Friday, December 6 to Sunday, December 8
Let’s get consensual
So a cool thing to learn while nursing those winter blues might be how to say and how to accept the word “no.” Local sex educator Corinne Diachuk is teaching the Wheel of Consent workshop on language around the all the nuances of consent; the workshop is full of awareness about systemic oppression and trauma sensitivity, and, as Diachuk’s site puts it, is “simple enough to teach a 10 year old.” The workshop starts at 5 pm on Friday at Draw Heart Studio, located at 324-1175 Cook Street. See corinnediachuk.com for more info.
Friday, December 13
To create is to evolve
Call your best pals and head over to the Victoria Event Centre for Art Battle Victoria: Holiday Edition, featuring candy canes, ugly sweaters, and live art. Experienced painters will compete on a timed clock schedule and the audience will determine the winner. It’s guaranteed to be messy, guaranteed to be fun. Tickets are $15 to $20, and things get started at 7 pm; see artbattle.com for more information.
Friday, December 13 to Monday, December 30
Light up your life
If you’re like me and Christmas brings out your best childlike, whimsical self, then don’t squelch that sweetness! Honour it, and check out Lights of Wonder in Centennial Square. There are four interactive light tunnels, a 40-foot tree, all sorts of live entertainment, and a giving booth in case you’re in generous spirits. There is lots of old-fashioned fun to be had, and, hey, it’s free. How merry is that? See lightsofwonder.ca for more details.
Saturday, December 21
To all the kinky and the purr-verted
Are you a cat person? Are you over 19? Then you should celebrate your best kink on the slink at the PURR-cat Themed Kinky Dance Party (Volume 3). These playful parties are a welcome-wagon opportunity for cat lovers, electronic music lovers, kink lovers, and LGBTQ+ communities to intermingle, socialize, and dance in a safe, consent-based environment. This is sure to be a creative and good—but oh so bad—time for all. Cat-themed outfits are encouraged, but not required—but, I mean, if you’re taking the time to go to a cat-themed kink party (complete with dance cages and purr-lesque dancers), you might as well go for the gusto; it would suck to be the odd cat out. Things kick off at 9 pm at the Capital Ballroom, and tickets are $25. See thecapitalballroom.com for more information.
Saturday, December 21
Bewitched, bewildered, and bedazzled
If you’re feeling those wintertime blues, how about celebrating the solstice instead of fighting it? The Bewitched: Winter Solstice Drag Show and Party features an array of musical acts, Fire Geisha and Triikstr being a couple of them. This looks like it will be loud, lively, and untraditional. Things start at 11 pm at The Copper Owl, and tickets are $17 in advance and $25 at the door; see copperowl.ca for more info.
Monday, December 30
Just say ohm
If the cold of winter and the hype of the holidays is getting you down, cozy up in your best downward dog style and try Candlelight Yin Yoga and meditation with yoga master Nyk Danu. The meditation invites a new sense of spaciousness in the body and mind (something I am always wishing for), and the Yin class offers a guided meditation as well, which offers to leave you grounded and calm. Sounds like an appealing state after all this end-of-semester panic. The event runs from 7:30 pm to 9 pm at MokSana Yoga Center, located at 613 Pandora Avenue; see moksanayoga.com for more details.
Saturday, January 4
Ghost busting
If you are a fan of the alternative and the indie, Lazy Ghost is gracing Victoria with their powerful presence again. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door; see loganspub.com for more information.