-28.

Happening this week and weekend

🥕 Esquimalt Farmers Market begins 

Thursday | Memorial Park | 4:30-7:30pm

The market is back for its 10th season, running until Sept 26. [Free]

🛍️ Indigenous pop-up shop

Saturday | Norway House | 10am-3pm

Check out the work of 25 Indigenous artists, with beadwork, carving, body care and more available for purchase. [Free]

🖼️ Oak Bay artists tour

Sat & Sun | Multiple venues | 10-4pm

Get a peek behind the creative curtain on this artist studio tour happening throughout Oak Bay. Explore the artists’ personal spaces or head to Monterey Rec Centre. [Free]

Coleman Hell | Tuesday | 7pm

See the Canadian musician at Wicket Hall. [$25]

Choyce Kotori Residency | Tues-Thurs

The Montreal bartender will mix up drinks at Clive’s. [Free entrance] 

Marriage of Figaro | Wed, Fri, Sun, Tues | 7:30pm

The opera classic will take place at the Royal Theatre. [$30+]

Designers Connect | Wednesday | 4:30pm

Share tips and tricks with fellow designers at this get together at Kwench. [Free]

UVic Cafe Historique | Wednesday | 7pm

Explore the history of scandal at the Olympics at this educational talk at Hermann’s. [$5]

Asher Roth | Thursday | 9pm

The rapper will take the stage at Capital Ballroom. [$25]

Kelby MacNayr's Tiny Rhythm Kings | Thursday | 7pm

Exploring the dukes, kings and counts of jazz music at Hermann’s. [$20]

FERN: A Drag Show | Thursday | 7:30pm

Catch the drag performance at Fernwood Inn. [$22+]

Colour Moves | Starts Thursday 

See work from artist Hermann Valentin Schmitt at Rockslide Gallery. [Entrance fee]

UVic Fashion Society | Thursday | 6:30pm

Join this evening of fashion, culture and creativity at Wicket Hall. [$15] 

The Board Meeting | Friday | 7pm

The UVic Surf Club is back with this dance night at Capital Ballroom. [$15+]

Efthimios Nasiopouls | Friday | 8pm

See the Toronto standup perform his comedy at the Mint. [$20]

Ashley Wey Trio | Friday | 7pm

Catch the singer and her trio performing at Hermann’s. [$25]

Broadway and Beyond | Friday | 2pm

Hear music from the golden age of musicals at the Charlie White Theatre. [$37]

Book Launch: Boxing the Compass | Friday | 3:30pm

Hear the author and former mariner discuss the launch of his new book at the Maritime Museum. [Free]

Jump: The Van Halen Experience | Friday | 7:30pm

See this tribute to the band’s biggest hits at McPherson Playhouse. [$55+]

Cannabliss | Saturday | 9:30pm

See the DJ perform her bass music at Capital Ballroom. [$20+]

UVic Chorus and Orchestra | Saturday | 2:30pm

See the musicians perform Messa di Gloria at The Farquhar. [$28]

Cara Luft & Shari Ulrich | Saturday | 7pm

See the musicians perform at the Charlie White Theatre. [$50]

Ron James | Sunday | 7:30pm

See the comedian perform his show “Not Nearly Done Yet!” at the McPherson Playhouse. [$76]

West Shore Swap, Shop & Market | Sunday | 8am-12pm

Enjoy this swap meet and farmers market at West Shore Parks and Rec. [$2]

Carl Mayotte Quintet | Sunday | 7pm

The Montreal jazz performer will take the stage at Hermann’s. [$25]

Champagne and Cake Show | Sunday | 1pm

Check out the best of the Island’s event industry at this fundraiser for BC Children’s Hospital at The Wardroom. [$12]

Country Mixtape | Next Tuesday | 8pm

These country stars will perform their top tracks—and favourite covers—at Capital Ballroom. [$36]

Ongoing events

Earth Day Scavenger Hunt at Butterfly Gardens | April 1-30

Join this hunt all month during the garden’s regular hours. [Kids $9, Adults $20]

Crossing at AGGV | Feb 10 - May 26

See the showcase that tells the story of three local artists whose families made the journey from Asia to Canada. [Included in gallery admission]

Ross Bay Historic Villa Guided Tours | Saturdays | 2pm

See the restored home, built in 1865, and learn about the family who lived there. [$8.50]

Drag Brunch at Vicious Poodle | Saturdays & Sundays | 11am & 1pm

Enjoy a hearty brunch while Victoria’s top drag performers put on a show. [Free entrance]

Moss Street Market | Saturdays | 10am-2pm

Discover local vendors, get farm-fresh produce and listen to live music at this weekly market. [Free]

Feel Free: Free Gallery Days at AGGV | First Saturday from 10am-5pm | Thursdays from 5-9pm

The first Saturday of every month and every Thursday evening will be a free gallery day at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

That’s it!

Thanks for checking in this week. Hope you found something good to add to your calendar. If not, reply back and let us know what you’re looking for. Consider us your concierge to good times.

See you next week? Same time, same place.

✌️ TWIV

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