Until Sunday, February 24
One way to learn Italian!
Pacific Opera Victoria is presenting La Traviata at Royal Theatre; the opera inspired the films Moulin Rouge! and Pretty Woman. Pre-performance lectures take place in the theatre lobby one hour prior to each show. Tickets are between $27 and $144, and are available from the Royal box office or online at rmts.bc.ca; see our review of the opera here.
Until Tuesday, February 26
Let’s talk about Saanich
It’s BC Heritage Week until February 24, and Saanich invites you to three free activities focused on the theme “Heritage: The tie that binds.”Until February 26, the Building Saanich exhibit explores our historical relationship with development in Saanich. The exhibit is open Monday to Friday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm at the Saanich Municipal Hall. On Thursday, February 21, Agnes Lynn will discuss early patterns and signs of settlement in Saanich, many of which are still visible; her talk begins at 1 pm at the Saanich Centennial Library. RSVP to the talks at gvpl.ca.
Until Sunday, June 16
A great ascent
Internationally acclaimed artist Fiona Tan’s installation Ascent uses video and photographs to explore the relationship between people and Japan’s Mt. Fuji. The event runs until June 16 at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria; see aggv.ca for more info on this and other exhibits.
Thursday, February 21
Bend to the sounds of Ria Mae
Ria Mae is showcasing songs from her upcoming EP, as well as other material, at Capital Ballroom on February 21. Mae has received Juno nominations for Album of the Year and Single of the Year. Doors are at 8 pm, with opening act Matthew V kicking things off. Tickets are $20 and are available at ticketweb.ca or Lyle’s Place.
Saturday, February 23
Howdy, partner
Best friends Josée Caron and Lucy Niles have come together to form the explorative niche rock band Partner, and now they’re coming to Lucky Bar. Their debut album In Search of Lost Time received critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the 2018 Polaris Prize. Doors are at 7:30, with Groceries opening. Advance tickets are $13.50 and are available at Lyle’s Place; see luckybar.ca for info on this and other upcoming events.
Tuesday, February 26
Dead Soft for Daniel Romano
Juno-nominated musician Daniel Romano is coming to Lucky Bar with his new album, Finally Free.Romano is one of the people behind You’ve Changed Records and, among many noteworthy collaborations, he has produced and performed with City and Colour. Doors are at 8 pm, with opening act Dead Soft warming up the audience. Advance tickets are $16.50, available at ticketweb.ca or at Lyle’s Place.
Friday, March 1
Dreams do come true
Join students of the Victoria Conservatory of Music (VCM) at Spark to Flame, an opportunity for budding classical musicians to taste their dreams of performing alongside professional musicians from the Victoria Symphony and the VCM Senior String Orchestra with maestro Timothy Vernon. Doors open at 7 pm at Alix Goolden Performance Hall; tickets are $15; with free admission for ages 18 and under. Tickets are available at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, online at vcm.bc.ca (where you can also find information about other upcoming events), or by phone at 250-386-5311.
Friday, March 1
Carmanah get a ticket, please?
Victoria-based Carmanah are playing at Capital Ballroom on March 1; the group focuses on topics such as love, nature, and global issues in their lyrics. Opening act Sam Weber has received a lot of attention and has opened for a long list of well-known bands. Doors are at 8:30; advance tickets are $15 and are available at ticketweb.ca and Lyle’s Place.
Friday, March 1 until Sunday, March 10
Detective Poirot in the staircase with the what?
The Paper Street Theatre Co. brings Murders on Paper Street to Craigdarroch Castle in March. The show is an improvised murder mystery play taking place throughout the castle. Murders on Paper Street runs March 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 at 7 pm each night; tickets are $25 and are available at Craigdarroch Castle, by phone at 250-592-5323, or online at thecastle.ca.
Saturday, March 2
Let’s dance under pressure for our heroes
A Night of Bowie: The Definitive Bowie Experience celebrates David Bowie and his long list of hits, focusing loosely between the early ’70s and ’90s. Doors are at 7 pm; tickets are $39.50 and are available at Alix Goolden Performance Hall, by phone at 250-386-5311, or online at alixgooldenhall.com.
Sunday, March 3
Author talks
Award-winning author Gabriella Goliger will discuss her book Eva Salomon’s War at Congregation Emanu-El Synagogue, located at 1461 Blanshard Street. The book takes place in Mandate Palestine and tells the story of a love affair between a Jewish woman and a British police officer. Admission is by donation, and the talk starts at 2 pm.
Sunday, March 3
Voulez-vous?
This is a treat for any francophone music lovers in Victoria: French-Canadian singer/songwriter Coeur de Pirate is coming to the Royal Theatre. Doors open at 7 pm; tickets are between $29.50 and $42.40 and can be purchased at the Royal Theatre, McPherson Playhouse, or online at rmts.bc.ca.
Coming soon
March 21, Katya, McPherson Playhouse
April 4, Souper Bowls of Hope, Crystal Gardens
April 17, Metric with July Talk, Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre