What’s Going On, October 29 to November 11, 2014: ESL paint-in, Rocky Horror spook-fest, and Fred Penner sing-along

Campus October 29, 2014

Wednesday, October 29
Bring your Strumbellas
Juno Award-winning folk roots band The Strumbellas are celebrating their year of musical success and are coming to the Canadian West Coast as part of their Ride On North American Tour, which will be ending in their hometown of Toronto. The band will be playing Upstairs Cabaret with special guests The Provincial Archive from Edmonton, Alberta. Tickets are available online or at Lyle’s Place for $12.50. Doors at 8 pm.

Thursday, October 30th
Paint-in to save ESL
Meet to rally against the removal of publicly funded English as a Second Language classes for Canadian citizens from 12–5 pm in front of the Legislature building at 501 Belleville St. These classes will end in April and the provincial government currently has no plans to replace this program, so the Camosun College Student Society is asking that you come out and make your voice heard.

Thursday, October 30 and Friday, October 31
Time to time warp again!
The tradition that is The Rocky Horror Picture Show is being brought back again by The Vic Theatre. Dress up as your favourite character from the show or simply be your own creation, donning whatever wild and wacky clothing you have while enjoying cocktails and catcalls. There will be two screenings of the classic cult film each evening at 7 and 9:30 pm. Tickets are $15.

Friday, October 31, Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2
The Addams Family on stage
The cast of Kaleidoscope Theatre Group has turned the classic story of the Addams family into a musical comedy production for all ages to enjoy. In this rendition, Wednesday Addams has fallen for someone whom the rest of her family doesn’t approve of, and everyone must make it through a pivotal night that will change them forever. The show takes place at the McPherson Playhouse with tickets starting at $25. Show times are 8 pm on Friday and Saturday and a 2 pm matinee on Sunday.

Saturday, November 1
The west coast Picasso
Famous Victorian contemporary artist Godfrey Stephens, best known for Tofino’s Weeping Cedar Woman sculpture and the abstract wooden columns in front of the Times Colonist office, will be signing a new book about his art entitled Wood Storms, Wild Canvases: The Art of Godfrey Stephens on November 1 between 1 and 2 pm at Munro’s Books. Stephens, who recently turned 75, will be joined at the signing by the book’s author, Neahla Moffat.

Saturday, November 2
Sing-along with Fred Penner
Canada’s favourite children’s entertainer, Fred Penner, alongside the Victoria Symphony, is taking to the Royal Theatre stage for a children’s concert performing many classic children’s songs. Not only is this an appropriate event for children, but adults are sure to enjoy the talent as well. Show time is at 2:30 pm and tickets starting at $20 can be purchased through the Royal Theatre box office.

Sunday, November 2
Standup queen Cho at UVic
Grammy Award-winning standup comedian Margaret Cho brings her brand new comedy show to the University of Victoria this month as part of her North American tour. Apart from comedy, Cho is known for her activism in the areas of gay rights and anti-bullying. Most recognized for her roles in All American Girl, 30 Rock, and Drop Dead Diva, Cho has recently started work on a new show, Cabot College, alongside Tina Fey. Cho will be at the University Centre Farquhar Auditorium with special guest actress, comic, and burlesque dancer Selena Luna. Tickets start at $42.50 and are available through UVic. Contact ticket@uvic.ca or phone 250–721–8480.

Halifax’s Jenn Grant is coming to Victoria on November 4 (photo by Mat Dunlap).

Tuesday, November 4
Canadian folk pop
Two Canadian singer-songwriters—Mississauga, Ontario’s Matthew Barber and Halifax-based Jenn Grant—are set to play the stage at Lucky Bar. Both artists recently joined Canadian label Outside Music and will be touring the west coast and prairies throughout the month of November. Tickets are available now at Lyle’s Place and Ditch Records for $14. Doors are at 8 pm.

Thursday, November 6 to Saturday, November 8
Victoria Writers Festival
The third annual Victoria Writers Festival features award-winning authors, readings and performances, as well as writing and yoga workshops for both adults and children. Featured artists include Don McKay, Tilar Mazzeo, Jordan Abel, Darrell Dennis, and Leanne Simpson. The festival is being held at the Oak Bay United Church and early-bird passes are $55. Single-day or full-festival passes can be purchased at Munro’s Books, Ivy’s Books, and Fairfield Market in Oak Bay. The public is invited to create and submit videos performing the poetry of McKay. Prizes will be given to the top three adult and youth winners. Go to victoriawritersfestival.org for more info.

Thursday, November 6-Saturday, November 22
Shakespeare gets punked
Phoenix Theatre has officially punked A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream. Directed by Fran Gebhard, A Midsummer’s Punk Dream is a 1970s New York-based, punk-rock version of Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy, performed by 24 theatre students at the University of Victoria’s Phoenix Theatre. A free pre-show lecture will start at 7 pm on Friday, November 7 for those interested in learning more about Gebhard’s directing, as well as the costume-design aspect of the show. Information on tickets ($16 for students and $24 for adults) and show times is at phoenixtheatres.ca.

Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8
Heavy metal education
The Heavy Metal UVic student Club is presenting an academic look at what is generally considered to be the most non-academic of musical genres: heavy metal. Tribe and Rite, taking place at the University of Victoria, features two days of brainy talks about heavy metal culture, plus a movie screening and, of course, a concert to end it all off. Because what’s a weekend of metal without a bit of loud music? For more information, check out onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/triberite.

Monday, November 10
Knights of the Social Justice roundtable
This roundtable will look at issues surrounding social injustices that affect Camosun students and the community. If you have an interest in solving some of the world’s issues and have ideas to bring up, or if you just wish to join in on the conversations, attend this From Awareness to Action meeting, held in Wilna Thomas 101 at Lansdowne campus from 6:30–8:30 pm. Food and beverages will be supplied.