Until Saturday, December 14
Praying to the masses
Local artist Leah McInnis is presenting her multi-disciplinary exhibition, Mass, at Open Space until December 14. Mass is a totally new work that is tied around the multiple meanings of the word “mass.” On Friday, November 22, McInnis will hold a reception for her work from 7 pm to 9 pm, and on Saturday, November 23, she will present a talk/performance, “Economy of Thought,” from 2 pm to 4 pm. The idea for all this came from McInnis wanting to explore how mass is both a thing and an idea—makes one contemplate, doesn’t it? Everything happens at Open Space; see openspace.ca for more information.
Until Thursday, May 14, 2020
Blinded by the light
Have you ever wondered about the shifting roles of lighthouses? No, seriously: it is a thing. The Maritime Museum of BC’s exhibit Protecting our Coast: The Shifting Role of BC Lighthouses is up until May 2020, so no need to panic about missing it. Lighthouses have apparently had many different roles over the years, from being a stoic landmark that protected vessels from crashing into the shores and each other to some actually being ecological reserves now. Either way, lighthouses are cool, and the Maritime Museum is always a fun place to hang; see mmbc.bc.ca for more details.
Thursday, November 21
Hillside hoodlums… from Australia
The Hillside Hoods are bringing their multi-platinum Australian rap to town, with Adrian Eagle in tow. The band, touring in support of their latest album, The Great Expanse, are coming to Distrikt on November 21; tickets are $39.50. See strathconahotel.com/venue/distrikt for more info.
Friday, November 22
Celebrate with your nearest and beer-est
Join some very motivated and warm-hearted Camosun students who are taking time in their Hospitality Management-infused schedules to host the Brew’s Mystery Tour, a fundraising event raising money for Camosun’s Child Care services yard renovation project. It’s a four-hour tour with live music, yummy tapas, and a silent auction. Things get started at 6:30 pm, and transportation is provided in the form of a bus which travels to several breweries and drops you back off at Dunlop House begging for mercy, or maybe just a bucket to throw up in. Whoever thought of raising money for children with a beer tour is pretty innovative, as it is probably effective. The drunker you are, the looser the purse strings become! I just hope the kids are left at home. Tickets are $70 (but, hey, there is no price on fun, and it’s for the kids!); search “brew’s mystery tour” on eventbrite.ca for more info.
Saturday, November 23
Where’s the party?
Now, I love the idea of celebrating the harvest, but this is something different: it’s LifeCycles’ 25th anniversary Harvest Party, and they’re throwing it in true earth-loving, tree-hugging style. There’ll be yummy food, short stories, music, and a cash cider bar—wholesome homebrew, anyone? This seems like a really good time, and community connection through food is always sincere and filling. It runs from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Philippine Bayanihan Community Centre, located at 1709 Blanshard Street. See lifecyclesproject.ca for more information.
Sunday, November 24
It’s all glitter, glitz, and gloom
If you can imagine a smoke-filled bar with a dusty, classic piano in the corner and a soulful yet deep, throbbing voice rising out of that smoke while cartoon notes of jazz drop down to hit your heart before they hit your ears, then you may have accurately pictured a Tom Waits concert. Well, here’s the next best thing: Glitter and Doom—A Tom Waits Burlesque Tribute is on at the Victoria Event Centre, and promises a night of art and dance so strange and sophisticated that Tom Waits himself, the so-called Master of Mood, would undoubtedly be pleased as punch that he is being honoured so fondly—and appropriately. Doors open at 7 pm, and tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. See facebook.com/diversionburlesk for more details.
Monday, November 25
Stayin’ alive… barely
There is the odd time that disco is a good thing—and when it’s mixed with burlesque and costume contests, well, you can’t get much better than that. Monday Night fever is being celebrated with disco, games and karaoke, and with performances by The Saltines, Pop Tart, The 4D Experience, Cherry Cheeks, and Eddi Licious, who are there to shake their cheeks and your senses. Bring your screaming voice, your sexitude, and a fan—it’ll be hot in there. The fun goes down at the Victoria Event Centre at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 advance or $20 at the door; see victoriaeventcentre.ca for more details.
Wednesday, November 27 to Sunday, December 1
Exploring secrets
Secret/e is a new local play that looks at HIV criminalization, consent, and more, and it’s making its world premiere on November 27. The play, which runs until December 1—World AIDS Day—is running at Intrepid Theatre Club; tickets are $10 to $20. See intrepidtheatre.com for more information.
Friday, November 29
A night at the mosh pit
If you are a fan of noise, noise, and more noise, We Hunt Buffalo are showing their very bold and brash selves—who, by the way are classified as rock/indie/punk/metal/hardcore…and, get this, pop—at The Copper Owl. It should be hair-raising and intriguing, to say the least. I might go just to see how they can pull off all those genres without sounding like a trapped cat in a shopping bag. Tickets are $10 at the door; see copperowl.ca for details.
Thursday, December 5
Start the Christmas season off with a tale
Christmas is all about stories, and those stories change with new interpretations as different people tell them. In its seventh season, Christmas Tales—an event that features live music and storytelling—will feature storyteller Justyn Rees and singer-songwriters Russ Rosen, Shari Ulrich, and Graham Ord delivering laughs and good times. The fun goes down at 7 pm at Victoria Church of the Nazarene, located at 4277 Quadra Street; search “Christmas Tales Victoria BC” on eventbrite.ca for more info.
Friday, December 6
Get funky!
If you love dark, psychedelic, euphoric bass drops, put on your gumboots and pull up your tighty whities: local spinner Dubversified Culture is performing with Portland-based band Barisone at the Victoria Event Centre. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door; see victoriaeventcentre.ca for more info on this and other upcoming events happening at the Victoria Event Centre.
Saturday, December 7
Ready to shake ’em
Hosted by local sex activist Rosie Bitts, the latest round of burlesque at Metro Studio Theatre will have you looking for a pen to sign up to be one of Bitts’ students, too. Don’t go easy; they’re burlesque students but that doesn’t mean they aren’t ready to shake some Brand New Boobies. Tickets start at $31.50. The first show is at 7 pm on the December 7, but there’s also one at 9:30 for the night owls. See facebook.com/bestbittsproductions for more info on this and other events.
Tuesday, December 10
Christmas at the beach
Join local rock band Vinyl Wave at The Beach House restaurant and bring in the holiday season with tunes, snacks, and booze. What could be better? Tickets run from $38 to $48, and there will also be a silent auction, a cash bar, and, in case you want to feel prim and proper, a cocktail reception. Early bird tickets are available until Saturday, November 30; for more info, see beachhousevictoria.com.