Victoria Events April 30 - May 7

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

On our radar

🏴‍☠️ 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.

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

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

🎶 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. 

🎵🍺 Phillip’s Backyard: Check out Tilt weekend July 5-7 and Reverb weekend Aug 11, with acts including Saint Motel, Orville Peck, and Jungle set to perform.

🍻 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 Matullia Lands.

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

🍿 Short Circuit Pacific Rim Film Festival runs this Thurs-Sun at The Vic Theatre, with dozens of local and international short films.*

*Sponsored Listing

Happening this week and weekend

☂️ Mary Poppins

Opens Friday | McPherson Playhouse | 7:30pm

See the VOS production of the beloved musical, running until May 12. [$66+]

🎸 Matthew Good

Sunday | Capital Ballroom | 7pm

See the BC indie favourite with his band at Capital Ballroom. [$55]

🇲🇽 Cinco de Mayo

Saturday | Upstairs Cabaret | 10pm

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early with this festive dance party. Take a swing at the piñata and enjoy tequila drinks on special. [$5+]

A Night of Sonnets | Tuesday | 7pm

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

Jazz Showcase night | Wednesday | 7pm

Check out local favourites at this jazz night at Hermann's. Seats will be limited with 80 students from the mainland invited to watch the show. [$20]

Alexandra Stréliski | Wednesday | 8pm

The acclaimed composer and pianist will perform at Royal Theatre. [$40+]

Emotionz & Sirreal | Thursday | 10pm

See the musicians perform at Lucky Bar. [$20]

Bach’s Coffee Cantata | Thurs - Sat | Various times

See this touring 30-minute opera about a woman’s unshakeable thirst for coffee. It will show at Oak Bay United Church, Gage Gallery, Caffe Fantastico, and Friends of Dorothy. [Free]

Courtney Room x Lupo | Thursday

Check out this multi-course menu from chefs of the Alberta restaurant at the Courtney Room, available all evening. [$191]

Ok Dope & Foxy Box present Girls Night | Friday | 8pm

See the Island’s best woman comedians at The Mint. [$20]

A Dictionary of Emotions in War Time | Starts Friday | 7:30pm

See this original play telling the stories of Ukrainians surviving the war, performed at Metro Studio by those now living in Victoria. [$27]

TEDxRRU | Friday | 6pm

An evening of insightful talks at the Dogwood Auditorium at Royal Roads University. [$26+]

Kim Churchill | Friday | 8pm

See the Australian musician who has a special relationship with the Island at Capital Ballroom. [$20]

Damien Jurado | Saturday | 8pm

See the Seattle singer-songwriter at Capital Ballroom. [$25]

Beautiful Maladies | Saturday | 7pm

Hear the music of Tom Waits at this show at Hermann’s. [$20]

Jim Witter | Sat 7:30pm & Sun 2:30pm  

The Canadian pianist will perform the works of Elton John and Billy Joel at the Royal Theatre. [$30+]

Victoria Pet Expo | Sat & Sun | 10am-5pm

Check out all things geared toward your furry friends at this expo at Pearkes Rec Centre. [$8] 

Bird Week | Starts Sunday | Various times

Rocky Point Bird Observatory is bringing back bird week to celebrate the return of migratory birds. Expect educational activities, workshops, and plenty of bird watching. [Free]

In the Trees | Sunday | 8pm

See Victoria poet Lorna Crozier with Victoria Baroque for reflections on trees and forests at St. John the Divine. [$35]

Camas Day | Sunday | 12-3pm

Celebrate the natural plant life of Victoria with live music and refreshments at Uplands Park. [Free]

CanUS Jazz | Sunday | 1pm

Hear traditional jazz at this show at Hermann’s. [$20] 

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Ongoing events

James Bay Market | May 4 - October 5 | 9am-3pm

Check out this summertime favourite market at the corner of Menzies and Superior. [Free]

Lehman Trilogy | April 23 - May 19 | 7:30pm 

See this play at the Belfry Theatre, showing the complicated realities of the American Dream in the late 19th century. [$18+]

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

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 of the Week