As the stresses of school begin melting away in the sometimes pleasant but otherwise sweltering heat, I find myself wondering what there is to do with all this newfound free time. Between shifts at work and maybe a summer class or two, it can be difficult to find things to occupy yourself with when the choices aren’t laid out for you. Especially when you’ve spent the past eight months abiding by rigorous schedules, deadlines, and extensions for deadlines.
It’s easy to feel lost, but that’s where I come in. Consider me a personal tour guide of sorts. And believe me, I’ve been around the block. And around, and around, and around.
Now, if you’re like me and you’ve lived in this city for most—if not all—of your life, then the difficulty of finding something to do increases tenfold. I mean, most days, I feel like I’ve already experienced everything the island has to offer. What else could there be? Or, more specifically, what else could there be within a reasonable price range for a 20-something college student living in one of the most expensive cities in the country? Narrows the options a little bit. But still, there are options! As such, I’ve taken the liberty of compiling a list of some things that you can do this summer to spice up your life, even if you’re just a salt-and-pepper kind of person.
Now, before we begin, I’m going to have to ask that you turn off your phone and put it away for the duration of this tour. You won’t be able to embrace the levity of summer break if you have the whole world at your fingertips at all times. Trust me. You may not be in Mexico or Italy, but you are here, so be here. Thank you! Now we can begin.
Without your device, you may be wondering how exactly it is you’re supposed to scratch that visual-media itch, and I’m happy to tell you that the answer is actually simple: movie theatres! Movie theatres are your friends. Well, maybe not those big-budget blockbuster theatres that overcharge you for everything from seating to snacks, but the local theatres. The theatres people forget about.
The first stop on our tour is Cinecenta, located in the Student Union Building at UVic. Here, you can watch everything from the classics to somewhat new releases to obscure, micro-budget indie films and beyond. Just a few years ago, I watched The Death of Angel Candy in this very theatre. Twice. It’s safe to say my views of cinema were changed forever. There’s something so magical about seeing your city up on the big screen and supporting local production companies’ passion projects in the process. Victoria has a lot to offer in the way of film, so be sure to check something out. And, remember: tickets are only $11 for non-UVic students.
Now, if you’d rather not spend the duration of your summer break on some university campus watching random flicks, I don’t blame you, and there are plenty of other options out there. So, the next stop on our tour is Oswego Video in James Bay. Growing up, on hot summer days, my sister and I used to walk to Oswego for popsicles and see how many taxis we could count on their way to the cruise-ship terminal. An unassuming pastime, sure, but I still find it pretty enjoyable.
Inside, the options are endless. In fact, when Pic-a-Flic closed down just a few years ago, Oswego acquired its entire stock. So if you’re looking to buy or rent your favourite film, this is certainly the right place to go. With thousands of DVDs, many of which are priced under $5, you can see as many movies as you want this summer and still barely make a dent. So go forth, browse! Or, if you find yourself closer to downtown, consider checking out what Audio Video Replay has to offer. Those streaming services do not deserve you.
Now, as we move through James Bay, let’s make a quick stop at the Greater Victoria Public Library on Menzies Street. This is one of 12 locations across the capital region, all of which you can access with the same library card. You can borrow books, take out movies, listen to music, and more, all for the low, low price of absolutely nothing. Plus, they have air conditioning. Sounds pretty sweet, huh?
As we get closer to downtown, let’s pop into Archer’s Community Hub, the next stop on our tour. This volunteer-run art gallery showcases creatives from all walks of life, and on Friday evenings, the space transforms itself, giving singers, musicians, DJs, and other musically inclined types the opportunity to put their talent on display at an open mic. And the best part? It’s totally free. So, whether you’re performing or just there to watch, you’ll certainly be in for a very interesting night.
Now, if you’re like me and you can’t get enough of live music, don’t worry. The options don’t end here. Outdoor concerts are a staple in Victoria, and many of them are free. From Beacon Hill Park to Willows Beach, you can listen to cover band after cover band, each trying desperately to recapture the magic of the original, and, for a moment, almost succeeding.
In addition, The Duke Saloon offers live country music every Friday and Saturday night. So if you’re not particularly interested in visiting Alberta this summer, you don’t have to miss out. We’ve got the good stuff right here in town! Plus, the Victoria Honky-Tonk Society hosts Honky Tonk Tuesdays at Encore Victoria on Broad Street, where you can get your do-si-do on for just $20 a person.
Or maybe you’d prefer to move a little slower, take it easy. In this case, you can join a free yoga class in Beacon Hill Park, Irving Park, Ship Point, or Willows Beach. Just be sure to stretch first!
On your way to Willows, you may find yourself stumbling upon some strangely situated art pieces, and that’s because, in June, Arts Alive will be installing its newest batch of sculptures all around Oak Bay. And while, personally, I enjoy walking around aimlessly to see what I can find, you can also download the map online to give your search a little more direction.
You may also discover a brightly painted piano or two, which serve as an annual addition to the Arts Alive installation from June to August. And they’re completely free for you to play! Sometimes, they’re even subject to pop-up concerts. It’s an easy way to get involved in the community, and you’d be amazed at how much talent just hides in plain sight.
Now, if, for whatever reason, you find yourself in Oak Bay on August 9, you can also visit the Bowker Creek Brush-Up, where local painters will be displaying their art along a small section of the creek for the 21st year in a row. You may even choose to purchase something, although it’s also just a great place to window shop.
And if you feel inspired and hoping for more art in your life, you can always take yourself to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, where admission is free for anyone under 25. But if you or a loved one doesn’t quite fit within that age range, you can always attend for free on the first Saturday of every month and every Thursday night. The world is your hot pink, watercolour oyster!
