Victoria Events Sept 10-17

Happy Tuesday, friends. Welcome to another edition of TWIV, now sit back, relax, and let us be your personal tour guide through this week's happenings.

On our radar

🫙 Canning Workshop: Learn the art of food preservation, proper packing, heating, processing times, and sealing techniques on September 21st, 1-3pm at Patio Gardens.*

🌍 Mama Put African Food Pop-up: Enjoy delicious food and an electrifying game of Ludo at the Philippine Bayanihan Community Centre, Sept 21. 

👠 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. 

🧡 South Island Powwow: Immerse yourself in local Indigenous culture with this powwow in honour of residential school survivors. Wear orange to acknowledge Truth and Reconciliation Day, Sept 30. 

🍷 Victoria International Wine Festival: Seminars, wine dinners, and grand tastings featuring 367 wines from 113 wineries across 18 countries, taking place on Oct 4 and 5 at the Victoria Conference Centre.

🤣 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, Jan 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.

*Sponsored listing

Happening this week and weekend

🎸 Rifflandia

Fri-Sun | Matullia Lands at Rock Bay

Victoria’s biggest music festival is back in its new location, featuring headliners REZZ, TLC, and Feist. [$150+]

🏮 Esquimalt Lantern Festival 

Friday | Gorge Park | 6pm

Check out this annual festival to explore beautiful lanterns lit after sundown. Enjoy live music, local food vendors, and glow-in-the-dark face paint. [Free]

🖼️ Yates Street Mural Celebration 

Tuesday | Yates Community Garden | 6-7pm

Check out the new artwork by artist Jesse Campbell at the community garden on Yates. Hear live music and enjoy a bike-powered blended smoothie.

Maverick, Moody Goods, Mean Bikini | Tuesday | 7-11pm 

The From Far and Wide Tour is coming to Paul Phillips Hall. [$20] 

Miguelito Valdés | Tuesday | 8:30-11:30pm

Latin night with trumpet maestro Miguelito Valdés + band at Bard and Banker. [Free]

Go Geomatics Back to School Social | Tuesday | 6:30pm

Head to the Bent Mass in James Bay to chat with other geography enthusiasts. [Free]

Drag Bingo at Vicious Poodle | Wednesday | 8pm

Have fun with local drag stars and fun prizes at this weekly bingo night. [Free entrance]

Phillips’ Comedy Night at the Mint | Wednesday | 8pm

Bringing the best comics in the city together for a fresh, fun night of laughs. [$15+]

Korean Cultural Festival | Thursday | 11am-3pm

Immerse yourself in Korean culture—including food, games, and traditional clothing—at Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus. [Free]

Blue Plate Combo | Thursday | 7-9pm

Each member brings decades of experience of the rich and soulful sounds of jazz and blues to Hermann’s. [$20]

Virginia to Vegas | Thursday | 7pm

Bringing his Greatest Hits tour to Victoria with special guest Alex Porat at Wicket Hall. [$29+]

La Forastera Flamenco | Friday | 8-10pm

Live flamenco music and dance from Spain at Metro Studio Theatre. [$38+]

Maureen Washington Quartet | Friday | 7pm

The beloved Island singer will perform at Hermann’s along with fellow talented musicians. [$30]

Co[Lab] | Friday | 9:30pm

Check out this night of energetic dance music at Capital Ballroom. [$30]

Frequinox: End of Summer | Friday | 10pm

AKASHA and BiiSHOP will provide music for this show, with drag performers—including Ilona Verley from Canada’s Drag Race season one—at Victoria Event Centre. [$35]

Onam Sadya at Café Malabar | Sat & Sun | 11am

Celebrate Onam with a traditional Sadya. Four seatings with 45-minute dining times. [$30]

Royals ‘24-25 Season Kick Off | Saturday | 2pm

Hockey is back! Meet the players and coaching staff and have fun at games for the whole family at Ship Point. [Free]

Served Up! A Drag Lunch | Saturday | 12pm

Leo Moon hosts this unique drag experience. This week is a special BIPOC performer takeover. [$15+]

Siglo De Oro | Saturday | 7:30pm

This popular UK choir will make their Canadian debut at Christ Church Cathedral. [$38]

Autumn Lantern Festival | Saturday | 5pm

Enjoy cultural performances, lantern displays, and other seasonal activities at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre. [Free]

Star Sound at SALT New Music Festival | Saturday | 5:30-9pm

At Finnerty Gardens, groups of musicians perform under the open sky, each at a distance from the others, drawing their music from the varying positions of the stars. [Free tickets]

Pinot & Paint Night | Saturday | 6-9pm

Sip on complimentary wine while painting your masterpiece at Oaklands Community Centre. [$25]

Attila Fias Quartet | Saturday | 7pm

See the musicians perform a blend of R&B, rock, and pop from the ’60s and ’70s at Hermann’s. [$30]

Komosava! | Saturday | 8pm

DJ Rexx will be spinning dancehall, reggae, and soca at Victoria Event Centre. [$22]

Vic West Corn Roast | Sunday | 12pm

Celebrate Vic West and Spiral Cafe’s 23rd Anniversary on Raynor Street at Craigflower Road with local music, food and fun. [Free]

Strauss' Four Last Songs | Sunday | 2:30pm

The Victoria Symphony will perform work by R. Strauss with Christian Kluxen conducting at the Royal Theatre. [$29+]

Sourdough Workshop | Sunday | 5-8pm
Join Megan Hennis for a comprehensive sourdough baking class where you will learn to create a loaf from start to finish. Victoria Public Market. [$120]

David Santana: Sonny Rollins | Sunday | 7pm

Santana will perform a tribute to the music of Sonny Rollins at Hermann’s. [$25]

From Alaska Premiere | Next Tuesday | 7:30pm

See this award-winning francophone play at the Belfry Theatre, running until Oct 13. [$20+]

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

See local acts Sharon, Diamond Day, Chilko in the Rosemary, and Sweet Delirium at Victoria Event Centre. [$10]

Ongoing events

Music at Ship Point | Tues & Thurs | 6-7pm

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

Esquimalt Farmers Market | April 4 - Sept 26 | 4:30-7pm

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 | Sat & Sun | 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.

Cancelled events

Paula Abdul: The pop star and former American Idol host cancelled her Victoria show after sustaining an injury. The show was set to take place at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre, Sept 24 with openers Taylor Dayne and Tiffany.

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

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