Victoria Events May 21-28

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, where we're charting the scenic routes of Victoria's weekly escapades.

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. 

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

Happening this week and weekend

😂 Jann Arden and Rick Mercer

Sunday | Royal Theatre | 8pm

This show features two Canadian legends: comedian Rick Mercer and singer Jann Arden. [$83+]

🐲 Awakening Chinatown

Sunday | Chinatown | 12pm-5:30pm

Immerse yourself in Chinese culture at this festival featuring traditional dance, music, arts and crafts, and games. [Free]

⛵ Swiftsure Yacht Race

Sat & Sun | Clover Point | 10am

The races will begin at Clover Point on Saturday—watch from dry land and cheer on local and international sailors. The racing weekend ends at midnight Sunday. [Free viewing]

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

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

Fernwood Comedy Night | Wednesday | 8pm

Head to the Fernwood Inn for a night of local comedy. [$15]

Louise Rose | Wednesday | 7pm

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

Shawn Desman | Wednesday | 8pm

The Juno-award-winning singer will perform at Capital Ballroom. [$40]

Steve Middleton | Thursday  | 7pm

See the Victoria singer at the Charlie White Theatre. [$56]

Rumba Latin Party | Thursday | 9pm

Join this night of Latin dance music at Paparazzi. [$10]

Fern: A Drag Show | Thursday | 7pm

See local drag stars Vivian Vanderpuss and Woofie at the Fernwood Inn. [$20]

Elaine Lakeman Sings Man Songs | Thursday | 7pm

The local singer will take on music originally sung by men at this show at Hermann’s. [$20]

Strange Advance | Friday | 7pm

See the Canadian new wave band at Charlie White Theatre. [$58]

Earth Freaks | Friday | 8pm

Enjoy a night of psychedelic sounds at Victoria Event Centre. [$20]

Aquarela Do Brasil | Friday | 7pm

Cuban pianist Pablo Cardenas will perform an evening of Brazilian melodies at Hermann’s. [$30]

Drew Lynch | Friday | 8pm

The comedian will perform standup as part of his Short Kings Tour at the McPherson Playhouse. [$45]

Music in the Park begins | Fri & Sat | 5:30pm

Starting this weekend, Colwood will host weekly shows with local live music. Friday will take place at City Hall and Saturday at Lagoon West Park. [Free]

Curiouser and Curiouser | Saturday | 2pm

Join this “Mad Hatter” tea party for writers and literary fans at the Shoal Centre. Fun hats encouraged! [$30]

What the World Needs Now | Saturday | 7pm

Enjoy this show featuring ukulele music, magic, and improv comedy at the First Metropolitan United Church. [$25]

Matters of Life and Death | Saturday | 2pm

See the final show of the Civic Orchestra of Victoria’s 40th season at the Dave Dunnet Theatre at Oak Bay High. [$28]

Choirs YYJ Spring Concert | Saturday | 7:30pm

See the singing groups at the Farquhar at UVic. [$23.50]

Pretzel Logic Orchestra | Saturday | 7pm

Hear the music of Steely Dan at this tribute show at Hermann’s. [$30]

Adult Prom | Saturday | 7pm

Get dressed up and join this grown-up prom at the Edelweiss Club—with live music, drag, and art—to support local artists and raise funds for aid in Gaza. [$38]

Scattered Artist Tour | Sat & Sun | 11am-4pm

Join the spring edition of the Saanich Scattered Artist Tour—check out the online map to find studio locations. [Free]

Victoria Walk for MS | Sunday | 9am

Take a walk to support MS research, starting at Cadboro-Gyro Park. [Donate]

Walk for Alzheimer’s | Sunday | 9am

Walk for an Alzheimer's disease cure, starting at Fisherman’s Wharf. [Donate]

Cedric Burnside | Sunday | 8pm

The blues performer will take the stage at Wicket Hall. [$34+]

The Simon and Garfunkel Story | Next Tuesday | 7:30pm

This concert-style tribute show at the Royal Theatre will take you through the story of the iconic folk duo, from their early days in music to their reunion concert years after their split. [$58+]

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 is 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