Mother’s Day in Victoria can be spent here, at the magnificent Butchart Gardens (Photo: paulhami)
Mother’s Day in Victoria is perfectly timed: the gardens are blooming, the sun is shining and the city is buzzing. But what to do with your mom? Skip the predictable and choose something from our list of top picks for an charming and unforgettable Mother’s Day in Victoria.
See the list of 7 amazing things to do on Mother’s Day in Victoria »
Tim Brown photo
Head over the Johnson Street Bridge from downtown to the community of Esquimalt to enjoy an evening with the Steve Miller Band June 30 at the Archie Browning Sports Centre.
The 2013 tour follows four of the most busy, productive years in Miller’s long, illustrious career, whose broad appeal is indicative of one of rock music’s all-time greats.
Kaleidoscope Theatre brings its actors outdoors at the Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites with War of the Eagles May 25 and 26.
Through this new work written and directed by Roderick Glanville, based on the multi-award winning Canadian novel by Eric Walters, experience the reverberating events surrounding Pearl Harbor and its effect on Vancouver Island, and share in the journey of a First Nations boy who must decide in his heart what is right.
War of the Eagles will captivate audiences while following the action through the historic buildings of Fort Rodd Hill. Performances are scheduled for 11:30am and 2:30pm and tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information: http://kaleidoscope.bc.ca
The second annual Yes BC Off-the-Grid Music Festival will transform the main field of Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site into a central stage for this free concert May 24.Enjoy the talents of aspiring young musicians, whose music will be powered up with the clean, green energy of human and solar power!
For more details visit
www.offthegridfestival.ca
Photo courtesy Stars on ice
Figure skating fans will have plenty to cheer about when Canada’s own Patrick Chan joins this year’s Investors Group Stars on Ice Tour presented by Lindt, coming to Victoria’s Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre May 8.
Chan caught the attention of skating fans across the globe at the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow, Russia where he claimed three Guinness World Records for his scores in Men’s Short Program, Men’s Free Skate, and Men’s Overall Score.
Stars on Ice offers fans the rare opportunity to see some of the world’s most creative champions performing together in both individual and ensemble routines.
Joining Chan will be a stellar cast of past, present and future champions, including four-time World Champion Kurt Browning; 2010 Olympic Gold Medalists and 2012 World Champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir; 2010 Olympic Bronze Medalist Joannie Rochette; Olympic Bronze Medalist and World Champion Jeffrey Buttle; 2012 U.S. National Champion Ashley Wagner; and Canadian National Silver Medalist Shawn Sawyer.
Victoria picnic spots: discover the location of this gorgeous scene (Photo: Nutch Bicer)
Victoria picnics are a thing of beauty. In the City of Gardens, spring arrives early, winter blows in late, and picturesque landscapes are found around every corner. If you’re looking for an ideal spot to spread the blanket for the perfect Victoria picnic, we have five unbeatable locales that will turn your outdoor meal into a memorable feast.
See the top five Victoria picnic spots »
Ryan Landa photo
Victoria’s curling community welcomes the world this spring, but hockey fans will have plenty to cheer about as well.
With its excellent year-round climate, Victoria is renowned for its outdoor pursuits, but rest assured, we definitely enjoy our indoor ice sports as well. The passion locals bring to curling and ice hockey is legendary, borne out by the exciting events filling local arenas this spring.
Hockey fans will thrill to the on-ice action of the city’s two top teams, the Western Hockey League’s Victoria Royals, and the BC Hockey League’s Junior A Victoria Grizzlies. Both the Royals, carving up the ice at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena, and the Grizzlies, at the Bear Mountain Arena in the West Shore, offer exciting play from top-ranked athletes on their way to the next level.
The Royals finish regular season play at home March 15, and at press time were expected to clinch a playoff berth. The Grizzlies conclude their regular season March 9, with the press-time division leaders looking forward to an exciting playoff run.
Come cheer on the home team and tomorrow’s stars as they shoot for the top.
Curling fans have two opportunities to see the world’s best in action this spring.
Just over downtown’s Johnson Street Bridge in the neighbouring community of Esquimalt, the eighth annual Victoria Curling Classic welcomes the world to the Archie Browning Sports Centre.
