Until Sunday, August 11
On the way to the Roxy
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum might have debuted in 1912, but this play tells a classic story—it’s inspired by ancient Roman playwright Plautus, and it tells the story of a slave named Pseudolus and his plan to find freedom by helping his master win the girl next door. For showtimes and tickets to the play, which goes down at the Roxy, visit bluebridgetheatre.ca.
Until Saturday, August 24
Worth more than a moment
Jeremy Borsos’ Just a Moment is being featured at Deluge Contemporary Art until August 24. The exhibit features Borsos’ series of painted aluminum and plastic sculptures, which are titled by the year of the source material. For gallery hours and more information, visit deluge.ca.
Friday, August 9 to Saturday, August 24
Get Jurassic in the park
The Victoria Film Festival is bringing back The Free-B Film Festival, free outdoor movie screenings at the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park over three weekends in August. Movies include Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hook, Jurassic Park, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. For a complete schedule and more information, visit freebfilmfest.com.
Wednesday, August 21 to Sunday, September 1
On the fringe
It’s the 33rd annual Victoria Fringe Festival! The fest starts on Wednesday, August 21 with the Fringe Eve Preview in Centennial Square from 3 to 9 pm. The extensive lineup for this festival includes, to name just a couple plays, A Little Crazy, about the tricky relationship between an 84-year-old Russian immigrant and his great nephew, at Congregation Emanu-El,and Battery Operated Boyfriend, where an artificial intelligence designer and her AI boyfriend are called upon to save the human race, at the Victoria Event Centre. For schedule, tickets, and more information visit victoriafringe.com.
Until Thursday, August 29
Share the spirit of Canada
The BC Maritime Museum’s featured art exhibit this summer is John Stuart Pryce: Spirit of Canada. Pryce developed a passion for drawing and painting at an early age. His work as an architectural engineer has been used in projects around the world. Pryce now focuses on painting and hosting workshops, striving to share an understanding of the world through art. For more information, visit mmbc.bc.ca.
Thursday, August 8
Get hip at Hermann’s
The John Lee: Next Generation Jazz Collective is performing on August 8 at Hermann’s Jazz Club. The collective is a group consisting of Vancouver Island’s finest young jazz musicians, led by multi-instrumentalist John Lee. Student tickets are $15; the show is at 7:30 pm and doors open at 6 pm. For more information, visit hermannsjazz.com.
Thursday, August 15
A Spoon full of freedom
Rae Spoon, Kimmortal, and LAL are coming to the Victoria Event Centre on August 15 to launch Rae Spoon’s new album Mental Health and celebrate the long-list Polaris nominations for Kimmortal’s X Marks the Swirl and LAL’s Dark Beings.This event will be inclusive and encouraging for all people and identities, as all three acts have mission statements that challenge societal norms. Advance tickets for the show are $15 and the show is at 7 pm. For more information, visit victoriaeventcentre.ca.
Friday, August 23
Ain’t no slackers here
The Courtneys are coming to Upstairs Cabaret on August 23 with Ian Sweet and Teenage Wedding. The Courtneys will bring their self-described “slacker pop” indie rock, while Ian Sweet is Jilian Medford performing hooky indie rock. Locals Teenage Wedding will open the show. Advance tickets are $12; doors are at 6:30 pm. For more information, visit upstairscabaret.ca.
Monday, August 26
Bring your boots to the ballroom
Orville Peck is coming to Capital Ballroom on August 26. His music combines ambient shoegaze with timeless American country melodies. Peck takes listeners on a journey down a dusty road where they will see a world that is as full of mystery as his masked face is. Tickets are $27, and doors are at 8 pm. For more information, visit thecapitalballroom.com.
Thursday, August 29
Drink your milk
Canadian electro-pop duo and winners of the 2019 Juno Award for Electronic Album of the Year Milk & Bone are coming to Capital Ballroom on August 29. Montreal’s Laurence Lafond-Beaulne and Camille Poliquin combine forces to create gentle yet haunting melodies with layered synths and electronic depth. The show is at 8 pm and tickets are $16; for more information visit thecapitalballroom.com.
Coming Soon:
September 6 and 7, Great Canadian Beer Festival, Royal Athletic Park
November 8, City and Colour, Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre
November 16, Jim Jefferies, Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre
November 16, Rick Mercer, Farqhuar Auditorium