Victoria Events May 14-21

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

On our radar

🎡 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. 

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

🎵🍺 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.

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

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

Happening this week and weekend

🎉 Victoria Day Parade

Monday | Douglas Street | 9-11:30am

See the 124th annual parade as it runs along Douglas, from Finlayson to Courtney. [Free]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Highland Games 

Saturday & Sunday | Topaz Park | 8am-7pm

The games return for the 161st year, making it the longest-running Celtic festival in North America. See hammer throwing, caber tosses, and check out the whisky tasting school. [$15+]

⛸️ Stars on Ice 

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

See some of the world’s best figure skaters show off their skills at this on-ice performance. [$26+]

TEDx Victoria | Wednesday | 8:30am-4pm

Hear talks that cover a range of topics, from ancient forest protection to dealing with anxiety. There will also be live music performances  throughout the day. [$93]

Tom Vickery Trio | Wednesday | 7pm

Enjoy a swanky cocktail while listening to local jazz. [$20]

Victoria Orienteering | Wednesday | 7pm

The club’s Determinator series begins, running for five weeks. Learn orienteering and how to read a map and navigate as you walk, run or sprint a 3-5km course. [$15]

Arts on View Fundraiser: Keeping it Live! | Thursday | Doors at 5:30pm

Support local music at Hermann’s with this fundraising event, featuring a special four-course dinner and a showcase of Victoria’s best musicians. [$100]

Resilience and Renewal | Thursday | 7pm

Celebrate the unshakeable human spirit at this performance by UVic School of Music faculty at Phillip T. Young Hall. [Free]

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Abba | Thursday | 9:30pm

See this concert lit entirely by candles at St. Ann’s Academy. [$39+]

Luxton Spring Fair | Thurs & Fri 3-10pm; Sat & Sun 12-10pm 

Check out the rides, games and carnival snacks at this fair in Langford. [$47 wristbands, or pay as you go]

Voulez-Vous Disco | Friday | 10pm

Dance all night to top disco and new wave songs at Capital Ballroom, including Abba, Prince, Blondie, and more. [$25+]

CelloFest | Friday | 7:30pm

See acclaimed cellist Paul Marleyn and friends at Alix Goolden Hall. [$28]

Noedy HD Album Release | Friday | 7pm

Hear a live performance of the musician's new work at Hermann’s. [$25]

Folk Rock and a Little Emo Rock | Friday | 8:30pm

Head to the Victoria Event Centre to see both local and touring rock acts. [$15+]

Theatresports | Friday | 8pm

See this improv competition show at KWENCH. [$25]

Swan Lake | Fri 7:30pm & Sat 2:30pm 

See Victoria Ballet’s performance of the beloved ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score at Royal Theatre. [$34+]

David Vest | Saturday | 7pm

See the award-winning blues musician at Hermann’s. [$25]

Dancers Only | Saturday | 10pm

Dance all night to funk and soul tunes hosted by Garden City Soul Club at Victoria Event Centre. [$15]

Peninsula Garden Club Spring Plant Sale | Saturday | 9-11:30am

Grab some starter plants, seeds, and more at this plant sale at Mary Winspear Centre. [Free entrance]

Musical Mayhem | Sunday | 7pm

Join this sing-along cabaret night at Victoria Event Centre, with drag kings, queens, and things performing classic showtunes. [$35]

Karaoke A-Go-Go | Sunday | 7pm

The Cheesecake Burlesque is hosting this karaoke night at Paul Phillips Hall, with prizes available for most entertaining performance. [$15+]

John Lee Album Release | Sunday | 7pm

Hear the multi-instrumentalist perform music from his new sophomore album at Hermann’s. [$25]

Bands! Bands! Bands! | Tuesday | 7:30pm

See local bands Dreamworld Panic, Suoscietal, Tyler James Johnson & Transitional Alien at Victoria Event Centre. [$10]

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.

Other things you might want to know

Cancelled: ASH at Capital Ballroom on Sunday, May 19 has been cancelled.

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