Confabulation Victoria Jan 16, Feb 20, and Mar 20, 2025
Confabulation has been on my to-go list for two years. I have heard nothing but great things about the moving, funny, and engaging stories that leave audience members feeling more connected and engaged with members of their community.
Ivan Coyote – Jan 30, 2025 and Jan 31 – Feb 2, 2025 (Note: Two Different Theatres are showing this performance)
This is a bit of a gimmie, as Ivan Coyote’s Playlist was my [spoiler alert] pick on my list of Top Ten Performances I saw in 2024. This hilarious and touching show will be returning to Intrepid Theatre as part of Outstages on Jan 31, Feb 1, and Feb 2, and Playlist will also be showing one night only at the Mary Winspear in Sidney on Jan 30.
Victoria Film Festival Feb 7 – 16, 2025
Last year’s film festival had incredible programming, and introduced me to some of my favourite films that I saw all year (looking at you, Perfect Days, Wicked Little Letters, and Taste of Things)! The programming offered as a whole in the past has been diverse, exciting, and touching. With new venues and a lineup that has me making notes at a rapid dash pace, it’s probably going to be a GREAT festival.
More than that, watching movies with a bunch of movie lovers is just SO much fun. We laugh together, cry together, and share our best picks in line with enthusiasm.
Treat yourself to a great time, grab a program, and make your picks!
Little Prince (Pacific Opera Victoria) February 19 – 25, 2025
As a lifelong lover of Little Prince, I have purchased numerous copies as gifts, donned Little Prince t-shirts, filled Little Prince journals, and spritzed on Little Prince perfume (the latter being rose scented and therefore objectively gross to me, so I only wore it once). Suffice to say, my heart is ready and so excited to see this opera! I cannot wait to see they do with this whimsical text, and look forward to getting to meet all my favourite characters again. 🌹
Hot Chocolate Festival February 1 – 28, 2025
Whether you’re a coffee drinker or a tea-only person, I think we can all come together and agree that a nice cup of hot chocolate is a fun treat in the cooler winter months – and supporting the BC SPCA to boot?
Nothing could be better!
The unique toppings and specialty flavours of hot chocolate are so yummy to explore! Stop by the listed locations for fun and funky takes on hot chocolate!
Surfrider Beach Cleanup February 9 and March 9, 2025
I have very recently had my first volunteer experience with Surfrider’s beach cleanup, and I highly recommend anyone who likes our beaches to check them out!
As a volunteer, I found the event to be very well-organized and it seems like it is welcome to families and groups. Surfrider is also an advocacy organization, so their work goes beyond cleanups. Beach cleanups are a great way to get involved hands-on with our natural spaces. Seeing how much plastic (especially styrofoam) can be collected by each person is really motivating and encourages us all to do as much as we can.
It’s a great way to spend part of your Sunday – information is available online!
Visiting SecondHand Craft and Art Stores
If you, like me, want to put down your phone a bit more, and roll back the doomscrolling at least a little but, an artistic hobby might be a great way to engage your hands and practice a bit of joyful mindfulness instead.
In my previous visits to secondhand craft stores, I have found brand new kits, tools that were exactly what I was looking for, all at a price point that made me feel like I can play without “ruining” my fancy art supplies.
This has been such a great place to get inspired and try something new!
Stores I have visited and loved:
Rite of Passage (Bema Theatre) March 19 – 30, 2025
This is maybe a bit cheeky as I am a volunteer with Bema theatre, so of course I love their work. However, this dynamic little company consistently puts forth incredible performances in their black box space that I think anyone would enjoy!
This show navigates themes of grief, family, and coming of age in a touching and often humorous way, and I believe this fantastic cast will bring this family to life with joy and love.
Carmina Burana (Ballet Victoria) March 21 – 31, 2025
This show might be my pick for most anticipated of Ballet Victoria’s season. I’m expecting a moody and dark show with gripping drama and spectacular music. Joined by the Victoria Choral Society, this will be such a blending of artistic skills into one show!
There is so much to do, and this high level list is not even scratching the surface of everything that’s happening in town – there’s always so much more to do, see, and experience!
One thing I do find that many friends and colleagues say to me, is that it is difficult to find events. It’s happened to me many times that I’ve only seen a poster for a cool show or concert after it’s happened!
I fully agree that so many truly wonderful, smaller organizations are getting lost or overlooked in the wake of highly marketed events that just have a bigger budget. While there are some great tools that I use to help me find my next show, a lot of my luck comes from getting on email lists from any organizations I’m interested in, and best of all is always word of mouth. So, if you have something that you want to see – tell a friend (and then tell me)!
To find more of what’s happening I recommend:
- The Lamppost Victoria
- This Week in Vic
- Tourism Victoria (Check “Arts and Culture”)
- Eventbrite (set your location to Victoria)