What’s Going On: April 1, 2015

Columns April 1, 2015

Saturday, April 4
Volley for funds
Don’t miss the Camosun Business students’ volleyball tournament fundraiser for the Victoria International Development Education Association. The fundraiser is one of the students’ final assignments, testing their newly learned project management skills. The money raised will be donated to help Zambian youth attend the Teen Vision Conference in Lusaka, Zambia. The event goes from 9 am to 5 pm and the cost is $210 per team. See facebook.com/volley4videa for info.

Saturday, April 4
Walkers will walk
Meet other walkers (no, not zombies) at Central Saanich Municipal Hall for a 5/10 km walk. Registration is at 9:30 am and the walk begins at 10 am. Contact Pat for more information: 250–598–2325.

Sunday April 5
Walkers still walk
Walkers have yet another chance to meet walkers; another walk is taking place at Cattle Point. The registration is 9:30 am; the walk starts at 10 am. Contact Helmut at 250–479–3163.

Monday, April 6
Suicide Girls pop-culture burlesque show
A unique and anticipated burlesque show is happening at Distrikt Night Club. The Suicide Girls: Blackheart Burlesque show has tributes to pop culture like Orange Is the New Black, Star Wars, and A Clockwork Orange, all incorporated into a sexy striptease routine. Tickets are $29.50 or VIP for $99.50. Tickets can be purchased at ticketfly.com.

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Twin Kennedy are playing in Victoria on April 9 (photo by Suzanne Sagmeister).

 

Thursday, April 9
Musical twins to perform at UVic
Twin Kennedy, a musical group native to Powell River, BC, will be performing at their former school, the University of Victoria. Twins Carli and Julie Kennedy each earned their BA in Music Performance from UVic. The twins grew up in a musical family and have devoted their lives to music. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased online at tickets.uvic.ca.

Thursday, April 9 and Sunday, April 12
Shakespeare in HD
Shakespeare would be amazed to see his extraordinary story, King John, shot and produced in HD and presented in theatres across Canada. King John is produced by the Stratford Festival and was shot live as actors performed on stage with a full audience. The Victoria screenings will take place at Cineplex Odeon and Silver City.

Friday, April 10
Canadian, eh?
Five of the most Canadian artists you’ll probably ever see have released their third album as a band called Shred Kelly. Shred Kelly is a folk band that represents Canada’s individuality. The band is completing their Canadian tour with a final stop at Lucky Bar.

Saturday, April 11
Explore the mysterious forest
Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and embark on a whimsical walk through the Devonian Regional Park in Metchosin. Discover mysteries, clues, and riddles that could lead to ancient giants. Participants are to meet at the information kiosk in the William Head Road parking lot. The walk runs from 1 to 3 pm.

Thursday, April 16
Kathryn Calder tour starts in Victoria
Kathryn Calder is starting her spring tour in Victoria at the Copper Owl to support her latest self-titled album. Her sounds explore ideas from pop to classical, encouraging her listeners to lose themselves in her vocals and songwriting. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Thursday, April 16
JUNO jazz nominee at Hermann’s
Laila Biali is a jazz musician who has been taking the jazz world by storm; she has been nominated for a JUNO, awarded SOCAN Composer of the Year, and Keyboardist of the Year at Canada’s Jazz Awards. Biali will be releasing her new album, House of Many Rooms, on April 14 and will be performing at Hermann’s Jazz Club at 8 pm. Tickets start at $22.

Friday, April 17 to Sunday, April 19
More walking!
Walkers can really redeem themselves with an ultra-walk hosted by Volkssport Clubs of South Vancouver Island. The Phoenix Walking Festival goes down at the Greek Community Centre on Friday, 11 am to 5 pm, or Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am-5 pm. $10 is mandatory from participants with an additional $2 per walk. For more info, visit vvpf.ca.

Saturday, April 18
Learn about nature’s medicine
Learn about the natural medicine used by First Nations people and European settlers at the healing land of Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin. CRD Regional Parks guest naturalist Joe Percival will be exploring the healing powers of nature. The guided walk is for adults 18 and over and runs from 1 to 2:30 pm.

Saturday, April 18
Vic Chamber Orchestra ends Anniversary Season
The final Victoria Chamber Orchestra concert in their 20th Anniversary Season will be taking place at First Metropolitan Church. The winner of the 2015 Louis Sherman Concerto Competition, Andrew Montgomery, will be playing Violin Concerto in D by Hoffmeister. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. Visit victoriachamberorchestra.org for more information.

