What’s Going On: August 8 to 28, 2018

Arts August 8, 2018

Until Sunday, August 12
A close shave
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre is bringing cannibalistic meat pies to The Roxy Theatre with Stephen Sondheim’s musical Sweeney Todd—The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. This wildly popular pop opera was inspired by the horrifying, turn-of-the-century penny dreadful novels. For ticket sales and schedule, as well as information on other productions, visit bluebridgetheatre.ca.

Friday, August 10
Battle of the brushes
The Victoria Event Centre is hosting Art Battle Victoria on August 10. Twelve painters will battle the clock and each other over the course of three rounds. Audience votes will determine the winner and the creations will then be up for silent auction. The event starts at 7 pm and tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.com (search Art Battle Victoria). Student tickets are available for $15 (general admission is $20). For more info, check out Art Battle Victoria’s event page on Facebook. 

Friday, August 10
Under cover
If tribute bands are your thing, head down to Capital Ballroom on August 10 to check out Alice In Chains tribute Facelift, Turbonegro tribute Deathtime, and Nirvana tribute Nevermind. Tickets will set you back $15; more info can be found at thecapitalballroom.com.

Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre is bringing Sweeney Todd—The Demon Barber of Fleet Street to the Roxy Theatre; see our web-exclusive review up now at nexusnewspaper.com (photo by Jam Hamidi).

Friday, August 10 to Sunday, August 12
Fire-breathing fun
Victoria Dragon Boat Festival is back for its 24th year. While the races in the inner harbour are definitely the highlight of the weekend, there are also opportunities to enjoy global cuisine, dance to local bands, and raise funds for BC Cancer Foundation. For more info, including the full festival schedule, visit victoriadragonboat.com.

Saturday, August 11
A rolling good time
Eves of Destruction is offering the chance to check out an evening of roller derby with an admission-by-donation exhibition double-header. The event will take place at Archie Browning Sports Centre, with the doors opening at 5 pm. The Hard Cores are set to battle Cowichan Valley’s Brass Knuckle Derby Dames at 5:30 pm; at 7:30 pm, it will be a match-up between the all-star A-Team and Grave Danger from Seattle. For more info on this and other upcoming games, visit evesofdestruction.com. 

Tuesday, August 14
Get yer yuk-yuks on
Logan’s Pub is hosting a comedy night on August 14; come check out some of Victoria’s comedic talent at 8 pm. Free; more information on this and other events happening at Logan’s Pub is available at loganspub.com.

Thursday, August 16
Ancient metal
Metal buzz band Anciients are playing a free show in Centennial Square with Dead Quiet, Buzzard, and Under the Mountain on August 16. The show starts at 6 pm; see eventidevictoria.com for more information.

Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19
Like Lollapalooza, but hairier
A weekend of pet-friendly vendors, entertainment, and a puppy stampede awaits at this year’s Pet-A-Palooza. Located at St. Ann’s Academy (835 Humboldt Street) this free, pet-friendly event runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. For more information, visit petapaloozawest.com.

Wednesday, August 22
Everybody dance now
Vanilla Ice, Rob Base, Young MC, and C+C Music Factory? Oh, my! Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre is hosting the ultimate ’90s throwback party with Back to the ’90s. Get ready to bust a move because these acts are gonna make you sweat. Tickets range in price from $45 to $79.50 and are available at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre box office or online at selectyourtickets.com. See sofmc.com for more info.

Wednesday, August 22 to Sunday, September 2
Life on the fringes
With 47 shows from around the world, The Victoria Fringe Festival is offering a lot this year. This long-standing live-performance festival offers entertainment at a decent price. You must make a one-time purchase of a Fringe Festival button for $6 to attend performances (the money goes to help offset the cost of the festival; ticket sales from individual shows go directly to the performers). For full Fringe Festival schedule and ticket information, visit victoriafringe.com.