Victoria Events: August 8-15

From a Taylor Swift(ish) concert to dragon boats, a fireworks show, and more!

Author

Robyn Bell
August 08, 2023

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to this week’s edition of TWIV, the newsletter equivalent of your neighbourhood coffee shop notice board.

Let’s jump into the calendar.

On our radar

🎤 Taylor Swift-themed event: Indulge in a menu themed after the pop star, trivia, and lip-sync battles on Aug 27.

🏉 Rugby Sevens Qualifier: The North American qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympics comes to Starlight Stadium on Aug 19-20 for a two-day event featuring 18 teams, with both men’s and women’s teams taking part.

🛍️ Zellers Pop-up Store: Now open at the Bay Centre. It’s one of 5 pop-ups happening in BC.

🎵 Rifflandia: Electric Avenue: See some big names in EDM, hip hop and pop at this first weekend for Riff, Sept. 7-9.

🍷 Victoria International Wine Festival: The annual festival returns this Sept. 24-30 with dinners, seminars, and the grand tasting event.

🎙️ Charlotte Cardin at Capital Ballroom: Catch the Canadian singer whose garnered international attention on Nov. 18.

Happening this week and weekend

Sat-Sun | Inner Harbour

This free event will feature dragon boat races on Saturday and Sunday, a roster of local food trucks, and beats from the main stage at the Inner Harbour and Ship’s Point.

Fri-Sun | Phillips Backyard

Back for its second year, the Phillips Backyard Festival series will feature performances Victoria’s very own Jesse Roper on Friday, indie pop breakout Peach Pit on Saturday, and folk act Fleet Foxes on Saturday alongside many others. [$85.69+]

Wednesday | 8pm | Capital Ballroom

Catch this Australian indie pop / folk band comprised of Sam Bentley, Christina Lacy, Dave Powys, Josh Bentley, and Sam Rasmussen at the Capital Ballroom Wednesday night. [$26.50]

Dave Harris & Friends | Today | 5pm

Longtime blues musician Dave Harris is joined by some of Victoria’s finest musicians at The Loft. [Voluntary cover]

Victoria Summer Music Festival | Today and Wednesday | 7:15pm

Head over to the Phillip T. Young Recital Hall for performances by the Marmen Quartet featuring works by Mozart and Beethoven. [$43.93]

Garden City Harmony | Wednesday | 5:30-7:30pm

A drop-in choir for everyone! Sing indie, pop, rock, and folk songs in simple two, three, or four-part harmony at Cameron Bandshell.

Wine in the Courtyard | Wednesday | 3-7pm

Sip on samples from 20 different wine suppliers at Athlone Court at 2187 Oak Bay Ave. on Wednesday, hosted by Cork & Barrel Spirit Merchants.

The HarbourCats host Game 1 of their playoff series. [$16+]

K-Pop Night | Thursday | 10pm

Head to Lucky Bar for a three-screen video dance party featuring Soju bombs and DJ Rupert Cameron. [$12]

The Midnights | Friday | 9pm

Enjoy a night of Motown, soul, pop, and funk from a group of 15 dedicated musicians and vocalists known as The Midnights at Hermann’s Upstairs. [$25]

Catch the 1986 hit at Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park. Run time 1hr 43min. [Free]

A toast to the legends from the ’70s to today in honour of the 50th anniversary of hip hop led by DJ Kool Herc at Lucky Bar. [$15.76]

She may not be coming west of Toronto, but an all ages tribute to T Swift hits Starlight, with a live performance from The Wildest Dreams. [$34]

Willie Nile, David Gogo, and Stephen Stanley hit Wicket Hall bringing over a century of combined live playing experience. [$25]

Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the world-class fireworks show. [Admission to The Gardens required]

Canadian 3D madness! Blue and red 3D glasses will be provided for the first 1,000 people. Run time 1hr 19min. [Free]

August Plant Sale | Saturday | 10am-2pm

Compost Education Centre hosts the plant sale in Haegert Park in Fernwood. [Free]

Stretch and relax while surrounded by beautiful works by Van Gogh shown through projections. [$52]

Pacific FC come home after 2 games on the road, and 2 victories. See if they can make it 3 straight. [$16+]

Blues Jam | Sunday | 4pm

The Deb Rhymer Band hosts Blues Jam at Hermann’s Upstairs. [$5]

Join Victoria’s 14-piece baroque strings group for an outdoor acoustic performance. [Free]

Bill Francis Story & Song | Monday | 5:30pm

Hear memorable songs with a story, and enjoy a night of rock and pop music you love, at The Loft. Featuring Rainshadow AI on guitar. [Voluntary cover]

See the award-winning vocalist, as part of the U-JAM Summer Workshop. [$15]

Ongoing

Bastion Square Market | Thu-Sat | 11am

The public market runs every Thursday to Saturday offering a mix of handmade products, entertainment, baked goods, and more. [Free]

Tony’s captivating new paintings of maritime scenes will be on display from Aug 8-Sep 6 at Fortune Gallery. [Free]

Vancouver Island’s longest-running juried fine art show is back with a variety of events over its 10-day run, on now until Monday. [$15]

Moss Street Market | Saturdays | 10am-2pm

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

Esquimalt Farmers Market | Mondays & Thurdays | 4:30-7:30pm

Load up on farm-fresh goodies at this local market, happening at Gorge Park on Mondays and Memorial Park on Thursdays. [Free]

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 (from the Capital Daily team)

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