International Women’s Day brings us a moment of reflection and another excuse to celebrate all of the influential and special women in our lives!
Show your love and support in the way that you see fit—and if you feel like going out, there are a multitude of incredible events in and around Victoria to choose from.
Take your pals out for a night on the town and cheer on these incredible performers and voices as they share their hard work, perspectives and talent with audiences!
Without further ado, here’s 9 events in and around Victoria to celebrate International Women’s Day:
Garden City Improv: International Women’s Day
On Friday, March 8th, Garden City Improv (GCI) brings us to the stunning venue KWENCH to watch two different improv shows in support of Women in Need (WIN) and Victoria Women’s Transition House Society.
First up is the Theatresports show, followed by a late-night, no rules cabaret inspired from the cast’s hilarious stories—this is for those looking to mix a little drinking in with their improv experience!
The shows will feature GCI’s Beki Zajac, Jen Yamaski, Liisa Ingimundson, Islay McKechnie and Kirsten Aasen—who are all ready to welcome you to what’s sure to be an exceptional time!
Tickets are $25 per show or $40 for both and the proceeds will go towards WIN and Victoria Women’s Transition House Society.
- Where: KWENCH, 2031 Store Street
- When: Friday, March 8th
- Theatresports at 7:30 p.m.
- Late-night cabaret at 9 p.m.
Afroquatics: A Call and Response Below the Surface
Check out the exhibition, Afroquatics: A Call and Response Below the Surface at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV)—a projected video/interactive, augmented reality installation by City of Victoria Artist in Residence, Kemi Craig.
Craig’s installation is made in collaboration with Hololabs, specializing in digital media, and it’s curated by Steven McNeil, the AGGV Chief Curator and Director of Collections and Exhibitions.
Afroquatics draws inspiration from the African spiritual practices of Orisha and this world of expert free divers in West Africa, as well as underwater worlds imagined by many artists and storytellers of the African diaspora.
- Where: AGGV, 1040 Moss Street
- When: Open until Sunday, May 26th during gallery hours
Intrepid Theatre’s Shenanigans
Intrepid Theatre invites you to check out their new Cabaret Series, Shenanigans featuring a stacked cast of local-ish stand-ups prepared to deliver you the ultimate laugh riot.
As described, the Shenanigans cast carries a selection of the brightest, funniest and most charming comedians together in an all femme and queer lineup, guaranteed to deliver side-splitting, tear-inducing laughter!
The show will be hosted by Emily Woods, with headliner Katie-Ellen Humphries—from CBC’s The Debaters as well as the Fringe Festival’s sell-out hit No Worries If Not.
Also included are stars Scarlet Chen, Patti Savard, and Julya van der Sloot.
Tickets for this event are $20 if purchased in advance, or you can go through their Pay-What-You-Ten option.
- Where: Metro Studio Theatre, 1411 Quadra Street
- When: Friday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m.
The Nrityagram Dance Ensemble at Royal Theatre
As described, the Nrityagram Dance Ensemble is India’s foremost Odissi dance company and they invite everyone to join them in a journey across time to witness KHANKANĀ—the sound of dancing feet.
This show has never been performed outside of India, and it will feature highly acclaimed pieces created over the last three decades by choreographer and internationally renowned Odissi artist Surupa Sen.
Their North American premiere show will showcase Sen’s unique sensibility of thought and movement as well as a special solo performance from her, who is considered to be one of the world’s best Odissi dancers.
Tickets are start at around $80 and will vary depending on seat selection.
- Where: Royal Theatre, 805 Broughton Street
- When: Friday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m.
Queens of Comedy at the VEC
This year, for International Women’s Day, the Victoria Events Centre (VEC) is hosting a double header, all-female lineup of amazing comics, with three out of towners who are all headliners in their own right.
In addition to the Victoria shows, the ‘Queens of Comedy’ will also be touring through Port Moody, Campbell River as well as Duncan.
The tour is being produced by Vancouver comic, Jane Stanton who has been doing comedy since 2005 and has become a prominent comedian on the mainland as well as on Vancouver Island.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
- Where: The VEC, 1415 Broad Street
- When: Friday, March 8th at 6:15 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Pinky Patel at McPherson Playhouse
Pinky Patel, originally from Illinois, is a PTA mom turned creator, comedian, and personality with over 5 million fans!
She is best known for her knee-slapping commentary and glam videos that have scored her over 89 million likes on TikTok.
Come on down and check the hype out for yourself on her much-anticipated New Crown Who Dhis tour.
Tickets start at $52 and may vary depending on seat selection.
- Where: McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
- When: Friday, March 8th at 7:30 p.m.
Women’s Day Weekend: Oak Bay Bicycles
On both Friday, March 8th and Saturday, March 9th, Oak Bay Bicycles will be hosting a number coaching talks, group rides, and more!
Friday’s event will feature some refreshments, sales and the opportunity to mingle with some amazing women.
Tenille Hoogland of Element Sports Coaching will be giving a coaching talk in preparation for Saturday’s ride, so you’ll get all the inspiration and info needed for the festivities.
It’s guaranteed fun for all rider levels and there are free rentals if you don’t have a bike.
- Where: Oak Bay Bicycles, 1990 Oak Bay Avenue
- When: Friday, March 8th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Super Superficial at Xchanges Gallery
Bask in the creative mind of visual artist Kosar Movahedi during her solo exhbition, Super Superficial—opening on Friday, March 8th and running every weekend until March 24th.
As described, this exhibition combines photography with drawing and collage, playing with the surface and frames of images.
This makes for a dynamic experience where the boundary between the exhibition space and image-based work is challenged.
Viewers slip into the world of knowing and not knowing what they’re looking at, instead considering the process of viewing and making.
- Where: Xchanges Gallery & Studios, 2333 Government Street
- When: Friday, March 8th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (opening night)
Oaklands: International Women’s Day
Oaklands is celebrating International Women’s Day with a weekend of fun, social, and empowering events, and you’re invited!
The festivities will begin on Friday, March 8th with an Arts & Crafts Mixer—all of the supplies and refreshments will be provided.
If you’re looking for something with a bit more structure, you can register for a free step-by-step painting class!
Check out their event page for the other fun activities they have planned.
If you want to be directly involved, they’re always looking for volunteers too!
- Where: Oaklands Community Association, 2827 Belmont Avenue
- When: Friday, March 8th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
