MUSIC/ARTS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24
“GEEK RAPPER” BABA BRINKMAN
As part of UVic’s 50th anniversary, UVic grad-turned-academic-rapper Baba Brinkman will be performing two shows on campus: “The Canterbury Tales Remixed” in the afternoon and “The Rap Guide to Evolution” in the evening. Brinkman, now based in New York, has received rave reviews for his off-Broadway performances of educational hip-hop material. No, he doesn’t rap about bling; stimulating your mind is this guy’s thing. I’m hoping to see a special guest-rap appearance by a holographic Niels Bohr! For more info, visit events.uvic.ca. University Centre Farquhar Auditorium. 2 p.m. show $10 ($5 students); 8 p.m. show $25 ($20 students). Tickets must be reserved in advance.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28
LOOT – A TRIBUTE TO TOOL HALLOWEEN SHOW (WITH BLACK HAT VILLAIN)
In the 1990s, the members of Tool were the kings of drop-D tuning. “What in the friggin’ heck are you talking about?” you may be asking if you don’t play guitar. Well, it’s where you tune your guitar’s lowest string down from E to D so you can play darker, meaner, heavier guitar riffs than you could before. Once guitar players heard the glory of drop-D, courtesy of Tool, they all started doing it and it became less and less cool as time went along (ahem, Nickelback), so it’s not such a big thing anymore. But if this Tool tribute band, Loot, is authentic, it will rock your socks off and maybe inspire you to tune down your low E-string, too. Turn up the distortion and chug away! For more information, visit facebook.com/gotpopconcerts. Club 9One9 (919 Douglas St.). Doors at 9 p.m. $12.
HALLOWEEN TOURS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
SPOOKS ’N’ SPOKES GHOST RIDE
Here’s a great way to explore Victoria’s haunted sites — a 20-kilometre nighttime bike ride offered by the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition (GVCC). Night bike rides are kind of creepy, but also really fun! I think nighttime biking played a big part in Donnie Darko, but it was even creepy in E.T. Also, you’ll get some good exercise, especially if you have to escape any horrendous banshees who may fly out at you from their haunted lairs. The GVCC notes you should bring something to eat and drink, and of course some safety equipment (take note, all you non-helmet wearers . . . tsk, tsk! Don’t think we don’t notice!). For more info, visit gvcc.bc.ca and click “Events.” Centennial Square. 6:30 p.m. By donation (suggested donation $5).
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 AND TUESDAY, OCT 30
GHOST BUS TOURS 2012
Who ya gonna call? Ghost Bus Tours! Victoria’s own paranormal expert John Adams leads this Ghost Bus Tour, which is a fundraiser for the preservation of some of the region’s old cemeteries. I don’t think going on a tour of Victoria’s legendary “haunts” (pardon the bad pun) is quite as creepy when you’re on a bus full of people, but there are a couple of stops where you get off the bus and can walk around, explore and learn to hunt ghosts. The most exciting stop is at the Victoria Golf Course, home to one of the area’s creepiest ghost legends. Apparently, ringing a bell in the dead of night summons the spirit of a lady in white. The legend is totally true, too, according to a professor I know. If anyone can summon up some ghosts, it’s John Adams. And if he does, you’ll be glad you’re facing those scary ghosts with a busload of people. For more info, visit discoverthepast.com. Meet at Oak Bay Marina Parking Lot (1327 Beach Dr.). Friday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6:30 p.m. $35 plus $2 surcharge.
THEATRE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 AND SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
THE HORROR WITHIN: AN IMPROVISED H.P. LOVECRAFT
Improv theatre meets H.P. Lovecraft. Hmm . . . apparently the hook here is that the performers improvise horror stories based on audience suggestions. If improv performance is anything, it’s challenging. So, let’s see what kind of scary story these guys can weave with “spatula,” “Super Nintendo” and “Honey Nut Cheerios.” For more info, visit
paperstreettheatre.com. Intrepid Studio (#2-1609 Blanshard St.). 8 p.m. $12
OTHER HALLOWEEN EVENTS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
WAG-O-WEEN
Yep — this event is Halloween for dogs. The whole world’s gone to the dogs, as my mom would say. But hey, it’s for charity (Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue), and if you’re a dog person and a bona fide Halloweenie, you’ll want to check out this event, which features costume competitions, prizes and dog-based Halloween activities including Bone Bobbing and Jump Over the Skeleton. There’s a competition for best dog-and-owner costume combo. I wonder how many people will go as Han Solo and Chewbacca? For more info, email eileenheather1@gmail.com. Halloween Alley store (2973 Tillicum Rd.). 6:30–9 p.m. Adults $15, kids $5.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28
HA-BAT-ITAT
Bats look kinda creepy. So they totally fit in with the Halloween vibe of this week’s event calendar. But the truth is, they’re cute and really neat little guys, even if they’re a little less than photogenic. And they don’t suck your blood (at least, not the ones around here); they actually mostly eat bugs. I once stood on a forest trail at night while bats zipped around me. It was awesome. Bats are awesome. Go to this CRD walking tour to learn about bats and you’ll agree with me. For more information, email crdparks@crd.bc.ca or call 250-478-3344. Francis/King Regional Park Nature Centre (off Munn Rd.). 1 p.m. Free.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30 AND WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31
MOVIE MONSTER
Got kids? Wanna do something totally awesome with them? Go to this event, where together you can learn about monsters and monster movies, dress up as monsters, build scary sets and put together your own DIY monster movie. Kids these days. They have so much cool stuff they can do. This Halloween, enjoy your time with your children before they mature into sullen teens. For more info, visit intrepidtheatre.com. Leonardo Da Vinci Centre (195 Bay St.). 3–8 p.m. Kids $5, family $15 (for up to four people).