From March 20 to 24, the top men’s teams in Canada will compete against champions from Scotland, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as teams from Japan and beyond, and with $25,000 on the line for the winner, you know competition will be fierce!
On the heels of the Classic, the local curling community welcomes the prestigious 2013 Ford World Men’s Curling Championships, March 30 to April 7.
Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre reprises its role as host following a successful turn at the event in 2005, when Team Canada’s Randy Ferbey put together an amazing eight-game winning streak to claim the world title.
Vying with Canada for the 2013 title will be curlers from Sweden, Norway, Czech Republic, Denmark, Russia, Switzerland, Scotland, Finland, China, Japan and the USA.
Canadian fans will be able to catch their athletes in action in three games during the opening weekend: March 30 at 2pm and March 31 at 9am and 7pm. The Canadian team continues round robin play April 1 at 2 and 7pm, April 2 at 9am and 7pm, April 3 at 9am and 2pm and April 4 at 2 and 7pm.
Did you know?
Victoria brought home the Stalney Cup in 1925, when the Victoria Cougars beat the Montreal Canadiens!
Maryanne Carmack photo
Victoria boasts one of the highest number of restaurants per capita in Canada; with this foodie culture, no wonder its food-related events are among the most popular on the calendar.
With its delicious array of restaurants, not to mention an ever-growing variety of specialty food shops, lush farmland on our doorstep and a burgeoning artisan beer and wine industry, it’s no wonder that Victoria is a food-lover’s dream.
This spring offers more than a few opportunities to discover some of the many possibilities of the city’s culinary scene.
One of the mainstays of the Victoria dining calendar is Dine Around & Stay in Town, continuing through March 10. An affordable, interesting way to explore some of the city’s finest restaurants, Dine Around features set menus priced at either $20, $30 or $40 per person, often accompanied by optional VQA wine pairings.
Among WHERE Victoria’s favourites are the Blue Crab Bar & Grill, at the Coast Victoria Hotel, Harbour House Restaurant and LURE Restaurant and Lounge at the Hotel Grand Pacific. For more exotic flavours, try the Reef, Sen Zushi Japanese Restaurant or for delicious Greek cuisine, Millo’s. Explore this year’s menus at www.tourismvictoria.com/dinearound
Accompanying the dining component, many of Victoria’s hotels also offer accommodations with special rates, and Bravo! Victoria has ProArt Alliance members offering great deals on tickets for productions during the event to make your evening even more memorable.
Coming March 21 to the Crystal Gardens is the fourth annual Culinaire Victoria, billed as Victoria’s Premier Food Tasting Experience.
Two sessions are available, either 5 to 7:15pm, or 7:45 to 10pm, each offering a tempting selection of samples from many of the unique restaurants and purveyors of fine foods and beverages Lower Vancouver Island has to offer.
Guests can sample delicacies from more than 60 exhibitors and interact with chefs and restaurateurs to receive first-hand information about their food ideals, menu concepts and more.
Tickets are $37 and include 10 generous tastings from presenters; additional tastings will be available at a cost of $1 per item. (Please note that Culinaire is a 19+ event).
Local wines are on the menu at the fifth annual Wine Islands Spring Tasting, March 29 at the Crystal Ballroom in the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
A terrific opportunity to sip and sample award-winning wines, ciders and meads from the region’s thriving wine industry, meet participating winemakers, cidermakers, meadmakers and distillers from Vancouver Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands.
Come April, the Victoria Conservatory of Music turns its attention to the spring release of wines from Naramata Bench Wineries, a group of 21 award-winning wineries nestled along a 14-kilometre country road overlooking Okanagan Lake. In addition to enjoying the exclusive opportunity to meet the winemakers, Uncork Your Palate invites guests to sample irresistible bites from Victoria’s finest eateries, enjoy music performed by talented students of the Victoria Conservatory of Music and bid on exciting offerings at the silent auction.
Restaurants on-hand will include AURA, from the Inn at Laurel Point, Bon Rouge Bistro, Choux Choux Charcuterie, Hilary’s Cheese Company, The Marina, Veneto Tapa Lounge & Bar; Vista 18 at the Chateau Victoria Hotel and Zambri’s.