Saturday, April 18
Singing mandatory at Vic Theatre
Sing along to the Academy Award-winning 1964 film, My Fair Lady, that will be playing at the Vic Theatre. The movie will feature lyrics and a movie props bag, and audience members are highly encouraged to dress up and sing along (loudly). This is a one-time only screening. The doors open at 5:30 pm and the show starts at 6 pm. Tickets are $20; visit thevic.ca for more information.

Saturday, April 18
Westshore band’s fundraiser
Around 45 amateur musicians have come together to create the Westshore Community Concert Band, based in Langford. The group is holding their eighth annual fundraiser and concert, which will feature the band’s music, snacks, desserts, prizes, and a silent auction with items donated from Victoria merchants. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased by calling Andrea at 250–382–2781.

Sunday, April 19
More than jazz
Latin music, bop, blues, and swing have melded together to form something magical: the Codi Jazz Quintet. Combining vocals, keyboards, guitars, and horns, the band brings a fresh element of music to each of their shows. The Codi Jazz Quintet is playing at Interfaith Chapel at UVic. The show starts at 7 pm.

Monday, April 20
Upcoming, epic stars: Priory
Rising alt-pop group Priory is beginning their tour, and Victoria is one of their first stops. The group’s epic single, “Weekend,” has been making its way up the top 40 pop charts, and the group has even been named MTV 2015 Artist to Watch. The show takes place at Distrikt Nightclub. For more info, visit prioryband.com.

Until Tuesday, April 21
Artist’s Little Tragedies exhibit
Artist Stephanie Harding embraces the idea of life’s “little tragedies” in her new series of paintings. Harding uses colours to bring a blank canvas to life. She values being able to see the bright side of life, regardless of negativity. Her exhibit runs until April 21 at Dales Gallery and Framing Studio. Call 250-383-1552 for info.

Thursday, April 23
Film to raise domestic-abuse awareness
National Victims of Crime Awareness Week’s purpose is to raise awareness about women who are suffering from domestic abuse. The Victoria Women’s Transition House is hosting a screening of Heaven on Earth at Cinecenta UVic. The show starts at 7 pm; admission is by donation.

Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25
Salt Lake City’s ballet comes to Vic
Ballet company Ballet West will be performing in Victoria at the Royal Theatre. Ballet West is from Salt Lake City and was established in 1963 by William F. Christensen, a ballet pioneer. Tickets start at $62 and can be purchased at rmts.bc.ca. Visit dancevictoria.com for more information.

Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26
Endless entertainment at Earth Week
The Fourth Annual Earth Week Festival is happening at the English Inn. Guests can expect to see over 70 exhibitors showcasing their technology, art, music, and creative projects. The event will have activities for everyone, from an organic tea party to a yoga workshop. The event is free and starts at 12 pm, running until 9 pm on Saturday and 4 pm on Sunday.

Sunday, April 26
Birdwatching education
Birdwatching basics will be taught at Island View Beach Regional Park in Saanich. With binoculars, field guides, and a CRD Regional Parks Naturalist, you can take your knowledge from novice to expert. Ages nine and up are welcome. The event takes place from 10 am to 12 pm.

Tuesday, April 28
Ian Kelly on tour
Montreal’s Ian Kelly is touring Canada, with over 25 gigs across the country. Each show will feature just Kelly, his piano, and his guitar. See iankellysmusic.com for info.

Sunday, May 3
2015 MS Walk
The 2015 Scotiabank MS Walk is taking place at Marigold Elementary School. The check-in time is 8:30 am and the walk starts at 10 am. With route lengths from 3 km to 9 km, there is a walk for everyone! Unless you don’t like walking, of course. The MS Walk is accepting volunteers; contact lily.fawn@mssociety.ca for more information.

Thursday, May 7
West Coast orca fable
In a beautifully illustrated fable about our precious West Coast oceans and nature, authors Roy Henry Vickers and Robert Budd tell the tale of orca warriors set out to protect their ocean against the damage of man. Orca Chief is a story of courage, beauty, forgiveness, and responsibility. Vickers and Budd will be having their book launch at Legacy Art Gallery at 7:30 pm.