Victoria Events April 23-30

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, where we turn the whispers of Victoria's streets into written wonders just for you.

On our radar

☂️ Mary Poppins: See the VOS production of the beloved musical at the McPherson Playhouse, May 3-12.

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

⛸️ Stars on Ice: See some of the world’s best figure skaters show off their skills at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, May 16, 2024.

🎶 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. 

💄 Jimbo’s Drag Circus: See the Victoria star and winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8 at the Royal Theatre, June 12.

🍻 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.

🍌 Raffi: Bring your little ones to see the iconic children’s performer at the Royal Theatre, Nov 23 & 24.

Happening this week and weekend

🎤 Ice Cube 

Tuesday | Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre | 7pm

See the hip hop legend on his Straight into Canada tour to Victoria. [$70+]

🐶 Paw Patrol Live

Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre | Sat 10am & 2pm ; Sun 10am & 3pm

This interactive stage show at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre will be fun for the whole family. [$34+]

🍽️ Culinaire

Wednesday | Victoria Conference Centre | 5-7:15pm or 8-10:15pm

Back for its 13th year, this food festival celebrates the best of the Island’s food scene, with two time slots available. [$80+]

The Lehman Trilogy | Opening Tuesday | 7:30pm

See this play that shows the complicated realities of the American Dream in the late 19th century, running at the Belfy Theatre until May 19. [$18+]

Louise Rose | Wednesday | 7pm

Back at Hermann’s with her “Alone Together” series, Louise Rose will perform solo jazz vocals and piano. [$20]

The Pack a.d. | Thursday | 7pm

The duo will bring their rocking sound to Wicket Hall. [$25]

Peaches’ Palace | Thursday | 8:30pm

Local Afro-Indigenous drag star Peaches N Screams will perform alongside other BIPOC drag and burlesque artists at Friend of Dorothy’s. [Free entrance]

David Santana Quartet | Thursday | 7pm

Hear Santana’s Quartet take on music by John Coltrane at Hermann’s. [$25]

Anne of Green Gables | Thursday & Friday | 7:30pm

The Canadian College of Performing Arts will tell the beloved story of Anne Shirley at McPherson Playhouse. [$50]

Entertainment Village | Friday | 8pm

See this night of improv and stand up at The Mint. [$25]

Desi Me Rollin | Friday | 9pm

Head out to this Bollywood-themed evening at The Wicket with DJ Raytrix spinning. [$8]

Two Bobs and a Mule | Friday | 7pm

The local Bob Dylan tribute band will perform at Hermann's. [$30]

Spring-O-Ween | Saturday | 11am-4pm

Can’t wait for spooky season? Check out this halfway to Halloween market, with plenty of eerie vendors selling their wares in Market Square. [$2]

Pablo Cardenas | Saturday | 7pm

The world-class Cuban pianist will perform at Hermann’s, bringing a tribute to the legendary Buena Vista Social Club. [$35]

Slynk and Father Funk | Saturday | 9pm

The DJs will take the stage at Capital Ballroom. [$16.50+]

Sooke Clean Up and Celebration | Fri 9:30am-12pm & Sat 10am-2pm 

Celebrate the Westshore community by cleaning it up! Help remove invasive species at Broomhill on Friday and check out local goods and produce on Saturday at the Sooke Country Market.

Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts | Sat & Sun | 10am-4pm

Check out multiple artistic disciplines, including paintings, sculptures, pottery, and textiles, at the Mary Winspear Centre. [$10]

Save a Bread | Sunday | 7pm

Enjoy a night of indie rock music with local musicians The Thunes, Robby & the Radicals, and Christian Petersen at Victoria Event Centre. [$15+]

Zakir Hussain | Sunday | 7:30pm

The Indian classical tabla virtuoso and world music legend will perform with guests at the Royal Theatre. [$50]

The Flame: Two-day Storytelling Workshop | Sunday | 10am-4pm

Join this workshop to learn how to tell compelling stories at the Belfry Theatre. [$157]

Downtown Victoria Blood Donation Event | Monday | 10am-4:45pm

Help save a life with the donation of your blood. The drive will happen at Victoria Conference Centre. [Free]

A Night of Sonnets | Next Tuesday | 7pm

Hear a selection of sonnets in English, French, Spanish and Italian from UVic’s humanities department. [$5]

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]

Westshore Swap, Shop & Market | Every Sunday until Sept 1

Browse a variety of local vendors with new items available every week at Westshore Parks and Rec. [$2]

Esquimalt Farmers Market | April 4 - Sept 26

Head to Memorial Park every Thursday to pick up farm-fresh goods. [Free entrance]

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

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

Beginning on Sept 2, 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

❤️ Review if the Week