This “deliciously fun fundraising event” for the Conservatory welcomes guests on April 23 from 6:30 to 9pm at the historic Crystal Garden, steps from the harbour in downtown Victoria.
At a Glance
Dine Around & Stay in Town: Through March 10 at various restaurants and hotels in the region.
FMI: www.tourismvictoria.com/dinearound
Culinaire Victoria: March 21 at the Crystal Garden, downtown Victoria. FMI: www.culinairevictoria.com
Wine Islands Spring Tasting:
March 29 at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.
FMI: www.wineislands.ca
Uncork Your Palate: April 23 at the
Crystal Garden, downtown Victoria.
FMI: www.vcm.bc.ca
Leonard Cohen is on the Avenue
Oak Bay’s Avenue Gallery celebrates spring with its second exclusive showing of artwork by legendary Canadian singer, writer and artist Leonard Cohen. The exhibition and sale will feature a select grouping of the many pieces that make up Leonard Cohen: Art Work collection.
This visual record of 40 years is an exhibit of works from Cohen’s archive of drawings and journals. The artist has maintained a visual art practice since his early days in Montreal and Hydra. Until now, his drawings have been private visual records of things, places and people captured in his sure and modest hand. Later, these drawings found their way onto CD covers and most recently into the pages of Book of Longing.
The exhibit runs from March 1 to 9, with an opening reception planned for March 1 from 5 to 7pm.
Fans also have the chance to see Cohen live this spring when he brings his Old Ideas World Tour to the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre March 6. For details, visit www.saveonfoodsmemorialcentre.com
Stage Struck
Langham Court Theatre brings two popular productions to its storied stage this spring, beginning with the classic 39 Steps, March 7 to 23. Walking in the footsteps of author John Buchan and filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, this is sure to be an audience favourite.
The playhouse continues in the vein of dark comedies in April with its production of George F. Walker’s Better Living, April 25 to May 11. Joining Nora as she jackhammers her way to a safe haven in the basement of her eccentric Toronto home, theatre-goers will wonder “what next?” at every plot turn of this action-packed farce.
Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre adds a little star power to Victoria’s spring theatre scene, welcoming Canadian stars Bruce Greenwood and Janet Wright to star in A.R. Gurney’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated drama Love Letters.
Greenwood is known for his appearances in Star Trek, Double Jeopardy, The Core, Thirteen Days (in which he played president John F. Kennedy), Capote, and, most recently, alongside Denzel Washington in Flight. He will be joined by Wright, a stage, TV and film star whose resume includes Ontario’s Stratford Festival, her successful wonderful portrayal of Emma Leroy on CTV’s Corner Gas, Robert Altman’s film McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Bordertown Cafe, and A Perfect Storm, starring George Clooney.
Love Letters runs for seven performances only at the McPherson Playhouse from March 26 to 30.
Great Big Sea makes a great big sound
East Coast folk-pop favourite Great Big Sea returns to Victoria for a March 9 concert at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.
This East Coast powerhouse rocked the arena last time they played the Capital Region and as they return in support of their recent “best of” album, XX, long-time fans and new converts alike are sure to find this musical kitchen party is the place to be.
Making music – Francophone style
From Quebec to BC comes Le Vent du Nord, bringing traditional Francophone folk music mixed with swing, Cajun, Celtic, Irish and jazz to Hermann’s Jazz Club April 6 and 7.
The Juno Award-winning band has become one of the most-loved Quebec folk outfits in the world, with songs ranging from traditional folk to original compositions. These four friends light up the stage, sharing their energy and enthusiasm with audiences. Le Vend du Nord know how to deliver music that will move any crowd – to their feet and in their hearts!
Funny Stuff
Canadian-born Jeremy Hotz, a veteran of Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival who sold out across Canada in 2009 and 2010, returns to Victoria this spring with his all-new Magical Misery Tour.
The critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning comic performs at the McPherson Playhouse March 20.
Dance, Victoria!
Dance Victoria welcomes New Zealand’s leading contemporary dance company, Black Grace, to the Royal Theatre March 15 and 16. Fusing Samoan ritual dances with modern dance to create an extraordinarily dynamic form, Black Grace occupies a unique position on the world stage, celebrated for its artistry, creative excellence and innovation. Percussive, masculine, powerful…like thunder rolling across the sky.
