ACTIVISM
Monday, Dec. 17
Red Umbrella March
In recognition of Dec. 17, the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, there will be a rally in Victoria to bring awareness to the violence faced by those employed in the sex trade worldwide. Organized by the PEERS Victoria Resoure Society and the UVSS Women’s Centre, this event starts at the B.C. legislature before attendants proceed on a candlelit march up Government Street. Be sure to show your support by bringing along a red umbrella or wearing red.
For more info, contact the UVSS Women’s Centre at 250-721-8353 or email wcentre@uvss.ca.
Meet at the B.C. legislature (501 Belleville St.), 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Free.
ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, Dec. 20
One-Man Star Wars Trilogy
Friday, Dec. 21
One-Man Lord of the Rings
A one-man Star Wars show followed by a one-man Lord of the Rings show the next night is a definite one-two punch for geeks everywhere. The two shows are, in fact, a fundraiser by performer Charles Ross for Intrepid Theatre, which is where he got his start before achieving worldwide recognition. You’ve got to credit this guy for sticking to his guns and taking the one-man Star Wars concept to this level of popularity. I think there are a lot of guys who try to do the exact same thing at home (myself included) and just end up annoying everyone around them. Pew! Pew!
Visit intrepidtheatre.com/shows for more info or call (250) 590-6291.
Metro Studio Theatre (1411 Quadra St.), 8 p.m. $25 ($20 students).
Saturday, Dec. 22
Iron Maiden & Van Halen Tributes: Power Clown, Ham Wailin’
Okay, so you’ve survived both doomsday and the doomsday party you went to the night before, waking up the next morning safe and sound (besides your hangover and regrets). What to do? Time to party again, man! Tonight you’ve got to check out this show, featuring tributes to two classic hard-rock acts: Iron Maiden and Van Halen! Not feeling quite up to it? Hey, that Mayan calendar could be off by a day, bro. You’ve gotta give ’er while you still can.
For more info, visit sopranoskaraoke.ca and click “events.”
Soprano’s Karaoke and Sports Bar (730 Caledonia Ave.), doors at 9 p.m., ends at 2 a.m. $12 advance.
SEASONAL EVENTS
Wednesday, Dec. 19
All I Want for Christmas: A Variety Show Fundraiser for the Mustard Seed
Variety shows can be amazing things. Back in the baby boomers’ heyday, we had The Ed Sullivan Show, which featured appearances by Elvis and the Beatles. Then along came something even more amazing — The Muppet Show, featuring the debuts of Miss Piggy and Gonzo. And then there were no more variety shows, because what could top that? But it’s worth bringing the concept back if it’s for charity. Here’s a variety show that’s the brainchild of host Miss Rosie Bitts, who organized it to raise funds for the Mustard Seed charity, which is facing shortages in donations. Entertainers include members of the Cheesecake Burlesque Revue, the Coventry Carollers, Wes Lord, Maxine Fisher and many more! Let’s hope they do a Muppet Show-style intro, and . . . oh yeah, Pigs in Space! All proceeds go to Mustard Seed.
For more info, visit missrosiebitts.com.
Metro Studio Theatre (1411 Quadra St.), doors open at 7:30 p.m., first show begins at 8 p.m. $20.
Saturday, Dec. 22
Daniel Lapp’s Home For Christmas Concerts
(with special guest Mae Moore)
This annual Christmas concert promises to give concertgoers their money’s worth of musical entertainment, with performances by Juno nominee Mae Moore as well as the B.C. Fiddle Orchestra, the Joy of Life Choir, the Swingin’ Shepherds House Band and Folkestra. These guys don’t folk around; well, actually, I suppose they do. Be sure to bring along a donation of an item of winter clothing or a sleeping bag to help the city’s homeless keep warm this winter.
For more info, visit houseofmusic.ca.
St. Andrew’s Church (680 Courtney St.), 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows. Matinee show: $10 adult / $5 students and seniors / $3 children 10 and under. Evening show: $20 adult / $15 students and seniors / $10 children 10 and under.
Friday, Dec. 21 – Sunday, Dec. 23
Live Outdoor Nativity Pageant
If you’ve ever wanted to see a full-on nativity pageant, this is the one to see. A tradition going back a quarter-century, this outdoor pageant held at Topaz Park has a cast of 100 as well as sheep, llamas and donkeys. That’s right — real donkeys! Try to top that with your flat construction-paper-background, elementary school Christmas pageant! Couldn’t do it, could you? I thought not. If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
For more info, visit
christmasnativity.ca.
Topaz Park (Blanshard St. at Finlayson St.), performances at 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Free.
Wednesday, Dec. 26
Boxing Day Hullabaloo
What better way to burn off those holiday pounds you’ve gained from way too much turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cheese, crackers, rum-and-eggnogs, Scotch whisky, garlic sausage and smoked oysters than by dancing the night away to a whole bunch of DJs? I mean, you could also burn off that energy getting in vicious fights in big-box retail stores with the other customers over the Boxing Day sales, but let’s face it: you’ve probably spent too much money over the holidays already. Hosted by Max Power, the Boxing Day Hullabaloo includes performances by Fred Everything, the Electric Timber Company, DJ Nigel and violinist Kytami (who must really kick some serious ass to be playing at this show, I figure).
Email comms@radiocontact.ca for more info, or call (250) 217-2887.
Sugar Night Club (858 Yates St.)
9 p.m. $15 advance.
