Until September 25
Even better than a book
Authors such as Steven Price, Ronald Wright, and Arleen Pare, along with many others, will be appearing at the Victoria Festival of Authors. Included in the festival will be panels with the authors, readings, workshops, and a gala at City Hall on Saturday night. Tickets are $15 and students get 20 percent off. Check out victoriafestivalofauthors.ca for a schedule and more details.
Thursday, September 22
Ending sexual violence
Men End Exploitation: An Event to End Sexual Violence is a call to help end sexual violence against all genders, races, and communities. Included in the event will be Q&As with panelists and producers, as well as keynote presentations. Tickets are free; for more details on this event, which is being held over at the University of Victoria, visit eventbrite.ca.
Thursday, September 22 to Sunday, September 25
Hang ten
The Wild Water Festival is a film festival dedicated to all films water related. They’ve got your surfing movies, your adventure films (water related, of course), and your climate-change films. An all-access festival pass goes for $120, with individual tickets ranging from $5 to $20; see wildwaterfestival.ca for more details.
Friday, September 23 and Monday, September 26
A thrilling sequel
Victoria author Grant McKenzie will launch his new book, The Butcher’s Son, with events on September 23 and 26. On September 23 he will be reading at Chapters at 5 pm; on September 26 he’ll be at Bolen Books at 7 pm. For more info on the author, visit grantmckenzie.net.
Saturday, September 24
Carving their own path
Edmonton pop band Jesse and the Dandelions are playing the Copper Owl on September 24 in support of their third full-length album, True Blue. If you’re interested in seeing this show, tickets are at the door only, so be there early. Check out copperowl.ca for more info on this and other shows.
Friday, September 23, Saturday, September 24, Monday, September 26, and Tuesday, September 27
A haunting past
The history of Canada’s residential schools is, honestly, disgusting; Louise Bernice Halfe attempts to make sense of it all through poetry. Halfe will be reading poems from her new collection, Burning in This Midnight Dream, at various venues on these dates. Halfe, a victim of the horrors of residential schools herself, hopes to provide a voice for the indigenous people who were taken from their families. Admission varies; see openspace.ca for more info on this and other exhibits.
Saturday, October 1
A taste of Africa
Have you ever wanted to experience African culture but didn’t want to leave Victoria? Well, this is perfect: check out the Culture Days Celebration African dinner and dance at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. A West- African-style buffet will be available for those who want a taste of something other than, you know, poutine and burgers. Come dressed in African attire or colourful clothes that you can show off your dance moves in. Tickets are $25 and the event runs from 6:30 to 11:30 pm; visit eventbrite.ca for more information.
Sunday, October 2
He’s still got it
Mick Fleetwood—co-founder of ’70s rockers Fleetwood Mac—and his blues band are ending their latest tour in Victoria at UVic’s Farquhar Auditorium. Consisting of a few other former members of Fleetwood Mac, Mick’s blues band will be playing songs with inspiration taken from Fleetwood Mac’s formative years. Tickets are between $77.50 and $97.50; check out mickfleetwoodblues.com for additional details.