Thursday, May 15
Clara comes to town
Olympic medalist Clara Hughes will be coming from Whitehorse down to Victoria on the West Coast leg of her cross-Canada bike tour. Called Clara’s Big Ride, it aims to promote awareness of mental health and to help reduce its stigmas. The welcome event will be at 3 pm at the Legislature, with an evening talk from 7:30 to 9 pm in the Victoria Public Market on Douglas St. Find more information at clarasbigride.bell.ca.
Friday, May 16
Spoken like a champion
Buddy Wakefield’s 2014 spoken-word world tour, Riled up and Wasted on Light, features local band Fish & Bird for the Victoria show with a unique mix of music and poetry. Though Wakefield has thrice won the World Slam Poetry Championship, he has shifted from competitive to collaborative performance. Victoria’s young poet-laureate, Morgan Purvis, is producing the show at Alix Goolden Hall.
Friday, May 16 & Saturday, May 31
Teaches at the beaches
Island View Beach Regional Park is hosting two all-ages sessions for nature-lovers: What’s That? Ask a Nat! and Sensational Seaweeds. From 10:30 am-2:30 pm on May 16, drop by the park to explore the low-tide beach and ask park experts about what you find. On May 31, a seaweed-themed guided tour (and optional tasting) takes place from 12:30 to 3 pm. Location details are at crd.bc.ca/about/events.
May 16-September 7
Alice in art
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has put together a show structured around Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. The exhibition flows through each chapter, reflecting the strange kind of world Alice finds behind the mirror. Gallery and show information can be found at aggv.ca.
Wednesday, May 21
The Tempest
The Bard himself has inspired a new dance production by Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite. The Tempest Replica draws on themes and motifs from Shakespeare’s classic play to create two worlds on the stage, full of character and intensity. The show is part of the Royal McPherson Centennial Festival and will be performed at the Royal Theatre. Further details on the festival can be found at rm100.ca.
May 23–24
Diverse students at festival
The University of Victoria Students of Colour Collective and African and Caribbean Students’ Association are inviting students to visit their AfriCa Fest booth on Saturday, May 24 at Centennial Square from noon to 8 pm. A photo campaign has been launched by the groups to bring attention to the many students of color in Victoria schools. They are using the name #notallwhiteyyj to remind people that the stereotype of an all-white Victoria is not exactly true. The festival will have many cultural events to celebrate the vibrant African community in Victoria. Events details are at vaccsociety.com.
Saturday, May 25
Let them rock out
Ten Victoria artists will be playing at the Royal Theatre for the Rock the Royal show, part of the theatre’s Centennial Festival. Local favorites Vince Vaccaro, Acres of Lions, and Kuba Oms are only a few of the lineup paying tribute to the city’s rich music scene, with special guests to be announced. The show starts at 7pm. Find out more online at rm100.ca.
Thursday, May 29
Trades and tech and light refreshments
Camosun’s 2014 School of Trades and Technology Awards Ceremony is going down at 6 pm on May 29 at Spectrum Community School Theatre. Come for the ceremonies, where students will get awards for being generally awesome, then stay for the light refreshments! Come out and support your fellow students (and, light refreshments!). Be sure to RSVP by May 20 by calling 250–370–4409 or emailing techinfo@camosun.ca.
Friday, May 30
Destroy rock and roll
Vancouver artist Dan Bejar is coming to the Roxy Theatre with his band Destroyer, set to abuse your rock illusions. The indie rock band is known for its unpredictable musical directions: the last album, Five Spanish Songs, was composed of songs written by Spanish musician Antonio Luque. Bejar’s unique vision is worth seeking out, wherever it may lead.
Saturday, May 31
Besties forever
Their new single “Pineapple” will make you think summer is already here: BESTiE (not the South Korean girl group: that’s BESTie! No, we don’t make these things up!) is bringing the sunny vibe to Canoe Brewpub. The Vancouver group’s bright pop-rock sound is the perfect start to the season of warm nights and cold pints.