Victoria Events Sept 17-24

Brewery & the Beast, Best of Broadway, Oktoberfest, Apple Day, and more!

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

🍞 Quick Bread Workshop: Master making quick breads, including the mixing methods, leavening agents, sweet and savoury options, and storage on September 26, 6:30-8:30pm at Patio Gardens.*

👠 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 at the Victoria Conference Centre, Oct 4-5.

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

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

🎙️ 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

Sunday | Starlight Stadium | 2-5pm

Only a few tickets left for an experience featuring meat-focused dishes and refreshing craft beverages, created by more than 50 of Vancouver Island’s best restaurants. [$169]

Fri & Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-8pm | Langford Station Arts and Cultural District 

Over 20 food vendors and music on two stages from The County Line, Posh Coat, Kuba Oms, and more. [Free]

Sat 7:30pm; Sun 2:30pm | Royal Theatre

The Victoria Symphony lights up the Royal Theatre with some of the best and brightest hits of Broadway, from The Sound of Music, Les Misérables, My Fair Lady, Phantom of the Opera, and more. [$29+]

Sean O’Loughlin. Photo: Victoria Symphony

Celebrate the shop’s first year and sample delicious pies, cookies, brownies, salads, and cheesecakes at 1701 Douglas. [Free]

Collaboration dinner between Wild Mountain Dinners and Maiiz Nixtamal Tortilleria. [$8+] 

Movement to stillness, with Swami Sadyojathah at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre. [$20]

From Alaska Premiere | Tuesday | 7:30pm

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

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

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

A fearless innovator with a visceral stage presence will perform with the Victoria Symphony and Emily Carr String Quartet at The Farquhar at UVic. [$65+]

Tom Vickery Trio | Wednesday | 7-9pm

Join Tom and friends for a relaxed evening of jazz at Hermann’s. Musicians are welcome to come and sit in with the band. [$20]

Emily Braden | Wednesday | 7pm

The American jazz singer will perform at L’Apéro Wine & Cheese Bistro. [$30+]

Emily Braden. Photo: emilybraden.com

Enjoy this hilarious musical adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man spin-off series at the McPherson Playhouse [$50+]

Listen to the group of Victoria musicians and well known Blues singers at Hermann’s. [$20]

The Cult | Thursday | 8pm

See the iconic British rock band at the Royal Theatre. [$73+]

Smalltoberfest | Fri & Sat 11am-9pm; Sun 11am-8pm

Join Small Gods Brewing Co. on their third annual Oktoberfest weekend featuring delicious German-inspired treats, and an incredible beer list featuring guest taps from some of the best breweries in the province. [$8+]

SALT New Music Festival presents a unique workshop focused on narratives in music inspired by Indigenous knowledge. [Free]

Enjoy live salsa music by the water at Puerto Vallarta Amigos on Fisherman’s Wharf. [Free]

Watch as talented artists battle in three rounds of 20-minute masterpieces, all created with open materials. [$23.70]

Drumming Workshop | Friday | 7pm

Learn how to play the drums and have fun at Fairfield Community Place. [Free]

Ryan Oliver Quartet | Friday | 7-9pm

The stellar quartet will be performing a night of John Coltrane music in honour of Coltrane's birthday, featuring Joe Poole at Hermann’s. [$15]

The Canadian songwriter and producer will perform at Capital Ballroom. [$24+]

Ok Dope: Bo & Friends | Friday | 8pm

Enjoy this evening of local standup at The Mint. [$15+]

Uptown Fall Market | Saturday | 10am-6pm

The Mom Market Vancouver Island is hosting a Fall Market on Uptown Boulevard. Stop by and shop local vendors, not just children’s items.

Esquimalt Story Fest | Saturday | 10:30am-1pm

Hear live readings of different fairytales and fables at the festival’s 19th year in Esquimalt Town Square. [Free]

Family Fun Day | Saturday | 11am-3pm

A day packed with exciting activities and fun for children and families at Braefoot Elementary. [Free] 

Mama Put African Food Pop-up | Saturday | 11am-8pm

Enjoy delicious food and an electrifying game of Ludo at the Philippine Bayanihan Community Centre. [$10+]

Oktoberfest at Category 12 | Saturday | 12-9pm
Join the brewery for their annual Oktoberfest to celebrate the release of the Märzen German Lager, with traditional 0.5L pours and a festival food menu. [$35+]

Indoor Plant Swap | Saturday | 12-3pm

Bring a healthy, pest-free plant (or more) to VI Plant Shop and find a fun new plant to take home. [Free]

Community Apple Days | Saturday | 12-6pm

Community apple games day: bouncy castle, face painting, sweet treats, and more at Junction Orchard & Cidery. [Free]

Victoria Anarchist Book Fair | Sat 11am-6pm; Sun 11am-5pm

Pick up some radical reads at the 19th year of this fair, happening at Fernwood Community Centre. [Free]

In honour of Latin heritage month at the Victoria Event Centre. [$33+]

John Hastings at Hecklers | Saturday | 8pm

See the acclaimed standup comedian, with local openers. [$22]

Apple Day at Sea Cider | Sunday | 11am-4pm

Partnering with Pacific Coast Market Collective to bring 30 local vendors to celebrate Apple Day. Expect a family friendly event filled with local artisans, food trucks, live music, family fun, and cider. [Free]

Apple Days. Photo: Sea Cider

Pizza Pop-up at Bilston Creek Farm | Sunday | 11:30am-4:30pm

Glenrosa Farm will be hosting pizza pop-ups at Bilston Creek Farm using their custom built outdoor wood fired pizza oven. Featuring Napoletana-style pizza from chef David Tozer who has honed his artisanal pizza craft for over a decade. [$21+ pre-order]

Fall Fairfield Festival | Sunday | 12-4pm

Craft making, pie tasting, raffles, and plenty of family fun will happen at this fall festival. [Free]

Learn about the creek while enjoying live music, food, games, and ice cream. [Free]

Goldie Boutilier | Sunday | 8pm

Bringing "The Actress Tour” to the Capital Ballroom. [$34]

Two of Canada’s Juno winning comedic titans, Jon Dore and Dave Merheje are bringing laughs to The Vic Theatre. [$44]

Crust Bake Off at Bolen Books | Next Tuesday | 7-8:30pm

Three pre-chosen participants will bake the same recipe from the new cookbook Crust: Essential Sweets and Savories from Victoria's Beloved Bakery and will go head-to-head to determine who baked it the best. Judged by award-winning chef and Crust co-founder, Tom Moore and food stylist and photographer, Rebecca Wellman. [Free]

Prince Again | Next Tuesday | 7:30 pm 

A tribute to Prince paying homage to the legend, busting out all his top numbers with perfect dance moves and stagecraft at McPherson Playhouse. [$57]

This concert will feature a unique blend of Indigenous electronic music, with a focus on social messages and a vibrant visual experience. [$29.50]

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]

See the restored home, built in 1865, and learn about the family who lived there. [$8.50]

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

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