Thursday, November 28
Literary love-in with local writers
As a fundraiser to start a scholarship at UVic, instructor and poet Lorna Crozier is gathering friends and associates for an evening of literature. Guests include Anne Michaels, Jane Urquhart, Patrick Lane, Esi Edugyan, Steven Price, and Carla Funk. Tickets are $20, and it starts at 7 pm in UVic’s David Lam Theatre. More info at finearts.uvic.ca.
Friday, November 29
Band on the run
Folk musicians The Fugitives are bringing their new album tour to the Copper Owl this week. Playing as a collective in Vancouver has given the founding duo’s material an eclectic feel. One member describes the band as “like Broken Social Scene. But acoustic, and way less famous,” in a press release. They might become more famous if you go to their shows, so check it out!
November 29–30
Force to be reckoned with
Eddie Izzard is bringing his standup comedy show, Force Majeure, to the Royal Theatre in Victoria. His style is surreal, absurd, rambling… if you’re a Monty Python fan, you’ve probably already heard of Izzard. If not, you’re missing out on some truly strange and awesome comedy, and should really be more on top of things in the future. Show info at rmts.bc.ca.
Saturday, November 30
Shad is pretty rad
Juno-winning hip-hop artist Shad will be in Victoria touring his new album, Flying Colours. Not content to just be a musician, Shad also has a business degree and a Masters degree in Liberal Studies. His music is unique: unapologetically Canadian, humorous, thoughtful, and genuine. The show is happening at Sugar Nightclub.
Sunday, December 1
Music and mushrooms
Mushroom spore prints? Only an artist could imagine that: not only imagine, but actually create! If mushroom prints weren’t enough, the prints themselves form a John Cage-inspired music score. There will be a free performance of the mushroom music by LaSaM’s Experimental Music Unit at UVic’s Legacy Art Gallery Downtown at 2 pm. More info at uvac.uvic.ca.
Until December 8
Romeo and Juliet, without the suicide
Would anyone raise an eyebrow anymore when Shakespeare’s stories are changed, retold, or re-imagined? Not really. Many people mess with the Bard, but when it works, it can be stage magic. In A Tender Thing, playwright Ben Power imagines that Romeo and Juliet lived and grew old together, and they end up confronting an altogether different pain. The show plays at the Belfry Theatre with info at belfry.bc.ca.
December 13–15, 20, 21
Do you love Christmas music? Like, really love it?
The holiday spirit is upon us, so trust the Victoria Symphony to play its soundtrack. If Tin Pan Alley is your thing, there are plenty of classic favourites in A Sentimental Christmas, from December 13–15. “White Christmas” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” will never go out of style. Christmas purist? Handel’s Messiah will fill your music needs, with guest soloists and a grand chorus, on the 20th. If you’re more of an East Coast soul, Natalie MacMaster will likely thrill you with her exceptional fiddle playing in A Celtic Christmas on December 21. All shows are at the Royal Theatre; show times and more at victoriasymphony.ca.
Saturday, December 14
Do you believe in ghosts?
The Maritime Museum is playing host to a paranormal investigation. Ghost-lovers will likely find plenty of spirit evidence in the old building, and the event team will be using some classic techniques: table tipping and glass moving, among others. Reservations can be made through the museum at 250–385–4222.
Until December 14
Neglected spaces have stories, too
Local artist Sandra Meigs formed her current project from the idea of unseen architecture, such as crawlspaces, basements, and storage spaces. The show uses giant canvases, ghost robots, and panoramic headgear to evoke the feeling of being in these spaces. The ghost robots also have a soundtrack, specially written for them. Seriously! Experience The Basement Panoramas at the Open Space gallery downtown: openspace.ca.