Now, I realize that all these events are still pretty far away, so let’s get back on track. As we approach the inner harbour, our next stop is located directly on the causeway. Well, sort of. On a big stone wall, you’ll find a detailed plaque mapping out exactly where in the city you can find The Hands of Time. This installation features 12 life-sized bronze hands, each performing an act associated with the city’s history. But be warned: they do blend in, so keep your eyes peeled. Even I still haven’t found them all, and I’ve lived in Victoria my whole life.
While we’re on the causeway, let’s check out some of the artists and vendors. Artists on the Causeway is an open-air gallery and a staple of Victoria’s inner harbour, featuring paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and more. This showcase runs until the end of October, so you have plenty of time to swing on by and take a look at what this year’s artists have to offer. Similarly, if you’re in the Saanich area, you can check out the Scattered Artists tour on May 23 and 24, where 32 artists will be displaying their work across seven different garden locations. Seems like a pretty good summer for artists, doesn’t it?
But what about the non-artists? Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about you. On the same weekend as Scattered Artists, the Ultimate Toy Fair will be setting up shop in Pearkes Arena. For just $5 a day, you can explore figurines, collectibles, comic books, and see local cosplayers. It’s sort of like a giant comic-book shop; these events are becoming more and more rare, so take it all in! It’s nice to show up.
For this next portion of our tour, we’re going to explore some more recreational options for things to do this summer, beginning, quite obviously, with rec centres themselves. You can go for a swim, take a dance class, play tennis, whatever you like. Places like these exist to provide you with access to recreational resources at a reasonable cost—take advantage of that.
Or, if you’re slightly more balanced than I am, you can try going to the skatepark. Currently, Greater Victoria has four major skateparks, with another set to open in Sooke at the end of this month. Now, I’m not in the business of falling on my face too much these days, but for those of you who have a little more skill than I do, I strongly encourage you to get out there and soak up some sun at the park.
Not interested in going alone? Join a meetup group online: you can find people to skate with, grab a coffee with, meditate with, go for a walk with, or even learn a new language with. Meetup groups are a great way to interact with the people around you and make new friends, especially if you’re hoping to find a common interest. You can join a book club, crochet at the beach, whatever you like. I promise you there’s a group for everything out there.
One of my favourite ways to meet new people is by going to car meets, and, believe me, you don’t have to look too hard to find them here. With no track left on the south island, the car community has changed dramatically in recent years, and it’s nice to be able to attend and help keep those spaces alive. And don’t worry about having a cool car. I’ve bused to more meets than I can count.
In truth, if you have a U-Pass, you should be taking advantage of it as much as possible this summer. Victoria regional bus routes extend all over the south island and can get you as far as Langford, Goldstream, even Sooke. You don’t have to be confined to downtown Victoria.
One of my all-time favourite places to explore is Sidney. It’s just far enough out of my way to feel different, and despite it being such a small town, there’s always something going on. First, there’s Star Cinema, an independent movie theatre with reasonable prices and a welcoming atmosphere. They may even give Cinecenta a run for its money.
Then, just across the highway, there’s the Victoria International Airport, where you can go to plane-watch. This is, I believe, one of the most underrated no-cost activities, and you can do it all year. Grab a coffee, sit in the field, and just watch. Or, if you’re looking for a more hands-on experience, go to the BC Aviation Museum. There, you can explore 40 different aircrafts, read up on Canadian aviation history, and chat with expert-level tour guides, all for a reasonable admission cost. You can even take a walking tour through the Hawaii Mars, a WWII cargo plane that stands roughly four stories tall and was converted into a water bomber in the 1960s. I don’t know about you, but I certainly intend to find myself back there this summer.
I also plan to find myself back at Botanical Beach, scouring the shoreline for critters and crawlers. You see, I’m the kind of person who could spend hours turning over rocks and looking for crabs, or staring into a tide pool in search of starfish and sea cucumbers. To me, there’s no better summer pastime than going to the beach and having a poke around. After all, the classics are classics for a reason.
In fact, another classic is Ska Fest, which will be returning to Victoria from June 24 to 28. There, you can listen to local and international talent, and experience ska and reggae music at its best. And, some of the concerts are even free.
The following week, Wheelies Motorcycles is hosting its 12th annual block party, complete with live music, vendors, and vintage bikes. This party, in my experience, is always a blast, and is a great way to show appreciation for the Rock Bay area. So stop by on July 5, grab a bite, and join in on the celebration. You won’t regret it.
You also won’t regret cashing in on some student discounts around the island. For example, if you’re hoping to get out on the water, Palli Palli Paddle Adventure Rentals offers a few different 15-percent-discount deals. WildPlay (which has locations in Victoria and Nanaimo) offers 15 percent off for students—but not during July or August, so get over there before June ends.
Or maybe you’re not planning on being a student for much longer, in which case, job fairs are great events to visit this summer. Boring as they may seem, they are chock-full of industry professionals just waiting to talk to someone about what they do. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find something you’re interested in, or make connections that’ll help you out later in your career. It’s a fun way to learn and meet new people, and also to secure your future.
But if you’d rather not think about that right now, you can always go to the Compost Education Centre on North Park Street to reconnect with nature. This summer, they’re hosting a ton of free workshops where you can learn about gardening, harvesting, plant identification, and more. You can even go on a plant walk and learn all about their traditional uses.
But, of course, this is just a list of suggestions. And, at the end of the day, summer is what you make of it. So whether you’re working or trapped in a classroom or some mysterious third option, it’s important to take the time to do the things that make you happy. Take a yoga class, go to a concert, meet new people, and appreciate the art that’s all around you. And most importantly, do not wish this time away. There is so much for you to enjoy, and you don’t have to break the bank to make it happen.
Now that our tour is over, I hope you can take some of these ideas with you into the rest of your summer. And who knows? Maybe we’ll bump into each other again. You certainly know where to find me.