With windstorms and weather warnings, it’s tempting to hunker down at home and not leave the house all weekend. Luckily, there are lots of interesting and important activities taking place all around Victoria!
Whether it’s a protest on Indigenous sovereignty, a downtown scavenger hunt, or one of the many amazing concerts taking place, there’s so much worth risking the rain for!
Here are 16 things to do in around Victoria this weekend, January 11th and 12th.
The Victoria Royals vs. The Portland Winterhawks
The Royals take on the #3 WHL team in the Winterhawks, another tough match-up for the hometown team. There are some new faces on the Royals, after a big trade saw Anaheim Ducks prospect Brayden Tracey and goalie Adam Evanoff join the squad. Will the two new signings make an impact in their first few games for the club? Only one way to find out…
- When: Saturday, January 11th, doors at 6:00 p.m. and puck drop at 7:05 p.m.
- Where: Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard Street
Indigenous Sovereignty Protest
The B.C. Legislature will play host to a demonstration at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 11th, planned by the newly formed advocacy group, Wet’suwet’en Solidarity Victoria.
The group’s focus is the protection of Indigenous territories from pipelines, like Coastal GasLink’s (CGL) liquified natural gas (LNG) pipeline, and the declaration of support for the Wet’suwet’en First Nation.
- When: Saturday, January 11th, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
- Where: Legislative Assembly, 501 Belleville Street
Arc’teryx Scavenger Hunt
Vancouver Islanders can put their knowledge of local geography to the test this Saturday, January 11th with a scavenger hunt based from the newly opened Arc’teryx store at 1350 Government Street.
This scavenger hunt is open to everyone, with three zones of difficulty involving riddles about nearby businesses, so there will be something for all. The answers to the clues will lead the way to a great selection of prizes, including Arc’teryx backpacks, mugs, and jackets hidden throughout the city!
- When: Saturday, January 11th, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Where: Arc’Teryx, 1350 Government Street (and elsewhere!)
Jim Cuddy at the McPherson Playhouse
One of Canada’s living legends and singer of Blue Rodeo, Jim Cuddy is a must-see Canadian musician. A 10-time JUNO nominee and two-time winner, Cuddy is a cut above many singer-songwriters in the world, let alone our country, and his show reflects that in spades.
- When: Saturday, January 11th, doors at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: The McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
Indigenous Drum-Making Workshop
This workshop is a unique opportunity to learn the skills of traditional drum making from a local Indigenous Elder and Medicine Women. Not only will you be learning the skills of drum making, but you will get to hear traditional stories around the medicine of the drum during this process. Participants will make an 18” drum and a drumstick, as well.
- When: Saturday, January 11th, 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Where: 800 Stelly’s Cross Road
The Baltimore Consort
One of the Early Music Society of the Islands (EMSI)’s favourite ensembles, The Baltimore Consort performs a brand-new programme of music based on Shakespeare’s plays.
Danielle Svonavec sings some of the greatest hits from the Bard’s songbook, including It Was a Lover and His Lass, Where the Bee Sucks, and Full Fathom Five. Dances and consort music round out the programme.
- When: January 11th, 8:00 p.m.
- Where: Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Avenue
Handbags for Hope
Do you know a child who’s battling cancer? Do you have handbags that you no longer use?
This year, BC charity Team4Hope is returning to mix fashion and compassion to support kids with cancer, and you can participate! The charity is holding their Handbags for Hope event to raise money for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and Neuroblastoma research.
The project starts with a donation drive in the Mayfair Shopping Centre in January, before ending with an event night in February. People looking to help can look through their closets and donate any gently used handbags, jewelry, or scarves to the charity.
Collection Drive
- When:
- January 11th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- January 12th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Where: Mayfair Shopping Centre – 3147 Douglas St
Baltimore Consort Workshop
The fun continues with the band the next day, with morning and evening sessions of workshops for musicians and fans alike. The morning workshops are about how the Baltimore Consort arrange their renaissance-inspired music, and the afternoon sessions include hands-on instrument and voice coaching. The members of the ensemble enjoy chatting with musicians and aficionados, so here is your chance to ask that burning question you’ve always wondered about.
When: Sunday, January 12th, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: UVic Clearihue Building, 3800 Finnerty Road
OneTree Exhibit at the Bateman Foundation Gallery of Nature
The oneTree 2019 exhibit will feature the work of almost 80 artisans that have all created their work from a single, salvaged Maple tree.
The artwork includes boxes, chairs, tables, and sculptures, all made from the wood of a single tree.
- When: December 17th, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., running until February 29th, 2020,
- Where: Bateman Foundation Gallery of Nature, 470 Belleville Street
Bite me! Burlesque
Diversion Burlesk presents Bite Me! A burlesque celebration of food and critique of diet culture. We are bringing together ten of Victoria’s creative burlesque and drag performers to whet your appetite and bite back against diet culture, with a mix of political and playful acts!
- When: Sunday, January 12th, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Where: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad Street
Wonder Sundays
Are you the kind of person that needs their Sunday hibernations? Why not learn more about the science of hibernating, with an informative (and late-starting) session at the Royal BC Museum!
- When: Sunday, January 12th, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Where: Royal BC Museum, 675 Belleville Street
Sam Tudor at Vinyl Envy
Three terrific local acts feature at Vinyl Envy on Saturday night. Fond and Nothingness support Vancouver’s Sam Tudor, a singer-songwriter chock-full of poignant songwriting compelling experimental leanings. Tudor writes warm, psychedelia tinged pop anthems, with a poignant and communal, gentle and bombastic live show.
- When: Saturday, January 11th, doors at 7:00 p.m.
- Where: Vinyl Envy, 1717 Quadra Street
When Raven Became Spider
Coming to Open Space after a critically-acclaimed nation-wide tour, When Raven Became Spider brings together work from six Indigenous artists who transpose supernatural beings from Indigenous stories into the realm of superhero comics.
On Saturday, curator Leena Minifie will give a talk on the new exhibition, a great chance to gain insight on the incredible work.
- When: Saturday, January 11th, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Where: Open Space Gallery, 510 Fort Street
On Winds of Song
UVic School of Music theory professor and pianist Harald Krebs brings together his love and knowledge of song repertoire in a concert featuring faculty brass and guests—who also possess a joy for playing songs. The concert title is a pun on Felix Mendelssohn’s most famous song, On Wings of Song, which will open the concert.
- When: Sunday, January 12th, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Where: Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road
A Taste of Victoria Food Tour
This 2-hour tour begins at the Victoria Public Market and includes stops at The Gates of Harmonious Interest, Fan Tan Alley, Market Square, Bastion Square, Trounce Alley, Government St., and the Inner Harbour Causeway. Depending on the day, there are between six to eight tastings along the route, as we discuss the history and quirks of beautiful Victoria, B.C.
Tastings can include bread, pierogis, meatballs, craft beer, macarons, chocolate, and much more!
- When: January 11th and 12th, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Where: Starts at the Victoria Public Market, 1701 Douglas Street #6
Daniel Romano’s Ancient Shapes with Layten Kramer
Ancient Shapes is comprised of Daniel Romano, David Nardi, Vee Bell, Roddy Rosetti and Ian Romano. They have been called “the best band since computers” and also “incredibly good as hell.” The group has traveled the world over sharing their songs and ideas with others, now they offer us this: A flower that just refuses to bloom.
- When: Sunday, January 12th, 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Where: Upstairs Cabaret, #15 Bastion Square
