Thursday, January 23
Lecturing, listening, learning
If you feel like you’re not up to par with your knowledge of Indigenization and colonialism, this one’s for you. The Victoria Historical Society (VHS) is presenting lecturer James Tait giving his talk “The Politics of Indigenous Resistance in early 20th Century BC.” Tait is an anthropologist and political activist who has spent 40 years helping BC’s Indigenous people challenge the assault on their lands. Doors open at 7:15 pm; the talk is free for VHS members and $5 for guests. It all goes down at James Bay New Horizons, located at 234 Menzies Street; see victoriahistoricalsociety.bc.ca for more information.
Saturday, January 26
I smell a rat
It’s Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rat, so dance your way to Chinatown and twirl in the lion dance parade with traditional Chinese dancers and kung fu demonstrations. The free event takes place from 12 pm to 3 pm, rain or shine; see tourismvictoria.com for details.
Saturday, January 25 and Sunday, January 26
It’s Bond… James Bond
If you are a fan of the beguiling British spy James Bond, then going to a symphony devoted entirely to the greatest Bond movies might be just your thing. Shaken, Not Stirred is a night of the Victoria Symphony busting out their best moves performing music from the classics, including, to name just a few, From Russia with Love, Skyfall, Goldfinger, and Thunderball. Tickets for the event—which is happening at 8 pm on January 25 and 2 pm on January 26 at the Royal Theatre—are $35; see rmts.bc.ca for more details on this and other events.
Tuesday, January 28
Nice and speakeasy
Sounds like I’m not the only one who wants to live in the roaring ’20s. Every Tuesday, the Victoria Event Centre throws its Speakeasy party. The night is reminiscent of the 1920s, complete with swing dancing, cocktails, and jazz. Take some beginner swing lessons during the breaks, while the Capital City Syncopators and The Flying Saucers jive the night away. The fun starts at 8 pm at the Victoria Event Centre, located at 1415 Broad Street. Tickets are $10; see victoriaeventcentre.ca for more information on this and other events happening at the Victoria Event Centre.
Thursday, January 30
Love me tender
If you want to share tender feelings with someone and just don’t know quite how to do it, try taking them to the Greater Victoria Art Gallery. Tender Works features a variety of local artists, all expressing, exploring, and experimenting with how they think about tenderness as a tool for healing. What isn’t there to feel tender about? See aggv.ca for more information.
Sunday, February 2
Bedazzled, bewitched, and bewildered by Begonia
So this is definitely a concert worth seeing if you’re into great lyrics and a dreamy yet visceral sound that is kind of a cross between Mazzy Star and Annie Lennox. Begonia is not just up and coming, Begonia has arrived and is bewitching her patrons at Lucky Bar at 8 pm. Tickets are $12; see luckybar.ca for more information.