Victoria Events Aug 20-27

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, the newsletter equivalent of a guided tour through the heartbeat of our community.

On our radar

🍻 The Great Canadian Beer Festival: The fest will take place at its new location, Topaz Park, Sept 6-7. 

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

🎶 Paula Abdul: The pop star and former American Idol host will bring her classic tracks to Victoria, along with openers and fellow ’80s stars Taylor Dayne and Tiffany, at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Sept 24. 

👠 Bob the Drag Queen: See the hilarious winner of season 8 of RuPaul’s Drag Race perform her solo comedy show at McPherson Playhouse, Sept 28. 

🤣 Russell Howard: The British comedian will bring his optimistic outlook to McPherson Playhouse, Oct 5. 

😂 Jimmy Carr and Jim Jefferies: Two headliners for the price of one—see the comedians at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Oct 26.

💄Queen Priyanka: See the first-ever winner of Canada’s Drag Race as she tours her new music at Capital Ballroom, Nov 1.

😆 Russell Peters: See the hilarious Canadian comedian at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Nov 2.

🎤 Tommy Tiernan: The Irish comedian and star of Derry Girls brings his standup show to Royal Theatre, Nov 5.  

🎙️ Sarah McLachlan: The Canadian legend brings her 30th anniversary tour to Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, Nov 20.  

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

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

🎭 Whose Live Anyway: See improv legends from Whose Line Is It Anyway—including two original cast members—at the Royal Theatre on Jan 17, 2025.

Happening this week and weekend

🎵 John Fogerty 

Friday | Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre | 7:30pm

See the Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman at this solo show, performing all of CCR’s biggest hits. [$40+]

🎉 Pagliacci’s 45th Anniversary Street Party 

Saturday | 1011 Broad St. | 4-10pm

Celebrate this community gem with live music and dancing in the street. [Free]

🇯🇲 🇹🇹 🇬🇾 i-Land Caribbean Festival 

Sat-Sun | Centennial Square | 12pm

Check out Victoria’s first-ever Caribbean Carnival event, with live music—featuring soca, calypso, and reggae sounds—delicious food, history info, and kids activities. Watch the parade on Government at 11am on Sat or head to the after party at Medusa’s that night at 9pm.

Bands! Bands! Bands! | Tuesday | 7pm

Local bands Juice., Juniper Smile, Invasive Species and Christian Peterson will perform at Victoria Event Centre. [$10]

Louise Rose: Alone Together | Wednesday | 7pm

The Canadian jazz vocalist and pianist performs at Hermann’s Jazz Club. [$20]

Out of the Mist and Into the Light | Until Sep 20

This curated exhibition in Colwood at the Arts & Culture Centre showcases the work of 10 artists across a range of disciplines representing landscapes between Colwood and Port Renfrew.  

Fringe Eve Preview | Wednesday | 4:30pm

Get a taste of what the Victoria Fringe Festival has to offer in Market Square with two minute previews of each of the festival’s performances. [By donation]

Brandon Isaak and the Mood Swings | Thursday | 7pm

Enjoy blues and roots tunes led by the multi-instrumentalist at Hermann’s Jazz Club. [$25]

Brain Machine | Thursday | 6:30pm

See this funny and inquisitive Fringe show at Wood Hall. [$15]

Welcome to Croglin | Thursday | 6:15pm

As a part of the Victoria Fringe Festival, David Elendune’s play stars the ghost of Katherine Hepburn. At Metro Studio. [$15] 

Matt Storm, Fond, Sofia Miller | Thursday | 7:30pm

Dance to alternative soul music at Little Fernwood. [$20]

The Illusionary Magic of Sitruc James | Thursday | 6pm

The magician combines comedy and illusion at this show during Victoria Fringe Festival at Baumann Centre. [$15]

40 Year Old Puberty | Thursday | 8:30pm

As a part of Victoria Fringe Festival, Ti Malik Coleman’s storytelling show is coming to VCM Wood Hall. [$15]

Recon-SILLY-Action | Thursday | 6:15pm

See the production created by a two-spirit Cree-Metis woman done almost entirely in Naheyan (Cree language) running until Sep 1 at Intrepid Theatre. [$15]

On the Grind |  Thursday | 8pm

See this mystical story, exploring queer identity, at Metro Studio. [$15]

Free Kittens | Thursday | 9pm

See this hilarious argument for reproductive freedom at SKAM Satellite Studio. [$15]

Fringe Club | Until Aug. 31 | 8pm

Each day during the Victoria Fringe Festival Intrepid Studio is hosting a nightly cabaret featuring drag performances, trivia, and karaoke. [Free with Fringe button] 

Viva Latin America | Friday | 7pm

Pablo Cardenas and The West Coast Cuban Orchestra presents this night of Latin American music at Hermann’s Jazz Club. [$35]  

When Fern Flowers Bloom | Friday | 6pm

As a part of Victoria Fringe Festival, Sarah Ivanco and Erik Karklins give a dramatic performance told through traditional Latvian folklore at SKAM Satellite Studio. [$15] 

Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival: The Dip | Friday | 7pm

The Seattle-based blues and rhythm band will perform at Ship Point during the music festival. [$39]

Pony and Bologna | Friday | 6:30pm

Matthew Gordon’s dramedy play explores grief during Victoria Fringe Festival at Intrepid Studio. [$13] 

Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival: Krystle Dos Santos | Friday | 7pm

The award-winning soul and country singer-songwriter performs at Ship Point during the music festival. [$39]

Castle of Glass | Friday | 5:15pm

Victoria-based band The Wasteland Preachers perform this musical at Metro Studio during the Victoria Fringe Festival. [$15] 

Dear Jax | Friday | 6:45pm

Learn about the late journalist Susan Maclean through her letters written to her spiritual guide Jax. [$15]

Free-B Film Festival: Down With Love | Fri & Sat | 9pm

Watch the 2003 rom-com Down With Love on Fri and 1957 sci-fi film Plan 9 from Outer Space on Sat at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. [Free] 

Good Grief | Fri & Sat | 6:45pm

See this one-man Fringe show about dealing with the loss of a parent at The Bauman Centre. [$15]

City of Gardens Quilt Show and Sale | Friday-Sunday | 10am-5pm

Victoria Quilters’ Guild hosts an art sale at Pearkes Recreation Centre featuring over 250 quilts. [$10]

Co[Lab] | Saturday | 9:30pm

Mind Garden returns to the Island for a night of experimental sound from Josh Teed and Saturna at Capital Ballroom. [$30+]

Lester Quitzau | Saturday | 7pm

The multi-Juno winner will perform his unique style at Hermann’s. [$25]

Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival: Rick Estrin & The Nightcats | Saturday | 7pm

See the lively band perform, with Steve Marriner & Local Electric opening, at Ship Point. [$40]

Island Vintage Fair | Sat & Sun | 9:30am-4pm

Shop at this vintage extravaganza, featuring clothes, toys, and home decor at the Mary Winspear Centre. [$5]

Scattered Artists Summer Tour | Sat-Sun | 11am-4pm

Check out artists across Saanich at this studio tour. [Free]

Simon King | Saturday | 8pm

Comedian Simon King will headline at Hecklers. [$22]

Fringekids Fest | Sat & Sun | 9am-12pm

Bring your kids aged three and up for two days of theatrical fun at Kaleidoscope Theatre. [Free]

La Noche Cubana | Saturday | 8pm

See Vancouver’s Julio Avila Cuban Band at the Victoria Event Centre. [$35+]

The Duke Decade | Saturday | 4-10pm

Celebrate 10 years of this country bar with a street festival featuring live music, local artisans, food, dunk tank for charity, corn hole, and drinks. [Free]

Feast of Fields | Sunday | 1-4pm

A three-hour wandering gourmet harvest festival showcasing the CRD’s tops chefs and farmers. [$20]

Ms. Lady's Wonderful Fun-Partment | Sunday | 6:30pm

See the story of a children’s entertainer bouncing back after a breakdown at Intrepid Studio. [$13+]

Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival: Mike Farris & The Fortunate Few | Sunday | 7pm

Grammy-winner Mike Farris will perform at Ship Point, with Cousin Harley opening. [$39]

Jive Big Band | Monday | 7pm

Head to Hermann’s for an evening of big band music. [By donation]

Soul Source | Next Tuesday | 7pm

See this 20-piece R&B band at Herrmann’s. [By donation]

Jimmy Hogg | Next Tuesday | 6pm

The British comedian will bring his popular Fringe show to Wood Hall. [$15]

Spiritualarious | Next Tuesday | 6pm

Learn about one person’s journey through two cultures—Canada and India—at SKAM Satellite Studios. [$13]

Ongoing events

Free Yoga in the Park | Tuesdays | 6-7pm

Stretch with your neighbours at this free weekly yoga class at Willows Park in Oak Bay. [Free]

Oaklands Sunset Markets | Wednesdays | 4:30-8pm

Check out 50 local vendors, a huge variety of food trucks, great music, kids activities, and more at the Oaklands Community Centre until Aug 28. [Free]

Music in the Park: Beacon Hill | Every Fri-Mon | 1:30-3:30pm

Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy some live music from local bands at the Cameron Bandshell until Sep. [Free]

Music at Ship Point | Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6-7pm

Catch live music in the Inner Harbour from June 11 to Sep 19. [Free]

Fort Common Music Series | Thursdays | 12-1pm

Hear live tunes at this music series running June-August. [Free]

Music in the Park | Every Friday and Saturday | 5:30pm

Check out these free live music shows, happening at parks across Colwood every weekend this summer. Check the schedule to find info on locations and performers. [Free]

James Bay Market | Every Saturday | 9am-3pm

Check out this summertime favourite market at the corner of Menzies and Superior from May 4 to October 5. [Free]

Westshore Swap, Shop & Market | Every Sunday until Sep 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]

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