Steven Armstrong, Recollection
Exploring Beautiful BC
Enjoy the work of some of BC’s finest artists this January with West End Gallery’s vibrant and diverse British Columbia Group Show, running throughout the month.
This unique group show explores breathtaking West Coast scenery in the works of Steven Armstrong, Rod Charlesworth, Richard Cole, Ken Faulks, Robert Genn and Patricia Johnston, or explore the region’s whimsical side in works by Greta Guzek, Paul Jorgensen and Peter Wyse. Also featured are Pierre Giroux, Laura Harris and Elka Nowicka.
A Night at the Opera with Albert Herring
Victoria’s artistic season continues in February with Pacific Opera Victoria’s presentation of Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring, performed over select dates February 7 to 17 at the McPherson Playhouse.
Consternation reigns in the bucolic English village of Loxford where not a single girl in town is virtuous enough to be Queen of the May! With an intoxicating confection of daft village characters and the sweetest, most confused hero in opera, Britten’s witty, effervescent comedy skewers small-town pomposity and slyly illuminates the charms and trials of life in a goldfish bowl.
Grim & Fischer joins the Winter
Festival of International Theatre
Intrepid Theatre welcomes world
From the producers of Victoria’s Uno and Fringe festivals comes the 2013 Winter Festival of International Theatre in January and February, the perfect antidote to the post-holiday blahs.
Hosted at the intimate Metro Studio, the innovative performances include the personal memoir Look Mummy, I’m Dancing, by Belgium’s Vanessa Van Durme, Grim & Fischer, a full face mask comedy from US physical theatre duo Wonderheads, and the United Kingdom’s Il Pixel Rosso in a blending of cinema and theatre, And the Birds Fell From the Sky. Additional performances were being added at press time – visit intrepidtheatre.com to learn more.
A Royal Welcome
The hockey world’s up-and-coming stars are in action at Victoria’s Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre this spring as the WHL’s Victoria Royals make their play for the Memorial Cup.
Come cheer on the home team as they compete against the Tri-City Americans, Kamloops Blazers, Vancouver Giants, the Seattle Thunderbirds and others. Winter highlights include the team’s second annual Pink in the Rink fundraiser for cancer research January 26 and Canadian Forces Appreciation Night February 23 against the Kelowna Rockets.
Hockey action at its finest!
Theatre for the family
Flee the cold this February with Kaleidoscope Theatre’s brand new Family Theatre Festival, uniting four of Victoria’s most dynamic theatre companies for four theatrically packed days February 8 to 11. Encounter new and exciting world premiere work that promises to stimulate and inspire imaginations for all ages with productions that include Gruff, by Puente Theatre, Kiki, by Suddenly Dance Theatre, Wilde by Urban Arts, and The Dragon’s Handbook by Kaleidoscope Theatre. Visit www.kaleidoscope.bc.ca for details
Things to Do WIth Kids in Victoria: boys play at the Maritime Museum of BC, #5 on our list (Photo: roy.luck)
Entertaining kids in an unfamiliar city is never easy. For your next family trip to Vancouver Island, our local travel experts have made it easy on you by putting together this list of 20 wonderful things to do with kids in Victoria. There are activities here for every kind of young traveller, from the the science lover (see #1 and #4) to the adventurer (see numbers #13 and #20) to the sports nut (#17 and #9). There are more than enough things to do with kids in Victoria to keep the little ones engaged—and maybe even spark the interest of a few adults. Come explore!
See the list of 20 things to do with kids in Victoria »
Victoria Beer: a set of pints served up at Canoe Brewpub (Photo: sashafatcat)
Think Victoria is best known for its afternoon tea? Think again! For the last decade, the Victoria beer scene has been expanding at a exponential rate. The burgeoning craft brewing industry has been earning rave reviews across North America, blending the finest traditional practices with local recipes and seasonal ingredients. For all lovers of beer, Victoria has become a destination city—so much so that we decided to compile a guide to the greatest ways to sample Victoria’s best beer.
See our guide to the best beer in Victoria »
